Abstract Background Cnidarian venoms and extracts have shown a broad variety of biological activities including cytotoxic, antibacterial and antitumoral effects. Most of these studied extracts were obtained from sea anemones or jellyfish. The present study aimed to determine the toxic activity and assess the antitumor and antiparasitic potential of Palythoa caribaeorum venom by evaluating its in vitro toxicity on several models including human tumor cell lines and against the parasite Giardia intestinalis. Methods The presence of cytolysins and vasoconstrictor activity of P. caribaeorum venom were determined by hemolysis, PLA2 and isolated rat aortic ring assays, respectively. The cytotoxic effect was tested on HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (human mammary adenocarcinoma), K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia), U251 (human glyoblastoma), PC-3 (human prostatic adenocarcinoma) and SKLU-1 (human lung adenocarcinoma). An in vivo toxicity assay was performed with crickets and the antiparasitic assay was performed against G. intestinalis at 24 h of incubation. Results P. caribaeorum venom produced hemolytic and PLA2 activity and showed specific cytotoxicity against U251 and SKLU-1 cell lines, with approximately 50% growing inhibition. The venom was toxic to insects and showed activity against G. intestinalis in a dose-dependent manner by possibly altering its membrane osmotic equilibrium. Conclusion These results suggest that P. caribaeorum venom contains compounds with potential therapeutic value against microorganisms and cancer.

Abstract Background: Scleractinian corals (stony corals) are the most abundant reef-forming cnidarians found in coral reefs throughout the world. Despite their abundance and ecological importance, information about the diversity of their toxins and their biological activities is very scarce. In this study, the chemical composition and the biological activities of the aqueous extracts of Pseudodiploria strigosa, Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea, three scleractinian corals from the Mexican Caribbean, have been assessed for the first time. Methods: Toxicity of the extracts was assessed in crickets; the presence of cytolysins was detected by the hemolysis assay; the vasoconstrictor activity was determined by the isolated rat aortic ring assay; the nociceptive activity was evaluated by the formalin test. The presence of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), serine proteases, and hyaluronidases was determined by enzymatic methods. Low-molecular-weight fractions were obtained by gel filtration chromatography and ultrafiltration. Results: Extracts from the three species were toxic to crickets, induced hemolysis in human and rat erythrocytes, produced vasoconstriction on isolated rat aortic rings, and presented phospholipase A2 and serine-protease activity. Despite the fact that these corals are not considered to be harmless to humans, the extracts generated significant nociceptive responses. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis of the low-molecular-weight fractions revealed the presence of peptides within a mass range of 3000 to 6000 Da. These fractions were toxic to crickets and two of them induced a transitory vasoconstrictor effect on isolated rat aortic rings. Conclusion: This study suggests that scleractinian corals produce low-molecular-weight peptides that are lethal to crickets and induce vasoconstriction.

<title>Abstract</title><sec><title>Background</title><p>Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) represent an important source of novel biologically active compounds that target a variety of ion channels and cell receptors in both insects and mammals. In this study, we evaluate and compare the pharmacological activity of venoms from three taxonomically different theraphosid spiders bred in captivity: Poecilotheria regalis, an aggressive arboreal tarantula from southeastern India; Ceratogyrus darlingi, an aggressive tarantula from southern Africa; and Brachypelma epicureanum, a docile tarantula from the Yucatan dry forest of Mexico. Prior to this study, no research had been conducted with regard to the composition and pharmacological activity of these venoms.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>The pharmacological characterization of the venoms was described for the first time by the assessment of their toxicity in crickets (LD₅₀) along with their nociceptive (by using the formalin test), hyaluronidase, phospholipase A₂, edematogenic and caseinolytic activity.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>P. regalis and B. epicureanum venoms induced a similar lethal effect on crickets (LD₅₀ = 5.23 ± 3.1 and 14.4 ± 5.0 μg protein/g 48 h post-injection, respectively), whereas C. darlingi venom (119.4 ± 29.5 μg protein/g 48 h post-injection) was significantly less lethal than the other two venoms. All three venoms induced similar edematogenic activity on rats but did not induce nociceptive behavior. The assessment of enzymatic activity indicated that P. regalis venom induces significantly higher hyaluronidase activity (27.6 ± 0.9 TRU/mg) than both C. darlingi (99.7 ± 1.9 TRU/mg) and B. epicureanum (99.6 ± 1.6 TRU/mg); these latter venoms did not display phospholipase A₂or caseinolytic activity.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>This study demonstrates that these theraphosid spiders of different habitats produce venoms with different activities. P. regalis venom displays a high level of hyaluronidase activity, which may be associated with its potentially medically significant bite.</p></sec>

