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Objetivamos neste estudo identificar os principais aspectos relacionados aos levantamentos etnobotânicos de plantas medicinais. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa foi realizada uma revisão integrativa com artigos científicos produzidos no Brasil, no período de 2010 a 2019. Foi verificado que entre os anos de 2014 e 2017 foram realizadas a maioria das investigações etnobotânicas (64,7%), e que estes trabalhos foram desenvolvidos predominantemente na região Nordeste (38,2%). Foi observado ainda, que o bioma mais estudado foi a Mata Atlântica (32%), seguido da Caatinga (26,5%) e as famílias de maior predominância foram, Asteraceae, Fabaceae e Lamiaceae. As folhas foram as partes das plantas mais usadas, e estas foram principalmente empregadas nos modos de preparo por infusão e decocção (16 e 13 citações, respectivamente). Os usos populares de plantas medicinais mais descritos estão relacionados aos tratamentos de afecções digestivas e respiratórias, seguidos de combates à inflamação e utilizadas como cicatrizantes. Estudos de revisão integrativa sobre levantamentos etnobotânicos de plantas medicinais são de grande valia para o resgate do conhecimento tradicional, para a bioprospecção racional da flora, e ainda, para ações de preservação ambiental nos diferentes biomas brasileiros.

O mosquito Aedes aegypti é uma espécie sinantrópica e antropofílica que tem preferência e facilidade de proliferar em áreas urbanas. É considerado o principal vetor de viroses como a Febre Amarela, Dengue, Febre Chikungunya e Zika vírus. Há uma carência de estudos que abordem as interações regionais do inseto com a população humana. Este estudo visou descrever as percepções de Agentes de Combate a Endemias (ACE) e da população quanto aos fatores que influenciam na proliferação do A. aegypti. O estudo teve como referência geográfica a cidade de Chapecó (SC). A coleta de dados contemplou ACE ativos no programa municipal de controle da dengue (PMCD) e a população, cidadãos maiores de 18 anos, residentes no município. A coleta de dados foi realizada em outubro de 2017. Foram utilizados um questionário (ACS) e um roteiro de entrevistas (população). Os dados foram tabulados, categorizadas e avaliadas quanto às frequências. Foram entrevistados 41 ACE e 200 cidadãos. Ao todo, 61% dos ACE citaram a gestão inadequada de resíduos sólidos como facilitador para a proliferação do vetor O acúmulo de resíduos em terrenos baldios foi citado por 71% da população entrevistada. Este estudo demonstrou que os sujeitos da pesquisa têm o conhecimento necessário para atuar sobre a infestação do vetor. Os achados contribuem para a prevenção de agravos à saúde. Fornecem subsídios para o desenvolvimento de políticas e estratégias de comunicação em saúde e para o controle vetorial.

The gastroprotective effects of Jacaranda puberula Cham., Bignoniaceae, a tree native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, were evaluated using two models of acute ulceration in mice: acidified ethanol- and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-induced ulceration. The mice were divided into five groups and treated orally with vehicle, carbenoxolone, or hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the tested plant (3, 30, or 300 mg/kg). Results showed that the doses of 300 mg/kg decreased both acidified ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulceration by 89% and 33%, respectively, compared to the vehicle (p

O mosquito Aedes albopictus possui ampla distribuição em regiões tropicais, bem como nos países de clima temperado e tem sido apontado pela literatura científica como importante para a saúde pública. Observa-se a carência de estudos acerca da infestação, dispersão e a associação da espécie com o grau de urbanização, criadouros, tipos de imóveis e sazonalidade. Este estudo teve como objetivos, dentre outros, analisar a evolução da infestação por A. albopictus ao longo de um gradiente de urbanização. O estudo teve como referência geográfica o município de Chapecó (SC). Para avaliar a dispersão e a flutuação populacional foi criado um gradiente de urbanização. Para avaliar a tendência da infestação em cada região no período, foram utilizadas análises de regressão linear. A infestação pelo mosquito foi maior nas regiões periurbanas e rurais e menor nas regiões mais urbanizadas. Os resultados encontrados são relevantes no planejamento e na implantação de ações de prevenção das arboviroses transmitidas.

Natural products and especially medicinal plants, have been extensively studied and have exhibited antiproliferative effects. The species Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) is native to Brazil and distributed throughout Australia, East Asia, and the Americas. The leaves are commonly used for the treatment of diarrhea, fever, and hypertension. However, the chemical properties and antiproliferative potential of the extracts remain to be elucidated. In this work, the antiproliferative effects of hydroethanolic (HEE) and dichloromethane (DEE) extracts of leaves from E. uniflora against a panel of human tumor cell lines in vitro were evaluated. Quercetin was identified using an HPLC, and the chemical component β-sitosterol was isolated. The HEE was an inactive extract, whereas the DEE extract showed antiproliferative activity against OVCAR-3 ovarian cells. In a bioassay-guided process, more pronounced antiproliferative effects were found for β-sitosterol isolated from DEE, which demonstrated potent antiproliferative effects against glioblastoma (U-251 cells) and leukemia (K-562 cells). This study contributes to the knowledge of E. uniflora and suggests that β-sitosterol is a potential chemotherapeutic compound.

