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The aim of this study was to identify plant species among the diverse flora of the caatinga ecosystem that are used therapeutically. Research was undertaken in the municipalities of Piranhas and Delmiro Gouveia, in the Xingó region (state of Alagoas, NE Brazil). In order to identify the medicinal plants used in this region, semi-structured questionnaires were applied. The species cited were collected and sent to the Xingó Herbarium for taxonomic analysis. The relative importance (RI) of each species cited was calculated to verify their cultural importance. The therapeutic indications attributed to the species were classified under 16 body systems. A total of 187 medicinal species were cited, from 64 families and 128 genera. The main indications for medicinal plant use were against common colds, bronchitis, cardiovascular problems, kidney problems, inflammations in general, and as tranquilizers. Approximately 16% (30 plant species) were versatile in relation to their use, with an Relative Importance value over 1, having been indicated for up to nine body systems. The body systems that stood out the most were: the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, and infectious diseases. Most cited plant parts used for medicinal purposes were flowers, leaves, and inner stem bark.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent a group of approximately 50 different medicines that are widely prescribed for the management of inflammation and that exhibit variable anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities. Most NSAIDs also exhibit a shared set of adverse effects, particularly related to gastrointestinal complications; thus, the development of new drugs for the treatment of chronic inflammation and pain continues to be an issue of high interest. Hydantoin and indole derivatives are reported to possess various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of hybrid molecules containing imidazole and indole nuclei. The anti-inflammatory activities of 5-(1H-Indol-3-yl-methylene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one (LPSF/NN-56) and 3-(4-Bromo-benzyl)-5-(1H-indol-3-yl-methylene)-2thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one (LPSF/NN-52) were evaluated using air pouch and carrageenan-induced peritonitis models as well as an acetic acid-induced vascular permeability model followed by IL-1β and TNF-α quantification. To evaluate the antinociceptive activities of the compounds, acetic acid-induced nociception, formalin and hot plate tests were also performed. The anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds were evidenced by a reduction in both leukocyte migration and the release of TNF-α and IL-1β in air pouch and peritonitis models. Upon acetic acid-induced nociception, a decrease in the level of abdominal writhing in the groups treated with LPSF/NN-52 (52.1%) or LPSF/NN-56 (63.1%) was observed. However, in the hot plate test, none of the derivatives tested exhibited an inhibition of nociception. These results indicate that the compounds tested exhibited promising anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities that likely involved the modulation of the immune system.

Antimicrobial activities of "babaçu" (Orbignya martiana), "cardo santo" (Argemone mexicana), "mentrasto" (Ageratum conyzoides), "cavalinha" (Equisetum yeamalis) and "terramicina" (Alternanthera brasiliana), used by Brazilian population as antiinflamatory medicine, were studied on Staphylococcus aureus. The freezer dried hydroalcoholic extracts solutions were tested for 7 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which two of those are methicillin resistant (MRSA). The diffusion method on agar-agar, using holes technique, with tetracycline chlorydrate as standard. "Babaçu", "cardo santo" and "terramicina" showed antimicrobial activity, within of those "terramicina" inhibited 6 strains, presenting zone inhibition of 22 mm compared to standard antibiotic (34 mm), except the seventh strain which was also tetracycline resistant.A WHO considerou que no mundo aproximadamente 80% de uma população de 4 bilhões dependem principalmente da medicina tradicional para seus cuidados primários de saúde, bem a partir, do uso de extratos de plantas ou de seus princípios ativos 1,2,7 . Assim serão determinadas a atividade antimicrobiana das plantas babaçu (Orbignya martiana), cardo santo (Argemone mexicana), mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides), cavalinha (Equisetum yeamalis) e terramicina (Alternanthera brasiliana) frente as cepas de Staphylococcus aureus. Material e MétodosAs cepas de Staphylococcus aureus usadas no teste são apresentadas na tabela 1. No estudo são retidas duas cepas padrões (ATCC) de reconhecida resistência, utilizadas nos testes para conservantes e desinfetantes, cinco isolados hospitalares: três meticilina sensível e dois meticilina resistente.As plantas com seus extratos são apresentados na tabela 2, todos os testes foram realizados com extratos aquosos obtidos a partir de liofilizados de extratos hidroalcóolicos (1:1) das referidas plantas.No caso da Alternanthera brasiliana (terramicina) o extrato tinha uma consistência mais pastosa, que dificultou a pesada.A metodologia empregada foi a técnica de discos por difusão em ágar e a técnica de poços por difusão em ágar, utilizando-se como antibiótico padrão: cloridrato de tetraciclina (solução mãe 1 mg/ml) e como meio ágar Müeller Hinton semeado na superfície com os inóculos bacterianos. O uso de dois ou mais métodos para o estudo da atividade antimicrobiana permite obter melhores resultados 9 . As placas foram deixadas em repouso por 40 min à temperatura ambiente antes de incubar (tempo de predifusão).

