Maria da Penha Henriques do Amaral

Políticas de saúde e alegações de propriedades funcionais e de saúde para alimentos no Brasil

O trabalho estabelece a relacao entre as diretrizes das politicas publicas de saude brasileiras e os criterios adotados pela Anvisa para aprovacao das alegacoes de propriedades funcionais e, ou, de saude para alimentos e para substâncias bioativas e probioticos isolados. Comenta a legislacao brasileira sobre alimentos com alegacoes de propriedades funcionais e, ou, de saude, novos alimentos e substâncias bioativas e probioticos isolados, evidenciando a obrigatoriedade de registro destes produtos junto aos orgaos competentes. Apresenta as diretrizes da Politica Nacional de Alimentacao e Nutricao, Politica Nacional de Promocao da Saude, Guia Alimentar para a Populacao Brasileira e Estrategia Global sobre Dieta, Atividade Fisica e Saude da Organizacao Mundial de Saude. Ressalta a convergencia das diretrizes destas politicas que objetivam a reducao das doencas cronicas nao-transmissiveis na populacao atraves da promocao da alimentacao saudavel e da atividade fisica. Destaca as orientacoes direcionadas aos governos e a industria para a implementacao dessas medidas. Apresenta criterios de avaliacao da base cientifica das alegacoes propostos por orgaos internacionais. Objetiva oferecer subsidios para o entendimento da influencia da tecnologia de alimentos sobre a saude publica e para o entendimento dos criterios adotados pela Anvisa, na avaliacao das alegacoes de propriedades funcionais e de saude.

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Sesame Oil and Sesamin

Sesame oil is widely consumed as nutritious food, cooking oil, and in pharmaceuticals and food. In this study, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the sesame oil and sesamin were investigated. The sesame oil and sesamin reduced the number of abdominal contortions at the doses 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg. The first and second phases of the time paw licking were inhibited by sesame oil and sesamin (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg). After 90 min of treatment, sesame oil and sesamin increased the reaction time on a hot plate (200 or 400 mg/kg). Considering the tail-immersion assay, the sesame oil and sesamin produced significant effect after 60 min at the doses of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg. After 4 h of application of the carrageenan, the sesame oil and sesamin were effective against the paw edema. The exudate volume and leucocyte migration were also reduced by sesame oil and sesamin. These results suggest that sesamin is one of the active compounds found in sesame oil and justify the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of this product.

Determination of three ultraviolet filters in sunscreen formulations and from skin penetration studies by high-performance liquid chromatography

An analytical procedure to quantify 3-benzophenone, octylmethoxycinnamate and octylsalicylate was validated and employed to assess these ultraviolet filters in sunscreen formulations and from skin penetration studies. The effect of the vehicle on the skin retention of these filters was investigated. HPLC and extraction procedure were found to be reliable when obtaining data for the sunscreen formulations and for evaluation skin penetration. The results demonstrated that a cream gel generated higher epidermal concentrations of these filters than a lotion or cream-based formulation. Additionally, when comparing the skin retentions of each filter using the same formulation, 3-benzophenone showed the highest skin retention.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oils from Duguetia lanceolata St. Hil. Barks

Essential oils of Duguetia lanceolata barks, obtained at 2 (T2) and 4 h (T4), were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. β-Elemene (12.7 and 14.9%), caryophyllene oxide (12.4 and 10.7%) and β-selinene (8.4 and 10.4%) were the most abundant components in T2 and T4, respectively. The essential oils inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The essential oils were cytotoxic against brine shrimp. The extraction time influenced the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils obtained from the barks of D. lanceolata.

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.

Dispensações de psicotrópicos anorexígenos no município de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Obesity is a serious public health issue of epidemic proportions. Although drug therapy is one of the therapeutic approaches, it should be preceded by a change in eating habits along with regular exercise. This study assessed prescription of such drugs in 2009, in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected from consumption bulletins sent monthly to the municipal sanitary surveillance agency (VISA), and from the Brazilian National Management System of Controlled Products. Of the 7,759 notifications assessed, 93.3% were dispensed by prescription pharmacies and 6.7% by drugstores. Of that total, 55.4% were for amphepramone, 33.1% for femproporex, and 11.5% for mazindol. The three drugs had a larger consumption rate in the municipality (daily defined dose/1,000 inhabitants/day) than in the country as a whole, during the period under study. The professional with the highest prescription rate was responsible for 3,535 prescriptions. All of these were dispensed by prescription pharmacies, a single outlet being responsible for 99.5% of these prescriptions. This scenario shows that anorectic psychotropic drug prescription is a relevant public health issue and the criteria for monitoring the prescription and consumption of these drugs should be re-evaluated.

Acaricidal activity of essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum, hydrolate and eugenol formulated or free on larvae and engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus

The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), is the most important ectoparasite in cattle‐breeding areas and is responsible for severe economic losses. Synthetic acaricides have been used to control this parasite. However, the need for safer products has stimulated the search for new acaricides, such as those to be obtained from medicinal plants. The essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) has many biological properties and shows great potential for use in veterinary applications. In the context of the need for new agents, this study investigated the in vitro properties of the hydrolate, essential oil and the main constituent of S. aromaticum, eugenol, in formulated and free applications against larvae and females of R. microplus. Eugenol and the essential oil caused 100% mortality in larvae at starting applications of 2.5 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively. The hydrolate showed no activity. Both eugenol and essential oil had good efficacy in adult immersion tests at 50 mg/mL and achieved 100% efficacy at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. The results of these tests reaffirm the important potential of clove essential oil and eugenol.

Public Health Policies and Functional Property Claims for Food in Brazil

Specific regulations for functional foods began in Japan in the middle of the 80 s. Known as food for specific health use (FOSHU: foods for specified health use), these foods carry a label of approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare [1]. The goal was to develop foods that would enable the reduction of expenses on public health, considering the high life expectancy in that country [2]. The term “functional foods” refers to processed foods, similar in appearance to conventional foods, consumed as part of a normal diet, but demonstrating physiological benefits and/or reduction in chronic diseases risk, in addition to its basic nutritional functions [1]. The principle was soon adopted worldwide [2]. In Brazil, functional foods were officially recognized in 1999, with the approval of specific legislation [3]. The designations of the claims, as well as the criteria for their approval vary according to the regulations of each country or economic block. Therefore, it is noteworthy considering the regulations of the intended market for the product.