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We examined the antioxidant properties in vitro and the antinociceptive effect of carvacrol (CARV) in several models of pain in mice. CARV presented a strong antioxidant potential according to the TRAP ⁄ TAR evaluation; it also presented scavenger activity against nitric oxide and prevented lipid peroxidation in vitro. In mice, when evaluated against acetic acidinduced abdominal writhing, CARV (25, 50 and 100 mg ⁄ kg, i.p.) reduced (p < 0.001) the number of writhing compared to the control group, without opioid participation. In the formalin test, CARV also significantly inhibited both the early (neurogenic pain) and the late (inflammatory pain) phases of formalin-induced licking, with inhibition percentage values of 56.8% (100 mg ⁄ kg) for the neurogenic phase and 41.2% (25 mg ⁄ kg), 73.8% (50 mg ⁄ kg) and 99.7% (100 mg ⁄ kg) for the inflammatory phase. CARV also produced a significant inhibition of the pain caused by capsaicin (63.1, 67.1 and 95.8%, p < 0.001) and glutamate (46.4, 61.4 and 97.9%, p < 0.01). When assessed in a thermal model of pain, CARV (100 mg ⁄ kg, i.p.) caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the latency response on the hot-plate test. Such results were unlikely to be provoked by motor abnormality. Together, these results indicate that the properties of CARV should be more thoroughly examined in order to achieve newer tools for management and ⁄ or treatment of painful conditions, including those related to pro-oxidant states.

Carvacrol is a phenolic monoterpene present in the essential oil of the family Lamiaceae, as in the genera Origanum and Thymus. We previously reported that carvacrol is effective as an analgesic compound in various nociceptive models, probably by inhibition of peripheral mediators that could be related with its strong antioxidant effect observed in vitro. In this study, the anti-hypernociceptive activity of carvacrol was tested in mice through models of mechanical hypernociception induced by carrageenan, and the involvement of important mediators of its signaling cascade, as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and dopamine, were assessed. We also investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of carvacrol on the model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy and mouse paw edema, and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite production in murine macrophages was observed. Systemic pretreatment with carvacrol (50 or 100 mg/kg; i.p.) inhibited the development of mechanical hypernociception and edema induced by carrageenan and TNF-α; however, no effect was observed on hypernociception induced by PGE(2) and dopamine. Besides this, carvacrol significantly decreased TNF-α levels in pleural lavage and suppressed the recruitment of leukocytes without altering the morphological profile of these cells. Carvacrol (1, 10, and 100 μg/mL) also significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the LPS-induced nitrite production in vitro and did not produce citotoxicity in the murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The spontaneous locomotor activity of mice was not affected by carvacrol. This study adds information about the beneficial effects of carvacrol on mechanical hypernociception and inflammation. It also indicates that this monoterpene might be potentially interesting in the development of novel tools for management and/or treatment of painful conditions, including those related to inflammatory and prooxidant states.

RESUMO:Os dados obtidos na literatura sobre a atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais são tratados do ponto de vista experimental, considerando-se uma possível aplicação clínica dos óleos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar os fatores que infl uenciam na atividade antimicrobiana de óleos essenciais, in vitro, com base nos resultados descritos na literatura. Foi verifi cado que os testes e avaliações da atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais podem ser difi cultados pela volatilidade do óleo, sua insolubilidade em água e sua complexidade química. Tais difi culdades tornam os resultados disponíveis na literatura, difíceis de comparar. Por outro lado, os métodos usados diferem largamente e fatores importantes que infl uenciam os resultados são freqüentemente negligenciados. Assim, após breve levantamento, concluiu-se que alguns fatores devem ser levados em consideração, tais como: a técnica usada, o meio de cultura, densidade do inóculo, o óleo essencial e o emulsifi cador utilizado. Portanto, para a realização de testes que visam verifi car a atividade antimicrobiana de óleos essenciais, é necessário defi nir e adotar uma metodologia adequada e bem padronizada.Unitermos: Óleo essencial, atividade antimicrobiana, métodos.ABSTRACT: "Antimicrobial activity of the essentials oils: a multifactor approach of the methods". The given data of the literature on the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils are treated from the experimental point of view, and they consider a possible clinical application of the oils. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that can infl uence on antimicrobial activity of essential oils, in vitro, based on preview data from literature. We noticed that the tests and evaluations of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils can be hindered by the volatility of the oil, its insolubility in water and its chemistry complexity. These details make the results obtained on literature diffi cult to compare. The used methods differ broadly and important factors that infl uence the results are frequently neglectful. After a bibliographical rising, we concluded that a large attention should be given to some factors when we work with essential oils: the used technique, the growth medium, the inoculums density, the tested essential oil and the used emulsifying. It's necessary to defi ne and follow a right and standard methodology to make antimicrobial activity testes of essential oils.Keywords: Essential oil, antimicrobial activity, methods. INTRODUÇÃOÓleos e extratos de plantas há muito tempo têm servido de base para diversas aplicações na medicina popular, entre elas, a produção de anti-sépticos tópicos. Tal realidade serviu de base para diversas investigações científi cas, com vistas na confi rmação da atividade antimicrobiana dos óleos essenciais Arruda et al., 2006;Nunes et al 2006;Benkeblia, 2004;Rehder et al., 2004;Claffey, 2003;Seymour, 2003;Arweiler et al., 2000;Fine et al., 2000;Pan et al., 2000).Para tanto, tem se desenvolvido métodos de investigação in...

Veja reportagem sobre o tema desenvolvido neste artigo acessando o link: http://globotv.globo.com/tv-sergipe/se-tv-2a-edicao/v/games-sao-terapiapara-pacientes-cardiacos-em-aracaju/2194856/ EXPERIMENTAL STUDY Abstract Introduction: Cardiac surgery has been the intervention of choice in many cases of cardiovascular diseases. Susceptibility to postoperative complications, cardiac rehabilitation is indicated. Therapeutic resources, such as virtual reality has been helping the rehabilitational process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of virtual reality in the functional rehabilitation of patients in the postoperative period.Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups, Virtual Reality (VRG, n = 30) and Control (CG, n = 30). The response to treatment was assessed through the functional independence measure (FIM), by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Evaluations were performed preoperatively and postoperatively.Results: On the first day after surgery, patients in both groups showed decreased functional performance. However, the VRG showed lower reduction (45.7±2.3) when compared to CG (35.06±2.09, P<0.05) in first postoperative day, and no significant difference in performance on discharge day (P>0.05). In evaluating the NHP field, we observed a significant decrease in pain score at third assessment (P<0.05). These patients also had a higher energy level in the first evaluation (P<0.05). There were no differences with statistical significance for emotional reactions, physical ability, and social interaction. The length of stay was significantly shorter in patients of VRG (9.4±0.5 days vs. 12.2 ± 0.9 days, P<0.05), which also had a higher 6MWD 282Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc | Braz J Cardiovasc Surg Bras Cir Cardiovasc 2013;28(2):281-9 Rev