Zebrafish is an excellent model organism for studying tissue alterations caused by Bothrops alternatus venom (BAV) and for screening new anti-venom drugs. To study tissue alterations following exposure to BAV and the roles that glucocorticoids play in these tissue reactions, zebrafish were randomly divided into five groups: the free injection control group (FIC), the phosphate-buffered saline injection control group (PIC), the venom injected group (VI), the group treated with dexamethasone 1 h before venom injection (D1hBVI) and the group treated with dexamethasone 1 h after venom injection (D1hAVI). The concentration of BAV injected was 0.13 mg/mL and each fish received an injection of 20 μL. Body weight measurements and histopathological characteristics of the gills, kidneys, liver, and intestine were determined. Histopathological analyses showed necrosis, inflammation and weight gain in animals that received BAV. The histological alteration indices of the gills, liver, kidneys, and intestines were statistically higher in the animal groups treated with BAV. These alteration indices were lower in the D1hBVI and D1hAVI groups compared to the group treated with BAV alone. The D1hBVI group is presented with minor alterations. A significant difference in the histological alterations index was observed in the intestinal tissue of the FIC group compared to the PIC group. Cumulatively, zebrafish may serve as a useful biomarker for alterations induced by BAV. Interestingly, dexamethasone reduced the damage caused by BAV in the organs studied, which suggests that zebrafish might be useful for screening new drugs that can mitigate tissue damage caused by snakebites.

The plant species Acmella oleracea L. is used in the north of Brazil for the treatment of a range of illnesses, such as tuberculosis, flu, cough, and rheumatism and as an anti-inflammatory agent; besides, hydroethanolic formulations with this species are popularly used as a female aphrodisiac agent. However, currently, there are no studies performed evaluating its effect on embryonic development. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of the hydroethanolic extract of A. oleracea (EHFAo) on the reproductive performance (parental) and embryonic development (F1 generation) of zebrafish, at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/L. Histopathology of parental gonads after 21 days of exposure to EHFAo reveals few alterations in the ovaries and testes, not impairing the reproduction; an increase of eggs deposition was observed in animals treated with EHFAo at the highest concentrations. Nevertheless, concerning the embryonic development of F1, teratogenic effects were observed including tail deformation, cardiac and yolk edema, scoliosis, and growth retardation; these alterations were more prominent in the groups born from progenitors exposed to the highest concentrations (100 and 200 μg/L.); but only the occurrence of yolk and cardiac edema had a statistically significant difference when compared to the control group. The chromatographic analysis shows that spilanthol (affinin) was the primary compound found in the EHFAo. Hence, in silico assessment was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of this molecule and 37 metabolites derived from it. Overall, our data show that the treatment caused no detrimental changes in progenitors regarding their gonads or fertility but caused some potentially teratogenic activity in embryos, which may be due to the action of spilanthol’s metabolites M3, M6, M7, M8, M16, M28, and M31.

Hydroethanolic preparations of Acmella oleracea is used in the north of Brazil as a female aphrodisiac. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the action of the hydroethanolic extract of Acmella oleracea (EHFAo) flowers (21.873 and 44.457 mg/kg) and spilanthol (3 mg/kg) administered orally on reproductive performance and effects on the embryonic development of zebrafish F1 generation. It was observed that in the groups in which males and females received EHFAo and spilanthol, the spawning was interrupted, whereas in the groups in which only the females were treated, spawning occurred during the 21 days. Thus, in the histopathological evaluation of the gonads, it was possible to observe that the percentage of mature cells in the spermatozoa and females was significantly reduced. Only the embryo groups in which parental generation was treated with EHFAo showed lethal and teratogenic effects. On the other hand, the parental groups treated with the spilanthol presented only the lethality. Spilanthol and some metabolites showed good oral availability and important toxicological properties. Thus, it is suggested that the treatment of parental generation of zebrafish with EHFAo and spilanthol caused severe changes in the gonads and on fertility. However, on the embryo, the most striking effects in the development were recorded in the groups in which the parental generation was treated with the EHFAo, while the spilanthol influenced the lethality of the embryos.

