Magda Narciso Leite

Evaluation of long-term exposure to Mikania glomerata (Sprengel) extract on male Wistar rats' reproductive organs, sperm production and testosterone level.

Many plant substances are known for their interference with the reproductive system. Mikania glomerata is a plant popularly used to treat respiratory diseases and is reported to have flavonoids and coumarin, which have been shown to have antifertility activity in male dogs and female rats, respectively. This work analyzes the effect of a high dose of M. glomerata extract administered during the spermatogenic cycle of rats. Adult Wistar rats were treated with 1 mL of a M. glomerata extract at a dose level of 3.3 g/kg of body weight for 52 days. Body and organ weights, sperm production, circulating testosterone level and food consumption were evaluated. The results showed that the administration of the M. glomerata extract during the rat spermatogenic cycle did not significantly alter the body and organ weights nor did it interfere with gamete production, serum testosterone level or food intake.

Estudo farmacognóstico de galhos de Vanillosmopsis erythropappa Schult. Bip. - Asteraceae

Vanillosmopsis erythropappa is a plant rich in essential oils, especially a-bisabolol. The aim of this study was research the qualitative seasonal variation of natural substances, tenor of essential oils, total ashes, dampness and pH. The results showed a variation of the flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, saponins, essential oils, total ashes, dampness and pH, demonstrating that environmental aspects influence on the metabolism of this specie. The annual averages of the obtained values were: essential oils = 0,29 ± 0,09%; total ashes = 3,13 ± 0,49%; dampness= 6,56 ± 0,80% and pH = 5,40 ± 0,24.

Preliminary assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis toxicity on male Wistar rats' organs and reproductive system

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L. - Lamiaceae) is a shrub used in the treatment of hepatic, intestinal, renal and respiratory affections. Its toxicity was assessed in female rats and an anti-implantation effect was reported after treatment with this plant. This work analyzes the effect of the short-term administration of R. officinalis extract on vital organs, on the organs of the reproductive system and sperm production of mature male Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats were treated with 1 mL of R. officinalis aqueous extract at a dose level of 291.2 mg and 582.4 mg/kg of body weight for five days. Body and organs weights, sperm production and food consumption were evaluated. The results showed that the lower dose administration of R. officinalis extract did not significantly alter body and organs weight nor did it interfere with gamete production. However, animals treated with the higher dose showed significant weight increase of the seminal vesicle but no significant alteration of the other variables. Food intake was not affected by the treatments.

Sazonalidade dos ductos secretores e óleo essencial de Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar os ductos secretores e o oleo essencial das folhas de Foeniculum vulgare em diferentes epocas do ano. Para esta finalidade, foram realizados estudos de caracterizacao anatomica, bem como anatomia comparada dos ductos secretores e testes histoquimicos das folhas. O oleo essencial foi obtido de folhas e frutos, por hidrodestilacao em aparelho de Clevenger e analisados quantitativamente e qualitativamente por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada ao espectrometro de massa, realizando-se analises seguidas de tres replicas para folhas coletadas durante o inverno e primavera, e frutos no verao. Os resultados encontrados para os ductos secretores de oleo corresponderam a reducao do teor de oleo essencial nas folhas coletadas no final da primavera. O componente majoritario do oleo essencial de folhas e frutos foi o trans-anetol, durante todas as estacoes do ano. Portanto, evidenciou-se que os ductos secretores e teor de oleo essencial estao relacionados, bem como os constituintes quimicos tambem estao sujeitos a sazonalidade, conforme o estagio fenologico da planta.