Natural products have been reported as a main source of anticancer molecules. The species Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg., (Cannabaceae) is widely distributed in Brazil where it is known as “esporão-de-galo or taleira”. The leaves are popularly used as anti-inflammatory, in the treatment of body pain and urinary infections. However, the antiproliferative potential against human cancer cells remain to be elucidated. In this study, extracts and different fractions from the leaves of C. iguanaea were tested in vitro, against a panel tumor cell lines. The hydroalcoholic extract was inactive, while dichloromethane extract showed promisor antiproliferative effects. In turn, the dichloromethane fraction showed potent cytostatic activity against ovarian cell line (OVCAR-3, GI50 = 4.65 mg/ml). However, the stronger antiproliferative effects with high selectivity were observed for the hexane fraction that exhibited activity against ovarian (GI50 = 3.99 mg/ml) and colon (HT-29, GI50 = 3.16 mg/ml). The antiproliferative effects observed are probably related to the presence of 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol and gamma-sitosterol present in the hexane fraction and detected by GC/MS. This is the first report of antiproliferative activity of C. iguanaea and the results suggested that the molecules of fraction hexane are promising chemotherapeutic compounds, especially against tumor cell of ovarian and colon.

Aedes aegypti has overcome all kinds of mosquito control attemptsover the last century. Strategies for population control resorts tothe use of synthetic insecticides, which can lead to problems likehuman intoxication and environmental contamination. The effectsof Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti), Ilex paraguariensis(yerba mate), and Ilex theezans (caúna herb) extracts againstA. aegypti larvae were evaluated. The bioassays were conductedunder controlled laboratory conditions of temperature (27 ± 3°C)and photoperiod (12 h). Hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of I.theezans displayed better residual effect compared to the aqueousextract of I. paraguariensis fruits. The strongest residual effect ofI. theezans was probably due to the presence of certain chemicals inits leaves, such as coumarins, hemolytic saponins, and cyanogenicglucosides, which were absent in I. paraguariensis. The resultsherein contributed to the prospection of natural insecticides andopened the possibility for subsequent studies on the use of plantextracts in field situations in a short-time scale. Aedes aegypti superou todos os tipos de tentativas de controle domosquito pelo homem no último século. Estratégias para controlepopulacional recorrem ao uso de inseticidas sintéticos, que podem levara problemas como intoxicação humana e contaminação ambiental.Foram avaliados os efeitos de Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti),extratos de Ilex paraguariensis (erva-mate) e Ilex theezans (erva-caúna)contra a mortalidade de larvas de A. aegypti. Os bioensaios foramconduzidos sob condições laboratoriais controladas de temperatura (27 ±3°C) e fotoperíodo (12 h). O extrato hidroalcoólico de folhas de I. theezansapresentou melhor efeito residual quando comparado ao extrato aquosode frutos de I. paraguariensis. O efeito residual mais forte de I. theezansprovavelmente ocorreu devido à presença de substâncias químicas emsuas folhas, tais como cumarinas, saponinas hemolíticas e glicosídeoscianogênicos, ausentes em I. paraguariensis. Nossos resultadoscontribuíram para a prospecção de inseticidas naturais e abriram apossibilidade de estudos subsequentes sobre o uso de extratos vegetaisem situações de campo em um curto espaço de tempo.

