Toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of Eleutherine bulbosa (Miller) Urb, ethanolic extract, in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Introduction: Eleutherine bulbosa (Miller) Urb, popularly known as "marupa-zinho", is frequently used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases, including hypertension, ulcers, constipation, and intestinal infection. However, there is little scientific knowledge available regarding the pharmacological effects of this species. Thus in vivo and in silico phytochemical studies are required to establish whether this plant has these effects.

In vitro immunomodulatory effects of Caryocar villosum oil on murine macrophages.

Macrophages undergo activation in response to multiple stimuli, including pathogens, growth factors and natural products. The inflammatory response and oxidative stress play critical roles in such macrophage activation. Some natural products reportedly promote immunoregulatory effects and the control of macrophage activation.

Fatty Acid Amides Suppress Proliferation via Cannabinoid Receptors and Promote the Apoptosis of C6 Glioma Cells in Association with Akt Signaling Pathway Inhibition.

A glioma is a type of tumor that acts on the Central Nervous System (CNS) in a highly aggressive manner. Gliomas can occasionally be inaccurately diagnosed and treatments have low efficacy, meaning that patients exhibit a survival of less than one year after diagnosis. Due to factors such as intratumoral cell variability, inefficient chemotherapy drugs, adaptive resistance development to drugs and tumor recurrence after resection, the search continues for new drugs that can inhibit glioma cell growth.

Revisiting Genetic Influence on Mercury Exposure and Intoxication in Humans: A Scoping Review.

Human intoxication to mercury is a worldwide health problem. In addition to the type and length of exposure, the genetic background plays an important role in mercury poisoning. However, reviews on the genetic influence in mercury toxicity are scarce and not systematic.

Hair mercury is associated with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk: An anthropometric, biochemical and genetic cross-sectional study of Amazonian vulnerable populations.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between human exposure to mercury and cardiovascular risk using lipid profile (including apolipoproteins) and genetic analysis of Amazonian riverine population. Anthropometric data (gender, age, height, weight, blood pressure, and neck and waist circumferences) of the participants were recorded. Total mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) content were quantified in hair by ICP-MS and GC-pyro-AFS system.

Mercury in the Amazon: The danger of a single story.

Amazon conservation is essential for the global future. Mercury is currently among the worst global pollutants and most (78.5%) of the South-American emissions are from the Amazon.

Global Human Threat: The Potential Synergism between Mercury Intoxication and COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected billions of people worldwide, and exposure to toxic metals has emerged as an important risk factor for COVID-19 severity. Mercury is currently ranked as the third toxic substance of global concern for human health, and its emissions to the atmosphere have increased globally. Both COVID-19 and mercury exposure present a high prevalence in similar regions: East and Southeast Asia, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Eleutherine Isolated from Bulb in Rat Glioma C6 Cells.

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults, and have a poor prognosis, despite the different types of treatment available. There is growing demand for new therapies to treat this life-threatening tumor. Quinone derivatives from plants have received increased interest as potential anti-glioma drugs, due to their diverse pharmacologic activities, such as inhibiting cell growth, inflammation, tumor invasion, and promoting tumor regression.

Inhibition of Melanization by Kojic Acid Promotes Cell Wall Disruption of the Human Pathogenic Fungus sp.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic human subcutaneous mycosis caused by various aetiologic agents. CBM does not have an established treatment but may be managed using antifungal agents, surgical removal of the lesions, or cryotherapy. Kojic acid (KA), a known tyrosinase inhibitor with a variety of biological actions, including fungistatic action against the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, mediated by inhibiting melanin production, seems to be an alternative to improve the treatment of CBM.

Anthocyanins-rich interventions on oxidative stress, inflammation and lipid profile in patients undergoing hemodialysis: meta-analysis and meta-regression.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of anthocyanins-interventions on oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid profile in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This systematic review and meta-analysis were registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO CRD42020209742). The primary outcome was anthocyanins-rich intervention on OS parameters and secondary outcome was anthocyanins-rich intervention on inflammation and dyslipidemia.

The GABAergic System and Endocannabinoids in Epilepsy and Seizures: What Can We Expect from Plant Oils?

Seizures and epilepsy are some of the most common serious neurological disorders, with approximately 80% of patients living in developing/underdeveloped countries. However, about one in three patients do not respond to currently available pharmacological treatments, indicating the need for research into new anticonvulsant drugs (ACDs). The GABAergic system is the main inhibitory system of the brain and has a central role in seizures and the screening of new ACD candidates.

Living in the Southern Hemisphere: Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Amazonian Riverine Populations.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) epidemic is a global challenge. Although developing countries (including Brazil, India, and South Africa) present a higher proportion of deaths by cardiovascular diseases than developed countries, most of our knowledge is from these developed countries. Amazonian riverine populations (ARP), as well as other vulnerable populations of the Southern Hemisphere, share low-income and traditional practices, among other features.

