Avaliação fitoquímica e potencial cicatrizante do extrato etanólico dos frutos de Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) em ratos Wistar / Phytochemical evaluation and wound healing potential of the fruit extract ethanolic of Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) in Wistar rats

Libidibia ferrea é uma planta muito utilizada popularmente para fins terapêuticos, inclusive para acelerar processos de cicatrização de feridas cutâneas. O presente trabalho pesquisou a composição química e avaliou o potencial cicatrizante do extrato etanólico dos frutos de L. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) em ratos. Foram utilizados 24 ratos Wistar divididos em quatro grupos. De todos os animais, foi retirado um fragmento de pele do dorso e cada grupo recebeu um tratamento diferente: solução de NaCl 0,9%, digliconato de clorexidina 1%, extrato etanólico dos frutos de Libidibia ferrea 12,5% e 50%. O processo de cicatrização foi avaliado macro e microscopicamente. Para a cicatrização de pele em ratos o extrato etanólico dos frutos de L. ferrea a 12,5% é significativamente mais eficiente do que a 50%. Saponinas, ácidos orgânicos, açúcares redutores, fenóis e taninos, sesquiterpenolactonas e outras lactonas, e antraquinonas foram encontrados no extrato.

Libidibia ferrea is a plant popularly used for therapeutic purposes, including processes to accelerate wound healing. The present investigation analyzed the chemical composition and the healing potential of ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. ferrea (Mart. ex Tul.) in rats. This study used 24 Wistar rats divided into four groups. In all animals a piece of skin on the back was removed and each group received a different treatment: NaCl 0.9%, Chlorhexidine digluconate 1%, ethanol extract of the fruits of Libidibia ferrea 12.5% and 50%. The healing process was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. The ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. ferrea 12.5% was significantly more efficient than the 50% healing in rat skin.

Sandfly (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) species diversity in an urban area of the municipality of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico

Monitoring phlebotomine sandflies in urban areas is key for epidemiological studies in susceptible populations. This paper describes sandfly fauna that were present in an urban area of the municipality of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, and were captured with Shannon and CDC light traps. During February and March of 2014, 1,442 sandflies were captured, specifically Lutzomyia cruciata (Coquillet) (98.8%), Lutzomyia cayennensis cayennensis (Floch and Abonnenc) (0.8%), Lutzomyia chiapanensis (Dampf) (0.3%) and Lutzomyia atulapai (De León) (0.1%). Lu. cruciata was the most abundant and the most frequently trapped species. This is the first record of its remarkable ability to adapt to urban green areas. The three other species trapped represent new records of geographic distribution for the study region. These results indicate the need to establish measures for reducing both human contact with this vector and the risk of possible sites of infection.

Ethnopharmacological Properties of Ceasalpinia benthamiana - A Mini Review.

Caesalpinia benthamiana (Baill.) Herend. and Zarucchi (synonym. Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill.) belongs to the family Fabaceae, it is a climbing or a straggling shrub and is well known in some West African countries for its medicinal properties where it is used to cure general malaise, wound, urethral discharge, ulcer, pile, skin infection and believed to have aphrodisiac property. Phytochemical studies have revealed the leaf to contain essential oils, Gallic acid derivatives, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, anthraquinones and reducing sugars while the aqueous fractions of the root contain Gallic acid, resveratrol and tannins. Pharmacological assays have established the plant to be antiinflammatory, anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial, anti-candida, and to have vasorelaxation and aphrodisiac properties. This review presents information on the morphology, ecology, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicological properties of C. benthamiana and aims at providing an up-to-date detail that should constitute baseline information for future research on the plant.

Methanol extract from Vietnamese Caesalpinia sappan induces apoptosis in HeLa cells

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of extracts from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood against multiple cancer cell lines using an MTT cell viability assay. The cell death though induction of apoptosis was as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. RESULTS: A methanol extract from C. sappan (MECS) showed cytotoxic activity against several of the cancer cell lines. The most potent activity exhibited by the MECS was against HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 26.5 ± 3.2 µg/mL. Treatment of HeLa cells with various MECS concentrations resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis, as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. CONCLUSION: This study is the first report of the anticancer properties of the heartwood of C. sappan native to Vietnam. Our findings demonstrate that C. sappan heartwood may have beneficial applications in the field of anticancer drug discovery.

Actividad Antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de Physalis peruviana L. y Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz / In vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions of Physalis peruviana L. and Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz

We evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions of Physalis peruviana L. calyces and flowers and leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz against ATCC strains Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). We find potent activity with MIC < 0,256 mg/mL for the chloroform fraction of P. peruviana calyces, the ethanol fraction of flowers of C. pulcherrima and ethanol and ether fractions of leaves of C. pulcherrima. Based on these results, we conclude that both species are promising and it is recommended to continue exploring them in order to isolate, purify and to elucidate the chemical structure from those compounds responsible for the biological activity of each active fraction.

