Abortos, malformações congênitas e falhas reprodutivas espontâneas em caprinos causados na intoxicação pelas folhas da catingueira, Poincianella pyramidalis (sin. Caesalpinia pyramidalis) / Spontaneous abortion, congenital malformation and reproductive losses in goats due to poisoning by the leaves of Poincianella pyramidalis (syn. Caesalpinia pyramidalis)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de folhas da espécie arbórea Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz como causa espontânea de abortos, malformações e falhas reprodutivas em rebanhos caprinos no semiárido brasileiro. Foram realizadas investigações epidemiológicas, avaliações clínicas de caprinos acometidos por malformações e necropsias de fetos abortados em 12 propriedades localizadas nos municípios de Gurjão e Soledade, na Paraíba, e no município de Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte. O estudo considerou apenas as propriedades que tinham basicamente a presença de P. pyramidalis entre as plantas teratogênicas. Na propriedade localizada no município de Pau dos Ferros foi verificada a ocorrência de grande número de abortos e o nascimento de cabritos malformados, acometendo 90% das cabras gestantes. Nas 12 propriedades pertencentes aos municípios de Gurjão e Soledade na Paraíba os casos espontâneos de mortalidade embrionária, abortos e malformações acometeram 257 cabras (41,1% das cabras dos rebanhos). A artrogripose foi a principal malformação congênita observada. Exames de necropsia e histopatológico de quatro fetos acompanhados das placentas não constataram a presença de agentes infecciosos. Os casos de perda embrionária, abortos e malformações foram concentrados predominantemente nas épocas do ano em que a pastagem estava escassa, mas havia disponibilidade de P. pyramidalis nas propriedades, devido à ocorrência das chuvas da pré-estação, que não permitiu a germinação de pasto, mas a rebrotação de P. pyramidalis. Os achados desse estudo comprovam que esta planta interfere consideravelmente na eficiência reprodutiva dos rebanhos caprinos do Semiárido.(AU)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the leaves of the tree Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz as a spontaneous cause of abortion, malformation and reproductive failure in goat herds in the Brazilian semiarid region. Epidemiological investigations, clinical evaluation of goats affected by malformation and necropsy of aborted fetuses was carried out on 12 farms located in the municipalities of Gurjão and Soledade, state of Paraíba, and on a farm located at the municipality of Pau dos Ferros, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The study considered only the farms where occurred predominantly P. pyramidalis among teratogenic plants. On the farm located in the municipality of Pau dos Ferros the occurrence of frequent abortion and birth of malformed goats, affecting 90% of pregnant goats, was observed. On the 12 farms belonging to the municipalities of Gurjão and Soledade, spontaneous cases of embryonic mortality, abortion and malformation occurred in 257 goats (41.1% of goats). Arthrogryposis was the main congenital malformation observed. Necropsy and histopathological exams of four fetuses and their placentas did not detect the presence of infectious agents. The cases of embryonic mortality, abortion and malformation were predominantly concentrated during the seasons of the year when pasture was scarce, but P. pyramidalis was available, due to the occurrence of pre-seasonal rains, which did not allow the pasture to germinate but P. pyramidalis to regrowth. The findings of this study confirm that this plant significantly interferes in the reproductive efficiency of semi-arid goat herds.(AU)

Antimicrobial activity and bioautographic study of antistaphylococcal components from Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tull

The antimicrobial activity of dry methanol and ethyl acetate extracts for the leaves, bark of the stem, peel of the root, flower, fruit and seed of Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tull. (catingueira) was performed against seventeen isolates of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA multiresistant strains, which included two isolates of S. aureus MSSA and two ATCC strains. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the agar diffusion method and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined. The dry methanol extract of the root showed good antimicrobial activity with a MIC of less than 0.5 mg.mL-1. The dry ethyl acetate extracts exhibited lower antimicrobial activity, which might be explained by solubility problems and less diffusion in the agar medium. Results of the bioautographies also confirmed inhibition halos corresponding to the active substances present in the leaves, as well as in the flower of C. pyramidalis. The phytochemical study of the leaves, bark of the stem, peel of the root, flower and fruit of extracts from C. pyramidalis confirmed the presence of a number of known antimicrobial agents including ursolic acid, quercetin, catechin, ellagic acid, sitosterol, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and gallic acid.

A determinação da atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos metanólicos e em acetato de etila da folha, casca do caule, casca da raiz, flor, fruto e semente de Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tull. foi realizada frente a dezessete isolados de Staphylococcus aureus MRSA multirresistentes, dois isolados de S. aureus MSSA e duas cepas padrão, pelas técnicas de poço/difusão em ágar e determinação das CMI pelo método de diluição em agar/multiinoculador de Stears. O extrato metanólico de casca da raiz indicou uma boa atividade, com CMI inferior a 0.5 mg.mL-1. Os extratos secos por extração em acetato de etila apresentaram menor atividade que se poderia explicar por problemas de solubilidade e menor difusão no meio de cultura em ágar. Resultados das bioautografias confirmaram zonas de inibição correspondente às substâncias ativas presente na folha, como também na flor da C. pyramidalis. No estudo fitoquímico das folhas, casca da caule, casca da raiz, flor e fruto dos extratos de C. pyramidalis evidenciou-se a presença de vários constituintes com reconhecida atividade antimicrobiana, entre estes o ácido ursólico, quercetina, catequina, ácido elágico, sitosterol, flavonóides, proantocianidinas e ácido gálico. Entre todos os metabólitos citados, somente o ultimo não observamos, por CCD, na casca da raiz de C. pyramidalis.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Caesalpinia pyramidalis in rodents

Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., Fabaceae, is a plant with an anti-inflammatory activity that is used in folk medicine. To evaluate the mechanism of action of this plant, studies were performed on its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties using an ethanol extract (EE) made from the inner bark. Oral treatment of mice with the EE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) decreased their acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes (p<0.001) and their formalin-induced paw licking in both the first and second phases (p<0.001). This treatment increased the reaction time of mice on the hot-plate test (400 mg/kg, p<0.05); however, it did not alter their performance on the Rotarod performance test. The carrageenan-induced paw edema in the rats and the leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity of the mice were also reduced by the EE given at a dose of 400 mg/kg (p<0.05). In addition, the EE (100-400 mg/kg, v.o.) did not alter the arterial pressure of non-anesthetized rats. In conclusion, the EE of C. pyramidalis shows antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in rodents, supporting the usage of this plant to treat various inflammatory diseases for which it has traditionally been used.