A review of antifertility folkloric plants tested in laboratory animals

The use of natural active principals is widespread among a great proportion of the rural population, or by people who do not have easy access to medical assistance. These active principles are used as food or medicines, and even for purposes of contraception. It becomes necessary to establish a relationship between the folklore habits and current information on the nature of anti-fertility substances, and knowledge of their mechanisms. Anti-fertility agents may exert their actions in a number of areas, (hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, oviduct, uterus, and vagina), inhibiting synthesis and/or liberation of hormones (follicle-stimulating, luteinizing, and steroid hormones), ovulation, ovum transportation, and implantation process. Therefore, a review of literature was carried out, including of several plants used by women as abortifacient and anti-fertility agents to compare their effects with those obtained among laboratory animals.

Mating influence in the ovary differentiation in adult queens of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The present results show that in the ovarioles of a newly emerged (0 day) queen of A. mellifera only two regions may be distinguished: a proximal, short germarium and a very long distal, terminal filament. As the queen matures and gets ready for the nupcial flight, the germarium increases in lenght, advancing towered the distal end, as the terminal filament shortens. The ovarioles of queens ready to mate (6 to 8 days old) have, already one or two ovarian follicles, i.e. a very short proximal vitellarium, but a real vitellogenesis only starts after the fecundation. If the queen does not mate the ovarioles structure is disrupted (12-16 days old). In mated queen eggs the ovarioles present three differentiated regions, from the apice to the basis: a short terminal filament, a medium size germarium, and a very long basal vitellarium. As the eggs are laid, the emptied follicle collapses, degenerates and produces a corpus luteum.

Caracterização histológica de folhas de Mentha pulegium x spicata (Lamiaceae)

The glandular hairs of Mentha pulegium x spicata (Lamiaceae) were studied by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, Three morphologically distinct types of trichomes are described: two of them are glandulars (peltate and capitate) and one is non-glandular hair (tector). Capitate trichome is of Type I, and consists of a foot cell, a stalk and a unicellular head with elongated format and two lateral depressions, showing the thinnest cuticle. The peltate trichome consists of a foot cell, a stalk cell and a radial cluster of secretory cells, cover by cuticle. The tector trichomes can be simple and forked -format, both multicellular, in which there are ornamentations on cell cuticle. The leaf cross sections, analysed in light microscopy, showed mesophyll organized for unistratification palisade parenchyma and lacurary parenchyma with four to five cell stratum. It was observed the presence of cristal mass agglomerate in mesophyll cells and in epidermical cells.

Inhibin B and ovarian function after total abdominal hysterectomy in women of reproductive age

The aim of this prospective study was to assess ovarian function using clinical and endocrine parameters in women of reproductive age who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. Sixty-one women, aged ≤ 40 years, were allocated into two groups: group 1, consisting of 31 patients who had hysterectomy, and group 2, consisting of 30 normal women. Inclusion criteria were normal ovarian function at baseline, normal body weight, no hormonal diseases and basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level of < 15 mIU/ml. FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and inhibin B levels as well as maturation value (MV) were measured by vaginal cytology on three occasions: baseline, and 6 and 12 months after hysterectomy. Analysis of variance, the Friedman test, Mann-Whitney test and t-test statistics were employed to compare the two groups. At baseline the groups were homogeneous. At months 6 and 12, hysterectomized women showed decreased median values of inhibin B, increased median values of estradiol (p < 0.05), unchanged median values of FSH and LH, and decreased median values of MV (p < 0.05). In the hysterectomy group, 12.9% (4/31) of the patients had FSH levels of > 40 mIU/ml, estradiol of < 20 pg/ml and inhibin B of < 5 ng/ml, compatible with ovarian failure. In the control group, all the parameters studied remained unchanged. These results suggest that total abdominal hysterectomy accelerates the decline in ovarian function in women of reproductive age.