Os pesticidas são compostos amplamente utilizados na agricultura, por causa do aumento da eficiência produtiva, no entanto esses compostos tóxicos podem exercer efeitos negativos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a exposição ocupacional de trabalhadores ruraisa agrotóxicos, através de um estudo descritivo-analítico com abordagem transversal e quantitativa. A amostra foi composta de 63 trabalhadores agrícolas. A caracterização do perfil socioeconômico, o manejo de pesticidas e as condições de saúde foram realizados por meio de entrevistas. Após a coleta das amostrasbiológicas, a atividade da enzima acetilcolinesterase eritrocitária foi avaliada em dois momentos: pré e pós-exposição a pesticidas em um ciclo de plantio e colheita. A idade média dos trabalhadores rurais foi de 48,1 ± 7,6 anos. Eles relataram usar equipamentos de proteção individual, embora de forma incompleta ouinadequadamente, e 46% relataram intoxicação por agrotóxicos. Transtornos do humor como ansiedade (50,3%) e estado depressivo (27,0%) também foram relatados pelos trabalhadores. Houve uma diminuição significativa na atividade da enzima acetilcolinesterase eritrocitária de 0,83 ± 0,06 delta pH/hora para0,71 ± 0,11 delta pH/hora (p < 0,05). A comparação individual dos valores da atividade enzimática mostrou que 19,6% dos trabalhadores estavam intoxicados com carbamatos e organofosforados. A contaminação é atribuída ao manejo inadequado de pesticidas. Considera-se urgente a adoção de medidas paraminimizar intoxicações e outros efeitos nocivos à saúde dos trabalhadores rurais. Pesticides are compounds widely used in agriculture, due the productive efficiency increase. However, these toxic compounds can exert negative effects to environment and human health. This work aim was analyzing the occupational exposure of rural workers to pesticides, through a descriptive-analytical study with cross-sectional and quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 63 farmworkers. Socioeconomic profile characterization, pesticide management, andhealth conditions was carried out through interviews. After biological samples collection, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity was assessed in two moments: pre- and post-exposure to pesticides in one of planting and harvesting cycle. Rural workers age mean was 48.1±7.6 years. They reported using personal protective equipment, although incompletely or inadequately, and 46% reported pesticide poisoning. Mood disorders such as anxiety (50.3%) and depressive state (27.0%) were also reported by workers. There was a significant decrease in the activity of the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase enzyme from 0.83±0.06delta pH/hour to 0.71±0.11 delta pH/hour (p < 0.05). Individual comparison of enzyme activity values showed that 19.6% of the workers were intoxicated with carbamate and organophosphate. Contamination is attributed to the inadequate management of pesticides. Adopting measures to minimize intoxications and other harmful effects on the health of rural workers is considered urgent.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:48:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-03-25 Unochapeco Ethnopharmacological importance: The species Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. ex Wedd. (Urticaceae) is native to the Americas and is distributed widely throughout Brazil, where it is known as urtiga-brava, urtiga-vermelha, or urtigao. The leaves are often used as anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agents and for the treatment of gastric disorders. However, the pharmacological mode of action underlying the gastroprotection induced by this species has not been investigated. Aim of the study: To contribute to the knowledge of the gastroprotective mode of action of the hydroalcoholic extract of U. baccifera (HEU) leaves. Materials and methods: Antiulcerogenic effect of HEU against ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer was evaluated in rats and mice at doses of 3-300 mg/kg. NO-synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), SH blocker (NEM), cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine were used to evaluate the participation of cytoprotective factors in HEU gastroprotection. Moreover, the levels of reduced gluthatione (GSH) and cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL4 and IL-10), as well as the enzymatic activity of gluthatione S-transferase (GST), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measure. Moreover, the samples were analyzed histologically and the antisecretory capability of HEU were quantified using pylorus ligated rats. Results: The phytochemical analysis of HEU (UPLC/ESI-IT-MS) identified the flavonoids diosmetin and apigenin glucuronide. Furthermore, HEU decreased the occurrence of ethanol-induced ulcers at 30 and 300 mg/kg by 57% and 66%, respectively, compared with the vehicle. The gastroprotective effects were accompanied by increased GSH levels and GST and SOD activity as well as by reduced MPO activity in vivo and in vitro, revealing antioxidant effects and inhibition of neutrophil infiltration. The beneficial effects of 30 and 300 mg/kg HEU were also observed upon histological analyses. Regarding the mode of action, the gastroprotective effect of HEU was abolished by the pre-administration of L-NAME, NEM, indomethacin or yohimbine. Moreover, HEU was able to decrease the IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 in ulcerated tissue, as well as the pepsin activity of the gastric juice in pylorus-ligated rats. Conclusion: Together, the results confirmed that the gastroprotection elicited by HEU was due reduction in oxidative damage, neutrophil migration, and peptic activity. This work validates the popular use of U. baccifera to treat gastric disorders and supports important future research for the identification of gastroprotective molecules from this species. Univ Comunitaria Regiao Chapeco, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Saude, BR-89809900 Chapeco, SC, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, BR-70770901 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil Univ Vale Itajai, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-88302202 Itajai, SC, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, BR-70770901 Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil

To the moment, there is no ideal substance for home-based denture disinfection. This study assessed in vitro the antimicrobial effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Eugenia uniflora and the effect on the physical properties of denture polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella oxytoca were isolated from samples of saliva collected from denture wearers. The extracts were produced in three concentrations, according to the Brazilian Pharmacopeia. One hundred eighty-eight disc-shaped specimens of thermopolymerizable PMMA were prepared and randomly allocated to five treatment groups: sterile saline solution (0.85%; control); chlorhexidine digluconate (0.2%); and hydroalcoholic extract of E. uniflora (0.2%, 0.8%, and 1.16%). The specimens were disinfected for 8 hours/day for 30 days. Adherence of microorganisms to the surface, PMMA surface roughness, and color stability were assessed. Inferential statistics were performed with one- and two-way ANOVA/Tukey test, and Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and paired t-tests, at α=0.05. The extract of E. uniflora at 0.2% and 1.16% reduced the microbial load of K. oxytoca, while chlorhexidine digluconate significantly reduced microbial load of all microrganisms. Microbial adherence at day 10 was reduced by all experimental substances (p0.05). Nevertheless, all experimental groups produced unacceptable color change at the end of the disinfection protocol (p

