RESUMO: "Uma revisão de plantas com propriedades anticonvulsivantes". Cerca de um terço dos pacientes epilépticos não conseguem ter um tratamento adequado com as drogas anticonvulsivantes atuais. Nesse sentido, as plantas medicinais surgem como uma fonte promissora de novas moléculas químicas com propriedades biológicas apreciáveis. Muitas plantas ou produtos de origem naturais têm sido propostos para o tratamento de várias patologias, tais como: epilepsia, diabetes, ansiedade, depressão, dentre outras. O presente trabalho realizou um extenso levantamento na literatura especializada de plantas medicinais com propriedades anticonvulsivantes. Um total de 355 espécies vegetais foi identifi cado, sendo 16 plantas encontradas na fl ora brasileira, com indicação para o tratamento de quadros convulsivos. Características como nome da espécie, família, partes utilizadas, país do estudo e /ou publicação, métodos e referências foram sumarizados. Além disso, os principais apectos dos modelos animais mais utilizados no estudo de plantas/substâncias com propriedades anticonvulsivantes foram revisados. Mais de 170 referências foram consultadas.Unitermos: Plantas medicinais, Produtos naturais, convulsão, atividade anticonvulsivante, modelos animais, revisão. ABSTRACT:Seizures are resistant to treatment with currently available anticonvulsant drugs in about 1 out of 3 patients with epilepsy. Thus, there is a need for new, more effective anticonvulsant drugs for intractable epilepsy. However, nature is a rich source of biological and chemical diversity and a number of plants in the world have been used in traditional medicine remedies, i.e., anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant. This work constitutes a literature review on medicinal plants showing anticonvulsant properties. The review refers to 16 Brazilian plants and a total 355 species, their families, geographical distribution, the utilized parts, method and references. Some aspects of research on medicinal plants and a brief review of the most common animal models to discover antiepileptic drugs are discussed. For this purpose over 170 references were consulted.

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Rotundifolone, a monoterpene isolated from the essential oil of the leaves of Mentha x villosa, is a constituent of several essential oils and known to have antinociceptive activity. Our recent study demonstrated that the analogues of rotundifolone showed also a significant antinociceptive effect. In the present report, to investigate the correlation between the structure and antinociceptive activity, rotundifolone and its analogues were evaluated in the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. All compounds showed to be more antinociceptive than rotundifolone against the pain response induced by acetic acid. Comparing the antinociceptive effect of rotundifolone with limonene oxide and (+)-pulegone, the results demonstrated that the epoxide group contributes as much as the ketone group to the antinociceptive activity of rotundifolone. Similarly, pulegone oxide and carvone epoxide were more antinociceptive than rotundifolone, thereby suggesting that the position of the functional group on the ring also influences the antinociceptive activity. (D)-Carvone produced maximal inhibition of the writhing response and was slightly more active than (+)-carvone. The study showed that by appropriate structural modification it may be possible to develop novel antinociceptive agents.

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RESUMO: "Estudo preliminar da atividade antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de Mentha x villosa Hudson, rotundifolona e seus análogos". Os óleos essenciais apresentam atividade antimicrobiana contra uma variedade de bactérias e fungos, incluindo espécies resistentes a antibióticos e antimicóticos. Neste contexto, este trabalho objetiva a avaliação da atividade de antimicrobiana do óleo essencial de Mentha x villosa Hudson (hortelã-da-folha-miúda) -seu componente majoritário (rotundifolona) e quatro análogos sintéticos da rotundifolona (epóxi-limoneno epóxi-pulegona, epóxi-carvona e (+)-pulegona) frente a cepas padrão de Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans ATCC 76645 e uma cepa de Staphylococcus aureus meticilina -resistente -MRSA (171c) de clínica humana. Como método, foi utilizada a difusão em placas com médio sólido. Os resultados mostraram que o óleo de Mentha x villosa, rotundifolona, epóxi-limoneno e (+)-pulegona, são semelhante em função da atividade antimicrobiana para as cepas de S. aureus e C.albicans testadas. Todos os produtos apresentaram potencial antimicrobiano com atividade antibacteriana para S. aureus ATCC 25923 e atividade antifúngica para C. albicans ATCC 76645. Nenhum dos produtos apresentou atividade antimicrobiana para as cepas de E. coli ATCC 25922 e P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, representantes das bactérias Gram negativas.Unitermos: Mentha x villosa, Labiatae, óleo essencial, rotundifolona, atividade antimicrobiana. ABSTRACT:Essential oils present antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacteria and yeasts, including species resistant to antibiotics and antifungicals. In this context, this work aims at the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa Hudson ("hortelã da folha miúda"), its major component (rotundifolone) and four similar analogues of rotundifolone (limonene oxide, pulegone oxide, carvone epoxide and (+)-pulegone) against strain standards of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, E. coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomona aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans ATCC 76645 and one strain of meticilin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus -MRSA (171c) from human clinic. The method of the diffusion in plates with solid medium was used. The results showed that the oil of Mentha x villosa, rotundifolone, limonene oxide and (+)-pulegone, are similar regarding the antimicrobial activity against the tested strains of S. aureus and C. albicans. All of the products present antimocrobial potential with antibacterial activity for S. aureus ATCC 25923 and antifungal activity for C. albicans ATCC 76645. None of the products presented antimicrobial activity for the strains of E. coli ATCC 25922 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, representatives of the Gram negative bacteria.

