Efeitos de um extrato aquoso de buzhong yi qi wan (fórmula magistral chinesa) na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m, na morfologia e na fragilidade osmótica de hemácias de ratos Wistar

Technetium-99m (99mTc) has been used to obtain several radiobiocomplexes utilized to aid in the diagnosis of diseases. Blood constituents, as red blood cells (RBC) and plasma proteins, have been labeled with 99mTc. Natural and synthetic drugs can alter the labeling of these constituents. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of a Buzhong YiQi Wan extract to alter (i) the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc, (ii) the RBC morphology, and (iii) osmotic fragility of RBC withdrawn from Wistar rats. The data showed that the BYQW extract (i) could affect labeling of blood constituintes with 99mTc, (ii) could affect the membrane integrity decreasing the osmotic resistance and (iii) could not alter the shape of RBC. Probably, these findings would be associated with properties of the substances present in the aqueous extract of BYQW. This study has multiple disciplinary aspects in knowledge areas: Radiobiology, Botanic, Phytotherapy and Haematology

Avaliação do desempenho reprodutivo do Cavalo-Marinho Hippocampus reidi (GINSBURG 1933) do estuário do Rio Potengi (Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil) com vistas ao seu cultivo em bases sustentáveis

Os cavalos-marinhos têm cativado a imaginação e a curiosidade dos seres humanos por centenas de anos. No entanto, nos dias de hoje, esses animais correm um sério risco de extinção por fatores como a pesca desordenada para suprir os mercados de peixes ornamentais e da medicina tradicional chinesa e principalmente, a destruição do seu habitat. Nesse contexto, é crescente o número de estudos sobre a ecologia, a biologia (reprodutiva, especialmente) e o cultivo de várias espécies do gênero Hippocampus, inclusive para fins conservacionistas e de recomposição de estoques. Duas espécies de cavalos-marinhos são encontradas no Brasil: Hippocampus reidi Ginsburg 1933 e Hippocampus erectus Perry. No entanto, as informações sobre essas espécies estão basicamente restritas ao seu grau de ocorrência ou a sua área de ocupação. No presente estudo, foi avaliado o desempenho reprodutivo de Hippocampus reidi do estuário do rio Potengi (05° 47' 42'' S; 35° 12' 34'' W), em Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. Para tanto, cavalos-marinhos grávidos (n = 38) foram coletados no referido estuário nos meses de setembro, outubro e novembro de 2008 e julho, agosto, setembro e outubro de 2009 e mantidos em laboratório até que liberassem os filhotes. O comprimento padrão (CPA), altura (ATA), volume da bolsa (VB) e peso úmido (PuA) dos adultos, bem como o comprimento padrão (CPF), altura (ATF), peso úmido (PuF) e peso seco (PsF) dos filhotes foram determinados. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que houve correlações significativas entre o CPA e a ATA (r²=0,171), CPA e PuA (r²=0,624), CPA e VB (r²=0,256), ATA e PuA (r²=0,788), PuA e VB (r²=0,211), CPF e ATF (r²=0,903) e CPF e PsF (r²=0,163). A análise de correspondência (AC) que associou as classes do comprimento padrão dos adultos (CPA) e o volume da bolsa de H. reidi ao número de filhotes mostrou que animais entre 19 cm e 21 cm e com volume de bolsa entre 3 mL e 4 mL foram os que liberaram o maior número de filhotes. Os resultados do presente estudo também indicam que o tamanho mínimo de captura recomendado pela CITES (10 cm de altura) para H. reidi deve ser revisto, uma vez que não foram encontrados animais menores que 13,5 cm que estivessem grávidos. Finalmente, o número médio de filhotes por desova obtido no presente estudo (n = 775 ± 398 filhotes) realçou o potencial reprodutivo de H. reidi e a necessidade de estudos adicionais com esta espécie

Diagnóstico da comercialização de produtos da medicina popular em feiras livres do semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte: avaliações socioeconômicas e sanitárias, com proposta de legislação específica