Plants are considered among the main sources of biologically active chemicals. The species Solidago chilensis Meyen, Asteraceae, is native to the southern parts of South America, where the aerial parts of the plant are commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. However, the effects of S. chilensis on human cancer cells remain to be elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effects of the hydroalcoholic and dichloromethane extracts of S. chilensis, as well as their chemical constituents quercitrin and solidagenone against the five human tumor cell lines in vitro. The dichloromethane extract showed a promisor antiproliferative effects in vitro, especially against glioma cell line. Besides, the hydroalcoholic extract and quercitrin were inactive. The diterpene solidagenone showed highly potent antiproliferative effects against breast (MCF-7), kidney (786-0), and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells (total growth inhibition: TGI

The Aedes aegypti is the main vector of the transmission of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Chikungunya, and Zika. The agents used for the control of mosquito involve the use of synthetic compounds, which may cause toxicity and contamination environmental. Aiming to test the effectiveness of natural products, the aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal and repellent activity of extracts of Ateleia glazioveana Baill. (timbó) and essential oil of Ocimum basilicum L. (manjericão), against A. aegypti. The activities of hydroalcoholic (HEA) and dichloromethane (DEA) extracts from A. glazioveana against A. aegypti larvae were assessed after exposure for 24, 48, and 72 h, using water and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis as negative and positive controls, respectively. For repellent evaluation, we investigated the sting attempts of A. aegypti in response to the application of HEA- and DEA-based body creams (5%), as well as an alcoholic spray based on the essential oil from O. basilicum. The repellency of these preparations was compared with negative (vehicle) and positive (DEET) controls. Although HEA showed no apparent larvicidal activity, DEA at concentrations of 150 to 500 mg/ml showed high larvicidal potential after 24 h, compared to the negative control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the DEA-based cream and the alcoholic spray of O. basilicum based essential oil showed higher repellency compared with the vehicle (84.5% and 70.5%, respectively). Accordingly, it is possible to infer that extracts and preparations of A. glazioveana and O. basilicum exhibit larvicidal and repellent activity against A. aegypti. Aedes aegypti es el principal vector de transmisión de enfermedades como el dengue, la fiebre amarilla, el chikungunya y el zika. Los agentes utilizados para el control de mosquitos involucran el uso de compuestos sintéticos, sin embargo, estos pueden causar toxicidad y contaminación ambiental. Con el objetivo de probar la eficacia de los productos naturales, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad larvicida y repelente de los extractos de Ateleia glazioveana Baill. (timbó) y aceite esencial de Ocimum basilicum L. (mangericão), contra A. aegypti. Se evaluaron las actividades de los extractos hidroalcohólicos (HEA) y diclorometano (DEA) de A. glazioveana después de la exposición durante 24, 48 y 72 h, utilizando agua y Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis como controles negativos y positivos, respectivamente. Para la evaluación del repelente, se investigaron los intentos de picar A. aegypti en respuesta a la aplicación de cremas corporales a base de HEA y DEA (5%) y un spray alcohólico a base de aceite esencial de O. basilicum. La repelencia de estas preparaciones se comparó con controles negativos (vehículo) y positivos (DEET). Aunque HEA no mostró actividad larvicida aparente, DEA en concentraciones de 150 a 500 µg/ml mostró un alto potencial larvicida después de 24 h, en comparación con el grupo de control negativo (p < 0,001). Además, la crema a base de DEA y el spray de aceite esencial alcohólico a base de O. basilicum mostraron mayor repelencia en relación al vehículo (84,5% y 70,5%, respectivamente). Así, es posible inferir que los extractos y preparaciones de A. glazioveana y O. basilicum exhiben actividad larvicida y repelente contra A. aegypti. O Aedes aegypti é o principal vetor de transmissão de doenças como dengue, febre amarela, Chikungunya e Zika. Os agentes utilizados para o controle do mosquito envolvem o uso de compostos sintéticos contudo, estes podem causar toxicidade e contaminação ambiental. Visando testar a efetividade de produtos naturais, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade larvicida e repelente dos extratos de Ateleia glazioveana Baill. (timbó) e óleo essencial de Ocimum basilicum L. (manjericão), frente ao A. aegypti. As atividades dos extratos hidroalcoólico (HEA) e diclorometano (DEA) de A. glazioveana foram avaliadas após exposição por 24, 48 e 72 h, utilizando água e Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis como controle negativo e positivo, respectivamente. Para avaliação repelente, foi investigado as tentativas de picadas de A. aegypti em resposta à aplicação de cremes corporais à base de HEA e DEA (5%), além de um spray alcoólico à base de óleo essencial de O. basilicum. A repelência dessas preparações foi comparada com os controles negativo (veículo) e positivo (DEET). Embora HEA não tenha demonstrado atividade larvicida aparente, DEA nas concentrações de 150 a 500 mg/ml apresentou elevado potencial larvicida após 24 h, em comparação com o grupo de controle negativo (p < 0,001). Além disso, o creme à base de DEA e o spray alcoólico de óleo essencial à base de O. basilicum apresentaram maior repelência em relação ao veículo (84,5% e 70,5%, respectivamente). Assim, é possível inferir que extratos e preparações de A. glazioveana e O. basilicum exibem atividade larvicida e repelente frente A. aegypti.

