Effect of the treatment of Copaifera duckei oleoresin (copaiba) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome that reaches more than 382 million people worldwide. It interferes with the metabolism of carbohydrates, causing chronic hyperglycemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Copaifera duckei, Dwyer, Fabaceae, oleoresin on streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats. This study was based on the induction of diabetes mellitus by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p.) in Wistar rats and treated with doses of C. duckei oleoresin (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.). Subsequently, the clinical, biochemical and histopathological of the pancreas parameters were evaluated. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated that β-bisabolene (22.29%), β-caryophyllene (21.25%) and α-farnesene (15.58%) sesquiterpenes were the major components of the C. duckei oleoresin. In streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, it was possible to observe that the C. duckei oleoresin treatment had a significant effect (p < 0.001) on the clinical parameters, and that there was a positive improvement. This was attenuated by the urea, creatinine, and transaminases alterations (p < 0.001) observed in animals with diabetes mellitus, as well as the significantly reduced (p < 0.001) values of total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, and glucose. In the histopathological analyses of the pancreas, it was observed that the C. duckei oleoresin was able to restore β-cells and to significantly increase the quantity and diameter of the Langerhans islets (p < 0.05), when compared to the diabetic group. The treatment with C. duckei oleoresin, employed under the conditions of this study, presented antidiabetic activity and can improve the complications found in this syndrome.

Biomonitoring through the laboratory evaluation of a population exposed to ores

The mineral exploration in the Amazon, has determined impacts for the environment and for the populations exposed to different agents of the production process. The extraction and the beneficiation developed in the state of Amapa left environmental damages and issues that influence the population´s health, such as contamination by metals. Researches have shown that some forms of metals are toxic; causing neurological and genetic complications. The present work considers the toxicological evaluation a fundamental prerequisite in the identification of potential damages to the health. Accordingly, the study´s objective is the investigating of the toxic effects through laboratory analysis in a population group of the Elesbao district in Santana-AP municipality exposed to residues of minerals and metals. In this way, the amount of metals in Elesbao´s water region was evaluated by spectrophotometer, hematological and biochemical tests were accomplished for laboratory evaluation. The paired t-test was applied for statistical evaluation with a significance of 5% (p <0.05). It was concluded that iron and manganese are present in high concentrations in the region water. Hematological and biochemical exams presented statistically relevant alterations. Significant differences in the morphology of the cells were detected by microscopic analysis. This study demonstrates the importance of the investigation of sources of metal exposure and preventing the elimination and minimization of the risks of adverse effects to excessive exposure to multiple metals.(AU)

Contaminação por metais pesados em peixes e água da bacia do rio Cassiporé, Estado do Amapá, Brasil / Heavy metal contamination in fish and water from Cassiporé River basin, State of Amapá, Brazil

A participação dos metais pesados nas reações químicas do metabolismo dos peixes tornou esses elementos um dos principais focos nos estudos de contaminação. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as concentrações dos metais Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn e Hg no tecido muscular de peixes da bacia do rio Cassiporé (Estado do Amapá) e ambiente, visando avaliar os riscos de contaminação. As concentrações de Cd em Plagioscion squamosissimus (1,061 µg g-1) e Pb em Poptella compressa (4,280 µg g-1) apresentaram valores que ultrapassam os limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. As concentrações de Cr em P. compressa (0,937 ± 0,5 µg g-1), Pimelodella cristata (0,463 ± 0,03 µg g-1) e Cyphocharax gouldingi (0,364 ± 0,12 µg g-1), bem como de Hg em P. squamosissimus (0,670 µg g-1), Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (0,630 µg g-1), Hoplias malabaricus (0,570 µg g-1 e Serrasalmus rhombeus (0,548 µg g-1) foram acima do limite legal. A coluna d'água apresentou altas concentrações de metais pesados em todos os pontos analisados, mostrando uma contaminação dessa bacia. Portanto, essas elevadas concentrações de metais pesados no ambiente e tecido muscular dos peixes indicam um elevado grau de contaminação na bacia do rio Cassiporé e risco a saúde do homem.

