Avaliação do potencial de melhoria de Baccharis trimeraem um modelo experimental de doença pulmonar / On the ameliorative potential of Baccharis trimera in an experimental model of pulmonary disease

Diabetes mellitus, tabagismo e dislipidemia são mais prevalentes em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), a quarta causa de mortalidade no mundo. Este estudo empregou um modelo de doença pulmonar em ratos Wistar que incorporou esses três fatores de risco e investigou os efeitos da Baccharis trimera, uma planta medicinal amplamente utilizada, uma vez que nenhum estudo avaliou seus efeitos pulmonares. Os ratos diabéticos e dislipidêmicos foram expostos à fumaça de cigarro por 4 semanas e tratados com veículo (grupo C-), extrato de B. trimera (HEBT), ou sinvastatina+insulina, por 2 semanas. O lavado broncoalveolar foi realizado para avaliar a inflamação. Os pulmões foram coletados para análises histopatológicas e do estado redox. Foi observada diminuição do peso corporal, aumento do estresse oxidativo, inflamação e alterações histopatológicas no grupo C-. HEBT reverteu essas alterações e apresentou efeito antiinflamatório moderado. O tratamento com HEBT apresentou efeitos promissores para a DPOC.

Diabetes mellitus, smoking, and dyslipidemia are more prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide. This study employed a model of lung disease in Wistar rats that incorporated these three risk factors, and investigated the effects of Baccharis trimera, a widely used medicinal plant, since no previous studies have evaluated its pulmonary effects. The diabetic and dyslipidemic rats were exposed to smoke for 4 weeks and treated with vehicle (C- group), an extract of B. trimera (HEBT), or simvastatin+insulin, for 2 weeks. The bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to evaluate inflammation. The lungs were collected for histopathological and redox state analyses. A decrease in body weight, an increase in oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological changes were observed in C- group. HEBT reversed these alterations and had a moderate antiinflammatory effect. Treatment with HEBT present promising effects for COPD.

Bacopa monnieri: historical aspects to promising pharmacological actions for the treatment on central nervous system diseases / Bacopa monnieri: aspectos históricos de las acciones farmacológicas prometedoras para el tratamiento de enfermedades del sistema nervioso central

Bacopa monnieri(L.) Wettst. (Plantaginaceae), also known as Brahmi, has been used to improve cognitive processes and intellectual functions that are related to the preservation of memory. The objective of this research is to review the ethnobotanical applications, phytochemical composition, toxicity and activity of B. monnieri in the central nervous system. It reviewed articles on B. monnieri using Google Scholar, SciELO, Science Direct, Lilacs, Medline, and PubMed. Saponins are the main compounds in extracts of B. monnieri. Pharmacological studies showed that B. monnieri improves learning and memory and presents biological effects against Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. No preclinical acute toxicity was reported. However, gastrointestinal side effects were reported in some healthy elderly individuals. Most studies with B. monnieri have been preclinical evaluations of cellular mechanisms in the central nervous system and further translational clinical research needs to be performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the plant.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Plantaginaceae), también conocida como Brahmi, se ha utilizado para mejorar los procesos cognitivos y las funciones intelectuales que están relacionadas con la preservación de la memoria. El objetivo de esta investigación es revisar las aplicaciones etnobotánicas, composición fitoquímica, toxicidad y actividad de B. monnieri en el sistema nervioso central. Se revisaron artículos sobre B. monnieri utilizando Google Scholar, SciELO, Science Direct, Lilacs, Medline y PubMed. Las saponinas son los principales compuestos de los extractos de B. monnieri. Los estudios farmacológicos mostraron que B. monnieri mejora el aprendizaje y la memoria y presenta efectos biológicos contra la enfermedad de Alzheimer, la enfermedad de Parkinson, la epilepsia y la esquizofrenia. No se informó toxicidad aguda preclínica. Sin embargo, se informaron efectos secundarios gastrointestinales en algunos ancianos sanos. La mayoría de los estudios con B. monnieri han sido evaluaciones preclínicas de los mecanismos celulares en el sistema nervioso central y es necesario realizar más investigaciones clínicas traslacionales para evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de la planta.

Potencial terapéutico de Zingiberaceae en la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Therapeutic potential of Zingiberaceae in Alzheimer's disease

El Alzheimer es la forma más común de demencia y es altamente prevalente en la vejez. A diferencia de los medicamentos actuales, las plantas medicinales pueden tener efectos preventivos y protectores con menos efectos secundarios. Dada la gran cantidad de sustancias bioactivas, las plantas de la familia Zingiberaceae tienen potencial medicinal y actualmente se estudian ampliamente los efectos de la enfermedad anti-Alzheimer. El objetivo de este estudio fue proporcionar una visión general de los avances en los estudios de composición fitoquímica, estudios farmacológicos in vitro e in vivo, y los efectos toxicológicos de la familia Zingiberaceae sobre la enfermedad de Alzheimer. La información se obtuvo de documentos relevantes en bases de datos electrónicas. La mayoría de los estudios sobre los efectos de Zingiberaceae en la teoría de la patogénesis de la enfermedad de Alzheimer están relacionados con la hipótesis colinérgica, la cascada ß amiloide, la tau, la inflamación y el estrés oxidativo. Además, los estudios preclínicos in vitro e in vivo sobre el efecto de los géneros Alpinia, Curcuma y Zingiber se han informado como inofensivos y seguros, con potencial para el tratamiento contra el Alzheimer.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is highly prevalent in old age. Unlike current drugs, medicinal plants can have preventive and protective effects with less side effects. Given the great number of bioactive substances, plants from the Zingiberaceae Family have medicinal potential and currently are widely studied regarding its anti-Alzheimer's disease effects. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of advances in phytochemical composition studies, in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies, and toxicological effects of the Zingiberaceae Family on Alzheimer's disease. Information was obtained from relevant papers in electronic databases. Most of the studies of Zingiberaceae effects on Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis theory are related to cholinergic, ß amyloid cascade, tau, inflammation, and oxidative stress hypothesis. Also, in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on the effect of Alpinia, Curcuma, and Zingiber genera have been reported as harmless and safe, with potential for anti-Alzheimer treatment.

Diet, Epidemiological Factors and Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Elderly Population

ABSTRACT Purpose Population aging is one of the great achievements of humanity. However, with aging, the incidence of chronic diseases and those related to cognition deficits increase. In this way, strategies aimed at preventing or delaying cognitive deficit are extremely necessary. Thus, this study investigates the relationship between cognitive deficits, schooling and eating habits in a Brazilian elderly population. Methods The dietary habits of 400 older adults were investigated through structured questionnaires. Unhealthy eating habits such as low consumption of fruits, vegetables and beans, consumption of fatty meats and whole milk, adjusted for other variables, were evaluated. Cognitive function was assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed by Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Results There was cognitive deficit prevalence of 17.7% in the study population, which increases with age progression. The low frequency of vegetable consumption increased the risk of cognitive deficit in the crude analysis by 47.6% and increased these odds by 44.1% after the final adjustment. Low educational level was also associated with cognitive deficit of individuals (28.25%). Conclusion Educational level and vegetable consumption in adult life and in later adulthood improve cognition.