Melanoma-targeted photodynamic therapy based on hypericin-loaded multifunctional P123-spermine/folate micelles.

Multifunctional P123 micelle linked covalently with spermine (SM) and folic acid (FA) was developed as a drug delivery system of hypericin (HYP). The chemical structures of the modified copolymers were confirmed by spectroscopy and spectrophotometric techniques (UV-vis, FTIR, and 1H NMR). The copolymeric micelles loading HYP were prepared by solid dispersion and characterized by UV-vis, fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results provided a good level of stability for HYP-loaded P123-SM, P123-FA, and P123-SM/P123-FA in the aqueous medium. The morphology analysis showed that all copolymeric micelles are spherical. Well-defined regions of different contrast allow us to infer that SM and FA were localized on the surface of micelles, and the HYP molecules are located in the core region of micelles. The uptake potential of multifunctional P123 micelle was accessed by exposing the micellar systems loading HYP to two cell lines, B16-F10 and HaCaT. HYP-loaded P123 micelles reveal a low selectivity for melanoma cells, showing significant photodamage for HaCat cells. However, the exposition of B16-F10 cells to Hyp-loaded SM- and FA-functionalized P123 micelles under light irradiation revealed the lowest CC50 values. The interpretation of these results suggested that the combination of SM and FA on P123 micelles is the main factor in enhancing the HYP uptake by melanoma cells, consequently leading to its photoinactivation.

Effect of Lippia grata essential oil as a feed additive on the performance of tambatinga juveniles / Efeito do óleo essencial de Lippia grata como aditivo alimentar sobre o desempenho de juvenis de tambatinga

Lippia grata (formerly known as Lippia gracillis) is an aromatic plant native to Brazil, with leaves rich in essential oils that possess significant biological activities. We evaluated the effect of essential oil of L. grata (EOLG) as a dietary additive on the growth, somatic indices, and biochemical parameters of juveniles (5.25 ± 0.26 g) of tambatinga, a hybrid fish obtained by crossing tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) with pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomum) of great economic importance in north and northeastern Brazil. We evaluated four dietary treatments, consisting of EOLG supplemented at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL kg-1, over 60 days. Carcass yield was significantly higher in fish fed all EOLG diets compared to those fed the control diet (0.0 mL kg-1). Animals that received the 0.5 mL kg-1 treatment gained significantly more weight and showed a higher specific growth rate than those treated with 1.0 and 2.0 ml kg-1 EOLG, although none differed significantly from the control. The feed conversion rate was significantly lower in the 0.5 than in the 1.0 mL kg-1 treatment. Compared with higher concentrations, the diet containing 0.5 mL kg-1 EOLG increased the use of muscle glycogen, glucose, and lactate to meet energy demands, avoiding the use of muscle protein. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation with EOLG significantly improves carcass yield in tambatinga juveniles but that concentrations above 0.5 mL kg-1 may compromise growth rates and carbohydrate metabolism in this fish.(AU)

Lippia grata (previamente conhecida como Lippia gracillis) é uma planta aromática nativa do Brasil, com folhas ricas em óleos essenciais que possuem atividades biológicas significativas. Avaliamos o efeito do óleo essencial de L. grata (OELG) como aditivo alimentar sobre o crescimento, índices somáticos e parâmetros bioquímicos de juvenis (5,25 ± 0,26 g) de tambatinga, um hibrido obtido do cruzamento de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) com pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomum) com grande importância econômica no norte e nordeste do Brazil. Foram avaliados quatro tratamentos dietéticos consistindo na suplementação com OELG em 0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0 mL kg-1 durante 60 dias. O rendimento de carcaça foi significativamente maior nos peixes alimentados com todas as dietas contendo OELG em comparação à dieta controle. Os animais do tratamento 0,5 mL kg-1 ganharam significativamente mais peso e apresentaram maior taxa de crescimento específico do que aqueles tratados com 1,0 e 2,0 mL kg-1 OELG, embora nenhum tenha diferido significativamente do controle. A taxa de conversão alimentar foi significativamente menor no tratamento 0,5 mL kg-1 do que no tratamento 1,0 mL kg-1. Comparada com as concentrações mais altas, a dieta contendo 0,5 mL kg-1 OELG aumentou o uso de glicogênio muscular, glicose e lactato para suprir as demandas energéticas, evitando o uso de proteína muscular. Nossos resultados sugerem que a suplementação dietética com OELG melhora significativamente o rendimento de carcaça de juvenis de tambatinga, mas concentrações acima de 0,5 mL kg-1 podem comprometer as taxas de crescimento e metabolismo de carboidratos desses peixes.(AU)