Cyclosporin A as an Alternative Neuroimmune Strategy to Control Neurites and Recover Neuronal Tissues in Leprosy.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, continues to have a substantial impact on infectious diseases throughout the world. Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae and shows a wide clinical and immunopathological spectrum related to the immune response of the host. This disease affects the skin and other internal organs with a predilection to infect Schwann cells, which play an active role during axonal degeneration, affecting peripheral nerves and promoting neurological damage.

Culture of in Different Carbon Sources to Induce In Vitro Cholesterol Consumption Leads to Alterations in the Host Cells after Infection: A Macrophage Proteomics Analysis.

During tuberculosis, uses host macrophage cholesterol as a carbon and energy source. To mimic these conditions, can be cultured in minimal medium (MM) to induce cholesterol consumption in vitro. During cultivation, consumes MM cholesterol and changes the accumulation of cell wall compounds, such as PIMs, LM, and LAM, which plays an important role in its pathogenicity.

Revisiting Astrocytic Roles in Methylmercury Intoxication.

Intoxication by heavy metals such as methylmercury (MeHg) is recognized as a global health problem, with strong implications in central nervous system pathologies. Most of these neuropathological conditions involve vascular, neurotransmitter recycling, and oxidative balance disruption leading to accelerated decline in fine balance, and learning, memory, and visual processes as main outcomes. Besides neurons, astrocytes are involved in virtually all the brain processes and perform important roles in neurological response following injuries.

Human neurotoxicity of mercury in the Amazon: A scoping review with insights and critical considerations.

Human exposure to mercury is a major public health concern, causing neurological outcomes such as motor and visual impairment and learning disabilities. Currently, human exposure in the Amazon is among the highest in the world. A recent systematic review (doi:10.

Mercury: What can we learn from the Amazon?

Mercury is among the ten most dangerous chemicals for public health, and is a priority concern for the 128 signatory countries of the Minamata Convention. Mercury emissions to the atmosphere increased 20% between 2010 and 2015, with South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia as the main contributors. Approximately 80% of the total mercury emissions in South America is from the Amazon, where the presence of the metal is ubiquitous and highly dynamic.

Pellucidin A promotes antinociceptive activity by peripheral mechanisms inhibiting COX-2 and NOS: In vivo and in silico study.

Peperomia pellucida (PP) belongs to the Peperomia genus, which has a pantropic distribution. PP is used to treat a wide range of symptoms and diseases, such as pain, inflammation, and hypertension. Intriguingly, PP extract is used by different tropical countries for its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

Behavioural, electrocorticographic, and electromyographic alterations induced by Nerium oleander ethanolic extract: Anticonvulsant therapeutics assessment.

Nerium oleander Linn. is an Apocynaceae shrub which is among the most toxic ornamental plants. Although seizures are one of the symptoms associated with N.

Towards Therapeutic Alternatives for Mercury Neurotoxicity in the Amazon: Unraveling the Pre-Clinical Effects of the Superfruit Açaí (, Mart.) as Juice for Human Consumption.

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is a serious problem of public health, especially in the Amazon. Exposure in riverine populations is responsible for neurobehavioral abnormalities. It was hypothesized that consumption of Amazonian fruits could protect by reducing mercury accumulation.

Antidepressant and Antiaging Effects of Açaí ( Mart.) in Mice.

Depression is a mental disorder that affects 300 million people of all ages worldwide, but fewer than half of those with the condition receive adequate treatment. In addition, the high pharmacological refractoriness (affecting 30%-50% of patients) and toxicity of some classical antidepressants support the pursuit of new therapies. People with this condition show depressed mood, loss of pleasure, high levels of oxidative stress, and accelerated biological aging (decreased telomere length and expression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the enzyme responsible for telomere maintenance).

Aqueous Coriandrum sativum L. extract promotes neuroprotection against motor changes and oxidative damage in rat progeny after maternal exposure to methylmercury.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Coriandrum sativum aqueous extract (CSAE) on the rat progeny of mothers exposed to methylmercury (MeHg). The presence of bioactive compounds and CSAE's antioxidant capacity been evaluated, and the offspring were assessed for their total mercury levels, motor behavioral parameters and oxidative stress in the cerebellum. The analysis of the bioactive compounds revealed significant amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as a variety of minerals.

Regulation of the Serotonergic System by Kainate in the Avian Retina.

Serotonin (5-HT) has been recognized as a neurotransmitter in the vertebrate retina, restricted mainly to amacrine and bipolar cells. It is involved with synaptic processing and possibly as a mitogenic factor. We confirm that chick retina amacrine and bipolar cells are, respectively, heavily and faintly immunolabeled for 5-HT.

Microenvironment of Culture to Induce Cholesterol Consumption Does Cell Wall Remodeling and Enables the Formation of Granuloma-Like Structures.

Pathogenic species of mycobacteria are known to use the host cholesterol during lung infection as an alternative source of carbon and energy. Mycobacteria culture in minimal medium (MM) has been used as an experimental model to study the consumption of exogenous cholesterol. Once in MM, different species of mycobacteria start to consume the cholesterol and initiate transcriptional and metabolic adaptations, upregulating the enzymes of the methylcitrate cycle (MCC) and accumulating a variety of primary metabolites that are known to be important substrates for cell wall biosynthesis.