In the present study, we tested the proof of concept that mobil mesoporous silica nanoparticle composition of matter (MCM) No. 48 doped with trivalent europium (nanoMCM48:Eu3+) administered systemically intravenously can act as a suitable vehicle to deliver neural cells to the brain of healthy adult Swiss mice without causing tissue damage. Moreover, we also tested the ability of this nanoparticle to release molecules in vitro, using as drug models caffeine or nicotine in phosphate buffer solution with pH 7.4 adequate to intra and extra-celular medium of the brain. The caffeine and nicotine adsorbed nanoparticles (CAF@MCM48:Eu3+ and NIC@MCM48:Eu3+) were observed in the parenchyma of the cerebral cortex and diffusely dispersed in the cellular cytoplasm. Statistical analysis using multivariate partner recognition methods indicated that there was no sign of cell damage, as it was characterized by chromatin condensation, nuclear condensation, or fragmentation. The characterization of nanoMCM48:Eu3+ as particle size, luminescent properties and release of active components were analyzed. The CAF@MCM48:Eu3+ and NIC@MCM48:Eu3+ nanoparticles were observed in the cerebral cortex parenchyma and diffusely dispersed in the cell cytoplasm, and the release of active components was analyzed. Therefore, the studies showed that mesoporous silica nanoparticles administered systemically via intravenous tissue can act as a suitable vehicle for neural cells in the brain of healthy mice without causing damage.

Abstract:Avicennia schaueriana is found in Brazilian mangrove coast. The cytotoxicity in vitro of the Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Avicennia schaueriana (AELAs) and the healing activity of the plant in cream on mice skin wounds were evaluated in this study. The cytotoxic evaluation was performed on Vero cells. The healing activity was evaluated on mice treated during 5, 10 and 15 days with cream at 5%, solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% and dexpanthenol in cream at 5%. The extract did not show cytotoxicity, but showed mitogenic activity (100μg/ml). In morphometric analysis, the percentage of wound contraction after 10 days was higher in dexpanthenol group (93.41%). In 15 days, the lowest percentage of contraction was observed in the dexpanthenol group (94.41%) and the highest in the AELAs cream group (98.50%). In histomorphometry the dexpanthenol showed the lowest length of re-epithelialization in 10 days. In 15 days, the AELAs cream group showed 100% of re-epithelialization. The number of fibroblasts found in AELAs cream group was higher than the saline solution in 10 days. In 15 days, AELAs cream group maintained a higher amount of fibroblasts when compared to the others. A. schaueriana did not show cytotoxicity. Furthermore, topical application of AELAs cream decreased the wound area, stimulated the re-epithelialization and increased the number of fibroblasts. The species A. schaueriana could become a topical treatment in tissue repair process.

RESUMO Os manguezais representam zonas de elevada produtividade biológica sendo uma das regiões mais ricas em substâncias bioativas utilizadas na produção de medicamentos. Conocarpus erectus (Combretaceae) conhecida como mangue botão é uma das espécies encontrada nos manguezais e é utilizada na medicina popular no tratamento de anemia, catarro, conjuntivite, diabetes, diarréia, febre, gonorréia, dor de cabeça, hemorragia, orquite, brotoeja, inchaços e sífilis. O presente estudo objetivou investigar a toxicidade aguda de extrato aquoso de folhas de C. erectus em camundongos albinos suíços. O material vegetal foi coletado no manguezal de Vila Velha, localizado em Itamaracá (PE). O material foi submetido a um screening fitoquímico onde foram usados protocolos extrativos de identificação de moléculas majoritárias presentes nas folhas. A avaliação da toxicidade aguda do extrato aquoso de C. erectus seguiu o modelo da Toxicidade Aguda de Classe baseado no Guia da OECD 423, 2001. As moléculas majoritárias identificadas foram: flavonóides, taninos e saponinas. A DL50 foi estimada em 2.000 mg/Kg p.c. Portanto, o extrato apresentou baixa toxicidade aguda classificada na categoria 5.