Historically, man has empirically acquired knowledge about the therapeutic applications of extracted elements of the natural environment in which belonged. Such knowledge over time culminated in the formation of traditional health systems. Among its features, the use of bioactive plant species - medicinal plants - stands out for its efficiency and high popular acceptance. Despite its importance for public health, the population still has in the open-air fairs the main source for the acquisition of the species used. In these spaces, the trade generally occurs informally, under unfavorable conditions to the quality of the products and to the financial sustainability of the business. In this context, this study aimed to characterize the socioeconomic, cultural and sanitary aspects related to the trade of medicinal plants in municipalities of a semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte, and additionally, proposing a specific legislation to the activity. Socioeconomic data were collected through on-site interviews, guided by structured form. The observations about the hygienic and sanitary adequacy of physical facilities and practices employed at the point of sale /environment were conducted and recorded with the use of assessment tool developed for use in open markets. The adequacy of medicinal plants to consumption was determined by microbiological analysis. The activity was carried out by individuals who are aged between 21 and 81 years of age, low educational level and low-income, predominantly males. The data showed a tendency to extinction of the activity in all the districts studied. It was observed in all the fairs studied hygiene and sanitation inadequacies that characterized very high health risk, representing in this way, the high probability of Food Transmitted Diseases outbreaks Such conditions were reflected in the high percentage of inadequacy to the consumption of the analyzed medicinal plants samples, illustrating the potential health risk to consumers. To contribute to the correction of hygiene and sanitation inadequacies observed in the studied open-air fairs, educational interventions were made to the training of traders in Good Practices. As a complement, was drafted a specific legislation for the marketing of folk medicine's products in open-air fairs. Such actions, products and its developments will contribute significantly to improving the quality of products available to the population and the preservation of activity, potentially reducing the risks to public health.

Efeito de um extrato de Artemísia Vulgaris L. marcação in vitro de constituintes sanguíneos com tecnécio-99m em ratos wistar

Artemisia vulgaris L..is used in folk medicine and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This medicinal plant has been utilized as anticonvulsive, analgesic, antispasmodic effect, rheumatic pains, menstrual dyspepsia, asthenia, epilepsy, hepatitis, fevers, anemia and to expel parasites. In nuclear medicine, blood constituents are labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) and used as radiopharmaceuticals (radiobiocomplexes). Authors have been described that synthetic and/or natural drugs could modify the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of Artemisia vulgaris L. on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. Blood samples withdrawn of Wistar rats were incubated with Artemisia vulgaris L, stannous chloride and 99mTc, as pertechnetate ion. Aliquots of plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated. Aliquots of P and BC were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble (IF) fractions were separated. The radioactivity in each fraction was counted and the percentages of radioactivity (%ATI) were calculated. Artemisia vulgaris L. extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI on BC and on IF-BC. The analysis of the results indicates that the extract could have substances that could interfere on the transport of stannous through the erythrocyte membrane altering the labeling of blood cells with 99mTc. Working in this study was a multidisciplinary group, with Phisical therapists, Biomedicals, Physicals, Pharmacists, Biologists, Statistics and Physicians.

Avaliação do sistema conservante em formulação com extrato hidroalcóolico de schinus terebinthifolius raddi nacardiaceae

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is used in the treatment of skin and mucosal injuries, infections of respiratory, digestive and genitourinary systems. Currently one of the biggest problems faced for the industry of phytopharmaceuticals with regard to the quality of raw materials is the microbial contamination. The aim this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial action of the hidroalcoholic extract of aroeira, beyond testing the effectiveness of the preservative system in hidrogel to the base of this extract. The extracts were prepared by maceration in the ratio of 1:10 of solvent plant/with alcohol 40%. The methods for microbial count were pour plate and test for specific microorganisms, analyzing in third copy each one of the samples. The antimicrobial activity of aroeira extracts was performed using an agar diffusion method, using strains of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, B. subtilis, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, T. rubrum, M. gypseum, A. flavus and A. niger. The formula with aroeira was evaluated by the challenge test. This method consisted of artificial contamination the sample with separate inóculos of A. niger, C. albicans, E. coli e S. aureus aeruginosa and determinations of survivors for the method of counting for pour plate , during times 0, 24h, 48h, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days. How much to the results, one verified that the extract of aroeira in the 13,5 concentration mg/mL presented antimicrobial activity for cepas of E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa e S. aureus, producing inhibition zone, on average with 13 mm of diameter. However it did not present no fungi activity. The formula with aroeira containig both methylparaben and propylparaben showed a good efficacy in challenge test front to strains of A. niger, C. albicans, E. coli, S. aureus. The A criteria of European Pharmacopoeia, adopted in this work, was verified that this product revealed the good preservative efficacy for the challenge test, time interval of the 28 days. However, it is interesting to extend this study, in order to carry through the sped up stability and the test of shelf, to establish the validity of this formularization

