This work studied distastefulness of alkaloids of eight ladybird species (Adalia bipunctata, Calvia quatuordecimguttata, Coccinella septempunctata, Cynegetis impunctata, Exochomus quadripustulatus, Halyzia sedecimguttata, Harmonia axyridis, Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) for ants Lasius niger. The reaction to extracts of various ladybird species isn´t corelated with their size. There is a weak relationship of distastefulness on ladybird coloration.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Envenenamentos por serpentes sÃo um importante problema de saÃde muito difundido em paÃses tropicais. Entre as espÃcies mais perigosas da AmÃrica do Sul encontra-se o gÃnero Bothrops. Acidentes ofÃdicos causados por espÃcies Bothrops podem desenvolver rapidamente dano tecidual local grave, incluindo edema, hemorragia, mionecrose, ulceraÃÃo de pele e dor. A soroterapia tradicional tem eficÃcia limitada contra esses efeitos. Compostos naturais isolados de plantas, principalmente a partir de espÃcies usadas na medicina popular para tratar envenenamentos de serpente, podem ser uma boa alternativa para encontrar novos compostos para melhorar o tratamento do envenenamento e minimizar as sequelas das vÃtimas. Atividade antiofÃdica dos novos alcalÃides esteroidais: 1 -22,23-epoxi-solanida-1,4,9-trien-3-ona (1), 2-22,23-epoxi-solanida-1,4-dien-3-ona (2) 3-3,9-dihidroxi-22,23-epoxi-9-10-secosolanida-1,3,5(10)-trieno (3) isolados das folhas de Solanum campaniforme foram testados atravÃs da inibiÃÃo da atividade fosfolipÃsica, atividade proteolÃtica, miotoxicidade, hemorragia e necrose induzidas pelo veneno de Bothrops pauloensis. Os trÃs compostos foram capazes de inibir completamente a liberaÃÃo de creatina quinase de mÃsculos estriados esquelÃticos e minimizar as alteraÃÃes histolÃgicas sem inibir a atividade fosfolipÃsica A2 do veneno total de B. pauloensis. A inibiÃÃo da miotoxicidade parece ser independente da atividade catalÃtica de fosfolipase (PLA2) e pode estar relacionada à inibiÃÃo da PLA2 Lys 49, enzimaticamente inativas, e / ou uma aÃÃo indireta sobre metaloproteinases. Houve tambÃm, a inibiÃÃo da atividade proteolitica do veneno em diferentes substratos com os trÃs alcaloides A hemorragia, bem como a necrose de pele, ambas induzidas por metaloproteases presentes no veneno, foram reduzidas na presenÃa dos alcalÃides 1 e 2, mas nÃo com o alcalÃide 3. A inibiÃÃo das atividades proteolÃticas e a reduÃÃo dos efeitos hemorrÃgicos e necrosantes induzidas pelo vBp, principalmente atribuÃdos aos alcalÃides 1 e 2, podem estar associadas com a interaÃÃo destes compostos com as metaloproteases presentes no veneno e/ou com Ãons metÃlicos bivalentes necessÃrios para sua aÃÃo. / Snake envenoming is an important health problem widespread in tropical countries. Among the most dangerous species in South America is the Bothrops genus. Snakebites accidents caused by Bothrops species quickly develop severe local tissue damage, including swelling, hemorrhage, myonecrosis, skin ulceration and pain. The traditional serum therapy has limited effectiveness against these effects. Natural compounds isolated from plants, mainly from species used in folk medicine to treat snakebite, are a good choice to find new lead compounds to improve the snakebite treatment and minimize the sequelae of the victims. Antiophidic activity of the new steroidal alkaloids: 22-epoxy-solanide-1,4,9-trien-3-one (1), 22-epoxy-solanide-1,4-dien-3-one (2) and 3,9-dihydroxy-22,23-epoxy-9,10-secosolanida-1,3,5(10)-triene (3) isolated from leaves of Solanum campaniforme was tested through inhibition of phospholipasic activity, proteolytic activity, myotoxicity, hemorrhage and necrosis induced by Bothrops pauloensis venom. The three compounds were able to complete inhibit the creatine kinase release from skeletal muscles and minimize the histological changes, without inhibiting the phospholipasic A2 activity of whole venom. The inhibition of myotoxicity appears to be independent of catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and may be related to inhibition of PLA2 Lys 49, enzymatically inactive, and / or an indirect action on metalloproteinases. There was also, the inhibition of proteolytic activity of the venom on different substrates with three alkaloids. Hemorrhage as well as skin necrosis, both induced by metalloproteases present in the venom, were reduced in the presence of alkaloids 1 and 2 , but not with the alkaloid 3. Inhibition of proteolytic activities and the reduction of hemorrhagic and necrotizing effects induced by vBp, mainly attributed to the alkaloids 1 and 2, may be associated with the interaction of these compounds with the metalloproteases present in the venom and / or divalent metal ions required for their action.

