Vasorelaxant effects of essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAZ) and its main constituent, 1,8-cineole (CIN) were studied. In rat isolated aorta preparations with intact endothelium, EOAZ (0.01-3000 microg/ml) induced significant but incomplete relaxation of the phenylephrine-induced contraction, an effect that was abolished by removal of vascular endothelium. However, at the same concentrations (0.01-3000 microg/ml corresponding to 0.0000647-19.5 mM), CIN induced a complete vasorelaxant effects (IC(50)=663.2+/-63.8 microg/ml) that were significantly reduced in endothelium-denuded rings (IC(50)=1620.6+/-35.7 microg/ml). Neither EOAZ nor CIN affected the basal tonus of isolated aorta. Vasorelaxant effects of both EOAZ and CIN remained unaffected by the addition of tetraethylamonium chloride (500 microM) or indomethacin (10 microM) into the bath, but were significantly reduced by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 microM). It is concluded that EOAZ induces a potent vasorelaxant effect that could not be fully attributed to the actions of the main constituent CIN, and appears totally dependent on the integrity of a functional vascular endothelium. The data is novel and corroborate the popular use of A. zerumbet for the treatment of hypertension.

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The anti-inflammatory activity of Canavalia seed lectins (Canavalia gladiata [CGL], Canavalia maritima [ConM] and Canavalia brasiliensis [ConBr]) was evaluated by intravenous administration in rats. In non-sensitized rats, cellular edema elicited by carrageenan was reduced (45-51 %) by ConM and (44-59 %) by CGL. Osmotic edema elicited by dextran was reduced by ConM and CGL in 27 % and 29 %. ConM and CGL reduced the edema elicited by L-arginine in 53 % and that of prostaglandin E2 in 48 % and 36 %. Leukocyte migration elicited by carrageenan was reduced in 49 % by ConM and in 55 % by CGL (attenuated in 4× by glucose) and peritoneal TNF-α content in 82 %. In rats sensitized, ConM inhibited the paw edema and leukocyte migration elicited by ovalbumin in 34 % and 70 %. ConM and CGL are anti-inflammatory, mainly in cellular events mediated by prostaglandin E₂, nitric oxide and TNF-α in non-sensitized rats. However, only ConM is anti-inflammatory in sensitized rats. CGL effect involves the lectin domain.

The Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae) plant originated in Africa and has spread across a number of tropic countries, including northeastern Brazil. The plant has been used to treat various disorders, such as cancer, microbial infections, hypoglycemia, constipation, urine retention and inflammation. The lectin of A. esculentus (AEL) was isolated by precipitation with ammonium sulfate at a saturation level of 30/60 and purified by ion exchange chromatography (Sephacel-DEAE). The electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profile of the AEL showed two protein bands of apparent molecular mass of approximately 15.0 and 21.0 kDa. The homogenity of the protein was confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which revealed the presence of a 10.29-kDa monomer and a 20.58-kDa dimer. The AEL exhibits agglutinating activity against rabbit (74.41 UH/mP) and human type ABO erythrocytes (21.00 UH/mP). This activity does not require the presence of divalent cations and is specifically inhibited by lactose, fructose and mannose. The intravenous treatment with 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg of AEL inhibited the paw edema elicited by carrageenan by approximately 15, 22 and 44 %, respectively, but not that induced by dextran. In addition, treatment with 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg of AEL also inhibited the abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid by approximately 52, 57 and 69 %, respectively. In conclusion, AEL is a new lectin with a molecular mass of 20.0 kDa, which is -composed of a 10.291-Da monomer and a 20.582-kDa dimer, that exhibits anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and hemagglutinating activities. In addition, the lectin hemagglutinating property is both metallo-independent and associated with the lectin domain.

Canavalia gladiata (CGL), C. maritima (ConM) and C. brasiliensis (ConBr) lectins were evaluated in nociception models. ConBr inhibited first (32%) and second (100%) phases of the formalin test; CGL inhibited only the first (74%) and ConM only the second (59%) phase. Hypernociception evaluated in the Von Frey test was inhibited by ConM (55%), CGL (41%) and ConBr (38%). Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing was reduced by ConBr (66%), CGL (52%) and ConM (60%). ConBr and CGL effects were reversed by the lectin association with its ligand sugar. The antinociceptive activity of the structural homologous lectins was differentiated by potency, efficacy and mechanisms.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between body mass index and anthropometric indicators of abdominal obesity in diabetic and/or hypertensive active patients of the Health Family Support Nucleus in Caninde, Ceará. It is a correlational research, transverse and quantitative analysis. The sample consisted of 25 diabetic and/or hypertensive women, mean age 63.64±10.25 years. The weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were collected. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated to identify general obesity and the abdominal obesity was identified based on WC indicators, waist/height ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CI). The results showed overweight patients (BMI = 28.3±4.0) and high anthropometric indexes of abdominal obesity (WC=100.1±8.7; WHR=66.4±5.1; CI=139.4±8.3). WC (p<0.01; r=0.826) and WHR (p<0.01; r=0.730) showed correlated with BMI in hypertensive patients. Significant correlations between anthropometric indicators of general and abdominal obesity of diabetic and hypertensive-diabetic patients were not identified. In conclusion, were identified a sample of diabetic and/or hypertensive women with overweight and high risk of developing diseases associated with obesity. BMI of hypertensive patients showed a positive correlation with the WC and the WHR, but not with the CI. There were no significant correlations in diabetic patients.

This study aimed to assess health-related physical fitness in students practicing collective gymnastics. This is a field research carried out with 141 teenagers practicing collective gymnastics at the Federal Institute of Ceará. Health-related physical fitness was assessed by collecting anthropometric data, body composition, levels of flexibility, abdominal resistance and aerobic fitness, before and after the period of practical classes. The results showed a 5.2% weight reduction, increased levels of flexibility (26.32 ± 10.09 vs. 28.62 ± 9.29), abdominal resistance (22.76 ± 8.22 vs. 29, 41 ± 7.82) and aerobic fitness (465.34 ± 40.71 vs. 755.58 ± 70.12). In conclusion, it can be identified that the practice of collective gymnastics increased the musculoskeletal physical fitness and physical fitness for cardiovascular health, however, it did not reach the healthy zone of aerobic fitness.

This study aimed to map the physical activity program carried out by the Family Health and Primary Health Care Expanded Support Center in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. Cartography is a methodological path. The documentary sources served as an analytical device for hermeneutic apprehension, through content analysis. There was a program with a frequency of one to two days a week, with predominantly resisted and flexibility exercises, performed with light to moderate intensity and an average duration of 24.11 minutes. The existence of complementary therapies and the multiprofessional approach that enhance intervention in the area of physical education is highlighted, seeking to overcome the technical rationality of hegemonic bodily practices, emphasizing the intersubjective dimensions of corporeality. In addition, the satisfaction of the investigated actors, recognized through the processes of subjectification on the lived experience, capable of promoting the practice of healthy habits in an empowered and responsible manner, contributing to the adherence of these patients to the physical activity program.