Silvan Silva de Araujo

Phytochemical study and antinociceptive effect of the hexanic extract of leaves from Combretum duarteanum and friedelin, a triterpene isolated from the hexanic extract, in orofacial nociceptive protocols

Combretum duarteanum Cambess, Combretaceae, is a plant widely distributed in Northeastern Brazil and, in folk medicine, stems and leaves are used for pain treatment. We investigated the antinociceptive effects of the hexanic extract of leaves from C. duarteanum and of friedelin, its main compound, in formalin-, glutamate- and capsaicin- induced orofacial nociception models. In order to isolate friedelin from the hexanic extract, flash chromatography technique was used. Male mice (n = 8/group) were pretreated with hexanic extract, friedelin, morphine or vehicle, before the injection of algogen agents into the right upper lip (perinasal area). The test of formalin-induced orofacial nociception showed that hexanic extract and friedelin significantly reduced nociception (p < 0.001) in both phases of testing. In the glutamate and capsaicin-induced orofacial nociception tests, pre-treatment with hexanic extract produced a significant reduction of orofacial nociception (p < 0.001) at all doses tested. The results suggest the hexanic extract and friedelin possess antinociceptive effects in models of orofacial nociception in rodents.

Phytochemical screening and analgesic profile of the lyophilized aqueous extract obtained from Chrysobalanus icaco leaves in experimental protocols

Abstract Context: Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) has been used for the treatment of abdominal pain and cramps. Objective: Assess the chemical and pharmacological profile of the lyophilized aqueous extract from C. icaco leaves (AEC). Materials and methods: Chromatographic methods were used to assess compounds from AEC. Mice were treated with vehicle (control group) or AEC (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) (group with 7–8 mice) and the analgesic profile was assessed employing the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, hot plate tests and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan (CG) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha. The animal motor performance was assessed using rota-rod and grip strength tests. Results: The chromatographic profile of AEC demonstrated the presence of terpenoid compounds. The acute pretreatment with AEC, at all doses, produced a significant (p < 0.01) inhibition of painful bahaviour (11.4 ± 3.6; 10.3 ± 2.8; 11.3 ± 2.2) when compared to the control group (24.7 ± 4.7) in acetic acid-induced writhing test. In the formalin test, AEC were effective in the second phase (p < 0.01) (57.2 ± 10.3; 56.3 ± 9.2; 54.7 ± 8.9) when compared to control group (121.9 ± 18.5). No response was observed in the hot plate test. The higher dose of AEC produced a significant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) inhibitory effect on the mechanical hyperalgesia test. AEC did not affect the motor performance of the mice. Discussion: The terpenoids from AEC are known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. So, these results corroborate the experiments using the AEC in inflammatory pain protocols. Conclusion: Our results suggest that AEC act against inflammatory pain.

EFEITOS DA PRÁTICA DOS MÉTODOS PILATES® E MUSCULAÇÃO SOBRE A APTIDÃO FÍSICA E COMPOSIÇÃO CORPORAL EM MULHERES

Estudos tem investigado a relacao dos metodos Pilates® e musculacao no desenvolvimento da resistencia abdominal, alivio das dores lombares e manutencao da boa postura. O Metodo Pilates® surge como forma de condicionamento fisico interessado em proporcionar bem-estar geral ao individuo, e capaz de proporcionar forca, flexibilidade e boa postura. A musculacao segue a mesma linha, alem de proporcionar hipertrofia, fortalecimento de ossos, maior gasto calorico. A flexibilidade e a resistencia abdominal sao qualidades fisicas componentes da aptidao fisica relacionada a saude (AFRS), as quais devem ser devidamente treinadas. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram avaliar a influencia do metodo Pilates® (PIL) e da musculacao (MUS) sobre a resistencia abdominal, flexibilidade e comparar aspectos antropometricos e da composicao corporal em mulheres. A amostra foi composta por 20 mulheres, divididas em 2 grupos de 10 para cada metodo especificado. Foram obtidos os seguintes resultados para a resistencia abdominal (ABD), 26,9 rep ( + 10,2) e 30,7 (( + 3,9); para a flexibilidade (FLEX), 34,7 cm ( + 7,6), 42,4 cm ( + 2,5); para o indice de massa corporal (IMC), 22,3 kg/m 2 ( + 2,6) e 23,0 kg/m 2 ( + 2,5) e para o somatorio das dobras cutâneas (DC), 138,9 mm ( + 29,7), 148,6 mm (( + 35,0), respectivamente nos grupos de treinamento MUS e PIL. Concluiu-se que ambos os metodos de treinamento propiciam melhoria na resistencia muscular localizada abdominal, assim como na flexibilidade, embora o grupo envolvido com o metodo Pilates®, tenha demonstrado melhores desempenhos nas capacidades motoras. Com relacao aos aspectos da composicao corporal os resultados mostraram-se estatisticamente identicos.

Production of reactive oxygen species in macrophages treated with essential oil of Croton argyrophyllus Kunth

Background Essential oils are complex systems which consist mainly of volatile compounds of lipophilic source, as terpenes, sesquiterpenes and some non-terpenes [1]. Resulting from secondary metabolism, essential oil from Croton argyrophyllus (EOCA) is commonly extracted from its leaves. It is known that the essential oils from Croton species exhibit good antioxidant activity against DPPH free radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS) [2]. Several diseases are attributed to the increase of free radicals that show the importance of endogenous antioxidants like enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Considering the use in folk medicine, it is relevant to find which concentration of EOCA has antioxidant effect against free radicals. To answer this question, the study aimed to evaluate ROS production in peritoneal macrophages of essential oil from C. argyrophyllus.