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The search for new therapies, derived from natural compounds in order to prevent and treat Parkinson's disease (PD) has aroused the interest of many researchers. Spondias mombin (L) has active constituents with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the hexane extract of S. mombin (EHSm) in an experimental model of DP induced by rotenone in zebrafish. The analysis of GC/MS demonstrated cyclogallipharaol (13.88%) and dl-α-tocopherol (8.08%) mostly, while HPLC-DAD indicated the presence of quercetin (5), quercetrin (6.54 mg/g) and rutin (8.83 mg/g). The zebrafish exposed for 4 weeks to rotenone (ROT, 3 μg/L) and EHSm (5, 15, 25 mg/L). EHSm (25 mg/L) was able to reverse the behavioral damage induced by ROT in the entries and time spent in the top area of the tank. The parameters biochemicals indicated of EHSm prevented oxidative stress (TBARS e total thiols), inflammation and dopamine uptake triggered by ROT, evidenced of increased on the CAT, SOD and GSH and decreased of GST, O

Oxidative stress and DNA damage are involved in the glyphosate-based herbicide toxicity. Uncaria tomentosa (UT; Rubiaceae) is a plant species from South America containing bioactive compounds with known beneficial properties. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential of UT extract in a model of acute exposure to glyphosate-Roundup® (GR) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We showed that UT (1.0 mg/mL) prevented the decrease of brain total thiols, the increase of lipid peroxidation in both brain and liver, and the decrease of liver GPx activity caused after 96 h of GR (5.0 mg/L) exposure. In addition, UT partially protected against the increase of micronucleus frequency induced by GR exposure in fish brain. Overall, our results indicate that UT protects against damage induced by a glyphosate-based herbicide by providing antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects, which may be related to the phenolic compounds identified in the extract.

Background Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm., Zingiberaceae, is traditionally used in Brazil to treat hypertension, inflammation, anxiety, and hysteria. However, investigations of antioxidant and central effects of A . zerumbet extract are lacking. Objective The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a hydroethanolic extract of A . zerumbet (HEA) on tail suspension and light/dark tests to screen for possible antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities, respectively. We also evaluated the in vitro antioxidant effects of HEA. Materials and methods Swiss male mice were orally treated with saline or HEA (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg) 60 min before testing. The in vitro antioxidant activity of HEA was determined using the ferric-reducing antioxidant property method and assays involving free radical and reactive oxygen species scavenging. Protections against glutathione oxidation and lipid peroxidation were also evaluated. Results HEA (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly reduced the period of immobility in the tail suspension test, similarly to imipramine. In the tail suspension test, HEA (400 and 800 mg/kg but not 200 mg/kg) and diazepam significantly increased time spent in the light side. The antioxidant activity of HEA was remarkable, as it showed significant ferric-reduction power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, and protection against lipid peroxidation. Conclusion This study showed the antioxidant, antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of HEA in mice. More studies and the identification of active components of the extract are necessary to further assess the therapeutic potential of this species in the treatment of psychiatric diseases.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become an emergent model organism for translational approaches focused on the neurobiology of stress due to its genetic, neuroanatomical, and histological similarities with mammalian systems. However, despite the increasing number of studies using zebrafish, reports examining the impact of stress on relevant neurochemical parameters are still elementary when compared to studies using rodents. Additionally, it is important to further validate this model organism by comparing its stress response with those described in other species. Here, we evaluated the effects of an acute restraint stress (ARS) protocol on oxidative stress-related parameters in the zebrafish brain. Our data revealed that ARS significantly decreased catalase activity without altering the activity of superoxide dismutase. Oxidative stress was also indicated by increased levels of lipid peroxides. ARS significantly increased the levels of non-protein thiols, although significant changes in total reduced sulfhydryl content were not detected. These results suggest that ARS is an interesting strategy for evaluating the mechanisms underlying the neurochemical basis of the oxidative profile triggered by acute stressors in the zebrafish brain. Furthermore, this protocol may be suitable for screening new compounds with protective properties against oxidative stress, which plays an increasingly important role in many psychiatric disorders.