Nano-emulsification of Aeollanthus suaveolens Mart. Ex Spreng essential oil modifies its neuroeffects?

Oil in water nano-emulsions are drug delivery systems constituted by liquid lipophilic nano-droplets dispersed through the external aqueous phase, often reaching the kinetic stability with surfactant as stabilizers. Essential oils can be the oily phase or the source of bioactive compounds. In this study, the essential oil of Aeollanthus suaveolens-a plant used in folk medicine due to its psychopharmacological effects-was used for preparation of fine nano-emulsions by a low-energy titrating method. Monodisperse small nano-droplets (ca. 70 nm; PdI 0.200) were assembled by using blends of non-ionic surfactants, indicating modulation on surfactant system lead to altering the physical property. In a separate set of experiments, we investigated the role of this modulation on biological properties of the optimal nano-emulsion. The zebrafish embryos were more susceptible to the nano-emulsion than the bulk essential oil, showing the improved bioactivity due to nano-sizing. Therefore, adult zebrafish was treated, and paralysis was observed in the groups treated with the nano-emulsion, being this finding in accordance with hypnosis. At the same essential oil dose, another behavior was observed, suggesting that expected dose-dependent effects associated to sedative-hypnotics can be achieved by nano-sizing of psychoactive essential oils. This paper contributes to the state-of-art drug delivery systems by opening perspectives for novel sedative-hypnotics nano-emulsified essentials oils that can reach hypnotic effects at considerably lower dose, when compared with bulk materials, being useful for further completed dose-response studies.Graphical abstract.

Fulvic acids from Amazonian anthropogenic soils: Insight into the molecular composition and copper binding properties using fluorescence techniques.

Fulvic acids (FA) are one of the components of humic substances and play an important role in the interaction with metallic species and, consequently, the bioavailability, distribution and toxicity of metals. However, only a few studies have investigated these FA properties in specific environment, such as anthropogenic soils. Therefore, knowledge about FA molecular composition as well as the FA-metal interaction is essential to predict their behavior in the soil. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the molecular composition of FA extracted from two sites in an anthropogenic soil (Terra Mulata), from the Amazon region, as well as their interactions with Cu(II) ions as a model. Results from 13C NMR, infrared and elemental analysis showed that these FA are composed mostly by alkyl structures and oxygen-functional groups, e.g., hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl. The interaction with Cu(II) ions was evaluated by fluorescence quenching, in which the FA showed both high quantity of complexing sites per gram of carbon and good affinity to interact with the metal when compared with other soil FA. The results showed that the complexation capacity was highly correlated by the content of functional groups, while the binding affinity was largely influenced by structural factors. In addition, through the lifetime decay given by time-resolved fluorescence, it was concluded that static quenching took place in FA and Cu(II) interaction with the formation of a non-fluorescent ground-state complex. Therefore, this fraction of soil organic matter will fully participate in complexation reactions, thereby influencing the mobility and bioavailability of metal in soils. Hence, the importance of the study, and the role of FA in the environment, can be seen especially in the Amazon, which is one of the most important biomes in the world.

As “mulatas“ de Di Cavalcanti: um estudo em psicologia social / The "mulatas" of Di Cavalcanti: a study in Social Psychology

O presente artigo aborda o termo “mulata” e, na tentativa de compreender a maneira específica como as artes plásticas se apropriaram dessa personagem, escolhemos a produção de Di Cavalcanti para investigar, reconhecido no mundo das artes como o“pintor das mulatas”. Diante da escolha do nosso objeto de estudo, nos propusemos,então, a identificar, descrever e analisar os elementos de significado presentes em obras que retratam mulatas, executadas pelo artista, procurando considerá-los segundo questões de raça, gênero e classe. Elegeu-se a interseccionalidade como o principal caminho teórico a se percorrer, tentando apreender melhor o fenômeno social que permeia a personagem “mulata” e suas características singulares. Como método, optou-se pela análise semiótica de três imagens. Os achados apontam a vulnerabilidade da mulher negra/mestiça por ter sua vida marcada pelas sobreposições de três eixos de subordinação: raça, gênero e classe.(AU)

This article approaches the term “mulata” in an attempt to understand the specific way in which the visual arts appropriated the ”mulata“ character, we decided to choose the production of Di Cavalcanti, recognized in the world of the arts as the ”painter of mulatas“. Before choosing our object of study, we then proposed to identify, describe and analyze the elements of meaning present in works portraying mulatas performed by the artist, seeking to consider them according to the issues involved in race, gender and class. Intersectionality was chosen as the main theoretical path to be followed in an attempt tobetter understand the social phenomenon which permeates the ”mulata“ character, dueto its unique characteristics. As a method of analysis, we opted for the semiotic analysis of three images. The findings point to the vulnerability of the black / mestizo woman because her life is marked by the overlaps of three axes of subordination: race, gender and class.(AU)

As "mulatas" de Di Cavalcanti: um estudo em psicologia social / The "mulatas" of Di Cavalcanti: a study in Social Psychology

O presente artigo aborda o termo "mulata" e, na tentativa de compreender a maneira específica como as artes plásticas se apropriaram dessa personagem, escolhemos a produção de Di Cavalcanti para investigar, reconhecido no mundo das artes como o "pintor das mulatas". Diante da escolha do nosso objeto de estudo, nos propusemos, então, a identificar, descrever e analisar os elementos de significado presentes em obras que retratam mulatas, executadas pelo artista, procurando considerá-los segundo questões de raça, gênero e classe. Elegeu-se a interseccionalidade como o principal caminho teórico a se percorrer, tentando apreender melhor o fenômeno social que permeia a personagem "mulata" e suas características singulares. Como método, optouse pela análise semiótica de três imagens. Os achados apontam a vulnerabilidade da mulher negra/mestiça por ter sua vida marcada pelas sobreposições de três eixos de subordinação: raça, gênero e classe.

