Enriched Flavonoid Fraction from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cecropia pachystachya</Emphasis> Trécul Leaves Exerts Antidepressant-like Behavior and Protects Brain Against Oxidative Stress in Rats Subjected to Chronic Mild Stress

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an enriched C-glycosyl flavonoids fraction (EFF-Cp) from Cecropia Pachystachya leaves on behavior, mitochondrial chain function, and oxidative balance in the brain of rats subjected to chronic mild stress. Male Wistar rats were divided into experimental groups (saline/no stress, saline/stress, EFF-Cp/no stress, and EFF-Cp/stress). ECM groups were submitted to stress for 40 days. On the 35th ECM day, EFF-Cp (50 mg/kg) or saline was administrated and the treatments lasted until the 42nd day. On the 41st and 42nd days, the animals were submitted to the splash test and the forced swim test. After these behavioral tests, the enzymatic activity of mitochondrial chain complexes and oxidative stress were analyzed. EFF-Cp reversed the depressive-like behavior induced by ECM. It also reversed the increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive species, myeloperoxidase activity, and nitrite/nitrate concentrations in some brain regions. The reduced activities of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase and catalase in some brain regions were also reversed by EFF-Cp. The most pronounced effect of EFF-Cp on mitochondrial complexes was an increase in complex IV activity in all studied regions. Thus, it is can be concluded that EFF-Cp exerts an antidepressant-like effect and that oxidative balance may be an important physiological process underlying these effects.     

Effects of Passiflora nitida Kunth leaf extract on digestive enzymes and high caloric diet in rats

The present study investigated inhibition of pancreatic lipase and metabolic effects of high caloric diet in rats. The Passiflora nitida hydroethanol leaf extract (PNE) was used in in vitro assays or administered to rats to study dyslipidemia. Inhibition of lipase in vitro was studied by a spectrophotometric assay using orlistat as the positive control. The effects of PNE on reduction of postprandial triglyceride were studied by oral fat-overloading in rats. Metabolic alterations were induced using the cafeteria diet and 4 weeks post-treatment with PNE or orlistat and blood samples were collected and biochemical analyses were performed. Liver and retroperitoneal fat tissues were obtained to analyze weight and steatosis. IC₅₀ (μg/mL) values for pancreatic lipase inhibition were 21.2 ± 0.8 and 0.1 ± 0.01 for PNE and orlistat, respectively. Oral administration of lipid emulsion resulted in postprandial hypertriglyceridemia at 3 h postadministration and when rats were then administered PNE and orlistat there was decreased of triglyceride levels by 15 % compared to control. Although the energy consumption by the cafeteria diet had been higher, there was no significant weight gain observed in the study groups. The cafeteria diet resulted in a significant increase of weight in the retroperitoneal fat and hypertriglyceridemia levels that could be significantly reduced by PNE and orlistat treatment. We hypothesized that PNE administration prevented the hypertriglyceridemia in rats with a high caloric diet, possibly owing to reduction of lipid absorption and pancreatic lipase inhibition.     

MAXED, a computer code for maximum entropy deconvolution of multisphere neutron spectrometer data.

Reliable neutron dosimetry requires knowledge of the neutron spectrum. We discuss the problem of analyzing data from a multisphere neutron spectrometer to infer the energy spectrum of the incident neutrons and describe the code MAXED, a computer program developed to apply the maximum entropy principle to this problem. The code and documentation are available from the authors upon request.     

Cholestatic pruritus: a knowledge update

This review is focused on updating knowledge about cholestatic pruritus. It summarizes clinical-epidemiological characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and evidence-based therapeutic recommendations regarding this form of pruritus. Pruritus is a frequent symptom that accompanies several liver diseases, particularly cholestatic ones. The symptom may be mild and tolerable, but it can also dramatically reduce the quality of life. Although the exact pathophysiology of this form of pruritus remains unclear, current evidence supports a mixed origin. It is extremely important for dermatologists to have knowledge about cholestatic pruritus since they are usually the first physicians to be sought by the patient when they experience the symptom. In the absence of specific dermatological alterations, cholestasis must always be considered as a possible cause of pruritus. In addition to allowing an adequate diagnosis, a better pathophysiological understanding of hepatic pruritus provides the identification of new therapeutic targets and, consequently, optimization of the approach in patients with this condition.     

Protective effects of Passiflora alata extract pretreatment on carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative damage in rats.

The leaf extract of Passiflora alata Dryander (P. alata) has been demonstrated to possess antioxidant activity in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of P. alata leaf extract pretreatment on carbon tetrachloride-treated rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups: group 1 (control - vehicle), group 2 and 3 (P. alata extract - 1 and 5mg/kg, respectively) and group 4 (trolox - 0.18mg/kg). Rats received daily pretreatment by oral gavage for 30 days followed by a single dose of CCl(4) (3ml/kg i.p. in vegetable oil) on the 30th day and were killed after 6h. The pretreatment with the P. alata extract provided significant protection to liver, evidenced by lower degree of necrosis, decreased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and higher catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Additionally, pretreated-rats with P. alata (5mg/kg) showed significantly decreased cardiac TBARS levels. Our results indicate that a low oral dose of P. alata leaf extract has both hepato and cardioprotective effects on rats treated with CCl(4).     

Report of cryptosporidiosis in gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoupira) in southern Brazil

The aim of this study was to report the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in gray brocket deer in Brazil. Fecal samples of a male and a female Mazama gouazoupira kept in captivity in southern Brazil were evaluated. Samples collected at 10-d intervals were analyzed by the centrifugal flotation technique and stained by the modified Ziehl–Neelsen and by the Kinyoun staining methods. The first analysis showed a high number of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in the feces, associated with the presence of diarrhea in both animals. However, even without drug therapy, the number of oocysts of the protozoan decreased and the feces returned to normal after 10 days. This is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in M. gouazoupira.     

Screening of Antibacterial Activity of South Brazilian Baccharis. Species

Abstract

South Brazilian Baccharis. species were studied for antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using disk diffusion and broth dilution assays. The results showed that the n.-BuOH fraction (100 µg) from Baccharis usterii. Heering exhibited inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus., Enterococcus faecalis., and Enterococcus faecium.. The n.-BuOH fraction of Baccharis spicata. (Lam.) Bailon (1000 µg) was effective against S. aureus., Escherichia coli., Enterococcus faecalis., and Enterococcus faecium.. The crude extract of Baccharis trimera. (Less) A. P. de Candolle (in doses of 1000 µ/disc) showed activity against S. aureus.. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) obtained from n.-BuOH fraction of B. spicata. were 50 mg/ml against S. aureus., E. coli., E. faecalis., and E. faecium.. From the crude extract of B. trimera., a MBC of 25 mg/ml was obtained against S. aureus.. The n.-BuOH fraction of B. usterii. showed a MBC of 25 mg/ml against S. aureus. and 50 mg/ml against E. faecalis. and E. faecium., while the crude extract of this plant showed a MBC of 12.5 mg/ml against S. aureus..     

Combined actions of blueberry extract and lithium on neurochemical changes observed in an experimental model of mania: exploiting possible synergistic effects

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disease characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Blueberries contain bioactive compounds with important pharmacological effects such as neuroprotective and antioxidant actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of blueberry extract and/or lithium on oxidative stress, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in an experimental ketamine-induced model of mania. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with vehicle, blueberry extract (200 mg/kg), and/or lithium (45 mg/kg or 22.5 mg/kg twice daily) for 14 days. Between the 8th and 14th days, the animals also received an injection of ketamine (25 mg/kg) or vehicle. On the 15th day the animals received a single injection of ketamine; after 30 min, the locomotor activity was evaluated in an open field test. Ketamine administration induced an increase in locomotor activity. In the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum, ketamine also induced an increase in reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels, as well a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity. Pretreatment with blueberry extract or lithium was able to prevent this change. Ketamine increased the AChE and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in brain structures, while the blueberry extract partially prevented these alterations. In addition, our results showed that the neuroprotective effect was not potentiated when lithium and blueberry extract treatment were given together. In conclusion, our findings suggest that blueberry extract has a neuroprotective effect against an experimental model of mania. However, more studies should be performed to evaluate its effects as an adjuvant therapy.