Developmental neurotoxicity evaluation of three Chinese herbal medicines in zebrafish larvae by means of two behavioral assays: Touch-evoked response and light/dark transition.

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is used among pregnant women. However, the question of its safety during pregnancy remains unclear. The use of these products relies on history of use data but there are specific toxicities like developmental neurotoxicity that are clearly understudied. Here we use the zebfrafish embryo developmental toxicity assay (ZEDTA) in combination with two behavioral assays: touch-evoked response and Light/Dark (L/D) transition assay to evaluate the neuro/developmental toxicity of three herbal products commonly used in CHM [Chinese name (abbreviation; part of the plant and Scientific name]: tian ma (TM; tuber form Gastrodia elata Blume), lei gong teng (LGT; root and rhizome of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f) and cha ye (green tea, leaves from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). In case significant alterations were detected, single components with potential exposure during pregnancy were identified in the literature and further tested. TM had no neurodevelopmental toxic potential in zebrafish embryos, while LGT and its main compounds triptolide and celastrol induced significant alterations in behavior. Developmental exposure to EGCG, the main catechin of green tea, also produced significant alterations in zebrafish embryos behavior after developmental exposure. A combination of ZEDTA with L/D Transition assay is proposed as a useful combination of alternative methods for DNT assessment of CHM products together with other New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).

Investigation of market herbal products regulated under different categories: How can HPTLC help to detect quality problems?

Background: Herbal products regulated under different categories were found to be of different quality. This has been demonstrated by the increasing number of reports on the quality of herbal products in the scientific literature. Proper identification is an effective way to address this concerning issue early on in a products' manufacturing process. Objectives: To assess the quality of milk thistle, coneflower and black cohosh herbal drugs, preparations and products commercialized under different regulatory categories, and to illustrate the usefulness of HPTLC as a tool for evaluating quality. Methods: HPTLC methods were adapted from the European Pharmacopeia's monographs for milk thistle fruits, black cohosh and purple coneflower. Additional detection modes beyond those described in the monographs were employed, and the entire HPTLC fingerprints were used for examination of identity and purity of the investigated samples. Results: All products regulated as Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products were shown to be of high quality: their fingerprints were consistent and without unexpected zones. A significant number of food supplements show quality issues (mainly adulterations): 52.4% of milk thistle, 33.3% of coneflower, and 45.5% of black cohosh products. The same was observed in 66.6% of black cohosh herbal drugs and preparations.

Reduced Self-Perception of Fatigue after Intake of Panax ginseng Root Extract (G115®) Formulated with Vitamins and Minerals-An Open-Label Study.

BACKGROUND: Unexplained fatigue is a common complaint. When underlying disease causes have been eliminated, lifestyle measures and supplementation can be indicated. Elaborating on clinical findings that G115®, a dry extract from the root of Panax ginseng, combined with vitamins and minerals could alleviate fatigue, this open label study aimed at assessing its effect on perceived fatigue and energy. METHODS: Healthy adults self-reporting fatigue (n = 103) completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory questionnaire. They rated their perceptions of mental and physical fatigue, energy, performance, and stress at baseline and 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after a daily intake of 40 mg G115® formulated with vitamins and minerals. RESULTS: Compared with baseline values, mean self-perception of general fatigue was reduced by -7.55 units [95% CI: -8.44; -6.66] (-41.8%, p < 0.0001) at 90 days. All assessed perception ratings (mental and physical fatigue, reduced activity and motivation, performance, and stress) were significantly and steadily improved from two weeks after supplementation up to study's end. Overall satisfaction with the ability of the product to reduce fatigue reached 85% at Day 90. CONCLUSION: Daily intake with G115® extract formulated with vitamins and minerals suggests an improvement of self-perception of fatigue and energy in a fatigued adult population.

Comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting as a tool for a simplified analysis of purity of ginkgo products.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Herbal medicinal products based on ginkgo leaf refined dry extract (GBE) are an European development from the Eastern Asia traditionally used species Ginkgo biloba L. Nowadays, ginkgo products have increased the presence in the market, mainly as dietary supplements. Its adulteration with rutin and quercetin or herbal extracts rich in these compounds is a common practice. Tests featuring assays and detection of adulterants need to be performed on top of other existent methods (e.g. identification test). This may increase the costs of evaluating the quality of ginkgo products. AIM OF THE STUDY: To prove that comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting can provide information beyond identification of ginkgo products, avoiding additional chromatographic tests for detection of adulterations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information contained in the fingerprint obtained by HPTLC analysis of flavonoids was used for identification and for detection of adulterants, as well as to verify the limits of rutin and quercetin, which are normally determined by HPLC and used for detection of adulterants. For this purpose, peak profiles were generated from HPTLC chromatogram images. USP-HPLC methods were used for quantification of total flavonoids and testing the limits of rutin and quercetin. HPLC data were used to support the validity of the HPTLC method. An additional reversed phase HPTLC method was developed as a possible confirmatory method for the quercetin limit test. RESULTS: The proposed HPTLC method uses a particular sequence of detections, resulting in a number of images, which are later interpreted in a certain order. It is able to identify ginkgo products, to detect adulterants (rutin, quercetin, sophora fruit and flower bud, and buckwheat), and, using peak profiles generated from the chromatogram images prior to and after derivatisation, to evaluate the limits of rutin and quercetin. Forty-eight out of fifty-nine ginkgo dietary supplements analysed contained one or more adulterants. Furthermore, results of the HPTLC and HPLC limit tests for rutin and quercetin were in agreement in 98% of the cases. Finally, a decision tree showing the sequence of interpretation of the fingerprints obtained with the different detections after a single HPTLC analysis is included to help the analyst to evaluate whether samples have the correct identity and whether they contain or not adulterants. CONCLUSION: A single HPTLC analysis is able to provide information on identity and purity of the products. This simplifies the analytical workflow and reduces the number of analyses prescribed in the USP powdered ginkgo extract monograph.

Evidencia clínica de STW 5 (Iberogast(R)) en patología digestiva / Evidência clínica de STW 5 (Iberogast(R)) em patologia digestiva / Clinical evidence of STW 5 (Iberogast(R)) in digestive pathology

La dispepsia funcional (DF) y el síndrome del intestino irritable (SII) son las alteraciones gastrointestinales funcionales más frecuentes. Requieren un tratamiento multifactorial ya que su aparición se relaciona con diversas afecciones funcionales, como alteraciones de la motilidad, hipersensibilidad gastrointestinal, inflamación, alteración de la microbiota intestinal, estrés y trastornos psicológicos, entre otros. SWT 5 es una combinación de 9 extractos vegetales con actividades sinérgicas y complementarias que es capaz de modular la motilidad gástrica e intestinal, inhibe la secreción ácida gástrica, tiene actividad antiinflamatoria y protectora de la mucosa, y reduce la hipersensibilidad intestinal.Desde 1990, se ha demostrado una eficacia estadísticamente significativa en 6 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, a doble ciego y controlados: cinco en DF (4 frente a placebo y uno frende a cisaprida) y uno en SII (frente a placebo). La eficacia en DF y SII también se ha mostrado en estudios observacionales que involucran más de 5000 adultos y 44000 niños tratados con STW 5. La combinación de extractos presenta una excelente tolerabilidad y un buen perfil de seguridad, con una incidencia de efectos adversos muy baja

A dispepsia funcional (DF) e a síndrome do cólon irritável (SCI) são as alterações gastrointestinais funcionais mais frequentes. Requerem um tratamento multifactorial, porque o seu aparecimento está relacionado com vários distúrbios funcionais, tais como alterações de motilidade, hipersensibilidade gastrointestinal, inflamação, microbioma intestinal alterado, stress e distúrbios psicológicos, entre outros. SWT 5 é uma combinação de 9 extractos vegetais com actividades sinérgicas e complementares que podem modular a motilidade gástrica e intestinal, têm actividade inibidora da secreção ácida gástrica, anti-inflamatória e protectora da mucosa, e reduzem a sensibilidade intestinal. Desde 1990, demonstrou-se uma eficácia estatisticamente significativa em seis ensaios clínicos randomizados, duplocego, e controlados: cinco em DF (4 versus placebo e um versus cisaprida) e um em SCI (versus placebo). A eficácia no tratamento de DF e SCI também foi demonstrada atra-vés de estudos observacionais envolvendo mais de 5000 adultos e 44000 crianças tratadas com STW 5. A combinação dos extractos mostra uma excelente tolerabilidade e um bom perfil de segurança, com uma incidência muito baixa de efeitos adversos

Functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are the most frequent functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. They require a multifactorial treatment since they appear to be related to several functional conditions, such as alterations of motility, hypersensitivity, inflammation, alteration of the gut microbiota, stress and psychological disorders, among others. SWT 5 is a combination of 9 herbal extracts with synergistic and complementary activities that is able to modulate gastric and intestinal motility, inhibits gastric acid secretion, shows mucosal anti-inflammatory and protective activities, and reduces intestinal hypersensitivity.Since 1990, statistically significant efficacy has been shown in 6 randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials: five in DF (4 versus placebo and one in front of cisapride) and one in IBS (versus placebo). The efficacy in DF and IBS has also been shown in observational studies involving more than 5000 adults and 44000 children treated with STW 5. The combination of extracts presents an excellent tolerability and a good safety profile, with a very low incidence of adverse effects

La Fitoterapia se define como la utilización de los productos de origen vegetal con finalidad terapéutica / No disponible

No disponible

Comprehensive HPTLC Fingerprinting for Quality Control of an Herbal Drug - The Case of Angelica gigas Root.

The quality of herbal drugs is usually controlled using several tests recommended in a monograph. HPTLC is the method of choice for identification in many pharmacopoeias. If combined with a suitable reference material for comparison, HPTLC can provide information beyond identification and thus may simplify quality control. This paper describes, as a proof of concept, how HPTLC can be applied to define specifications for an herbal reference material and to control the quality of an herbal drug according to these specifications. Based on multiple batches of cultivated Angelica gigas root, a specific HPTLC method for identification was optimized. This method can distinguish 27 related species. It also can detect the presence of mixtures of A. gigas with two other Angelica species traded as "Dang gui" and is suitable as well for quantitative assessment of samples in a test for minimum content of the sum of decursin and decursinol angelate. The new concept of "comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting" is proposed: HPTLC fingerprints (images), which are used for identification, are converted into peak profiles and the intensities of selected zones are quantitatively compared to those of the corresponding zones of the reference material. Following a collaborative trial involving three laboratories in three countries, the method was applied to check the quality of further candidates for establishing an appropriate reference material. In conclusion, this case demonstrates that a single HPTLC analysis can provide information about identity, purity, and minimum content of markers of an herbal drug.

Ethnopharmacological and Chemical Characterization of Salvia Species Used in Valencian Traditional Herbal Preparations.

In Valencia Region (Spain), some wild and cultivated sages are used for medicinal purposes. Among them, Salvia officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia (SL) is widely employed and known for production of Spanish sage oil and herbal products. Nevertheless, it shares the market with S. blancoana subsp. mariolensis (SB) and, to a lesser extent, with their hybrid S. x hegelmaieri (SH). The knowledge on these two species is far low and confusion between them is possible. The aim of the present paper is to improve the ethnopharmacological, morphological and chemical knowledge of these sages, and to contribute to setting up quality specifications for improving identification and distinction from other Salvia species, such as, S. officinalis subsp. officinalis, S. x auriculata and S. microphylla var. microphylla. Samples were collected in Valencia Region and surrounding mountain areas during the ethnopharmacological field work. Twenty-nine medicinal uses were reported for SL, 13 of them being also recorded for SB. Of particular interest is a homemade liquor, used as digestive and known as "salvieta," which is mainly prepared with SB. The macro- and microscopic characters are insufficient for identification of cut, crushed or powdered material. The study of the essential oil and a HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) fingerprint of their extracts could help to distinguish SB from the other sages. The essential oil from dried aerial parts of SB (content: 1.8-4.5%) was characterized by GC-FID (Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry) showing a composition close to that currently accepted for Spanish sage essential oil in the European Pharmacopoeia, ISO (International Standard Organization) and UNE (Una Norma Española) standards, with 1,8-cineole (13.7-45.7%) and camphor (12.1-28.6%) as major constituents. HPTLC methods, based on the analysis of hydroalcoholic and dichloromethane extracts, allowed to distinguish SB from other Salvia taxa currently found in Valencia region, except from its hybrid SH. This interdisciplinary study, that combines popular knowledge with botany and chemistry, allows to identify the raw herbal material from SB and to distinguish it from other Salvia species, ensuring a proper commercialization as herbal teas or for the preparation of spirits.