A medicina popular é a soma do conhecimento, das habilidades e práticas de cura de diferentes culturas. Nesse contexto, este estudo visou identificar os benzedores que utilizam plantas medicinais em suas práticas, bem como, realizar um levantamento socioeconômico destes agentes populares de cura, no município de Guatambu (SC). A pesquisa foi realizada no perímetro rural e urbano, utilizando a técnica de snowball sampling (bola de neve), associada a um questionário semiestruturado. Como resultados, os agentes populares de cura são em sua maioria mulheres (72%), com atividades na agricultura (47%) e com idade de 60 a 71 anos (51%). A escolaridade apontou para o ensino fundamental (53%) e a constituição familiar com o cônjuge (75%). Foi observada a importância da religiosidade nestas atividades, destacada principalmente pela fé entre quem pratica, e quem recebe o benzimento. A prática do benzimento na maioria das vezes é aplicada para o tratamento de rendiduras/machucaduras (dores musculares) sendo aplicados geralmente, de forma gratuita. Os preparados à base de plantas medicinais são comumente produzidos por decocção, infusão ou xaropes, e podem auxiliam na renda familiar. Foi verificado ainda, a preocupação dos agentes em não ter a quem transmitir seus ensinamentos ao final da vida, devido ao desinteresse dos mais jovens. Esta investigação, contribui na valorização da cultura imaterial e do saber popular do município, bem como, na compreensão da relação dos indivíduos com o meio ambiente e sua importância na conservação da biodiversidade.

A infestação pelo mosquito Aedes aegypti e a transmissão das patologias associadas como a Dengue, Zika Vírus e Febre Chikungunya tem sido um problema de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo. A relação entre fatores ambientais e climáticos e a infestação por A. aegypti tem demonstrando especificidades regionais, alertando os profissionais de saúde na adoção de estratégias de prevenção e controle. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre os fatores ambientais e climáticos com a flutuação da população do vetor no município de Chapecó, Santa Catarina. Dados climáticos de temperatura mínima mensal, média mensal e máxima mensal, umidade relativa do ar média mensal, pressão atmosférica média mensal e pluviosidade total mensal foram obtidos junto à EPAGRI /CIRAM e correlacionados com a frequência de focos do vetor. Observou-se que a infestação não é espacialmente homogênea e que o tipo do imóvel, o tipo de criadouro, a pluviosidade mensal, a temperatura média e a umidade relativa do ar média mensal apresentaram significância (p

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:40:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2021-07-15T15:06:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1516-89132019000100412.pdf: 585705 bytes, checksum: 3a2d47e9df2f97ad2af651f38c9af498 (MD5) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Unochapeco Natural products, especially phytochemicals, have been extensively studies and have exhibited important antiproliferative effects. The American native species Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. ex Wedd. (Urticaceae) is widely distributed in Brazil, where it is known as urtiga-vermelha or urtigao. The leaves are popularly used as anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic and in the treatment of gastric disorders. However, the antiproliferative potential of this plant against human tumor cells remain to be elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effects of U. baccifera leaves extracts and fractions against a panel of human tumor cell lines in vitro besides a chemical evaluation of the most active sample by mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MSn). The hydroalcoholic extract was inactive while dichloromethane extract showed moderate cytostatic activity against ovarian carcinoma cell line (OVCAR-3, GI(50) = 1.5 mu g/mL). More, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions did not show important activity against tumour cell while the dichloromethane and hexane fractions showed moderate cytostatic activity against ovarian tumor cell line (OVCAR-3, GI(50) = 12.7 and 9.4 mu g/mL, respectively). Finally, the chemical profile evaluated by mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MSn) allowed the detection of flavonoids in the HEU and hydroxylated fatty acid in DEU that can explain partially the biological effects observed. This is the first report of the antiproliferative effects of U. baccifera, and DEU has shown potential as a promising source of bioactive compounds. Community Univ Reg Chapeco, Hlth Sci Postgrad Program, Chapeco, SC, Brazil Community Univ Reg Chapeco, Lab Pharmacognosy, Chapeco, SC, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Campinas, SP, Brazil State Univ Sao Paulo Juilo de Mesquita Filho, Inst Biosci, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil State Univ Sao Paulo Juilo de Mesquita Filho, Inst Biosci, Sao Vicente, SP, Brazil

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue, Chikungunya and Zika virus worldwide. The strategies for the population control involve the use of synthetic insecticides, which may cause toxicity problems and environmental contamination. This study evaluated the larvicide effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and fruits Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex theezans on A. aegypti. The bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions. Fresh and dry fruits of I. paraguariensis showed the higher larvicidal activity on A. aegypti than the leaves of the same species. Mosquito larvae showed increased susceptibility from dried leaf extracts, fresh fruit and leaf of I. theezans. It was also observed a variation in larval mortality during periods of exposure. The larvicide efficiency of I. theezans extracts on A. aegypti are promising results and widen the possibility for further studies of the use of extracts of this plant.