Chemical composition and acaricide activity of an essential oil from a rare chemotype of Cinnamomum verum Presl on Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

The Essential Oils (EOs) from the leaves of species Cinnamomum verum J. Presl are used in the pharmaceutical industry for their numerous biological activities. Currently, the main compound of C. verum EO is eugenol which has acaricidal activity; however, a rare chemotype with benzyl benzoate as the main component can be found. Benzyl benzoate is recognized as an acaricide; however, studies of the C. verum EOs benzyl benzoate chemotype on Rhipicephalus microplus were not reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricide activity of an EO from a rare chemotype of C. verum, as well as purified benzyl benzoate, against larvae and engorged females of R. microplus resistant to amidines and pyrethroids. The EO was extracted from C. verum leaves and the compounds present were identified using a gas phase chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. Efficacy against R. microplus was assessed by the larval packet and the engorged female immersion tests. A rare chemotype of C. verum was found to produce EOs with benzyl benzoate (65.4%) as the main compound. The C. verum essential oil was 3.3 times more efficient on the R. microplus larvae than was benzyl benzoate. However, no differences were found on the R. microplus engorged females. This is the first report regarding the acaricidal activity of C. verum with chemotype benzyl benzoate, and this compound showed acaricidal activity on R. microplus larvae.

Produção e avaliação físico-química da aguardente de cajá (Spondias mombin L)

A aguardente, um produto bem difundido e comercializado no Brasil, possui uma infinidade de tipos que se diferenciam de acordo com a origem de sua matéria-prima. Dentre as matérias-primas utilizadas para sua obtenção pode-se destacar o cajá de onde se produz a aguardente de cajá. Esta bebida não é muito comum e o produto existente ainda é comercializado artesanalmente. Com o objetivo de conhecer as características de qualidade desta bebida, este trabalho desenvolveu o processo de produção laboratorial da aguardente de cajá, fruto proveniente da Spondias mombin L, avaliando-se as propriedades físico-químicas no que diz respeito à densidade, teor alcoólico e acidez volátil seguindo as normas estabelecidas pelos métodos físico-químicos para análise de alimentos do Instituto Adolfo Lutz. Os resultados encontrados foram: densidade de O,935g/mL, acidez volátil de 51,6mg/100mL de ácido acético em álcool anidro e para grau alcoólico de 36,80 GL, apresentando-se de acordo com a legislação, obtendo-se assim uma aguardente de qualidade sob estes parâmetros analisados e a principio podendo ser consumida.(AU)

The spirit, a product marketed and distributed well in Brazil, has a multitude of types that differ according to the origin of its raw materiais. Among the raw materiais used to obtain it we can emphasize the yellow mombin of which produces the spirit of yellow mombin. This drink is not very common and existing product is still marketed by hand. With the objective of knowing the quality of this drink, this paper developed the production process laboratory of Spirit yellow mombin, the fruit from the Spondias mombin L, evaluating the physicochemical properties according to the decree No. 65 of 23/04/2008 with regard to density, alcohol and volatile acidity following the standards established by physic-chemical methods for food analysis of Institute Adolfo Lutz: The results were: density of 0.935 g/mL, volatile acidity of 51.6 mg/100ml of acetic acid in anhydrous alcohol and alcoholic degree of 36.8 o GL, presenting themselves in accordance with the law, obtaining this way a spirit of quality in these parameters analyzed and principle can be consumed.(AU)

Chemical Composition and Larvicidal Activity of Essential Oils Extracted from Brazilian Legal Amazon Plants against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae).

The mosquito Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is the major vector of dengue and chikungunya fever. The lack of effective therapies and vaccines for these diseases highlights the need for alternative strategies to control the spread of virus. Therefore, this study investigated the larvicidal potential of essential oils from common plant species obtained from the Chapada das Mesas National Park, Brazil, against third instar A. aegypti larvae. The chemical composition of these oils was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The essential oils of Eugenia piauhiensis Vellaff., Myrcia erythroxylon O. Berg, Psidium myrsinites DC., and Siparuna camporum (Tul.) A. DC. were observed to be mainly composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The essential oil of Lippia gracilis Schauer was composed of oxygenated monoterpenes. Four of the five tested oils were effective against the A. aegypti larvae, with the lethal concentration (LC50) ranging from 230 to 292 mg/L after 24 h of exposure. Overall, this work demonstrated the possibility of developing larvicidal products against A. aegypti by using essential oils from the flora of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. This in turn demonstrates the potential of using natural resources for the control of disease vectors.