Uso de plantas medicinales por la comunidad boliviana en el área metropolitana de Barcelona / Uso de plantas medicinais pela comunidade boliviana na área metropolitana de Barcelona / Use of medicinal plants by the Bolivian community in the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona

Las condiciones de vida que los inmigrantes de Sudamérica encuentran en España influye en sus prácticas para el cuidado de la salud. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron documentar la etnofarmacopea de los inmigrantes bolivianos en Barcelona y comprender sus pautas de comportamiento en relación con la necesidad de atención sanitaria. Para recabar información, tanto cualitativa como cuantitativa, se utilizaron cuestionarios y listados libres, asi como entrevistas semi-estructuradas y no estructuradas. Adicionalmente, se recogieron y documentaron todas las plantas medicinales y productos citados disponibles. A partir de entrevistas con 51 informantes, se registró un total de 60 remedios vegetales (115 citas de uso), con un total de 77 usos. Es común el pluralismo medicinal: los informantes utilizaban tanto los remedios vegetales en automedicación como la consultas con médicos de familia del sistema nacional de salud español. Los remedios vegetales culturalmente más relevantes incluyen infusiones de manzanilla (Matricaria recutita L.) y de hoja de coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) y Mentisan©, un ungiiento mentolado. A pesar de ser una muestra relativamente pequeña, este primer estudio sobre el uso de plantas medicinales por inmigrantes en España claramente indica que la comunidad boliviana sigue siendo fiel a sus tradiciones médicas (AU)

As condicoes de vida que os imigrantes da América do Sul encontram em Espanha influencia as suas práticas de cuidados de saúdo. Os objetivos deste estudo foram documentar a etnofarmacopeia do imigrantos bolivianos em Barcelona o entender sous padroes do comportamento em rolaçáo a necessidade de cuidados de saúdo. Para rocolhor informacoes, tanto qualitativas como quantitativas, foram utilizados questionários o listas livros, o entrevistas semi-estruturadas e nao estruturadas. Alem disso, recolhoram-se o documentaram-so todas as plantas medicinais o produtos citados disponíveis. A partir de entrevistas com 51 participantes, foram registados um total de 60 romádios vegetais (115 citacoes de uso), com um total de 77 usos. O pluralismo médico e comum: os informantes tanto usam remédios a base de plantas na auto-modicaçáo como consultas com médicos de familia do sistema nacional de saúde espanhol. Osremédios a base de plantas culturalmente mais relevantes incluem infusoes do camomila (Matricaria recutita L.) o de coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) o Mentisan©, um unguento mentolado. A pesar de ser uma amostra relativamente pequena, este primeiro estudo sobre o uso de plantas medicinais por imigrantes em Espanha indica claramente que a comunidade boliviana permanece fiel as suas tradicoes médicas (AU)

Living conditions that South American migrant communities encounter in Spain have an influence on their health care practices. The aims of this study are both to determine Bolivian migrants' ethnopharmacopeia in Barcelona and to understand the health-seeking strategies. Questionnaires and free-listings as well as semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data during the field work. Moreover, all accessible medicinal plants and herbal products mentioned were both collected and documented. As a result and on the basis of interviews with 51 informants, a total of sixty herbal remedies (115 use reports) were recorded used to treat with a total of 77 uses. Medical pluralism is common: informants used both plant remedies in self—medication and consultations with family doctors of the Spanish health care system. The most culturally salient plant remedies included chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) infusion, infusion of coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) and Mentisan©, a mentholated ointment. Despite of a relatively small sample size, this first study on immigrant medicinal plant use in Spain clearly shows that the Bolivian community in Barcelona remains loyal to their medical traditions (AU)

Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Essential Oils from Different Species of Piper from Panama.