Caracterização e quantificação de marcadores químicos do extrato hidroetanólico das folhas de Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess

Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess (Crassulaceae), commonly known as saião , coirama branca , folha grossa , is originally from Brazil and commonly found in São Paulo to Bahia, mainly in the coastal zone. Regarding of biological activities, most preclinical studies were found in the literature, mainly about the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts obtained from leaves and / or aerial parts of K. brasiliensis. As regards the chemical constitution, it has been reported mainly the presence of flavonoids in the leaves of the species, but until this moment did not knows which are the active compounds. Although it is a species widely used in traditional medicine in Brazil, there is no monograph about the quality parameters of the plant drug. In this context, this study aims to characterize and quantify the chemical markers of hydroethanolic extract (HE) from the leaves of K. brasiliensis, which can be used in quality control of plant drug and derivatives obtained from this species. The methodology was divided into two parts: i. Phytochemical study: to fractionate, isolate and characterizate of the chemical (s) marker (s) of the HE from the leaves of K. brasiliensis; ii. To Developed validate of analytical method by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detector (DAD) to quantify the chemical (s) marker (s) of the EH. i. The EH 50% was prepared by turbo extraction method. It was then submitted to liquid-liquid partition, obtaining dichloromethane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate (AcOEt) fractions. The AcOEt fraction was selected to continue the fractionation process, because it has a chemical profile rich in flavonoids. The acOEt fraction was submitted to column chromatography using different systems for obtaining the compound Kb1. To identify this compound, it was submitted to UV analysis ii. For quantitative analysis, the EH was analyzed by HPLC, using different methods. After selecting the most appropriate method, which showed satisfactory resolution and symmetrical peaks, it was validated according to parameters in the RE 899/2003. As result, it was obtained from the AcOEt fraction the compound Kb1 (2.7 mg). Until this moment, the basic nucleus was characterized by UV analysis using shift reagents. The partial chemical structure of the compound Kb1 was identified as a flavonol, containing hydroxyls in 3 , 4 position (ring A), 5 and 7 free (ring B) and a replacement of the C3 hydroxyl by a sugar. As the analysis were performed in the HPLC coupled to a DAD, we observed that the UV spectrum of the major peaks of EH from K. brasiliensis shown similar UV spectrum. According to the literature, it has been reported the presence of patuletin glycosydes derivatives in the leaves of this species. Therefore, it is suggested that the compound Kb1 is glycosylated patuletin derivative. Probably the sugar (s) unit(s) are linked in the C3 in the C ring. . Regarding the development of HPLC analytical method, the system used consists of phase A: water: formic acid (99,7:0,3, v / v) and phase B: methanol: formic acid (99,7:0,3, v / v), elution gradient of 40% B - 58% B in 50 minutes, ccolumn (Hichrom ®) C18 (250x4, 0 mm, 5 μm), flow rate 0.8 mL / min, UV detection at 370 nm, temperature 25 ° C. In the analysis performed with the co-injection of thecompound Kb1 + HE of K. brasiliensis was observed that it is one of the major compounds with a retention time of 12.47 minutes and had a content of 15.3% in EH of leaves from K. brasiliensis. The method proved to be linear, precise, accurate and reproducible. According to these results, it was observed that compound Kb1 can be used as a chemical marker of EH from leaves of K. brasiliensis, to assist in quality control of drug plant and its derivatives

