Extract of the Bark of Bathysa cuspidataAttenuates the Development of Chemically-Induced Preneoplastic Colorectal Lesions in Rats

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the bark extractBathysa cuspidata on chemically induced preneoplastic colorectal lesions in Wistar rats. Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): saline (control group, oral administration of saline solution 0.9%); dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO, vehicle control), B200 (treated with 200 mg/kg bark extract ofB. cuspidata), and B400 (treated with 400 mg/kg bark extract ofB. cuspidata). Administration of treatments was carried out by the gavage. The animals received four subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 40 mg/kg) in the initial two weeks of the experiment to induce preneoplastic colorectal lesions. After 15 weeks, the animals were euthanized and the presence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), body weight, biochemical analyses, and oxidative stress markers were measured. The extract ofB. cuspidata decreased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), but did not influence the levels of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide or protein carbonyl, compared with the saline group. The animals supplemented with a more concentratedB. cuspidata extract (B400) showed a significant reduction in the number of ACF in all the portions of the intestinal mucosa. The study demonstrated that the bark extract ofB. cuspidata at 400 mg/kg reduced the preneoplastic colorectal lesions in an animal model of colon cancer and that the effect could be dose-dependent.

Uso do extrato de folhas de Mangifera indica L. e da mangiferina na lesão aterosclerótica em camundongos ApoE-/- / Use of Mangifera indica L. leaves extract and mangiferin on the atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE-/- mice

As folhas de Mangifera indica L são importantes como fonte de compostos fenólicos, especialmente mangiferina, que apresentam propriedades antidiabética, hipolipemiante, antioxidante e anti-inflamatória. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do extrato etanólico de folhas de M. indica e da mangiferina isolada sobre a lesão aterosclerótica em camundongos ApoE-/-. Métodos: Camundongos ApoE-/- com 15 semanas de idade foram divididos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos de acordo com o tratamento, por gavagem, durante 56 dias: controle (veículo, dimetil sulfóxido); E200 (200 mg/kg/dia de extrato da folha de M. indica), E400 (400 mg/kg/dia de extrato da folha de M. indica); M40 (40 mg/kg/dia de mangiferina). Parâmetros sanguíneos foram dosados utilizando-se kits enzimáticos e as lesões ateroscleróticas foram avaliadas pelo método en face. Resultados: O extrato seco apresentou 17% de mangiferina. Os níveis sanguíneos de colesterol total, frações HDLc e LDLc e triacilgliceróis, bem como o percentual de deposição lipídica no arco aórtico e aorta torácica não diferiram significativamente entre os grupos (p>0,05). Conclusão: A administração do extrato de folhas de M. indica e da mangiferina em camundongos ApoE-/- não afetou a lipidemia e não diminuiu as lesões ateroscleróticas pré-existentes.

Mangifera indica L leaf are an important source of phenolic compounds, especially mangiferin, that exhibits antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mangiferin and ethanolic extract of M. indica leaf on atherosclerotic lesions in mice ApoE-/-. Methods: Fifteenweek- old ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the treatment giving by gavage during 56 days: control - vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide); E200 - 200 mg/kg/day M. indica leaf extract; E400 - 400 mg/kg/day M. indica leaf extract, M40 - 40 mg/kg/day mangiferin. Administrations of vehicle, extracts and mangiferin were performed every day by gavage during 8 weeks. Blood parameters were measured using enzymatic kits and atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated by en face method. Results: The dired extract showed 17% of mangiferin. Total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc and triglycerides blood levels, as well as the percentage of lipid deposition in the aortic arch and thoracic aorta were not significantly different between the groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The administration of M. indica leaf extract and mangiferin in ApoE-/- mice did not affect serum lipids and did not decreased pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions

Bark Extract of Bathysa cuspidata in the Treatment of Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bark extract Bathysa cuspidata (BCE) in the reconstitution of hepatic parenchyma and stroma after dysfunction induced by the CCl4. Liver lesions were induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 (1 mL/kg) every 48 h for 12 days. The animals were treated with B. cuspidata extract (BCE) administered by gavage for another 12 days. Forty-nine rats were randomized into seven treatment groups with seven animals receiving CCl4, BCE (200, or 400 mg/kg) and the vehicle DMSO alone, or in different combinations. The extract alone showed no evidence of hepatic toxicity. In general, rats acutely exposed to CCl4 without the treatment with BCE presented high ALT and AST serum levels and high tissue content of lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde, and lipid droplets. BCE administration, especially at 400 mg/kg attenuated significantly all these parameters. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased in the groups receiving this extract. These results showed that the extract of B. cuspidata stem bark stimulated the antioxidant defense system and reduced the morphological and functional liver damage in Wistar rats previously exposed to CCl4.

