Curcuma longa extract protects against 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters

Abstract Curcumin, contained at Turmeric (Curcumalonga), can exert many beneficial pleiotropic activities in the gastrointestinal tract. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of C. longa on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced oral mucositis (OM) in hamsters. Phytochemical analysis of crude C. longa extract (CLE) was performed to detect the presence of curcumin by TLC and HPLC. Golden Syrian hamsters were orally pre-treated with CLE (5, 50, or 100mg/kg). Cheek pouch samples were subjected to macroscopic and histopathological evaluation. ELISA was performed to quantify the inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy analysis. Behavior analysis was conducted by the open field test. Curcumin content in the CLE was 0.55%m/m ± 0.0161 (2.84%). The group treated with 5mg/kg CLE showed healing evidence with macroscopic absence of ulceration (p<0.05) and microscopic aspect of re-epithelialization, discrete inflammatory infiltrate and absence of edema. Treatment with 5mg/kg CLE significantly increased GSH levels, and reduced MDA levels and SOD activity (p˂0.05), and decreased IL-1ß (p˂0.05) and TNF-α (p˂0.01) levels. A significant reduction in walking distance, ambulation, speed, and rearing was observed for motor activity. Curcumin reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and motor activity in hamsters with 5-FU-induced OM.

In vitro antifungal activity and phytochemical characterization of Eugenia uniflora, Libidibia ferrea and Psidium guajava

The aim of this study was evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of crude extracts from Eugenia uniflora, Libidibia ferrea and Psidium guajava. The extracts were obtained by turbo-extraction using water (AQ) or acetone-water (AC-W) (7:3, v/v) as solvents and lyophilized to obtain the crude extracts (CE). The CE were characterized by UV-Vis, TLC and HPLC. The activity of CEs was investigated against clinical isolates of Candida spp. and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), MIC50 and MIC90 were determinated. The analysis by TLC showed that all CEs presented polyphenols (flavonoids and tannins). The CEs from E. uniflora showed higher amount of polyphenols (30.35 ± 2.15%, AC-W) and the HPLC analysis revealed the tannins in all extracts. The CEs of E. uniflora showed MIC range from 1.9 to 500.0 µg/mL, and lower values of MIC50 and MIC90 against non-albicans Candida isolates. Regarding L. ferrea and P. guajava, the results showing MIC from 3.9 to 1000.0 µg/mL (CE-AQ) against C. albicans. The results demonstrate antifungal performance from CE against various species of Candida spp., suggesting that the herbal species may be use as new potential antifungal agents. Additionally, the polyphenol content can play a pivotal role in the antifungal properties of CE.

Chromatographic profiles of extractives from leaves of Eugenia uniflora

ABSTRACT Eugenia uniflora L., Myrtaceae, popularly known as "pitanga", is used in traditional medicine due the properties attributed to its chemical content, these being mainly hydrolysable tannins and flavonoids. This study provides a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of chemical profile from leaves of E. uniflora. The HPLC analysis was carried out on a C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 µm) by gradient elution with methanol and water (acidified with trifluoracetic acid); and silica gel Plates 60-F 254 with 10-12 µm and 5-6 µm particles, respectively for TLC and High HPTLC analysis. The chromatographic data obtained from HPLC, TLC and HPTLC presented bands and peaks related to flavonoids (myricitrin and derivatives) and tannins (gallic and ellagic acids), which were observed from different samples. The chromatographic similarities enabled the building of a typical fingerprint for the herbal material. The similarity analysis of the sample data by Pearson correlation showed R values >0.9 among peaks (HPLC) and bands (HPTLC). In addition, the analytical methodology developed by HPLC enabled the satisfactory quantification of marker substances [ellagic acid = 0.22% and 0.20% (m/m); gallic acid = 0.20% and 0.43%; myricitrin = 0.42 and 1.74% (m/m) in herbal drug and crude extract, respectively]. The procedure was also validated in accordance with the assays required by Brazilian legislation. Thus, the HPTLC and HPLC methods developed in this study provide helpful and simple tools for the quality evaluation both qualitatively and quantitatively of raw materials and extractives from leaves of E. uniflora.