Práticas populares de cuidado à criança: o saber/fazer de cuidadoras

Popular practices correspond to the resources used by households, lay people and popular therapists, whose perception of knowledge is constructed in the everyday. In this context, the sick child can become vulnerable to be dependent on a family caregiver, who often decide to employ popular practices. Thus, the child care should be shared between carer and health professional. However, they know little about the resources that the family uses to detect a grievance in infant. Therefore, the present research aimed to analyse the use of popular practices by caregivers of children with zero to five years old. We conducted an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach, together with 15 caregivers of children who were treated at the Joint Unit Felipe Shrimp, located in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. To select the participants, they should be age and above 18 years; be caregivers of children up to five years of age; and reside in the area ascribed the Joint Unit Felipe Shrimp. The data collection took place between September and October 2013, through in depth interview. This step was preceded by the approval of the Health Department of the city of Natal; the direction of the Joint Unit Felipe Shrimp; as well as, the Committee on Ethics in Research from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte with Certificate of Presentation and Consideration Ethics, No 15467013.8.0000.5537. Furthermore, the interviewees formally authorized their participation in the research by signing the consent form. The data were treated according to the technique of content analysis in the form of thematic analysis according to Bardin. This process, four categories emerged: "Types of popular practices used in the care of the child"; "Source of information of popular practices"; "Results obtained with popular practices"; "Factors that hinder the adoption of common practices." The results showed the use of popular practices by caregivers in the case of illness to children such as the homemade preparations with medicinal plants and folk healers. The family environment was referenced as the main learning space and spread of popular practices, which are influenced by cultural relations present in this context. As to the results obtained with popular features, the caregivers said to be satisfactory, and this triggers a feeling of confidence and acceptability of such measures. It is concluded that the use of popular practices in child care persists in everyday most of the participants, despite the hegemony of allopathic therapy. The caregivers stated that such practices are effective and easy to obtain, being secured in context by popular culture. In addition, health professionals, especially nurses, were seldom mentioned by the caregivers as to the information concerning popular resources used by them, which suggests the weakness in dialogic process of negotiating practices between both of them

Spondias tuberosa Arr. (UMBU): estudo fitoquímico e avaliação do potencial anti-inflamatório

Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae) is a fruitful tree popularly known as umbuzeiro, tapereba or umbu. It is a native and endemic species from Brazil, widespread in Brazilian Northeast. The species is important in folk medicine of the semi-arid Northeast, where it is mainly used to treat various inflammatory conditions, digestive problems as well as viral and bacterial infections. However, despite the common use in folk medicine, there are scarce pharmacological and phytochemicals studies that afford scientific evidence to its popular use. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the chemical markers in S. tuberosa leaves extract, obtained by maceration ethanol:water (70:30, [v/v]), and evaluate its anti-inflammatory potential in vivo. The phytochemical profile in TLC analysis suggested the occurence of the flavonoids rutin and isoquercitrin. HPLC analysis enabled us to confirm the presence of flavonoids and also, were detected the phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. In addition was developed and validated a HPLC method to evaluate the content of the identified compounds in S. tuberosa leaves extract according to RDC 899/2003 of ANVISA and ICH Guidelines 2005. In order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of S. tuberosa leaves extract, the peritonitis and paw edema models induced by carrageenan were used, administration i.p. in mice. The results highlighted the anti-inflammatory property in vivo at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg since a decrease in leukocyte influx to the site of inflammation, diameter of the edema and the level of myeloperoxidase were observed when compared to the drug control dexamethasone (2 mg/kg, i.p. route). Taken together, the results pointed out S. tuberosa as a potential species for developing phytotherapic derivatives in according to its popular use. With regard to the characterization markers, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin and isoquercitrin were identified and quantified in Spondias tuberosa leaves extract so they could be used in quality control analyses of the raw material and extracts of this species.

Conhecimentos alternativos e ecologia dos saberes: o difícil diálogo do sistema de saúde oficial

