BackgroundThe deficiency in 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) seems to increase the risk for neurodegenerative pathologies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). The majority of its actions are mediated by the transcription factor, VD3 receptor (VD3R).MethodsThe neuroprotective effects of VD3 were investigated on a PD model. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: sham-operated (SO), 6-OHDA-lesioned (non-treated), and 6-OHDA-lesioned and treated with VD3 (7 days before the lesion, pre-treatment or for 14 days after the 6-OHDA striatal lesion, post-treatment). Afterwards, the animals were subjected to behavioral tests and euthanized for striatal neurochemical and immunohistochemical assays. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey test and considered significant for p < 0.05.ResultsWe showed that pre- or post-treatments with VD3 reversed behavioral changes and improved the decreased DA contents of the 6-OHDA group. In addition, VD3 reduced the oxidative stress, increased (TH and DAT), and reduced (TNF-alpha) immunostainings in the lesioned striata. While significant decreases in VD3R immunoreactivity were observed after the 6-OHDA lesion, these changes were blocked after VD3 pre- or post-treatments. We showed that VD3 offers neuroprotection, decreasing behavioral changes, DA depletion, and oxidative stress. In addition, it reverses partially or completely TH, DAT, TNF-alpha, and VD3R decreases of immunoreactivities in the non-treated 6-OHDA group.ConclusionsTaken together, VD3 effects could result from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions and from its actions on VD3R. These findings should stimulate translational research towards the VD3 potential for prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as PD.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-018-1266-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. (Anacardiaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal species, which is common to the Northeastern Brazilian semiarid region, whose stem-bark is widely used in folk medicine. It is an endangered species, presenting as main bioactive components tannins and chalcones. In this work, we studied the neuroprotective effects of a standardized extract from cultivated M. urundeuva (SEMU), in a model of Parkinson's disease. Thus, a unilateral injection of 6-OHDA was done into the rat right stratum. The animals were submitted to stereotaxic surgery, then treated with SEMU (5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 2 weeks, subjected to behavioral tests, and euthanized for striata dissections and neurochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. We showed, for the first time, that SEMU reverted behavioral alterations seen in the 6-OHDA-lesioned group and partially blocked the decrease in DA and DOPAC contents. The numbers of viable neurons and TH immunopositive cells were increased by SEMU. In addition, the SEMU-treated 6-OHDA groups showed lower numbers of GFAP and OX-42 immunopositive cells. The neuroprotective action of SEMU is possibly related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of M. urundeuva, pointing out to its potential use in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease.

RESUMO:Este trabalho realizou um levantamento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais na cidade de Picos-PI, identificou as plantas cultivadas no horto pertencente ao Laboratório Fitoterápico de Picos (LAFIPI), e analisou o uso de fitoterápicos dispensados pelo Programa Farmácia Viva no triênio 2008-2010. Do total dos 750 entrevistados, 37,6% foram homens e 62,4 % mulheres, dentre os quais a maioria não concluiu o segundo grau (69,2%) e 77,2% possuíam renda mensal de até dois salários mínimos. Com relação ao consumo de plantas medicinais, 76,3% afirmaram utilizá-las para tratar doenças, principalmente por considerá-las mais saudáveis (84,8%). A indicação do uso foi orientada, sobretudo, por familiares (82,2%), embora a maioria adquira as plantas em feiras livres (32,8%). Das 127 plantas relatadas, as mais citadas foram erva-cidreira, boldo e hortelã, sendo as folhas a parte mais utilizada (42,3%), predominantemente por infusão (39,4%). As aplicações mais lembradas foram para tratar dores em geral (17%), distúrbios respiratórios (16,5%) e digestivos (16%). As espécies mais cultivadas no horto são chambá (Justicia pectoralis), alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides), malva santa (Plectranthus barbatus) e erva cidreira (Lippia alba). O lambedor de chambá foi o fitoterápico mais procurado pela população entre 2008 e 2010. Esse estudo descreveu, pela primeira vez, o uso tradicional de plantas medicinais no município de Picos e demonstrou, também de forma inédita, a relevância de investimentos do Programa Farmácia Viva no município de Picos e sua inclusão no Programa Saúde da Família como forma de disponibilizar à população de baixa renda fitoterápicos produzidos localmente a custos reduzidos. . From the total of 750 interviewed participants, 37.6% were men and 62.4 % women. Most of them do not have secondary education (69.2%) and 77.2% had an income of up until two minimum wages. Regarding consumption of medicinal plants, 76.3 % used them to treat diseases, mainly because they considered them to be healthier (84.8%). The indication of use of the plants was mainly suggested by relatives (82.2%), even though the majority of the participants acquires plants in open markets (32.8%). From the 127 plants mentioned, the most cited ones were balm, boldo and mint, and leaves were the most utilized parts (42.3%), predominantly by infusion (39.4%). The most common reasons for the usewere to treat pain in general (17%), and respiratory (16.5%) and digestive disorders (16%). The most cultivated species in the garden were chambá (Justicia pectoralis), alecrim pimenta Palavras