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of Dengue, Yellow Urban Fever, Chikungunya fever and Zika virus fever. The strategies for its control include synthetic products that cause damage to the environment and other organisms. This study evaluated the larvicidal activity of aqueous extracts of leaves and fruits of Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex theezans on Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. The bioassays were conducted at the Ecological Entomology Laboratory, Unochapecó, under controlled conditions of temperature and photoperiod. The extracts of fresh and dried leaves of I. theezans showed greater larvicidal activity when compared to extracts of fruits of the same plant. Variation in larvicidal activity was also observed during exposure periods. The results suggest the use of extracts of these plants in the control of A. aegypti and the prospection of substances that can be used as an alternative to synthetic products. They point to the possibility of using yerba mate tissues that are not used commercially.

Natural products are a major source of drugs for the treatment of cancer. The species Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm, Zingiberaceae, is widely distributed in Brazil where it is known as “colônia”. The leaves are commonly used in the treatment of hypertension and dyspepsia, however, the effects of A. zerumbet extracts and isolated substances on human cancer cells remain to be elucidated. This study was designed to identify the chemical constituents of hydroalcoholic and dichloromethane extracts from A. zerumbet leaves and to investigate their in vitro antiproliferative activity. The isolated phytochemicals included kaempferol, dihydro-5,6-dehydrokavain, 5,6-dehydrokavain, and pinostrobin. The hydroalcoholic extract inhibited cellular proliferation only at high concentrations, while the dichloromethane extract showed a moderate antiproliferative effect against leukemia and lung tumor cell lines. 5,6-Dehydrokavain showed potent cytostatic activity against glioblastoma cells and a moderate effect on all other tumor cell lines. Pinostrobin showed potent activity against leukemia and breast tumor cell lines and moderate cytostatic effect against ovarian cell. Furthermore, this is the first report on the isolation of kaempferol and pinostrobin from A. zerumbet leaves. Moreover, the purification process described in this study was effective. These results suggest that A. zerumbet leaves are a promising source of anticancer compounds. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Antiproliferative effects, 5,6-Dehydrokavain, Pinostrobin, Antitumor agents

Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg., Cannabaceae, is popularly used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, chemical and pharmacological investigations are lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from C. iguanaea on markers of cardiovascular diseases and the glucose metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats. Therefore, hypercholesterolemic rats (1% cholesterol) were orally treated with C. iguanaea extract (C-150, CI-300, or CI-600 mg/kg) or simvastatin (4 mg/kg) (n = 6) once a day (30 days) with a hypercholesterolemic diet. A control group (C) was given saline. C. iguanaea extract showed significant decreases in serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HMG-CoA-reductase, interleukin-1 and 6, TNF-α and IFN-γ when compared to group C(p < 0.001). Hypoglycemic effects were observed along with a decrease of the activity of sucrase (CI-600), maltase (CI-150, CI-300), and an increase in muscle glycogen levels (CI-300). Antioxidant effects were observed in plasma by the decrease of TBARS and increase of nonprotein thiols levels (CI-600). The histopathological analysis showed a significant decrease in the liver fat area for C. iguanaea extract compared to group C(p < 0.001). Our results suggest that the biological effects of C. iguanaea extract could be related to the flavonoids that possibly exert antioxidant, enzymatic inhibitory, and insulin-mimetic effects.

Background Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm., Zingiberaceae, is traditionally used in Brazil to treat hypertension, inflammation, anxiety, and hysteria. However, investigations of antioxidant and central effects of A . zerumbet extract are lacking. Objective The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a hydroethanolic extract of A . zerumbet (HEA) on tail suspension and light/dark tests to screen for possible antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities, respectively. We also evaluated the in vitro antioxidant effects of HEA. Materials and methods Swiss male mice were orally treated with saline or HEA (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg) 60 min before testing. The in vitro antioxidant activity of HEA was determined using the ferric-reducing antioxidant property method and assays involving free radical and reactive oxygen species scavenging. Protections against glutathione oxidation and lipid peroxidation were also evaluated. Results HEA (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly reduced the period of immobility in the tail suspension test, similarly to imipramine. In the tail suspension test, HEA (400 and 800 mg/kg but not 200 mg/kg) and diazepam significantly increased time spent in the light side. The antioxidant activity of HEA was remarkable, as it showed significant ferric-reduction power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, and protection against lipid peroxidation. Conclusion This study showed the antioxidant, antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of HEA in mice. More studies and the identification of active components of the extract are necessary to further assess the therapeutic potential of this species in the treatment of psychiatric diseases.