Le present travail a pour objectif, discuter le dialogue entre deux des formes de penser le processos santé-maladie: la médécine traditionnelle et celle scientifique. Et cette dernière représentée par le Système Unique de Santé, particulièrement par une Équipe de Santé de la Famille. Partant du questionnement “quel est le rôle de chaque système de santé dans les problèmes sanitaires ainsi que dans la prévention des maladies?”, il s‟agit de vérifier si l‟ ”Écologie des Savoirs” discutée par Santos (2007) a été appliquée dans les deux manières de penser et pratiquer les politiques de santé; tenant em compte que chacune d‟elles ayant son champ de possibilites et d‟impossibilités agit directement sur le quotidien des aires géographiques concernés par la recherche: le District de São João do Abade dans le Municipe de Curuçá/PA et l‟Équipe de Santé de la Famille Abade localisée dans ce même district. Cette étude fut réalisée à partir d‟instruments de collecte de données comme la recherche de terrain, l‟observation directe et les interviews semi-structurés (HAGUETTE, 1997) e apports théoriques à partir de certains des concepts clés les plus utilisés par les Épistémologies du Sud où nous mettons en relief l' “Écologie des Savoirs” (Santos, 2007); le “travail de Traduction” (SANTOS, 2008); la “Sociologie des Absences et la Sociologie des Émergences” (SANTOS, 2004); le concept de “Santé-Maladie” (MINAYO, 1988); ainsi que les discussions autor des “Savoirs de la Tradition” (ALMEIDA, 2010; RAMALHO et ALMEIDA, 2011). La stratégie “Santé de la Famille fut pensée à travers la vision de Guedelha (2008) et Vilar et al. (2011) où à partir de cette dernière la discussion sur le concept de “Médécine Communautaire” (DONNANGELO e PEREIRA, 1976) comme recours importante dans la recherche de l‟ “Écologie des Savoirs” dans la Stratégie Santé de la Famille a été possible.

Inibição dos efeitos locais induzidos pelas peçonhas das serpentes Bothrops erythromelas e Bothrops jararaca pelo extrato aquoso das folhas de Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Bail

Snakebites are a serious public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries and Bothrops genus is responsible for the accidents in Brazil and throughout Latin America (90% of cases). The local effects (pain, edema, hemorrhage and myonecrosis) and systemic (cardiovascular alterations, shock and blood clotting disorders) caused by the venom of Bothrops are due to the numerous protein and non-protein components, which are part of the constitution of the poison. The only form of therapy is scientifically validated antivenom serum therapy which, however, is not effective with respect to local effects produced, risk of immunological reactions, high cost and difficult access in some regions. Thus, the search for new alternatives to serum therapy becomes important, and in this context, many medicinal plants have been highlighted by the popular use as antiophidic. Among these plants, we can mention the species Jatropha mollissima (Euphorbiaceae) which has popular use in traditional medicine as antiophidic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antipyretic. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the neutralizing potential of local effects induced by the venom of Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops jararaca with the aqueous extract of the leaves of J. mollissima. The leaf extracts were prepared by decoction, fractionated (by liquid-liquid partition) and characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Antiophidic activity of the extract was evaluated in model of paw edema, peritonitis, bleeding and myotoxicity induced by venoms of B. jararaca and B. erythromelas. In all models, the extract was evaluated by intraperitoneal route at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, administered 30 minutes prior to injection of the venom (pretreatment protocol). Stains suggestive of the presence of flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside were detected in the extract by co-CCD. By means of HPLC were identified isoorientin, orientin, vitexin and isovitexin. All tested doses of J. mollissima extract reduced the paw edema induced by the venom with intensity similar to dexamethasone. The aqueous extract of J. mollissima leaves on all evaluated doses, inhibited cell migration induced by B. jararaca and B. erythromelas promoting inhibition of recruitment of mononuclear cells and the polymorphonuclear cells. Local bleeding induced by B. jararaca venom was significantly inhibited by the extract. Both venoms were inhibited by the extract in myotoxic activity. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of J. mollissima leaves have snakebite potential, particularly with respect to local effects, which may justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine and complementary therapy as anti-venom serum.