This article approaches the term "mulata" in an attempt to understand the specific way in which the visual arts appropriated the "mulata" character, we decided to choose the production of Di Cavalcanti, recognized in the world of the arts as the "painter of mulatas". Before choosing our object of study, we then proposed to identify, describe and analyze the elements of meaning present in works portraying mulatas performed by the artist, seeking to consider them according to the issues involved in race, gender and class. Intersectionality was chosen as the main theoretical path to be followed in an attempt to better understand the social phenomenon which permeates the "mulata" character, due to its unique characteristics. As a method of analysis, we opted for the semiotic analysis of three images. The findings point to the vulnerability of the black / mestizo woman because her life is marked by the overlaps of three axes of subordination: race, gender and class.

Linalool-rich essential oils from the Amazon display antidepressant-type effect in rodents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The essential oils of the leaves of Aniba rosaeodora (pau-rosa), Aniba parviflora (macacaporanga) and Aeollanthus suaveolens (catinga-de-mulata), rich in linalool, are used in the traditional medicine of the Brazilian Amazon for its effects on the central nervous system, such as sedative, anticonvulsant and antidepressant, among other therapeutic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the chemical composition of these oils and to evaluate their neurobehavioral effects in rodents, based on different and established behavioral tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The oils were distilled and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal doses of the oils of pau-rosa (3.5 and 35mg/kg), macacaporanga (8.5 and 85mg/kg) and catinga-de-mulata (7.5 and 75mg/kg), in addition to a linalool standard (30mg/kg). The neurobehavioral effects were evaluated using the tests: Open Field (spontaneous locomotion activity), Elevated Plus Maze (anxiolytic- type activity), Splash and Forced Swimming (antidepressive-type activity) and the Inhibitory Avoidance (memory retention). RESULTS: The three oils (highest dose) and standard linalool presented significant antidepressant activity in rodents. Linalool was identified as the major constituent of the oils (pau-rosa, 88.6%, macacaporanga, 45%, catinga-de-mulata, 49.3%). The standard linalool used was 97.0%. CONCLUSION: The pau-rosa, macacaporanga, and catinga-de-mulata oils presented antidepressant activity due to the presence of linalool, which, by the final synergistic action of other constituents found in oils, may have contributed to the increase or reduction of this behavioral effect in the treated animals. A relevant fact is that there was no compromise of spontaneous locomotion and the memory retention in the rodents.

Análise farmacobotânica de folha e caule de Tanacetum vulgare (L. ) / Pharmacobotanical analysis of leaf and stem of Tanacetum vulgare (L. )

RESUMO Tanacetum vulgare L., conhecida popularmente como catinga-de-mulata, é utilizada na medicina tradicional como vermífugo, digestivo e emenagogo. Objetivou-se analisar a morfoanatomia de folhas e caules dessa espécie medicinal com vistas ao controle da qualidade. Foram utilizadas técnicas usuais de microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. As folhas são compostas, pinatissectas e anfiestomáticas. Tricomas tectores flageliformes simples e glandulares capitados são observados. A nervura central tem formato biconvexo, o pecíolo é côncavo-convexo, a ráque é plano-convexa e o caule é arredondado. Feixes vasculares colaterais, calotas de fibras perivasculares e colênquima lamelar estão presentes na folha e no caule. Os caracteres morfoanatômicos evidenciados contribuem na identificação do táxon e fornecem subsídios farmacobotânicos para o controle da qualidade de drogas vegetais e fitoterápicos.

ABSTRACT Tanacetum vulgare L., popularly known as tansy, is used in traditional medicine as a vermifuge, digestive and emmenagogue. This study aimed to analyze the morphoanatomical leaves and stems of this medicinal plant in order to control the quality. Usual techniques of light and scanning electron microscopy were used. The leaves are composed, pinatissect and amphistomatic. Simple and flagelliform non- glandular trichomes and capitate glandular trichomes are observed. The midrib has biconvex shape, the petiole is concavo-convex, the rachis is plano-convex, and the stem is rounded. Collateral vascular bundles, perivascular fiber caps and laminar collenchyma are encountered in the leaves and stems. Evidenced the morphological and anatomical features contribute to the identification of the taxon and provide pharmacobotanical data for the quality control of herbal drugs.

Very low mitochondrial variability in a stingless bee endemic to cerrado.

Partamona mulata is a stingless bee species endemic to cerrado, a severely threatened phytogeographical domain. Clearing for pasture without proper soil treatment in the cerrado facilitates the proliferation of termite ground nests, which are the nesting sites for P. mulata. The genetic consequences of these changes in the cerrado environment for bee populations are still understudied. In this work, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 48 colonies of P. mulata collected throughout the species' distribution range by sequencing two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome B. A very low polymorphism rate was observed when compared to another Partamona species from the Atlantic forest. Exclusive haplotypes were observed in two of the five areas sampled. The sharing of two haplotypes between collection sites separated by a distance greater than the flight range of queens indicates an ancient distribution for these haplotypes. The low haplotype and nucleotide diversity observed here suggests that P. mulata is either a young species or one that has been through population bottlenecks. Locally predominant and exclusive haplotypes (H2 and H4) may have been derived from local remnants through cerrado deforestation and the expansion of a few colonies with abundant nesting sites.