Maria das Graças Lins Brandão

Antimalarial activity of extracts and fractions from Bidens pilosa and other Bidens species (Asteraceae) correlated with the presence of acetylene and flavonoid compounds.

After interviewing natives and migrants from the Amazon region of Brazil about plants traditionally used for treatment of malaria fever and/or liver disorders, we selected and identified 41 different species, including the native Bidens (Asteraceae). We have undertaken an antimalarial study of Bidens pilosa and other species of Bidens from abroad. The crude ethanol extracts (whole plant, leaves and roots) and the chloroform and butanol fractions from B. pilosa at concentrations of 50 microg/ml caused up to 90% inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro. In vivo the fractions caused partial reduction of Plasmodium berghei parasitemia in mice. The ethanol extracts from nine different Bidens species collected outside Brazil were tested, and seven inhibited parasite growth in vitro by 65-91%. As B. pilosa appears to be a promising antimalarial agent, we further characterized the substances responsible for such activity. HPLC analysis using a photo diode-array detector showed phenyl acetylene and flavonoids in the ethanol extract from the leaves and roots. The chloroform fractions from the roots, which caused 86% inhibition of parasite growth in vitro, contained a major component identified as 1-phenyl-1,3-diyn-5-en-7-ol-acetate. The association of antimalarial activity and the presence of acetylene compounds is discussed. In summary, all species of Bidens which had aliphatic acetylenes (6-14 each) were also very active, whereas extracts of B. parriflora and of B. bitternata with none or the three acetylenes, respectively as reported in literature, were inactive or had a borderline activity in vitro.

Medicinal plants and other botanical products from the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia

In this paper, we describe the results of a thorough survey in the four editions of the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS), in a search for data about the plants and other botanical products included in them. The growth of the pharmaceutical industry since the second half of last century markedly affected the Brazilian official medicine. The paper analyses the transformation within the Pharmacopoeia, focusing on the presence of Monographs for Native medicinal plants. The result showed a strong substitution of Native American medicinal plants by industrialized medicine and foreign medicinal plants in FBRAS and confirms the necessity of investiments in research for the validation of Brazilian Native plants.

Brazilian medicinal plants described by 19th century European naturalists and in the Official Pharmacopoeia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The American flora represents one of the worlds wealthiest sources of material with pharmacological activity due to its biodiversity. Medicinal plants are widely used as home remedies in Brazil but several species used are native of other continents and were introduced here since the colonization, beginning in 1500. The Traditional Medicine Division of the WHO recognizes the importance of plant species used by the Amerindian as medicines, and recommends that their efficacies should be evaluated through pharmacological and toxicological assays. AIM OF THE STUDY To verify which Brazilian medicinal plants, especially those of Amerindian origin, were used in 19th century and have been evaluated by pharmacological studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data about the use of native plants in traditional medicine were searched in bibliographic material from European naturalists who traveled throughout Minas Gerais in the 19th century. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Two hundred and three species were described as useful by these naturalists and thirty-nine of them were also included in the first edition of Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS) in 1929, showing their use also in conventional medicine. Seventeen species have medicinal properties of Amerindian origin but despite the long tradition of medicinal plant use, only nine have been evaluated by pharmacological studies. That the studies which have been conducted to date have in each case confirmed the traditional uses of the plants examined. We suggest that the remaining species must be regarded as a priority for pharmacological studies, as they have promising phytotherapeutic potential.

Survey of medicinal plants used as antimalarials in the Amazon

Plants traditionally employed for the treatment of malaria in certain areas of Brazil, where this disease is prevalent, were surveyed by interviewing natives and migrants in the Amazon Region. Forty-one plants used for malarial treatment and/or for the related symptoms (fever and liver disorders) were collected and identified. Given the potential of Brazils forests and medicinal plants, research on traditional plant-based remedies in this country may lead to the development of new drugs.

Two methoxylated flavone glycosides from Bidens pilosa

Abstract Two methoxylated flavone glycosides were identified as the novel quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether 7-O-α- d -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -glucopyranoside and the known quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether 7-O-β- d -glucopyranoside from the roots of Bidens pilosa.

