Seeds Of Enterolobium Contortisiliquum Research Articles

A fluorescent quantum dot conjugate to probe the interaction of Enterolobium contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor with cancer cells

Serine proteases play crucial biological roles and have their activity controlled by inhibitors, such as the EcTI, a serine protease inhibitor purified from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds, which has anticancer activity. This study aimed to conjugate EcTI with quantum dots (QDs), fluorophores with outstanding optical properties, and investigate the interaction of QDs-EcTI nanoprobe with cancer cells. The conjugation was evaluated by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and fluorescence microplate assay (FMA). EcTI inhibitory activity after interaction with QDs was also analyzed. From FCS, the conjugate presented a hydrodynamic diameter about 4× greater than bare QDs, suggesting a successful conjugation. This was supported by FMA, which showed a relative fluorescence intensity of ca. 3815% for the nanosystem, concerning bare QDs or EcTI alone. The EcTI inhibitory activity remained intact after its interaction with QDs. From flow cytometry analyses, approximately 62% of MDA-MB-231 and 90% of HeLa cells were labeled with the QD-EcTI conjugate, suggesting that their membranes have different protease levels to which EcTI exhibits an affinity. Concluding, the QD-EcTI represents a valuable nanotool to study the interaction of this inhibitor with cancer cells using fluorescence-based techniques with the potential to unravel the intricate dynamics of interplays between proteases and inhibitors in cancer biology.

Differences in the Inhibitory Specificity Distinguish the Efficacy of Plant Protease Inhibitors on Mouse Fibrosarcoma.

Metastasis, the primary cause of death from malignant tumors, is facilitated by multiple protease-mediated processes. Thus, effort has been invested in the development of protease inhibitors to prevent metastasis. Here, we investigated the effects of protease inhibitors including the recombinant inhibitors rBbKI (serine protease inhibitor) and rBbCI (serine and cysteine inhibitor) derived from native inhibitors identified in Bauhinia bauhinioides seeds, and EcTI (serine and metalloprotease inhibitor) isolated from the seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum on the mouse fibrosarcoma model (lineage L929). rBbKI inhibited 80% of cell viability of L929 cells after 48 h, while EcTI showed similar efficacy after 72 h. Both inhibitors acted in a dose and time-dependent manner. Conversely, rBbCI did not significantly affect the viability of L929 cells. Confocal microscopy revealed the binding of rBbKI and EcTI to the L929 cell surface. rBbKI inhibited approximately 63% of L929 adhesion to fibronectin, in contrast with EcTI and rBbCI, which did not significantly interfere with adhesion. None of the inhibitors interfered with the L929 cell cycle phases. The synthetic peptide RPGLPVRFESPL-NH2, based on the BbKI reactive site, inhibited 45% of the cellular viability of L929, becoming a promising protease inhibitor due to its ease of synthesis.

Atividade antifúngica de óleos essenciais em sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum

<p><span class="fontstyle0">The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of essential oils in sanitary and physiological quality in seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum. The experiment was carried out at Universidade Federal da Paraíba. The monkfish seeds were manually benefited and scarified to overcome dormancy. Ten treatments were used: control, dicarboximide fungicide and essential oils of Andiroba, eucalyptus, camphor, mint, fennel, basil, rosemary and Copaiba. A health test was performed, with incubation in filter paper, using as a criterion to identify the comparison of characteristics described in the specific literature. The germination test was evaluated up to the fourteenth day, and the variables analyzed were: germination percentage, first count, germination speed index, dead seeds, aerial part length, root and seedling, and fresh and dry matter of seedling. The experimental design used was DIC and the averages were compared using the Scott-Knott test. The essential oils of mint and fennel showed an efficiency equivalent to the conventional method with the use of fungicide and did not cause physiological damage. The essential oil of copaiba should not be used in the treatment of E. Contortisiliquum seeds because they are fungal stimulants and may cause damage to the physiological quality.</span><br /><br /></p>