The chemical composition of leaf essential oils from 11 species of Piper from Panama was analyzed by a combination GC-FID and GC-MS procedures. Six of them had sesquiterpene hydrocarbons as major constituents, three were characterized by monoterpene hydrocarbons, one by a diterpene, and one by a phenylpropanoid, dillapiole. The main components identified in each species were: cembratrienol (25.4 %) in Piper augustum; ß-pinene (26.6 %) in Piper corrugatum; α-pinene (19.4 %) in Piper curtispicum; trans-ß-farnesene (63.7 %) in Piper darienense; p-cymene (43.9 %) in Piper grande; dillapiole (57.7 %) in Piper hispidum; linalool (14.5 %), α-phellandrene (13.8 %), and limonene (12.2 %) in Piper jacquemontianum; ß-caryophyllene (45.2 %) in Piper longispicum; linalool (16.5 %), α-phellandrene (11.8 %), limonene (11.4 %), and p-cymene (9.0 %) in Piper multiplinervium; ß-selinene (19.0 %), ß-elemene (16.1 %), and α-selinene (15.5 %) in Piper reticulatum; and germacrene D (19.7 %) in Piper trigonum. The essential oils of P. hispidum and P. longispicum at a concentration of 250 µg/mL showed larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, while the oils from P. curtispicum, P. multiplinervium, P. reticulatum, and P. trigonum were inactive (LC100 ≥ 500 µg/mL). The essential oils of P. grande, P. jacquemontianum, and P. multiplinervium showed no significant antifungal activity (MIC > 250 µg/mL) against several yeasts and filamentous fungal strains.

Biological and Nonbiological Antioxidant Activity of Some Essential Oils.

Fifteen essential oils, four essential oil fractions, and three pure compounds (thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol), characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were investigated for biological and nonbiological antioxidant activity. Clove oil and eugenol showed strong DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free-radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 13.2 µg/mL and 11.7 µg/mL, respectively) and powerfully inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human neutrophils stimulated by PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) (IC50 = 7.5 µg/mL and 1.6 µg/mL) or H2O2 (IC50 = 22.6 µg/mL and 27.1 µg/mL). Nutmeg, ginger, and palmarosa oils were also highly active on this test. Essential oils from clove and ginger, as well as eugenol, carvacrol, and bornyl acetate inhibited NO (nitric oxide) production (IC50 < 50.0 µg/mL). The oils of clove, red thyme, and Spanish oregano, together with eugenol, thymol, and carvacrol showed the highest myeloperoxidase inhibitory activity. Isomers carvacrol and thymol displayed a disparate behavior in some tests. All in all, clove oil and eugenol offered the best antioxidant profile.

Antioxidant activity of Tween-20 and Tween-80 evaluated through different in-vitro tests.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the possible antioxidant activity of Tween-20 and Tween-80, two amphipathic nonionic surfactants commonly used as solubilizers and stabilizers, whose pharmacological effects have been ignored to a large degree. METHODS: Antioxidant activity was investigated in vitro measuring the scavenging activity on the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(●) ), the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in activated human neutrophils using flow cytometry and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitory activity. KEY FINDINGS: Tween-20 and Tween-80 did not show scavenging activity on DPPH(●) , while produced a decrease of the ROS production in human neutrophils, being Tween-20 more active than Tween-80. Moreover, Tween-80 and Tween-20 were found to significantly stimulate MPO enzymatic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings raise concerns with regard to the indiscriminate use of Tween-20 and Tween-80 in clinical and laboratory testing, since they could influence the results that are assigned to the tested substance.

