Prospecting Pharmacologically Active Biocompounds from the Amazon Rainforest: In Vitro Approaches, Mechanisms of Action Based on Chemical Structure, and Perspectives on Human Therapeutic Use.

The Amazon rainforest is an important reservoir of biodiversity, offering vast potential for the discovery of new bioactive compounds from plants. In vitro studies allow for the investigation of biological processes and interventions in a controlled manner, making them fundamental for pharmacological and biotechnological research. These approaches are faster and less costly than in vivo studies, providing standardized conditions that enhance the reproducibility and precision of data.

Mapping of Repetitive Sequences in (Hypopomidae, Gymnotiformes) from the Brazilian Amazon.

(Hypopomidae, Gymnotiformes) is a monophyletic genus consisting of 28 formally described species. Karyotypic data are available for 12 species. The same karyotype is described for two species ( and ), as well as different karyotypes for the same species from distinct locations ().

Anticancer Potential and Safety Profile of β-Lapachone In Vitro.

Ipê is a plant of the Bignoniaceae family. Among the compounds extracted from this tree, lapachol is notable because its structural modification allows the production of β-lapachone, which has anticancer properties. The objective of this work was to test this hypothesis at a cellular level in vitro and assess its potential safety for use.

Chromosomal rearrangements played an important role in the speciation of rice rats of genus Cerradomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae, Oryzomyini).

Rodents of the genus Cerradomys belong to tribe Oryzomyini, one of the most diverse and speciose groups in Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae). The speciation process in Cerradomys is associated with chromosomal rearrangements and biogeographic dynamics in South America during the Pleistocene era. As the morphological, molecular and karyotypic aspects of Myomorpha rodents do not evolve at the same rate, we strategically employed karyotypic characters for the construction of chromosomal phylogeny to investigate whether phylogenetic relationships using chromosomal data corroborate the radiation of Cerradomys taxa recovered by molecular phylogeny.

Chromosomal organization of multigene families and meiotic analysis in species of Loricariidae (Siluriformes) from Brazilian Amazon, with description of a new cytotype for genus Spatuloricaria.

In the Amazon, some species of Loricariidae are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and overexploitation by the ornamental fish market. Cytogenetic data related to the karyotype and meiotic cycle can contribute to understanding the reproductive biology and help management and conservation programs of these fish. Additionally, chromosomal mapping of repetitive DNA in Loricariidae may aid comparative genomic studies in this family.

Genetic diversity analysis in the Brazilian Amazon reveals a new evolutionary lineage and new karyotype for the genus Mesomys (Rodentia, Echimyidae, Eumysopinae).

Morphological, molecular and chromosomal studies in the genera Lonchothrix and Mesomys have contributed to a better understanding of taxonomic design, phylogenetic relationships and karyotypic patterns. Recent molecular investigations have shown a yet undescribed diversity, suggesting that these taxa are even more diverse than previously assumed. Furthermore, some authors have questioned the limits of geographic distribution in the Amazon region for the species M.

The synthetic dye malachite green found in food induces cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in four different mammalian cell lines from distinct tissuesw.

Malachite green (MG) is a synthetic dye that uses ranges from its application as a tissue dye to that as an antiparasitic in aquaculture. Several studies have reported the presence of this compound in food dyes and in the meat of fish raised in captivity for human consumption, suggesting risks both for the end user and for as those who handle these products because of MG toxic properties described in the literature. Here we evaluated the cytotoxic and genotoxic profiles of MG in four different cell lines (ACP02, L929, MNP01, and MRC-5).

Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Evaluation of Lam and In Silico Studies of Its Alkaloids.

The alkaloids isolated from have demonstrated great pharmacological potential; however, the toxic profiles of these extracts and fractions are still not well elucidated. This study evaluated the toxicity of the ethanol extract (EEZR) and neutral (FNZR) and alkaloid (FAZR) fractions. Chemical characterization was performed by chromatographic methods: thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD).

The Potential of DHA as Cancer Therapy Strategies: A Narrative Review of In Vitro Cytotoxicity Trials.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also known as omega-3 (-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is a natural compound that has demonstrated pharmacological activity against several malignant neoplasms. Available cancer treatments cause side effects, affect healthy cells, reduce the quality of life of patients and may cause resistance to antineoplastics. For these reasons, the search for new therapies is continuous.

High Chromosomal Reorganization and Presence of Microchromosomes in Chactidae Scorpions from the Brazilian Amazon.

Scorpions are of particular interest in cytogenomic studies, as they can present a high incidence of chromosomal rearrangements heterozygous in natural populations. In this study, we cytogenetically analyzed four species of Chactidae. In , 2n = 40 was observed in , 2n = 48 in , and 2n = 50 (cytotype A) or 2n = 52 (cytotype B) among populations of .

Ancestral chromosomal signatures of Paenungulata (Afroteria) reveal the karyotype of Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis, Sirenia: Trichechidae) as the oldest among American manatees.

Background: Chromosomal painting in manatees has clarified questions about the rapid evolution of sirenians within the Paenungulata clade. Further cytogenetic studies in Afrotherian species may provide information about their evolutionary dynamics, revealing important insights into the ancestral karyotype in the clade representatives. The karyotype of Trichechus inunguis (TIN, Amazonian manatee) was investigated by chromosome painting, using probes from Trichechus manatus latirostris (TML, Florida manatee) to analyze the homeologies between these sirenians.

