Infusions of Mikania glomerata Sprengel (guaco) leaves are used in Brazil for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Coumarin is the chemical marker of guaco for quality control purposes. This work proposes a voltammetric methodology to determine coumarin by using a boron-doped diamond electrode. At pH 10 (0.1 mol L-1 Britton-Robinson buffer solution), coumarin is irreversibly oxidized around +1.77 V in a process predominantly controlled by diffusion. The methodology described here presented a linear range from 1.54 to 15.3 µg mL-1 with limits of detection and quantification of 0.20 and 0.62 µg mL-1, respectively. Analysis of variance confirmed the significance of the regression and the absence of lack-of-fit at the confidence level of 95%. Infusion of commercial guaco leaves was directly analyzed, and results were in agreement with high-performance liquid chromatography after applying the paired t-test at a confidence level of 95%.

Abstract Meat products represent an important component of the human diet and are a good source of nutrients. Food-borne microorganisms are the main pathogens that cause human diseases as a result of food consumption, especially products of animal origin. The objective of the present research was to verify the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris against strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from meat products. For this, the analyses of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were performed in microdilution plates. The association of the product with antimicrobials was also studied using disk diffusion. And the anti-adherent activity, which was determined in the presence of sucrose, in glass tubes. Thyme oil showed a strong inhibitory activity against K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and S. saprophyticus, with the MIC values ranging from 64 to 512 μg/mL, and bactericidal effect for most strains, with MBC values ranging from 256 to 1,024 μg/mL. T. vulgaris oil exhibited varied interactions in association with the antimicrobials, with synergistic (41.67%), indifferent (50%) and antagonistic (8.33%) effects. Regarding the anti-adherent activity, the test product was effective in inhibiting the adherence of all bacterial strains under study. Therefore, thyme oil presents itself as an antibacterial and anti-adherent agent against K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and S. saprophyticus, being a natural product that can represent an interesting alternative in the efforts to combat foodborne diseases.

Resumo Os produtos cárneos representam um importante componente da dieta humana e constituem uma boa fonte de nutrientes. Microrganismos de origem alimentar são os principais patógenos que causam doenças humanas como resultado do consumo de alimentos, principalmente, produtos de origem animal. O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi verificar a atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial de Thymus vulgaris frente às cepas de Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Staphylococcus saprophyticus isoladas de produtos cárneos. Para isso, foram realizadas as análises de Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) em placas de microdiluição. Assim como, o estudo de associação do produto com antimicrobianos, realizado por difusão em disco. E a atividade antiaderente, que foi determinada na presença de sacarose, em tubos de vidro. O óleo de tomilho apresentou uma forte atividade inibitória contra K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa e S. saprophyticus, com os valores de CIM variando entre 64 a 512 μg/mL, e efeito bactericida para a maioria das cepas, com valores de CBM entre 256 a 1.024 μg/mL. O óleo de T. vulgaris exibiu interações variadas na associação com os antimicrobianos, com efeitos sinérgicos (41,67%), indiferente (50%) e antagonista (8,33%). Em relação a atividade antiaderente, o produto teste foi eficaz na inibição a aderência de todas cepas bacterianas em estudo. Portanto, o óleo de tomilho apresenta-se como agente antibacteriano e antiaderente frente a K. pneumoniae, a P. aeruginosa e a S. saprophyticus, sendo um produto natural que pode representar uma alternativa interessante nos esforços para combater doenças transmitidas por alimentos.

Abstract Background The neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most abundant neurotransmitters in the nervous system. NPY acts as a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, inflammation, and adipogenesis, through the NPY 2 receptor (NPY2R). Changes in the NPY signaling pathway have been linked to Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine the association between variants in the NPY and NPY2R genes, as well as the severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Approximately 221 ACS patients and 278 healthy controls were selected for this study. Four variants in NPY and two variants in NPY2R genes were genotyped using Taqman allelic discrimination and sequencing. The Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to verify the genotype frequencies. The logistic regression analyses were used for the evaluation of the studied variables. Haplotype analysis was used to evaluate the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the variants (p<0.05). Results An association of NPY c.20T>C variant was found with the ACS group when compared to the healthy group. In the analysis between variants and risk factors in the ACS group, NPY c.84G>A was associated with hypertension. The analysis between TIMI risk showed a significance for NPY c.20T>C between the low and intermediate/high TIMI risk groups. In the haplotype analysis, strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) was found between the variants NPY c.150G>A and NPY c.-485T>C. Conclusion The NPY c.20T>C variant appears to contribute to the development of ACS. The NPY2R c.-1116A>G variant may contribute to the early development of ACS and the NPY c.84G>A variant appears to contribute to the development of hypertension. In addition, the NPY c.20T>C is associated with a protective effect in ACS severity.

