Ethnobotanical knowledge of herbalists about medicinal plants from the semiarid region in northeastern Brazil / Conocimiento etnobotánico de herbolarios sobre plantas medicinales de la región semiárida del noreste de Brasil

Medicinal plants have been used since ancient times to treat illnesses. This study aimed to identify through questionnaire the medicinal plants most frequently sold on public and street markets in some municipalities of Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil, and the knowledge of herbalists about their therapeutic indications and forms of use. The sample consisted of 28 herbalists. Fifteen plants with a dental indication were identified, including barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), gengibre (Zingiber officinale), romã (Punica granatum), cajueiro-roxo (Anacardium occidentale), mulungu (Erythrina velutina) and quixaba (Sideroxylon obtusfolium), as well as 21 plants used for the treatment of general diseases, including barbatimão (S. adstringens), aroeira (M. urundeuva), cajueiro-roxo (A. occidentale), quixaba (S. obtusfolium), boldo (Peumus boldus) and erva doce (Pimpinella anisum). Bottled preparations ("garrafadas")and teas were the most frequently indicated forms of use. The results suggest that herbalists have a vast traditional knowledge of the therapeutic potential of commercialized plants.

Las plantas medicinales se han utilizado desde la antigüedad para tratar enfermedades. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar a través de cuestionario las plantas medicinales más vendidas en mercados públicos y callejeros en algunos municipios del estado de Paraíba, noreste de Brasil, y el conocimiento de los herbolarios sobre sus indicaciones terapéuticas y formas de uso. La muestra estuvo formada por 28 herbolarios. Se identificaron quince plantas con indicación dental, entre las que se encuentran barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva), jenjibre (Zingiber officinale), romã (Punica granatum), cajueiro-roxo (Anacardium occidentale), mulungu (Erythrina velutina) y quixaba (Sideroxylon obtusfolium), así como 21 plantas utilizadas para el tratamiento de enfermedades generales, incluidas barbatimão (S. adstringens), aroeira (M. urundeuva), cajueiro-roxo (A. occidentale), quixaba (S. obtusfolium), boldo (Peumus boldus) y erva doce (Pimpinella anisum). Las preparaciones embotelladas ("garrafadas") y los tés fueron las formas de uso más frecuentemente indicadas. Los resultados sugieren que los herbolarios tienen un vasto conocimiento tradicional del potencial terapéutico de las plantas comercializadas.

Screwed and cement implant prosthesis: current clinical considerations / Prótese sobre implante cimentada e parafusada: considerações clínicas atuais

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is no consensus as to which cemented or screwed retention system is best to avoid bone loss around the implant from a fixed implant-supported restoration. Objective: To evaluate the prosthesis retention systems on screw and cemented implants, regarding: bone loss, survival and failure rate, biological complications and microbiological analysis. Methods: A search was made for scientific articles that contemplated the subject through the databases Pubmed and SciELO, without period restriction. The titles, abstracts and then access to the full text has been verified. Results: It was found that excess cement may play an important role in the development of peri-implant disease. Technical failures are most seen in prosthesis retained by screws, and biological complications in cemented crowns. The success rate for both restraint systems is high, and retention-independent implant prosthesis treatment provides predictability. Conclusion: The appropriate retention system for the patient depends on several factors, including indication, advantages and disadvantages, retention provided, aesthetics and clinical performance.

RESUMO Introdução: Não há consenso sobre qual sistema de retenção, cimentado ou parafusado, é o melhor para evitar perda óssea ao redor do implante de uma restauração fixa implanto-suportada. Objetivo: Avaliar os sistemas de retenção de próteses sobre implantes parafusadas e cimentadas, quanto aos fatores: perda óssea, taxa de sobrevivência e de falhas, complicações biológicas e análises microbiológicas. Métodos: Foi realizada uma busca por artigos científicos que contemplassem o tema através das bases de dados Pubmed e SciELO, sem restrição de período. Os títulos, resumos e em seguida o acesso ao texto completo foi verificado. Resultados: Foi observado que o excesso de cimento pode desempenhar um papel importante no desenvolvimento da doença peri-implantar. Falhas técnicas são mais observadas em próteses retidas por parafusos e complicações biológicas em coroas cimentadas. A taxa de sucesso para os dois sistemas de retenção é alta e o tratamento com próteses sobre implantes independente da retenção oferece previsibilidade ao caso. Conclusão: O sistema de retenção apropriado para o paciente depende de diversos fatores, incluindo a indicação, vantagens e desvantagens, retenção fornecida, estética e desempenho clínico.

Use of erythrocytes in cytotoxicity and toxicity assays of medicinal plant extracts: analysis of their application and bibliometric study / Utilización de eritrocitos en ensayos de citotoxicidad y toxidez de extractos de plantas medicinales: análisis de su aplicación y estudio bibliométrico

Plant species have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times and are still in use today since these products represent a source of raw material for the production of phytotherapeutic formulations. Screening and investigation of plants with pharmacological potential require the evaluation of characteristics related to their action, efficacy and safety in different steps. Among these steps, pre- clinical trials are used to evaluate the properties of the test product in in vitro experiments, such as cytotoxicity assays. Within this context, this study consists of a bibliometric analysis of some in vitro cytotoxicity and toxicity assays in erythrocytes used during bioprospecting of medicinal plants. The results demonstrated the wide application of erythrocytes to evaluate the biological effects of medicinal plant extracts. The methods were found to be valid and effective for the preliminary investigation of the in vitro cytotoxicity and toxicity of plant products.