A conserved karyotype? Chromosomal rearrangements in Charadrius collaris detected by BAC-FISH.

Charadriidae comprise 142 valid species and the most recent checklist for the occurrence of this family in Brazil describes 11 species. There are few chromosomal studies in Charadriidae, most of them using a conventional approach. In Charadrius, only five species had their karyotypes described by classical cytogenetics, of which four have 2n = 76 (C.

Chromosome painting and phylogenetic analysis suggest that the genus Lophostoma (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) is paraphyletic.

The subfamily Phyllostominae (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) comprises 10 genera of Microchiroptera bats from the Neotropics. The taxonomy of this group is controversial due to incongruities in the phylogenetic relationships evident from different datasets. The genus Lophostoma currently includes eight species whose phylogenetic relationships have not been resolved.

Chromosomal Diversification in Species (Loricariidae, Hypostominae) Revealed by Comparative Mapping of Repetitive Sequences.

is a genus of Neotropical fish with eight valid species, in addition to numerous lineages not formally identified. It occurs along the Amazon and Tocantins River basins, in Suriname and in the Guiana shield. There are no karyotypic data in the literature for species of this genus.

New derivative of trans-dehydrocrotonin isolated from Croton cajucara shows reduced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line.

The Croton cajucara (Euphorbiales, Euphorbiaceae) plant occurs widely in the Amazon region, where its leaves and stem bark are consumed by the population to treat several diseases. The secondary metabolite trans-dehydrocrotonin (DCTN) is mainly accountable for the biological activities of this plant. However, prolonged consumption is associated with hepatotoxic effects due to the furan ring present in the molecule.

Kinetic Activity of Chromosomes and Expression of Recombination Genes in Achiasmatic Meiosis of () Scorpions.

Several species of (Scorpiones, Buthidae) present multi-chromosomal meiotic associations and failures in the synaptic process, originated from reciprocal translocations. Holocentric chromosomes and achiasmatic meiosis in males are present in all members of this genus. In the present study, we investigated synapse dynamics, transcriptional silencing by γH2AX, and meiotic microtubule association in bivalents and a quadrivalent of the scorpion .

Chromosomal painting in Charadrius collaris Vieillot, 1818 and Vanellus chilensis Molina, 1782 and an analysis of chromosomal signatures in Charadriiformes.

Charadriiformes represent one of the largest orders of birds; members of this order are diverse in morphology, behavior and reproduction, making them an excellent model for studying evolution. It is accepted that the avian putative ancestral karyotype, with 2n = 80, remains conserved for about 100 million years. So far, only a few species of Charadriiformes have been studied using molecular cytogenetics.

Karyotypes of Manatees: New Insights into Hybrid Formation ( × ) in the Amazon Estuary.

Great efforts have been made to preserve manatees. Recently, a hybrid zone was described between (TIN) and the (TMM) in the Amazon estuary. Cytogenetic data on these sirenians are limited, despite being fundamental to understanding the hybridization/introgression dynamics and genomic organization in .

The emergence of a new sex-system (XX/XYY) suggests a species complex in the "monotypic" rodent Oecomys auyantepui (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae).

X-autosome translocation (XYY) has been reported in distinct groups of vertebrates suggesting that the rise of a multiple sex system within a species may act as a reproductive barrier and lead to speciation. The viability of this system has been linked with repetitive sequences located between sex and autosomal portions of the translocation. Herein, we investigate Oecomys auyantepui, using chromosome banding and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with telomeric and Hylaeamys megacephalus whole-chromosome probes, and phylogenetic reconstruction using mtDNA and nuDNA sequences.

Chromosomal Diversification in Species (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) Inferred From Repetitive Sequence Analysis.

The genus has extensive chromosomal diversity among species, including heteromorphic sex chromosomes occurrence. However, studies have been shown that chromosomal diversity may still be underestimated. Repetitive sequences represent a large part of eukaryotic genomes, associated with mechanisms of karyotypic diversification, including sex chromosomes evolution.

Chromosome Painting in "Catalão" (Gymnotiformes, Teleostei): Dynamics of Chromosomal Rearrangements in Cryptic Species.

The genus is a large monophyletic group of freshwater weakly-electric fishes, with wide distribution in Central and South America. It has 46 valid species divided into six subgenera (, , , , and ) with large chromosome plasticity and diploid numbers (2n) ranging from 34 to 54. Within this rich diversity, there is controversy about whether () species is a single widespread species or a complex of cryptic species.

(Gymnotiformes, Teleostei): First insights into karyotype and repetitive DNA distribution in two populations of the Amazon.

, one of the five genera of Neotropical freshwater fish of the family Sternopygidae (Gymnotiformes), was long considered a monotypic genus represented by . Currently, it consists of six species, most of them occurring in the Amazon region. There are no cytogenetic data for species of this genus.

Comparative Cytogenetics Analysis Among Species (Siluriformes, Loricariidae): Insights on Karyotype Evolution and Biogeography in the Amazon Region.

is widely distributed genus in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guiana Shield, containing 18 valid species, and distinct morphotypes still needing description in the scientific literature due to its great taxonomic complexity. This study performed a comparative chromosomal analysis of two undescribed species ( sp. 3 Jarumã and sp.