Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of aqueous extracts of Cucurbita pepo L / Atividades antimicrobiana e antibiofilme de extratos aquosos de Cucurbita pepo L

Introduction: Cucurbita pepo L. is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The species is popularly used in different countries for the treatment of diabetes and parasitic diseases. Objective: This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of aqueous extracts of leaves and seeds of C. pepo. Methodology: the extracts were tested in vitro against strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans and Candida krusei. The antimicrobial activity was performed by the microtiter method and the antibiofilm activity by the violet crystal method. Results: the results demonstrated that the extracts tested showed antibacterial and antibiofilm actions against S. pyogenes, but it was not possible to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The extracts inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. krusei with MIC of 0.03 mg/mL. The antibiofilm activity of these species did not present either a dose dependence relationship or a synergistic effect when associated with the antifungal Fluconazole®. Conclusion: although there are indications of antimicrobial and inhibitory action in the formation of biofilm, additional studies are necessary to characterize the possible pharmacological effects of the analyzed specie.

Introdução: Cucurbita pepo L. é uma planta herbácea pertencente à família Cucurbitaceae. A espécie é usada popularmente em diferentes países para tratamento de diabetes e parasitoses. Objetivo: esse trabalho objetivou avaliar o potencial antimicrobiano e antibiofilme de extratos aquosos de folhas e sementes de C. pepo. Metodologia: os extratos foram testados in vitro contra cepas de Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans e Candida krusei. A atividade antimicrobiana foi realizada pelo método de microtitulação e a atividade antibiofilme pelo método de cristal de violeta. Resultados: os resultados demonstraram que os extratos testados apresentaram ação contra S. pyogenes, tanto em relação ao controle do crescimento bacteriano como inibição de formação de biofilme, mas não foi possível determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM). Os extratos inibiram o crescimento C. albicans e C. krusei com CIM de 0.03 mg/mL. A atividade antibiofilme dessas espécies não apresentou relação de dose dependência nem de efeito sinérgico quando associado ao antifúngico Fluconazol®. Conclusão: Embora haja indicativos de ação antimicrobiana e inibitória na formação de biofilme, são necessários estudos adicionais para a caracterização dos possíveis efeitos farmacológicos da espécie analisada.

Anatomy, histochemistry and oxalic acid content of the leaflets of Averrhoa bilimbi and Averrhoa carambola

Abstract Averrhoa bilimbi L. and A. carambola L., Oxalidaceae, are the only two species of the genus Averrhoa L. Their leaves are widely used in folk medicine as an adjuvant in the treatment of diabetes. Some species may contain, for example, calcium oxalate crystals, which may lead to risk in its use when there is predisposition of individuals with reduced renal activity. Therefore, there are still few studies on the content of oxalic acid present in them, highlighting the importance of this investigation. The objective of this work was to conduct a comparative anatomical and histochemical study between the species and determining its content of oxalic acid. Semipermanent histological slides were prepared, following common plant anatomy procedures, for analysis of the leaflets in optical microscopy, polarization and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. To determine the total, soluble and insoluble oxalate content was used titration with potassium permanganate. The anatomical characterization allowed identifying the characters useful in the differentiation of the species. The histochemistry revealed the location of the metabolites. Chemical microanalyses demonstrated that the crystals are of calcium oxalate. A. carambola presented the highest levels of total oxalate and soluble oxalate. The study assists in the identification and quality control of A. bilimbi and A. carambola and brings new data on its oxalic acid content, which are important, in view of the medicinal use of the species.

Pharmacobotanical study of Manilkara zapota (L. ) P. Royen (Sapotaceae)

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, popularly known as sapoti or sapota (sapodilla), is a tree bearing an important fruit, in addition to different parts of the plant being widely used in folk medicine in the management of inflammation, pain, fevers, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, among other ailments. This study aimed to conduct a pharmacobotany standardization study of M. zapota. Semi-permanent slides, containing transversal sections of stem, petiole, leaf blade and fruit; and paradermic sections of leaf blade were prepared, and analyzed by light microscopy. Histochemical tests were also performed in cross-sections of the leaf blade. Microscopic analysis allowed the identification of important elements in the diagnosis of the species; while the use of histochemical techniques on the leaf blade showed evidence of the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, triterpenes and steroids, lipophilic compounds, starch, lignin and calcium oxalate crystals. The results presented contributed to characterization of the species.

