No abstract

(−)-β-caryophyllene (BCP), a cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2)-selective phytocannabinoid, has already been shown in precedent literature to exhibit both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Herein, we endeavored to investigate the therapeutic potential of BCP on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Furthermore, we sought to demonstrate some of the mechanisms that underlie the modulation BCP exerts on autoimmune activated T cells, the pro-inflammatory scenery of the central nervous system (CNS), and demyelination. Our findings demonstrate that BCP significantly ameliorates both the clinical and pathological parameters of EAE. In addition, data hereby presented indicates that mechanisms underlying BCP immunomodulatory effect seems to be linked to its ability to inhibit microglial cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, as well as protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it diminished axonal demyelination and modulated Th1/Treg immune balance through the activation of CB2 receptor. Altogether, our study represents significant implications for clinical research and strongly supports the effectiveness of BCP as a novel molecule to target in the development of effective therapeutic agents for MS.

RESUMO: "Arrabidaea chica (HBK) Verlot: abordagem fi toquímica, atividades tripanocida e antifúngica". Arrabidaea chica (HBK.) Verlot (Bignoniaceae) popularmente, "Pariri", é um arbusto escandente, distribuído do sul do México até a Guiana e Brasil central e é tradicionalmente indicado para tratar sintomas de infl amações e afecções da pele. Seu extrato etanólico foi quimicamente investigado e testado contra leveduras e fungos dermatófi tos. A atividade tripanocida do mesmo extrato foi também avaliada. Este trabalho reporta o isolamento de três fl avonóides, a inibição total do crescimento de Trichophyton mentagrophytes e um signifi cante efeito tripanocida do extrato etanólico e de suas frações. Não foi detectada qualquer toxicidade aguda relevante, mesmo a uma dose de 1000 mg/kg. Unitermos: Arrabidaea chica, Bignoniaceae, fl avonóides, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, atividade antifúngica, Trypanosoma cruzi, efeito tripanocida. ABSTRACT:Arrabidaea chica (HBK.) Verlot (Bignoniaceae) vernacular name "Pariri", is a climbing shrub, widespread from South Mexico to Guyana and central Brazil and is traditionally indicated to treat symptoms of infl ammations and skin affections. Its ethanol extract was chemically investigated and tested against yeasts and dermatophytic fungi. The trypanocidal activity of the same extract was also evaluated. This work reports the isolation of three fl avonoids, the total growth inhibition of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and a signifi cant trypanocidal effect of the ethanol extract and its fractions. No relevant acute toxicity was detected even at a dose of 1000 mg/kg.

RESUMO: "Determinação de derivados de miricetina em Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae)". A fração fl avonoídica do extrato hidroalcoólico de folhas de Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae), que são largamente utilizadas na medicina tradicional do Norte do Brasil para controlar a glicemia de pacientes diabéticos, foi caracterizada. Miricetina-3-Oglucuronídeo (miricitrina) e quercitrina, entre outros derivados de miricetina minoritários, foram evidenciados por análises com sistemas CLAE/DAD e CLAE/EM. Unitermos:Chrysobalanus icaco, Chrysobalanaceae, miricetina, medicina tradicional, diabetes. ABSTRACT:The fl avonoidic fraction composition of the hydroalcoholic extract of Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) leaves, which are largely used in the traditional medicine in Northern Brazil to control the glycaemia of diabetic patients, was characterised. Myricetin 3-O-glucuronide (miricitrin) and quercitrin, among other minor myricetin derivatives, were evidenced by HPLC/ DAD and HPLC/MS analysis.