RESUMO O controle biolósgico, pensando no manejo integrado, tem sido inserido em conjunto com outras técnicas de manejo de doenças, como antracnose da cultura da soja. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a ação de isolados de Trichoderma e Bacillus na indução de mecanismos de resistência da soja á antracnose. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 (agentes de controle biológico x horários de coleta) com cinco repetições. Sementes de soja foram tratadas com Trichoderma asperellum BV10, Bacillus subtilis BV02, B. amyloliquefaciens BV03, Carbendazim + Thiram e água destilada (testemunha). Sete dias após a emergência foi realizada a inoculação de Colletotrichum truncatum sobre os cotilédones com 2 μL de suspensão esporos (5 x 104 mL−1) sobre os cotilédones. A atividade de catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), fenilalanina amônia liase (FAL), gliceolina (GLI) foram avaliadas antes e após a inoculação do patógeno. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Fisher (p<0,05). Os tratamentos não influenciaram o primeiro horário de coleta. O T. asperellum BV10 incrementou a atividade de POX e FAL em até 173%. B. amyloliquefaciens BV03 aumentou a atividade de POX. A GLI não foi influenciada pelos tratamentos em nenhum horário de coleta e ensaio. T. asperellum BV10 reduziu até 61% do diâmetro da lesão de antracnose. O tratamento de sementes de soja com T. asperellum BV10 possui potencial no controle da antracnose, aumentando a resposta de defesa de plântulas à C. truncatum.

ABSTRACT The biological control, thinking about the integrated management, has been inserted with other management techniques to disease control, such as soybean anthracnose. The aims of this work were to verify the action of Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates in the induction of soybean resistance mechanisms to anthracnose as a function of seed treatment. The statistical design was entirely randomised, in a 5 x 2 (agent species x sampling times) factorial scheme with five replicates. Soybean seeds were treated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BV03, B. subtilis BV02, Trichoderma asperellum BV10, Carbendazim + Thiram and distilled water (control). Seven days after seedling emergence, 2 μL of 1 x 10−4 Colletotrichum truncatum spores were inoculated on the cotyledons. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and glyceollin (GLY) activities before and after pathogen inoculation, as well as the diameter of the anthracnose lesion on the cotyledons, were evaluated. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and, when significant, the mean values were compared by Fisher’s test (p < 0.05). The treatments did not influence the first sampling time before inoculation. Trichoderma asperellum BV10 increased POX and PAL activities up to 173%, while B. amyloliquefaciens BV03 increased POX activity. Glyceollin was not influenced by the treatments. The T. asperellum BV10 reduces the diameter of the anthracnose lesion by up to 61%. Thus, T. asperellum BV10 has the potential to control soybean anthracnose, improved the response defense against C. truncatum, when performed on seed treatment.

Objective: Aging studies regularly assume that years of education are a protective factor for baseline cognition. In developing countries with specific sociocultural issues, this relationship may not work as expected, and an unmet need remains for alternative resilience factors. This study aimed to analyze different moderators for the relationship between aging and general cognition that could reflect better protective factors. Methods: One hundred and fourteen Brazilian older adults, deemed healthy by global cognition, absence of psychiatric symptoms, or neurological history, participated in this cross-sectional study. Moderators for the relationship between age and global cognition included education, intelligence, and occupational factors. Semantic memory was added as a protective factor reflecting culturally acquired conceptual knowledge. Results: As expected, age alone is a predictor of global cognitive scores; surprisingly, however, education, intelligence, and occupation were not moderators of the association. Semantic memory was a significant moderator (p = 0.007), indicating that knowledge acquired during life may be a protective factor. Conclusion: In developing countries, the use of resilience factors based only on years of education may be misleading. Sociocultural issues influence the educational system and achievement and, consequently, affect the use of this simple measure. Resilience-factor studies should consider using crystallized abilities when studying populations with sociocultural particularities.