ABSTRACT Mangroves represent areas of high biological productivity and it is a region rich in bioactive substances used in medicine production. Conocarpus erectus (Combretaceae) known as button mangrove is one of the species found in mangroves and it is used in folk medicine in the treatment of anemia, catarrh, conjunctivitis, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, gonorrhea, headache, hemorrhage, orchitis, rash, bumps and syphilis. The present study aimed to investigate the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of leaves of C. erectus in Swiss albino mice. The plant material was collected in Vila Velha mangroves, located in Itamaracá (PE). The material was subjected to a phytochemical screening where extractive protocols to identify majority molecules present in leaves were used. The evaluation of acute toxicity of aqueous extract of C. erectus followed the model of Acute Toxicity Class based on OECD 423 Guideline, 2001. The majority molecules were identified: flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The LD50 was estimated at 2,000 mg/kg bw. Therefore, the aqueous extract showed low acute toxicity classified in category 5.

A avaliação antimicrobiana das partes aéreas de Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess, Crassulaceae, a qual é comumente utilizada para o tratamento de inflamações da mucosa oral, bronquites e congestão nasal, é relatada. Esta atividade foi avaliada em discos de Petri usando o método de difusão para a determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (MIC) e cinética bactericida. Foram usadas amostras bacterianas gram-positivas, gram-negativas e cepas de fungos leveduriformes do gênero Cândida. Apenas o óleo essencial demonstrou ser efetivo, apresentando atividade frente amostras gram-positivas de Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) meticilina resistente. A ação observada foi considerada bacteriostática por reduzir um log10 UFC/mL a partir da sexta hora de exposição da amostra ao óleo essencial nas concentrações de 4% e 8%. Compostos fenólicos estão presentes em óleo essencial, sugerindo que o efeito foi devido à presença dos mesmos. Por este motivo à planta Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess pode representar uma alternativa terapêutica para infecções provocadas por Staphylococcus aureus.

This study reports the antimicrobial evaluation of the aerial parts of Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess, Crassulaceae, commonly used for the treatment of the oral mucosa inflammation, bronchitis and nasal congestion. The antimicrobial activity was assayed in petri dishes using the diffusion method for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the kill curve kinetic methods. It were used gram-positive and gram-negative strain, leveduriforms fungi strain classified in genus Cândida. Only the essential oil showed activity against methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This action was considered bacteriostatic with the reduction to one log10 CFU/ml after six hour of exhibition at the concentration of 4% and 8%. There are studies accounts that polyphenols are present in the essential oil and are active against bacteria. K. brasiliensis is rich in polyphenols suggering that the antimicrobial effect showed is due to this. For this reason, the plant Kalanchoe brasiliensis, can represent a therapeutic alternative against infections caused for Staphylococcus aureus.

O Ricinus communis L. pertence à família das Euforbiáceas, possui frutos típicos de onde é extraído o óleo de rícino, altamente tóxico. Neste estudo foi analisado o efeito do extrato de Ricinus communis L na marcação de hemácias com Tc-99m através do controle radioquímico. Os resultados mostraram que no controle radioquímico por meio da cromatografia, foi observado que o extrato marcado com Tc-99m mostrou duas frações com 130.007 e 494.592 cpm, e na marcação de hemácias, com %ATI de 61.88 e 41.32% nas frações 1 e 2. Foi concluído que o extrato de R. communis L. altera a captação do Tc-99m in vitro, competindo com o material radioativo em possíveis sítios de ligação nas células vermelhas do sangue, como a capacidade de oxidação do íon estanoso ou por competição com o íon pertecnetato.

Ricinus communis L. belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, from whose fruits the ricin oil is extracted, highly toxic. In this study it was analyzed the effect of the extract of Ricinus communis L. in the labeling of red blood cells with Tc-99m through the radiochemical control. The results showed that in the radiochemical control through chromatography, it was observed that the extract labeled with Tc-99m showed two fractions with 130.007 and 494.592 cpm, and in the labeling of red blood cells, with %ATI of 61.88 and 41.32% in the fractions 1 and 2. It has been concluded that the extract of Ricinus communis alters the captivating of Tc-99m in vitro, competing with the radioactive material in the possible binding sites of the red blood cells, as well in the capacity of oxidation of the stannous ion or by competition with the pertechnetate ion.