Evaluation of the Folin-Ciocalteu Method and Quantification of Total Tannins in Stem Barks and Pods from Libidibia ferrea (Mart. ex Tul) L. P. Queiroz

ABSTRACT The stem bark and pods of "jucá" are widely used in Brazilian folk medicine and, despite their therapeutic relevancies, there are insufficient reports about their quality control. Both herbal drugs from the species are rich in tannins, which showed a lot of biological and economic interest. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the method for quantification of tannins in the stem bark and pods from L. ferrea. The performance of the method was tested against the influence of the most relevant parameters (reaction time; amount of drug; type and amount of precipitationagents; and, concentration of the reagents). The procedure was validated according to the literature. After optimization, the experimental conditions were established as: 30 min of reaction; λ of 760 nm; 1.0 mL of Folin-Ciocalteu; 29% of Na2CO3 (w/v); and, skin powder as complexion agent. The method validation showed that the instrumental response was linear and sensitive to the investigated analyte. The method presented the necessary precision (RSD < 2.19%) and accuracy (96.84%-109.13%), as recommended by the official codex. Moreover, the deliberate introduction of experimental variations showed the stability of the procedure error against external sources (RSD < 2.42%). In conclusion, the data demonstrated the suitability of the method and can be used as anappropriate analytical tool for quality control of herbal drugs from L. ferrea.

Recomendações para a proteção da privacidade do paciente / Recommendations for the protection of patient privacy / Recomendaciones para la protección de la privacidad del paciente

Resumo A preocupação sobre aspectos bioéticos da privacidade do indivíduo e da privacidade dos dados de seus atendimentos é crescente no meio médico. Processos propedêuticos e terapêuticos atuais requerem envolvimento multidisciplinar de uma série de indivíduos, especialmente em se tratando de internações hospitalares. A transmissão e o armazenamento das informações clínicas e laboratoriais dos pacientes envolvem diferentes mídias, com problemas inerentes de acessibilidade e proteção da informação. Os autores sugerem situações hipotéticas que exemplificam problemas comumente abordados na atuação de comitê de bioética clínica, contextualizando-os no Brasil e no mundo, e sugerindo passos para minimizar potenciais problemas de quebra de privacidade e confidencialidade.

Abstract Concerns regarding the bioethical aspects of the privacy of the individual and the confidentiality of their medical treatment data is increasing in the medical community. The current preliminary clinical and therapeutic processes require the multidisciplinary involvement of a number of individuals, especially in the case of hospitalization. The transmission and storage of clinical and laboratory patient information involves different media, with inherent problems of accessibility and protection of information. The authors describe hypothetical situations that exemplify issues commonly addressed in the work of a clinical bioethics committee, contextualizing these problems in Brazil and globally, and suggest steps to minimize potential problems of the breaching of privacy and confidentiality.

Resumen La preocupación sobre los aspectos bioéticos de la privacidad del individuo y de la confidencialidad de los datos de su asistencia está aumentando en la comunidad médica. Los actuales procesos clínicos y terapéuticos requieren la participación multidisciplinar de una serie de personas, especialmente en el caso de las internaciones hospitalarias. La transmisión y el almacenamiento de informaciones clínicas y de laboratorio de los pacientes implican diferentes canales de comunicación, con los problemas inherentes de accesibilidad y protección de la información. Los autores aluden a situaciones hipotéticas que ejemplifican problemas comúnmente tratados en el desempeño de un comité de bioética clínica, contextualizándolos en Brasil y en el mundo, y sugiriendo medidas para minimizar los posibles problemas de violación de la privacidad y de la confidencialidad.

Validation of a spectrophotometric methodology for the quantification of polysaccharides from roots of Operculina macrocarpa (jalapa)

The roots from Operculina macrocarpa (L.) Urb., Convolvulaceae, are widely used in Brazilian traditional medicine as a laxative and purgative. The biological properties of this drug material have been attributed to its polysaccharides content. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the polysaccharide content in drug material from O. macrocarpa by spectrophotometric quantitative analysis. The root was used as plant material and the botanical identification was performed by macro and microscopic analysis. The plant material was used to validate the spectrophotometric procedures at 490 nm for the quantification of the reaction product from drug polysaccharides and phenol-sulfuric acid solution. The analytical procedure was evaluated in order to comply with the necessary legal requirements by the determination of the following parameters: specificity, linearity, selectivity, precision, accuracy and robustness. This study provides with a simple and valid analytical procedure (linear, precise, accurate and reproducible), which can be satisfactorily used for quality control and standardization of herbal drug from O. macrocarpa.