BackgroundMillepora complanata is a plate-like fire coral common throughout the Caribbean. Contact with this species usually provokes burning pain, erythema and urticariform lesions. Our previous study suggested that the aqueous extract of M. complanata contains non-protein hemolysins that are soluble in water and ethanol. In general, the local damage induced by cnidarian venoms has been associated with hemolysins. The characterization of the effects of these components is important for the understanding of the defense mechanisms of fire corals. In addition, this information could lead to better care for victims of envenomation accidents.Methods An ethanolic extract from the lyophilized aqueous extract was prepared and its hemolytic activity was compared with the hemolysis induced by the denatured aqueous extract. Based on the finding that ethanol failed to induce nematocyst discharge, ethanolic extracts were prepared from artificially bleached and normal M. complanata fragments and their hemolytic activity was tested in order to obtain information about the source of the heat-stable hemolysins.Results Rodent erythrocytes were more susceptible to the aqueous extract than chicken and human erythrocytes. Hemolytic activity started at ten minutes of incubation and was relatively stable within the range of 28-50°C. When the aqueous extract was preincubated at temperatures over 60°C, hemolytic activity was significantly reduced. The denatured extract induced a slow hemolytic activity (HU50= 1,050.00 ± 45.85 μg/mL), detectable four hours after incubation, which was similar to that induced by the ethanolic extract prepared from the aqueous extract (HU50= 1,167.00 ± 54.95 μg/mL). No significant differences were observed between hemolysis induced by ethanolic extracts from bleached and normal fragments, although both activities were more potent than hemolysis induced by the denatured extract.Conclusions The results showed that the aqueous extract of M. complanata possesses one or more powerful heat-labile hemolytic proteins that are slightly more resistant to temperature than jellyfish venoms. This extract also contains slow thermostable hemolysins highly soluble in ethanol that are probably derived from the body tissues of the hydrozoan.

The Biosphere Reserve Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta (RBAGC) it is considered to foster the sustainability in this region; therefore the fishing income is analyzed for the 1994 and 2002 years among fishing communities influenced by the reserve: Puerto Peñasco and Golfo de Santa Clara in Sonora, and San Felipe in Baja California. It is concluded that there exist income distribution differences among fishermen before and after the RBAGC implementation, and that the inequity in Golfo de Santa Clara has been increased.

Se analiza la distribución del ingreso y se estima el grado de equidad durante 1994 y 2002 en tres comunidades colindantes a la reserva de la biosfera alto golfo de California y delta del río Colorado (RBAGC): Puerto Peñasco, el Golfo de Santa Clara, en Sonora, y San Felipe, en Baja California. Se considera a la RBAGC como política pública enfocada a la sustentabilidad en la región. Se concluye que hay diferencias entre los pescadores antes y después de la introducción del plan de manejo, y que la inequidad en el Golfo de Santa Clara ha aumentado, siendo esta comunidad la que se ubica dentro de la reserva y con mayor dependencia de la pesca.

