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The goal of the biotransformation process is to develop structural changes and generate new chemical compounds, which can occur naturally in mammalian and microbial organisms, such as filamentous fungi, and represent a tool to achieve enhanced bioactive compounds. Cunninghamella spp is among the fungal models most widely used in biotransformation processes at phase I and II reactions, mimicking the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics in mammals and generating new molecules based on substances of natural and synthetic origin. Therefore, the goal of this review is to highlight the studies involving the biotransformation of Cunninghamella species between January 2015 and March 2021, in addition to updating existing studies to identify the similarities between the human metabolite and Cunninghamella patterns of active compounds, with related advantages and challenges, and providing new tools for further studies in this scope.

Mycotoxins are natural contaminants of food and feed occurring worldwide. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) are the most frequent fusariotoxins and induce immune and intestinal toxicity in humans and animals. Recently, an association between mycotoxins exposure and impaired fertility has been suggested. However, the effects of these mycotoxins on the reproductive system are not well established. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of FB1 and DON, in combination or alone, on the ovarian morphology and oxidative responses using porcine explants. Seventy-two explants were obtained from six pigs and submitted to the following treatments: control (MEM medium), DON (10 μM), FB1 (100 μM FB1), and DON + FB1 (10 μM + 100 μM). Histological and immunohistochemical assays were performed to evaluate ovarian changes, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Oxidative stress response was evaluated through lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity response assays. The exposure to mycotoxins induced significant histological changes in the ovaries, which were characterized by a decrease in viable follicles and increase in degenerated follicles. A significant decrease in granulosa cell proliferation was observed in explants exposed to all mycotoxins. In addition the multi-contaminated treatment was responsible for an increase in the cell apoptosis index of growing follicles. On the other hand, the FB1 and multi-contaminated treatments induced a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation accompanied by an increase in antioxidant responses. Altogether, our results indicate a reproductive toxicity induced by fusariotoxins. Moreover, mycotoxins, alone or in combination, modulate oxidative stress response, interfering with the production of free radicals and affecting the reproductive capacity of pigs.

This study determined the prevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis and neosporosis and the risk factors associated with the development of these diseases in breeding rams from the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Southern Brazil. Serum samples (n = 1,800) from breeding rams maintained on 705 sheep farms from seven mesoregions were evaluated serologically to detect anti-IgG Toxoplasma gondii by indirect ELISA and anti-IgG Neospora caninum by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The prevalence of T. gondii was 33.05% (595/1,800); seropositivity to N. caninum was 18.44% (332/1,800). Additionally, there was simultaneous seropositivity (8.94%;161/1,800) to N. caninum and T. gondii. The variables size of the property (

O interesse de pesquisadores e da população geral é bastante evidente, e tem crescido bastante na atualidade, no uso de plantas medicinais. A espécie de interesse deste trabalho, a Sphagneticola trilobata Pruski é uma planta herbácea pertencente à família Asteraceae. Alguns relatos têm mostrado a presença de diversos constituintes químicos nesta planta, principalmente diterpenos. O presente trabalho realizou o estudo fitoquímico de uma fração do extrato hexânico, devido ao baixo rendimento da fração diclorometânica, através da utilização de diversos métodos cromatográficos, na qual isolouse o fitoesterol estigmasterol. Este composto foi confirmado por meio de dados espectroscópicos e de literaturas, e o isolamento de compostos desta classe de substâncias indicam uma nova vertente para o uso medicinal desta planta como um futuro hipocolesterolêmico. Para isto, estudos serão direcionados para o isolamento de fitoesteróis, com posterior realização de ensaios biológicos