No abstract

The plant species Acmella oleracea L. is used in the north of Brazil for the treatment of a range of illnesses, such as tuberculosis, flu, cough, and rheumatism and as an anti-inflammatory agent; besides, hydroethanolic formulations with this species are popularly used as a female aphrodisiac agent. However, currently, there are no studies performed evaluating its effect on embryonic development. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of the hydroethanolic extract of A. oleracea (EHFAo) on the reproductive performance (parental) and embryonic development (F1 generation) of zebrafish, at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/L. Histopathology of parental gonads after 21 days of exposure to EHFAo reveals few alterations in the ovaries and testes, not impairing the reproduction; an increase of eggs deposition was observed in animals treated with EHFAo at the highest concentrations. Nevertheless, concerning the embryonic development of F1, teratogenic effects were observed including tail deformation, cardiac and yolk edema, scoliosis, and growth retardation; these alterations were more prominent in the groups born from progenitors exposed to the highest concentrations (100 and 200 μg/L.); but only the occurrence of yolk and cardiac edema had a statistically significant difference when compared to the control group. The chromatographic analysis shows that spilanthol (affinin) was the primary compound found in the EHFAo. Hence, in silico assessment was performed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of this molecule and 37 metabolites derived from it. Overall, our data show that the treatment caused no detrimental changes in progenitors regarding their gonads or fertility but caused some potentially teratogenic activity in embryos, which may be due to the action of spilanthol’s metabolites M3, M6, M7, M8, M16, M28, and M31.

ResumoLibidibia ferrea é uma planta muito utilizada popularmente para fins terapêuticos, inclusive para acelerar processos de cicatrização de feridas cutâneas. O presente trabalho pesquisou a composição química e avaliou o potencial cicatrizante do extrato etanólico dos frutos de L. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) em ratos. Foram utilizados 24 ratos Wistar divididos em quatro grupos. De todos os animais, foi retirado um fragmento de pele do dorso e cada grupo recebeu um tratamento diferente: solução de NaCl 0,9%, digliconato de clorexidina 1%, extrato etanólico dos frutos de Libidibia ferrea 12,5% e 50%. O processo de cicatrização foi avaliado macro e microscopicamente. Para a cicatrização de pele em ratos o extrato etanólico dos frutos de L. ferrea a 12,5% é significativamente mais eficiente do que a 50%. Saponinas, ácidos orgânicos, açúcares redutores, fenóis e taninos, sesquiterpenolactonas e outras lactonas, e antraquinonas foram encontrados no extrato. Palavras-chave: Pele. Cicatrização. Droga vegetal. AbstractLibidibia ferrea is a plant popularly used for therapeutic purposes, including processes to accelerate wound healing. The present investigation analyzed the chemical composition and the healing potential of ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) in rats. This study used 24 Wistar rats divided into four groups. In all animals a piece of skin on the back was removed and each group received a different treatment: NaCl 0.9%, Chlorhexidine digluconate 1%, ethanol extract of the fruits of Libidibia ferrea 12.5% and 50%. The healing process was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. The ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. ferrea 12.5% was significantly more efficient than the 50% healing in rat skin.

RESUMO: Na Amazônia as plantas medicinais são um dos principais recursos para o tratamento de diversas doenças, dado o contexto cultural, a falta de proximidade com os locais onde poderiam receber atendimento médico, confiabilidade e baixo custo em comparação aos medicamentos industriais. Nesse contexto, encontra-se o Distrito de Marudá, no Município de Marapanim, a 160 Km da capital Belém, onde é comum o uso de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de agravos à saúde. Este trabalho investigou a sabedoria popular no uso de plantas medicinais pelos moradores do bairro do Sossego no Distrito de Marudá -PA, ilustrando a sua importância em termos culturais, econômicos e ambientais. Para isso utilizou-se um levantamento etnofarmacêutico visando oferecer ferramenta de prospecção destas plantas utilizadas como recurso terapêutico pela população local.Palavras-chave: Levantamento Etnofarmacêutico. Plantas medicinais. Marudá. Grupo de mulheres.ABSTRACT: Folk wisdom in the use of medicinal plants by the residents of the quiet neighborhood in Marudá District -PA.In the Amazon medicinal plants are a relevant resource for the treatment of several diseases, given the cultural context, access, reliability and low cost compared to industrial medicine. Inside this context, it is located the Marudá District, in the municipality of Marapanim,160 km far from Belém state of Pará, where it is common to use medicinal plants in order to treat health problems. In this sense, this work investigates the popular phytotherapy practice of herbal medicine practiced by the residents of the"Sossego" neighborhood in the District of Marudá-PA, illustrating the importance of medicinal plants for this human group in cultural, economic and environment context. For such purpose, we used a ethnopharmaceutical survey aiming to offer a prospecting tool of these plants employed as a therapeutic resource for the local population.