Evaluation of Extract for Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition and Serum Uric Acid Reduction in a Hyperuricemic Mouse Model.

: Current urate-lowering therapies may cause serious side effects in patients. Thus, alternative treatments are needed to regulate uric acid (UA) levels in patients with hyperuricemia associated with kidney injury, and natural antioxidant sources have demonstrated utility in this field. For the first time, our study evaluated the effects of an extract of insects on the levels of xanthine oxidase (XO) enzymes and synthetic free radicals in vitro and in vivo.

Interactions of with and (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) through the Study of Their Volatile Compounds.

has always interacted with many phytophagous insects; two of them are and . Fine cochineal () is produced to extract carminic acid, and , or wild cochineal, is an invasive pest of in more than 20 countries around the world. Despite the economic and environmental relevance of this cactus, , and , there are few studies that have explored volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from the plant-insect interaction.

[Cockerell] Could Be a Source of Antioxidants for the Preservation of Beef Patties.

is an insect pest that contains at least carminic acid, which has antioxidant properties. Since there is a relationship between the antioxidant ability and preservative action of compounds applied to meat products, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and usefulness of a extract for beef patty preservation. The insects were bred and processed to obtain a liquid extract.

Hemocytes of the cochineal insect: ultrastructure.

Using transmission electron microscopy, light microscopy (Giemsa May-Grumwald), and the Periodic Acid-Schif (PAS) and Sudan Black B staining techniques, hemocytes in the hemolymph of adult female Dactylopius coccus were characterized. The following, in order of abundance, were found: granulocytes, plasmatocytes, prohemocytes, and oenocytoids. Granulocytes varied in size with granulations in the cytoplasm, a large quantity of mitochondria, rugose endoplasmatic reticulum, ribosomes and vesicles, central or exocentric, spherical and occasionally lobulate nucleus.