Introduction: leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem worldwide. In Colombia, its cutaneous clinical form has the greatest incidence, and is mainly caused by species of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis. Given the ineffectiveness of the available treatments, it is necessary to find new therapeutic agents in plant species used in folk medicine. Objective: evaluate the phytochemical profile and the hemolytic, cytotoxic and antileishmanial in vitro activity of extracts and fractions from leaves of Cordia dentata and Heliotropium indicum. Methods: the total ethanolic extract and fractions obtained from leaves of C. dentata and H. indicum underwent phytochemical profiling and determination of their hemolytic activity, toxic effect on Artemia salina larvae and on human promonocytic cell line U937 (CRL-1593.2™), as well as their antileishmanial activity against intracellular amastigotes of L. (V.) panamensis (MHOM/CO/87/UA140) transfected with Green Fluorescence Protein. Results: hemolytic activity was not observed in the extracts and fractions from either species under the study conditions. H. indicum fractions were more toxic than C. dentata fractions against A. salina larvae and U937 cells. Activity of the H. indicum dichloromethane fraction (Hi-I-5B) on intracellular amastigotes is closely related to the presence of alkaloids. Conclusions: the ethanolic extract from H. indicum leaves has antileishmanial properties, unlike the extract from the species C. dentata. This suggests that the former plant species is a rich potential source of molecules useful for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Introducción: la leishmaniasis constituye un grave problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. En Colombia, la forma clínica cutánea tiene la mayor incidencia y es causada principalmente por especies de Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis. Dado que los tratamientos disponibles para esta enfermedad resultan ineficaces, es necesaria la búsqueda de nuevos agentes terapéuticos en especies vegetales utilizadas por la medicina popular. Objetivo: evaluar el perfil fitoquímico, la actividad hemolítica, citotóxica y anti-Leishmania in vitro de extractos y fracciones provenientes de hojas de Cordia dentata y Heliotropium indicum. Métodos: al extracto etanólico total y fracciones obtenidas de hojas de C. dentata y H. indicum, se les realizó perfil fitoquímico, determinación de actividad hemolítica, efecto tóxico en larvas de Artemia salina y sobre la línea celular promonocítica humana U937 (CRL-1593.2™), así como también, la actividad anti-Leishmania sobre amastigotes intracelulares de L. (V.) panamensis (MHOM/CO/87/UA140) transfectados con Green Fluoresence Protein. Resultados: los extractos y fracciones de ambas especies no exhibieron actividad hemolítica en las condiciones evaluadas. Las fracciones de H. indicum fueron más tóxicas que las de C. dentata frente a larvas de A. salina y células U937. La actividad de la fracción de diclorometano de H. indicum (Hi-I-5B) sobre los amastigotes intracelulares está fuertemente relacionada con la presencia de alcaloides. Conclusiones: el extracto etanólico de las hojas de H. indicum exhibe propiedades antileishmaniales, a diferencia de la especie C. dentata, por lo que se podría pensar que la primera especie vegetal, representa una fuente potencial de moléculas útiles en el tratamiento de leishmaniasis cutánea.

Introduction: Crescentia cujete L. (Bignonaceae) tree known in Colombia as totumo, is a characteristic species of tropical climates. Its most distinctive feature is the fruit, which is a spherical pumpkin with hard and woody peel, and a gelatinous pulp having a lot of seeds. Objective: to conduct the chemical and biological ethanol extract of Crescentia cujete L. epicarp. Methods: vegetal material was harvested and the total ethanol extract was obtained. Then, preliminary phytochemical screening, direct physical and chemical tests on vegetal material, the quantification of heavy metals and finally the biological study against Aedes aegypti L. (Culicidae) larvae in stages III and IV, Artemia salina Leach. (Artemiidae) larvae and apical cells of Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae) roots. Results: the presence of three groups of secondary metabolites, that is, flavonoids, steroids and triterpenes were identified. Likewise, the water and ash content on dry basis was quantified as well as the levels of concentration of some heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead were estimated. The biological study revealed that the extract did not show acute toxicity either in any of the tested biological systems or at the concentrations and the time of experimentation. Conclusions: the information obtained in this research is an important resource for the scientific community and provides elements associated to the chemical nature and the biological behavior of the totumo ´s epicarp not contained in previous reports.

Introducción: el árbol de Crescentia cujete L. (Bignonaceae), conocido en Colombia como totumo, es una especie característica de climas tropicales. Su rasgo más distintivo es el fruto, el cual es una calabaza esférica con cáscara dura y leñosa, y una pulpa gelatinosa con numerosas semillas. Objetivo: realizar el estudio químico y biológico sobre el extracto etanólico del epicarpio de Crescentia cujete L. Métodos: se recolectó el material vegetal y se obtuvo el extracto etanólico total. Luego se realizó el tamizaje preliminar fitoquímico, los ensayos físico-químicos directos sobre el material vegetal, la cuantificación de metales pesados y, finalmente, el estudio biológico frente a larvas de Aedes aegypti L. (Culicidae) en estadios III y IV, larvas de Artemia salina Leach. (Artemiidae) y células apicales de raíces de Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae). Resultados: se identificó la presencia de tres grupos de metabólitos secundarios: flavonoides, esteroides y triterpenos. Asimismo, se cuantificó el contenido de agua y cenizas en base seca, y se determinaron las concentraciones de algunos metales pesados como cadmio, cromo, mercurio y plomo. En el estudio biológico se puso de manifiesto que el extracto no presenta toxicidad aguda en ninguno de los sistemas biológicos ensayados, a las concentraciones y tiempos de experimentación. Conclusiones: la información obtenida en la presente investigación, constituye un recurso importante para la comunidad científica porque proporciona elementos relacionados con la naturaleza química y el comportamiento biológico del epicarpio del totumo, antes no reportados.