A novel cysteine proteinase inhibitor from seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum and its effect on Callosobruchus maculatus larvae

This study focused on the characterization of a novel cysteine proteinase inhibitor from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds targeting the inhibition of the growth of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae, an important cosmopolitan pest of the cowpea Vigna unguiculata during storage. The inhibitor was isolated by ion-exchange besides of size exclusion chromatography. EcCI molecular mass is 19,757 Da, composed of two polypeptide chains. It strongly inhibits papain (Kiapp 0.036 nM) and proteinases from the midguts of C. maculatus (80 μg mL−1, 60% inhibition). The inhibitory activity is reduced by 40% after a heat treatment at 100 °C for 2 h. The protein displayed noxious activity at 0.5% and 1% (w/w) when incorporated in artificial seeds, reducing larval mass in 87% and 92%, respectively. Treatment of C. maculatus larvae with conjugated EcCI-FIT and subsequent biodistribution resulted in high fluorescence intensity in midguts and markedly low intensity in malpighian tubules and fat body. Small amounts of labeled proteins were detected in larvae feces. The detection of high fluorescence in larvae midguts and low fluorescence in their feces indicate the retention of the FITC conjugated EcCI inhibitor in larvae midguts. These results demonstrate the potential of the natural protein from E. contortisiliquum to inhibit the development of C. maculatus.

EcTI impairs survival and proliferation pathways in triple-negative breast cancer by modulating cell-glycosaminoglycans and inflammatory cytokines.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among women worldwide, and triple-negative breast cancer is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, which does not respond to hormonal therapies. The protease inhibitor, EcTI, extracted from seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum, acts on the main signaling pathways of the MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. This inhibitor, when bound to collagen I of the extracellular matrix, triggers a series of pathways capable of decreasing the viability, adhesion, migration, and invasion of these cells. This inhibitor can interfere in the cell cycle process through the main signaling pathways such as the adhesion, Integrin/FAK/SRC, Akt, ERK, and the cell death pathway BAX and BCL-2. It also acts by reducing the main inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, besides NFκB, a transcription factor, responsible for the aggressive and metastatic characteristics of this type of tumor. Thus, the inhibitor was able to reduce the main processes of carcinogenesis of this type of cancer.

Methods for overcoming dormancy and seed storage of <i>Enterolobium contortisiliquum

The production of forest species that present seedlings with exogenous dormancy is limited by low germination rates, which can be overcome by rupturing or weakening the tegument. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of low-cost methods of overcoming dormancy and determine the effect of storage on the seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum. Four storage periods were used, freshly collected seeds (0), stored for 6, 12 and 18 months, and four methods were applied, mechanical scarification and immersion in water (EI), mechanical scarification (ES), immersion in water (IM) and control (TE). We obtained the percentage values of seedling emergence (EP) and the mean emergence time (TME). Conductivity and moisture were obtained as indicators of the physical and physiological quality of seeds, respectively. Variations in moisture content and electrical conductivity during storage did not have effect on the percentage of germination. EI treatment was more efficient for overcoming dormancy than the ES was, regardless of storage time. IM and TE treatments did not lead to germination. EI was the most efficient treatment for decreasing the TME. The results indicate that alternative and low-cost methods are efficient at overcoming exogenous dormancy and thus can be used to optimize the process of seedling production.

Physiological quality of seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) morong. stored

Physiological quality of seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) morong. stored

Efecto de pretratamientos en semillas de Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Fabaceae) de la selva pedemontana argentina

Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong es una especie arbórea que habita en la Selva Pedemontana de Argentina, área muy afectada por cultivos extensivos, cuyas semillas típicamente presentan bajo poder germinativo debido a un elevado grado de dormición. Se aplicaron cinco métodos diferentes para ruptura de dormición a semillas recolectadas en cinco poblaciones en un gradiente de la Selva Pedemontana. La germinación se desarrolló a 24 ºC y con fotoperiodo de 12 horas. Se registró el total de semillas germinadas y la velocidad de germinación. La escarificación mecánica y la escarificación química con ácido sulfúrico por 30 y 50 minutos fueron los tratamientos altamente eficientes para promover la germinación.

