Uso popular de plantas medicinais na comunidade rural da Vargem Grande Município de Natividade da Serra, SP

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito alelopático de extrato de leonurus sibiricus l. em mentha piperita l.. desenvolvimento, trocas gasosas e metabólitos do óleo essencial

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização da diversidade genética e da composição química dos óleos essenciais de populações de Ocimum selloi Benth

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Avaliação da atividade antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória do óleo essencial de Hyptis crenata (Pohl) ex Benth

Hyptis crenata (Pohl) ex Benth. é uma planta herbácea, medicinal e aromática, pertencente à família lamiaceae, conhecida popularmente como salva-do-marajó, malva-do-marajó e hortelã-bravo. Distribui-se no estuário do Rio Amazonas, Pantanal e no estado de Minas-Gerais. Seu óleo essencial é caracterizado pela presença de monoterpenos e sesquiterpenos. É utilizada popularmente como sudorífico, tônico, estimulante, bem como para tratar inflamação de olhos e garganta, constipação e artrite. Baseado nessas informações, decidiu-se avaliar a atividade antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória do óleo essencial desta espécie (OEHc) através dos seguintes testes: teste das contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético, placa quente, formalina, dermatite induzida pelo óleo de croton, edemas induzidos por dextrana e carragenina e peritonite induzida por carragenina. Para a análise estatística utilizou-se ANOVA seguida de um método de múltiplas comparações (Teste de Student-Newman-Keuls ou teste "t" de Student). O óleo foi extraído por hidrodestilação, obtendo um rendimento de 0,6%. É composto predominantemente por monoterpenos (94,5%). A dose letal media DL50 foi de 5000 mg/kg. Nas contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético o óleo (250, 350 e 500 mg/kg) reduziu de forma significante de maneira dose-dependente estas contorções em 22,56%, 60,76% e 75,53%, respectivamente, cujo coeficiente de correlação linear foi de r = 0,9341 e DE50 = 364,22 mg/kg. No teste da placa quente, o óleo não foi capaz de aumentar o tempo de latência de maneira significante. No teste da formalina, o OEHc produziu uma inibição da 1 fase em 26,49% e da 2 fase em 43,39%. Além disso, a naloxona reverteu o efeito do OEHc neste teste. Na dermatite induzida pelo óleo de croton, o OEHc reduziu o edema de maneira significante em 44,26%. No edema induzido por dextrana, o óleo foi capaz de impedir o desenvolvimento do edema na dose de 364,22 mg/kg de maneira significante em relação ao grupo controle. Porém, no edema induzido por carragenina esta inibição não foi observada. Na peritonite induzida por carragenina, o OEHc reduziu o número de leucócitos e o de neutrófilos em 47,55% e 66,47%, respectivamente. A partir dos resultados obtidos, sugere-se que o OEHc apresenta atividade antinociceptiva provavelmente através da ação direta sobre as fibras nociceptivas, além de sugerir que os receptores opióides possam estar envolvidos neste processo; e atividade antiinflamatória provavelmente de origem periférica. Pode-se sugerir, também, que os possíveis componentes responsáveis por essas ações sejam os compostos monoterpênicos presentes no OEHc.

