Diseases transmitted by vectors such as Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) have been responsible for endemics and epidemics in several countries, causing irreparable damage to human health. For this reason, vector control is one of the main strategies to prevent the contamination and dissemination of these etiological agents. In this study, the essential oil (EO) of Ocimum basilicum was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the compounds were identified by GC/MS. A nanoemulsion was obtained through a low-energy input method and evaluated by photon correlation spectroscopy. Bioassays were performed against 4th instar larvae of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus. Furthermore, additional in silico studies of biological activity prediction and molecular docking for the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and juvenile hormone protein targets were performed with the 53 identified compounds of the EO. The major compounds identified in greater quantity were linalool (32.66%) and anethole (32.48%). The obtained nanoemulsion had an average size diameter between 244.6 and 280.4 nm and a polydispersity index below 0.250 during the entire storage period. The nanoemulsion was tested at concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/L and the following activity values were observed: LC₅₀ = 42.15 mg/L and 40.94 mg/L and LC₉₀ = 50.35 mg/L and 48.87 mg/L for A. aegypti (24 h and 48 h); LC₅₀ = 39.64 mg/L and 38.08 mg/L and LC₉₀ = 52.58 mg/L and 54.26 mg/L for C. quinquefasciatus (24 h and 48 h). The in silico results showed better activity values for linalool, anethole, carvone, α-selinene, eugenol, and limonene. The α-selinene compound showed the best binding affinity with the insect acetylcholinesterase enzyme (−9.1 Kcal) in molecular docking, showing the importance of antagonist compounds in elucidating the mechanism of action for the investigated targets. Thus, the studied nanoemulsion was considered active against the tested species, becoming a potential alternative as an ecological bioinsecticide due to bioactivity and simplicity of formulation.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of co-treatment with purified annatto oil (PAO) or its granules (GRA, Chronic^®) with that of testosterone on the orchiectomy-induced osteoporosis in Wistar rats. After surgery, rats were treated from day 7 until day 45 with testosterone only (TES, 7 mg/kg, IM) or TES + PAO or GRA (200 mg/kg, p.o.). The following parameters were evaluated: food/water intake, weight, HDL, LDL, glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alkaline phosphatase levels, blood phosphorus and calcium contents, femur weight, structure (through scanning electron microscopy), and calcium content (through atomic absorption spectrophotometry). Our results show that orchiectomy could significantly change the blood lipid profile and decrease bone integrity parameters. Testosterone reposition alone could improve some endpoints, including LDL, TC, bone weight, and bone calcium concentration. However, other parameters were not significantly improved. Co-treatment with PAO or GRA improved the blood lipid profile and bone integrity more significantly and improved some endpoints not affected by testosterone reposition alone (such as TG levels and trabeculae sizes). The results suggest that co-treatment with annatto products improved the blood lipid profile and the anti-osteoporosis effects of testosterone. Overall, GRA had better results than PAO.

In this bioremediation study, the fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from kefir grains was evaluated for its resistance to copper in the culture medium. Penicillium sp. was cultivated in liquid medium prepared using 2% malt-agar at pH 7.0. Biomass of the fungus was significantly reduced, but only when 800 mg·L⁻¹ of Cu(NO₃)₂ copper nitrate was used. The effect on radial growth of the fungus in experiments combining different pH values and the inorganic contaminant showed an inhibition of 73% at pH 4.0, 75% at pH 7.0 and 77% at pH 9.0 in liquid medium. Thus, even though the growth of Penicillium sp. could be inhibited with relatively high doses of copper nitrate, images obtained with scanning electron microscopy showed the preservation of fungal cell integrity. Therefore, it can be concluded that Penicillium sp. isolated from kefir grains can survive while performing bioremediation to minimize the negative effects of copper on the environment through biosorption.

Vouacapoua americana (Fabaceae) is an economically important tree in the Amazon region and used for its highly resistant heartwood as well as for medicinal purposes. Despite its frequent use, phytochemical investigations have been limited and rather focused on ecological properties than on its pharmacological potential. In this study, we investigated the phytochemistry and bioactivity of V. americana stem bark extract and its constituents to identify eventual lead structures for further drug development. Applying hydrodistillation and subsequent GC-MS analysis, we investigated the composition of the essential oil and identified the 15 most abundant components. Moreover, the diterpenoids deacetylchagresnone (1), cassa-13(14),15-dien-oic acid (2), isoneocaesalpin H (3), (+)-vouacapenic acid (4), and (+)-methyl vouacapenate (5) were isolated from the stem bark, with compounds 2 and 4 showing pronounced effects on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium, respectively. During the structure elucidation of deacetylchagresnone (1), which was isolated from a natural source for the first time, we detected inconsistencies regarding the configuration of the cyclopropane ring. Thus, the structure was revised for both deacetylchagresnone (1) and the previously isolated chagresnone. Following our works on Copaifera reticulata and Vatairea guianensis, the results of this study further contribute to the knowledge of Amazonian medicinal plants.

The phytonutraceutical Ormona^® is a product composed of purified oil of Bixa orellana Linné, dry extract of Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, dry extract of Trifolium pratense L., and dry extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. obtained using Evolve^® technology. This study evaluated the effects of Ormona^® on Wistar rats affected by ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Pre-treatment was conducted for 15 days before surgery and continued for a further 45 days after the surgical procedure. The experimental design consisted of five groups (n = 5): OVW: treated with distilled water (1 mL/kg, p.o); ADS: alendronate sodium (4 mg/kg p.o); EST: conjugated estrogen (2 µg/kg, p.o); ORM: Ormona^® (20 mg/kg, p.o); ORM + EST: Ormona^® (20 mg/kg, p.o) + conjugated estrogen (2 µg/kg, p.o). Biochemical and hormonal parameters of bone histopathology and trabecular and femoral diaphysis size were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and bone calcium quantification by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show that ovariectomy caused bone alterations such as loss of femoral microarchitecture, decreased bone homeostasis parameters, and changes in the lipid profile. Estrogen supplementation reduced parameters such as cholesterol, LDL, and Ca²⁺ concentration. However, Ormona^® showed higher serum estradiol levels (p < 0.01), effects on the lipid profile, including parameters that estrogen replacement and alendronate sodium did not affect, with an increase in HDL, and positive modulation of bone metabolism, increasing osteocytes and the presence of osteoblasts. Ormona^®, therefore, produced better results than the groups treated with estrogen and alendronate sodium.

Objective: Evaluate contamination by heavy metals: Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni), from Canal do Jandiá, Macapá-AP. Theoretical framework: This study based on theoretical reflections on environmental issues, the relationship between society and nature. The problems of heavy metals in the environment, environmental toxicity, and the uses of water. Method: Techniques such as bibliographic and documentary research; information inventories; collection and analysis of bottom sediment samples. Collections were at 3 (three) points at the mouth of the channel, one on the channel bed and one on the Sérgio Arruda Bridge. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer from the Atomic Absorption and Bioprospecting Laboratory (LAAB). Results and conclusion: Observed that Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni presented values ​​above those stipulated by legislation. And that seasonal variation contributes to the increase in the concentration of the metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni in the bottom sediment. Implications of the research: This study will contribute to public policy measures, helping decision-making for environmental improvement in the municipality of Macapá-AP. Originality/value: This research is of socio-environmental and scientific importance, as it evaluates the concentration of heavy metals and associates it with the lack of environmental sanitation and rainfall in the region.