Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles on meristematic cells of Allium cepa roots: A close analysis of particle size dependence.

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in commercial products has increased significantly in recent years. However, findings on the toxic effects of the AgNPs are still limited. This paper reports an investigation on the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the AgNPs on root cells of Allium cepa. Germination (GI), root elongation (REI), mitotic (MI), nuclear abnormality (NAI), and micronucleus index (MNI) were determined for seeds exposed to various AgNPs diameters (10, 20, 51, and 73 nm) as well as to the silver bulk (AgBulk) (micrometer-size particles) at the concentration of 100 mg·L-1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided the particle size distribution, while dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to get the hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the AgNPs. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) were applied for quantifying the AgNPs content uptake by roots. Silver dissolution was determined by dialysis experiment. Results showed that the AgNPs penetrated the roots, affecting MI, GI, NAI, and MNI in meristematic cells. Changes in these indicators were AgNPs diameter-dependent so that cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in Allium cepa increased with the reduction of the particle diameter. The results also revealed that the AgNPs were the main responsible for the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity since negligible silver dissolution was observed.

Emerging contaminants in Brazilian rivers: Occurrence and effects on gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals that are not commonly monitored despite having the potential of entering the environment and causing adverse ecological and/or human health effects. This study aimed to determine whether ECs are present in the surface waters of two rivers in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, and evaluate the effects of ECs mixtures at environmentally relevant concentrations on zebrafish (Danio rerio) gene expression. ECs concentrations were determined using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ECs most frequently detected were caffeine, imidacloprid, 2-hydroxy atrazine, tebuthiuron, atrazine, and bisphenol A. We used these data to reconstruct ECs mixtures reflecting environmental concentrations, codenamed T1, T2, and T3. No effects were observed, so the concentrations were increased. After a preliminary evaluation of the No Observed Effect Concentration for each mixture, we analyzed changes in the expression of zebrafish target genes (cyp1a, hsp70, cat, sod1, tsh, cyp19a1a, cyp19a1b, cyp26b1, casp8, sox2, cyb561d2, and thrb). cat was overrepresented in T1 and underrepresented in the other treatments. All of the mixtures induced the expression of cyp19a1b, which is a marker for (xeno-)estrogen exposure, and two of them increased the expression of cyp1a, which is used to indicate the presence of dioxin-like compounds. The rivers studied had low EC concentrations, and there was no indication of any harmful effects on the zebrafish. However, intensive agricultural activity may result in unsuspected peaks of EC pollution, and subsequent negative effects on living organisms.

Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity, Antioxidant Potential and Chemical Composition of Leaves of Campomanesia pubescens (Mart. ex DC.) O.Berg.

BACKGROUND: Plants of the genus Campomanesia belong to the family Myrtaceae and are very abundant in Cerrado areas. Teas from leaves of species of this genus are used for intestinal infections, combating obesity, stomach pathology, fever and among others. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the chemical composition and antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of ethanolic extract from leaves of Campomanesia pubescens (Mart. ex DC.) O.Berg. METHOD: For the evaluation of antioxidant activity, the free radical DPPH and for determination of phenolic compounds Folin-Ciocalteau reagent were used. Identification of the substances was performed by HPLC-DAD by comparison of the retention times with standards analyzed under the same conditions and by evaluation of molecular absorption spectra in the ultraviolet and visible region. The cytotoxicity, genotoxicity were evaluated using Allium cepa bioassay. RESULTS: In the ethanolic extract 7-hydroxy-6-methyl-5-methoxyflavanone, 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methylflavanone, 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methylflavanone, 2´,4´-dihydroxy-6´-methoxychalcone, 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8- dimethylflavanone, 2´,4´-dihydroxy-5´-methyl-6´-methoxychalcone and 2´,4´-dihydroxy-3´,5´-dimethyl-6´- methoxychalcone were identified. The extract showed antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects on cell division and increased chromosomal alterations in Allium cepa test. CONCLUSION: These results showed antioxidant activity and suggest the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in Allium cepa of ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Campomanesia pubescens.

In vitro antifungal activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão against human vaginal Candida species.

Myracrodruon urundeuva is a plant native to Brazil, which is used by the indigenous population for the treatment of candidiasis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antifungal activity of extract against human vaginal Candida species and evaluate the possible toxicological activities of M. urundeuva. Initially, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and hydroalcoholic fractions of the bark and leaf of M. urundeuva were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts that showed antifungal activity were characterized by liquid chromatography and subjected to toxicity assessment. Toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic testing were performed using Allium cepa and Ames assays with the ethanol extracts of the bark and leaves. Hemolytic activity was evaluated in erythrocytes and acute toxicity in rats. The ethanol bark extracts showed best activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis ATCC (4-512 µg/mL). Chemical characterization indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Hemolytic activity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity were not observed. The results of the Ames and A. cepa tests were also in agreement, ethanol bark extracts and ethanol leaf extracts of M. urundeuva showed absence of mutagenic activity. Similar results were observed in the A. cepa assay and acute toxicity test in rats. M. urundeuva bark extracts showed potential for the treatment of vaginal infections caused Candida species, as a topical.

