Green SPIONs as a novel highly selective treatment for leishmaniasis: an in vitro study against intracellular amastigotes.

The main goal of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of green superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) produced with coconut water for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by . Optical and electron microscopy techniques were used to evaluate the effects on cell proliferation, infectivity percentage, and ultrastructure. SPIONs were internalized by both parasite stages, randomly distributed in the cytosol and located mainly in membrane-bound compartments.

Therapeutic potential of low-cost nanocarriers produced by green synthesis: macrophage uptake of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

The primary goal of this work was to synthesize low-cost superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with the aid of coconut water and evaluate the ability of macrophages to internalize them. Our motivation was to determine potential therapeutic applications in drug-delivery systems associated with magnetic hyperthermia. We used the following characterization techniques: x-ray and electron diffractions, electron microscopy, spectrometry and magnetometry.

Platelet activating factor blocks interkinetic nuclear migration in retinal progenitors through an arrest of the cell cycle at the S/G2 transition.

Nuclear migration is regulated by the LIS1 protein, which is the regulatory subunit of platelet activating factor (PAF) acetyl-hydrolase, an enzyme complex that inactivates the lipid mediator PAF. Among other functions, PAF modulates cell proliferation, but its effects upon mechanisms of the cell cycle are unknown. Here we show that PAF inhibited interkinetic nuclear migration (IKNM) in retinal proliferating progenitors.

Cardiolipin, a lipid found in mitochondria, hydrogenosomes and bacteria was not detected in Giardia lamblia.

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite with many characteristics common among eukaryotic cells, but lacking other features found in most eukaryotes. Cardiolipin is a phospholipid located exclusively in energy transducing membranes and it was identified in mitochondria, bacteria, hydrogenosomes and chloroplasts. In eukaryotes, cardiolipin is the only lipid that is synthesized in the mitochondria.

FML vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis: from second-generation to synthetic vaccine.

The Leishmania donovani glycoprotein fraction, known as FML, successfully underwent preclinical and clinical (Phase I-III) vaccine trials against canine visceral leishmaniasis (92-95% of protection and 76-80% of vaccine efficacy) when formulated with a QS21 saponin-containing adjuvant. It became the licensed Leishmune vaccine for canine prophylaxis in Brazil. The immune response raised by the vaccine is long lasting, immunotherapeutic and reduces dog infectivity blocking the transmission of the disease, as revealed by an in vivo assay.

Diacylglycerol kinase activity in purified basolateral membranes of kidney tubules. I. Evidence for coupling with phospholipase C.

The diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) yielding phosphatidic acid (PA) signaling molecules which are involved in the modulation of different cell responses. The aim of this work was to characterize the DGK activity associated to the basolateral membranes (BLM) of kidney proximal tubules, in a native preparation that preserves the membrane microenvironment. The Arrhenius plot of DGK activity was non-linear, indicating a complex influence of the lipid environment of the native membrane.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate formation activates phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase in basolateral membranes from kidney cells: crosstalk in cell signaling through sphingolipids and phospholipids.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and phosphatidylinositol-4 phosphate [PtdIns(4)P] are important second messengers in various cellular processes. Here, we show that S1P and PtdIns(4)P are formed in purified basolateral membranes (BLM) derived from kidney proximal tubules, indicating the presence of a plasma membrane associated SPK (BLM-SPK) and phosphatidylinositol-4 kinase (PI-4K). We observed that S1P synthesis is linear with time, dependent on protein concentration, and saturable in the presence of increasing concentrations of sphingosine.

Saponins, IL12 and BCG adjuvant in the FML-vaccine formulation against murine visceral leishmaniasis.

The FML antigen of Leishmania donovani, in combination with either Riedel de Haën (R), QuilA, QS21 saponins, IL12 or BCG, was used in vaccination of an outbred murine model against visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Significant and specific increases in anti-FML IgG and IgM responses were detected for all adjuvants, and in anti-FML IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b and delayed type of hypersensitivity to L. donovani lysate (DTH), only for all saponins and IL12.

Rotenoids from roots of Clitoria Fairchildiana.

A new rotenoid, named 9-demethylclitoriacetal, together with the known compounds, 11-deoxyclitoriacetal, 6-deoxyclitoriacetal, clitoriacetal and stemonal, was isolated from roots of Clitoria fairchildiana. Its structure was elucidated as 6a,12a-dihydro-6,9,11,12a-tetrahydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b] [1]benzopyran-12(6H)-one (1), on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence.