Fatty acid compositions of ether extracts of Bryophyllumpinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. and Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt / Composición de ácidos grasos de extractos etéreos de Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. y Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt

SUMMARY Currently, there is a growing interest in identifying alternative sources of fatty acids due to the present increasing demand for oil-rich botanicals in industrial applications. The main objective of this work was to identify the fatty acid compositions of ether extracts of dried leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. and Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt. The fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. Among the evaluated ether extracts, the higher contents of saturated fatty acids were found in H. latifolia (27.96%) with the principal presence of stearic acid compared to the content of the saturated fatty acids in B. pinnatum (0.53%), F. exasperata (0.04%) and G. herbaceum (0.47%). Equally, the result showed that H. latifolia contained the highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids with the predominant presence of oleic acid with the amount of 41.04%. Linoleic acid was also found to have the highest value in H. latifolia with the amount of 20.41%. Stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid were found in all the samples. The extract of H. latifolia contained a healthy mixture of different types of fatty acids thus suggesting it as a probable source of suitable fatty acids.

RESUMEN Actualmente, existe un creciente interés en identificar fuentes alternativas de ácidos grasos debido a la creciente demanda actual de productos botánicos ricos en aceite en aplicaciones industriales. El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue identificar las composiciones de ácidos grasos de extractos de éter de hojas secas de Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam., Ficus exasperata Vahl., Gossypium herbaceum Linn. y Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt. Los ácidos grasos fueron analizados por cromatografía de gases con detector de ionización de llama. Entre los extractos de éter evaluados, los mayores contenidos de ácidos grasos saturados se encontraron en H. latifolia (27,96%) con presencia principal de ácido esteárico en comparación con el contenido de los ácidos grasos saturados en B. pinnatum (0,53%), F. exasperata (0,04%) y G. herbaceum (0,47%). Igualmente, el resultado mostró que la H. latifolia contenía el mayor porcentaje de ácidos grasos insaturados con presencia predominante de ácido oleico con una cantidad de 41,04%. También se encontró que el ácido linoleico tiene el valor más alto en H. latifolia con una cantidad de 20,41%. Se encontró ácido esteárico, ácido oleico y ácido linoleico en todas las muestras. El extracto de H. latifolia contenía una mezcla saludable de diferentes tipos de ácidos grasos, lo que sugiere que es una fuente probable de ácidos grasos adecuados.

Effect of drying methods on the powder and compaction properties of microcrystalline cellulose derived from Gossypium herbaceum

The effect of drying method, a process variable, on the powder and compaction properties of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtained from the partial acid hydrolysis of bleached alpha (α) cellulose content of matured linters of Gossypium herbaceum (GH) was investigated. A portion of the wet MCC obtained was fluid bed dried at 60 ± 1 ºC, inlet air of 30 m3 min-1 for 3 h (coded MCC-GossF). The second portion was lyophilized at - 45 ± 2 ºC for 6 h (coded MCC-GossL). The physicochemical, scanning electron micrographs, X ray diffraction patterns and micromeritic properties of the derived MCCs were determined using standard methods. The cohesiveness and compactibility of the powders were investigated using Kawakita model while the deformation and compressibility pattern were determined using Heckel model. Avicel® PH 102 (AV-102) was used as comparing standard. Ash values of < 2%, pH (6.54 ± 0.23 to 6.58 ± 0.08), degree of polymerization, DP (231.50) was obtained. MCC-GossF had higher moisture content, swellability, better flow indices, and lesser porosity than MCC-GossL. Kawakita model demonstrated good consolidation and compactibility for both powders. Compacts of MCC-GossL were significantly (p < 0.05) harder than those of MCC-GossF. Heckel analysis demonstrated good compressibility and deformation pattern that was comparable with AV-102. Compacts of MCC-GossL had better mechanical and tablet compression properties than MCC-GossF