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Significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities were observed in animals treated with β-lap. The effects of β-lap can be attributed in part to immunomodulation with reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO.

RESUMO:O presente trabalho representa a primeira análise das atividades analgésica e antiinfl amatória do extrato bruto hidroalcoólico do zoantídeo Palythoa caribaeorum. Foram realizados os testes de Writhing induzido por ácido acético (1%, 10 mL.kg -1 i.p.) e da chapa quente em camundongos para avaliar o efeito analgésico; e o teste de edema de pata de rata induzido por carragenina para avaliar a atividade antiinfl amatória. As análises evidenciaram atividade analgésica no teste de Writhing no grupo tratado com 200 mg.kg -1 v.o. de extrato, com uma inibição de 47,22% do número de contorções abdominais ("Writhings"), revelando atividade estatisticamente signifi cativa. INTRODUÇÃOOs cnidários antozoários são um grupo de organismos coloniais ou solitários, que apresentam uma grande variedade de formas, tamanhos e cores, habitando todos os mares do mundo, desde zonas costeiras até abissais (Pérez, 1999). Os zoantídeos são cnidários polipóides exclusivamente marinhos e habitantes dos recifes costeiros. Palythoa é um gênero de zoantídeos coloniais cujas espécies se caracterizam pela incorporação de grão de sedimento nos tecidos da sua parede corporal. Na espécie Palythoa caribaeorum (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) os pólipos estão conectados por um espesso tecido chamado cenénquima, o qual também agrega partículas na sua superfície. Estas colônias formam extensos "tapetes" localizados nas áreas submersas, mas quando estão expostos durante a maré baixa, seus pólipos produzem um muco que protege a colônia da dessecação. O muco da o nome popular de "baba-de-boi". Este zoantídeo é o mais abundante do litoral pernambucano, ocupando extensas regiões sobre os recifes.O estudo químico com cnidários teve grande impulso durante a década do 60 com o descobrimento das prostaglandinas em varias espécies de corais moles do Caribe (em especial a gorgónia Plexaura homomalla) (Weinheimer;Spraggins, 1969). A extrema diversidade dos efeitos biológicos das prostaglandinas provocou, naquele momento, a coleta indiscriminada destas espécies, pondo em perigo as populações das mesmas em varias regiões caribenhas. Felizmente o desenvolvimento de métodos de síntese em laboratório avançou rapidamente, resguardando estes corais (Correia et al., 2002). Desde então, fi cou em evidencia o potencial destes organismos como produtores de compostos de interesse biológico e farmacológico. A maior quantidade de metabólitos secundários de cnidários foi isolada de octocorais (alcionáceos e gorgonáceos) e de zoantídeos (Rodríguez;Cobar, 1993;Babu et al., 1997). Existem muitos exemplos de terpenoides de corais que possuem atividade biológica ou farmacológica. Rinehart et al. (1981) estudaram a atividade antiviral, antimicrobiana e

This paper reports the characterization of the antidiabetic role of a hydroethanolic extract from Parkinsonia aerial parts (HEPA), in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, treated with HEPA (125 and 250 mg/kg; p.o.). Oral glucose tolerance test, acute oral toxicity test and preliminary phytochemical analyses were performed. The diabetic rats treated with HEPA showed a significant reduction in serum and urinary glucose, urinary urea and triglyceride levels, as compared to the diabetic untreated group. However, in the normal treated groups, a significant reduction was found only in serum triglyceride levels. In all treated diabetic groups, an improvement in hepatic glycogen was observed, as well as a decrease in liquid intake and urinary volume, and an enhancement in the weight of skeletal muscles (soleus and extensor digitorum longus), kidneys and epididymal adipose tissue. Nevertheless, body and liver weights were ameliorated only in the diabetic group treated with HEPA (250 mg/kg). Moreover, oral glucose tolerance was higher in animals treated with HEPA, while results also showed that HEPA could be considered toxicologically safe. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tanins, flavonoids and steroids in HEPA. In conclusion, P. aculeata presents an antidiabetic activity and other beneficial effects that ameliorate diabetes and associated complications.