FUNGOS ASSOCIADOS ÀS SEMENTES DE <i>Enterolobium contortisiliquum</i>: ANÁLISE DA INCIDÊNCIA, CONTROLE E EFEITOS NA QUALIDADE FISIOLÓGICA COM O USO DE EXTRATOS VEGETAIS

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509821090Os fungos são os principais micro-organismos associados às sementes, podendo causar danos, tanto na fase de campo, como também na pós-colheita e durante o armazenamento. Nesta última fase, a deterioração pode ocorrer pela ação específica de fungos, afetando a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. A utilização de extratos de plantas com propriedades antimicrobianas são alternativas ecológicas e promissoras para substituir a proteção promovida pela aplicação de fungicidas. Objetivou-se nesta pesquisa avaliar a eficiência dos extratos de Allamanda blanchetti e Momordica charantia nas concentrações de 10, 100, 500 e 1000 ppm sobre a micoflora e germinação em sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum. As sementes foram coletadas em diferentes municípios do estado da Paraíba (Areia, Arara, Conde e Sobrado). Os lotes foram submetidos a testes de sanidade e de germinação. A avaliação da incidência de fungos foi feita a partir da visualização dos fungos através do método de papel de filtro. Utilizaram-se no teste de sanidade 100 sementes por tratamento, as quais foram imersas em 20 mL dos extratos por cinco minutos, em seguida incubadas em placas de Petri sobre dupla camada de papel de filtro. No teste de germinação utilizaram-se 200 sementes, distribuídas em papel germitest e germinadas à temperatura de 30 ± 2°C. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. Constatou-se nas sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum os fungos: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium sp., Curvularia lunata, Nigrospora sp. e Cladosporium sp. Os extratos de Allamanda blanchetti e Momordica charantia nas concentrações de 500 e 1000 ppm causaram redução da frequência dos fungos. O extrato de Momordica charantia nas concentrações de 500 e 1000 ppm proporcionou o aumento na germinação e primeira contagem, além de reduzir o percentual de sementes mortas.

Entomofauna associated to fruits and seeds of two species of Enterolobium Mart. (Leguminosae): harm or benefit?

Entomofauna associated to fruits and seeds of two species of Enterolobium Mart. (Leguminosae): Harm or benefit? The aims of the present study were to identify the entomofauna associated to the fruits and seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong and Enterolobium timbouva Mart. (Leguminosae), as well as to determine relationships among insects and the possible harm and/or benefit stemming from these associations. Fruit infestation was evaluated and the insects were identified. Seed consumption (%) and the germination of predated seeds (%) were determined. The fruits of E. contortisiliquum exhibited a high percentage of infestation (91%). The most representative species in the fruits were Lophopoeum timbouvae Lameere, 1884, Merobruchus bicoloripes (Pic, 1930) and Stator limbatus (Horn, 1873). In the fruits of E. timbouva, only one species was found (S. limbatus). E. contortisiliquum seed consumption was proportionately higher (55.2%) to that of E. timbouva (15%). The germination of predated seeds from E. contortisiliquum was null, whereas 40% of predated seeds from E. timbouva germinated.

