Wagner Luiz Ramos Barbosa

Determination of myricetin derivatives in Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae)

The flavonoidic fraction composition of the hydroalcoholic extract of Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) leaves, which are largely used in the traditional medicine in Northern Brazil to control the glycaemia of diabetic patients, was characterised. Myricetin 3-O-glucuronide (miricitrin) and quercitrin, among other minor myricetin derivatives, were evidenced by HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS analysis.

Caracterização físico-química do extrato fluido e seco por nebulização de Symphytum officinale L.

O artigo reporta a obtencao do extrato fluido de Symphytum officinale L., e posterior secagem por nebulizacao, e a caracterizacao fisico-quimica por tecnicas termogravimetricas, espectroscopicas e cromatograficas. O adjuvante de secagem utilizado foi hidroxietilcelulose na concentracao de 1,5%. Foi observado que o processo de secagem por nebulizacao, nas condicoes operacionais estabelecidas, nao influenciou as caracteristicas dos constituintes do extrato seco em relacao ao extrato fluido pelas tecnicas utilizadas.

(−)-β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Motor Paralysis and Neuroinflammation in a Murine Model of Multiple Sclerosis

(−)-β-caryophyllene (BCP), a cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2)-selective phytocannabinoid, has already been shown in precedent literature to exhibit both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Herein, we endeavored to investigate the therapeutic potential of BCP on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Furthermore, we sought to demonstrate some of the mechanisms that underlie the modulation BCP exerts on autoimmune activated T cells, the pro-inflammatory scenery of the central nervous system (CNS), and demyelination. Our findings demonstrate that BCP significantly ameliorates both the clinical and pathological parameters of EAE. In addition, data hereby presented indicates that mechanisms underlying BCP immunomodulatory effect seems to be linked to its ability to inhibit microglial cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, as well as protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it diminished axonal demyelination and modulated Th1/Treg immune balance through the activation of CB2 receptor. Altogether, our study represents significant implications for clinical research and strongly supports the effectiveness of BCP as a novel molecule to target in the development of effective therapeutic agents for MS.

Alcalóides de Aspidosperma auriculatum Standl.

Especies do genero Aspidosperma apresentam alcaloides do tipo indolico. A partir da especie Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schlecht isolou-se a quebracamina1, de A. olivaceum obteve-se a olivacina2, entre outras. O presente trabalho relata a determinacao do perfil cromatografico por Cromatografia em Camada Delgada e Cromatografia Liquida de Alta Eficiencia de fracoes alcaloidicas de Aspidosperma auriculatum, especie conhecida no Para como carapanauba e indicada popularmente para tratar febre e outras afeccoes, inclusive malaria. O material vegetal foi extraido com acido cloridrico a 5%. Tres fracoes alcaloidicas foram extraidas a pH 7, pH 8 e pH 11, que analisadas em sistemas adequados apresentaram perfis distintos.

Liver protective activity of a hydroethanolic extract of Arrabidaea chica (Humb. and Bonpl.) B. Verl. (pariri).