Inibição dos efeitos locais induzidos pelas peçonhas das serpentes Bothrops erythromelas e Bothrops jararaca pelo extrato aquoso das folhas de Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Bail

Snakebites are a serious public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries and Bothrops genus is responsible for the accidents in Brazil and throughout Latin America (90% of cases). The local effects (pain, edema, hemorrhage and myonecrosis) and systemic (cardiovascular alterations, shock and blood clotting disorders) caused by the venom of Bothrops are due to the numerous protein and non-protein components, which are part of the constitution of the poison. The only form of therapy is scientifically validated antivenom serum therapy which, however, is not effective with respect to local effects produced, risk of immunological reactions, high cost and difficult access in some regions. Thus, the search for new alternatives to serum therapy becomes important, and in this context, many medicinal plants have been highlighted by the popular use as antiophidic. Among these plants, we can mention the species Jatropha mollissima (Euphorbiaceae) which has popular use in traditional medicine as antiophidic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antipyretic. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the neutralizing potential of local effects induced by the venom of Bothrops erythromelas and Bothrops jararaca with the aqueous extract of the leaves of J. mollissima. The leaf extracts were prepared by decoction, fractionated (by liquid-liquid partition) and characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Antiophidic activity of the extract was evaluated in model of paw edema, peritonitis, bleeding and myotoxicity induced by venoms of B. jararaca and B. erythromelas. In all models, the extract was evaluated by intraperitoneal route at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, administered 30 minutes prior to injection of the venom (pretreatment protocol). Stains suggestive of the presence of flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside were detected in the extract by co-CCD. By means of HPLC were identified isoorientin, orientin, vitexin and isovitexin. All tested doses of J. mollissima extract reduced the paw edema induced by the venom with intensity similar to dexamethasone. The aqueous extract of J. mollissima leaves on all evaluated doses, inhibited cell migration induced by B. jararaca and B. erythromelas promoting inhibition of recruitment of mononuclear cells and the polymorphonuclear cells. Local bleeding induced by B. jararaca venom was significantly inhibited by the extract. Both venoms were inhibited by the extract in myotoxic activity. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of J. mollissima leaves have snakebite potential, particularly with respect to local effects, which may justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine and complementary therapy as anti-venom serum.

Avaliação de duas variedades de Passiflora edulis sobre as respostas comportamentais de camundongos e um possível mecanismo de ação

The medicinal plants constitute a rich source of biologically active compounds used for the treatment of many psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders and depression. Generalized anxiety disorder has increased significantly, being the second most prevalent disorder in care facilities to public health. Depression is considered a chronic and common psychiatric disorder that affects 350 million people of all ages around the world. In this context, the pharmacological intervention conduits have been employed, effective, although leave to be desired when observed adverse effects. The genus Passiflora is commonly commercially known by its fruit, but is also widely used in traditional Brazilian medicine. Passiflora edulis displays considerable morphological variability. This plant produces two types of fruit: Purple (Passiflora edulis Sims fo. edulis) and yellow (Passiflora edulis fo. flavicarpa Degener). This study investigated the central effects of aqueous extract of the leaves of the two varieties of the species Passiflora edulis in tests used to assess behavior related to anxiety and depression, as well as investigating the potential effect of the antidepressant-like fractions of edulis fo. edulis and neuropharmacological mechanisms responsible for this action. To conduct this study used male Swiss mice (2 months old, weighing 30-35 g). The animals received the aqueous extract of the leaves of the two species of Passiflora: edulis fo. edulis (100, 300, 1000 mg / kg) and fractions ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous waste (25, 50, 75, 100 mg / kg) and edulis fo. flavicarpa (30, 100, 300, 1000 mg / kg) or saline by gavage 60 minutes prior to the maze tests at high cross the open field test, test forced swim test and sedation induced by thiopental. To investigate the mechanism of action of the activity of antidepressant type of fractions the following drugs were used: PCPA (inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis) AMPT (inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis), DSP-4 (noradrenergic neurotoxin) and Sulpiride (antagonist selective dopamine D2 receptor). They were used as a standard positive control, fluoxetine and nortriptyline. The results of the phytochemical profile show very different characteristics to the aqueous extract of the varieties of Passiflora edulis "flavicarpa" and "edulis". The aqueous extracts of both varieties of Passiflora edulis share anxiolytic activity type (edulis fo. edulis 300 mg/kg; edulis fo. flavicarpa 300 and 1000 mg/kg) and antidepressant (edulis fo. edulis 300 mg/kg; edulis fo flavicarpa 1000 mg/kg), while the effect hipolocomotor/sedative was only seen for edulis fo. edulis (1000 mg/kg). Both fractions ethyl acetate, butanol aqueous extract edulis fo. edulis showed activity type antidepressant at a dose of 50 mg/kg in the forced swim test. The data suggest that the effect of antidepressant-like fractions edulis fo. edulis involves catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, particularly dopaminergic, there is seen that pre-treatment DSP-4 is not affected antidepressant action of fractions as was dependent activation of dopamine D2 receptors.

