Clévia Ferreira Duarte Garrote

Hypotensive effect of Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. in rats and its mechanism of vasorelaxation in isolated arteries

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aspidosperma subincanum is a medicinal herb that is known to be useful for the treatment of cardiovascular-related illnesses. However, its effects and pharmacological mechanisms of action have not been studied. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an ethanol extract of Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS) on blood pressure (in vivo) and vascular tension (in vitro) in the rat thoracic aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS Catheters were inserted into the right femoral vein and artery of anesthetized rats for EEAS infusion and the measurement of blood pressure, heart rate and aortic blood flow (flow probes were placed around the aorta). Moreover, the vasodilator effect of EEAS in isolated pre-contracted rat aortas was examined. RESULTS Intravenous infusion of EEAS resulted in significant and dose-dependent hypotension, bradycardia and increased aortic blood flow. In isolated arteries, EEAS (0-27 μg/mL) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of pre-contracted aortic rings; endothelial denudation potentiated this effect. Pre-treatment of the aortic rings with ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC); MDL-12,330A, an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase (AC); or CPA, a SERCA inhibitor, reduced EEAS-induced vasorelaxation. Treatment with an EEAS impaired contractions induced by phenylephrine (an adrenergic agonist) and Bay K 8644 (an L-type Ca(2+) channel activator). The blockade of K(+) channels with tetraethylammonium, clotrimazole, glibenclamide or 4-aminopyridine reduced the relaxation stimulated by EEAS. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that EEAS induces hypotension associated with bradycardia. EEAS induces endothelium-independent vascular relaxation. The sGC/cGMP and AC/cAMP pathways, SERCA activation and Ca(2+) and K(+) flux across the sarcolemma, are likely involved in this relaxation.

Condensation of Ethyl Cyanoacetate with Aromatic Aldehydes in Water, Catalyzed by Morpholine

Synthesis of (E)-ethyl 2-cyano-3-phenylacrilate derivatives in water catalyzed by morpholine was investigated. The reactions were performed under green chemistry conditions.

Dissolution test of herbal medicines containing Passiflora sp.

The dissolution test is an essential tool to assess the quality of herbal medicines in the solid dosage form for oral use. This work aimed to evaluate the dissolution behavior of three herbal medicines in the form of capsules and tablet containing Passiflora, produced with powder or dried extract. Assay of total flavonoids and dissolution methods were validated and obtained results allowed the quantification of flavonoids with precision, accuracy and selectivity. The percentage of total flavonoids found was 2% for capsule A (containing only powder), 0.97% for capsule B (containing only dried extract) and 5.5% for tablet. Although the content was lower, the release of flavonoids present in the capsule containing dried extract was 12% higher over 30 min, with dissolved percentage values of 87 and 75, for the capsules containing extract and powder, respectively. The tablet containing dried extract presented dissolution of 76%, despite the higher content of flavonoids, which may be due to pharmacotechnical problems. Obtained data demonstrated the need to implement these tests in the quality control of herbal medicines, confirming the release of the active ingredients that underlie the pharmacological action of these medicines.

Aspectos técnicos e legais do gerenciamento de resíduos químico-farmacêuticos

The environmental risks from waste production has arisen with the technological progress, as well as with the world population increase. The risks from the industrial or academic routines in pharmaceutical or fine chemical plants and projects are remarkable. For this reason, many projects focusing on the optimization of waste treatment in these places have been proposed. This paper, reviews some of the main strategies introduced, in order to solve or decrease the problems, in the management of pharmaceutical-chemical wastes in industry, universities, among other potential kind of waste generators. The main regulatory and technical aspects, associated to segregation, packaging, treatment and final disposal of these wastes are presented.

Estudo farmacognóstico das raízes de Jacaranda decurrens Cham. (carobinha)

This work stablishes pharmacognostic parameters to Jacaranda decurrens Cham. roots, Bignoniaceae, known in the folk medicine as carobinha. Morphological and histological characteristics, phytochemical tests, ash and reducing sugars contents are descripted. The results showed steroids/triterpenes, sugars reducers, starch, mucilage and saponinas presence; the tenor of total ashes was of 2,21%, and insoluble in acid of 0,63%; the humidity of 6,42% and the tenor of sugars reducers was of 2,77%.

Diuretic effects and urinary electrolyte excretion induced by Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. and the involvement of prostaglandins in such effects.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. is a medicinal herb known for its diuretic properties and used for the treatment of cardiovascular-related illnesses. Although our earlier study has shown that the ethanol extract of Aspidosperma subincanum (EEAS) induces hypotension and vasodilation, no scientific data have been recorded to evaluate the diuretic effects of this Brazilian medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of EEAS, and possible mechanism of action, using Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS EEAS (60 and 120mg/kg), furosemide (20mg/kg) or saline (control) were orally administered to rats individually held in metabolic cages for urine collection 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24h after treatment. In order to evaluate the involvement of prostaglandins in the diuretic action of EEAS, the animals received piroxicam (5mg/kgi.p.), a nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, before treatment with EEAS at 120mg/kg. The control groups received only saline (NaCl, 0.9%), or saline and piroxicam. Urinary volume, electrolyte excretion and pH were measured. RESULTS Oral administration of EEAS 60 and 120mg/kg significantly increased diuresis and electrolyte excretion of Na(+) and K(+) on a continuous basis throughout the study period. Both EEAS 60 and 120mg/kg caused a relative increase of around 77% and 142%, respectively, in cumulative diuresis compared with the control group. From 4th hour until the end of the experiment, the group treated with EEAS 120mg/kg provided a greater excretion of Na(+) than the furosemide group. The diuretic effects of EEAS were neutralized by piroxicam between 4 and 8h after treatment. CONCLUSION The results suggest that EEAS could present compound(s) responsible for diuretic activities, and the mechanism could involve the prostaglandin system.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Patients from Goiás, Brazil, Using the BAROS Method – A Preliminary Study

Introduction As obesity is currently a major public health problem, bariatric surgery has been widely indicated due to the difficulties involved in the clinical management of obese adults. Objectives Assess the quality-of-life (QOL) of patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) in the State of Goiás, Brazil, where as yet no studies have been published on the QOL of patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Methods A retrospective study, using the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS), was carried out in Goiânia and Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, with 50 over 18-year-old patients of both genders, who had undergone RYGB and had at least three months of postoperative time. Results Before RYGB, 48% of the individuals were classified as morbidly obese. Average weight and body mass index (BMI) of the 50 patients interviewed were 119.37 ± 18.44 kg and 43.54 ± 5.33 kg/m2, respectively. By contrast, after the RYGB these parameters decreased significantly to 78.01 ± 11.06 kg and 28.46 ± 3.61 kg/m2, respectively, mainly from the 3rd to 85th month of postoperative time (p < 0.0001). As well as that, 78% reported having presented preoperative comorbidities, especially hypertension (44%), rheumatism (34%), dyslipidemia (24%) and diabetes (20%). However, after surgery, the resolution rates were 77, 24, 100 and 100%, respectively, for these same clinical conditions. In terms of QOL, some patients reported feeling better (8%) or much better (92%) after RYGB. The outcome of the BAROS method for those patients was classified as fair (2%), good (8%), very good (24%) and excellent (66%). Conclusions Preliminary results indicated that RYGB could be a successful surgical procedure to promote satisfactory and sustained reduction in the body measurements of morbidly obese patients from Goiás, Brazil. Furthermore, the final BAROS score showed improvements in associated comorbidity and also in the QOL of these patients.