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Statins are among the most prescribed drugs in recent clinical practice. They are also known for their pleiotropic actions, which are independent of their lipid-lowering properties. The effect of lovastatin was investigated against carrageenan-induced paw edema in male Wistar rats (200-250 g) and on leukocyte migration, as measured by carrageenan-induced peritonitis in male Swiss mice (20-25 g), which are models of acute inflammation. Lovastatin (administered 1 h prior to carrageenan), at oral doses of 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg, markedly attenuated paw edema formation in rats at the 4th hour after carrageenan injection (25, 43, and 37% inhibition, respectively). Inhibitions of 20, 45 and 80% were observed in the leukocyte migration, as evaluated by carrageenan-induced peritonitis in mice with lovastatin doses of 0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg, as compared to controls. Furthermore, lovastatin (administered 1 h before initiation) reduced the nociceptive effect of the formalin test in mice, at both phases, at doses of 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg: first phase (51, 65, and 70%, respectively) and second phase (73, 57, and 66% inhibition of licking time, respectively). The anti-nociceptive activity of lovastatin was inhibited by naloxone (3 mg/kg, sc). Lovastatin (0.01, 0.1, and 1 µg/mL) inhibited by 23, 79, and 86%, respectively, the release of myeloperoxidase from human neutrophils. Leukocyte (predominantly neutrophils) infiltration was almost completely reduced by lovastatin treatment, as observed in the model of acute paw edema with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, lovastatin decreased the number of cells expressing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity. Therefore, the alterations in leukocyte activity and cytokine release could contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of lovastatin.

Over the past three decades, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and allergic or irritant contact dermatitis has been increasing significantly in the general population, causing considerable economic costs and decreased quality of life. [1][2][3] Topical corticosteroids have been the first-choice therapy for treatment of these inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema, atopic and seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. While effective in many patients, this form of therapy carry the concern of local and systemic adverse effects and may induce skin atrophy, especially after long-term use. 4,5) In contrast to topical corticosteroids, the more recently introduced calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus and pimecrolimus do not induce skin atrophy, even after long-term use but may induce adverse effects such as burning, erythema and pruritus and are contraindicated in patients younger than two years or in those who are immunosuppressed.6,7) Thus, the available drugs, although have efficacy they are associated with adverse effects and therefore the development of new and safe anti-inflammatory topical agents for the treatment of dermatitis is needed.Studies reveal that a large percentage of patients use some form of complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of atopic and contact dermatitis, which include herbal remedies. [8][9][10] In the recent past, several diterpene compounds of plant origin such as abietic acid from Pimenta racemosa var. grissea, hypoestoxide from Hypoestes rosea and marrubiin from Marrubium vulgare were shown to be effective in the mouse model of ear edema induced by several phlogestogens like histamine, bradykinin, capsaicin, prostaglandin E 2 , Croton oil, TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) or oxazolone.11-13) Centipedic acid (CA) and 12-acetoxy-hawtriwaic acid lactone (AHAL, Tanabalin) are the naturally occurring diterpenes isolated from the aerial parts of Egletes viscosa L. (Asteraceae), a traditional medicinal plant.14) Previously we reported on the gastroprotective and antinociceptive properties of these diterpenes as well as an anti-edematogenic activity of tanabolin against ear edema induced by capsaicin. 15,16) However, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of these two diterpene compounds was not tested in the models of ear edema induced by either TPA or oxazolone, the most commonly used ones for analysing the agents effective against contact or atopic dermatitis.17,18) Thus as a part of our continuation study, we describe here for the first time the anti-dermatitis effects of these two natural diterpenes from Egletes viscosa using the experimental models of acute and chronic dermatitis induced by TPA and oxazolone, respectively, in the mouse ear. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant Material and Isolation of DiterpenoidsThe aerial parts (2.5 kg) of Egletes viscosa LESS. (Asteraceae) were collected from the experimental plantation pertaining to the Department of Agronomy of this University, after its authentication and the voucher specimen (#16327) was retained in Prisco Bezerra He...

