Roberto Kenji Nakamura Cuman

Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Essential Oil in Experimental Animal Models

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Family Lamiaceae), popularly named rosemary, is a common household plant grown in many parts of the world, including Brazil. Rosemary leaves are used for food flavoring and have been used in folk medicine for many conditions; they have antispasmodic, analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, and antiepileptic effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosemary essential oil (REO) on experimental models of nociception and inflammation in animals. The anti-inflammatory effect of REO was evaluated by inflammatory exudate volume and leukocyte migration in carrageenan-induced pleurisy and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests in rats. Antinociception was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice. REO (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced the volume of pleural exudate and slightly decreased the number of cells that had migrated compared with the control animals. At doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, REO significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced edema 1-4 hours after injection of the phlogistic agent. In the hot plate test, REO administration (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) showed unremarkable effects on response latency, whereas control injection of meperidine induced significant antinociceptive effects. REO at doses of 70, 125, and 250 mg/kg had a significant antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test compared with control animals. These data suggest that REO possesses anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity.

Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol, Constituents of Thymus vulgaris L. Essential Oil, on the Inflammatory Response.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) is an aromatic and medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine, phytopharmaceutical preparations, food preservatives, and as an aromatic ingredient. The effect of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO) and its isolated constituents thymol and cavacrol (CVL) were studied in the following experimental models: ear edema, carrageenan-induced pleurisy, and chemotaxis in vitro. In the pleurisy model, TEO, CVL, and thymol significantly inhibited inflammatory edema. However, only TEO and CVL inhibited leukocyte migration. In the in vitro chemotaxis experiment, CVL inhibited leukocyte migration, whereas thymol exerted a potent chemoattractant effect. In the ear edema model, CVL (10 mg/ear), applied topically, reduced edema formation, exerting a topical anti-inflammatory effect. Thymol did not reduce edema formation but rather presented an irritative response, probably dependent on histamine and prostanoid release. Our data suggest that the antiinflammatory effects of TEO and CVL are attributable to the inhibition of inflammatory edema and leukocyte migration.

Fatores de risco para prematuridade: pesquisa documental

Resumen El objetivo fue identificar el perfil de las madres y los nacimientos prematuros y caracterizar los recién nacidos prematuros en riesgo para el crecimiento y el desarrollo. Un estudio epidemiológico transversal realizado en Guarapuava – PR. Los datos se obtuvieron a través del sistema de información sobre nacidos vivos (SINASC), basado en las declaraciones de los nacidos vivos. El análisis estadístico se realizó sobre una muestra compuesta por 106 nacidos vivos prematuro, declaraciones de enero a junio de 2005, y sus madres. Las variables utilizadas fueron: características sociodemográficas, condiciones del embarazo y parto y características de los prematuros nacidos vivos. Se concluyo que conocer y estudiar el perfil de las madres, el número y condiciones del nacimiento de niños de una área, en periodo de tiempo son importantes en la determinación de los riesgos vitales relacionados a condiciones del nacimiento, crecimiento y desenvolvimiento infantil, siendo estos aspectos componentes de varios indicadores de salud y fundamentales para la asistencia materno-infantil. Palabras clave: Prematuro. Mortalidad infantil. Embarazo. Factores de riesgo. 1Enfermeira, Mestra em Ciências da Saúde pela Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM. Professora do Depar tamento de Enfermagem. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Universidade Estadual do Centro Oeste – UNICENTRO. GuarapuavaPR. Brasil. E-mail: helenaramosbr@hotmail.com, 2Farmacêutico, Doutor em Farmacologia pela Universidade de São Paulo – USP. Professor do Departamento de Farmácia e Farmacologia. Centro de Ciências Biológicas. Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM. Maringá – PR. Brasil. E-mail: rkncuman@uem.br PESQUISA RESEARCH INVESTIGACIÓN The objective was to identify the profile of mothers and premature births and characterize the premature newborns at risk for growth and development. A cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in Guarapuava – PR. The data were obtained through the information system on live bir ths (SINASC) based on declarations of live births. The statistical analysis was performed on a sample composed by 106 live bir ths premature declarations, of January to June 2005, and their mothers. The used variables were: characteristics sociodemographics, the gestation period and child-birth conditions, and characteristics of the alive born infants. It was concluded that knowing and evaluating the mothers’ profile, the number and situation of the children’s of a birth area, in a period of time, is important in the determination of the vital risks related to conditions of the birth, growth and infantile development, being these component aspects of several health indicators, and fundamental for the attendance in the maternal-infantile area. Helena Ângela de Camargo Ramos1 Risk factors for prematurity: document searchObjetivou-se identificar o perfil de maes e de prematuros nascidos vivos e caracterizar os recem-nascidos prematuros em situacao de risco para o crescimento e desenvolvimento. Estudo epidemiologico de corte transversal realizado em Guarapuava, PR. Os dados foram obtidos a partir do sistema de informacoes sobre nascidos vivos (SINASC) com base nas declaracoes de nascidos vivos. A analise estatistica foi realizada em uma amostra composta por 106 declaracoes de nascidos vivos prematuros, de janeiro a junho de 2005, e suas respectivas maes. As variaveis utilizadas foram: caracteristicas sociodemograficas, condicoes da gestacao e parto e caracteristicas dos prematuros nascidos vivos. Concluiu-se que conhecer e avaliar o perfil das maes e o numero e a situacao dos nascimentos de criancas de uma area, em um periodo de tempo, e importante na determinacao dos riscos vitais relacionados a condicoes do nascimento, crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil, sendo esses aspectos componentes de varios indicadores de saude e fundamentais para a assistencia na area materno-infantil.