Study on Extraction Technology of Polysaccharides from Gossypium herbaceum L. by Pectinase Hydrolysis / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the extraction technology of polysaccharides from Gossypium herbaceum L. by pectinase hydrolysis. METHODS:Polysaccharides were extracted from G. herbaceum L. by pectinase hydrolysis combined with traditional hot water extraction. With the extraction rate of polysaccharides as the evaluated index,single factor test and orthogonal design were applied to investigate the effects of 4 factors including enzymolysis temperature,enzymolysis time,the amount of enzyme and pH value on polysaccharides extraction rate,and verification tests were conducted. RESULTS:The optimal extraction technolo-gy was as follows as enzymolysis temperature of 40 ℃,enzymolysis time of 150 min,enzyme accounting for 2.0%,pH value for enzymolysis of 4.6. Under the above conditions,the average extraction rate of polysaccharides from G. herbaceum L. was 2.474%(RSD=3.34%,n=5). CONCLUSIONS:Pectinase hydrolysis is an effective method to extract polysaccharides from G. herbace-um L.. The optimal extraction technology is reasonable and feasible.

Toxicological evaluation of the João da Costa e Associações® on Beagle dogs

A toxicological study was performed in Beagle dogs treated for 180 days with the product João da Costa e Associações. Were used six males and six females distributed in control and treated groups (n=3). We used a dose of 566 mg/kg of the product according to preclinical study in rodents. The animals were weighed and evaluated by clinical and laboratory aspects. The product did not cause mortality or alter the normal behavior of animals, but interfered with the weight gain on males in the middle phase of the treatment. The group treated had a lower incidence of clinical abnormalities compared to control, checked by veterinary consultations. Laboratory data showed elevated blood glucose levels perhaps due to the high amount of sucrose present in the product; about the histopathological data no significant change was found. We conclude that the product Joao da Costa and Associações, at the dose tested, has low toxicity in Beagle dogs treated chronically.

Influence of the preparation method on the low efficacy of multi-herb commercial products: the example of João da Costa e Associações / Influência do método de preparação na baixa eficácia de produtos fitoterápicos: o exemplo do João da Costa e Associações

Native medicinal plants have been used for decades by Brazilian pharmaceutical companies to create commercial products. In this study, we have investigated the herb-combined product João da Costa e Associações® (JCA) commercialized for thirty years to treat dysmenorrhoea. JCA is prepared by decoction of Himatanthus lancifolius (Muell. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae), Chondodendron platyphyllum Miers (Menispermaceae), Gossypium herbaceum L. (Malvaceae), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) and Echites peltata (Apocynaceae), followed by addition of sugar. The efficacy of JCA was verified by antinociceptive studies. The chemical composition was determined by fingerprint analysis in HPLC/ DAD. A weak inhibition of the second phase of the nociceptive effect induced by formalin indicated an activity similar to those steroids and not-steroids anti-inflammatories. Despite being prepared by decoction of five plants, the fingerprint analysis showed only two peaks. None of them corresponds to the chemical compounds observed in ethanol extracts prepared with the same plant material. We argue that the methods of preparation of the formulas should be considered in studies of multi-herbs products, since they can be the responsible for inefficacy or low activity of such products.

Plantas medicinais nativas do Brasil foram usadas por décadas pelas indústrias farmacêuticas nacionais para criar seus produtos. Neste estudo, foi investigado o produto João da Costa e Associações® (JCA) comercializado por mais de trinta anos para o tratamento de dismenorréia e outros problemas relacionados à saúde da mulher. JCA é preparado pela decocção de Himatanthus lancifolius (Muell. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae), Chondodendron platyphyllum Miers (Menispermaceae), Gossypium herbaceum L. (Malvaceae), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) e Echites peltata (Apocynaceae), seguido de adição de açúcar. A eficácia de JCA foi verificada por meio da avaliação da atividade antinociceptiva. Já a composição química foi determinada por analises em HPLC/ DAD. Uma fraca inibição da segunda fase da nocicepção foi observada no teste da formalina, indicando uma ação semelhante aos antiinflamatórios esteroidais e não esteroidais. Apesar de ser preparado pela decocção de cinco plantas, a análise no HPLC apresentou somente dois picos, e nenhum deles correspondeu aos componentes observados nos extratos etanólicos preparados com as mesmas plantas. Os resultados sugerem que o método de preparação de JCA promove a perda dos componentes químicos das plantas e interfere consideravelmente na eficácia do produto.