Anti-Trypanosomal Bufadienolides from the Oocytes of the Toad (Anura, Bufonidae).

Amphibians are widely known as a prolific source of bioactive metabolites. In this work, we isolated and characterized compounds with antiparasitic activity from the oocytes of the toad collected in Panama. Bio-guided isolation and structural elucidation were carried out using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, respectively.

Design and Diversity Analysis of Chemical Libraries in Drug Discovery.

Chemical libraries and compound data sets are among the main inputs to start the drug discovery process at universities, research institutes, and the pharmaceutical industry. The approach used in the design of compound libraries, the chemical information they possess, and the representation of structures, play a fundamental role in the development of studies: chemoinformatics, food informatics, pharmacokinetics, computational toxicology, bioinformatics, and molecular modeling to generate computational hits that will continue the optimization process of drug candidates. The prospects for growth in drug discovery and development processes in chemical, biotechnological, and pharmaceutical companies began a few years ago by integrating computational tools with artificial intelligence methodologies.

Honokiol and Alpha-Mangostin Inhibit Mayaro Virus Replication through Different Mechanisms.

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging arbovirus with an increasing circulation across the Americas. In the present study, we evaluated the potential antiviral activity of the following natural compounds against MAYV and other arboviruses: Sanguinarine, (R)-Shikonin, Fisetin, Honokiol, Tanshinone IIA, and α-Mangostin. Sanguinarine and Shikonin showed significant cytotoxicity, whereas Fisetin, Honokiol, Tanshinone IIA, and α-Mangostin were well tolerated in all the cell lines tested.

Bufadienolides from the Skin Secretions of the Neotropical Toad (Anura: Bufonidae): Antiprotozoal Activity against .

Toads in the family Bufonidae contain bufadienolides in their venom, which are characterized by their chemical diversity and high pharmacological potential. American trypanosomiasis is a neglected disease that affects an estimated 8 million people in tropical and subtropical countries. In this research, we investigated the chemical composition and antitrypanosomal activity of toad venom from collected in Panama.

Antibacterial Activity of Volatile Organic Compounds Produced by the Octocoral-Associated Bacteria sp. BO53 and sp. GA327.

The present research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by octocoral-associated bacteria sp. BO53 and sp. GA327.

Antimicrobial Secretions of Toads (Anura, Bufonidae): Bioactive Extracts and Isolated Compounds against Human Pathogens.

Species of the family Bufonidae, better known as true toads, are widespread and produce bioactive substances in the secretions obtained from specialized skin macroglands. Some true toads have been employed as a folk remedy to treat infectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens. Recent publications based on in silico analysis highlighted the Bufonidae as promising sources of antimicrobial peptides.

Coagulopathy associated with COVID-19 - Perspectives & Preventive strategies using a biological response modifier Glucan.

Direct endothelial injury by viruses and dysregulation of clotting mechanisms due to cytokine storm are the major precipitating factors of mortality in COVID-19; both are attributed to a fundamental dysregulation of the immune system. While immune dysregulation can be attributed to several factors, the risk of associated thrombogenic disruption varies across individuals. This variation depends on several factors, such as comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

19-Hydroxy-bufalin, a major bufadienolide isolated from the parotoid gland secretions of the Panamanian endemic toad Rhinella centralis (Bufonidae), inhibits the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi.

American trypanosomiasis is a parasitic neglected disease, responsible for the death of approximately 10,000 people every year. Amphibians are recognized for producing in their cutaneous glands substances with pharmacological potential against a variety of pathologies. Here we investigated the antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi of bufadienolides isolated from the parotoid glands secretions of the toad Rhinella centralis from Panama.

Sarcophagid Myiasis in the Bufonid in Panama.

is a small terrestrial bufonid that occurs in Ecuador, Colombia, and Panama. Between January 2014 and October 2015, we inspected 339 from Panama and report myiasis in eight of these toads. All infested toads were male and presented with mobile dark fly larvae visible beneath the ventral skin.