Leishmaniasis is a group of chronic parasitic diseases in humans caused by species of the Leishmania genus. Current treatments have high toxicity, cost, duration, limited effectiveness, significantly complex administration, and drug-resistant strains. These factors highlight the importance of research into new therapies that use drugs without toxic effects. Solidagenone (SOL), the main labdane diterpene isolated from the plant Solidago chilensis, has anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antioxidant, tissue repair-inducing effects, suggesting a role in novel drug development. This study investigates in vivo mechanism action of SOL treatment in L. amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice. SOL was isolated from the roots of S. chilensis, and L. amazonensis-infected mice were treated daily with SOL (10, 50, 100 mg/kg) by gavage for 30 days. Gastric (NAG, MPO), hepatic (AST, ALT), systemic (body weight, NO) toxicity, leishmanicidal activity (lesion size, parasite burden), cell profile (macrophage, neutrophil infiltration), antioxidant (ABTS, NBT, NO), oxidant parameters (FRAP, ABTS), Th1, Th2, Th17 cytokines (CBA), collagen deposition (picrosirius), arginase, iNOS, NF-kB, and NRF2 (immunofluorescence) were evaluated. In vivo results showed SOL-treatment did not induce gastric, hepatic, or systemic toxicity in L. amazonensis-infected mice. SOL was able to reduce the lesion size and parasite load at the site of infection, increasing macrophage infiltration and neutrophil migration, exerting a balance in antioxidant (increased ABTS, NBT reduction, and NO), oxidative (increased FRAP and ABTS), and anti-inflammatory responses (reduced TNF-α, IFN-γ and increased IL-6, IL-17 production), and inducing arginase, iNOS, NF-kB, NRF2 and collagen deposition (type III), favoring wound healing and accelerating tissue repair at the site injury.

Research background. Extracts from grape pomace, including the wine, show many biological effects such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Unfortunately, winemakers discard the bagasse, so the waste is not exploited, although it contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The work aims to analyze the hydroethanolic extract of peels from Vitis labrusca agro-industrial waste and to evaluate its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is relevant for reusing a residue and adding value to the grape economic chain. Experimental approach. A representative sample of pomace was obtained and the peels were used to produce the extract. The phenolic compounds were determined by mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode and Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, using gallic acid as standard. The biological analyses were carried out using mice orally treated with crude extract at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. We evaluated mechanical hyperalgesia by the von Frey method, thermal heat hyperalgesia using a hot plate at 55 °C, paw edema using a pachymeter, and neutrophil recruitment by measurement of myeloperoxidase activity. The nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were evaluated by biochemical analyses using blood samples that were collected after the Vitis labrusca administration. Results and conclusions. In all wet winemaking residues peel mass fraction was 75%, and in dry residues 59%. We identified nine anthocyanins (3-O-glucosides: peonidin, delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin; 3-p-coumaroyl-glucosides: cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin and malvidin, and malvidin-3,5-diglucoside), five flavonoids (apigenin-7-glucoside, luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, isorhamnetin-3-glucoside and myricetin-3-rutinoside), and mass fraction of phenolic compounds, expressed as gallic acid equivalents, was 26.62 mg/g. In vivo assays