Avaliação de duas variedades de Passiflora edulis sobre as respostas comportamentais de camundongos e um possível mecanismo de ação

The medicinal plants constitute a rich source of biologically active compounds used for the treatment of many psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders and depression. Generalized anxiety disorder has increased significantly, being the second most prevalent disorder in care facilities to public health. Depression is considered a chronic and common psychiatric disorder that affects 350 million people of all ages around the world. In this context, the pharmacological intervention conduits have been employed, effective, although leave to be desired when observed adverse effects. The genus Passiflora is commonly commercially known by its fruit, but is also widely used in traditional Brazilian medicine. Passiflora edulis displays considerable morphological variability. This plant produces two types of fruit: Purple (Passiflora edulis Sims fo. edulis) and yellow (Passiflora edulis fo. flavicarpa Degener). This study investigated the central effects of aqueous extract of the leaves of the two varieties of the species Passiflora edulis in tests used to assess behavior related to anxiety and depression, as well as investigating the potential effect of the antidepressant-like fractions of edulis fo. edulis and neuropharmacological mechanisms responsible for this action. To conduct this study used male Swiss mice (2 months old, weighing 30-35 g). The animals received the aqueous extract of the leaves of the two species of Passiflora: edulis fo. edulis (100, 300, 1000 mg / kg) and fractions ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous waste (25, 50, 75, 100 mg / kg) and edulis fo. flavicarpa (30, 100, 300, 1000 mg / kg) or saline by gavage 60 minutes prior to the maze tests at high cross the open field test, test forced swim test and sedation induced by thiopental. To investigate the mechanism of action of the activity of antidepressant type of fractions the following drugs were used: PCPA (inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis) AMPT (inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis), DSP-4 (noradrenergic neurotoxin) and Sulpiride (antagonist selective dopamine D2 receptor). They were used as a standard positive control, fluoxetine and nortriptyline. The results of the phytochemical profile show very different characteristics to the aqueous extract of the varieties of Passiflora edulis "flavicarpa" and "edulis". The aqueous extracts of both varieties of Passiflora edulis share anxiolytic activity type (edulis fo. edulis 300 mg/kg; edulis fo. flavicarpa 300 and 1000 mg/kg) and antidepressant (edulis fo. edulis 300 mg/kg; edulis fo flavicarpa 1000 mg/kg), while the effect hipolocomotor/sedative was only seen for edulis fo. edulis (1000 mg/kg). Both fractions ethyl acetate, butanol aqueous extract edulis fo. edulis showed activity type antidepressant at a dose of 50 mg/kg in the forced swim test. The data suggest that the effect of antidepressant-like fractions edulis fo. edulis involves catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, particularly dopaminergic, there is seen that pre-treatment DSP-4 is not affected antidepressant action of fractions as was dependent activation of dopamine D2 receptors.

Estudo comparativo da queima rápida com a queima tradicional nas propriedades de materiais cerâmicos de base argilos

Dutra, R. P. S.; Varela,M. L.; Nascimento, R. M. ; Gomes, U. U. ; Martinelli1, A. E. ; Paskocimas, C. A. Estudo comparativo da queima rápida com a queima tradicional nas propriedades de materiais cerâmicos de base argilosa. Cerâmica [online]. 2009, vol.55, n.333, pp. 100-105. ISSN 0366-6913. doi:Disponivem em: . Acesso em: 04 out. 2010.

Caracterização socio-econômico-cultural de raizeiros e procedimentos pós-colheita de plantas medicinais comercializadas em Maceió, AL

ARAUJO, Afranio Cesar de et al. Caracterização socio-econômico-cultural de raizeiros e procedimentos pós-colheita de plantas medicinais comercializadas em Maceió, AL. Rev. Bras. Pl. Med, Botucatu, v. 11, n. 01, p.81-91, 2009. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 04 out. 2010.