Prática popular de saúde: a concepção dos usuários da unidade de saúde Engenho do Meio sobre o uso de plantas medicinais / Popular health practice: users' conception about the use of medicinal plants at the Engenho do Meio health care unit

A pesquisa caracterizou-se por estudar o uso da fitoterapiapelos comunitários atendidos na Unidade de Saúdeda Família Engenho do Meio, Recife, PE, e traçar o perfilsocioeconômico. Foi realizado um estudo observacional,transversal e descritivo de natureza quanti-qualitativa, noqual os dados foram obtidos através de entrevistas com369 usuários, conduzidas por estudantes do Programa deEducação pelo Trabalho para a Saúde (PET-Saúde) pormeio de questionário semiestruturado. Foram abordadosdados socioeconômicos e etnofarmacológicos, os quaisforam analisados por distribuição de frequência simples.Dos usuários entrevistados, 85% foram mulheres, 36%possuíam ensino médio completo e 83% tinham renda familiarde até dois salários mínimos. Verificou-se que 77%utilizam alguma planta medicinal, sendo os distúrbios gastrintestinaisa principal indicação clínica. Vizinhos e familiaresforam responsáveis por 93% das indicações. Ochá foi a forma de preparo predominante (94%) e a folha,a parte da planta mais usada (83%). Quando abordadossobre as contraindicações das plantas, 99% dos usuáriosinformaram desconhecê-las. Pode-se perceber com os resultadosa valorização da cultura popular, em função daelevada taxa de uso das plantas medicinais. No entanto,é preciso investir na perspectiva do uso racional e segurodas plantas medicinais pelo elevado índice de desconhecimentoacerca das contraindicações.

The research was characterized by studying the useof phytotherapy in the community served by theEngenho do Meio Family Health Care Unit, Recife,PE, as well as determining the socioeconomic profile.An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study,qualitative and quantitative in nature, in which the datawere obtained through interviews with 369 users, wascarried out by students of the Education Programfor Work in Health Care (EPW-Health) through asemi-structured questionnaire. Socioeconomic andethnopharmacological data, which were analyzed bysimple frequency distribution, were discussed. Among thesurveyed users, 85% were women, 36% had completedhigh school, and 83% had a family income of up to twominimum wages. It was found that 77% use a medicinalplant, with gastrointestinal disorders being the mainclinical indication. Neighbors and family members wereresponsible for 93% of the recommendations. Tea wasthe predominant form of preparation (94%) and the leafwas the most commonly used part of the plant (83%).When asked about the contraindications of plants, 99%of the users reported being unaware of them. The resultsshow the importance of popular culture, given the highrate of use of medicinal plants. However, investment inthe perspective of the rational and safe use of medicinalplants is needed due to the high rate of ignorance aboutthe contraindications.

Anti-inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of the Aqueous Extract of the Bark of Chrysobalanus icaco Linnaeus.

Aims: This paper describes the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco. Study Design: Study the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of C. icaco using in vivo models. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Antibiotics and Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, between March 2010 and March 2012. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan/dextraninduced paw edema, vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and subcutaneous air pouch models, with measurements of cell migration, nitric oxide and cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot plate tests were performed to investigate the antinociceptive effects. Results: The aqueous extract of C. icaco (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) reduced dextran/carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, the vascular permeability, cell migration, and nitric oxide concentration. However, it did not affect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 produced in the pouch. The aqueous extract also demonstrated antinociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and formalin test, and was able to prolong the reaction time in the hot plate model in the first hour with activity similar to morphine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.). There was no acute toxicity in mice after oral administration of the aqueous extract at doses of 2 g/kg. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the aqueous extract of C. icaco demonstrated antiinflammatory activity through the reduction of vascular permeability, inhibition of cellular migration and nitric oxide production and that the antinociceptive activity seems to be mediated by central mechanisms.