The zebrafish Danio rerio appears to be as an alternative experimental model mainly used on toxicological evaluations since the 1990s. In this chapter, we illustrate using a histopathological study the evaluation of a complex phytopreparation with janaguba milk (TPJM, used in popular medicine), which was administrated in zebrafish by immersion in water. We determined (1) lethal concentration 50 (LC 50)-1188.54 μg/mL; (2) the behavioral changes; and (3) the acute administration of TPJM modifications (48 h) at concentrations 500, 750, 1000, and 1500 μg/mL, on the histopathological parameters of the gills, kidneys, and liver. Also the concentrations of 1000 and 1500 μg/mL caused significant damage to the gill tissue and produced a high rate of histological changes in the liver. The kidneys showed greater changes at concentrations of 750, 1000, and 1500 μg/mL. Based on the percentage of TPJM extracts that was only 1.85%, the LC 50 was calculated as 475 mg/kg; according to traditional indication, only 6 tablespoons/day is consumed; and it is possible to infer that only 0.5 g of active ingredient is ingested by an adult user per day, corresponding to a dose of 7.14 mg/kg, which is far from the toxic effects, demonstrating low toxicity of TPJM.

No abstract

The plant species Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) LP Queiroz var. ferrea basionym of Caesalpinia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) is used in various regions of Brazil in folk medicine in the treatment of several health problems, especially in acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Most of the preparations employed are alcoholic. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of fruits of Libidibia ferrea (EHEFLf) in zebrafish, emphasizing the possible changes in the organic-cellular level of the gills, liver, kidneys, and intestine and on embryos. The result obtained by LC-M/MS from EHEFLf indicated a high concentration of possible polyhydroxylated substances. EHEFLf, at a dose of 2 g/kg orally, produced non-significant alterations of the analyzed organs. However, for embryos, the treatment with different concentrations demonstrated heart toxicity that was concentration-dependent. There is no evidence of a correlation of the observed effects with the phytochemical composition, and considering the species of animal used, it can be suggested that the oral use of L. ferrea hydroethanolic extract has an acceptable degree of safety for use as an oral medicinal product. and embryo results have shown significant affinity to the heart; however, it is perceived to be related to the concentrations used.

Objective: to investigate the occurrence of Common Mental Disorder in caregivers of children. Method: quantitative, descriptive study, with non-probabilistic and intentional sample. The Self Reporting Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was performed by simple descriptive statistics. Results: the results of the study evidenced the presence of CMD in caregivers with a total prevalence of 93.1%; caregivers revealed a profile of subjects who are predominantly affected by depressive/anxious mood and to a lesser extent, by depressive thoughts. Conclusion: the results of the research evidenced that there is a high rate of occurrence of CMD in caregivers of children submitted to chemotherapy. Thus, considering that the act of caring is commonly associated with the presence of overload, self-sacrifice and other feelings that may affect the quality of life of caregivers, it is necessary to provide subsidies for the development of a support network directed to prevention, rehabilitation and treatment actions that will optimize the physical and mental health of family caregivers. Descriptors: Neoplasms; Children; Caregivers; Family; Mental Disorde; Chemotherapy. RESUMOObjetivo: investigar a ocorrência de Transtorno Mental Comum em cuidadores de crianças. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, com amostra não probabilística e intencional. Foi utilizado o instrumento Self Reporting Questionaire (SRQ-20) para coleta de dados. A análise de dados foi realizada por estatística descritiva simples. Resultados: o estudo evidenciou a presença de TMC nos cuidadores com uma prevalência total de 93,1%; e os cuidadores revelaram um perfil de sujeitos que são acometidos predominantemente por quadros de Humor depressivo/ansioso e, em menor escala, por Pensamentos Depressivos. Conclusão: os resultados da pesquisa evidenciaram que existe elevada taxa de ocorrência de TMC em cuidadores de crianças submetidas ao tratamento quimioterápico. Desse modo, tendo em vista que o ato de cuidar, comumente, vem associado à presença de sobrecarga, renúncia e outros sentimentos que podem afetar a qualidade de vida dos cuidadores, é necessário inserir subsídios para o desenvolvimento de uma rede de suporte direcionada a ações de prevenção, reabilitação e tratamento que venham a otimizar a saúde física e mental de familiares cuidadores. Descritores: Neoplasias; Crianças; Cuidadores; Família; Transtorno Mental; Quimioterapia. RESUMENObjetivo: investigar la ocurrencia de Trastorno Mental Común en cuidadores de niños. Método: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, con muestra no probabilística e intencional. Fue utilizado el instrumento Self Reporting Questionaire (SRQ-20) para recolección de datos. El análisis de datos fue realizado por estadística descriptiva simple. Resultados: el estudio evidenció la presencia de TMC en los cuidadores con una prevalencia total de 93,1%; y los cuidadores revelaron un perfil de sujetos que son acometidos predominantemente por cuadros de Humor depresivo/ansioso y, en menor escala, por Pensamientos Depresiv...

