A utilização de fitoterápicos no tratamento da obesidade / Phytoterapic medicines for obesity treatment

A obesidade é considerada um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública no mundo. É um fator que predispõe outras enfermidades e está relacionada ao aumento da taxa de morbidade e mortalidade. Para o tratamento da obesidade são empregados vários métodos, dentre eles o uso da fitoterapia. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as evidências científicas sobre a utilização do Phaseolus vulgaris, Cynara scolymus e Camelia sinensis no tratamento da obesidade. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa da literatura, desenvolvida por meio de levantamento bibliográfico de artigos científicos que relacionavam os fitoterápicos com a obesidade, e publicados nos últimos 10 anos. Foi possível observar que estes fitoterápicos podem ser alternativas para tratamento da obesidade. O Phaseolus vulgaris parece proporcionar importante redução de peso devido à redução da absorção dos carboidratos. A Cynara scolymus possui frutooligossacarideos e a inulina, que alteram o trânsito intestinal e ocasionam uma rápida eliminação do bolo fecal, e, consequentemente, reduz a absorção dos lipídeos que, em excesso, contribuem para a obesidade. A Camelia sinensis aumenta a termogênese e a oxidação lipídica, o que promove gasto energético e o emagrecimento. O tratamento da obesidade pode abranger diferentes alternativas terapêuticas, ressaltando sempre a importância da utilização de fitoterápicos indicados apenas por profissionais habilitados, a fim de se alcançar resultados desejáveis e evitar efeitos adversos

Obesity is considered one of the biggest public health problems in the world. It is a factor that predisposes other diseases and it is related to the increase of the rate of morbidity and mortality. Several methods are employed to treat obesity, among them the use of herbal medicine. The present study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on the use of Phaseolus vulgaris, Cynara scolymus and Camelia sinensis in the treatment of obesity. This is a narrative review of the literature, developed through a bibliographical survey of scientific articles that related phytotherapeutics to obesity, and published in the last 10 years. It was possible to observe that these phytotherapics may be alternatives for the treatment of obesity. Phaseolus vulgaris appears to provide significant weight reduction due to reduced absorption of carbohydrates. Cynara scolymus has fructooligosaccharides and inulin, which alter intestinal transit and cause a rapid elimination of faecal cake, and consequently reduces the absorption of lipids that in excess contribute to obesity. Camelia sinensis increases thermogenesis and lipid oxidation, which promotes energy expenditure and weight loss. The treatment of obesity can cover different therapeutic alternatives, always emphasizing the importance of the use of phytotherapics indicated only by qualified professionals, in order to achieve desirable results and avoid adverse effects

Té verde, fitomedicamento contra la influenza A: rol de las catequinas / Green tea, phytomedicine against influenza A: role of catechins

The highly variable Influenza A is constantly changed in new forms, like avian influenza or actual pandemic swine flu, has forced to massive use of antiviral drugs. Neuraminidase inhibitors are those with acceptable risk – efficacy profile. However, high variability of neuraminidase among different Influenza A viruses has resulted in viral resistance. Searching for new therapeutic resources, green tea (Camelia sinensis) has been reported to inhibit Influenza A virus replication, due to its catechines that bind to the active pocket endonuclease domain of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme is highly conserved among influenza A virus variants. So, a Camelia sinensis catechine standardized extract could become an anti endonuclease herbal drug.

La constante aparición de nuevas variantes de la Influenza A, como la denominada influenza aviar y la más reciente gripe porcina, de características pandémicas, ha obligado al uso masivo de fármacos antivirales. Los únicos con un perfil riesgo – eficacia aceptable son los inhibidores de la neuraminidasa. Sin embargo, la poca conservación entre la neuraminidasa de las diferentes cepas de virus Influenza A, han evidenciado resistencia viral. En la búsqueda de nuevos recursos terapéuticos, se ha reportado que el té verde (Camelia sinensis), gracias a su contenido de catequinas, puede inhibir la replicación de virus Influenza A, al unirse específicamente al bolsillo activo del dominio endonucleasa de la polimerasa de ARN dependiente de ARN viral, una enzima que posee un alto grado de conservación entre las diferentes variantes del virus de la Influenza A. Un extracto de Camelia sinensis estandarizado en catequinas podría constituirse en un fitofármaco antiendonucleasa.

Isolation and identification of Salmonella from curry samples and its sensitivity to commercial antibiotics and aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis (L.) and Trachyspermum ammi (L.)

Objective: To isolate Salmonella from curry samples and to evaluate the drug sensitivity of the food-borne Salmonella and its susceptibility to specific plant extracts. Methods: Salmonella was isolated from the curry samples by standard microbiological methods and was confirmed by biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted by disc diffusion method using commercially available antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and penicillin. In addition, the susceptibility of the food-borne Salmonella was also evaluated against the aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis (L.) Theaceae (tea leaves) and the Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Apiaceae ( ajwain or omum seeds). Results: Out of fifty curry samples, only seven samples were identified to have Salmonella contamination. The Salmonella isolates showed a significant drug resistance pattern except for kanamycin. The plant extracts showed a considerable antibacterial activity against the isolates, indicating the presence of antimicrobial principle which can be exploited after complete pharmacological investigations. Conclusions:The present study demonstrates the occurrence of Salmonella in the curry samples, and shows significant drug resistance against most of the commercially available antibiotics, except kanamycin. Antimicrobial effect of the plant extracts against the food-bone Salmonella suggests that dietary including medicinal herbs would be one strategy to manage food borne pathogens.

Isolation and identification of salmonella from curry samples and its sensitivity to commercial antibiotics and aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis (L.) and Trachyspermum ammi (L.)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate Salmonella from curry samples and to evaluate the drug sensitivity of the food-borne Salmonella and its susceptibility to specific plant extracts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Salmonella was isolated from the curry samples by standard microbiological methods and was confirmed by biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted by disc diffusion method using commercially available antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and penicillin. In addition, the susceptibility of the food-borne Salmonella was also evaluated against the aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis (L.) Theaceae (tea leaves) and the Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Apiaceae ( ajwain or omum seeds).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of fifty curry samples, only seven samples were identified to have Salmonella contamination. The Salmonella isolates showed a significant drug resistance pattern except for kanamycin. The plant extracts showed a considerable antibacterial activity against the isolates, indicating the presence of antimicrobial principle which can be exploited after complete pharmacological investigations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study demonstrates the occurrence of Salmonella in the curry samples, and shows significant drug resistance against most of the commercially available antibiotics, except kanamycin. Antimicrobial effect of the plant extracts against the food-bone Salmonella suggests that dietary including medicinal herbs would be one strategy to manage food borne pathogens.</p>