Banca de DEFESA: CAINÃ AILLÉN OURIQUES OLIVEIRA

DETECTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM Cenostigma pyramidale ASSOCIATED WITH MALFORMATIONS IN SMALL RUMINANTS

Artemia salina; Catingueira; Malformations; Ruminants; Zebrafish.

Cenostigma pyramidale (Fabaceae) is a native tree of the Caatinga biome traditionally used in folk medicine for its antipyretic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, congenital malformations, abortions, and perinatal mortality have been observed in pregnant goats and sheep exposed to this plant. Although several bioactive constituents have been identified in C. pyramidale, no specific chemical compound has yet been associated with its teratogenic effects in animals. Given this, the aim of this study was to identify bioactive compounds from C. pyramidale associated with its teratogenic effects through a bioassay-guided approach, using the Artemia salina lethality test and a toxicity assay in Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos. The study derived aimed to assess the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of C. pyramidale extract and to identify compounds with potential toxic activity. The aerial parts of C. pyramidale (leaves, flowers, fruits, and stem) were separated and subjected to ethanol extraction, followed by successive partitioning with hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. The soluble fractions were concentrated, and the aqueous residues were frozen and lyophilized. The A. salina lethality test was used as a screening method, and the fraction with the lowest LC₅₀ was used in the acute toxicity test on zebrafish embryos. These embryos were also used to assess enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Qualitative analysis of volatile compounds was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The chloroform fraction of C. pyramidale fruits showed the lowest LC₅₀ (184 ppm). In the teratogenic assays, dose-dependent lethality, developmental delays in live embryos, and teratogenic alterations such as tail malformations, pericardial edema, absence of pectoral fins, and scoliosis were observed. Significant bradycardia was found in embryos treated with 62.5 ppm compared to the control group. An increase in CAT activity was observed in response to extract concentration. Among the compounds identified by GC-MS, palmitic acid and octyldecanol were notable. The findings suggest that the observed embryonic alterations are associated with oxidative stress and cardiac failure, potentially induced or enhanced by the isolated or synergistic action of palmitic acid and octyldecanol. Accordingly, further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of these compounds in small ruminants and determine their mechanisms of action.
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