Joaquim Maurício Duarte-Almeida

Avaliação da atividade antioxidante utilizando sistema beta-caroteno/ácido linoléico e método de seqüestro de radicais DPPH

SUMMARY EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOxIDANT ACTIVITy USING THE B-CAROTENE/LINOLEIC ACID SySTEM AND THE DPPH SCAVENGING METHOD. The antioxidant activity of fruit extracts (acerola, acai, black-berry and strawberry) and pure compounds has been analysed by two methods: β-carotene/linoleic acid and DPPH•(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay. First, those methodologies were adapted to be performed in microplates, in order to reduce the sample and reagent amounts, to increase the number of simultaneous analyses and to automate absorbance lectures. The results showed that the antioxidant activity of the fruit extracts was in accordance with those of pure ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, in the two systems. The acerola extract, due to its high vitamin C content, acted as pro-oxidant, but acai, black-berry and strawberry extracts acted as antioxidants in β-carotene/

Antinociceptive peripheral effect of Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia vulgaris L.: both plants known popularly by brand names of analgesic drugs.

The hydroalcohol extracts of Achillea millefolium L. (AM) and Artemisia vulgaris L. (AV), both belonging to the Asteraceae family, were evaluated by the hot plate, writhing, formalin and intestinal transit tests in an attempt to confirm their folk use as analgesic, antiinflammatory and antispasmodic agents. AM 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly inhibited abdominal contortions by 65% and 23%, respectively, whereas AV 500 and 1000 mg/kg inhibited them by 48% and 59%, respectively. None of the extracts produced differences in the intestinal transit in mice, nor in the response time in the hot plate or in the immediate or late responses in the formalin test. In HPLC/DAD analyses ‘fingerprint’, monitored at 360 and 270 nm, both hydroalcohol extracts showed the same flavonoid glycoside as a principal constituent, which was identified as rutin. A high content of caffeic acid derivatives were also found in both extracts. The main differences were observed at 240 nm: AM had a higher content of rutin, while in AV the hydroxybenzoic acid derivative was the major component. Copyright

Antiulcer effect of the pepper trees Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira-da-praia) and Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae (aroeira-do-sertão)

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and the Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemao were evaluated in rats and mice for antiulcer effects, as these two plants are widely used in Brazil for gastric ulcer treatment. Extracts of the plants showed a marked protective effect against gastric ulcerations induced by immobilization stress at low temperature in rats. They also showed an increase in the pH and volume of the gastric contents, and reduction in gastric hemorrhage in rats, and decrease in intestinal transit in mice, even at the low doses of 3.4 mg/kg (1/4 of the dose used by humans).

Perfil farmacológico e fitoquímico de plantas indicadas pelos caboclos do Parque Nacional do Jaú (AM) como potenciais analgésicas: parte I

Muitos estudos de plantas medicinais baseiam-se em informacoes etnofarmacologicas, na intencao de encurtar o tempo e diminuir os recursos financeiros no desenvolvimento de novas drogas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar estudos de farmacologia pre-clinica e fitoquimica com tres extratos vegetais, obtidos de duas das 42 plantas com potenciais efeitos analgesico e/ou antiinflamatorio, indicadas pelos moradores do Parque Nacional do Jau, AM. Os extratos hidroalcoolicos foram submetidos a caracterizacao fitoquimica por meio de cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD). Os testes de farmacologia pre-clinica empregados foram: screening inicial, rota rod, atividade motora, placa quente, tail flick e contorcoes abdominais, nas doses de 300 e 500 mg/kg. Os tres extratos foram obtidos a partir das cascas da cumanda: Campsiandra comosa Benth., Fabaceae (EHCC) e das folhas (EHSF) e cascas (EHSC) da sucuuba: Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce ex Mull. Arg.) Woodson, Apocynaceae. As analises fitoquimicas revelaram a presenca de flavonoides, taninos, iridoides e triterpenos nos diferentes extratos; enquanto os alcaloides e cumarinas nao foram detectados. A investigacao farmacologica demonstrou atividade analgesica discreta apenas no teste de contorcoes abdominais para os extratos EHSF e EHCC; nenhuma alteracao foi observada no aparelho de rota rod e de modo geral, observou-se diminuicao da atividade motora em todos os extratos nas diferentes doses testadas. Diferentes extratos destas plantas estao sendo testados em outros modelos, pelo mesmo grupo de trabalho, a fim de aprofundar os conhecimentos acerca do perfil farmacologico destas especies.

Óleo essencial de orégano: interferência da composição química na atividade frente a Salmonella Enteritidis

Este trabalho avaliou a interferencia da origem e do teor de compostos fenolicos de oleo essencial de oregano (OEO) de cinco marcas comerciais provenientes de diferentes regioes do mundo, na atividade inibitoria frente a Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). A composicao de cada OEO foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada ao espectrometro de massas (CG-IE-MS). A atividade inibitoria frente SE in vitro foi avaliada pela tecnica de difusao em pocos, empregando-se solucoes alcoolicas a 0,1; 0,2; 0,5; 1,0; ou 2,0%, observando-se a formacao de halo de inibicao apos incubacao a 30 °C por 24 horas. Como resultado da analise por CG-IE-MS, foram identificados dezessete componentes volateis. Todos OEO analisados neste trabalho possuiam carvacrol como componente principal e apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana frente a SE nas cinco concentracoes testadas. A acao inibitoria das cinco marcas comerciais avaliadas nao apresentou diferenca estatistica significativa (p > 0,05), porem o OEO proveniente da regiao do Mediterrâneo com p-cimeno e γ-terpineno, alem de carvacrol, apresentou maiores halos de inibicao de SE que os demais OEO. Concluiu-se que a multiplicacao de Salmonella Enteritidis in vitro pode ser inibida por OEO cuja acao antimicrobiana independe da regiao produtora de oregano. No entanto, oleos essenciais que possuem p-cimeno e γ-terpineno, alem de carvacrol, podem ter o seu efeito antimicrobiano potencializado.