Fitoterapia popular do bairro do Sossego distrito de Marudá-Pará

Na Amazônia as plantas medicinais são um dos principais recursos para o tratamento de diversas doenças, dado o contexto cultural, o acesso, confiabilidade e baixo custo em comparação aos medicamentos industriais. Nesse contexto, encontra-se o Distrito de Marudá, no Município de Marapanim, a 160 Km da capital Belém, onde é comum o uso de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de agravos à saúde. O Brasil registra vários levantamentos de espécies vegetais utilizadas na fitoterapia popular de um grupo humano, aplicando-se metodologias etnoorientadas como etnobotânica e etnofarmácia, para inventariar a flora. Este trabalho objetiva investigar a prática da fitoterapia popular pelos moradores do bairro do Sossego, incluindo um grupo de mulheres denominado Erva Vida no Distrito de Marudá - PA, ilustrando a importância das plantas medicinais para este grupo humano em termos culturais, econômicos e ambientais. Para isso realizou-se um levantamento etnofarmacêutico visando identificar as plantas medicinais utilizadas pela população local. Foram entrevistados 18 praticantes da fitoterapia popular (pessoas detentoras de conhecimento sobre as plantas medicinais) que foram indicados pela própria comunidade do bairro do Sossego, seguindo a técnica bola-de-neve ou “Snow Ball”. As mulheres do Grupo Erva Vida, por também serem detentoras de conhecimentos sobre as plantas medicinais também foram entrevistadas. Foram citadas 96 etnoespécies de uso medicinal, segundo as informantes, elas distribuem-se em 44 famílias, destacando-se a Lamiaceae, com 11 etnoespécies (11,70%) e Asteraceae, com 7 etnoespécies (7,44%). O agravo mais citado é a febre, tratada com a planta anador que possui a maior Frequência relativa de alegação de uso (FRAPS), com 100% das indicações, seguida da arruda com 88% para tratar a dor de cabeça. Estas duas plantas apresentam potencial para mais estudos farmacológicos para validar suas alegações de uso popular. O presente trabalho registra o saber popular sobre a fitoterapia popular praticada no bairro do Sossego, Marudá – Marapanim, PA e traz subsídios para futuros projetos para o desenvolvimento de arranjos produtivos locais com fitoterápicos e para a utilização de remédios preparados pelo Grupo Erva Vida na atenção básica a saúde no Distrito assim induzindo o Desenvolvimento Local em Marudá.

Physiological indexese macro- and micronutrients in plant tissue and essential oil of Mentha piperita L. grown in nutrient solution with variation in N, P, K and Mg levels

Mentha piperita L. is an aromatic and medicinal species of the family Lamiaceae, known as mint or peppermint, and its leaves and branches produce essential oil rich in menthol. This study aimed to evaluate physiological indexes, macro- and micronutrients inthe shootsand essential oil of Mentha piperita L. grown in nutrient solution number 2 of Hoagland and Arnon (1950) with different N, P, K and Mg levels. Shoot length, dry mass of the different organs, total dry mass, leaf area, essential oil yield and composition, and macronutrient (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S) and micronutrient (Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn) contents in the shoot were evaluated. Plants treated with 65%N/50%P/25%K/100%Mg had a tendency towards longer shoot, greaterroot and leaf blade dry masses, higher essential oil yield, higher menthol levels and lower menthone levels. The results showed that Mentha can be grown in nutrient solution by reducing 65% N, 50% P, 25% K and 100% Mg. This solution had better development compared to the other tested treatments. Therefore,we recommendMentha piperita L. to be grown with such nutrient levels.

Composição de óleo volátil de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L. em plantas sadias e infectadas por vírus

Ocimum basilicum L., popularmente conhecido como manjericão, é uma planta pertencente à Lamiaceae, cujo óleo volátil possui diversas atividades biológicas, tais como antifúngica, antigiardíase, antioxidante, antibacteriana, antileishmaniose, inseticida, dentre outras. É constituído principalmente por monoterpenos, sesquiterpenos e fenilpropanoides. A composição de metabólitos secundários nas plantas, dos quais os óleos voláteis fazem parte, pode sofrer influência de diversos fatores. Neste trabalho, foi investigada a influência das doenças virais no perfil dos óleos voláteis do manjericão. Para isso, sementes de Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese foram semeadas e mantidas em casa de vegetação. Ao atingirem tamanho adequado (dois pares de folhas acima das cotiledonares), foram inoculadas com vírus não identificado, isolado de manjericão, além do Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) e Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). O óleo volátil de plantas sadias e infectadas foi extraído por hidrodestilação em aparelho de Clevenger e analisado em cromatógrafo gasoso acoplado ao espectrômetro de massas. Os cromatogramas revelaram a presença de metileugenol e ρ- cresol,2,6-di-terci-butílico como principais componentes, sendo que a porcentagem de metileugenol diminuiu significativamente nas plantas infectadas com o vírus não identificado. Houve mudanças na composição do óleo volátil, sendo alguns componentes encontrados apenas nas plantas sadias e outros somente nas infectadas