Cynara scolymus L., Asteraceae, are traditionally used to treat dyspepsia. This study evaluated the hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects of an aqueous extract prepared from the leaves of C. scolymus in rat's model. Hypercholesterolemic rats (1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid for 15 days) were treated (0.5 ml/200 g) with extract of C. scolymus (150, 300, or 600 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6) or simvastatin (4 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6) once per day for 30 days along with hypercaloric diet. A control group (C) was given water (0.5 ml/200 g; n = 6). A high-cholesterol diet was maintained throughout the treatment period. Rats treated with extract of C. scolymus (150, 300, or 600 mg/kg) and simvastatin showed significant decreases in serum levels of total cholesterol (−46.9%, −51.9%, −44%, and −41.9%, respectively) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C; −52.1%, −54.8%, −51.9%, and −46.7%, respectively), compared with group C (p

Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-27T14:52:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000254531400003.pdf: 130501 bytes, checksum: 369c383ba2c72794d74caa40832d33f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:24:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000254531400003.pdf: 130501 bytes, checksum: 369c383ba2c72794d74caa40832d33f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:34:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000254531400003.pdf: 130501 bytes, checksum: 369c383ba2c72794d74caa40832d33f0 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:34:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000254531400003.pdf: 130501 bytes, checksum: 369c383ba2c72794d74caa40832d33f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 We investigated the antiviral activity of an aliphatic nitro compound (NC) isolated from Heteropteris aphrodisiaca O. Mach. (Malpighiaceae), a Brazilian medicinal ptant. The NC was tested for its antiviral activity against poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) and bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1) by plaque reduction assay in cell culture. The NC showed a moderate antiviral activity against PV-1 and BHV-1 in HEp-2 celts, and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) were 22.01 mu g/ml (selectivity index (SI) = 2.83) and 21.10 mu g/mi (SI = 2.95), respectivety. At the highest concentration of the drug (40 mu g/ml) a reduction of approximately 80% in plaque assay was observed for both viruses. The treatment of cells or virus prior to infection did not inhibit the replication of virus strains. (C) 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Dept Microbiol CCB, BR-86051990 Londrina, Parana, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, PPG Ciencias Farmaceut, Araraquara, SP, Brazil Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Dept Farm & Farmacol, Maringa, Parana, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, PPG Ciencias Farmaceut, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to analyze in vivo the hypoglycemiant potential of the extracts from the root and leaf of the medicinal plant bardana, Arctium minus (Asteraceae). It was also carried out through pharmacognostics analysis of quality control. In the biological assays, 60 rats were induced to the experimental diabetes through endovenous injection of alloxan administration, in an only dose of 42 mg/kg. On the seventh day after the induction, the fast glycemia was dosed. The animals with glycemia superior to 190 mg/dL were redistributed in four groups to receive, for 21 days, some kind of treatment. Group 1: Glibenclamide in the dose of 0.071 mg/kg; Group 2: pure lyophilized extract of bardana root, 500 mg/kg; Group 3: pure lyophilized extract of bardana leaf, 200 mg/kg; and Group 4: physiological serum. After treatment, the pure extract of bardana root reduced in 34.6 ± 5.8% the glycemic levels, the pure extract of the leaf reduced in 22.9 ± 6.2% and the Glibenclamide 34.5 ± 6.2%. The placebo group kept the glicemy. This study suggests that the pure extract of Arctium minus, mainly the root extract, is able to reduce the plasmatic levels of glucose, with similar power to the synthetic medicine of Glibenclamide reference.

Solidago chilensis Meyen, Asteraceae, is traditionally used to treat inflammation. However, phytochemical and pharmacology investigations are lacking. This study evaluated the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic extract from S. chilensis aerial parts in rats. In oral glucose tolerance tests the rats received saline (0.5 ml/100 g) in control group (C), hydroalcoholic extract (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6) or glibenclamide (10 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6). After 30 min, glucose (4 g/kg) was administered. Rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract 500 demonstrated decreased glucose levels at 180 min (−22.1%), when compared with group C, similar to glibenclamide. Moreover, treatment with hydroalcoholic extract 500 significantly increased the glycogen content in the liver and soleus muscle, and hydroalcoholic extract 250 specifically inhibited the enzyme maltase when compared with group C. Furthermore, all hyperglycemic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract (125, 250 and 500) exhibited an accentuated decrease in total cholesterol levels (−36.8%, −36.7% and −41.3%, respectively). Our results suggest that hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic extract could be associated with increased production and release of insulin as well as with insulinotropic and antioxidant effects. Keywords: Antihyperlipidemic activity, Arnica-do-brasil, Asteraceae, Hypoglycemic

