Actions of crude hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia sp on gastrointestinal tract

The plants that compound the Pfaffia genus are used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. This study examined the effects of a crude hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia sp on the gastrointestinal tract. Female Wistar rats were pretreated orally (p.o.) with the hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia (0.5, 1 and 2 g.kg-1) before the induction of ulcer with hypothermic restraint stress (HRS), ethanol (ET) or indomethacin (IND). Control animals received water (C) or ranitidine (60mg/kg) p.o. The hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia (0.5, 1 and 2 mg.kg-1) protected rats against HRS and ET - induced ulcers, but was not able to protect the gastric mucosa against IND - induced ulcers. When injected into the duodenal lumen, the hydroalcoholic extract of Pfaffia inhibited basal and stimulated acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. These results indicate that this plant has a protective action against gastric lesions of the mucosa involving the reduction of gastric acid secretion

Action of crude aqueous extract of leaves of Achillea millefolium L. (Compositae) on gastrointestinal tract

Achillea millefolium L. (Compositeae) is used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. Doses of 125, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg protected rats against ulcers induced by ethanol and restraint-in-cold-stress, but not against indomethacininduced ulcers. Injected into the duodenal lumen the extract inhibited the basal acid secretion. Data from studies indicate that the antiulcer activity of A. millefolium must been related to a inhibition of gastric secretion or to a increase of protective factors in gastric mucosa as mucus, bicarbonate and blood flow. In conclusion, this extract effectively protected the gastric mucosa and inhibited gastric acid secretion. Further studies should also be provided for the stimulation of receptors in the parietal cell to elucidate the route whereby the extract produce this action.

A "mentira" do alcoolico: Um estudo relacionado ao consumo de álcool / The \"lie\" of alcoholic: A study related to alcohol consumptiom

Neste estudo comparou-se os relatos de 104 pacientes dependentes de álcool (DSM-III-R) quanto à última ingesta de bebidas alcoólicas antes da entrevista, com o nìvel de álcool na urina. Os resultados mostraram que apenas 5//dos pacientes apresentavam discordância entre o relato e o exame laboratorial. Possìveis causas para estes resultados (engajamento em projeto de pesquisa, tratamento voluntário, nìvel de gravidade, etc.) säo discutidos