Efeito de um protetor físico na semeadura direta de duas espécies florestais em área de domínio ciliar

O ensaio avaliou o uso de uma garrafa plástica tipo PET de 2.000 mL como protetor físico na semeadura direta de Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong. e Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. em área de domínio ciliar no Oeste do Paraná. Nas semeaduras executadas no outono, inverno e primavera, utilizaram-se quatro sementes pré-embebidas de cada espécie por cova. As avaliações constaram da percentagem acumulada de plântulas vivas por parcela 30 dias após a semeadura (emergência), da percentagem de plântulas vivas 90 dias após a semeadura (sobrevivência) e da percentagem de covas por parcela (formada por 15 covas) com pelo menos uma plântula viva 90 dias após a semeadura (densidade populacional), assim como da altura e diâmetro do colo das plântulas. A semeadura realizada no outono resultou em 45% de plântulas de timburi vivas 30 dias após a semeadura, enquanto a emergência de plântulas de canafistula (média de 75,5%) foi indiferente às épocas de semeadura. O uso do protetor aumentou a emergência de plântulas das espécies estudadas quando semeadas no outono (12%) ou no inverno (10%), assim como na sobrevivência da semeadura da primavera, e na densidade populacional nas semeaduras de outono e da primavera em covas semeadas com canafístula.

Tratamentos físicos e químicos na superação de dormência em sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong.

This work aimed to evaluate physical and chemical treatments to overcome the dormancy in Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong seeds. The following treatments were applied: T1 – control (seeds without scarification); T2 – chemical scarification; T3 – mechanical scarification with sandpaper; T4– mechanical scarification with sandpaper, followed by immersion in water; T5 – crunched seeds; T6 – crunched seeds, followed by immersion in water; T7 – mechanical scarification in blender; T8 – mechanical scarification in blender, followed by immersion in water. Emergency, index of emergency speed, average time of emergency and hypocotyl length were the analyzed parameters. The mechanical scarification with sandpaper, without or with immersion in water, is an efficient method to overcome dormancy coats in Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from the seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (leguminosae)

Seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum were subjected to steam distillation to obtain a light yellow essential oil in a yield of 3 ml/kg of seeds. The major components of the oil were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and were furfural, limonene, linalool, estragole, carvone, and apiole with carvone representing more than 50% of the total composition. Antimicrobial activities of the essential oil were determined against four species of gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus) and two gram negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia Marcescencs). The essential oil inhibited the growth of all tested bacteria but was most effective against the gram positive bacteria. Chemicals that are responsible for the antibacterial effect of the essential oil were determined using the bio-autography thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique. The active compounds responsible for the activity were found to be carvone and estragole.

Presence of the cytolytic protein enterolobin in different developmental stages of Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds

Enterolobin is a 52.9 kDa, cytolytic, inflammatory and insecticidal protein present in Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong, a Brazilian large-sized tree. This protein was previously described to occur in different forms of association (monomeric and oligomeric forms). In the current work, we investigated the presence of enterolobin forms of association and hemolytic activity in maturing, germinating and germinated seeds. Immunoblotting analysis revealed the presence of the monomeric form of enterolobin in all phases under study, whereas the dimer was detected in developing seeds in the second half of the maturation period, during germination and in the early post-germination phase. The trimeric form of enterolobin appeared one week after the dimer and could be detected up to half of the average germination time of the E. contortisiliquum seeds. The highest hemolytic titers due to enterolobin activity were found in mature and germinating seeds. Apparently, there was no modification in molecular mass of the enterolobin monomer during seed maturation and germination, suggesting the absence of a precursor form. The results also show that enterolobin was not utilized in germination and initial post-germination phases, which are critical in development and seedling establishment. Enterolobin availability could enable it to perform an important physiological role, including plant defense.

Effects of a Chitin-Binding Vicilin fromEnterolobium contortisiliquumSeeds on Bean Bruchid Pests (Callosobruchus maculatusandZabrotes subfasciatus) and Phytopathogenic Fungi (Fusarium solaniandColletrichum lindemuntianum)