Immunomodulatory activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Salvia officinalis L. and Syzygium aromaticum L. essential oils: evidence for humor‐ and cell‐mediated responses

Objectives The immunomodulatory effect of ginger, Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), sage, Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) and clove, Syzygium aromaticum (Myrtaceae), essential oils were evaluated by studying humor‐ and cell‐mediated immune responses.

Gastric antiulcerogenic effects of Stryphnodendron adstringens in rats

The antiulcer activity of the total extract and the fractions of Stryphnodendron adstringens was studied in rats and compared with that of cimetidine. Ulcers were induced in rats by means of three experimental models: acute stress, acidified‐ethanol and indomethacin. The total extract and the fractions were found to have significant antiulcer activity in the case of the acute stress and acidified‐ethanol models. These findings support the use of S. adstringens extracts in the treatment of gastric lesions. Copyright

Toxicological studies on Stryphnodendron adstringens

This study was carried out to determine the acute toxicity of total barbatimão extract (LD(50)) after oral administration to mice, and its effect on certain biochemical parameters in plasma of rats after 30 days of administration. The LD(50) value of the extract was 2699 mg/kg. A daily oral administration of extracts at 800 and 1600 mg/kg doses for 30 days caused a decrease in body weight, thymic involution, and an increase of plasma glucose and aspartate aminotransferase levels in the animals. The results showed that the extract administered in a prolonged period produced toxic effects in the experimental animals.

Study of the effectiveness of propolis extract as a storage medium for avulsed teeth

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis extract in maintaining the viability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, and to radiographically analyze tooth replantation and the adjacent periodontium in dogs after storage in this extract. Human PDL cells were incubated with the experimental media propolis, milk, saliva, Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS), and Dulbeccos modified Eagles medium (DMEM, positive controls), and distilled water (negative control). Cell viability was determined 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h later by colorimetric MTT assay. Thirty incisors from dogs were divided into two storage time blocks (1 and 3 h) and were maintained in the experimental media. HBSS served as a positive control, and dry teeth (on gauze) as a negative control. The replanted teeth were radiographed once per month for 6 months. The radiographic images were standardized by the shortening/lengthening factor, and were both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The in vitro results showed that the efficacy of propolis in maintaining functional viability of PDL cells was similar to that of milk. Propolis and milk were significantly better than controls from the 6-h time period. The in vivo results showed that teeth maintained in propolis medium exhibited replacement resorption with significant reduction in tooth length, similar to teeth maintained in saliva and dried teeth. This resorption was less intense with the 3-h storage time than the 1-h storage time. Conditions close to normal were found in teeth maintained in milk, similar to the HBSS control. Therefore, although propolis was effective in maintaining the viability of human PDL cells, resorption of the tooth replantation in dogs occurred under these experimental conditions.

Effect of crude extracts of leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) on glycemia in diabetic rats

The present study investigated the effect of crude extracts from yacon leaves, obtained by aqueous cold (YC) or hot (YH) extraction, or hydro-ethanolic extraction (YE), on glycemia of the diabetic (induced by streptozotocine, 50 mg/kg, ip) and nondiabetic rats. The animals were treated orally with the extracts (400 mg/kg) or water for 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. After this period, the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were collected for measurement of plasmatic glucose and creatinine and activity of the enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP). Also were evaluated the consumption of food, water, urine volume, body weight of the animals and LD50 of YE. Treatment with YE for 14 days reduced glycemia in diabetic and nondiabetic animals. No similar reduction was observed in animals treated with YC or YH. Additionally, YE restored the activity of the plasmatic enzymes that were altered, and improved weight gain in the diabetic animals. These results showed that the effectiveness of the yacon extracts is related to the method of preparation and to the time of treatment. The effect of YE on glycemia in diabetic rats is not related to reduction of food intake or to interference of the extract with intestinal absorption of carbohydrates.

