Pesquisa e atividades de extensão em fitoterapia desenvolvidas pela Rede FitoCerrado: uso racional de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos por idosos em Uberlândia-MG / Research and extension activities in herbal medicine developed by Rede FitoCerrado: rational use of medicinal plants by the elderly in Uberlândia-MG

Este estudo objetivou realizar atividades de extensão em fitoterapia, a partir de um levantamento de dados sobre as plantas medicinais, fitoterápicos e medicamentos convencionais utilizados por 292 idosos frequentadores de um programa de Atividades Físicas e Recreativas para a Terceira Idade (AFRID), na cidade de Uberlândia-MG, utilizando como instrumento de investigação, um questionário semiestruturado. Dentre os entrevistados verificamos que 88% utilizavam medicamentos prescritos, principalmente para o controle da hipertensão. O uso de plantas medicinais foi relatado por 76,7% dos idosos, sendo as mais citadas: Cymbopogon citratus, Mentha sp., Rosmarinus officinalis, Plectranthus barbatus, Ocimum gratissimum, e Matricaria chamomilla. Dezesseis (5,5%) idosos utilizavam fitoterápicos, principalmente preparados a partir de extratos de Ginkgo biloba, Aesculus hippocastanum e Passiflora incarnata em associação com Crataegus oxyacantha e Salix alba. O uso concomitante de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos com medicamentos convencionais foi relatado por 86,2% e 81,3% dos idosos, respectivamente. Após a análise dos dados percebemos a necessidade do desenvolvimento de ações educativas para informar e conscientizar os idosos sobre o uso da fitoterapia. Elaboramos uma caderneta e uma cartilha para promoção da difusão dessas informações e o aprimoramento do uso da fitoterapia entre os idosos e, dessa forma, alcançar os profissionais de saúde sobre os riscos e benefícios dessa terapêutica; contribuindo assim para o uso seguro e racional da fitoterapia.

This study aimed to carry out extension activities in herbal medicine from a survey of data on medicinal plants, herbal and conventional medicines used by 292 elderly people who attended a program of physical activity called Physical and Recreational Activities for the Elderly, in Uberlândia-MG, using a semi-structured questionnaire as means of investigation. Among the respondents 88% used prescription drugs, primarily for control of hypertension. The use of medicinal plants was reported by 76.7% of the elderly, being the most cited ones: Cymbopogon citratus, Mentha sp., Rosmarinus officinalis, Plectranthus barbatus, Ocimum gratissimum. and Matricaria chamomilla. Sixteen respondents (5,5%) used herbal medicines, especially those prepared from extracts of Ginkgo biloba, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Passiflora incarnata L. in association with Crataegus oxyacantha L. and Salix alba. The concomitant use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines with conventional drugs was reported by 86.2% and 81.3% of participants, respectively. After analyzing the data, we detected the need to develop educational activities to inform and educate seniors about the use of herbal medicine, encompassing the development a book and a primer for initial dissemination of this information, improving herbal medicine use among the elderly. This course of action would allow a greater knowledge of health professionals about the risks and benefits of this therapy, thereby contributing to the safe and rational use of herbal medicine.

Influência da ordem e estádios da lactação no perfil bioquímico sangüíneo de cabras da raça Saanen / Influence of parity and stage of lactation on the blood biochemical profile of Saanen goats

O perfil bioquímico sérico de cabras da raça Saanen lactantes foi investigado com o objetivo de analisar as variações fisiológicas e a influência da ordem e estádio da lactação, em função de possíveis biomarcadores, para monitorar o balanço energético, adequação metabólica durante a lactação. Foram analisadas amostras de sangue de cabras lactantes de primeira, segunda e terceira lactação, colhidas da veia jugular em tubo vacutainer com gel separador para obtenção de soro e determinação das concentrações de proteínas, metabólitos, minerais e enzimas. Observou-se influência da ordem de lactação nos valores das proteínas totais, glicose, triglicérides, cálcio total e ionizado, aspartato aminotransferase (AST), fosfatase alcalina e dos estádios da lactação nas concentrações séricas das proteínas totais, glicose, triglicérides, magnésio, AST e fosfatase alcalina. Conclui-se que glicose, triglicérides, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, magnésio, AST e fosfatase alcalina são biomarcadores eficazes para detecção de desbalanço energético e mineral em cabras lactantes.

The serum biochemical profile of Saanen dairy goat was investigated with the purpose of analyzing the physiological variations and the influence of lactation order and stage in terms of possible biomarkers to monitor the energetic balance and the metabolic adequacy during lactation. Blood samples were taken from lactating goats at first, second and third lactation. They were collected from the jugular vein in a vacutainer tube with separator gel to obtain sera and to determine protein, metabolite, mineral and enzyme concentrations. The lactation order influence was observed on total protein, glucose, triglycerides, total and ionized calcium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase values and the lactation stages on serum concentrations of total proteins, glucose, triglycerides and magnesium, AST and alkaline phosphatase. It was inferred that glucose, triglycerides, total calcium, ionized calcium, magnesium, AST and alkaline phosphatase are effective biomarkers to detect the energetic and mineral imbalance in Saanen dairy goats.

Myosin V and iNOS expression is enhanced in J774 murine macrophages treated with IFN-gamma

Actin-based motor protein requirements and nitric oxide (NO) production are important features of macrophage activity during phagocytosis or microbicidal processes. Different classes of myosins contribute directly or indirectly to phagocytosis by providing mechanical force for phagosome closure or organelle movement. Recent data have shown the presence of myosins IC, II, V and IXb in phagosomes of bone marrow-derived murine macrophages. In our investigation we demonstrated the presence of different classes of myosins in J774 macrophages. We also analyzed the effect of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), with or without calcium ionophore or cytochalasin B, on myosins as well as on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production. Myosins IC, II, Va, VI and IXb were identified in J774 macrophages. There was an increase of myosin V expression in IFN-gamma-treated cells. iNOS expression was increased by IFN-gamma treatment, while calcium ionophore and cytochalasin B had a negative influence on both myosin and iNOS expression, which was decreased. The increases in NO synthesis were reflected by increased iNOS expression. Macrophages activated by IFN-gamma released significant amounts of NO when compared to control groups. In contrast, NO production by calcium ionophore- and cytochalasin B-treated cells was similar to that of control cells. These results suggest that IFN-gamma is involved in macrophage activation by stimulating protein production to permit both phagocytosis and microbicidal activity