El uso de especies vegetales para fines terapéuticos es una práctica histórica y todavía bastante actual, ya que estos productos pueden representar una fuente de materia prima para la producción de formulaciones fitoterápicas. En investigación de plantas con potencial farmacológico requiere la evaluación de su acción, eficacia y seguridad, a través de diferentes etapas. Entre estas, en los ensayos preclínicos se evalúan las propiedades del producto-prueba en experimentos in vitro, tales como ensayos de citotoxicidad, entre otros. En este aspecto, el presente estudio consiste en un análisis bibliométrico acerca de algunas pruebas de citotoxicidad y toxicidad in vitro en eritrocitos realizados en los ensayos de bioprospección de plantas medicinales. Los resultados evidencian la amplia utilización de eritrocitos para la evaluación de los efectos biológicos de extractos de plantas medicinales, apuntándolos como métodos válidos y eficaces para la investigación preliminar de la citotoxicidad y toxicidad in vitro de productos vegetales.

Effects of erosive challenge on the morphology and surface properties of luting cements / Efeito do desafio erosivo na morfologia e propriedades de superfície de agentes cimentantes

Introduction: Few studies investigated the surface properties of luting cements after erosive challenge. Objective: To evaluate the surface roughness (Ra), Vickers hardness (VHN) and morphology of 4 luting cements after erosive challenge. Material and method: Twenty specimens of each cement were prepared (4×2mm) and divided into experimental (erosive challenge) and control (artificial saliva) groups (n=10): Rely X U200 (U200); Rely X ARC (ARC); Ketac Cem Easy Mix (Ketac) and Zinc phosphate (ZnP). The erosive challenge was performed by four daily erosive cycles (90s) in a cola drink and 2 h in artificial saliva over 7 days. Ra and VHN readings were performed before and after erosion. The percentage of hardness loss (%VHN) was obtained after erosion. The surface morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ANOVA, Tukey and Student-T tests were used (α=0.05). Result: After erosion, all luting cements had increase in Ra values and U200 and ZnP groups had the highest %VHN. After saliva immersion, only U200 and ZnP groups had significant increases in Ra values and there were no significant differences among the groups in %VHN. SEM analysis showed that Ketac and ZnP groups had rough and porous surfaces, and U200 group had higher resin matrix degradation than ARC group. Conclusion: Erosive challenge with a cola drink affected the surface properties of all luting cements.

Introdução: Poucos estudos investigaram as propriedades de superfície de cimentos após desafio erosivo. Objetivo: Avaliar a rugosidade da superfície (Ra), dureza Vickers (VHN) e morfologia de superfície de 4 cimentos após desafio erosivo. Material e método: Vinte amostras de cada cimento foram preparadas (4×2mm) e divididas em grupo experimental (desafio erosivo) e controle (saliva artificial) (n=10): Rely X U200 (U200); Rely X ARC (ARC); Ketac Cem Easy Mix (Ketac) e Fosfato de Zinco (ZnP). O desafio erosivo foi realizado com quatro ciclos erosivos diárias (90s) em bebida à base de cola e 2h em saliva artificial durante 7 dias. As leituras de Ra e VHN foram realizadas antes e após erosão. A porcentagem de perda de dureza (%VHN) foi obtida depois da erosão. A morfologia de superfície foi analisada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Foram utilizados testes de ANOVA, Tukey e T-Student (α=0,05). Resultado: Após a erosão, foi observado aumento dos valores de Ra em todos os cimentos testados, e os grupos U200 e ZNP tiveram a maior %VHN. Após imersão em saliva, apenas os grupos U200 e ZnP tiveram aumento significativo nos valores de Ra e não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos quanto à %VHN. A análise em MEV mostrou que os grupos Ketac e ZNP apresentaram superfícies rugosas e porosas, e o grupo U200 apresentou maior degradação da matriz comparado ao grupo ARC. Conclusão: O desafio erosivo com bebida a base de cola afetou as propriedades de superfície de todos os cimentos.

In vitro effects of erosive challenge on the surface properties of sealants

To assess in vitro the surface roughness (Ra), Vickers hardness (VHN) and surface morphology of resin and glass ionomer materials used for sealants after dynamic erosive challenge. Methods: Twenty specimens of each material were prepared and divided into experimental (erosive challenge) and control groups (n=10): Protect Riva (SDI), Opallis Flow (3M ESPE), Fluroshield (Dentsply), Filtek Z350 XT Flow (3M ESPE). The erosive challenge was performed 4 times per day (90 s) in cola drink and for 2 h in artificial saliva for 7 days. The control specimens were maintained in artificial saliva. Ra and VHN readings were performed before and after erosion. The percentage of hardness loss (%VHN) was obtained after erosion. The surface morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey and paired t tests (á=0.05). Results: After erosion and saliva immersion, there was an increase in Ra values for all groups and Riva group showed the highest Ra values. After erosive challenge, Riva and Filtek groups showed significant decrease in VHN values, but Filtek group showed the greatest %VHN. For all groups there was inorganic particle protrusion and matrix degradation after erosion visualized by SEM images. Conclusions: Erosive challenge affected the surface properties of all materials used as sealants, particularly in the Riva and Filtek groups...