Tillandsia recurvata L. (Bromeliaceae): aspectos farmacognósticos / Tillandsia recurvata L. (Bromeliaceae): a pharmacognostic study

A cobertura superior das florestas tropicais, formada pelas copas das árvores, constitui um ambiente de extrema diversidade vegetal. Contribuindo com a grande riqueza dessas florestas encontram-se as espécies botânicas epífitas, cuja importância pode ser observada do ponto de vista ecológico, faunístico, etnobotânico e até mesmo farmacológico. Dentre as espécies adaptadas à vida epifítica podemos citar as bromeliáceas, que compõem uma das famílias mais representativas dessa flora com elevada variabilidade genética. Tillandsia recurvata é uma espécie epífita cosmopolita, nativa, adaptada a habitats áridos, utilizada para o tratamento de diversas doenças, mas pouco se tem publicado a respeito das comprovações científicas de suas propriedades. O presente trabalho revisa os aspectos etnofarmacológicos, atividades biológicas e compostos químicos relacionados à espécie em questão, pertencente à Bromeliaceae. A partir do levantamento de dados realizado, observa-se que esta se trata de uma espécie de conhecido uso popular no tratamento de diferentes distúrbios, com alguns estudos farmacológicos que comprovam suas propriedades terapêuticas. Do ponto de vista químico observa-se a presença de terpenos, flavonoides e derivados cinâmicos em sua constituição, em que alguns compostos isolados ilustram a potencialidade desta espécie como fonte de biomoléculas de interesse. Todos estes aspectos considerados nesta revisão contribuem para o conhecimento a respeito da importância biológica e o potencial terapêutico acerca dos metabólitos desta promissora espécie.

The canopy of tropical forests, formed by the crowns of trees, constitutes a habitat of extreme plant diversity. Contributing to the great richness of these forests are epiphytes, which are of outstanding importance from the ecological, faunal, ethnobotanical and even pharmacological standpoints. Among the species adapted to the epiphytic life (growing on other plants) are the bromeliads, one of the most representative families of that flora, possessing high genetic variability. Tillandsia recurvate is a cosmopolitan epiphyte adapted to arid habitats, traditionally used to treat various diseases, though little has been published on scientific evidence for its properties. This paper reviews its ethnopharmacology and the biological activities and chemical compounds related to this member of the Bromeliaceae. According to the data collected, this species is known for its popular use in the treatment of various disorders, with some pharmacological studies that demonstrate its therapeutic properties. From the chemical point of view, terpenes, flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives are found in its constitution and some of the compounds isolated illustrate the potential of this species as a source of interesting biomolecules. All these features reviewed here contribute to what is known about the biological importance and therapeutic potential of metabolites from this promising species.

Chrysobalanaceae: traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Chrysobalanaceae is a family composed of seventeen genera and about 525 species. In Africa and South America some species have popular indications for various diseases such as malaria, epilepsy, diarrhea, inflammations and diabetes. Despite presenting several indications of popular use, there are few studies confirming the activities of these species. In the course of evaluating the potential for future studies, the present work is a literature survey on databases of the botanical, chemical, biological and ethnopharmacological data on Chrysobalanaceae species published since the first studies that occurred in the 60's until the present day.

Morfoanatomia, histoquímica e perfil fitoquímico de Priva lappulacea (L. ) Pers. (Verbenaceae) / Morphoanatomy, histochemistry and phytochemical screening of Priva lappulacea (L. ) Pers. (Verbenaceae)

Este estudo descreve a anatomia e analisa a histoquímica dos órgãos vegetativos de Priva lappulacea (L.) Pers. Secções transversais e paradérmicas, à mão livre, de material fresco e fixado foram utilizadas para as análises anatômicas e histoquímicas, usando microscopia óptica. Os caracteres anatômicos são comuns àqueles descritos para a família, podendo ser utilizados como diagnóstico na sua identificação. Destacam-se, nas folhas, os tricomas, glandular e não-glandular, estômatos anomocíticos, em ambas as faces da epiderme, e mesofilo dorsiventral. As expansões no pecíolo são acrescentadas à diagnose da espécie. Estudo fitoquímico realizado com as partes aéreas mostrou a presença de triterpeno (ácido ursólico) e esteróide (β-sitosterol), iridóides (ipolamida e catalpol), açúcar redutor (glucose), flavonóide (luteolina) e fenilpropanóide (verbascosídeo). Nas raízes foi encontrada apenas glucose e dois iridóides estiveram presentes no caule e folhas. Alcalóides, saponinas, cumarinas, derivados cinâmicos, proantocianidinas condensadas e leucoantocianidinas não foram constatados nas partes analisadas. A descrição anatômica e os testes histoquímicos são inéditos para P. lappulacea.