In vitro antifungal activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão against human vaginal Candida species

ABSTRACT Myracrodruon urundeuva is a plant native to Brazil, which is used by the indigenous population for the treatment of candidiasis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antifungal activity of extract against human vaginal Candida species and evaluate the possible toxicological activities of M. urundeuva. Initially, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and hydroalcoholic fractions of the bark and leaf of M. urundeuva were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts that showed antifungal activity were characterized by liquid chromatography and subjected to toxicity assessment. Toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic testing were performed using Allium cepa and Ames assays with the ethanol extracts of the bark and leaves. Hemolytic activity was evaluated in erythrocytes and acute toxicity in rats. The ethanol bark extracts showed best activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis ATCC (4-512 µg/mL). Chemical characterization indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Hemolytic activity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity were not observed. The results of the Ames and A. cepa tests were also in agreement, ethanol bark extracts and ethanol leaf extracts of M. urundeuva showed absence of mutagenic activity. Similar results were observed in the A. cepa assay and acute toxicity test in rats. M. urundeuva bark extracts showed potential for the treatment of vaginal infections caused Candida species, as a topical.

Effects of atmospheric pollutants on somatic and germ cells of Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt cv. purpurea.

Anatomical alterations in leaves and DNA damage in cells caused by the accumulation of atmospheric pollutants can be measured by epidermal leaf analyses and Tradescantia micronuclei assay with early pollen tetrad cells. The present study examined the feasibility of using somatic and germ cells of Tradescantia pallida for biomonitoring purposes in the city of Dourados, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. Stomatal, micronucleus and epidermal leaf analyses were performed, using standard methodologies, on plants growing at three locations during six different time periods. Tradescantia micronuclei data were analyzed using SAS 9.2 software package and stomatal data were analyzed using SANEST software. Analyses of stomatal characteristics and micronuclei examination in T. pallida were found to be an efficient tool for monitoring atmospheric pollution. The micronucleus assay suggested that the number of micronuclei in early pollen tetrad cells was related to the intensity of vehicular traffic. Increased number of epidermal cells and stomata and increased stomatal density observed at locations with greater vehicular traffic are likely physiological responses of those plants to the increased gas exchange in highly polluted environments.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a swine slaughterhouse in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

The present work sought to detect the presence of Pseudomonas spp. at different stages of an effluent treatment plant using the Australian system of stabilization ponds, and to determine the susceptibility of those isolates to different antimicrobials. Thirty-four isolates of Pseudomonas spp. derived from effluent treatment station water samples were collected near the transfer ducts between the ponds in November/2008 and december/2009. Among the Pseudomonas spp. isolates, 47.05 % showed susceptibility to all antimicrobials tested, 20.58 % were resistant to cefepime, and 24 % showed intermediate resistance to streptomycin. No Pseudomonas spp. isolates were found in the final pond, or in post-treatment effluents. The Pseudomonas spp. isolates did not exhibit multiresistance to the antimicrobials tested.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a swine slaughterhouse in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil / Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a swine slaughterhouse in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

The present work sought to detect the presence of Pseudomonas spp. at different stages of an effluent treatment plant using the Australian system of stabilization ponds, and to determine the susceptibility of those isolates to different antimicrobials. Thirty-four isolates of Pseudomonas spp. derived from effluent treatment station water samples were collected near the transfer ducts between the ponds in November/2008 and december/2009. Among the Pseudomonas spp. isolates, 47.05

showed susceptibility to all antimicrobials tested, 20.58

were resistant to cefepime, and 24

showed intermediate resistance to streptomycin. No Pseudomonas spp. isolates were found in the final pond, or in post-treatment effluents. The Pseudomonas spp. isolates did not exhibit multiresistance to the antimicrobials tested.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a swine slaughterhouse in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. / Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from a swine slaughterhouse in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

The present work sought to detect the presence of Pseudomonas spp. at different stages of an effluent treatment plant using the Australian system of stabilization ponds, and to determine the susceptibility of those isolates to different antimicrobials. Thirty-four isolates of Pseudomonas spp. derived from effluent treatment station water samples were collected near the transfer ducts between the ponds in November/2008 and december/2009. Among the Pseudomonas spp. isolates, 47.05

showed susceptibility to all antimicrobials tested, 20.58

were resistant to cefepime, and 24

showed intermediate resistance to streptomycin. No Pseudomonas spp. isolates were found in the final pond, or in post-treatment effluents. The Pseudomonas spp. isolates did not exhibit multiresistance to the antimicrobials tested.