Host immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is mediated by cellular immunity, in which cytokines and Th1 cells play a critical role. In the process of control of the infection by mycobacteria, TNF-alpha seems to have a primordial function. This cytokine acts in synergy with IFN-gamma, stimulating the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNIs), thus mediating the tuberculostatic function of macrophages, and also stimulating the migration of immune cells to the infection site, contributing to granuloma formation, which controls the disease progression. IFN-gamma is the main cytokine involved in the immune response against mycobacteria, and its major function is the activation of macrophages, allowing them to exert its microbicidal role functions. Different from TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, IL-10 is considered primarily an inhibitory cytokine, important to an adequate balance between inflammatory and immunopathologic responses. The increase in IL-10 levels seems to support the survival of mycobacteria in the host. Although there is not yet conclusive studies concerning a clear dichotomy between Th1 and Th2 responses, involving protective immunity and susceptibility to the disease, respectively, we can suggest that the knowledge about this responses based on the prevailing cytokine profile can help to elucidate the immune response related to the protection against M. tuberculosis.

An increasing number of biological activities presented by medicinal plants has been investigated over the years, and they are used in the search for new substances with lower side effects. Eugenia uniflora L. and Eugenia malaccensis L. (Myrtaceae) have many folk uses in various countries. This current study was designed to quantify the polyphenols and flavonoids contents and evaluate the immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potentials of fractions from E. uniflora L. and E. malaccensis L. It was observed that the polyphenol content was higher in ethyl acetate fractions. These fractions have high antioxidant potential. E. malaccensis L. seeds showed the largest DPPH radical scavenger capacity (EC50 = 22.62). The fractions of E. malaccensis L. leaves showed lower antioxidant capacity. The samples did not alter the profile of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide release. The results indicate that species of the family Myrtaceae are rich in compounds with antioxidant capacity, which can help reduce the inflammatory response.

The only drug available for treating schistosomiasis is praziquantel, however there are already reports of resistance to its use in treatment, making it necessary to search and develop new compounds to combat schistosomiasis. We tested, in vitro, two new products, Laboratório de Planejamento de Síntese de Fármacos (LPSF)/5-(4-chloro-benzylidene-3-(4-nitrebenzyl)-4-thioxo-imidazolidin-2-one (RZS-2) and LPSF/5-(4-fluoride-benzylidene-3-(4-nitrebenzyl)-4-thioxo-imidazolidin-2-one (RZS-5) imidazolidines, against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. Efficacy and safety of these compounds were analyzed through IC50 cytotoxicity, immune response and cell viability tests. At different concentrations ranging from 40-640 microM, the imidazolidines produced motor abnormalities, inhibition of pairing and oviposition and mortality within 24 h at the higher concentrations. Although not triggering changes in IFN-gamma and IL-10, LPSF/RZS-2 and LPSF/RZS-5 induced production of nitric oxide and showed similar behavior to praziquantel in the cell death test.

ABSTRACT. Studies evaluating the internal morphology and seed quality of native species are essential for successful conservation programs. Our aim was to verify the efficiency of X-ray imagery in evaluating cashew-tree-of-the-cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.) achene viability after desiccation. The achenes were collected at 12% water content (w.b.) and dried in silica gel until they reached 10, 8, 6, and 4% (w.b.). The fruit morphology and the quality of the seeds were evaluated by X-ray test together with vigor, electrical conductivity and emergence tests. Achenes with different water contents were exposed to an Xray machine at 18 kV for 11 s and were thereafter submitted to emergence tests. The images were analyzed, and the achenes were classified based on internal morphology as completely full, malformed, or empty. These results were compared to those from the emergence tests. The statistical design was a complete randomized factorial (5 x 3). Desiccation to 4% (w.b.) did not damage or modify the internal structures. Xray was efficient in evaluating the internal morphology and detecting achene quality, making it possible to remove empty and abnormal fruit and form vigorous seed lots, reducing the cost of storage and bedding plant production for this native species.Keywords: X-Ray, fruit tree, cerrado, desiccation, internal morphology.Análise de imagens radiográficas em aquênios de Anacardium othonianum Rizz (anacardiaceae) submetidos à secagem RESUMO. Estudos referentes à avaliação da morfologia interna e da qualidade de sementes de espécies nativas são de fundamental importância para o sucesso dos programas de conservação. Objetivou-se com este estudo verificar a eficiência do teste com raios X na avaliação da viabilidade de aquênios de caju-deárvore-do-cerrado (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.) submetidos à secagem. Para tal, aquênios de A. othonianum Rizz foram coletados com 12% (b.u.) e submetidos à secagem em sílica gel até a obtenção dos teores de água de 10, 8, 6 e 4% (b.u.). Os frutos foram avaliados quanto à morfologia interna e qualidade física pelo teste de raios X, e o vigor das sementes pelos testes de germinação, condutividade elétrica e emergência de plântulas. Para a obtenção das imagens radiográficas, aquênios com diferentes teores de água foram expostos à radiação em um aparelho de raios X digital "Faxitron HP", MX-20 à intensidade de 18 kV por 11 segundos, e posteriormente foram submetidos ao teste de emergência. As imagens radiográficas foram analisadas e os aquênios classificados de acordo com a morfologia interna em três categorias: Cheios, mal formados e vazios. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial (5 x 3). A secagem dos frutos até 4% (b.u.) não danificou ou alterou as estruturas internas dos aquênios. O teste de raios X é eficiente na avaliação da morfologia interna e na detecção da qualidade de aquênios de A. othonianum Rizz, possibilitando a separação de aquênios vazios ou com anormalidades embrionárias e permite a formação de lotes ...

In this article, we describe that mononuclear complexes composed of (5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)aminobenzenesulfonamides (L1-3) of general formula (L2(M)2H2O, where M is Co, Cu, Zn, Ni or Mn) reduced epimastigote proliferation and were found cidal for trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain. Complexes C5 and C11 have IC50 of 2.7 ± 0.27 and 4.8 ± 0.47 µM, respectively, for trypomastigotes, when the positive control Nifurtimox, which is also an approved drug for Chagas disease, showed IC50 of 2.7 ± 0.25 µM. We tested whether these complexes inhibit the enzyme T. cruzi trypanothione reductase or acting as DNA binders. While none of these complexes inhibited trypanothione reductase, we observed some degree of DNA binding, albeit less pronounced than observed for cisplatin in this assay. Unfortunately, most of these complexes were also toxic for mouse splenocytes. Along with the present studies, we discuss a number of interesting structure-activity relationships and chemical features for these metal complexes, including computational calculations.