showed that Vitis labrusca extract at mass fractions 100 and 300 mg/kg reduced carrageenan-induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, 50% of the paw edema, and neutrophil recruitment. In addition, there were no indications of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Our extract obtained from winemaking residue has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, related at least in part to the presence of phenolic compounds, and it is not toxic to renal and hepatic tissues. Novelty and scientific contribution. This bio-product can be used as an alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory agents with the same pharmacological potential and fewer side effects. We demonstrated that Vitis labrusca winemaking waste can be used for the production of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory products (nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics) without toxicity, contributing to the environmental economy., Pozadina istraživanja. Ekstrakt komine grožđa, kao i vino, ima mnoga biološka svojstva, poput antioksidacijskog i protuupalnog učinka. Nažalost, proizvođači vina odbacuju neiskorišteni trop iako sadržava bioaktivne spojeve s antioksidacijskim i protuupalnim svojstvima. Svrha je ovoga rada bila ispitati antinociceptivna i protuupalna svojstva vodeno-etanolnog ekstrakta pokožice grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca iz agroindustrijskog otpada. Značaj je ovoga istraživanja u tome što se korištenjem otpada daje dodatna ekonomska vrijednost grožđu u uzgojnom lancu. Eksperimentalni pristup. Ekstrakt je dobiven iz pokožica izdvojenih iz reprezentativnog uzorka komine. Udjel fenolnih spojeva određen je praćenjem višestrukih reakcija pomoću masene spektrometrije i metodom Folin-Ciocalteu, uz galnu kiselinu kao standard. Biološka aktivnost ekstrakata ispitana je na miševima koji su hranjeni sirovim ekstraktom u dozama od 30, 100 i 300 mg/kg. Ispitani su sljedeći parametri: mehanička hiperalgezija pomoću von Frey filamenata, toplinska hiperalgezija na vrućoj ploči pri 55 °C, edem šape pomoću pomičnog mjerila i aktivnost mijeloperoksidaze kao pokazatelj aktivacije neutrofila. Nefrotoksičnost i hepatotoksičnost su ispitane biokemijskim pretragama uzoraka krvi miševa hranjenih ekstraktom grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca. Rezultati i zaključci. Maseni udjel pokožica u svim uzorcima otpada vinske industrije iznosio je 75 % mokre tvari i 59 % suhe tvari. Identificirali smo devet različitih antocijanina (3-O-glukozide peonidin, delfinidin, petunidin i malvidin; 3-p-kumaroil-glukozide cijanidin, peonidin, pe¬tunidin i malvidin, te malvidin-3,5-diglukozid), pet flavonoida (apigenin-7-glukozid, luteolin-7-glukozid, kvercetin-3-galaktozid, izorhamnetin-3-glukozid i miri¬cetin-3-rutinozid), a maseni udjel fenolnih spojeva, izražen kao ekvivalent galne kiseline, bio je 26,62 mg/g. Ispitivanja in vivo pokazala su da su ektrakti grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca masenog udjela 100 i 300 mg/kg smanjili mehaničku i toplinsku hiperalgeziju kod miševa nakon injekcije karagenana, reducirali edem šape za 50 % i smanjili broj neutrofila. Osim toga, nije bilo pokazatelja nefrotoksičnosti i hepatotoksičnosti. Ekstrakt dobiven iz otpada vinske industrije ima analgetska i protuupalna svojstva, djelomično zbog toga što sadržava fenolne spojeve, a nije toksičan za tkiva bubrega i jetre. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Dobiveni se bioproizvod može upotrijebiti kao alternativa sintetičkim protuupalnim agensima, s istim farmakološkim potencijalom a manje nuspojava. Pokazali smo da se vinski otpad grožđa vrste Vitis labrusca može upotrijebiti za proizvodnju antinociceptivnih i protuupalnih proizvoda (nutraceutičkih, farmaceutskih i kozmetičkih) koji nemaju toksični učinak, te na taj način pridonijeti zaštiti okoliša.