RESUMO A irrigação é um fator limitante para o desenvolvimento das culturas, e todas as fontes de água contem sais, podendo acumular-se no solo e na planta, comprometendo seu desenvolvimento. Dentre algumas alternativas para atenuar os efeitos negativos dos sais nos vegetais está a utilização de vermicomposto, sendo este um adubo orgânico condicionador do solo e fonte de nutrientes para as plantas. Dessa forma, o estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento e o índice de clorofila do noni à salinidade da água de irrigação em substrato sem e com proporções de vermicomposto. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições utilizando o esquema fatorial 4 × 3, correspondente a quatro níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 dS m-1), em substratos sem húmus e com 33,33 e 66,66% de húmus com o solo. Três meses após a germinação foram avaliados: altura de planta; diâmetro caulinar; número de folhas; índices de clorofila (a, b e total) das folhas; e matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e radicular das plantas. O aumento da salinidade na água de irrigação influência negativamente no crescimento em altura, diâmetro caulinar, produção de biomassa e índices de clorofila a e total, mas com menor intensidade nos substratos com húmus, que melhora a fertilidade do substrato e favorece o crescimento das plantas de noni, independentemente da salinidade da água de irrigação; no entanto, seu efeito benéfico diminui com o aumento da condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação.

ABSTRACT Irrigation is a limiting factor for the development of crops, and all water sources contain salts, which can accumulate in the soil and in the plant, compromising its development. The use of vermicompost is one of the alternatives to mitigate the negative effects of salts on plants. This organic compost is a soil conditioner and a nutrient source for plants. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the growth and chorophyll of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) in response to the salinity of irrigation water in substrates with and without vermicompost. A completely randomized design in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme was used, corresponding to four levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 dS m-1), in three soil substrates (without humus, with 33.33 and 66.66% of humus). Three months after germination, the following variables were evaluated: plant height; stem diameter; number of leaves; chlorophyll index (a, b and total) in the leaves; and fresh and dry matter of shoots and roots. The increase of salinity in irrigation water negatively influences growth in height, stem diameter, biomass production and chlorophyll a and total indexes, but with lower intensity in substrates with humus, that improves the fertility of the substrate and favors the growth of noni plants, regardless of the salinity of the irrigation water; however, its beneficial effect decreases with the intensification of electrical conductivity of irrigation water.

RESUMO A monilétrix é uma condição genética que acomete a haste capilar. Descrevemos uma família com essa doença, enfocando seus aspectos clínicos e as características microscópicas do cabelo. A paciente era do sexo feminino, 10 anos de idade, e apresentava história de hipotricose. Além da alopecia difusa, notava-se um cabelo quebradiço, com rupturas na haste capilar em diferentes níveis. Os cabelos possuíam um aspecto nodular a olho nu. Outros membros da família apresentavam os mesmos sintomas, o que indica um padrão de herança autossômica dominante. A análise microscópica revelou fibras capilares com áreas de aparência nodular elíptica, intercaladas por regiões de constrição distrófica.

ABSTRACT Monilethrix is a genetic condition that affects the hair shaft. We describe a family with this disease, focusing on its clinical aspects and microscopic hair characteristics. The patient was a 10-year-old female with history of hypotrichosis. In addition to diffuse alopecia, there was brittle hair, with ruptures in the hair shaft at different levels. The hair had a nodular appearance at naked eye. Other family members had the same symptoms, what indicates an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Microscopic analysis revealed capillary fibers with areas of elliptical nodular appearance interspersed with regions of dystrophic constriction.

Resumo Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar as atividades antibacteriana, citotóxica e antioxidante de extratos de Morus nigra L. HPLC foi utilizado para determinar o perfil de compostos fenólicos do extrato etanólico bruto (Mn-EtOH). O efeito antibacteriano foi avaliado através do método de microdiluição. A citotoxicidade foi testada contra linhagens celulares de tumores humanos utilizando o ensaio do brometo de 3-(4,5-dimetil-2-tiazolil)-2,5-difenil-2H-tetrazólio (MTT). O conteúdo total de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides também foi avaliado por meio dos métodos de Folin-Ciocalteu e cloreto de alumínio, respectivamente. A atividade antioxidante dos extratos foi avaliada por meio do sequestro do radical livre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e co-oxidação do sistema β-caroteno-ácido linoleico. A presença de compostos fenólicos em Mn-EtOH foi confirmada utilizando HPLC. Os extratos mostraram atividade contra a maioria dos microrganismos testados. Os extratos não mostraram qualquer efeito antiproliferativo expressivo na avaliação da citotoxicidade. O conteúdo fenólico total mais significativo foi de 153,00 ± 11,34 mg de equivalente de ácido gálico/g para o extrato acetato de etila (AcOEt). O conteúdo de flavonoides totais foi de 292,50 ± 70,34 mg de equivalente de catequina/g para o extrato AcOEt, que apresentou a melhor atividade antioxidante (IC50 50,40 ± 1,16 mg/mL) para o sequestro do DPPH. Podemos concluir que esta espécie apresenta forte atividade antibacteriana e antioxidante, bem como fraca atividade citotóxica.

