Diversidade e usos de plantas medicinais nos quintais da comunidade de São João da Várzea em Mossoró RN / Diversity and uses of medicinal plants in homegardens at the community São João da Varzea, Mossoró RN

RESUMO Nos quintais do nordeste brasileiro são mantidas tradicionalmente diversas espécies vegetais para o tratamento de doenças. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar um levantamento das espécies medicinais em quintais na Comunidade de São João da Várzea, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. Participaram do estudo 22 informantes e foram aplicadas para a coleta de dados técnicas de observação direta e participante, turnê guiada, lista livre e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Verificou-se a presença de 57 espécies pertencentes a 37 famílias botânicas. As espécies com maior frequência de ocorrência foram goiabeira (Psidium guajavaL.) e coqueiro (Cocos nucifera L.), presentes em 59% e 55% dos quintais, respectivamente. Para estas espécies houve maior índice de concordância de uso (CUPc de 61,5% e 92,3%). Foram citadas 67 patologias e o maior número de plantas medicinais foi indicado para o tratamento de gripe, disenteria, inflamações e como cicatrizante de ferimentos. O principal modo de administração foi por via oral, na forma de decocção (58%) e as folhas foram as partes mais usadas (32,6%). Os quintais são sistemas que atuam como uma estratégia de uso mais sustentável dos recursos medicinais por conservarem também as espécies nativas. As espécies medicinais mais frequentes nos quintais são arvores frutífero-alimentícias importantes para a renda familiar. A gripe e desinteria são os principais agravos de saúde tratados com espécies medicinais pela comunidade. Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., Citrus X limonia (L.) Osbeck, Punica granatum L., Cocos nucifera L. e Psidium guajava L. são espécies que merecem maiores estudos farmacológicos.

ABSTRACT Traditionally, at homegardens in the northeastern of Brazil, several plant species are employed for the treatment of diseases. The aim of this study was to research the species of medicinal use in homegardens of São João da Varzea, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. 22 homegardens were studied through the techniques of direct and participant observations , guided tours, free list and semi structured interviews. We verified the presence of 57 botanical species belonging to 37 families. The two species with the highest frequency of occurrence were the guava (Psidium guajava L.) and the coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), present in 59% and 55% of the homegardens, respectively. For these species there was more agreement of use (CUPc 61.5% and 92.3%). 67 diseases, including influenza and dysentery were the most common ones mentioned during the interviews. The main mode of administration was orally, in the form of decoction (58%), and the leaves were the most employed component (32.6%). Homegardens are systems that act as a more sustainable use of medicinal resources strategy since they conserve native species. The most common medicinal plants in the homegardens are the fruitful-food trees, important to the family income. The flu and the dysentery are the main health problems treated with medicinal plants by the community. The Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., Citrus X limonia (L.) Osbeck, Punica granatum L., Cocos nucifera L. and Psidium guajava L. are species that deserve further pharmacological studies.

Anemia mielotísica por osteopetrose em um cão: relato de caso / Mielotisic anemia caused by osteopetrosis in a dog: case report

A osteopetrose é uma doença rara, caracterizada pelo aumento generalizado da densidade óssea. Tem como característica principal, a reabsorção osteoclástica defeituosa, resultando no acúmulo de massa óssea. Além disso, pode ocorrer retardo do crescimento, desnutrição progressiva, anemia e caquexia. O presente relato descreve o caso de uma cadela, com aproximadamente nove meses de idade, sem raça definida, com histórico de apatia e disorexia. Hemogramas seriados demonstraram pancitopenia persistente. Vários exames laboratoriais foram realizados para excluir doenças como erliquiose, leishmaniose e cinomose, porém todos foram negativos. O mielograma constatou hipocelularidade relativa por provável aplasia/hipoplasia medular. Exames radiográficos evidenciaram o aumento da radiopacidade óssea e hipertrofia da região cortical, e a necropsia confirmou a redução do canal medular. O exame histopatológico confirmou a osteopetrose. Conclui-se que a osteopetrose pode causar comprometimento na produção de células sanguíneas, sendo uma causa rara de anemia mielotísica, além de alterações neurológicas secundárias à má-formação dos ossos do crânio.

Osteopetrosis is a rare disease characterized by generalized increase in bone density. The defective osteoclastic resorption results in the accumulation of bone mass. Furthermore, there may be growth delay, progressive malnutrition, anemia and cachexy. This report describes the case of a nine month old, mixed breed, female dog presented with apathy and disorexia. Laboratory tests were performed to rule out Ehrlichiosis, Leishmaniasis, and Canine distemper, but all were negative. Hemogram showed persistent pancytopenia and myelogram showed relative hypocellularity, probably due to spinal cord aplasia/hypoplasia. Radiographs showed increased bone opacity and hypertrophy of the cortical region, and the necropsy confirmed the reduction of the medullary canal. Histopathological examination confirmed osteopetrosis. In conclusion, osteopetrosis can compromise blood cell production, and is a rare cause of mielotisic anemia. It can also cause neurological deficits due to cranium bone deformation.

Screening for congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil.

Toxoplasmosis acquired at the end of the pregnancy can produce ocular and neurological sequelae. The detection of IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii in dried blood spots of newborns is an important tool for early treatment and prevention. In this study we showed results of a pilot study about the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil and concluded that this disease should be included in the menu of neonatal screening programs.

Persistent tyrosinemia detected by thin-layer chromatography.

Screening for tyrosinemia is not routinely performed worldwide. Using a low expense thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for amino acids we detected a high frequency of transient tyrosinemia with secondary hyperphenylalaninemia in some newborns. Serum follow up showed the need to introduce adequate therapy in these babies.

A comprehensive screening program in South Brazil.

We present the experience and figures about a screening program in South Brazil carried on in Porto Alegre, capital of the Southern Brazilian State. We present the tests performed routinely in our laboratory, the prevalence of some diseases and tests for infectious diseases to be added in the most comprehensive regional program in our country.

G6PD deficiency in an unselected Brazilian population.

Data about glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are not available in Brazil, a country characterized by a great mix of races. The disease is associated with ethnic groups. High prevalence (5 to 25%) has been reported in Africa, Asia, Middle East and the Mediterranean. We present here the first report of our one year experience testing for G6PD in an unselected population in the south of Brazil.