José Otávio Carréra Silva Júnior

Caracterização físico-química do extrato fluido e seco por nebulização de Symphytum officinale L.

O artigo reporta a obtencao do extrato fluido de Symphytum officinale L., e posterior secagem por nebulizacao, e a caracterizacao fisico-quimica por tecnicas termogravimetricas, espectroscopicas e cromatograficas. O adjuvante de secagem utilizado foi hidroxietilcelulose na concentracao de 1,5%. Foi observado que o processo de secagem por nebulizacao, nas condicoes operacionais estabelecidas, nao influenciou as caracteristicas dos constituintes do extrato seco em relacao ao extrato fluido pelas tecnicas utilizadas.

Etidronate from Medicine to Endodontics: effects of different irrigation regimes on root dentin roughness

An increase in dentin roughness, associated with surface composition, contributes to bacterial adherence in recontaminations. Surface roughness is also important for micromechanical interlocking of dental materials to dentin, and understanding the characteristics of the surface is essential to obtain the adhesion of root canal sealers that have different physico-chemical characteristics. Objectives To evaluate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), etidronic (HEBP), and citric acid (CA) associated with different irrigation regimens on root dentin roughness. Material and Methods Forty-five root halves of anterior teeth were used. The root parts were sectioned in thirds, embedded in acrylic resin and polished to a standard surface roughness. Initially, the samples of each third were randomly assigned into 3 groups and treated as follows: G1 - saline solution (control); G2 - 5% NaOCl+18% HEBP mixed in equal parts; and G3 - 2.5% NaOCl. After initial measuments, the G3 samples were distributed into subgroups G4, G5 and G6, which were subjected to 17% EDTA, 10% CA and 9% HEBP, respectively. Following the new measuments, these groups received a final flush with 2.5% NaOCl, producing G7, G8 and G9. The dentin surface roughness (Ra) was determined before and after treatments using a profilometer. The Wilcoxon test (α<0.05) was used to compare the values before and after treatments, and the Friedman test (α<0.05) to detect any differences among root thirds. Results (i) NaOCl did not affect the surface roughness; (ii) there was a significant increase in roughness after the use of chelating agents (P<0.01); and (iii) only the G3 group showed a difference in surface roughness between apical third and other thirds of the teeth (P<0.0043). Conclusion Only the irrigation regimens that used chelating agents altered the roughness of root dentin.

A New Weak Chelator in Endodontics: Effects of Different Irrigation Regimens with Etidronate on Root Dentin Microhardness

This study investigated the effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), etidronic (HEBP), and citric acid (CA) associated in different irrigation regimens on root dentin microhardness. Forty-five root halves of single-rooted teeth were sectioned into thirds that were embedded in acrylic resin, polished, randomly assigned into 3 groups, and treated as follows: G1: saline solution; G2: 5% NaOCl + 18% HEBP, mixed in equal parts; and G3: 2.5% NaOCl. After measurements, the G3 samples were distributed into subgroups G4, G5, and G6, which were submitted to 17% EDTA, 10% CA and 9% HEBP, respectively. Following the new measurements, these groups received a final flush with 2.5% NaOCl, producing G7, G8, and G9. Microhardness was measured with Knoop indenter under a 25 g load for 15 seconds, before and after treatments. The data were statistically analyzed using paired Students t-test (α<0.05) to compare values before and after treatments and analysis of variance (ANOVA) (α<0.05) to detect any differences among thirds. Except G1, all tested irrigation regimens significantly decreased the microhardness. There were no differences between root thirds before treatments, and all root thirds exhibited equal responses to same treatment. Except saline, all tested irrigation regimens reduced the root dentin microhardness.

Análise farmacognóstica das folhas de Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) B. Verlt., Bignoniaceae

Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) B. Verlt. e uma Bignoniaceae amplamente utilizada na medicina popular como anti-inflamatorio e adstringente, e para varias doencas como colicas intestinais, diarreias, anemias e enfermidades da pele. Devido as suas propriedades biologicas e a producao de corante a especie passou a ser utilizada pela industria cosmetica. A utilizacao de produtos naturais de origem vegetal implica no controle de qualidade farmacobotânico e em ensaios de pureza que compoem as especificacoes tecnicas da especie. Para isso foi realizada a descricao anatomica das folhas jovens e maduras de A. chica a partir de observacoes realizadas ao microscopio optico, a partir de cortes histologicos. As folhas sao hipoestomaticas e dorsiventrais com mesofilo heterogeneo. No peciolo, a epiderme e uniestratificada contendo tricomas e dotada de cuticula delgada. Os testes farmacopeicos incluiram a determinacao da distribuicao granulometrica do po da planta, determinacao do teor de umidade e de cinzas totais, alem da abordagem fitoquimica da tintura, visando estabelecer parâmetros para seu controle de qualidade.