Grandiflorenic acid (GFA) is one of the main kaurane diterpenes found in different parts of Sphagneticola trilobata. It has several biological activities, especially antiprotozoal action. In turn, Chagas disease is a complex systemic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and the drugs available to treat it involve significant side effects and impose an urgent need to search for therapeutic alternatives. In this context, our goal was to determine the effect of GFA on trypomastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. Our results showed that GFA treatment led to significantly less viability of trypomastigote forms, with morphological and ultrastructural changes in the parasites treated with IC50 of GFA (24.60 nM), and larger levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial depolarization, lipid droplets accumulation, presence of autophagic vacuoles, phosphatidylserine exposure, and plasma membrane damage. In addition, the GFA treatment was able to reduce the percentage of infected cells and the number of amastigotes per macrophage (J774A.1) without showing cytotoxicity in mammalian cell lines (J774A.1, LLCMK2, THP-1, AMJ2-C11), in addition to increasing TNF-α and reducing IL-6 levels in infected macrophages. In conclusion, the GFA treatment exerted influence on trypomastigote forms through an apoptosis-like mechanism and by eliminating intracellular parasites via TNF-α/ROS pathway, without generating cellular cytotoxicity.

UVB radiation is certainly one of the most important environmental threats to which we are subjected to. This fact highlights the crucial protective role of the skin. However, the skin itself may not be capable of protecting against UVB depending on irradiation intensity and time of exposition. Sun blockers are used to protect our skin, but they fail to fully protect it against oxidative and inflammatory injuries initiated by UVB. To solve this issue, topical administration of active molecules is an option. 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) is an arachidonic acid-derived lipid with proresolution and anti-inflammatory actions. However, as far as we are aware, there is no evidence of its therapeutic use in a topical formulation to treat the deleterious events initiated by UVB, which was the aim of the present study. We used a nonionic cream to vehiculate 15d-PGJ2 (30, 90, and 300 ng/mouse) (TFcPGJ2) in the skin of hairless mice. UVB increased skin edema, myeloperoxidase activity, metalloproteinase-9 activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion production, gp91phox and COX-2 mRNA expression, cytokine production, sunburn and mast cells, thickening of the epidermis, and collagen degradation. UVB also diminished skin ability to reduce iron and scavenge free radicals, reduced glutathione (GSH), sulfhydryl proteins, and catalase activity. TFcPGJ2 inhibited all these pathological alterations in the skin caused by UVB. No activity was observed with the unloaded topical formulation. The protective outcome of TFcPGJ2 indicates it is a promising therapeutic approach against cutaneous inflammatory and oxidative pathological alterations.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is related to reduced reproductive performance in males and females in several species. Children and adolescents showed a high risk of exposure to DON, however, no study has evaluated reproductive effects of DON at puberty. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of DON at peripuberty on the testicles of pubertal rats. To achieve this, 10 Wistar rats (28 days old) were fed for 28 days with a DON-contaminated diet (9.4 mg/kg) or a control diet. After the experimental period, rats (56 days old) were euthanised and the following evaluations were performed in the testicles: dynamics of spermatogenesis, tubular morphometry, number of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, analysis of caspase-3 expression, and the index of cell proliferation using the nucleolus organising regions (NOR) method. Ingestion of DON-contaminated diet induced a significant reduction in the number of Sertoli and Leydig cells and the number of seminiferous tubules in stage XIV. A significant increase in the number of NORs in seminiferous tubules in stage I-VI was observed in animals receiving the DON diet. No significant difference was noted in tubular morphometry or caspase-3 expression. Taken together, our results unravelled that the peripubertal exposure to DON compromised the testicular structure of pubertal rats, changing the dynamics of spermatogenesis.

Background Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Currently, the treatment has limited effectiveness and high toxicity, is expensive, requires long-term treatment, induces significant side effects, and promotes drug resistance. Thus, new therapeutic strategies must be developed to find alternative compounds with high efficiency and low cost. Solidagenone (SOL), one of the main constituents of Solidago chilensis, has shown gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Purpose This study assessed the in vitro effect of SOL on promastigotes and Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages, as well its microbicide and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Methods SOL was isolated from the roots of S. chilensis, 98% purity, and identified by chromatographic methods, and the effect of SOL on leishmanicidal activity against promastigotes in vitro, SOL-induced cytotoxicity in THP-1, J774 cells, sheep erythrocytes, and L. amazonensis-infected J774 macrophages, and the mechanisms of death involved in this action were evaluated. Results In silico predictions showed good drug-likeness potential for SOL with high oral bioavailability and intestinal absorption. SOL treatment (10–160 μM) inhibited promastigote proliferation 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. After 24 h of treatment, SOL at the IC50 (34.5 μM) and 2 × the IC50 (69 μM) induced several morphological and ultrastructural changes in promastigotes, altered the cell cycle and cellular volume, increased phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell surface, induced the loss of plasma membrane integrity, increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, induced loss of mitochondrial integrity (characterized by an apoptosis-like process), and increased the number of lipid droplets and autophagic vacuoles. Additionally, SOL induced low cytotoxicity in J774 murine macrophages (CC50 of 1587 μM), THP-1 human monocytes (CC50 of 1321 μM), and sheep erythrocytes. SOL treatment reduced the percentage of L. amazonensis-infected macrophages and the number of amastigotes per macrophage (IC50 9.5 μM), reduced TNF-α production and increased IL-12p70, ROS and nitric oxide (NO) levels. Conclusion SOL showed in vitro leishmanicidal effects against the promastigotes by apoptosis-like mechanism and amastigotes by reducing TNF-α and increasing IL-12p70, ROS, and NO levels, suggesting their potential as a candidate for use in further studies on the design of antileishmanial drugs.

Renicolid digeneans are frequently observed in the renal tubules and ureters of seabirds, such Puffinus puffinus, a migratory species distributed along the Brazilian coast. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between renicolid infection and health status in P. puffinus. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe (i) renal and systemic alterations, (ii) the renicolids and (iii) the biological aspects associated with the presence of renicolids in P. puffinus. Gross and histological assays were performed in 93 P. puffinus stranded on the Parana coast, southern Brazil, and renicolids were submitted to morphological and molecular assays. A high prevalence of renicolids in P. puffinus (71/93) was observed. In the kidney, the main microscopic findings were lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate, ductal ectasia and tubular necrosis. The renal lesions were significantly associated with the parasite infection. The morphological (n = 84) and molecular analyses (n = 2) confirmed the species as Renicola sloanei (100% and 95.9% of nucleotide identity with R. sloanei strains from P. puffinus and from Spheniscus demersus, respectively). In both parasitized and non-parasitized animals, cardiac and skeletal muscle degeneration and necrosis were the most frequent systemic changes. Therefore, the results suggest renicolids being a possible cause for the demonstrated renal alterations. A contribution of this parasite to a decreased health status of Puffinus puffinus along their migratory route is possible.

