Dry Extract of Passiflora incarnata L. leaves as a Cardiac and Hepatic Oxidative Stress Protector in LDLr-/- Mice Fed High-Fat Diet

ABSTRACT The control of dyslipidemia by using herbal products is an important subject for studies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dry Passiflora incarnata L. extract over dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatic oxidative stress of LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-). Forty 4-month old male LDLr-/- mice were distributed into four groups: Group standard diet; Group standard diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract; Group high-fat diet; Group high-fat diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract. After 30 days, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract reduced the effects of the high-fat diet, with a decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as a reduction of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase and insulin. There was no effect on glucose, Homa index and enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. However, the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy occurred, as well as lipid peroxidation and the production of carbonyl proteins, which are both oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract acts in the prevention of dyslipidemia, consequently, hindering the occurrence of hepatic oxidative stress and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy by the increase of serum HDL, in mice that had the effects of a high-fat diet.

Visão farmacoterapêutica em odontologia, frequência e classes de medicamentos prescritos em uma clínica odontológica de um município do sul de Minas Gerais-MG / Pharmacotherapeutic view in dentistry, frequency and therapeutic classes of prescribed drugs at a dental clinic in a city of southern Minas Gerais state

Este trabalho visou avaliar a frequência e classes de medicamentos mais prescritos em uma clínica odontológica, bem como o conhecimento em farmacologia dos entrevistados. Para isto, foi conduzido um estudo observacional com uma amostragem composta por cirurgiões-dentistas (professores) e alunos da clínica integrada de odontologia de uma Universidade do Sul de Minas Gerais. Os dados foram coletados pela aplicação de um questionário individual. A partir disto, a frequência e classes de medicamentos mais prescritos, bem como o conhecimento em farmacologia dos entrevistados foram avaliadas. Entre as 66 pessoas entrevistadas (9 professores e 57 alunos), a maior porcentagem classificaram suas prescrições como de baixa frequência e optam em sua maioria por prescrições utilizando o nome genérico do medicamento, sendo 96,96% destas prescrições realizados por escrito. Na classe dos antibióticos, o mais utilizado pelos profissionais foram Amoxicilina e Clindamicina, na classe dos analgésicos Dipirona Sódica e Paracetamol, na classe dos antiinflamatorios a Nimesulida, os ansiolíticos igualmente distribuídos entre Diazepan, Lorazepan e Midazolan, na classe dos antissépticos a Clorexidina e como protetor gástrico a Ranitidina. Um pequeno percentual (1,52%) dos entrevistados consideraram seu conhecimento farmacológico insuficiente para a prática clínica, 21,21% regular, 63,64% suficiente e 13,63% ótimo. Estes dados indicam que são necessárias novas abordagens para melhorar o conhecimento em farmacologia de dentistas e futuros dentistas, com intuito de promover o uso racional de medicamentos.

In this work was evaluated the frequency and therapeutic classes of prescribed drugs at a dental clinic as well as knowledge in pharmacology of the interviewed. An observational study was conducted from a sample composed by dentists (professors) and undergraduate dental students from a dental clinic of a University of Southern Minas Gerais. The data were collected by applying an individual questionnaire, accordingly, frequency and therapeutic classes of commonly prescribed drugs as well as the knowledge in pharmacology of the interviewed were assessed. Among the 66 people interviewed (9 professors and 57 students), the highest percentage of them rated their prescriptions as low frequency and opted mostly for prescriptions using generic drug names, being writing prescriptions in 96.96% of the cases. In the class of antibiotics, the most used by professionals were Amoxicillin and Clindamycin, in the class of painkillers Sodium Dipyrone and Paracetamol, in the class of anti-inflammatory Nimesulide, anxiolytics class was equally distributed between Diazepam, Lorazepam, and Midazolam, in the class of antiseptics the Chlorhexidine, and how a gastric protector Ranitidine was most prescribed. 1.52% of the interviewed considered their pharmacological knowledge as poor, 21.21% fair, 63.64% good, and 13.63% excellent. These data indicate that new approaches are needed to improve the knowledge in pharmacology of dentists and future dentists, aiming to encourage the rational use of drugs.

Green banana pasta diet prevents oxidative damage in liver and kidney and improves biochemical parameters in type 1 diabetic rats

ABSTRACT Objective In this study, the effects of a green banana pasta diet on the oxidative damage from type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) were investigated. Materials and methods Formulations containing 25 (F25), 50 (F50), and 75% (F75) of green banana pasta were prepared and included in a 12-week diet of Wistar rats with alloxan-induced type 1 DM. The effects of these formulations in preventing oxidative damage in kidneys and liver homogenates of rats were evaluated using the TBARS assay (lipid peroxidation in liver) and the DNPH assay (protein oxidation in liver and kidneys). Furthermore, the effects of the formulations on the fasting glycemia, fructosamine levels, renal function (creatinine), liver function (enzymes aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), and lipid profile (total cholesterol and fractions) in the serum of rats were evaluated in addition to the evaluation of the centesimal composition and microbiological analysis of the produced green banana pasta. Results An F75 diet prevented hyperglycemia in diabetic rats (p < 0.05) compared to the diabetic rats fed a standard diet (commercial feed). Notably, the protein oxidation in both the liver and kidneys were prevented in diabetic rats on the F50 or F75 diets compared to the control group, whereas the lipid peroxidation was only prevented in the liver (p < 0.05). Moreover, all formulations prevented an increase in the amount of triglycerides in the serum of the rats. The F25 and F50 diet prevented the increase of cholesterol, and the F75-based diet of ALT and fructosamine (p < 0.05) supported the anti-hyperglycemic effects and the protection against oxidative damage. Conclusion The green banana pasta (F75) diet showed great potential for preventing complications associated with diabetes.