Protective effect of Agaricus bisporus mushroom against maternal and fetal damage induced by lead administration during pregnancy in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Lead (Pb) is a toxic pollutant, which can affect different tissues of the human body. The use of natural elements, as medicinal mushroom can reduce the toxic effects of Pb. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated, through preclinical tests, the oral co exposures to mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Ab) by gavage and Pb in drinking water, and the capability of Ab be a protective agent for both pregnant rats and their fetuses. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 5/group): Group I-Control; Group II-Ab 100 mg/kg; Group III-Pb 100 mg/L; Group IV-Ab +Pb -100 mg/kg +100 mg/L. Exposure was performed until the 19th day of gestation. On the 20th day, pregnant rats were euthanized, and the outcomes evaluated were weight gain; hematological profile; biochemical markers; oxidative stress markers; reproductive capacity; and embryo fetal development. RESULTS: The characterization of mushrooms reveals them to be a valuable source of nutrients. However, Pb ingestion resulted in reduced weight gain and negative impacts on hematological and biochemical parameters. Fortunately, co administration of mushrooms helped to mitigate these negative effects and promote recovery. The mushroom also showed antioxidant activity, improving parameters of oxidative stress. In addition, Ab partially recovered the damage in fetal morphology and bone parameters. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the co administration of Ab improved the toxicity caused by Pb, and the mushroom could be used as a natural alternative as a protective/chelator agent.

Actividad embriotóxica de los extractos acuosos de Allophylus edulis y Matricaria recutita en pez cebra / Embryotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of Allophylus edulis and Matricaria recutita in zebrafish

La planta de uso medicinal Allophylus edulis se utiliza para el tratamiento de enfriamiento, catarro, diabetes y la planta Matricaria recutita (manzanilla) se utiliza como antiinflamatorio, descongestivo, tratar conjuntivitis, cólicos. Ambas especies son de amplio uso a nivel nacional, en Paraguay, e internacional, pero no se conocen bien sus posibles efectos secundarios sobre embriones de vertebrados. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar si los extractos acuosos de, Allophylus edulis y Matricaria recutita tienen efecto tóxico en embriones de Danio rerio. Se trataron embriones de 6 horas pos fecundación con diferentes concentraciones de cada extracto para determinar la toxicidad de los extractos acuosos de Allophylus edulis y Matricaria recutita. En los resultados obtenidos, ambos extractos presentaron efectos tóxicos significativos en los siguientes parámetros: ausencia de formación de somitas, de latidos cardiacos, de circulación sanguínea y de pigmentación. No se observó un efecto teratogénico significativo. Se concluye que los extractos acuosos de Allophylus edulis y Matricaria recutita resultaron tóxicos para embriones de Danio rerio, de manera dosis dependiente. (AU)

Medicinal plant Allophylus edulis is used to treat colds, catarrh, diabetes and the Matricaria recutita plant (chamomile) is used as an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, conjunctivitis treatment, and colic. Both species are widely used nationally in Paraguay, and internationally, but their possible side effects on vertebrate embryos are not well known. The objectives of this work were to evaluate whether the aqueous extracts of Allophylus edulis and Matricaria recutita have a toxic effect on Danio rerio embryos. Embryos 6 hours after its fertilization were treated with different concentrations of each extract to determine the toxicity of the aqueous extracts of Allophylus edulis and Matricaria recutita. In the results obtained, both extracts presented significant toxic effects on the following parameters: absence of somite formation, heartbeat, blood circulation and pigmentation. No significant teratogenic effect was observed. It is concluded that the aqueous extracts of Allophylus edulis and Matricaria recutita were toxic for Danio rerio embryos, in a dose dependent way. (AU)

Physical and chemical threats posed by micro(nano)plastic to sea urchins.

The awareness of the plastic issue is rising in recent years. Our seas and coastal seawaters are investigated with the aim to evaluate the possible fate, behavior and the impact of these novel contaminants upon marine biota. In particular, benthic organisms are exposed to micro(nano)plastics that sink and accumulated on the seabed. Sea urchins can be prone to the plastic impact for all their lifespan with effect that can be extended upon the trophic cascade since their key role as grazer organisms. Moreover, they are largely used in the assessment of contaminant impact both as adult individuals and as early larval stages. This review analyzes the recent literature about the chemical and physical hazards posed by diverse polymers to sea urchins, in relation to their peculiar characteristics and to their size. The search was based on a query of the keyword terms: microplastic _ OR nanoplastic_AND Sea urchins in Web of Science and Google Scholar. The effects provoked by exposure of different sea urchin biological form are highlighted, considering both laboratory exposure and collection in real world. Additional focus has also been given upon the exposure methods utilized in laboratory test and in the existing limitations in the testing procedures. In conclusion, the micro(nano)plastics major impact seemed to be attributable to leaching compounds, however variability and lacking of realisms in the procedures do not allow a full understanding of the hazard posed by micro(nano)plastics for sea urchins. Finally, the work provides insights into the future research strategies to better characterize the actual risk for sea urchins.

Toxicological assessment of PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes in early developing zebrafish.

Functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is among the most promising strategies to avoid SWCNT aggregation in aqueous media, improving its interactions with biological systems. However, the best molecular PEG weight and functionalization strategy remain under investigation. In this work we assessed the toxicological effects of SWCNT functionalized with PEG at 600 Da in zebrafish embryos. Embryos were exposed to SWCNT at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/L from 3 to 96 h post-fertilization (hpf). At the highest concentration, SWCNT led to toxic effects at several endpoints, including mortality, delayed hatching, malformations, reduced body length, increased ROS production and DNA damage. Even with these effects, SWCNT could not be detected within the bodily tissues of the larvae. Our results give evidence that the tested PEGylation approach was unsuitable to avoid SWCNT aggregation in aqueous media, and that SWCNT can induce toxicity even without being absorbed by the organism by obstructing the chorion pores.

Toxicity of Usnic Acid from Cladonia substellata (Lichen) to embryos and adults of Biomphalaria glabrata.

This study reports the molluscicidal activity of usnic acid isolated from Cladonia substellata Vanio (lichen) on embryos at various stages of development and in adult mollusks of Biomphalaria glabrata. The toxicity of usnic acid was also evaluated through Artemia salina larvae mortality. Usnic acid was extracted with diethyl ether, isolated, purified, and its structure confirmed by analyzing the spectra of proton nuclear magnetic resonance. LC90 for 24 h of exposure were 1.62, 4.45, 5.36, and 4.49 µg mL-1 for blastula, gastrula, trocophore, and veliger embryonic stages, respectively, and 3.45 µg mL-1 for adult snails; LC50 of usnic acid against A. salina was 2.46 µg mL-1. LC90 assessed 7 days after exposure was 2.56 µg mL-1 for adult mollusks. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that under laboratory conditions usnic acid has teratogenic and molluscicide potential to control the aquatic snail B. glabrata and may prove to be a promising candidate in the search for new molluscicide agents, but further detailed studies on its molluscicidal effect and possible environmental effects are needed.

Developmental abnormalities and neurotoxicological effects of CuO NPs on the black sea urchin Arbacia lixula by embryotoxicity assay.

The embryotoxicity of CuO NPs was evaluated in the black sea urchin Arbacia lixula embryos, by using 24-well plates. Fertilized eggs were exposed to five doses of CuO NPs ranging from 0.07 to 20 ppb, until pluteus stage. CuO NPs suspensions in artificial seawater formed agglomerates of 80-200 nm size, and copper uptake was 2.5-fold up in larvae exposed to high NP concentrations in respect to control. Developmental delay and morphological alteration, including skeletal abnormalities, were observed, as well as impairment in cholinergic and serotonergic nervous systems. These findings suggest the potential of CuO NPs to interfere with the normal neurotransmission pathways, thus affecting larval morphogenesis. Overall, the embryotoxicity tests are effective for evaluation of nanoparticle effects on the health of aquatic biota. Furthermore, as the black sea urchin A. lixula demonstrated to be vulnerable to NP exposure, it may be a valid bioindicator in marine biomonitoring and ecotoxicological programmes.

Efecto embriotóxico y teratogénico de Ruta chalepensis L. «ruda», en ratón (Mus musculus)

Ruta graveolens L. y R. chalepensis L. son plantas usadas en medicina folclórica como antiespasmódicos, antihelmínticos, antimicrobianos, emenagogos y abortivos. En el presente trabajo se evaluó el efecto del extracto acuoso liofilizado (EAL) de las hojas de R. chalepensis en embriones postimplantacionales de ratón. Ratonas albinas preñadas recibieron intraperitonalmente (ip) 10 mg de ruda liofilizada/kg de peso corporal (grupo tratado, n=12) durante el periodo post-implantacional (día 9 día 17 post-cópula), y un grupo control(C), n=18, que recibió sólo agua destilada durante el mismo período. El EAL de ruda no afectó negativamente el peso de la madre pero sí del útero durante el tratamiento (p<0,05). En el grupo tratado la frecuencia de reabsorciones fetales fue mayor (p<0,05) y el peso fetal fue significativamente menor en comparación con el control (p<0,01). Además en el grupo tratado se evidenció la presencia de malformaciones esqueléticas. En conclusión, encontramos que el EAL de R. chalepensis muestra efectos embriotóxicos en ratones expuestos durante el período postimplantacional.

Ruta graveolens L. and R. chalepensis L. are plants used in folkloric medicine as antispasmodics, antihelmintics, antimicrobials, emmenagoges and abortifacients. In this work we evaluated embryotoxic effect of liophilized aqueous extract (LAE) of leaves of R. chalepensis on postimplantational mouse embryos. Pregnant albino mice received intraperitoneally (ip) 10 mg of liophilzed rue/kg of body weight (treated group, n=12) during post implantational period (day 9 - day 17 postcopula), and a control (C) group, n=18, received only distilled water during the same period of time. The LAE of R. chalepensis did not affect negatively the weight of mother but affected the weight of the uterus during the period of treatment (p<0,05). The frequency of fetal resorptions was greater (p<0,05) and a significant decrease of fetal weight (p<0,01) was evidenced in fetuses of the treated group in comparison with the C group. Also there was occurrence of skeletal malformations in the treated group. In conclusion, we found that LAE of R. chalepensis shows embryotoxic effects on mouse esposed during postimplantational period.