Effect of some essential oils on phagocytosis and complement system activity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro activity of 15 essential oils, 4 essential oil fractions, and 3 pure compounds (thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol) on phagocytosis by human neutrophils and on complement system. Samples were characterized by GC and GC-MS. Most of the oils (nutmeg, clove, niaouli, tea tree, bay laurel, lemon, red thyme, ginger), nutmeg terpenes, eugenol, and carvacrol showed mild to moderate inhibition of phagocytosis (25-40% inhibition at doses ranging from 40 to 60 µg/mL); highest inhibitory activity was found for thymol (72% at 56 µg/mL), whereas the mixture of bornyl and isobornyl acetates showed a mild stimulating activity (21% at 56 µg/mL). All samples were inactive in the alternative pathway of complement system, whereas on classical pathway, clove oil, eugenol, palmarosa oil, red thyme oil, tarragon oil, and carvacrol showed the highest activity, with IC50 values ranging from 65 to 78 µg/mL.

Interacciones entre preparados vegetales y fármacos de síntesis: revisión de las monografías de la EMA y ESCOP / Interacções entre preparações à base de plantas e fármacos de síntese: uma revisão das monografias da ema e eScoP / A tamareira e a palmeira das ilhas canárias na medicina tradicional de espanha / Interactions between herbal preparations and synthetic drugs: a review of the monographs of the EMA and ESCOP

El uso racional de la Fitoterapia se asienta en los requisitos de calidad, seguridad y eficacia. Uno de los aspectos que más preocupan al profesional de la salud es conocer las posibles interacciones entre los preparados a base de plantas medicinales y los fármacos de síntesis, especialmente los que tienen un margen terapéutico más estrecho, como los anticoagulantes y los inmunosupresores. Aunque existen multitud de publicaciones sobre el tema, los resultados que ofrecen son a menudo contradictorios y no siempre están basados en evidencias clínicas. En este trabajo mostramos las interacciones descritas en las monografías de referencia en la actualidad: las de la EMA (Agencia Europea del Medicamento) y de ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), que ofrecen datos relevantes desde el punto de vista clínico, tanto en lo que respecta a indicaciones como a precauciones. Su análisis nos muestra que el número de drogas vegetales que interaccionan con medicamentos es relativamente bajo (menos del 25%) y que las interacciones más frecuentes son con anticoagulantes, corticoides, cardiotónicos, antiarrítmicos, benzodiazepinas, antidepresivos y antivirales. Las drogas y preparados vegetales que muestran un nivel significativo de interacciones son la sumidad de hipérico, los laxantes hidroxiantracénicos, las drogas con mucílagos, la raíz de regaliz, las drogas con taninos, el bulbo de ajo, la hoja de ginkgo y la raíz de ginseng (AU)

The rational Phytotherapy is based on the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy. A major concern of the health care professional is the potential interactions between the herbal preparations and synthetic drugs, especially those with a narrow therapeutic margin, such as anticoagulants and immunosuppressants. Although there are many publications on the subject, the results they provide are often contradictory and they are not always based on clinical evidence. The present paper presents the interactions described in the today’s monographs of reference: those of EMA (European Medicines Agency) and ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), which provide clinically relevant information both regarding indications and precautions. Their analysis shows that the number of herbal drugs that interact with synthetic drugs is relatively low (below 25%) and that the most frequent interactions are with anticoagulants, corticosteroids, cardiac glycosides, antiarrhythmics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antivirals. Herbal drugs and preparations that show a significant level of interactions are: Saint John’s wort, hydroxyanthracene laxatives, mucilage containing preparations, licorice preparations, tannin containing herbal drugs, garlic, ginkgo leaf and ginseng root (AU)

O uso racional da Fitoterapia baseia-se nos requisitos de qualidade, segurança e eficácia. Um dos aspectos que mais preocupam os profissionais de saúde é conhecer as possíveis interacções entre os produtos à base de plantas medicinais e os fármacos de síntese, especialmente aqueles com uma margem terapêutica estreita, tais como os anticoagulantes e os imunossupressores. Embora existam muitas publicações sobre o assunto, os resultados que fornecem são muitas vezes contraditórios e nem sempre são baseados em evidências clínicas. Este trabalho apresenta as interacções descritas nas monografias actualmente reconhecidas como sendo monografias de refe-rência: as da EMA (Agência Europeia do Medicamento) e da ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), que disponibilizam informações relevantes do ponto de vista clínico, tanto relativamente a indicações terapêuticas como a precauções de utilização. A análise mostra que o número de fármacos vegetais que interagem com medicamentos é relativamente baixo (inferior a 25%) e que as interacções mais frequentes são com anticoagulantes, corticosteroides, cardiotónicos, antiarrítmicos, benzodiazepinas, antidepres-sivos e antivíricos. Os fármacos e preparações de origem vegetal que apresentam um nível significativo de interacções são as sumidades floridas de hipericão, os laxantes hidroxiantracénicos, os fármacos com mucilagens, as preparações de alcaçuz, os fármacos com taninos, o bolbo de alho, a folha de ginkgo e a raiz de ginseng

