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We determined the neutralizing activity of 12 ethanolic extracts of plants against the edema-forming, defibrinating and coagulant effects of Bothrops asper venom in Swiss Webster mice. The material used consisted of the leaves and branches of Bixa orellana (Bixaceae), Ficus nymphaeifolia (Moraceae), Struthanthus orbicularis (Loranthaceae) and Gonzalagunia panamensis (Rubiaceae); the stem barks of Brownea rosademonte (Caesalpiniaceae) and Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae); the whole plant of Pleopeltis percussa (Polypodiaceae) and Trichomanes elegans (Hymenophyllaceae); rhizomes of Renealmia alpinia (Zingiberaceae), Heliconia curtispatha (Heliconiaceae) and Dracontium croatii (Araceae), and the ripe fruit of Citrus limon (Rutaceae). After preincubation of varying amounts of each extract with either 1.0 µg venom for the edema-forming effect or 2.0 µg venom for the defibrinating effect, the mixture was injected subcutaneously (sc) into the right foot pad or intravenously into the tail, respectively, to groups of four mice (18-20 g). All extracts (6.2-200 µg/mouse) partially neutralized the edema-forming activity of venom in a dose-dependent manner (58-76% inhibition), with B. orellana, S. orbicularis, G. panamensis, B. rosademonte, and D. croatii showing the highest effect. Ten extracts (3.9-2000 µg/mouse) also showed 100% neutralizing ability against the defibrinating effect of venom, and nine prolonged the coagulation time induced by the venom. When the extracts were administered either before or after venom injection, the neutralization of the edema-forming effect was lower than 40% for all extracts, and none of them neutralized the defibrinating effect of venom. When they were administered in situ (sc at the same site 5 min after venom injection), the neutralization of edema increased for six extracts, reaching levels up to 64% for C. limon.

-(Atmospheric pollen and spore content in the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia). The atmosphere of the urban area of the city of Medellin, Colombia was monitored with the objective of identifying airborne pollen and spores throughout a whole year. Sampling was performed between February 2010 and March 2011, coinciding with the La Niña climate phenomenon, which is characterized by a considerable increase in precipitation. Samples of airborne spores and pollen were obtained from a suction Hirst-type volumetric sampler. A total of 62 pollen and spores types were recorded during sampling, of which 30 were angiosperms, two were gymnosperms, 10 were monilophytes, and 20 were fungi. The families displaying the highest pollen counts were Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Polypodiaceae. We recorded an inverse relationship among precipitation and the quantity and diversity of pollen grains and fern spores. The angiosperm and gymnosperm taxa showed the greatest recorded grains throughout the sampling year with respect to the species mentioned herewith, which have been reported as allergenic in various aerobiological studies. Keywords: La Niña phenomenon, Palynology, Pollinosis, Tropics RESUMEN-(Polen atmosférico y esporas contenidas en el área urbana de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia)). Se realizó un monitoreo de la atmosfera del área urbana de Medellín, con el objetivo de identificar polen y esporas que se transportan por el aire a lo largo del año. El muestreo se realizó entre febrero de 2010 y marzo de 2011. Las muestras de polen y esporas aéreas se obtuvieron utilizando un captador volumétrico de succión tipo Hirst. En el trabajo se registraron 62 tipos polínicos y esporas, de las cuales 30 corresponden a angiospermas, dos a gimnospermas, 10 a pteridofitos y 20 a hongos. Las familias con mayor número de individuos por muestreo fueron: Oleaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae y Polypodiaceae. Se observó una relación inversamente proporcional entre la cantidad y diversidad de granos de polen y esporas de helechos encontrados, con respecto a la precipitación a lo largo del muestreo. Los taxones de angiospermas y gimnospermas que mayor cantidad de granos aportaron en los conteos durante el año de muestreo, corresponden a especies introducidas, con reportes de alergenicidad.