Novel microcapsules containing grape peel by-product extract were obtained. In this pursuit, complex coacervation of casein/pectin bioconjugate and spray-drying were combined. We have investigated the role of the dispersion feed rate (FR), drying air inlet temperature (IT) and drying air flow rate (AR) in the drying yield, microencapsulation efficiency, total polyphenols and anthocyanins contents, antioxidant activity, and morphology of the products. Also, the first-order degradation kinetics of the phytochemicals for both the extract and dried microcapsules was assessed and compared. The loss on the phytochemicals during spray-drying was attenuated in up to 88%, and the IT was the main factor affecting the particle properties. The polyphenols on the extract interacted with the polymers, influencing the assemble of the bioconjugate and the particle's features. Such microencapsulation strategy enhanced the thermal stability of the phytochemicals and rendered biocompatible and biodegradable products of which the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical application may have potential.

Toxoplasmosis is a reportable disease in Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate a toxoplasmosis outbreak at a research institution in Londrina-PR, Brazil. The outbreak was reported in October 2015; however, the first cases occurred in August 2015. Blood samples were collected from 674 persons at the institution. Samples were collected from soil, water (water tank) and food (vegetables) served in the restaurant. Each participant responded to an epidemiological questionnaire. For the blood samples, a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was performed to detect IgM, IgG and specific IgG avidity antibodies; 10.8% (73/674) had evidence of acute toxoplasmosis. Statistical analysis showed a significant association (p < .001) between acute infection and eating lunch in the restaurant of the institution. Regarding the types of food offered in the restaurant during the period, there was a significant association between consuming raw salad (p < .001) and becoming ill. We conclude that the vegetables or raw vegetables served in the restaurant were probably the source of infection; however, the long period between exposure and case reporting made it difficult to identify the source of transmission.

Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) é uma planta utilizada na medicina popular em diferentes tipos de traumas, contusões, analgésica e anti-inflamatória. No entanto, poucos estudos caracterizaram os compostos isolados e avaliaram a atividade terapêutica. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as principais classes de metabólitos secundários de raízes de S. chilensis M., isolar e identificar a solidagenona e verificar seu efeito biológico em modelo explante de pele de suíno. As raízes foram coletadas 22/03/2017 durante a floração e secas em estufa (50 °C). O perfil fitoquímico na identificação das classes de metabólitos secundários procedeu com ensaios gerais de complexação, turvação, precipitação, colorimétricos, afrogênico e cromatografia em camada delgada comparativa. O extrato bruto de raízes diclorometânico foi obtido por maceração exaustiva, seco por rotaevaporação e fracionado em cromatografia líquida a vácuo em gradiente crescente de polaridade. A solidagenona foi isolada, após sucessivas lavagens com metanol gelado e recristalizada para a determinação estrutural realizada por espectrometria de massa de ionização por eletrospray (MS-ESI), ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Utilizou-se microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difração de raio-X para avaliação morfológica dos cristais, além de analise térmica do ponto de fusão (PF). A avaliação dos efeitos biológicos ex vivo com pele de suíno foi realizada durante oito dias de incubação e seis tratamentos - controle, DMSO 0,5%, extrato bruto (0,1 mg mL-1) e solidagenona (0,06, 0,03 e 0,01 mg mL-1), usando DMSO como veículo. A integridade tecidual foi realizada por escore morfológico histológico e por resposta oxidativa a cada dois dias de incubação. Para análises estatísticas aplicou-se ANOVA e teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). As classes de metabólitos secundários identificadas foram flavonoides, taninos hidrolisáveis, saponinas e terpenos. Da fração 8:2 isolou-se 1,3 g de solidagenona (correspondendo a 3,3% do extrato bruto – m/m), de peso molecular de 316 m z-1, verificada por MS-ESI e os resultados espectroscópicos de deslocamento químico de carbono e hidrogênio de RMN corroboram a literatura. Observou-se pureza relativa de 98% de solidagenona identificada por CLAE. Os cristais apresentaram formato hexagonal observado pela MEV, sugerindo a formação de redes cristalográficas hexagonais em duas fases avaliadas por difração de raios X e PF 131 °C. As principais alterações morfológicas na pele – apoptose, degeneração e fenda derme-epiderme – foram observadas em todos os tratamentos. No entanto, o escore morfológico do tratamento utilizando a maior dose de solidagenona (0,06 mg mL-1) diferiu estatisticamente do DMSO no quarto, sexto e oitavo dias, mantendo a melhor integridade tecidual e aumentou a capacidade antioxidante no sexto dia, em relação ao DMSO e ao controle. Conclui-se que as raízes de S. chilensis contêm flavonoides, taninos hidrolisáveis, saponinas e terpenos como classes de metabólitos secundários, identifica a solidagenona como composto principal, indicando um possível efeito protetor tecidual aos explantes de pele com este metabólito. Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) is used in folk medicine for several types of traumas, contusions, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, few studies have characterized the main compounds and evaluated their therapeutic activity. The aim of this study was to identify the main compound from roots of S. chilensis M., isolate and elucidate the solidagenone and to verify its effects on pig skin explant. The roots were collected at 03/22/2017 during flowering and dried in oven (50°C). The phytochemical profiles of the secondary metabolites proceeded with general tests of complexation, turbidity, precipitation, colorimetric, afrogenic and comparative thin layer chromatography. The crude extract of dichloromethane roots was obtained by exhaustive maceration, dried under vacuum and fractionated by vacuum liquid chromatography under increasing polarity gradient. The solidagenone washed with cold methanol and recrystallized for structural determination by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS-ESI), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction were used for morphological evaluation of the crystals, as well as thermal analysis by melting point determination. The evaluation of the ex vivo biological effects with porcine skin was performed during eight days of incubation and six treatments – control, DMSO 0.5%, crude extract (0.1 mg mL-1) and solidagenone (0.06, 0.03 and 0.01 mg mL-1), using DMSO as vehicle. Tissue integrity was performed by histological morphological score and by oxidative response every two days of incubation. Statistical analyzes were conducted with ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). The classes of secondary metabolites identified were flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, saponins and terpenes. It was isolated 1.3 g of solidagenone (3.3% of the crude extract – w/w) from the fraction 8:2, with molecular weight of 316 m z-1 verified by MS-ESI, and the spectroscopic results of chemical carbon displacement and NMR hydrogen reinforce the literature. Relative purity of 98% solidagenone identified by HPLC was observed. The crystals showed a hexagonal shape observed by SEM, suggesting the formation of hexagonal crystallographic networks with two phases evaluated by X-ray diffraction and PF 131°C. The main morphological skin alterations - apoptosis, degeneration and dermis-epidermal cleft - were observed in all treatments. However, the morphological treatment score using the highest dose of solidagenone (0.06 mg mL-1) differed statistically from DMSO on the fourth, sixth and eighth days, maintaining the tissue integrity and increased antioxidant capacity on the sixth day, in relation to DMSO and control. It is concluded that the roots of S. chilensis contain flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, saponins and terpenes as classes of secondary metabolites, identifying the solidagenone as main compound, indicating a possible protective effect for skin explants with this metabolite.

The objective of this study was to report an outbreak of human toxoplasmosis at a research institution in Londrina, Paraná, from December 2015 to February 2016. Blood samples from 26 symptomatic individuals were collected and the microparticle chemiluminescence immunoassay was performed to detect IgM, IgG and specific IgG avidity test in the official laboratory. A total of 20 people with symptoms and serology compatible with acute toxoplasmosis (IgM positive and IgG with low avidity) were selected as cases, while 45 asymptomatic employees working in the same teams and during the same shifts were selected as controls. All the participants of the investigation answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Three samples of water and one sludge from the institution's supply cisterns, 10 soil samples, 11 plant samples, three cat fecal samples and one domestic feline cadaver were collected for analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for T. gondii. After analyzing the epidemiological data, the consumption of vegetables in the restaurant of the institution was the only variable associated with the occurrence of the disease. In laboratory results, all the samples showed negative results to PCR. The rapid recognition of the outbreak, early notification and investigation could have broken the chain of transmission early, thus preventing the emergence of new cases. In addition, the adoption of good food handling practices could have prevented the occurrence of the outbreak.