Chitin-binding vicilin from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds was purified by ammonium sulfate followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl 300-SH and on Sephacryl 200-SH. The vicilin, called EcV, is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of 1.03% carbohydrates and a Mr of 151 kDa, consisting of two subunits of Mr of 66.2 and 63.8 kDa. The EcV homogeneity was confirmed in a PAGE where it was observed to be a unique acid protein band with slow mobility in this native gel. E. contortisiliquum vicilin (EcV) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus and Zabrotes subfasciatus larvae and for phytopathogenic fungi, F. solani and C. lindemuntianum. EcV was very effective against both bruchids, producing 50% mortality for Z. subfasciatus at an LD50 of 0.43% and affected 50% of the larvae mass with an ED50 of 0.65%. In artificial diets given to C. maculatus, 50% of the larvae mass was affected with an ED50 of 1.03%, and larva mortality was 50% at LD50 of 1.11%. EcV was not digested by midgut homogenates of C. maculatus and Z. Subfasciatus until 12 h of incubation, and at 24 h EcV was more resistant to Z. subfasciatus larval proteases. The binding to chitin present in larvae gut associated to low EcV digestibility could explain its lethal effects. EcV also exerted an inhibitory effect on the germination of F. solani at concentrations of 10 and 20 microg mL-1. The effect of EcV on fungi is possibly due to binding to chitin-containing structures of the fungal cell wall.

Purificação e caracterização de alfa-galactosidases de sementes de Platymiscium pubescens Micheli

Este trabalho objetivou foi determinar a composição bioquímica de sementes de espécies florestais e caracterizar a enzima alfa-galactosidase de sementes germinadas de Platymiscium pubescens. Os maiores teores de lipídios foram determinados em sementes de Chorisia speciosa, Caesalpinia peltophoroides, Tabebuia serratifolia e Tabebuia velanedae, enquanto sementes de Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Schizolobium parahyba e Cassia grandis apresentaram os maiores teores protéicos. A alfa-galactosidase catalisa a hidrólise dos oligossacarídeos de rafinose, em sementes de leguminosas, durante a germinação. A maior atividade da alfa-galactosidase foi detectada em sementes de Platymiscium pubescens após 72 h de embebição. Duas formas de alfa-galactosidases, C1 e C2, foram purificadas de sementes germinadas de P. pubescens, usando-se fracionamento com sulfato de amônio e cromatografias de filtração em gel e de afinidade. Essas enzimas apresentaram atividade máxima em pH 5,5 e a 50-55 ºC. Os valores de Km ap das formas C1 e C2, para o substrato ro-nitrofenil-alfa-D-galactopiranosídeo, foram de 0,54 mM e 0,78 mM, e para a rafinose, de 4,64 mM e 5,09 mM, respectivamente. Essas enzimas exibiram estabilidade térmica moderada, mantendo 70% da atividade original após 3 h de incubação a 45 ºC. A atividade enzimática da C1 e C2 foi totalmente perdida na presença de CuSO4 e dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS). Tais enzimas também hidrolisaram melibiose, rafinose e estaquiose, indicando potencial para aplicações biotecnológicas.

Primary structure of a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds

A trypsin inhibitor was isolated from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds. Starting with a saline extract, ECTI ( E. contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor) was purified as a homogeneous protein by acetone precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sephadex A-50), gel filtration (Sephadex G-75 and Superose 12) and reversed phase HPLC (μ-Bondapak C-18). The amino acid sequence was determined by automatic degradation and by DABITC/PITC microsequence analysis of the reduced and carboxymethylated protein and also of purified peptides derived from the protein by cleavage with iodosobenzoic acid and by enzymic digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. ECTI contains 174 amino acid residues in two polypeptide chains, an α-chain consisting of 134 residues and a β-chain made up of 40 residues. The inhibitor displays a high degree of sequence identity with other Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors isolated from the Mimosoideae subfamily. The reactive site was identified (by homology) as the arginine-isoleucine peptide bond at position 64–65. ECTI inhibits trypsin and chymotrypsin in the stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 and also Factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein and plasmin, but not thrombin and Factor Xa.

