A new bis-iridoid glucoside minutifloroside (1) was isolated from Palicourea minutiflora, together with asperuloside, (-)-epicatechin, catechin, quercetin, rutin, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, daucosterol and two monoterpenic indole alkaloids strictosidinic acid and vincosamine. Structural characterization of the compounds was established on their spectral data basis, mainly mass spectrometry (MS) and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The bis-iridoid showed high activity against Candida albicans strain and antioxidant activity.

Fusarium oxysporum is usually found in foods such as corn, wheat, soybeans and barley, and can cause economic losses and risks to health in humans and animals due to the production of mycotoxins. The conventional microbiological test for fungal identification is based on morphological characteristics, requires specialists, and it is very time-consuming as it is necessary to carry out a culture of the fungus for two weeks before microorganism identification. Nowadays, researchers have made efforts to develop alternative analytical methods with advantages such as shorter time of analysis and better accuracy and reproducibility when compared to microbiological methods. In this way, in the present work, a qualitative analytical method to detect the secondary metabolites of Fusarium oxysporum in culture media by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed with the intention of relating the presence of these chemical compounds to contamination by the fungus. The method comprised liquid-liquid or liquid-solid extractions with ethyl acetate from liquid and solid culture media, respectively, followed by GC-MS analysis, which was able to identify the presence of fusaric acid, 13-socosenamide, 5-(4-hydroxybutyl)-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid and toxin HT-2. The presence of these compounds was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry quadrupole time of flight (HPLC-MS/QTOF).

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common fungal infection among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and is treated empirically with topical or systemic antifungals. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible antifungal action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe, Zingiberaceae, on yeasts in this population. Samples were collected from HIV-positive patients who attended the Laboratory for Teaching and Research in Clinical Analysis at the Universidade Estadual de Maringá for routine exams. The isolated yeasts were identified at the genus and species levels through classical methodology. Next, tests of microdilution in broth were carried out to determine the profile of susceptibility of these yeasts towards the hydroalcoholic extract of C. zedoaria, following methodology standardised by the CLSI (2002). A total of 53 yeasts were identified, 49 of them C. albicans, two C. tropicalis and two C. glabrata. These yeasts were inhibited by low concentrations of the extract of C. zedoaria (between 1.95 and 15.63 μg/mL). In addition, 7.82 μg/mL inhibited 90% of the yeasts. Our results indicate a potent antifungal action for C. zedoaria and suggest more detailed studies with a view towards the practical application of this phytomedicine in topical pharmaceutical forms for the treatment of oral candidosis or candidiasis.

a própolis é uma resina coletada das árvores pelas abelhas Apis mellifera L., que contém inúmeras substâncias, dentre elas os flavonóides. Devido a grande variedade de sua composição química, apresenta várias ações farmacológicas, destacando-se as ações antiinflamatória, cicatrizante, antitumoral e antimicrobiana, principalmente a antifúngica. Esta ação foi testada frente a leveduras isoladas de onicomicoses, que são infecções de difícil e longo tratamento que causam efeitos indesejáveis ao paciente. A própolis surge como uma eficiente opção de tratamento, pois é de baixa toxicidade e pode ser de uso tópico. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a otimização do processo extrativo da própolis através de parâmetros físico-químicos e demonstração da atividade antifúngica.

Propolis is a resin collected by the bees Apis mellifera L., which contains several substances including the flavonoids. Due to a diversified chemical composition propolis presents some pharmacological actions, being distinguished the anti-inflammatory, healing, antitumoral and antimicrobial properties and, in particular, its antifungal action. This action has been tested against yeasts obtained from onychomycosis, which are infections of difficult and long treatment and they can manifest intolerable effects on the patient. The propolis appears as an efficient therapy option, as it has low toxicity and should be of dermal use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the optimization of the propolis extractive process through physiochemical parameters and antifungal activity demonstration.

Realizou-se inquérito sorológico e epidemiológico para cisticercose em indivíduos de cinco municípios da região Norte do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. De 2.180 indivíduos investigados através da reação de imunofluorescência indireta, 69 (3,2%) apresentaram títulos significativos de anticorpos anti-Cysticercus cellulosae. Os percentuais de indivíduos com títulos significativos encontrados em Sarandi (6,6%) e Marialva (4,7%) não diferem estatisticamente (Z=1.319, P=0,0936), mas diferem dos percentuais encontrados em Mandaguaçu, Paiçandu e Maringá (P<0,01). Destes indivíduos, 47,9% estavam na faixa etária de 21 a 49 anos e 79,4% eram do sexo feminino. Foi comum o relato de queixas como "dores de cabeça" (70,6%), "tonturas" (57,4%) e "convulsões" (7,4%), além de história de teníase (22,1%) e hábitos de ingestão de carne crua bovina (41,2%) ou suína (27,9%) e carne com "canjiquinha" (25,0%).

An epidemiological and serological study was carried out on a sample of 2,180 individuals, in five counties in the north of Paraná State - Brazil, using the indirect immunofluorescence test to detect anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies. These individuals, 69 (3.2%) showed significant titers of antibodies. No single significant difference between the proportion of reactivity in Sarandi (6.6%) and in Marialva (4.7%) was observed (Z=1,319, P=0,0936), but it was significantly higher than that observed in Mandaguaçu, Paiçandu and Maringá (P<0.01). Of these individuals, 47.9% were within 21-49 years old and 79.4% were of female sex. "Headache" (70.6%), "faintness" (57.4%), and "convulsions" (7.4%) were among the most frequent by reported, moreover, cases of Taenia infections (22.1%) and the custom of eating uncooked beef (41.2%) or pork (27.9%) and meat containing cysticerci (25.0%) were also related.

Realizou-se inquérito sorológico e epidemiológico para cisticercose em indivíduos de cinco municípios da região Norte do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. De 2.180 indivíduos investigados através da reação de imunofluorescência indireta, 69 (3,2%) apresentaram títulos significativos de anticorpos anti-Cysticercus cellulosae. Os percentuais de indivíduos com títulos significativos encontrados em Sarandi (6,6%) e Marialva (4,7%) não diferem estatisticamente (Z=1.319, P=0,0936), mas diferem dos percentuais encontrados em Mandaguaçu, Paiçandu e Maringá (P<0,01). Destes indivíduos, 47,9% estavam na faixa etária de 21 a 49 anos e 79,4% eram do sexo feminino. Foi comum o relato de queixas como "dores de cabeça" (70,6%), "tonturas" (57,4%) e "convulsões" (7,4%), além de história de teníase (22,1%) e hábitos de ingestão de carne crua bovina (41,2%) ou suína (27,9%) e carne com "canjiquinha" (25,0%).

An epidemiological and serological study was carried out on a sample of 2,180 individuals, in five counties in the north of Paraná State - Brazil, using the indirect immunofluorescence test to detect anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies. These individuals, 69 (3.2%) showed significant titers of antibodies. No single significant difference between the proportion of reactivity in Sarandi (6.6%) and in Marialva (4.7%) was observed (Z=1,319, P=0,0936), but it was significantly higher than that observed in Mandaguaçu, Paiçandu and Maringá (P<0.01). Of these individuals, 47.9% were within 21-49 years old and 79.4% were of female sex. "Headache" (70.6%), "faintness" (57.4%), and "convulsions" (7.4%) were among the most frequent by reported, moreover, cases of Taenia infections (22.1%) and the custom of eating uncooked beef (41.2%) or pork (27.9%) and meat containing cysticerci (25.0%) were also related.