Comparison of the chemical composition and biological effects of the roots, branches and leaves of Heteropterys tomentosa A. Juss

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE HETEROPTERYS TOMENTOSA: A. Juss (Malpighiaceae), commonly mistaken as Heteropterys aphrodisiaca, is chronically used by the Brazilian population to improve general health due to its claimed protective effects against a wide range of medical conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY This study in rodents aimed to verify the adaptogenic potential of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the roots (the most commonly used portion), branches and leaves of the plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS The phytochemical constitution of the extracts was analyzed through thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Restriction- and cold-induced stress in rats treated for 14 days with 100 or 300 mg/kg of the extracts were used to evaluate parameters such as ulceration, adrenals, thymus and spleen weights, as well as ACTH and corticosterone plasmatic levels. The stress response also was evaluated in mice by self-analgesia induced by restraint stress, after 7 days of treatment at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. The learning and memory of aged rats treated with extracts of root or branches at the dose of 50 mg/kg for 80 days were evaluated in the elevated T-maze test. RESULTS The chemical constituents of the three parts of the plant were relatively similar in the presence of saponins, hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and triterpenes. None of the three extracts were capable of protecting the stomach from ulcerations in rats submitted to cold restraint stress or protecting from alterations in adrenal or spleen weight (p>0.05). Furthermore, the extracts did not inhibit increases in plasma levels of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Moreover, the extracts did not inhibit self-analgesia induced by restraint stress in mice and did not improve the performance of aged rats in the T-maze test (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The tests employed in this study did not show evidence of adaptogenic activity in the three extracts of Heteropterys tomentosa.

Assessment of the toxicity of the Brazilian pepper trees Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Aroeira-da-praia) and Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Aroeira-do-sertão).

The present study aimed to assess the preclinical toxicity of two plants commonly used to treat “stomach ailments” in Brazil: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (S) and Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (M). In male rats, chronic treatment (83 days) with both pepper trees (17.6 and 13.8 mg/kg, S and M, respectively) has been shown to decrease hematocrit. However, a reduction in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin was only seen following administration of S. terebinthifolius. None of the plants caused anatomopathological alterations following chronic treatment, and mating ability and fertility were not affected. Both pepper trees showed moderate toxicity following acute and chronic treatment by gavage, particularly S. terebinthifolius. Moreover, bone malformations were induced in fetuses, and a slight delay in recovery time of the postural reflex was observed in pups from female animals treated (18 days) with S. terebinthifolius. Given these results, a better assessment of the risks and benefits of the internal use of these plants is necessary, especially when used by women of childbearing age. Copyright

Antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of the ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae)

Ethanol extract (EE) and fractions obtained from the ripe fruits of Solanum lycocarpum were examined in order to determine their phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activities and cytotoxic potential. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with DAD analysis indicated that caffeic and chlorogenic acids were the main phenolic compounds present in the EE, dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (Ac) fractions. The antioxidant activity assessed by the scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical was significantly more pronounced for DCM and Ac fractions than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT). EE and fractions exhibited selective antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, especially the hexane (Hex) and DCM fractions. EE and fractions exhibited low toxicity towards the LLC-MK2 cell line, especially the Hex, DCM and Ac fractions. This work provides the knowledge of phenolic composition in the extract and fractions from the ripe fruits of S. lycocarpum and their antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

Antioxidant and antifungal activities of Smilax campestris Griseb. (Smilacaceae)

Ethanol extract and fractions obtained from aerial parts of Smilax campestris were examined in order to determine their phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and antifungal activities. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with DAD analysis indicated that quercetin and rutin were the main phenolic compounds present in butanol fraction and ethanol extract, respectively. The antioxidant activity assessed by the scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical was significantly more pronounced for the ethanol extract and butanol fraction than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. The antifungal activity of extract and fractions was investigated by using microdilution method against five Candida and two Cryptococcus yeast strains. Ethanol extract and fractions exhibited antifungal activities against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus gattii. This work provides the knowledge of profile and content of flavonoids and their antioxidant and antifungal activities in the extract and fractions of aerial parts of S. campestris.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Leaves of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae).

Ethanol extract and fractions obtained from leaves of Solanum lycocarpum were examined in order to determine their phenolic composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic potential. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with DAD analysis indicated that the flavonoids apigenin and kaempferol were the main phenolic compounds present in dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. The antioxidant activity was significantly more pronounced for dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and hydroethanol fractions than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. The hexane and dichloromethane fractions were more active against the tested bacteria. The hydroethanol fraction exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity at the dose of 75 and 150 mg/kg in the later phase of inflammation. However, the antiedematogenic effect of the higher dose of the ethyl acetate fraction (150 mg/kg) was more pronounced. The ethyl acetate fraction also presented a less cytotoxic effect than the ethanol extract and other fractions. These activities found in S. lycocarpum leaves can be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of phenolic constituents such as flavonoids. This work provided the knowledge of phenolic composition in the extract and fractions and the antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of leaves of S. lycocarpum.