Ultrastructural and morphometric analysis on the ovary of Wistar rats after chronic ethanol ingestion

In the present study, seventy-two adult rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) aged three months were used. The animals were divided into two groups (control and alcoholic). The control group received a solid diet (Purina rat chow) and tap water ad libitum. The alcoholic group received the same solid diet and sugar-cane liquid (trade 51, 41° Gay Lussac - GL) diluted 30° GL. At the end or 90, 180 and 270 days of treatment, ten rats of each group were anaesthetized with ethyl ether and sacrificed. The ovaries were collected, fixed, included and submitted to analysis by both light and electron microscopy. The alcoholic group showed increase in the number of corpora lutea at both 180 and 270 days of treatment, atresic follicles at 270 days of treatment, decreased diameter of corpora lutea at 180 and 270 days of treatment, the granulosa layer of the antral follicles at 180 days of treatment, and gradual regression of the theca antral follicles. Furthermore, an increase in diameter and posterior regression of the antral follicle were observed, as well as vacuolation, increased lipid droplets in the granulosa cell at 90 days and in the theca at 180 and 270 days of treatment and gradually in the interstitial cell. The rats showed ovarian alterations after ingestion of alcohol. There was a correlation between exposure time to the drug and the injury observed.

Morphology of the vas deferens in an ethanol-drinking strain of rats (UChA and UChB)

Chronic alcoholism alters reproduction and therefore may be responsible for alterations of vas deferens, which are the subject of this analysis in UCh ethanol-drinking rats. The proximal and distal segments of the vas deferens of 20 animals were submitted to macroscopic, light microscopy, electron microscopy and morphometric analysis. The UCh rats showed atrophy of the epithelium of the vas deferens and alterations of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Ethanol induces changes in the epithelium of the vas deferens and hypothalamus-pituitary axis of UCh rats.

Effect of capacitation of stallion sperm with polyvinylalcohol or bovine serum albumin on penetration of bovine zona-free or partially zona-removed equine oocytes

Experiments were conducted to study effects of macromolecules on stallion sperm capacitation and fertilization as determined by penetration of bovine zona-free and equine partially zona-removed oocytes. Stallion sperm were capacitated in TYH medium (modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate) supplemented with either 1 mg/mL of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) or 4 mg/ mL of BSA. Capacitation was induced with 8 bromoadenosine cyclic monophosphate (8BrcAMP; 0.5 mM) alone or in combination with 0.1 μM of ionomycin. Intraspecies gametes were co-incubated in TYH/PVA or TYH/ BSA for 18 to 20 h. For zona-free bovine oocytes, penetration rate (35%) with the combination of 8BrcAMP and ionomycin in PVA-containing medium was higher (P < 0.05) than any treatment in BSA-containing medium (5 to 6%). A similar study was conducted using equine oocytes with partially removed zonae. Sperm capacitated and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in PVA-containing medium had higher penetration rates (P < 0.01) than sperm in BSA-containing medium (54 vs. 11%). The effect of equine preovulatory follicular fluid on bovine oocyte penetration was assessed. Bovine oocytes were matured in tissue culture medium-199 with 0, 20, 50, or 100% equine preovulatory follicular fluid, and 1 IU/mL of equine chorionic gonadotropin. Stallion sperm were treated with 8BrcAMP + ionomycin in PVA- or BSA-containing media. The penetration rates of bovine zona-free oocytes by stallion sperm were again higher with PVA (47%) than BSA (18%; P < 0.01). Penetration rates of oocytes matured in 100% follicular fluid were higher (P < 0.05) than for oocytes matured with 0% follicular fluid. The effects of equine follicular fluid and PVA/BSA during sperm capacitation on standard bovine IVF were examined. Culture of bovine oocytes with equine follicular fluid did not affect oocyte maturation or penetration rates after IVF. Bovine sperm capacitated with heparin in PVA-containing medium yielded lower (P < 0.05) fertilization rates than those capacitated in BSA-containing medium when incubated with both zona-intact and zona-free bovine oocytes. In summary, PVA was superior to BSA for ionophore-induced capacitation of equine sperm for penetration of zona-free bovine oocytes or partially zona-removed equine oocytes, but not for standard bovine IVF with bovine sperm. Zona-free bovine oocytes may be useful for assaying in vitro capacitation and fertilization of stallion sperm. © 2003 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Flow injection amperometric determination of persulfate in cosmetic products using a Prussian Blue film-modified electrode

A flow-injection system with a glassy carbon disk electrode modified with Prussian Blue film is proposed for the determination of persulfate in commercial samples of hair bleaching boosters by amperometry. The detection was obtained by chronoamperometric technique and the sample is injected into the electrochemical cell in a wall jet configuration. Potassium chloride at concentration of 0.1 mol L-1 acted as sample carrier at a flow rate of 4.0 mL min-1 and supporting-electrolyte. For 0.025 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) applied voltage, the proposed system handles ca. 160 samples per hour (1.0 10-4 - 1.0 10-3 mol L-1 of persulfate), consuming about 200 μL sample and 11 mg KCl per determination. Typical linear correlations between electrocatalytic current and persulfate concentration was ca. 0.9998. The detection limit is 9.0 10-5 mol L-1 and the calculated amperometric sensibility 3.6 103 μA L mol -1. Relative standard deviation (n =12) of a 1.0 10-4 mol L-1 sample is about 2.2%. The method was applied to persulfate determination in commercial hair-bleaching samples and results are in agreement with those obtained by titrimetry at 95% confidence level and good recoveries (95 - 112%) of spiked samples were found. © 2003 by MDPI.