Despite several studies on the effects of Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae), the phytochemical and hypolipidemic properties remain underappreciated.This study evaluates the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and quercetrin from S. chilensis aerial parts in cholesterol-fed rats.The HE was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, followed by quercetrin isolation. Hypercholesterolemic rats (1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid for 15 d) were treated with HE (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6), simvastatin (4 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6), or quercetrin (10 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6) once a day for 30 d. During this period, a high-cholesterol diet was maintained until the 30th day of treatment.Rats treated with HE (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) and quercetrin showed decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (-19.9, -27.5, -31.0, and -39.4%), lipoprotein-cholesterol (-36.0, -37.5, -43.3, and -59.4%), and triacylglycerides (-15.6, -23.5, -29.8, and -27.2%) when compared with the control group similar to simvastatin. Moreover, treatment with HE and quercetrin decreased hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity (35.1% on average) and increased fecal cholesterol levels (38.2% on average).Our results suggest that hypolipidemic effects of HE are associated with it modulating the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and its interference in the reabsorption and/or excretion of intestinal lipids. Solidago chilensis and its main constituent, quercetrin, may thus be effective as cholesterol-lowering agents and in preventing atherosclerosis.

The jaboticaba tree,Plinia trunciflora(O. Berg) Kausel, is popularly named “jabuticabeira” in Brazil and is used in folk medicine to treat diabetes and chronic inflammation of the tonsils, but studies evaluating the central effects of this species are limited. This study evaluated the antidepressant-like and antioxidant effects ofP. trunciflora(PT) aqueous extract, in which five different anthocyanins were identified. PT showed significant ferric-reduction power and DPPH radical scavenging activityin vitroand reduced lipid peroxidation bothin vitroandex vivo. At the behavioural level, PT (400 and 800 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test in Swiss male mice. The identification of bioactive compounds accompanied by thein vitroandex vivoantioxidant activity of PT suggests that these activities might be related to the antidepressant-like activity ofP. trunciflora.

Few data exists about the pharmacological properties of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca O. Mach. (Malpighiaceae), which is native to the scrubland regions of Brazil. The present study investigated the effects of oral treatment with H. aphrodisiaca extract (BST0298) on the learning and memory of young (3-6 months) and aged (21-23 months) rats, and compared the in vitro antioxidant activity of three lots collected in different years. An improvement in the number of sessions to learn the task was observed in the left/right discrimination test in aged rats treated for 45 days with 25 mg/kg (7.0 ± 0.5; p=0.005) or 50 mg/kg (7.6 ± 0.6; p=0.012) compared with control old rats (11.0 ± 1.6). On the other hand, pre-treatment did not improve the performance of scopolamine-treated mice in the passive avoidance test. The in vitro malondialdehyde test showed that all three different extracts presented similar antioxidant activity. The flavonoids astilbin, isoastilbin and neoastilbin were isolated from the extract and may contribute to the biological activity. These results suggest that repeated treatment with H. aphrodisiaca improves learning and memory, probably by a non-muscarinic mechanism.Existem poucos dados disponíveis sobre as propriedades farmacológicas da Heteropterys aphrodisiaca O. Mach. (Malpighiaceae), nativa da região do pantanal brasileiro. O presente estudo investigou o efeito do tratamento oral com um extrato de H. aphrodisiaca (BST0298) sobre a memória e aprendizagem de ratos jovens (3-6 meses) e idosos (21-23 meses) e comparou a atividade antioxidante in vitro de três lotes, coletados em diferentes anos. Melhora quanto ao número de sessões necessárias para aprender a tarefa foi observada no teste de discriminação direita/esquerda em ratos idosos tratados por 45 dias com doses de 25 mg/kg (7,0 ± 0,5; p=0,005) e 50 mg/kg (7,6 ± 0,6; p=0,012) comparados com ratos idosos controle (11,0 ± 1,6). Por outro lado, o pré-tratamento com o extrato não melhorou o desempenho de camundongos tratados com escopolamina no teste da esquiva passiva. Em relação à avaliação da atividade antioxidante in vitro pelo teste do malonodialdeído, os três lotes analisados apresentaram atividade antioxidante semelhante. Os flavonóides astilbina, isoastilbina e neoastilbina foram isolados do extrato e podem contribuir para a atividade biológica. Estes resultados sugerem que a administração repetida de H. aphrodisiaca melhora a memória e aprendizagem provavelmente por um mecanismo não muscarínico.

Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg., Cannabaceae, is popularly used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, chemical and pharmacological investigations are lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from C. iguanaea on markers of cardiovascular diseases and the glucose metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats. Therefore, hypercholesterolemic rats (1% cholesterol) were orally treated with C. iguanaea extract (C-150, CI-300, or CI-600 mg/kg) or simvastatin (4 mg/kg) (n = 6) once a day (30 days) with a hypercholesterolemic diet. A control group (C) was given saline. C. iguanaea extract showed significant decreases in serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HMG-CoA-reductase, interleukin-1 and 6, TNF-α and IFN-γ when compared to group C (p