RESUMO:Este trabalho objetivou verificar se os profissionais de nível superior, ligados a Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) do Município de Petrolina-PE percebem a importância, utilização e indicações de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de caráter exploratório e descritivo, no qual participaram 96 profissionais de nível superior locados em Unidades da ESF. Os dados foram obtidos através de entrevista individual utilizando questionário semiestruturado. Para análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste Pearson Qui quadrado. As plantas medicinais mais citadas foram o Boldo (Plectranthus barbatus A.) e a Camomila (Matricaria recutita L.). Os fitoterápicos foram indicados apenas por 5 (5,2%) médicos e os mais citados foram Guaco® e Maracugina®. 36 (37,5%) dos profissionais acham que não estão preparados para repassar as informações sobre o uso de plantas medicinais e apenas 35 (36,5%) se sentem preparados para prescrever fitoterápicos. Observa-se a necessidade de capacitação e motivação desses profissionais para a utilização correta e segura das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia.Palavras-Chave: plantas medicinais, fitoterapia, saúde da família.ABSTRACT: Knowledge assessment and perception of professionals of the family health strategy on the use of medicinal plants and phytotherapy in Petrolina, PE, Brazil. This study aimed to determine if the top-level professionals of the Strategy of Health of the Family, perceive the importance, use and indications of phytotherapy and Medicinal Plants. This is a cross-sectional, exploratory and descriptive study, with the participation 96 professionals serving in the family health strategy units. Data were collected through individual interviews in a semi-structured questionnaire. For statistical analysis, we used the Pearson Chi-square test. The most cited medicinal plants were the Boldo (Plectranthus barbatus A.) and Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.). The phytotherapics were indicated only for 5 (5.2%) physicians and the most cited were Guaco® and Maracugina®. 36 (37.5%) of the professionals think are not prepared to pass on the information about the use of medicinal plants and only 35 (36.5%) feel prepared to prescribe phytotherapy. One observes the need for training and motivation of these professionals for the correct and safe use of Medicinal Plants and phytotherapy.

Rotundifolone is the major constituent of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa Hudson. In preliminary studies, rotundifolone induced significant hypotensive, bradycardic and vasorelaxant effects in rats. Thus, to gain more insight into the pharmacology of rotundifolone, the aim of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of action involved in relaxation produced by rotundifolone. The relaxant effect was investigated in rat superior mesenteric arteries by using isometric tension measurements and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Rotundifolone relaxed phenylephrine-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with KCl (20 mM), charybdotoxin (10 )7 M) or tetraethylammonium (TEA 10 )3 or 3 · 10 )3 M) significantly attenuated the relaxation effect induced by rotundifolone. Additionally, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made in mesenteric smooth muscle cells and showed that rotundifolone significantly increased K + currents, and this effect was abolished by TEA (10 )3 M), suggesting the participation of BK Ca channels. Furthermore, rotundifolone inhibited the vasoconstriction induced by CaCl 2 in depolarizing nominally Ca 2+-free medium and antagonized the contractions elicited by an L-type Ca 2+ channel agonist, S(-)-Bay K 8644 (2 · 10 )7 M), indicating that the vasodilatation involved inhibition of Ca 2+ influx through L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (Ca v type-L). Additionally, rotundifolone inhibited L-type Ca 2+ currents (I Ca L), affecting the voltage-dependent activation of I Ca L and steady-state inactivation. Our findings suggest that rotundifolone induces vasodilatation through two distinct but complementary mechanisms that clearly depend on the concentration range used. Rotundifolone elicits an increase in the current density of BK Ca channels and causes a shift in the steady-state inactivation relationship for Ca v type-L towards more hyperpolarized membrane potentials.Terpenoids constitute the largest class of plant secondary metabolites and have been used in essential oils for centuries as therapeutically relevant compounds. However, little is known about their mechanism of action [1,2].The monoterpenoids, such as camphor, borneol, citronellol, alpha-terpineol or menthol, compose a group of naturally occurring organic compounds derived from two isoprene units. They are the major components of some essential oils presenting anaesthetic and analgesic activities [3,4] Rotundifolone (C 10 H 14 O 2 ; molecular weight 166) is a naturally occurring monoterpenic ketone of plant origin and an important chemical constituent of the essential oils of many Mentha species (Mentha rotundifolia, M. suaveolens, M. spicata L., M. longifolia and M. x villosa) [19,20]. A previous report from our group showed that rotundifolone induced marked hypotension and bradycardia in non-anaesthetized normotensive rats using an in vivo approach. Those effects were probably due to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance [21], a hypothesis that was subsequently str...

BackgroundSelaginella convoluta (Arn.) Spring (Selaginellaceae), commonly known as “jericó”, is a medicinal plant found in northeastern Brazil. S. convoluta is used in folk medicine as an antidepressant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and it is used to combat amenorrhea, coughing and bleeding. This study was performed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of ethanolic extract from S. convoluta in mice exposed to chemical and thermal models of nociception.MethodsPreliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract was performed. The ethanolic extract from Selaginella convoluta (Sc-EtOH) was examined for its intraperitoneal (i.p.) antinociceptive activity at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. Acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin injection and hot plate tests were used to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of Sc-EtOH extract. The rota-rod test was used to evaluate motor coordination.ResultsA preliminary analysis of Sc-EtOH revealed that it contained phenols, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, mice treated with Sc-EtOH (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited reduced writhing (58.46, 75.63 and 82.23%, respectively). Secondly, Sc-EtOH treatment (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the paw licking time in mice during the first phase of the formalin test (by 44.90, 33.33 and 34.16%, respectively), as well as during the second phase of the test (by 86.44, 56.20 and 94.95%, respectively). Additionally, Sc-EtOH treatment at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the latency time in the hot plate test after 60 and 90 minutes, respectively. In addition, Sc-EtOH did not impair motor coordination.ConclusionOverall, these results indicate that Sc-EtOH is effective as an analgesic agent in various pain models. The activity of Sc-EtOH is most likely mediated via the inhibition of peripheral mediators and central inhibitory mechanisms. This study supports previous claims of traditional uses for S. convoluta.