This study describes the anatomy and analyzes the histochemistry of the vegetative organs of Priva lappulacea (L.) Pers. Freehanded transversal and paradermal sections of fresh and fixed material were used for the anatomical and histochemical analyses, using optical microscopy. The anatomical characters are common to those described for the family, being able to be used to diagnosis in its identification. The leaves are highlighted by the presence of glandular and non-glandular trichomes, anomocytic stomata on both faces of the epidermis and dorsiventral mesophyll. The expansions in the petiole are added to the diagnosis of this species. The phytochemical study carried out with aerial organs showed the presence of triterpene (ursolic acid) and steroid (β-sitosterol), iridoids (ipolamide and catalpol), reducing sugar (glucose), flavonoid (luteolin) and fenilpropanoid (verbascosides). In the roots only glucose was found and two iridoids are present in stem and leaves. Alkaloids, saponins, cumarines, cinamic acid derivates, condensed proantocianidines and leucoantocianidines were not checked in the analyzed parts. The anatomical description and the histochemical tests are unpublished for P. lappulacea.

Variabilidade sazonal dos constituintes da própolis vermelha e bioatividade em Artermia salina / Seasonal variability of red propolis constituents and brine shrimp bioassay

A própolis é uma substância resinosa coletada pelas abelhas de diversas partes das plantas. Sua composição depende da época, vegetação e local de coleta. Apresenta diversas atividades biológicas como antimicrobiana, antioxidante, antitumoral, dentre outras. Foi realizado estudo da variabilidade sazonal, nos meses de fevereiro, junho e outubro de 2006, dos constituintes voláteis da própolis vermelha de Pernambuco através da extração por headspace dinâmico e identificação por cromatografia gasosa acoplada com espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). Foram identificados 34 constituintes voláteis, sendo monoterpenos e monoterpenóides, sesquiterpenos e sesquiterpenóides, fenilpropanóides, aldeídos, cetonas e η-alcanos. Os constituintes majoritários foram o trans-anetol, α-copaeno e o metil cis-isoeugenol. Também foi realizado o perfil fitoquímico por cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD), através da qual os constituintes fenólicos foram identificados como majoritários. Com o extrato bruto metanólico da própolis, realizou-se o ensaio de letalidade em Artemia salina, que demonstrou DL50 de 18,9 µg/mL, sugerindo uma possível atividade antitumoral.

Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by honeybees from plant sources. The composition of the propolis depends on the season, the vegetation, and the area of collection. It presents a diverse biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and antitumoral. The seasonal variability of the red propolis constituents from Pernambuco State were accomplished in the months of February, June and October of 2006. The volatile red propolis constituients were captured by the dynamic headspace technique and analyzed by GC-MS. In the analysis of the samples, 34 constituents were identified as the mono and sesquiterpens, phenylpropanoids, aldehydes, cetons and n-alcanes, presenting as majority constituents the trans-anethol, α-copaene and methyl cis-isoeugenol. The phytochemistry profile was performed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Through this technique the majority constituents were identified as phenols. The Brine shrimp bioassay was used to evaluate of the red propolis methanolic extract, which demonstrated a DL50 of 18.9 µg/mL and an activity antitumoral was possibly suggested.

Avaliação preliminar da atividade farmacológica (antiespasmódica e antiulcerogênica) do extrato aquoso bruto de Croton rbamnifolius H. B. K. e Croton rbamnifolioides PAX & Hoffm. (Euphorbiaceae) / Preliminary evaluation of pharmacological activity (antispasmodic and antiulcerogenic) of raw aqueous extract of Croton rbamnifolius H. B. K and Croton rbamnifolioides Pax & Hoffm (euphorbiaceae

O estudo farmacológico de Croton rhamnifolius e Croton rhamnifolioides foi baseado no uso popular.Os extratos brutos aquosos a 20 por cento (0,5 a 2,0g/kg das cascas foram administrados por via oral para avaliação da possível atividade tóxica, a qual não foi observada em rato. Os extratos de C.rhmnifolius e C.rhamnifolioides (0,5 e 1,0g/kg) administrados por via oral em ratos não protegeram a mucosa estomacal da lesão induzida por etanol a 70 por cento. O extrato de C. rhamnifolioides (0,5 e 1,0g/kg) não reduziu as contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético em camundongos. Uma possível atividade relaxante da musculatura lisa em ducto deferente e jejuno de rato foi obtida com ambos os extratos (2 a 20mg/mL),através da inibição das contrações induzidas respectivamente por acetilcolina e cloreto de potássio.