Neuroprotective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in streptozotocin induced neuropathic pain

Abstract Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is one of the prevailing micro vascular complications of diabetes which can be characterized by neuropathic pain. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in the rat has been increasingly used as a model of painful diabetic neuropathy. STZ injection leads to neurotoxicity of peripheral nerves that leads to development of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in rat model. The present study was aimed at exploring the protective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in STZ induced neurotoxicity and evaluating mechanisms responsible for attenuating neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain markers like hyperalgesia, allodynia and motor deficits were assessed before STZ injection and after the treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of Tinospora cordifolia. Oxidative stress markers, NGF expression in sciatic nerve were observed after seven weeks treatment. Our results demonstrated that seven weeks treatment with Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract significantly relieved thermal hyperalgesia and allodynia by increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels, decreasing the lipid peroxidation and by increasing the Nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in diabetic rat sciatic nerves. Our findings highlighted the beneficial effects of oral administration of Tinospora cordifolia extract in attenuating diabetic neuropathic pain, possibly through a strong antioxidant activity and by inducing NGF m RNA in sciatic nerves.

Orthomene (Menispermaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon / Orthomene (Menispermaceae) na Amazônia brasileira

Orthomene comprises four species distributed from Central to South America, of which three occur in phytogeographic domains of Brazil. In Brazil, Amazonia is the main center of diversity for the genus. This work is a taxonomic treatment of Orthomene in Brazil and involved analyzing field collections (between January 2017 and July 2018), types and botanical specimens from 32 national and foreign herbaria. The three species in the study area are Orthomene hirsuta,Orthomene prancei and Orthomene schomburgkii. The latter is the most common and widely distributed species of the genus in the country. An identification key, descriptions, illustrations, distribution data, and additional comments for each species are provided. (AU)

Orthomene possui quatro espécies, distribuídas desde a América Central até a América do Sul, sendo que três ocorrem nos domínios fitogeográficos brasileiros. No Brasil, a Amazônia brasileira é considerada o principal centro de diversidade do gênero. O tratamento taxonômico envolveu a análise de material coletado (entre janeiro de 2017 e julho de 2018), tipos e amostras dos espécimes de Orthomene depositados em 32 herbários nacionais e estrangeiros. O gênero está representado na área de estudo por três espécies: Orthomene hirsuta,Orthomene prancei e Orthomene schomburgkii, sendo esta última a mais comum e amplamente distribuída nas regiões brasileiras de sua ocorrência. São apresentadas uma chave de identificação, descrições e ilustrações das espécies, bem como dados adicionais sobre distribuição geográfica e comentários sobre as mesmas.(AU)

Evaluación de la acción antimitótica y embriotóxica del extracto metanólico de Abuta grandifolia (Mart) Sandwith, Abuta, Bejuco de ratón, Butua, Barbasco / Evaluation of the cytotoxic and embryotoxic actions of methanolic extract of Abuta grandifolia (Mart) Sandwith, Abuta, Bejuco de ratón, Butua, Barbasco

La Abuta grandifolia es una planta nativa de zonas tropicales húmedas de Sudamérica, perteneciente a la familia Menispermaceae, con múltiples usos en la Medicina Tradicional. Se evaluó la acción antimitótica del extracto metanólico en células de Allium cepa L (cebolla), mediante la técnica de De La Torre y la acción embriotóxica en erizo de mar, mediante la técnica de Gustafson; utilizando modelos del CYTED. Nuestros resultados indican acción antimitótica evidenciada por un retardo de las diferentes fases del ciclo celular. Asimismo, apreciamos acción embriotóxica, más no teratogénica. Los análisis estadísticos de la diferencia del número de células en las diferentes fases del ciclo celular, entre el grupo control y el tratado con Abuta grandifolia, fueron altamente significativos.

Abuta grandifolia is a native plant of tropical and humid zones of South America, that belongs to the family Menispermaceae, and which has many uses in Traditional medicine. We evaluated the antimitotic and embryotoxic action of methanolic extracts, on Allium cepa L cells and on sea urchin embryos, using CYTED models. We found antimitotic action supported by the marked delay on different phases of cell cycle pf Allium cepa L. embryotoxic action consisted mainly of blastula and gastrula-arrested embryos, but we did not appreciate teratogenis action. The results on differences of number of cells and on the different phases of the cell cycle between the control and the Abuta grandifolia treated groups were statistically significant.