Taking together, these results suggest that the antiulcer activity of CCRE is dependent of NO and prostaglandin pathways possibly due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of NO, and activation of endogenous prostaglandin production. Therefore, the use of CCRE in traditional Brazilian medicine against gastric disorders has a scientific basis.

Context: Croton campestris A.St.-Hil. (Euphorbiaceae) is a species native to Northeast Brazil used by traditional communities for the treatment of a variety of health problems. However, potential toxicological effects of this plant are unknown. Objective: The potential toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves on Drosophila melanogaster insect model, additionally with phytochemical constitution and cellular mechanisms mediating the action of extract were analysed in this study. Materials and methods: Constituents of the extract were evaluated by HPLC. In vitro antioxidant potential of extract was analysed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Flies injected culture medium mixed with extract (0.1-50 mg/mL) for 72 h. After, ROS production was evaluated by DCF-DA oxidation. Phosphorylation of MAPK signalling pathway was investigated by Western blotting method. Activity of antioxidant enzymes was analysed in homogenates.Results: Major components of the extract include quercetin (38.11 ± 0.06 mg/g), caffeic acid (20.06 ± 0.17 mg/g) and kaempferol (15.45 ± 0.05 mg/g). Consumption of the extract impaired locomotor performance and induced fly death of flies (LC 50 of 26.51 mg/mL). Augmented ROS formation and SOD, CAT and GST activity were observed from 0.1 mg/mL. JNK and p38 kinases phosphorylation was modulated and Paraquat-induced toxicity was augmented by extract. Discussion and conclusion: Our data show important toxicological effects of C. campestris leading to increased mortality and impaired locomotor performance accompanied by induction of cell stress markers in flies. The study draws attention to the indiscriminate use of plant extracts. ARTICLE HISTORY

Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as “velame do campo,” is a species native to the savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation, and gastritis. The hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves (HELCC) was assessed for its antiulcerogenic effect in gastric lesion models and effect on intestinal motility in mice, and possible mechanisms of action were examined. HELCC showed significant gastroprotective action in all models of gastric ulcer evaluated; the results suggest that this action probably involves the nitric oxide pathway. HELCC did not show alteration of intestinal motility in mice. It was also found that C. campestris represents a promising natural source with important biological potential, justifying some of its uses in folk medicine.

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os níveis de estresse e perfil social dos estudantes de pós-graduação da área da saúde da Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA em Crato-CE. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, realizado com 44 estudantes de pós-graduação, sendo 14 do mestrado acadêmico em Enfermagem e 30 da Residência Multiprofissional em Saúde Coletiva. A coleta de dados foi feita através de um questionário de variáveis sociodemográficas, acadêmicas e de estilo de vida. Para calcular o estresse psicossocial foi utilizado o Job Stress Scale, na formulação de quadrantes do modelo de demanda-controle (MDC), que define as categorias: trabalho de baixa exigência (baixa demanda e alto controle); trabalho passivo (baixa demanda e baixo controle); trabalho ativo (alta demanda e alto controle); e alta exigência (alta demanda e baixo controle). A população do estudo foi composta, predominantemente, por mulheres (77,27%), pela faixa etária de 26 a 30 anos (43,18%), católicos (72,73%), solteiros (70,45%), com renda superior a 4 salários mínimos (45,45%), sem filhos (90,91%), bolsistas (84,09%), com carga horária semanal de 60 horas de dedicação exclusiva (68,18%). A alta demanda esteve presente em 87,3% dos pós-graduandos, o alto controle em 81,4%, evidenciando-se, ainda, um alto apoio social (90,9%). A categoria dos quadrantes que incluiu o maior número de pessoas foi o trabalho ativo (77,27%). De acordo com os resultados, viu-se que predominou o trabalho ativo, com altas demandas psicológicas e alto controle, além do alto apoio social.