Total phytosterol content in drug materials and extracts from roots of Acanthospermum hispidum by UV-VIS spectrophotometry

Acanthospermum hispidum DC., Asteraceae, is widely used in folk medicine in Brazil to treat respiratory diseases; this biological property has been attributed to its phytosterol content. This study evaluated the spectrophotometric assay method to quantify the total phytosterol content in raw materials and extracts from roots of A. hispidum. The procedure was based on the quantification at 625 nm after the Liebermann-Burchard reaction. The method was evaluated for linearity, repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy and robustness. The date indicated that the procedure is a valid analytical tool for materials and herbal derivatives from A. hispidum. .

Potenciação alelopática de extratos vegetais na germinação e no crescimento inicial de picão-preto e alface / Allelopathy of plant extracts on germination and initial growth of beggartick (Bidens pilosa L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

O picão-preto (Bidens pilosa L.) é uma planta daninha muito agressiva, que está presente em quase todo Brasil. O principal método de controle é o químico, porém apresenta elevado impacto ambiental, risco de intoxicação humana e possibilidade de causar fitotoxicidade as culturas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito alelopático de extratos etanólicos de Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. e Pinus elliottii L. na germinação e no crescimento inicial de picão-preto e alface (Lactuca sativa L.). Foram testadas quatro concentrações de cada extrato (0,25; 0,50; 1,0 e 2,0 por cento) além do controle (0,0 por cento) água destilada com Tween 20 a 0,08 por cento. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições em condições de laboratório. O extrato de P. elliottii não causou efeito alelopático sobre o picão-preto e o alface. O extrato de E. citriodora reduziu significativamente o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) do picão-preto em todas as concentrações testadas quando comparadas com o controle (0,0 por cento), porém para a alface o IVG foi significativo apenas na concentração de 2,0 por cento. Para o comprimento da raiz não foi possível observar diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para os dois extratos testados tanto para o alface como para o picão preto.

Bidens pilosa L. is an aggressive weed found all over Brazil. The main control method for this species is chemical treatment however, causes strong environmental impact, and it has great human contamination risks, and may cause phytotoxity to crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extracts of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. and Pinus elliottii L. on seed germination and initial growth of B. pilosa and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Five concentrations of each extract (0.0; 0.25; 0.50; 1.0; 2.0 percent) were tested in laboratory conditions using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. P. elliottii extract had no effect on B. pilosa and lettuce. However, E. citriodora extract, significantly reduced germination index (GI) of B. pilosa, in all tested concentrations, when compared with the control composed by distilled water. Lettuce GI was affected only by 2,0 percent concentration of ethanolic extract. Extracts of both P. elliottii and E. citriodora had no significant effect on the root length parameter of both B. pilosa and lettuce.

Análise nutricional e sócio-econômica de comensais comerciários / Nutritional and Socioeconomic Analysis of Commercial Restaurant Users

Objetivo: Avaliar o estado nutricional correlacionado ao perfil sócio-econômico e a algumas patologias. Foram avaliadas 320 comensais de ambos os gêneros que utilizam o restaurante, do Serviço Social do Comércio -SESC - Paraíba - Brasil. Material e Métodos: A amostragem compreendeu 25 por cento da clientela do restaurante, sendo realizado a avaliação nutricional, determinação da glicemia pós-prandial e a verificação da pressão arterial. Resultados: Observou-se que comensais com peso normal chegaram a 41,6 por cento, o excesso de peso e obesidade com 51,5 por cento, a pressão arterial elevada para o gênero masculino 8,4 por cento e o excesso de peso predominou para os indivíduos com renda de 1 a 3 salários mínimos. Conclusão: Os maus hábitos alimentares estão correlacionados com patologias associadas à alimentação