Se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de los cálices de Physalis peruviana L. y flores y hojas de Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz frente a cepas ATCC de Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, determinando la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) y la concentración mínima bactericida (CMB). Encontramos potente actividad, con valores de CMI < 0,256 mg/mL para la fracción en cloroformo de los cálices de P. peruviana, la fracción en etanol de las flores de C. pulcherrima y las fracciones en etanol y éter de las hojas de C. pulcherrima. En función de los resultados obtenidos, concluimos que ambas especies son promisorias y se recomienda continuar su estudio intentando aislar, purificar y dilucidar la estructura química de los compuestos responsables de la actividad biológica en cada fracción activa.

Assessment of sperm production and reproductive organs of Wistar rats to long-term exposure of Caesalpinia ferrea

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and coumarin, which are known to have antifertility activity, no studies have apparently been conducted to evaluate the potential adverse side effects of this plant on the function of the reproductive system after a chronic treatment. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect and safety of the long-term exposure to C. ferrea on male Wistar rats' vital organs, reproductive system and sperm production. Adult and immature male rats were treated with an aqueous extract of C. ferrea at a dose level of 300 mg/kg of body weight, administered during one or two spermatogenic cycles of this species. The reproductive and vital organs were analyzed, and sperm was collected from the epididymal secretion of the right epididymis cauda. The long-term administration of C. ferrea did not significantly alter the body, vital and reproductive organs weights. Gamete production was not affected either. The chronic assessment of C. ferrea suggests that this plant does not affect the normal functioning of the Wistar rat reproductive system.

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) é uma planta medicinal utilizada principalmente no tratamento do diabetes, dentre outras propriedades terapêuticas, mas que também apresenta relatos de hepatotóxicos. Embora apresente em sua constituição substâncias capazes de interferirem na fertilidade, como flavonóides e cumarina, nenhum estudo foi ainda realizado para avaliar os efeitos adversos dessa planta no funcionamento do sistema reprodutor após tratamento de longa duração. Portanto, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização segura e os efeitos de C. ferrea nos órgãos vitais, no sistema reprodutor e na produção de espermatozóides de ratos Wistar submetidos a tratamento crônico. Animais imaturos e adultos foram tratados com o extrato aquoso de C. ferrea na dose de 300 mg/kg de peso corporal, administrado durante um ou dois ciclos espermatogênicos dessa espécie. Os órgãos reprodutores e vitais foram analisados e os espermatozóides foram coletados na secreção epididimária proveniente da cauda do epidídimo direito. A administração crônica de C. ferrea não alterou significativamente o peso corporal e nem o peso dos órgãos reprodutores e vitais. A produção de gametas também não foi afetada. Os dados sugerem que a utilização crônica de C. ferrea não interfere com o funcionamento normal do sistema reprodutor do rato Wistar.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Caesalpinia pulcherrima wood.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima wood were studied in in vitro models. Both extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the low IC50 values in both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide and superoxide scavenging methods; the values were found to be less or comparable to those of gallic acid, the standard used. To determine the cytotoxic activity, extracts were tested for toxic effects to brine shrimp larvae. In this assay, the methanolic extract had little effect, but aqueous extract was relatively toxic. The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities may be attributed to the total phenolic content in the wood.

Aspectos étnicos, biológicos e químicos de Senna occidentalis (Fabaceae) / Ethnic, biological and chemical aspects of Senna occidentalis (Fabaceae)

Senna occidentalis (sin. Cassia occidentalis) é um arbusto perene nativo da América do Sul e distribuída em regiões tropicais ao redor do mundo, frequentemente contaminando pastos e culturas de cereais. Inúmeros estudos demonstraram que esta planta é tóxica para animais. Na medicina popular, tribos americanas, africanas e indianas usam preparações da S. occidentalis como tônico, estomáquico, febrífugo, laxante e antimicrobiano. Diversas propriedades biológicas da espécie já foram comprovadas, tais como a antibacteriana, antifúngica, antimalárica, antitumoral e hepatoprotetora. As análises fitoquímicas evidenciaram que as antraquinonas, os flavonóides e outros derivados fenólicos são os seus principais constituintes. Esta revisão apresenta dados etnofarmacológicos, químicos e biológicos publicados na literatura sobre S. occidentalis.

Senna occidentalis (syn. Cassia occidentalis) is a perennial shrub, native to South America and indigenous to tropical regions throughout the world, often contaminating pastures and cereal crops. There have been many reports showing that S. occidentalis is toxic to animals. In traditional medicine, some American, African and Indian ethnic groups use S. occidentalis preparations in stomach treatments and as a tonic, febrifuge, laxative and topical antimicrobial agent. Several biological properties of this species have been proved, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antitumor and hepatoprotective activity. Phytochemical analysis has shown that anthraquinones, flavonols and other phenolics are its major constituents. In this paper we present an overview of the ethnopharmacological, chemical and biological data published in the literature on S. occidentalis.