Caracterização anatômica da folha de Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Poaceae) e perfil químico do óleo essencial

The objective of the work was to accomplish an anatomical and ultrastructural study of mature leaf of Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae) and analyze the essential oil through Gas Chromatography (GC). For the anatomical study, the material was fixed in FAA, followed bytheethyl dehydration and infiltration of the material in synthetic resin. For the ultrastructural study, the material was fixed and Kamovsky, dehydrated in acetone, dried to the critical point and metallized. For the analysis in GC, the essential oil it was obtained by steam distillation of leaves and analyzed by Gas Chromatography. Through the anatomical study it was observed that the faces of mesophyll are distinctly, the bulliform cells occupy the adaxial surface of the leaf and in the medium region are situated the biggest vascular bundles involved by sclerenchymatous hem with extensions reaching both epidermis. Between the biggest vascular bundles are observed three to five small vascular bundles, linkage only in the abaxial epidermis. Shortly, pointed and unicellular structures, called prickle-hair, had been observed inserted above the veins and micro-hair, that they consist of a long basal cell and an oval distal cell, that are located between the regions of vascular bundles. The chromatogram sample shows that the analyzed essential oil presented three majority components, responsible for 87% of the relative composition of the oil. These components are monoterpenos, justifying the strong smell of the essential oil.

Neonatal rat exposure to pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides: A physiological and biochemical trial of progeny

A manufactured product (Ectoplus®) composed by a cypermethrin (44.7%) and dichlorvos (4.2%) mixture was administered (10mg/kg/day, orally, by gavage) to pregnant rats, during the periods of gestation+lactation, gestation, and lactation. Control mothers received vehicle aqueous solution during the gestation+lactation period. With the progeny, in the 1-15 post-natal days (PNDI-15) there were observed alterations in the periods of occurrence of teeth, hair, unfolding of ears, and in the developmental period for following reflexes: postural, palmar grasp, negative geotaxis, and acoustic startle reflex. After weaning (PND21), there were observed the presence of cypermethrin and dichlorvos in the blood brain and liver; decrease in weight of liver, of cholinesterase activity in the plasma, liver, and brain, and hepatic metabolizing activity of drugs; alterations of levels of gamma glutamyl transferase enzymes, of creatinine, and of potassium in the serum of the animals. In conclusion, neonatal exposure to a formulated mixture of cypermethrin and dichlorvos is inductive to alterations in characteristics that indicate somatic and neuromuscular development of the progeny, and in certain biochemical parameters. The results suggest that enzymatic assessment associated with somatic and neuromotor assessment can be important markers of developmental characteristics in neonatal toxicity by pesticide formulations based on mixtures of insecticides.

Epidemiologia das dermatofitoses em instituições públicas da região de Araraquara - SP

Dermatophytosis on skin, hair and nails are the most common infectious process in the world. A total of 94 individuals from Public Institutions from the city of Araraquara - Sao Paulo/Brazil, with suspected of dermatophytic lesions were examined in order to determine the incidence and etiology of dermatophytosis. 105 specimens were collected from August to December of 2001 in the Mycology Laboratory of the Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. It was observed that 47 samples were positive for dermatophytes. Trichophyton rubrum was the prevalent specie (59.6%), followed by Microsporum canis (17%), T. tonsurans (10.6%), T. mentagrophytes (8.5%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (4.3%). T. rubrum was the most frequent in interdigital lesions (81.5%) and M. canis was the main dermatophyte involved in scalp lesions (58.3%). Therefore, it was observed a predominance of antropophilic and zoophilic species, respectively. These results are in agreement with statistical data from South and Southeast regions of Brazil, as well as from other parts of the world in which these fungi were the most frequently isolates from tinea pedis and tinea capitis. In this study, it was also observed a high percentage of T. tonsurans (41.7%) in tinea capitis and this result was different from the statistical data collected until now in our region.