The mesenteric cysts are uncommon and represent less than one case out of 100 000 hospital admissions. The first time they were described was on 1507 and on 1880 Dr. Tillaux was the first surgeon which removed a mesenteric cyst successfully. The present case report is about a patient of 64 years old that had mesogastric and left quadrant volume mass together with nausea and throbbing along with labs results including tumor markers all being on average normal range. The abdomen CT report of the patient showed a cyst mass of about 10 x 10 cm with probable diagnose of mesentericcyst. The surgery was performed with such preop diagnosis finding a mass of 15x10cm strongly dependent to root mesentery which was able to be removed. The histopatologic report was a simple mesenteric Cyst. The patient followed good postop follow and got off on the fourth day after surgery and getting reviewed at clinic with good outcome. The mesenteric cysts are rare pathologies and the bibliography reviews are few being more often at pediatric time and at adult age being shown with vague abdominal pain, bad located together with nausea. The last treatment is always surgical remove.

Los quistes mesentéricos son poco frecuentes y representan menos de 1 de cada 100,000 ingresos hospitalarios. Fueron descritos por primera vez en 1507, y en 1880 Tillaux fue el primer cirujano que extirpó uno en forma exitosa. El presente reporte de caso se trata de una paciente de 64 años de edad que presentaba un aumento de volumen progresivo a nivel de mesogastrio e hipocondrio izquierdo, acompañado de náusea y dolor punzante intermitente. Contaba con exámenes de laboratorio que incluían marcadores tumorales, los cuales se encontraban dentro de rangos normales. La tomografía axial computada (TAC) de abdomen mostraba una imagen quística de aproximadamente 10 x 10 cm y diagnóstico probable de quiste mesentérico. Se realizó intervención quirúrgica programada con el diagnóstico preoperatorio de probable quiste mesentérico y se encontró un tumor de 15 x 10 cm dependiente de mesenterio, firmemente adherido la raíz del mismo, que se pudo extirpar sin dificultad. El reporte histopatológico fue de quiste simple de mesenterio. La paciente cursó con buena evolución posquirúrgica; egresó al cuarto día y fue dada de alta del servicio al tercer mes en la consulta externa de cirugía general. Los quistes mesentéricos constituyen patologías raras, y las referencias bibliográficas continúan siendo pocas, es más frecuente en la edad pediátrica y su presentación clínica en adultos generalmente se presenta con dolores abdominales vagos y poco localizados y en ocasiones acompañado de náuseas. El tratamiento definitivo lo constituye generalmente la escisión quirúrgica, con preferencia la enucleación.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia e tolerância do artesunato no tratamento da malária falciparum não complicada em área endêmica do Estado do Pará, 153 pacientes foram randomizados e estudados em três grupos, distribuídos por esquema terapêutico (I recebeu mefloquina lOOOmg; II utilizou artesunato lOOOmg; III usou a combinação de 600mg de artesunato seguida de 500 de mefloquina). A avaliação constou de exame clínico e parasitológico diariamente nos primeiros 7 dias e semanalmente até o 35º dia do acompanhamento e de análise bioquímica e hematológica realizada antes e no 7º dia, visando o controle de ema e a identificação de possíveis efeitos associados á admmistração das drogas. Os grupos estudados foram homogêneos quanto ao sexo, parasitemia e presença de febre. O tempo para desaparecimento da parasitemia foi mais curto nos grupos II e III, respectivamente, cujos esquemas terapêuticos empregaram artesunato. O desaparecimento da febre foi mais rápido no grupo tratado com a combinação das drogas. Alterações clínicas e bioquímicas associadas a administração das drogas não mostraram diferenças significativas entre os grupos estudados. O desaparecimento precoce da febre e parasitemia, e a ausência de importantes efeitos indesejáveis, sugerem que artesunato administrado isoladamente ou em combinação com mefloquina constituem medidas terapêuticas capazes de contribuir para o controle da doença na região.

With the objective to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of artesunate in the treatment of non-complicatedfalciparum malaria in endemic area of the State of Pará, 153 patients were randomized and studied in three groups, distributed by therapeutical scheme (I received mefloquine lOOOmg, II used artesunate 600mg followed by mefloquine 500mg). Evaluation was made by daily clinical and parasithological examination, in the first 7 days, and weekly until the 35th day of the follow up. Biochemical and hematological analysis previously done and on the 7th day, targetting cure control and identification of possible effects related to drugs administration. As to sex, parasitemy and fever, studied groups were homogeneous. Time for parasitemy disappearence was shorter in the groups II and III respectively, whose therapeutical schemes had artesunate. Fever disappereance was quicker in the group treated with the combination of drugs. Clinical and biochemical alterations associated with drugs administration did not show significant differences among the studied groups. Early disappearence of fever and parasitemy, and absence of important side effects suggest that artesunate, isolated or administrated in combination with mefloquine, constitutes an able therapeutical procedure to contribute for disease control in that region.