Background: Folk medicine uses preparations of Arrabidaea chica (pariri) leaves to treat various liver pathologies. We evaluated the effects of the hydroethanolic extract of these leaves (CHEE) on an in vivo model of liver intoxication. Materials and Methods: Different groups of rats were treated orally for 7 days with CHEE at doses of 300, 500 or 600 mg/kg or silymarin at 35 mg/kg. The control group received only 0.5 ml of distilled water. After 7 days of treatment, both the groups received CCl4, and activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and bilirubin level were assessed. The ability of CHEE to suppress hepatic injury triggered by CCl4 was evaluated based on suppression (%) of activities of GOT, GPT and bilirubin levels. Results: The chromatograms of the CHEE obtained at 330 and 400 nm show features of two main classes of secondary metabolites: quinones and flavonoids. The administration of 300, 500 or 600 mg/kg of CHEE resulted in the reduction of GPT levels by 85.34%, 88.59% and 93.72%, respectively. The suppression of GOT levels was 56.86%, 65.27% and 68.95%, respectively, and that of plasma bilirubin was 83.81%, 83.12% and 84.14%, respectively. These results demonstrate the protective character of CHEE and its ability to maintain the functional integrity of hepatic cells. Conclusions: The results obtained are possibly due to the presence of quinones and flavonoids in A. chica CHEE, both detected using high performance liquid chromatography.Background: Folk medicine uses preparations of Arrabidaea chica (pariri) leaves to treat various liver pathologies. We evaluated the effects of the hydroethanolic extract of these leaves (CHEE) on an in vivo model of liver intoxication. Materials and Methods: Different groups of rats were treated orally for 7 days with CHEE at doses of 300, 500 or 600 mg/kg or silymarin at 35 mg/kg. The control group received only 0.5 ml of distilled water. After 7 days of treatment, both the groups received CCl 4 , and activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and bilirubin level were assessed. The ability of CHEE to suppress hepatic injury triggered by CCl 4 was evaluated based on suppression (%) of activities of GOT, GPT and bilirubin levels. Results: The chromatograms of the CHEE obtained at 330 and 400 nm show features of two main classes of secondary metabolites: quinones and flavonoids. The administration of 300, 500 or 600 mg/kg of CHEE resulted in the reduction of GPT levels by 85.34%, 88.59% and 93.72%, respectively. The suppression of GOT levels was 56.86%, 65.27% and 68.95%, respectively, and that of plasma bilirubin was 83.81%, 83.12% and 84.14%, respectively. These results demonstrate the protective character of CHEE and its ability to maintain the functional integrity of hepatic cells. Conclusions: The results obtained are possibly due to the presence of quinones and flavonoids in A. chica CHEE, both detected using high performance liquid chromatography.

Análise farmacognóstica das folhas de Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) B. Verlt., Bignoniaceae

Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) B. Verlt. e uma Bignoniaceae amplamente utilizada na medicina popular como anti-inflamatorio e adstringente, e para varias doencas como colicas intestinais, diarreias, anemias e enfermidades da pele. Devido as suas propriedades biologicas e a producao de corante a especie passou a ser utilizada pela industria cosmetica. A utilizacao de produtos naturais de origem vegetal implica no controle de qualidade farmacobotânico e em ensaios de pureza que compoem as especificacoes tecnicas da especie. Para isso foi realizada a descricao anatomica das folhas jovens e maduras de A. chica a partir de observacoes realizadas ao microscopio optico, a partir de cortes histologicos. As folhas sao hipoestomaticas e dorsiventrais com mesofilo heterogeneo. No peciolo, a epiderme e uniestratificada contendo tricomas e dotada de cuticula delgada. Os testes farmacopeicos incluiram a determinacao da distribuicao granulometrica do po da planta, determinacao do teor de umidade e de cinzas totais, alem da abordagem fitoquimica da tintura, visando estabelecer parâmetros para seu controle de qualidade.

Selecting Medicinal Plants for Development of Phytomedicine and Use in Primary Health Care

The world market for herbal medicines is around US

Sabedoria popular no uso de plantas medicinais pelos moradores do bairro do sossego no distrito de Marudá - PA

40 billion, whereas in Brazil it is estimated to be around US

Standardization of Herbal Drugs Derivatives with Special Reference to Brazilian Regulations

1 billion. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that more than a half of the world population makes use of some type of medicinal herb searching for relief for painful or unpleasant symptoms. From that total at least 30% are provided by medical prescription (WHO, 1978).

Antifungal activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Chrysobalanus icaco against oral clinical isolates of Candida Species

Na Amazonia as plantas medicinais sao um dos principais recursos para o tratamento de diversas doencas, dado o contexto cultural, a falta de proximidade com os locais onde poderiam receber atendimento medico, confiabilidade e baixo custo em comparacao aos medicamentos industriais. Nesse contexto, encontra-se o Distrito de Maruda, no Municipio de Marapanim, a 160 Km da capital Belem, onde e comum o uso de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de agravos a saude. Este trabalho investigou a sabedoria popular no uso de plantas medicinais pelos moradores do bairro do Sossego no Distrito de Maruda - PA, ilustrando a sua importância em termos culturais, economicos e ambientais. Para isso utilizou-se um levantamento etnofarmaceutico visando oferecer ferramenta de prospeccao destas plantas utilizadas como recurso terapeutico pela populacao local.