RESUMOObjetivo: investigar a característica resiliente de familiares que convivem com a realidade de um parente em sofrimento psíquico. Método: trata-se de estudo qualitativo, descritivo, em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infanto-juvenil, com nove familiares cuidadores. Utilizou-se a técnica de entrevista semiestruturada para a produção de dados empíricos, e, para a análise, a técnica de Análise de Conteúdo na modalidade Análise Temática. Resultados: identificou-se que o processo de cuidar se transfigura uma missão por vezes difícil, no entanto, com o passar do tempo, os entrevistados apresentaram uma postura otimista e esperançosa na superação das adversidades e de tentar manter um vínculo familiar positivo baseado no amor, respeito, fé, solidariedade e companheirismo. Conclusão: refletiram-se, pelos familiares, mudanças de atitude e personalidades significantes na evolução de uma melhor convivência e forma de agir com seu parente com sofrimento psíquico, permitindo a identificação de características resilientes. Descritores: Família; Estresse Psicológico; Resiliência Psicológica; Saúde Mental; Cuidadores; Transtorno Mental.ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the resilient characteristics of relatives who live with the reality of a relative in psychic suffering. Method: a qualitative, descriptive study in a Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Care Center with nine family caregivers. The semi-structured interview technique was used to produce empirical data and, for the analysis, the Content Analysis technique in the Thematic Analysis modality. Results: It was identified that the process of caring is transformed into a sometimes-difficult mission, however, over time, the interviewees presented an optimistic and hopeful position in overcoming adversities and trying to maintain a positive family bond based on love, respect, faith, solidarity and fellowship. Conclusion: the family members showed significant changes in attitude and personalities in the evolution of a better coexistence and way of acting with their relative with psychic suffering, allowing the identification of resilient characteristics. Descriptors: Family; Psychological Stress; Psychological Resilience; Mental Health; Caregivers; Mental Disorders.RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar la característica resiliente de familiares que conviven con la realidad de un pariente en sufrimiento psíquico. Método: se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial Infanto-juvenil, con nueve familiares cuidadores. Se utilizó la técnica de entrevista semiestructurada para la producción de datos empíricos, y para el análisis, la técnica de Análisis de Contenido en la modalidad Análisis Temático. Resultados: se identificó que el proceso de cuidar se transfigura una misión a veces difícil, sin embargo, con el paso del tiempo, los entrevistados presentaron una postura optimista y esperanzada en la superación de las adversidades y de intentar mantener un vínculo familiar positivo basado en el amor , respeto, fe, solidaridad y compañerismo. Conclusión: se reflejaron, por los familiares, cambios de actitud y personalidades significantes en la evolución de una mejor convivencia y forma de actuar con su pariente con sufrimiento psíquico, permitiendo la identificación de características resilientes. Descriptores: Familia; Estrés Psicológico; Resiliencia Psicológica; Salud Mental; Cuidadores; Trastorno Mental.