Mortality data were evaluated by linear regression to determine the LC 50 . Was obtained 0.5% yield values, and (E) -caryophyllene the major constituent. The essential oil showed a LC 50 = 79.44 mg / mL front A. saline and is considered highly toxic. However, this oil showed no effect on larvae of A. aegypti. Whereas the brine shrimp test has regard to several biological activities, as antitumoral property, the essential oil from the leaves of M. sylvatica demonstrated potential for development of medicines.

The mosquito Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is the major vector of dengue and chikungunya fever. The lack of effective therapies and vaccines for these diseases highlights the need for alternative strategies to control the spread of virus. Therefore, this study investigated the larvicidal potential of essential oils from common plant species obtained from the Chapada das Mesas National Park, Brazil, against third instar A. aegypti larvae. The chemical composition of these oils was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The essential oils of Eugenia piauhiensis Vellaff., Myrcia erythroxylon O. Berg, Psidium myrsinites DC., and Siparuna camporum (Tul.) A. DC. were observed to be mainly composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The essential oil of Lippia gracilis Schauer was composed of oxygenated monoterpenes. Four of the five tested oils were effective against the A. aegypti larvae, with the lethal concentration (LC50) ranging from 230 to 292 mg/L after 24 h of exposure. Overall, this work demonstrated the possibility of developing larvicidal products against A. aegypti by using essential oils from the flora of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. This in turn demonstrates the potential of using natural resources for the control of disease vectors.

No abstract

O amido de mesocarpo de babaçu (Attalea speciosa  Mart. ex Spreng) e a Aloe vera (Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.) são materiais naturais com vasta aplicação nas áreas de saúde. Neste trabalho de pesquisa foram preparados e caracterizados filmes casting compostos por amido de mesocarpo de babaçu suplementados com Aloe vera nas proporções de 0%, 5%, 8% e 10% observando características físicas de espessura, umidade, solubilidades em água, permeabilidade ao vapor de água e propriedades mecânicas. Além disso, foram avaliadas a citotoxicidade da solução filmogênica em macrófagos murinos da linhagem RAW 264.7 e células de hemácias humanas. Os resultados mostram que os filmes desenvolvidos têm superfície lisa, boa maleabilidade e são autossustentados. O teor de umidade, solubilidade e permeabilidade ao vapor de água aumentaram de acordo com o aumento da concentração de Aloe vera, para as propriedades mecânicas não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre as formulações testadas. A solução filmogênica apresentou efeito citotóxico considerado seguro para os macrófagos e hemácias humanas. Essas características demonstram um bom potencial para cobertura de feridas e reparação tecidual.

Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns is an easily cultivated shrub, with occurrence in the tropical regions of the American and African continents. Chemical studies have revealed that the latex of this plant is rich in terpene compounds, which are highly toxic to snails Biomphalaria glabrata (Basommatophora: Planorbidae). The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and molluscicidal activity of the latex produced by E. umbellata, as well as the safety of its application in aquatic environments. The concentration of latex that killed 90% of the exposed snails after 24 h exposure (LC90) was 3.69 mg/L. Toxicity bioassays using Danio rerio (zebrafish) revealed that these animals were less susceptible to latex than planorbids. However, it is important to perform other toxicity tests to ensure the feasibility of using latex to control populations of mollusks that contribute to schistosomiasis transmission. A phytochemical screening performed with the E. umbellata latex identified the triterpenoid and coumarin class. Further studies are warranted to isolate, identify, and test the active compounds of E. umbellata latex in B. glabrata.