Selecting Medicinal Plants for Development of Phytomedicine and Use in Primary Health Care

The world market for herbal medicines is around US

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential for polyphenol-rich cocoa extract obtained by agroindustrial residue

40 billion, whereas in Brazil it is estimated to be around US

Microencapsulation of Theobroma cacao L. waste extract: optimization using response surface methodology

1 billion. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that more than a half of the world population makes use of some type of medicinal herb searching for relief for painful or unpleasant symptoms. From that total at least 30% are provided by medical prescription (WHO, 1978).

Standardization of Herbal Drugs Derivatives with Special Reference to Brazilian Regulations

Abstract Processing of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans responsible for agricultural exports leads to large amounts of solid waste that were discarded, however, this one presents high contents of metabolites with biological activities. The major objective of this study was to valorise cocoa agroindustrial residue obtained by hydraulic pressing for extract rich in antioxidants. For it, the centesimal composition of residue was investigated, the green extraction was carried out from the residue after, the bioactive compounds, sugar contents and screaming by HPTLC were quantified for extract. The extract has a total polyphenol content of 229.64 mg/g and high antioxidant activity according to ABTS 225.0 μM/g. HTPLC analysis confirmed the presence in the extract, residue of terpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. These results, as a whole, suggest that the extract from the cocoa residue has interesting characteristics to alternative crops with potential industrial uses.

Optimization of spray drying conditions to microencapsulate cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) seed by-product extract

Abstract The cocoa extract (Theobroma cacao L.) has a significant amount of polyphenols (TP) with potent antioxidant activity (AA). This study aims to optimise microencapsulation of the extract of cocoa waste using chitosan and maltodextrin. Microencapsulation tests were performed according to a Box–Behnken factorial design, and the results were evaluated by response surface methodology with temperature, maltodextrin concentration (MD) and extract flowrate (EF) as independent variables, and the fraction of encapsulated TP, TP encapsulation yield, AA, yield of drying and solubility index as responses. The optimum conditions were: inlet temperature of 170 °C, MD of 5% and EF of 2.5 mL/min. HPLC analysis identified epicatechin as the major component of both the extract and microparticles. TP release was faster at pH 3.5 than in water. These results as a whole suggest that microencapsulation was successful and the final product can be used as a nutrient source for aquatic animal feed. Highlights Microencapsulation is optimised according to a factorial design of the Box–Behnken type. Epicatechin is the major component of both the extract and microcapsules. The release of polyphenols from microcapsules is faster at pH 3.5 than in water.

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) miers crude extract and fractions: prevention of dental biofilm formation and immunomodulatory capacity

The technical standardization of an intermediary of a phytomedicine is a decisive step for the quality standard that the product will show. After the validation of the alleged use, popular form of use, posology and agronomic certification of the plant material, for which phytochemical and pharmacognostic pattern will be developed to monitor the physical, chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of the plant, ensuring homogeneity of samples and the similarity to specimens tested in experimental stage. The plant material is then extracted and the obtained extract is used in the development of the formulation. This extract must be in accordance to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, respecting as far as possible the characteristics of the popular form of use. Before the next step, the pharmacotechnical handling, the extract will be phytochemically analysed, in order to determine the metabolic substance classes present in the sample. Then it must be pharmacologically investigated to assure that its activity, is similar to that originally alleged and experimentally tested; its physical and physico-chemical characteristics will be determined, and, subsequently, the extract undergoes chemical and chromatographic analysis to have identified substances that could characterize the plant and serve as chemical and, preferably, pharmacological quality markers. Substances which are chemically stable, responsible for the activity to be presented by the phytomedicine and able to be detectable and quantifiable by usual analytical methods, such as chromatography and ultraviolet spectroscopy or mass spectrometry, are potential candidates to be used as markers.