Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Phyllanthus niruri spray-dried standardized extract

Phyllanthus niruri L., Euphorbiaceae, spray-dried standardized extract was studied for its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in adult albino rats and mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of spray-dried standardized extract was observed in carrageenan-induced paw edema and thioglycolate-induced leukocyte migration, while antinociceptive effects were observed using Randall & Selitto, tail flick, and hot plate tests. This study showed that intraperitoneal spray-dried standardized extract at 100, 200, 800, or 1600 mg/kg reduced the vascular response in the inflammatory process of paw edema induced by 1% carrageenan. Oral spray-dried standardized extract at 100 or 200 mg/kg inhibited leukocyte migration to the site of inflammation induced by 3% thioglycolate. In rats, at 100 and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally, the extract exhibited a marked peripheral analgesic effect in a Randall & Selitto assay and showed significant central analgesic activity in a hot plate and tail flick assay. In conclusion, this study suggested that Phyllanthus niruri spray-dried standardized extract has potent inflammatory and antinociceptive activities and that these activities are not modified by standard drying process, making it feasible to use the dry extract standardized to obtain a phytotherapic preparation and thus validating its use for the treatment of pain and inflammation disorders.

Gentamicin induces renal morphopathology in Wistar rats / Gentamicina induce morfopatología renal en ratas Wistar

Due to its prominent role in major excretory pathways, the kidney is particularly sensitive especially to toxicity for antimicrobials drugs. Storage of these drugs in the renal cortex, their effect on renal cells, have consequences on the renal function, and then reabsorbed by renal tubules induce nephrotixicity. Our objective was to show the renal morphopatological alterations induced by gentamicin through the histochemical methods of routine periodic acid de Schiff (PAS) staining and imunohistochemical staining for the expression of the protein P53, which is considered as a marker for cellular apoptosis. This allows the early detection of tubular lesions. The renal morphopathologic findings were cell apoptosis, basal membrane interruption, mesangial proliferation cells, decreased Bowman's space. This result clearly shows that gentamicin administration induces renal morphopatological alterations.

Debido a su importante rol en la función de excreción mayor, el riñon es especialmente propenso a la toxicidad por los antibióticos bactericidas. La acumulación de los antibióticos aminoglicosidos en la corteza renal tiene como consecuencia efectos en las células renales y en la función renal y cuando son reabsorbidos por los túbulos renales, pueden conducir a toxicidad renal. Nuestro objetivo fue mostrar alteraciones morfopatológicas renales causadas por la administración de gentamicina, a través de métodos histoquímicos de rutina con ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS) y tinción inmunohistoquímica para la expresión de la proteína P53, la cual es considerada como un marcador para la apoptosis celular, permitiendo la detección precoz de lesiones tubulares. Los resultados morfopatológicos renales fueron apoptosis celular, interrupción de la membrana basal, proliferación de células mesangiales y disminución del espacio de Bowman. Los resultados mostraron claramente que la administración de gentamicina induce alteraciones morfopatológicas renales.

Perfil etiológico e terapêutico da meningite bacteriana aguda: contribuindo para a vigilância dos serviços de saúde / Bacteria profile and therapeutic of acute bacterial meningitis: contribuition for health services

Com o objetivo de identificar as bactérias e as associações dos antibióticos utilizadas na meningite bacterina aguda, foram investigados 243 prontuários de pacientes internados de 2000 a 2002 no Hospital Giselda Trigueiro, em Natal (RN-Brasil). Os dados foram analisados pela freqüência percentual. Foi constatado que, em 79,4 por cento dos prontuários, a cultura foi indeterminada. Nas idades até 60 meses, houve uma redução do Haemophilus influenzae. De 6 a 14 anos, 15 a 25 anos e maiores de 26 anos, predominou a Neisseria meningitidis. Até os 12 meses, foi constatado o uso da ceftriaxona. De 13 a 60 meses, da ampicilina seguida da ceftriaxona. De 6 a 14 anos, predominou a ampicilina, seguid pelo uso profilático da rifampicina. A partir dos 15 anos, predominou a ampicilina. O estudo chama atenção para o grande número de prontuários sem o resultado da cultura. Dessa forma, este achado traz implicações para os serviços de saúde, suscitando a necessidade de se reavaliarem os métodos de diagnóstico utilizados.