Synthesis of three triterpene series and their activity against respiratory syncytial virus.

The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a leading cause of hospitalization due to acute lower respiratory infection especially in infants and young children, sometimes causing fatal cases. The monoclonal antibody palivizumab is one of the available options for preventing this virus, and at the moment there are several hRSV vaccine trials underway. Unfortunately, the only drug option to treat hRSV infection is ribavirin, which can be used in severe high-risk cases.

Anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of betulinic acid derivatives.

Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral STD worldwide. Currently, metronidazole and tinidazole are the only drugs approved for treatment of the condition. However, problems such as metronidazole-resistant T.

Antioxidant effects of different extracts from Melissa officinalis, Matricaria recutita and Cymbopogon citratus.

Considering the important role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, and the growing evidence of the presence of compounds with antioxidant properties in the plant extracts, the aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity of three plants used in Brazil to treat neurological disorders: Melissa officinalis, Matricaria recutita and Cymbopogon citratus. The antioxidant effect of phenolic compounds commonly found in plant extracts, namely, quercetin, gallic acid, quercitrin and rutin was also examined for comparative purposes. Cerebral lipid peroxidation (assessed by TBARS) was induced by iron sulfate (10 microM), sodium nitroprusside (5 microM) or 3-nitropropionic acid (2 mM).