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Paraquat (Pq) intoxications are frequent in the country and its toxic mechanism of action involves the generation of oxidative stress, which can be combated with exogenous antioxidants such as quercetin (Q). Thus, when assessing the role of this flavonoid in damage caused by Pq, in an experimental animal model, in vitro, a reduction in the level of hepatic lipoperoxidation was observed, suggesting a greater sensitivity of this tissue than the renal. Also, when in association, Pq + Q were able to provoke inhibition of the enzyme d-aminolevulinate dehydratase (d-ALA-D), possibly by chelation mechanism, unrelated to the sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme. In silico, Q presented good intestinal absorption, high plasma protein binding, mutagenic, carcinogenic and inhibitory potential on metabolic enzymes. Thus, it is believed that the diet rich in Q or its supplementation can bring health benefits to the population, especially those exposed to herbicides, such as Pq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of essential oil obtained from the fruits of Brazilian red pepper in the performance and intestinal morphometry of broilers. A total of 240 day-old male chicks Cobb were used, distributed in a randomized design in groups of five treatments and four replicates of 12 birds each: diet without antibiotics and anticoccidial agent (negative control); diet with antibiotic and anticoccidial agent (positive control); diets with 0.1% of Brazilian red pepper oil; diets with 0.2% of Brazilian red pepper oil; diets with 0.4% of Brazilian red pepper oil. Feed intake, body weight and feed conversion were influenced by treatments (P <0.05). It was observed that the broilers fed with the growth promoter antibiotic had a superior performance than the untreated broilers (P<0.05). In the period of 1-21 days, the inclusion of 0.4% Brazilian red pepper oil resulted in improvements in feed conversion and increased weight gain compared to other treatments (P<0.05). From 22-47 days of age it was observed that regardless of the level of Brazilian red pepper oil, their use resulted in a higher weight gain and final weight (P<0.05) and it was recorded a maximum villous height in broilers fed with Brazilian red pepper oil as compared to birds not treated with antibiotics (P<0.05). The Brazilian red pepper improved production rates and increased the intestinal absorptive surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]