Roseli Barbosa

Anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic activity of the Ocimum basilicum essential oil and its main compound estragole: In vivo mouse models.

The genus Ocimum are used in cooking, however, their essential oils are utilized in traditional medicine as aromatherapy. The present study was carried out to investigate the chemical composition and systemic anti-inflammatory activity of the Ocimum basilicum essential oil (EOOB) and its major component estragole, as well as its possible mechanisms of action. The Ocimum basilicum essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The anti-inflammatory action was verified using acute and chronic inxa0vivo tests as paw edema, peritonitis, and vascular permeability and granulomatous inflammation model. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of action was analyzed by the participation of histamine and arachidonic acid pathways. The chemical profile analysis identified fourteen components present in the essential oil, within them: estragole (60.96%). The inxa0vivo test results show that treatment with EOOB (100 and 50xa0mg/kg) and estragole (60 and 30xa0mg/kg) significantly reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran. The smallest doses of EOOB (50xa0mg/kg) and estragole (30xa0mg/kg) showed efficacy in the reduction of paw edema induced by histamine and arachidonic acid, vascular permeability inhibition and leukocyte emigration in the peritoneal fluid. Theses doses were capable of reducing the chronic inflammatory process. The results observed between the EOOB and estragole demonstrate efficacy in anti-inflammatory activity, however, the essential oil is more efficacious in the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory action. This study confirms the therapeutic potential of this plant and reinforces the validity of its use in popular medicine.

ETHNOBIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN OF A TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BARBALHA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL.

Background: The use of natural resources for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children is a widespread practice within traditional communities, especially by women by being the primary caregivers. This study aimed to perform ethnobiological survey of plants and animals used for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children of a traditional community in the municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil. Methods: It is a descriptive exploratory study with a quantitative approach, developed in Sitio Santo Antonio, in the municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil. As a tool for data collection, was applied a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Data analysis used descriptive statistics (simple and percentage rate) and the Relative Frequency of Citation. Results: The research included a total of 54 informants. In total, there were 38 species cited. According to the Relative Frequency of Citation the following species were the most cited: Ocimum basilicum L. (0.59), Eucalyptus globulus Labili (0.59), Plectranthus amboinicus (L.) Spreng (0.42), Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (0.24), Allium aescalonicum L. (0.22) and Mentha arvensis L. (0.18). Among the symptoms mentioned by the research subjects to treat the acute respiratory infections in childhood, there were: fever; cough; coughing with secretions; sore throat; hoarseness; tiredness; nasal congestion. Conclusions: It is important the knowledge about the usefulness of natural resources as alternative practices in diseases treatment, seeking to rescue popular knowledge used in the traditional community and fomenting the need to consider cultural aspects in the full practice to children’s health care.

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson

The species Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson is a subshrub belonging to the family Verbenaceae. It is widely distributed in Latin America. In Brazil, it occurs in almost all regions and is therefore known by various names, where the most common are “erva-cidreira,” “falsa-melissa,” “cha-de-tabuleiro,” “salva-do-Brasil” and “erva-cidreira-brasileira,” among others. It is an aromatic plant that contains a variety of volatile constituents including, citral, limonene, carvone, linalool, caryophyllene, myrcene, terpinene, 1,8-cineole and estragole. This variability of constituents results in a number of different chemotypes. L. alba is highly capable of adaptation to various environments as well as rapid spread and colonization, that enhance its industrial potential. Another advantage is that it grows and blooms year-round. L. alba is considered as one of the medicinal plants that is mostly used in traditional practices, in Brazil. Its pharmacological properties include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, sedative, digestive, anti-asthmatic, anti-hypertensive, antispasmodic, emmenagogue and diaphoretic, and it is used in the treatment of syphilis and gonorrhea. The leaves and roots are most frequently used in the form of infusions, alcoholic extracts, compresses, baths and syrups. Several preclinical studies have observed a variety of pharmacological activities related to its empirical use, especially antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, anti-nociceptive, muscle relaxant and antioxidant. In Brazil, L. alba is among the 66 regulated species with medicinal purposes. Clinical trials are needed, since this species has an not yet fully explored great potential for the future production of medicines.

Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.

Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. is an arboreal species of Caryocaraceae family. The fruit pulp is known popularly as pequi. The folk knowledge confers to the oil ‘pequi’ vast medical applicability. It can be used for treating colds and pulmonary infections, sore throats, rheumatism, external ulcers, muscle pain and skin inflammation. The fruits of pequi are known to have aphrodisiac and anti-abortive properties. The leaves are used to treat menstrual disorders. There are few phytochemical studies on C. coriaceum, however, pre-clinical tests of the fixed oil of C. coriaceum indicated gastro-protective properties and cicatrization in rodents, with a large reduction in ulcers induced by ethanol and aspirin, topical anti-inflammatory effect and efficacy reduction in skin inflammation with chronic treatment in rodents.

Effect of the Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown essential oil and its main constituents, citral and limonene, on the tracheal smooth muscle of rats

Highlights • EOLa and citral promoted relaxation of tracheal smooth muscles in contractions induced by potassium and by acetylcholine.• The effect of EOLa and citral on tracheal smooth muscles is mediate by reduction or absence of Ca2+ influx.• Limonene less potent than EOLa and citral and does not act through voltage-operated cationic Ca2+ influx through channels.

Vasorelaxant effect of the Lippia alba essential oil and its major constituent, citral, on the contractility of isolated rat aorta

The Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) species popularly known as lemon balm has sedative, analgesic and spasmolytic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of the L. alba essential oil (EOLa) and its major constituent, citral, rat on aorta. Isometric muscle contraction were induced by potassium (K 60u2009mM) or phenylephrine (PHE, 0.1u2009μM) in isolated aortic rings. EOLa and citral promoted a smooth muscle relaxant action, which was potentiated by the presence of the endothelium; PHE-induced contractions (0.1u2009μM) in aorta with endothelium, had EC50 values of 352.73u2009±u200919.39u2009μg/mL and 99.34u2009±u20097.2u2009μg/mL for EOLa and citral, respectively. In the presence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, the EC50 values were 654.19u2009±u200910.46u2009μg/mL and 601.66u2009±u200910.922u2009μg/mL for EOLa and citral, respectively. EOLa and citral dose-dependently relaxed contractions induced by BAY-K 8644, a calcium channel agonist, and by Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate an activator of protein kinase C. EOLa and citral produced a vasorelaxant effect in isolated aorta which was potentiated by the presence of endothelium. In summary, EOLa and citral, probably using several mechanisms of action, relaxed aortic smooth muscle with maximal pharmacologic efficacy.

Ethnobotanical study of Arruda quilombo community in the State of Cear, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the use and storage of medicinal plants in the Arruda quilombo community in the state of Ceara, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for the determination of traditional knowledge. The qualitative-quantitative collective subject discourse method was used for the data analysis, focusing the discussion on six categories. The Chi-square test with a 5% level of significance was used to analyze the relationship between the age of the interviewee and the postharvest care of medicinal plants. The majority of the quilombo community (76.19%) cultivates the medicinal plants used. Among this total, 57.14% of the interviewees store the plants in plastic bags and do not establish an expiration date. On health risks, 97.62% of the community members reported medicinal plants are natural and therefore cause no harm. Thus, the population is unaware of the care required for storing medicinal plants or the administration of a safe dose. The statistical analysis revealed that the storage of medicinal plants and ingestion of home-remedy phytotherapeutic medications by pregnant women is not associated with age group. n n Key words: Safe use, storage, toxicity, medicinal plants.

Use of natural resources for treatment of childhood illness / Uso de recursos naturais para o tratamento das doenças prevalentes na infância / Uso de los recursos naturales para el tratamiento de las enfermedades..

Objetivo: identificar e realizar uma analise do uso de recursos naturais para tratamento de doencas prevalentes na infância em uma comunidade sob a perspectiva do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Metodologia: estudo de abordagem qualitativa, onde adotou-se como estrategia metodologica a construcao do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, sendo transcritos e para sua analise foi utilizado o Qualiquantisoft. Resultados: foram ao todo 54 informantes, as respostas ressaltaram a utilizacao de recursos naturais para o tratamento de doencas prevalentes na infância, sendo identificada nas ideias centrais e Discursos do Sujeito Coletivo encontrados. Evidenciou-se o uso dos recursos naturais no tratamento de doencas em criancas como alternativa ou complemento ao tratamento farmacologico, sendo expressada ainda grande confiabilidade nos resultados do seu uso. Conclusao : a utilizacao do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo representou uma importante ferramenta para a obtencao dos dados, possibilitando assim uma analise mais fidedigna do conhecimento popular dos entrevistados.