Abstract This study was carried out to assess the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of extracts of Morus nigra L. HPLC was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the crude ethanolic extract (Mn-EtOH). The antibacterial effect was assessed through the method of microdilution. The cytotoxicity was tested against human tumour cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed through the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching methods. The presence of phenolic compounds in Mn-EtOH was confirmed using HPLC. The extracts showed activity against most microorganisms tested. The extracts did not show any expressive antiproliferative effect in the assessment of cytotoxicity. The most significant total phenolic content was 153.00 ± 11.34 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g to the ethyl acetate extract (AcOEt). The total flavonoid content was 292.50 ± 70.34 mg of catechin equivalent/g to the AcOEt extract, which presented the best antioxidant activity (IC50 50.40 ± 1.16 μg/mL) for DPPH scavenging. We can conclude that this species shows strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as weak cytotoxic effects.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to monitor degradation of compost from undigested sewage sludge disposed on soil surface or incorporated it. The sewage sludge was blended with wood sawdust during a 90-day composting to achieve a C/N ratio of 9. Each waste was dosed based on its total content of nitrogen and on an annual dose of 500 kg ha-1, which is broadly recommended for forage fertilization. After incorporation and surface applied (five replicates each), waste mineralization was monitored for 131 days by samplings taken from both conditions for further analyses. The samples were measured for total organic carbon (TOC); easily oxidizable carbon (OOC); total nitrogen (TN); ammonia and nitric nitrogen, and from them the total organic nitrogen (ON); volatile solids; and water content. The findings pointed to a decrease in TOC, OOC and ON contents throughout monitoring, regardless of disposal method, however, most remarkable whether incorporated to the soil, computing mineralization rates above 87%.

Um experimento foi conduzido entre março e junho de 2012 no Centro de Ciências Agrárias da UFPB, Areia, PB, para avaliar o crescimento inicial de plantas de oiticica (Licania rigida Benth), pela altura, diâmetro caulinar, área foliar, teor de clorofila total, biomassa das raízes e da parte aérea de plantas em função da salinidade da água, biofertilizante bovino e potássio no solo. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis repetições, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 x 2, correspondendo a cinco águas com condutividade elétrica de 0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0 dS m-1, dois tratamentos sem e com 300 mL de biofertilizante bovino aplicado de uma só vez no solo e dois tratamentos sem e com 1,4 g de cloreto de potássio. O aumento da salinidade das águas inibiu o crescimento e a qualidade das mudas mas com maiores perdas nas plantas dos tratamentos sem biofertilizante e sem cloreto de potássio. As plantas cultivadas no solo com cloreto de potássio cresceram mais que as do solo sem o fertilizante mineral.

An experiment was carried out during the period of March to July of 2012 in the Agrarian Science Center of Federal University of Paraiba, Areia, Paraiba State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the initial growth of Licania rigida plants by height, stem diameter, leaf area, total chlorophyll content and biomass of the roots and of the aerial parts of the plants as function of water salinity and bovine biofertilizer and with potassium in the soil. Treatments were arranged in entirely randomized design, with six replicates, in factorial scheme 5 x 2 x 2, corresponding to waters with electrical conductivity of 0.5; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1 in soil without and with 300 mL of bovine biofertilizer applied one time on soil surface, and without and with 1.4 g of potassium chloride. The increment of salinity in irrigation water inhibited the growth and the quality of the seedlings, but with more loss in plants of the treatments without bovine biofertilizer and without potassium chloride. The plants cultivated in soil with potassium showed better growth in relation these of the treatments without the mineral fertilizer.

Um experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente telado do Departamento de Solos e Engenharia Rural da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, PB, no período de janeiro a abril de 2010. O substrato constou de material de um Neossolo Quartzarênico não salino, coletado na camada de 0-20 cm. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, referente aos níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação de 0,5; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, no solo sem e com biofertilizante comum, aplicado ao solo uma única vez, após diluição em água, na proporção de 1:1, um dia antes da semeadura, em volume correspondente a 10% do volume do substrato. Aos 86 dias após a emergência das plântulas normais avaliaram-se o crescimento em altura e o comprimento da raiz, diâmetro do caule e da raiz, número de folhas e a massa seca das raízes e parte aérea das plantas. O conteúdo salino da água de irrigação elevou a condição salina do substrato ao ponto de comprometer o crescimento em altura e diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, diâmetro e comprimento da raiz principal, massa seca das raízes e parte aérea (folhas + caule) do nim mas com declínios menos pronunciados nos tratamentos com biofertilizante bovino.