Caracterização fitoquímica e ensaios biológicos de Coleus blumei Benth

Coleus blumei Benth (Lamiaceae), popularly known in Brazil as heart-hurt or coleus-of-Java is an ornamental plant widely used due to the color of its leaves. Several species of the genus Coleus present compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial and allopathic activities due to the presence of chemicals such coleonol, forskolin and rosmarinic acid. Therefore, this study aimed to carry out phytochemical study and biological tests to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant and allopathic activities of the 70% ethanol extract and its fractions ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and end aqueous fraction leaf of Coleus blumei Benth. The plant extract was prepared by turbolisis from the powder of dried leaves, as a solvent for extraction using 70% ethanol. The ethanol extract was fractionated with solvents dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The phytochemical study identified the presence of saponins, free anthraquinones, flavonoids and anthocyanidins. In evaluating the antibacterial dichloromethane fraction showed activity against all microorganisms tested both in agar diffusion test and microdilution test. The 70% ethanol extract showed activity against the micro-organisms S. aureus and S. epidermidis in agar diffusion test and against all microorganisms tested in microdilution test. The ethyl acetate fraction showed activity against the micro-organism S. aureus in the agar diffusion test and against all microorganisms tested in microdilution test. The end aqueous fraction showed no activity against any micro-organism tested. In the test of evaluation activity allopathic dichloromethane fraction showed greater inhibition of seed germination and growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), followed by 70% ethanolic extract, the ethyl acetate fraction and the end aqueous fraction. In testing the antioxidant activity with DPPH ethyl acetate fraction showed higher antioxidant activity followed... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Antimicrobial and antileishmanial activities of diterpenoids isolated from the roots of salvia deserta

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Trypanocidal activity of Brazilian plants against epimastigote forms from Y and Bolivia strains of Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas disease is one of the main public health problems in Latin America. Since the available treatments for this disease are not effective in providing cure, the screening of potential antiprotozoal agents is essential, mainly of those obtained from natural sources. This study aimed to provide an evaluation of the trypanocidal activity of 92 ethanol extracts from species belonging to the families Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Moraceae, Nyctaginaceae, and Verbenaceae against the Y and Bolivia strains of Trypanosoma cruzi. Additionally, cytotoxic activity on LLCMK2 fibroblasts was evaluated. Both the trypanocidal activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated using the MTT method, in the following concentrations: 500, 350, 250, and 100 µg/mL. Benznidazole was used for positive control. The best results among the 92 samples evaluated were obtained with ethanol extracts of Ocotea paranapiacabensis (Am93) and Aegiphila lhotzkiana (Am160). Am93 showed trypanocidal activity against epimastigote forms of the Bolivia strain and was moderately toxic to LLCMK2 cells, its Selectivity Index (SI) being 14.56, while Am160 showed moderate trypanocidal activity against the Bolivia strain and moderate toxicicity, its SI being equal to 1.15. The screening of Brazilian plants has indicated the potential effect of ethanol extracts obtained from Ocotea paranapiacabensis and Aegiphila lhotzkiana against Chagas disease.

Biological effects of bioactive components and extracts derived from edible plants commonly used in human nutrition

The main aim of this PhD research project was the evaluation of the biological effects of bioactive compounds derived from edible plants, with particular attention on their possibility to counteract oxidative damage and inflammation. After a preliminary study of in vitro antioxidant activity, regarding the modification eventually occurring after home freezing and cooking of edible vegetables, cultured mammalian cells were used as experimental model systems. Soluble extract and essential oils derived from different cultivars of Brassicaceae and Lamiaceae were tested as possible tools for the counteraction of the oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species (ROS), underlining differences related to cultivar and agronomic techniques. Since accumulating evidence indicates that phytochemicals exhibit several additional properties in complex biological systems, a nutrigenomic approach was used to further explain the biological activity of a green tea extract, and to evidence the anti-inflammatory role of bioactive compounds derived from different foods. Overall, results obtained could contribute to a better understanding of the potential health benefit of plant foods.