Heavy metals participate in chemical reactions of fish metabolism, which makes these elements a major focus on contamination studies. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn and Hg in muscle tissue of fish of Cassiporé River Basin (State of Amapá) and environment, aiming at assessing the risk of contamination. The concentrations of Cd in Plagioscion squamosissimus (1.061 µg g-1) and Pb in Poptella compressa (4.280 µg g-1) had values that exceed the boundaries established by Brazilian law. The Cr concentration in P. compressa (0.937 ± 0.5 µg g-1), Pimelodella cristata (0.463 ± 0.03 µg g-1) and Cyphocharax gouldingi (0.364 ± 0.12 µg g-1) and Hg in P. squamosissimus (0.670 µg g-1), Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (0.630 µg g-1), Hoplias malabaricus (0.570 µg g-1 e Serrasalmus rhombeus (0.548 µg g-1) were above the legal limit. The water column showed high concentrations of heavy metals in all analyzed points, showing a contamination of this river basin. Therefore, the high concentrations of heavy metals in the environment and muscle tissue of fish indicate a high degree of contamination in the Cassiporé river basin and risk to human health.

Study of high dilutions of copaiba oil on inflammatory process / Estudo de altas diluições homeopáticas do óleo de copaíba

The discovery of new drugs has led to a need to develop techniques to control the occurrence of toxic and collateral effects. This has enabled the advancement of homeopathic therapeutics as it presents major advantages against these effects. This study was designed to explore the effects of high dilutions of Copaifera (copaiba oil) on inflammation. This study considered the way the high dilutions were obtained (triturated form or mother-tincture-MT). The preparations were administered orally. The effects of the dilutions were tested using the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan; granuloumatous tissue induction and the edema induced by Croton oil. The high dilutions of copaiba oil obtained from both trituration and MT produced a statistically significant inhibitory effect of the carrageenan edematogenic process compared to control. The maximum effect was observed with dilution 30cH, with inhibition of edema by 73%, whereas indomethacin was 55%. Subcutaneous implantation of cotton pellets have induced a granulomatous tissue, evaluated 7 days after implantation. Daily treatment with dexamethasone produced 53% inhibition on the formation of granulomatous tissue. The 6cH dilution of copaiba oil inhibited in a statistically significant way the formation of granulomatous tissue compared to the control (18% and 16%, respectively). Edema in Croton-oil induced dermatitis was intense. Groups treated with dexamethasone and dilutions of copaiba oil presented similar responses, with inhibition by 57% and 48% respectively. Based on the results obtained in this study, it may be suggest that the Copaiba oil high dilutions possess an anti-inflammatory property supporting its use in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

A descoberta de novas drogas tem gerado a necessidade de desenvolvimento de novas técnicas para controle da ocorrência de efeitos tóxicos e colaterais. Isto tem favorecido o uso da terapêutica homeopática uma vez que esta apresenta vantagens contra alguns efeitos adversos. Este trabalho foi proposto visando explorar os efeitos de Altas Diluições de Copaifera (óleo de copaíba) sobre inflamação. Foi considerada a maneira como as altas diluições foram obtidas (via trituração ou via tintura-mãe). As preparações foram administradas oralmente. Os efeitos das diluições foram avaliados usando um modelo de edema em pata de ratos, induzido por carragenina, indução de tecido granulomatoso e edema induzido pelo óleo de Croton. As altas diluições de óleo de Copaíba obtidas a partir de trituração e de tintura-mãe produziram efeitos inibitórios estatisticamente significativos para o processo endematogênico, quando comparado com o controle. O efeito máximo foi obtido com a diluição 30cH, com uma inibição de 73% do edema, enquanto a indometacina inibiu 55%. O implante subcutâneo de pellets de algodão induziram a granulomatose do tecido, avaliados 7 dias após o implante. Tratamento diário com dexametasona produziu 53% de inibição da formação de tecido granulomatoso. A diluição 6cH do óleo de copaíba inibiu de forma significativa a formação de tecido granulomatoso, comparado com o controle (18% e 16% respectivamente). Edema em dermatite induzida por óleo de Croton foi intensa. Grupos tratados com dexametasona e diluições de óleo de copaíba apresentaram respostas similares, com inibição de 57% e 48% respectivamente. Baseado nos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que altas diluições do óleo de copaíba apresentam efeitos anti-inflamatórios, sugerindo seu uso no tratamento de desordens inflamatórias.