An experiment was carried out in greenhouse during the period January to April 2010, at Center of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Paraiba, in Areia, Paraiba State, Brazil, in order to evaluate the effects of saline water and bovine biofertilizer on the seedling growth of Indian neem. The substrate was material of a non-saline soil collected in depth of 0-20 cm. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design using a 5 x 2 factorial, referring to salinity levels of irrigation water of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, with and without bovine biofertilizer applied to the soil only once after dilution with water (1:1), a day before sowing, in volume corresponding to 10% of the substrate. At 86 days after emergence of seedlings the plant growth in height and principal root length, diameter of stem and root, leaf number and dry mass of roots and shoots of plants were evaluated. The salinity of irrigation water increased the salinity levels in the substrate inhibiting the growth in height, stem diameter, leaf emission by plants, diameter and length of principal root and the dry matter production of roots and aerial parts (leaves + stem) of neem, but with less pronounced decrease in plants under the treatments with bovine biofertilizer.

This work presents the observed changes in Wistar rats under long treatment (thirteen weeks) with different oral doses of the ethanolic extract (EE) from Jatropha gossypiifolia L., Euphorbiaceae. The most significant toxic signs indicated a reduction of the activity in the central nervous system and digestive disturbances. The histopathological analysis shows hepatotoxity and pulmonary damages. The lethality was 46.6% among males under the higher experimental dose (405 mg/kg) and 13.3% both in females under the higher dose and among the animals treated with 135 mg/kg of the product. These data show the significant oral chronic toxicity of EE of J. gossypiifolia in rats.

Several motile processes are responsible for the movement of proteins into and within the flagellar membrane, but little is known about the process by which specific proteins (either actin-associated or not) are targeted to protozoan flagellar membranes. Actin is a major cytoskeleton protein, while polymerization and depolymerization of parasite actin and actin-interacting proteins (AIPs) during both processes of motility and host cell entry might be key events for successful infection. For a better understanding the eukaryotic flagellar dynamics, we have surveyed genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes of pathogenic Leishmania spp. to identify pertinent genes/proteins and to build in silico models to properly address their putative roles in trypanosomatid virulence. In a search for AIPs involved in flagellar activities, we applied computational biology and proteomic tools to infer from the biological meaning of coronins and Arp2/3, two important elements in phagosome formation after parasite phagocytosis by macrophages. Results presented here provide the first report of Leishmania coronin and Arp2/3 as flagellar proteins that also might be involved in phagosome formation through actin polymerization within the flagellar environment. This is an issue worthy of further in vitro examination that remains now as a direct, positive bioinformatics-derived inference to be presented.

A Jatropha gossypiifolia L. apesar de ser usada na medicina popular com finalidades diversas, é uma espécie classicamente catalogada como tóxica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a pesquisa de alterações histopatológicas em vísceras de ratos sob tratamento agudo com o extrato etanólico (EE) da Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Ratos Wistar foram tratados por via oral (gavagem) com doses únicas do extrato de até 5 g/kg e observados por 14 dias. Após esse período, os animais foram sacrificados por tração cervical e as vísceras foram coletadas. O coração, o fígado e o rim foram seccionados por incisão sagital e os pulmões submetidos à perfusão via traquéia, com solução de formol a 10%. As secções teciduais foram processadas conforme os métodos habituais, coradas pela hematoxilina-eosina e tricômico e observadas ao microscópio óptico. Apenas nos animais tratados com a maior dose do extrato (5 g/kg) foram observadas alterações em fígado e pulmão evidenciadas por resposta inflamatória e estimulação do sistema imunitário. Estes resultados indicam uma toxicidade aguda oral relativamente baixa; entretanto, corroboram com os indícios de hepatotoxicidade já publicados, expondo ainda um potencial de toxicidade pulmonar do produto, o que ressalta a importância de estudos toxicológicos de longa duração com o EE da espécie Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Jatropha gossypiifolia L. has been used in folk medicine in Brazil despite its classification as a toxic plant. The aim of this work was the assessment of histopathological a lterations in rats after acute treatment with the ethanol extract (EE) from Jatropha gossypiifolia L. Wistar rats were treated by gavage with single doses of EE until the limit dose of 5 g/kg (w.b.). 14 days after treatment the rats were sacrificed and the viscera were collected. The hard, liver and kidney were sectioned by sagittal incision and the lung submitted to perfusion with phormol (10%). The histological sections were processed by the usual methods in hematoxilin-eosin and trichrome staining and were observed through optical microscopy. Only in treated rats with 5 g/kg (w.b.) we observed some alterations in the liver and lung that means inflammatory response and immune activation. These results indicate a low oral acute toxicity, in relative terms, however, it was confirmed the hepatic toxicity already reported and showed the importance of long-term toxicological studies of the EE from Jatropha gossypiifolia L.