Esse trabalho descreve a utilização doméstica de inseticidas pela população de Picos (Piauí, Brasil), identifica quais são os tipos de inseticidas mais utilizados e descreve a incidência de intoxicação e a consciência ambiental da população. Após visitas domiciliares (n=700), notou-se que a maioria dos entrevistados foi representada por mulheres (75%), com idade entre 31-55 anos (49%), ensino fundamental incompleto (38,1%) e renda familiar entre 1-2 salários mínimos (64%). A maioria das residências tem entre 1-3 moradores (48%), 85% dos entrevistados usam inseticidas escolhidos principalmente em propagandas de TV e radio e apenas 54% leem o rótulo antes de aplicar o produto. A forma de apresentação mais usada é o aerossol (70,7%). A maioria (79%) reconhece que inseticidas são maléficos à saúde, mas 74% não usam nenhum Equipamento de Proteção Individual (EPI). Sintomas de toxicidade foram relatados por 27% dos entrevistados. Duas mulheres relataram irritação, tonturas e problemas respiratórios e necessidade de intervenção médica e internação hospitalar. Todos os entrevistados descartam as embalagens como lixo comum, uma vez que em Picos não há coleta seletiva. Em conclusão, a maioria das pessoas usam inseticidas, conhecem sobre os riscos individuais e coletivos aos quais estão expostos mas não usam EPI mesmo acreditando que sejam tóxicos. Notou-se que aquisição de conhecimentos não resulta, necessariamente, em mudanças de comportamento, uma vez que o conhecimento não se traduz em atitudes e práticas preventivas adequadas, ressaltando-se a necessidade de campanhas de conscientização quanto à toxicidade e aos riscos ambientais, capacitação de profissionais e política fiscalizatória contra a venda indiscriminada. ResumoPalavras-chave: Agrotóxicos domésticos. Práticas preventivas. Piretróides. Toxicidade.

ResumoEstima-se que 10-30% da população mundial sofra de ansiedade. Essa doença se manifesta por sensações de mal-estar psíquico, traduzidos por uma variedade de perturbações somáticas relacionadas à hiperatividade autonômica. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os aspectos mais relevantes da ansiedade, dos seus tratamentos e das perspectivas de abordagens terapêuticas advindas das plantas medicinais. A indústria farmacêutica dispõe de um grande arsenal terapêutico para a ansiedade, não obstante, sua maioria é constituída por fármacos que atuam de forma poderosa sobre o Sistema Nervoso Central, gerando inúmeros efeitos adversos em seus usuários. Dessa forma, a busca por alternativas mais seguras e efetivas encontra nas plantas medicinais uma fonte promissora, sendo grande a variedade de plantas usadas com esse propósito, onde a maioria delas já passou por testes pré-clínicos, no entanto, estes devem ser complementados com testes clínicos a fim de atestar a segurança e a eficácia das mesmas. Foi percebido que a maioria das ervas medicinais devidamente testadas podem servir como alternativas aos ansiolíticos tradicionais em pacientes que não conseguem adesão à terapia convencional, entretanto, merecem destaque a Piper methysticum G. Forster e as plantas do genêro Passiflora, sendo essas bastante utilizadas e de eficácia comprovada, logo, a bioprospecção molecular objetivando a descoberta de novas drogas ansiolíticas tem ganhado impulso uma vez que a busca por terapias alternativas e/ou complementares está em franca ascensão por aqueles que padecem de desordens do humor e de ansiedade. Palavras-chave: Plantas medicinais. Propriedades ansiolíticas. Testes da atividade ansiolítica. Anxiety: general aspects and treatment with focus on plants with anxiolytic potential AbstractIt is estimated that 10-30% of the world population suffering from anxiety. This disease cause feelings of psychic malaise, translated by a variety of somatic disorders related to autonomic hyperactivity. In this context, the aim of this study was to perform a literature review of the most relevant aspects of anxiety, treatments and the prospects for therapeutic approaches arising from medicinal plants. There many drugs aimed at treating anxiety, however, are mostly