Publications by authors named "Elaine R M de Almeida"

L-Mimosine is the main active component of the plant Leucaena leucocephala. Due to its metal-chelating mechanism, it interacts with various metabolic pathways in living organisms, making it a potential pharmacological target, although it also leads to toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the transplacental passage of L-mimosine and its effects on embryofetal development.

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Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in animal production have been related to the increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria. The AGP ban in many countries has highlighted the growing need for alternatives for feed additives. Considering the non-antibiotic anti-inflammatory theory of AGPs, chicks received three different doses of sodium salicylate (SS) in feed (10, 30, 90 mg/kg), basal diet (BD) was used as a negative control, and zinc bacitracin (ZB) was used as a positive control.

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Article Synopsis
  • Leucaena leucocephala is a plant used for food that contains a toxic compound called L-mimosine, which has potential cancer treatment properties due to its ability to chelate metal ions.
  • This study aimed to understand how L-mimosine affects immune responses in Wistar rats by administering varying doses (25, 40, and 60 mg/kg) over 28 days.
  • Results showed no signs of toxicity, but a decrease in T-dependent immune responses at the highest dose and enhanced phagocytosis by macrophages at medium to high doses, indicating that while L-mimosine inhibited certain immune functions, it did not compromise macrophage activity.
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L-mimosine is a compound found in Leucaena leucocephala, that is used as animal feed due to its high protein content, but it can also cause intoxication. Due to its low solubility in organic and aqueous solvents, its administration in laboratory animals is difficult, especially in delicate periods such as pregnancy. Thus, to circumvent such problems, this study proposes a stress-free form of oral administration with gelatin tablets with flavoring (meat broth) for 14 consecutive days of the gestational period (GD06 to GD20).

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