The parasitoid Anagyrus kamali Moursi is used in biological control programs against Pink Hibiscus Mealybug (PHM) Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green). However, detailed studies on its impact in field conditions are needed. This study evaluated natural and induced parasitism of A. kamali against PHM on teak shoots covered with organza sleeves under field conditions in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, México. The treatments were 1) exclusion of natural enemies, 2) natural parasitism, and 3) induced parasitism (A. kamali). The effect of the treatments was determined by recording the numbers of PHM nymphs, adult females and ovisacs as well as the number of parasitoid mummies 15 and 30 d after treatments were established. The parasitoid A. kamali regulated the population growth of PHM on the sprouts covered with organza sleeves under field conditions. The average reduction of the pest was 96.5 % in 30 d. Natural parasitism was negligible in regulating the pest and did not prevent its increase; this was attributed to interference of ants and to the negative impact of hyperparasitoids.

El parasitoide Anagyrus kamali Moufsi se utiliza en programas de control biológico de la cochinilla fosada del hibisco (CRH), Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green; sin embargo, se requieren estudios detallados sobre su impacto en condiciones de campo. En el presente estudio se evaluó el parasitismo natural e inducido de A. kamali sobre CRH en brotes de teca, cubiertos con bolsas de tela de organza en condiciones de campo, en Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, México. Los tratamientos fueron: 1) exclusión de enemigos naturales; 2) parasitismo natural; 3) parasitismo inducido (A. kamali). El efecto de los tratamientos se determinó registrando la cantidad de ninfas, hembras adultas y ovisacos de la CRH, así como el número de momias de los parasitoides, 15 y 30 d después de establecidos los tratamientos. El parasitoide A. kamali reguló el crecimiento poblacional de la CRH en los brotes de teca cubiertos con bolsas de tela de organza en condiciones de campo. La disminución promedio de la plaga fue 96.5 % en 30 d. El parasitismo natural fue incipiente en la regulación de la plaga, y no evitó su incremento, lo cual se atribuye a la interferencia de las hormigas y al impacto negativo de los hiperparasitoides.

En el presente trabajo, se proponen e integran los conceptos de indicadores ambientales y planificación ambiental, a través de un modelo general de evaluación de la capacidad de conservación, desarrollo urbano, agrícola y de atractivos turísticos aplicados en una región costera, con base en el modelo Presión - Estado - Respuesta de indicadores ambientales de la OCDE y un modelo planificación ambiental. Se utilizó un Sistema de Información Geográfica como herramienta de apoyo para la valoración de los modelos, la generación de la cartografía y el análisis de resultados. Se obtuvo la zonificación y caracterización de 125 unidades ambientales, que cubren un área de 72,372-17-45.00 hectáreas. Se generaron 4 mapas de capacidad de uso de suelo como resultado de los modelos específicos de evaluación. Los resultados del modelo muestran que la zona presentó capacidades de: media y alta para la conservación (31 y 30 %); alta y media para el desarrollo urbano (38 y 34 %); muy alta y baja para la agricultura (40 y 30%) y finalmente, baja y alta para atractivos turísticos (47 y 28 %). Con base en estos resultados el modelo en general resaltó las zonas de alta importancia ecológica así como las áreas aprovechables para el desarrollo, proporcionando un escenario de desarrollo sustentable.

This paper presents and integrates the concepts of environmental indicators and planning by means of a model for the general assessment of the conservation, urban development, agricultural and tourist attraction capabilities of a seashore area. The model was based on the OECD’s environmental indicators of Pressure - State - Response and an environmental planning model. A Geographical Information System was used to appraise the models and to create the cartography and the results analysis. As a result, 125 environmental units were zoned and characterized, covering an area of 72.372 - 17- 45.00 hectares. The specif assessment model allowed the generation of 4 soil use capability maps. According to the results the area’s capabilities are: high and medium for conservation (31 and 30%); high and medium for urban development (38 and 34%); very high and low for agriculture (40 and 30%) and low and high for tourist attraction (47 and 28%). Based on these results, the model highlighted the areas of high ecological importance as well as those with development capabilities, thus providing a sustainable development scenario.