The inhibition of bone resorption in rats treated with (-)-menthol is due to its metabolites

(-)-Menthol, a monoterpene from Mentha species (Lamiaceae), has been shown to inhibit bone resorption in vivo by an unknown mechanism. In the present study, plasma and urine profiling in rats determined by GC/MS demonstrate that (-)-menthol is extensively metabolized, mainly by hydroxylation and carboxylation, and excreted in the urine, in part as glucuronides. In plasma, very low concentrations of (-)-menthol metabolites were detected after a single dose of (-)-menthol, whereas after repeated treatment, several times higher concentrations and long residence times were measured. In contrast, the elimination of unchanged (-)-menthol was increased by repeated treatment. (-)-Menthol, at concentrations found in plasma, did not inhibit bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria (skull). However, the neutral metabolites of (-)-menthol, extracted from urine of rats fed with (-)-menthol, inhibited bone resorption in vitro, the concentrations being at plasma level or higher. These results suggest that not (-)-menthol itself, but one or several of its neutral metabolites inhibit the bone resorbing cells in vivo.

Pollen records and age determination of site Bokanjacko Blato

In summary, one may conclude that human influence in the Bokanjac area started in the Eneolithic or Earlier Bronze Age - the third to second millennia Cal. BC. Traces of agriculture are weak or missing in the pollen diagram but grazing is indicated. Chestnut and walnut were introduced by humans to the area in classical times. These findings are in general agreement with the results of earlier studies at coastal sites north-west and south-east of Bokanjacko Blato.

High-resolution multi-proxy record of the last glacial period from Lake Van, eastern Anatolian high plateau, Turkey

Detailed analyses of the Lake Van pollen, Ca/K ratio and stable oxygen isotope record allow the identification of millennial-scale vegetation and environmental changes in eastern Anatolia throughout the last glacial (~75-15 ka BP). The climate within the last glacial was cold and dry, with low arboreal pollen (AP) levels. The driest and coldest period corresponds to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 (~28-14.5 ka BP) dominated by the highest values of xerophytic steppe vegetation. Our high-resolution multi proxy record shows rapid expansions and contractions of tree populations that reflects variability in temperature and moisture availability. This rapid vegetation and environmental changes can be linked to the stadial-interstadial pattern of the Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events as recorded in the Greenland ice cores. Periods of reduced moisture availability were characterized by enhanced xerophytic species and high terrigenous input from the Lake Van catchment area. Furthermore, comparison with the marine realm reveals that the complex atmosphere-ocean interaction can be explained by the strength and position of the westerlies, which is responsible for the supply of humidity in eastern Anatolia. Influenced by diverse topography of the Lake Van catchment, larger DO interstadials (e.g. DO 19, 17-16, 14, 12 and 8) show the highest expansion of temperate species within the last glacial. However, Heinrich events (HE), characterized by highest concentrations of ice-rafted debris (IRD) in marine sediments, are identified in eastern Anatolia by AP values not lower and high steppe components not more abundant than during DO stadials. In addition, this work is a first attempt to establish a continuous microscopic charcoal record over the last glacial in the Near East, which documents an initial immediate response to millennial-scale climate and environmental variability and enables us to shed light on the history of fire activity during the last glacial.

Pollen record and age determination of a sediment profile from Lake Teletskoye, Russia

A high-resolution pollen record from Lake Teletskoye documents the climate-related vegetation history of the northern Altai Mountain region during the last millennium. Siberian pine taiga with Scots pine, fir, spruce, and birch dominated the vegetation between ca. AD 1050 and 1100. The climate was similar to modern. In the beginning of the 12th century, birch and shrub alder increased. Lowered pollen concentrations and simultaneous peaks in herbs (especially Artemisia and Poaceae), ferns, and charcoal fragments point to colder and more arid climate conditions than before, with frequent fire events. Around AD 1200, regional climate became warmer and more humid than present, as revealed by an increase of Siberian pine and decreases of dry herb taxa and charcoal contents. Climatic conditions were rather stable until ca. AD 1410. An increase of Artemisia pollen may reflect slightly drier climate conditions between AD 1410 and 1560. Increases in Alnus, Betula, Artemisia, and Chenopodiaceae pollen and in charcoal particle contents may reflect further deterioration of climate conditions between AD 1560 and 1810, consistent with the Little Ice Age. After AD 1850 the vegetation gradually approached the modern one, in conjunction with ongoing climate warming.