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The isolation and identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from various plant species from 1988 to May 1991 are reviewed and the alkaloids of two indigenous plant species, Senecio speciosus Willd and Senecio macrocephalus DC, were investigated. A brief review of the methods used for isolation and identification of pyrrolizidines is also given. S. speciosus was found to contain two new alkaloids, 7-senecioyl-9-sarracinylheliotridine and 7-isosarracinyl-9- sarracinyl-heliotridine, which were identified using highfield NMR techniques. A number of other alkaloids were tentatively identified using GC-MS. S. macrocephalus contains very little alkaloid, but a number of pyrrolizidine alkaloids were tentatively identified using GC-MS. Standard alkaloids for GC-MS work were obtained both by extraction from a number of plant species and by synthesis of simple monoester alkaloids. In this process the alkaloid neosarracine, previously described by GC-MS, was isolated and NMR data for this compound are reported for the first time. S. speciosus and S. macrocephalus are morphologically very similar and their counterparts in the Grahamstown district exhibit features characteristic of both species. This could be due to hybridization, genetic mutation or simple variation within the species. The alkaloids of four local plant populations were examined in order to collect taxonomic markers whereby it was hoped that the Grahamstown plants could be satisfactorily classified. Three of the plant populations were found to contain 7-senecioyl-9-sarracinylheliotridine and 7-angelyl-9-sarracinyl-heliotridine. One population was found to contain the known alkaloid retrorsine along with the new alkaloid 2-hydroxy-l, 2-dihydrosenkirkine. The alkaloidal fractions of all four populations were compared using GC-MS and NMR techniques. Tentative taxonomic conclusions were drawn.

M.Sc. (Chemistry) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This study was designed to confirm the toxicity of a plant implicated in an outbreak in Frankfort, Free State Province, Republic of South Africa. Cows died acutely after being introduced into a camp, where an abundant, green shrublet was noted to be heavily grazed. The plant was subsequently identified as Senecio inaequidens DC. (Asteraceae) by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Extraction and chemical analyses for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA's) in Senecio inaequidens revealed the presence of four different compounds, namely retrorsine and senecionine (known to be hepatotoxic) and two unidentified compounds. The total alkaloid content (free bases plus N-oxides) in the dried, milled S. inaequidens plant material was 0.18%. Four (4) male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 8-9 weeks were dosed per os. Each rat received a different dose; ranging from 0.049 mg/g b.w. to 0.25 mg/g b.w.; of the crude Senecio inaequidens extract. No clinical signs were observed in the rat receiving the lowest dose. Rats receiving higher doses showed depression, an unsteady gait, pilo-erection and jaundice, which was particularly noticeable in the ears. Clinical chemistry evaluation revealed an increase in the activities of ALP, AST (except Rat 1) and GGT in all animals. Total serum bilirubin, creatinine and urea concentrations were also elevated. All rats had low serum globulin concentrations with an A/G ratio above 1.88 (except Rat 1). Post mortem examination of the rats revealed marked hepatic lesions. Histopathological changes were characterized by necrosis (variable in extent) of the centrilobular and midzonal hepatocytes, sparing the portal hepatocytes, with extensive haemorrhage and congestion. Proliferation of the bile ducts, fibrosis and oedema was also present. Ultrastructural changes in affected rats were characterized by margination of chromatin, the presence of numerous autolysosomes in necrotic hepatocytes, intramitochondrial woolly inclusions and changes in the endoplasmic reticulum. A sheep was also dosed in an attempt to reproduce the intoxication. The sheep did not exhibit clinical signs, clinical chemistry aberrations or macroscopic lesions. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes, although milder, were similar to those displayed by the rats. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were extracted from the liver and kidneys of the rats and sheep. Retrorsine was also detected in the lungs, urine and bile of the sheep. / Dissertation (MSc (Paraclinical Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

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