Traditional uses of American plant species from the 1st edition of Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia.

The first edition of the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS), published in 1929, is a rich source of information about American medicinal plants, since it lists species used in both traditional and conventional medicine. In this study, we have performed a survey of the traditional uses of plants described in eighty-seven Monographs from the FBRAS in twenty bibliographies written from the 19th century to the 1970s. Eighty-six different traditional uses are described in three or more books; some of them were cited in ten or more books, illustrating their widespread use and importance in medicine. The species from the first edition of the FBRAS have a long tradition of medical utility, which is confirmed by historical records. In surveying these medically relevant species, we hope to encourage policy makers and the scientific public as a whole to engage in a strong debate in an attempt to improve and facilitate the pharmacological study of these species.

Other medicinal plants and botanical products from the first edition of the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia

In a previous work, we described the list of medicinal plants and botanical products present in the four editions of the Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS). The work also discussed the replacement of native Brazilian plants by imported products and synthetics over the last decades. In this paper, we present new data concerning medicinal plants and botanical products present in the first Edition of the FBRAS an in its two supplements.

Utilização de fitoterápicos por idosos: resultados de um inquérito domiciliar em Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil

The herbal drugs constitute an alternative or complementary therapy for the health needs and its use has been growing in the aged population of many countries. However, herbal drugs present important adverse effects and drug interactions and should not be indiscriminately used. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of herbal drug use by elderly and pensioner residents of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Eight hundred and eighty-one retirees were randomly selected from the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) database for in-home interview. The prevalence of herbal drugs use, and possible drug interactions were investigated. Results showed that 667 (80.3%) of selected individuals were interviewed. Seventy-one subjects (10.6%) used herbal drugs in the past 15 days, mainly those prepared from ginkgo (41.8%), horse chestnut (12.3%), and soya extract (8.2%). More than 60% of the herbal drugs were acquired in compounding pharmacies. Almost 45% of the herbal drug users were exposed to at least one potential herb-drug interaction, such as between ginkgo and thiazide diuretics (14) and antithrombotic/anticoagulants (8). Strategies to provide orientation for the rational use of these products in elderly people are necessary, since they are the population most exposed to polypharmacy and in consequence, most vulnerable to inappropriate uses of medications.

Synergistic bactericidal activity of Eremanthus erythropappus oil or β-bisabolene with ampicillin against Staphylococcus aureus

The activity of Eremanthus erythropappus oil (EO) and some of its compounds and their potential synergistic interaction with ampicillin against different strains of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Determination of chemical composition of EO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and bioguided chemical fractionation led to the identification of β-bisabolene as the main active compound. A synergistic bactericidal activity of EO or β-bisabolene with ampicillin against Staphylococcus aureus was observed in a time-kill assay. EO and β- bisabolene have the potential to restore the effectiveness of ampicillin against resistant S. aureus.

Medicinal Plants Recommended by the World Health Organization: DNA Barcode Identification Associated with Chemical Analyses Guarantees Their Quality

Medicinal plants are used throughout the world, and the regulations defining their proper use, such as identification of the correct species and verification of the presence, purity and concentration of the required chemical compounds, are widely recognized. Herbal medicines are made from vegetal drugs, the processed products of medicinal species. These processed materials present a number of challenges in terms of botanical identification, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of incorrect species is a threat to consumer safety. The samples used in this study consisted of the dried leaves, flowers and roots of 257 samples from 8 distinct species approved by the WHO for the production of medicinal herbs and sold in Brazilian markets. Identification of the samples in this study using DNA barcoding (matK, rbcL and ITS2 regions) revealed that the level of substitutions may be as high as 71%. Using qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses, this study identified situations in which the correct species was being sold, but the chemical compounds were not present. Even more troubling, some samples identified as substitutions using DNA barcoding contained the chemical compounds from the correct species at the minimum required concentration. This last situation may lead to the use of unknown species or species whose safety for human consumption remains unknown. This study concludes that DNA barcoding should be used in a complementary manner for species identification with chemical analyses to detect and quantify the required chemical compounds, thus improving the quality of this class of medicines.