Efficacy of Morus nigra L. on reproduction in female Wistar rats

Morus nigra L. is a plant employed as a substitute for the conventional hormonal replacement therapy. This work analyzes the estrogenic effect of M. nigra on the reproductive system and embryonic development of Wistar rats. Female rats were orally treated with M. nigra hydroalcoholic extract (MnHE) at the dose levels of 25, 50, 75, 350 and 700 mg/kg of body weight over 15 days, and continued through mating until the 14th day of gestation. Vaginal smears were performed daily and the body weight of the females was recorded at 5 days intervals. On day 15 of gestation, the females were killed and their kidneys, liver, spleen and ovaries were removed and weighed. The number of implants, resorptions, and live and dead fetuses were evaluated. Histological sections of ovaries, measurement of the height of the uterine epithelium and vaginal smears were performed to assess the estrogenic activity. The results showed that the administration of MnHE did not significantly alter the analyzed variables. Therefore, considering the experimental model used in this study, the data obtained indicate that M. nigra did not exhibit any estrogenic activity nor did exert a toxic effect on the female reproductive system and on the embryonic development of rats.

Atividades farmacológicas dos extratos de Zanthoxylum chiloperone (Rutaceae)

In this work the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts of leaves from Zanthoxylum chiloperone were evaluated. The tests were carried out by acetic acid writhing, formalin-induced paw licking, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and pleurisy methods, using hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts administered in the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. The doses inhibited, significantly, the contortions, the paw lick, the paw edema, the volume of the exsudate and the leukocytes migration. These results suggest that the extracts from Z. chiloperone possess constituents with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Determinação do teor de cumarina no xarope de guaco armazenado em diferentes temperaturas

The production of guaco syrup, obtained from guaco (Mikania glomerata Spreng., Asteraceae) fluid extract, and commercialized by the University Pharmacy of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil, led to a research project whose main aim was to study the stability of the finished product, with reference to the coumarin content of samples stored at different temperatures. UV spectrophotometry (275.4 nm) was used to assess the coumarin content of the study syrup. An 80% v/v methanol/distilled water mixture was used for sample dilution. The calibration curve was constructed by the dilution of 100 mg standard coumarin in 100 ml of the aforementioned solution, with seven distinct concentrations (ranging from 2 µg a 20 µg) being obtained. The results showed the 45 °C storage temperature to be optimum for the development of trans-cis isomerization, with subsequent conversion of the latter into coumarin. Coumarin content in the studied pharmaceutical presentation ranged from 1.19 to 1.37 mg/mL, the highest value corresponding to the samples stored at 45 °C for six months.

Absence of mutagenic effect of Mikania glomerata hydroalcoholic extract on adult wistar rats in vivo

Mikania glomerata e uma planta utilizada na medicina popular, cujas folhas possuem flavonoides e cumarina. Essas substâncias, segundo a literatura, interferem na fertilidade de caes e ratas, respectivamente. O presente trabalho faz um estudo do teste do letal dominante com M. glomerata em ratos Wistar. Animals adultos foram tratados com 1 mL de extrato hidroalcoolico de M. glomerata na dose de 3.3 g/kg de peso corporal durante 52 dias. Os animais foram acasalados com femeas nao tratadas por sete semanas (grupo 1) ou uma semana antes do inicio do tratamento e na semana seguinte ao termino do mesmo (grupo 2). As variaveis analisadas foram: numeros de embrioes implantados, reabsorcoes e corpos luteos, indices de acasalamento, gestacao, perda pre-implantacao, implantacao e reabsorcao (grupo 1); numero de filhotes nascidos e de animais desmamados (grupo 2). A administracao de M. glomerata nao interferiu com a fertilidade dos animais e nao foram observadas alteracoes significativas das variaveis analisadas, o que sugere a ausencia de efeito mutagenico em ratos Wistar por parte dessa planta.

Avaliação da qualidade de matérias-primas de ruibarbo utilizadas em formulações farmacêuticas

Plants known as rhubarb synthesize anthraquinones and tannins. Theses compounds have medicinal uses as laxative and astringent, respectivity. The quality of five raw materials was analysed to detect adulterant. Anthraquinones and tannins reactions were positive. Derivatives rhapontocoside were observed in the sample of Rheum palmatum (2). Total ashes were increased to Rheum palmatum (2) and Ferraria cathartica. According to the results, samples of Rheum palmatum (2) and Ferraria cathartica shoulde are adulterated.