Contribuição ao estudo farmacognóstico da mutamba (Guazuma ulmifolia - Sterculiaceae)

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Sterculiaceae, popularly known as mutamba, has a wide geographical distribution, ranging from Mexico to Southern Brazil. The interest in its chemical properties is due to its popular use for hair loss treatment. This activity can be attributed to tannins that have many pharmacological activities such anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-microbial, anti-viral, capillary protective action and radical scavenging properties. In the microscopic analysis of barks and leaves, large secretor ducts could be detected among the parenchyma cells, as well as star shaped trichoms on the epidermis. One of the aims of the anatomical study was to detect tissues with polyphenolic compounds. The results indicated two tissues rich in these compounds: the phloematic region and the periderm. Chemical analyses were carried out on the bark and showed the presence of the following chemical groups: flavonoids, tannins, saponins and mucilages.

Critical speed and endurance capacity in young swimmers: Effects of gender and age

This study analyzed the relationship between critical speed (CS) and maximal speed for 30 min (S30) in swimmers of ages 10-15 years. Fifty-one swimmers were divided by chronological age (10-12 years = G10-12, 13-15 years = G13-15), sexual maturation (pubic hair stages; P1-P3 and P4-P5), and gender (M = boys, F = girls). The CS was determined through the slope of the linear regression between the distances (100, 200, and 400 m) and participants' respective times. CS and S30 were similar in the younger (G10-12M = 0.97 vs. 0.97 m/s, and G10-12F = 1.01 vs. 0.97 m/s, respectively), and older swimmers (G13-15M = 1.10 vs. 1.07 m/s and G13-15F = 0.93 vs. 0.91 m/s, respectively). In conclusion, the CS can be used in young swimmers for the evaluation of aerobic capacity, independent of gender and age. © 2005 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Interdisciplinary approach to treat dyskeratosis congenita associated with severe aplastic anemia: A case report

This paper reports on a 4-year-old male who had dyskeratosis congenita and who acquired severe aplastic anemia. The patient developed hyperpigmentation of the face, neck and chest region, arms, shoulders and legs. In addition, he had dry skin, deformed fingernails and toenails, sparse hair and eyebrows and hyperkeratosis of the dorsum of the hands and feet. Laboratory and histological analysis revealed severe pancytopenia and dyserythropoiesis of red blood cells, hypocellularity of white blood cells and decreased megakaryocytes with dysplasia. The intraoral examination identified bleeding gums; petechiae of the palate, tongue and cheek mucosa; and an atrophic, smooth and shining dorsal surface of the tongue. There were deep carious lesions in the deciduous mandibular molars and maxillary anterior teeth; as well as mobility of mandibular left canine, which had bone loss. The treatment for oral lesions included diet changes, improved oral hygiene, and extraction of the deciduous teeth destroyed by caries.

Tele-education environment and didactic iconography in sexual transmitted diseases

The field of advertising has developed techniques of mass communication and rapid transmission of information. Among these techniques are slogans and iconographies. This work used such tools for educational purposes and was divided into three modules. Module 1 evaluated the use of simplified textual communication (slogans) about the subject Sexually Transmitted Diseases. It was applied to third-year medical students, which had not taken the course on this theme. To evaluate the impact of the textual communication form (slogans), long phrases were elaborated in scientific language containing 15 topics. From these long phrases, compact phrases were developed using techniques of the advertising area for elaboration of slogans. Three forms of didactic material about that theme were developed. The first form consisted of long phrases in descriptive topics, using scientific language. The second was constituted exclusively of compact phrases in the form of slogans, and the third was composed of the combination of the two previous forms. Then, 10 multiple-choice questions were elaborated and applied in two phases. In the first phase, application occurred immediately after the reading of didactic texts; in the second phase, it happened 60 days after the reading. For statistical analysis, Snedcor's F test was used for analysis of variance, at 5% significance level. There was an increase in memorization by students who read the material containing the association between long phrases and slogans, which indicates that the latter, when used as an auxiliary model of learning, can bring significant benefits for education. Module 2 consisted of analyzing the elaboration of educational videos produced in graphic computing (called iconographies) for development of dynamic communication means. The theme Hair Cycle was utilized. Viability of high quantities of information in few minutes of animation could be demonstrated together with the advantage of presenting the process in a dynamic form without wasting scientific details. Module 3 presented the inclusion of slogans in educational videos produced in graphic computing about the Hair Cycle, showing a new tool for rapid and efficient transference of data. Slogans and iconographies, when utilized in educational material, can bring significant benefits for the student's learning.