Effects of the cytolytic seed protein enterolobin on coleopteran and lepidopteran insect larvae

AbstractEnterolobin, a novel 55 KDa cytolytic and inflammatory protein from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds, was tested for its toxic effects on larvae of the coleopteran Callosobruchus maculatus and the lepidopteran Spodoptera littoralis. Bioassays performed with enterolobin incorporated into artificial seeds showed that the phytocytolysin was toxic to larvae of C. maculatus, causing 70% mortality at a concentration of 0.01% (w/w) and 100% mortality at 0.025%. The protein proved to be innocuous to larvae of S. littoralis. In vitro proteolysis studies using larval gut enzymes, analysed on SDS‐PAGE, showed that only S. littoralis proteases could digest enterolobin, suggesting that the insect's digestive proteases were able to inactivate the cytolysin before it could exert any toxic effect; C. maculatus proteases, on the other hand, were unable to hydrolyse enterolobin. The mechanism of toxicity of enterolobin did not appear to involve any damage to the microvilli of the epithelial gut cells of C. maculatus as shown by electron microscopy. Some tentative hypotheses are considered in order to explain the toxic mechanism of action of enterolobin towards C. maculatus.

Pro-inflammatory activity of enterolobin: a haemolytic protein purified from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds of the Brazilian tree: R. S. B. Cordeiro, H. C. Castro-Faria-Neto, M. A. Martins, P. T. Bozza, S. A. C. Perez, A. C. V. Correa-Da-Silva, M. C. R. Lima, H. N. Cruz, M. V. Sousa and L. Morhy (Department Fisiologia e Farmacodinâmica, Fundacão Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365,

Pro-inflammatory activity of enterolobin: a haemolytic protein purified from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds of the Brazilian tree: R. S. B. Cordeiro, H. C. Castro-Faria-Neto, M. A. Martins, P. T. Bozza, S. A. C. Perez, A. C. V. Correa-Da-Silva, M. C. R. Lima, H. N. Cruz, M. V. Sousa and L. Morhy (Department Fisiologia e Farmacodinâmica, Fundacão Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365,

Pro-inflammatory activity of enterolobin: A haemolytic protein purified from seeds of the Brazilian tree Enterolobium contortisiliquum

H. C. Castro-Faria-Neto, M. A. Martins, P. T. Bozza, S. A. C. Perez, A. C. V. Correa-Da-Silva, M. C. R. Lima, H. N. Cruz, R. S. B. Cordeiro, M. V. Sousa and L. Morhy. Pro-inflammatory activity of enterolobin: a haemolytic protein purified from seeds of the Brazilian tree Enterolobium contortisiliquum. Toxicon, 29, 1143–1150, 1991.—The pro-inflammatory activity of enterolobin, a haemolytic protein from Enterolobium contortisiliquum seeds, was investigated. In doses ranging from 1 to 20 μg/site, enterolobin induced a dose-dependent paw oedema and pleurisy in rats. The effect was apparent after 15 min, peaked at 6 hr and decreased 24 hr after enterolobin was administered. One hour after the intrathoracic injection of enterolobin, the total leukocyte content of the pleural cavity increased significantly, mainly due to mononuclear and neutrophil accumulation. At 24 hr, although the number of mononuclear and neutrophil cells tended to decrease, a great rise in eosinophil counts was noted. Intraperitoneal treatment with the dual lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase blockers, BW 755c (25 mg/kg) and NDGA (50 mg/kg) or the corticosteroid dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg) inhibited enterolobin-induced paw oedema by 35, 38 and 47% respectively, whereas indomethacin (2 mg/kg) was inactive. The H 1 antagonist, meclizine (25 mg/kg), was also effective against enterolobin oedema while the PAF-antagonists WEB 2086 and PCA 4248 (20 mg/kg) did not modify the reaction. It was concluded that enterolobin is a potent inducer of pleural exudation, cellular infiltration and paw oedema. Furthermore, enterolobin-induced oedema is partially dependent on lipoxygenase metabolites and histamine, while PAF and prostaglandins did not seem to be important in this reaction.