Avaliação do potencial genotóxico de extratos etanólicos de cascas e folhas de Bathysa cuspidata (A. St-Hil) Hook / Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of ethanolic extracts of stem bark and leaves of Bathysa cuspidata (A. St-Hil) Hook

Bathysa cuspidata (A.St.-Hil.) Hook. is a native tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome, widely used in Brazilian herbal medicine. Despite its widespread use, there is no report as yet regarding the toxicology of this plant. In this study, the mutagenic and genotoxic effects of ethanolic extracts of B. cuspidata stem bark (SBC) and leaves (LBC) were assessed. The mutagenicity of the extracts was estimated by performing the Ames test on strains TA98 and TA100 of Salmonella typhimurium, in the absence and presence of metabolic activation. The direct action of the extracts on DNA was assessed through plasmid treatment. Phytochemical screening was conducted to compare the secondary metabolite composition of the extracts. No mutagenic activity was found in LBC when tested on strain TA98 or TA100, without or with metabolic activation. However, SBC did show mutagenic activity. Plasmid tests did not indicate genotoxic action for either SBC or LBC. Differences in the composition of secondary metabolites present in the bark and leaves, detected by phytochemical analysis, appear to be a deciding factor in differences in mutagenicity between SBC and LBC. The findings in this study suggest caution in the use of B. cuspidata bark.

Bathysa cuspidata (A.St.-Hil.) Hook. é uma árvore nativa do bioma Mata Atlântica largamente utilizada na medicina popular brasileira. Apesar do amplo uso, ainda não existe relato sobre a toxicologia dos compostos obtidos dessa espécie vegetal. O presente estudo avaliou efeitos mutagênicos e genotóxicos de extratos etanólicos de B. cuspidata obtidos das cascas do caule (SBC) e das folhas (LBC). A mutagenicidade dos extratos foi avaliada utilizando o teste de Ames nas linhagens TA98 e TA100 de Salmonella typhimurium, na ausência e presença de ativação metabólica. Os efeitos dos extratos diretamente sobre o DNA foram avaliados por clivagem plasmidial. Análises fitoquímicas foram realizadas para comparar a composição de metabólitos secundários dos extratos. Não foi encontrada atividade mutagênica para LBC quando avaliados utilizando as cepas TA98 e TA100, sem ou com ativação metabólica. No entanto, SBC apresentou atividade mutagênica. Clivagem plasmidial não indicou ação genotóxica tanto para SBC quanto para LBC. Diferenças na composição dos metabólitos secundários presentes nos cascas e folhas, detectadas pelas análises fitoquímicas, devem ser determinantes para a variação do efeito mutagênico entre SBC e LBC. Os resultados sugerem cautela no emprego de cascas de B. cuspidata.

Ethnopharmacological survey: a selection strategy to identify medicinal plants for a local phytotherapy program

Ethnopharmacological studies are important for documenting and protecting cultural and traditional knowledge associated with the medical use of biodiversity. In this paper, we present a survey on medicinal plants used by locals in a community of Nova Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil, as a strategy to select medicinal plants for a phytotherapy-based local healthcare program. Eleven knowledgeable local informants were chosen by snowball sampling and interviewed about the use of medicinal plants. Plant samples were collected, herborised and then identified using traditional techniques and specialised literature. We sampled 107 medicinal plant species belonging to 86 genera and 39 families, predominantly Asteraceae with 16 species. Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw, M. pulegium L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Ruta graveolens L. were found to have Consensus of Main Use corrected (CMUc) values above 50%, which were in agreement with the traditional uses described by the informants. However, species with CMUc values equal to or above 20%, combined with the scientific information survey, were also used to select medicinal plants for the phytotherapy-based local healthcare program. The selection of medicinal plants based on the CMUc index from this particular community, in combination with the scientific survey, appears to be an effective strategy for the implementation of phytotherapy programs.

Estudos etnofarmacológicos são importantes no registro e na preservação de conhecimentos de uma cultura tradicional associada ao uso medicinal da biodiversidade. No presente trabalho, foi realizado o levantamento das plantas medicinais utilizadas por conhecedores populares na comunidade de Nova Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, como ferramenta para auxiliar na seleção de espécies vegetais visando à implantação de um programa de fitoterapia local na comunidade estudada. Participaram 11 conhecedores escolhidos por amostragem Bola de Neve e submetidos a entrevistas semiestruturadas. Amostras dos espécimes foram coletadas, herborizadas e identificadas conforme metodologias usuais e literatura especializada. Foram amostradas 107 espécies medicinais pertencentes a 86 gêneros e 39 famílias botânicas, destacando-se Asteraceae com 16 espécies. Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw., Mentha pulegium L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. e Ruta graveolens L. apresentaram Consenso de Uso Principal corrigido (CUPc) superior a 50%, evidenciando consensos de uso popular entre os entrevistados. Espécies com CUPc igual ou superior a 20%, juntamente com o levantamento de informações em bases científicas, foram utilizadas para selecionar as espécies para o programa de fitoterapia local. A seleção de plantas medicinais, levando-se em consideração o índice de CUPc obtido de uma determinada comunidade aliado ao levantamento científico, mostra-se como estratégia a ser considerada na implantação de programas fitoterápicos.