Incidence and Predictors of Adverse Drug Reactions Caused by Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Outpatients: A Prospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE The primary objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) related to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in elderly outpatients who attended public primary healthcare units in a southeastern region of Brazil. The secondary objective was to investigate the possible predictors of DDI-related ADRs. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted between November 1, 2010, and November 31, 2011, in the primary public healthcare system in the Ourinhos micro-region in Brazil. Patients who were at least 60 years old, with at least one potential DDI, were eligible for inclusion in the study. Eligible patients were assessed by clinical pharmacists for DDI-related ADRs for 4 months. The causality of DDI-related ADRs was assessed independently by four clinicians using three decisional algorithms. The incidence of DDI-related ADRs during the study period was calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to study DDI-related ADR predictors. RESULTS A total of 433 patients completed the study. The incidence of DDI-related ADRs was 6.5%. A multivariate analysis indicated that the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) rose from 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.75-1.12, p = 0.06) in patients aged 65-69 years to 4.40 (95% CI = 3.00-6.12, p < 0.01) in patients aged 80 years or older. Patients who presented two to three diagnosed diseases presented lower adjusted ORs (OR = 0.93 [95% CI = 0.68-1.18, p = 0.08]) than patients who presented six or more diseases (OR = 1.12 [95% CI = 1.02-2.01, p < 0.01]). Elderly patients who took five or more drugs had a significantly higher risk of DDI-related ADRs (OR = 2.72 [95% CI = 1.92-3.12, p < 0.01]) than patients who took three to four drugs (OR = 0.93 [95% CI = 0.74-1.11, p = 0.06]). No significant difference was found with regard to sex (OR = 1.08 [95% CI 0.48-2.02, p = 0.44]). CONCLUSION The incidence of DDI-related ADRs in elderly outpatients was significant, and most of the events presented important clinical consequences. Because clinicians still have difficulty managing this problem, highlighting the factors that increase the risk of DDI-related ADRs is essential. Polypharmacy was found to be a significant predictor of DDI-related ADRs in our sample.

Effect of a 36-month Pharmaceutical Care Program on the Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Elderly Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients

PURPOSE To examine the effect of a pharmaceutical care program on the coronary heart disease risk in elderly diabetic and hypertensive patients. METHODS A total of 200 elderly (> 60 years) diabetic and/or hypertensive patients were recruited into a randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial with a 36-month follow-up, developed in a public primary health care unit in a municipality in the Brazilian State of Sao Paulo. A range of clinical measurements were evaluated at the baseline and up to 36 months afterwards. The intervention group patients received pharmaceutical care from a clinical pharmacist, whereas the control group patients received their usual care from the medical and nursing staff. The Framingham scoring method was used to estimate changes in the 10-year coronary heart disease risk scores of all the patients. RESULTS A total of 194 patients completed the study. Significant reductions (p < 0.05) in the mean values (baseline vs. 36 months) for the systolic blood pressure [156.7 mmHg vs 133.7 mmHg; P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (106.6 mmHg vs. 91.6 mmHg; P < 0.001),fasting glucose (135.1 mg/dL vs. 107.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1C (7.7% vs. 7.0%; P <0.001), triglycerides (206.0 mg/dL vs. 152.5 mg/dL; P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)cholesterol (112.4 mg/dL vs. 102.0 mg/dL; P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (55.5 mg/dL vs. 65.5 mg/dL; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (202.5 mg/dL vs. 185.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001), body mass index (26.2 kg/m2 vs. 26.1 kg/m2; P < 0.001), and abdominal circumference (103.2 cm vs. 102.5 cm; P= 0.001) were observed in the intervention group, whereas no significant changes were verified in the control group. The mean Framingham risk prediction score in the intervention group was 6.8% at baseline and decreased to 4.5%; P < 0.001) after 36 months, but remained unchanged in the control group. CONCLUSION The pharmaceutical care program resulted in better clinical measurements and reduced the cardiovascular risk scores in elderly diabetic and hypertensive patients over a 36-month period.