No abstract

Several species of Bauhinia are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, and inflammation, among other conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiulcer effect of a hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of B. holophylla. The chemical profile of the extract was determined by HPLC-PAD-ESI-IT-MS. A dose-effect relation was constructed using the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in male Wistar rats. Histological analyses and studies of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were performed in stomach samples. The involvement of SH compounds, NO, K+ ATP channels, and α 2-adrenergic receptors in the gastroprotective effect was evaluated. A toxicity study was performed with a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg. The extract was composed mainly of cyanoglucoside and flavonol-O-glycosides derivatives of quercetin and myricetin. SH compounds, NO release, K+ ATP channel activation, and presynaptic α 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation each proved to be involved in the antiulcer effect. The levels of GSH and activity of GR and GPx were increased, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were modulated. There was an antidiarrheal effect and there were no signs of toxicity. B. holophylla presents antiulcer activity mainly by decreasing oxidative stress and attenuating the inflammatory response, without inducing side effects.

Numerous factors may affect the pattern of distribution of benthic fauna in a river mouth region and, among the macroinvertebrates, Chironomidae and Oligochaeta are the most abundant groups and most tolerant to environmental changes. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the controlling factors of and a possible similarity between Chironomidae and Oligochaeta assemblies at two close sites, the mouth of the Guareí River into the Paranapanema River (São Paulo, Brazil) and its lateral fluvial area. Methods: Fauna samples were collected every three months during one year. Water physical and chemical variables and sediment variables were also determined in the same period. Results: Both assemblies presented low density variability over time in the lateral area due to sediment characteristics and environmental factors. Taxa Caladomyia, Parachironomus, Pristina sp., Pristina osborni, Bothrioneurum and Opistocysta funiculus were recorded at this site. The Guareí River presented both greater temporal and spatial variations, attributed mainly to a reduction in the water level. Greater organism abundance, especially of Chironomus and Tubificinae, was observed in the river. Conclusions: Dissimilarity in temporal and spatial distributions of Chironomidae and Oligochaeta was attributed to peculiar characteristics of the two study sites, a river channel and a lateral area. Reduction in the water level over the year was the main controlling factor of Chironomidae and Oligochaeta richness and density in the river. In the lateral area, the presence and abundance of certain taxa were determined by the nature of the sediment and water physical and chemical variables.Keywords: mouth zone; water level; sediment; macroinvertebrates.Resumo: Diversos fatores podem afetar o padrão de distribuição da fauna bentônica em regiões de desembocadura de rios e, entre os macroinvertebrados, Chironomidae e Oligochaeta são os grupos mais abundantes e tolerantes às alterações ambientais. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a possível similaridade e os fatores controladores entre as assembleias de Chironomidae e Oligochaeta em dois locais próximos, a zona de desembocadura do rio Guareí no rio Paranapanema (SP, Brasil) e sua área fluvial lateral. Métodos: As amostras de fauna foram coletadas a cada três meses durante um ano. As variáveis físico-químicas da água e sedimento também foram determinadas no mesmo período. Resultados: Ambas as assembleias apresentaram baixa variabilidade temporal nas densidades na área lateral devido às características do sedimento e dos fatores ambientais. Caladomyia, Parachironomus, Pristina sp., Pristina osborni, Bothrioneurum e Opistocysta funiculus foram registradas neste local. O rio This is an Open