Trypanocidal activity of polysaccharide extract from Genipa americana leaves.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The parts of the Genipa americana (Rubiaceae) tree, also known as "jenipapo" or "jenipapeiro", has been used in traditional Medicine in parasitic and bacterial infections. Thus, the experimental evolution of the antiparasitic activity of polysaccharide extracts from Genipa americana leaves, and correlation with antiparasitic and popular use is important.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the effect of polysaccharide extract obtained from Genipa americana leaves on all Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain: benznidazole-resistant) developmental forms, a protozoan that causes Chagas' disease.

Betulinic acid induces cell death by necrosis in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas' disease is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and constitutes a serious health problem worldwide. The treatment is limited, with variable efficacy of benznidazole and nifurtimox. Betulinic Acid (BA), a triterpene, can be found in medicinal herbs and has a wide variety of biological and pharmacological activities.

Antiparasitic effect of Dinoponera quadriceps giant ant venom.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are treated with toxic therapy of limited efficacy. Previously, we studied the antimicrobial effect of Dinoponera quadriceps venom (DqV) against bacteria. To continue the study, we report in this short communication the antimicrobial effect of DqV against Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi.

Novel Pharmacological Properties of Dinoponera quadriceps Giant Ant Venom.

The South American giant ant, Dinoponera quadriceps (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae), produces proteinaceous venom that has antinociceptive, neuroprotective and antimicrobial effects, thereby supporting the popular use of these ants to treat asthma, rheumatism, earache and back pain. Anticoagulant activity is another biological property that has been shown for the venom of other hymenopteran species, like wasps. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties of D.

Opioid-like antinociceptive effects of oral administration of a lectin purified from the seeds of Canavalia brasiliensis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of a lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) when administered orally to murine models of chemical and thermal nociception. ConBr up to 100 mg/kg produced significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effects: 81% reduction in abdominal writhing induced by 0.6% acetic acid; 26 and 52% reduction in early- and late-stage paw licking, respectively, induced by 2.