A comparison of inducible, ontogenetic, and interspecific sources of variation in the foliar metabolome in tropical trees.

Plant interactions with other organisms are mediated by chemistry, yet chemistry varies among conspecific and within individual plants. The foliar metabolome-the suite of small-molecule metabolites found in the leaf-changes during leaf ontogeny and is influenced by the signaling molecule jasmonic acid. Species differences in secondary metabolites are thought to play an important ecological role by limiting the host ranges of herbivores and pathogens, and hence facilitating competitive coexistence among plant species in species-rich plant communities such as tropical forests.

Development of anthracycline-induced dilated cardiomyopathy due to mutation on LMNA gene in a breast cancer patient: a case report.

Background: Anthracyclines are highly effective anticancer medication prescribed for the treatment of breast cancer. Nevertheless, the use of anthracyclines as chemotherapeutic agents involves a risk for development of cardiac toxicity which may cause restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy. Currently, genetic predisposition is not considered as a risk factor for cardiotoxicity associated to the use of anthracyclines.

Analysis of the antiparasitic and anticancer activity of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L. ARECACEAE) from the natural reserve of Punta Patiño, Darién.

Cocos nucifera (C. nucifera) (the coconut palm tree) has been traditionally used to fight a number of human diseases, but only a few studies have tested its components against parasites such as those that cause malaria. In this study, C.

Ethnomedical uses and pharmacological activities of most prevalent species of genus Piper in Panama: A review.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Piperaceae is the fifth largest family of plants in Panama. This review focuses on the ethnomedical uses of the most prevalent Panamanian species and biological activities of their extracts and/or constituents both in Panama and worldwide. Many species have a plethora of ethnomedical uses such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-Helicobacter pylori, antiulcer, antiprotozoal, estrogenic, insecticidal, local anesthetic, diuretic, and for women's health conditions.

Anti-amyloid aggregation activity of novel carotenoids: implications for Alzheimer's drug discovery.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, affecting approximately 33.5 million people worldwide. Aging is the main risk factor associated with AD.

Volatile organic compounds associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection in vitro.

Background: In order to identify new ways to prevent transmission of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, efforts have been made to understand how insects are attracted to humans. Vector-host interaction studies have shown that several volatile compounds play an important role in attracting mosquitoes to human targets. A headspace solid-phase micro-extraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HSPME GC-MS) analysis of the volatile organic composition of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and supernatants of ultracentrifugation (SNUs) was carried out in Plasmodium falciparum-infected cultures with high and low parasitemias.

Assessment of Novel Curcumin Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Inflammation and Amyloid-β Aggregation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the elderly population worldwide. Brain inflammation plays a key role in the progression of AD. Deposition of senile plaques in the brain stimulates an inflammatory response with the overexpression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as the neuroinflammatory cytokine.

Toxins and pharmacologically active compounds from species of the family Bufonidae (Amphibia, Anura).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Among amphibians, 15 of the 47 species reported to be used in traditional medicines belong to the family Bufonidae, which demonstrates their potential in pharmacological and natural products research. For example, Asian and American tribes use the skin and the parotoid gland secretions of some common toads in the treatment of hemorrhages, bites and stings from venomous animals, skin and stomach disorders, as well as several types of cancers.

Overarching Objective: In addition to reviewing the occurrence of chemical constituents present in the family Bufonidae, the cytotoxic and biomedical potential of the active compounds produced by different taxa are presented.

Microextraction method of medium and long chain fatty acids from milk.

The aim of this research was to develop a method for microextraction and quantification of long and medium chain fatty acids from milk. The proposed method was carried out on three steps: (1) lipids extraction from 10 μL of whole or skimmed milk containing omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) during 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, in 2 mL chloroform: methanol mixture (2:1); (2) acid methylation of FAs; and (3) quantification of FAs methyl esters by gas chromatography. Using this method, the percentage recovery of FAs was higher (67% for whole and 85% for skimmed milk) compared with AOAC method 905.