Antifungal compounds from the rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis.

The antifungal activity of hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous extracts from the rhizome and root of Ferula hermonis was assayed in vitro by the agar disk diffusion method against a panel of human opportunistic and pathogenic fungi. Among them, the hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed the highest activity particularly against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum and Tricophyton mentagrophytes as well as the yeast Candida lactis-condensi. Activity-guided fractionation of both extracts using an agar overlay bioautographic method led to the isolation of two antifungal compounds which were identified as the daucane aryl esters jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxybenzoate (ferutinin) and jaeschkeanadiol benzoate (teferidin). Determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of both compounds evidenced a stronger antifungal activity for ferutinin than for teferidin. Particularly, T. mentagrophytes was the most sensitive strain with MIC and MFC values ranging from 8 to 256 µg/mL.

Plants as medicinal stressors, the case of depurative practices in Chazuta valley (Peruvian Amazonia).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Depurative practices, based on taking emetic plants and the restriction of food intake, are very much used in the traditional medicine of Chazuta (Peruvian Amazon) not only to restore health but also to maintain it. AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe Chazuta's depurative practices, within a theoretical framework that involves the stress system and which defines the role played by the medicinal plants used as medicinal stressors. This biomedical model is more inclusive in relation to the variety of medicinal uses found for these practices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The information was obtained in the valley of Chazuta from October 2004 to August 2005 through semi-structured interviews to the 6.3% of its rural adult population (i.e., 140 individuals, 75% belonging to the San Martin Quechua's ethnic group). Thereafter, results were analysed and confronted to the existing literature. RESULTS: Overall, 191 depurative practices were reported in Chazuta where 114 different plant species were recorded and identified. Depending on their level of severity and duration, depurative practices can be classified as mild or strict. The wide range of medicinal uses reported supports both the involvement of adaptive stress responses in depurative practices and the consideration of the plants employed in this practices as medicinal stressors. CONCLUSIONS: By inducing moderate stress within safe levels, depurative practices in Chazuta could produce adaptive responses that would protect against the detrimental consequences of chronic stress and stress-related diseases. This hypothesis could help to understand the diversity of the medicinal uses recorded in the field. Thus, plant remedies used in these practices in Chazuta could be considered as "medicinal stressors" as through vomiting the necessary neuroendocrine stress activation would be produced. In addition, other bioactivities that plants may harbour could converge with the whole stress reactivity process.

La hoja de hiedra en el tratamiento de las afecciones de vías respiratorias: evidencias preclínicas y clínicas / Ivy leaf in the treatment of respiratory conditions: preclinical and clinical evidences

La hoja de hiedra es una droga vegetal empleada desde la antigüedad con fines medicinales, cuyos extractos son ampliamente utilizados en el tratamiento de afecciones de vías respiratorias debido, principalmente, a su actividad expectorante y espasmolítica. Los principios activos son saponósidos triterpénicos pentacíclicos, siendo el mayoritario el hederacósido C, heterósido bidesmosídico que en el organismo se transforma en el mododesmósido alpha-hederina, principal responsable de la actividad farmacológica. Su mecanismo de acción, recientemente descrito, se relaciona con la inhibición de la internalización de receptores B2-adrenérgicos, lo cual determina una mayor reactividad de los mismos dando lugar a una fluidificación de las secreciones bronquiales, favoreciendo su expectoración. Los estudios clínicos evidencian tanto la eficacia del extracto hidroetanólico (EtOH 30%, RDE_: 5-7,5:1) en el tratamiento de infecciones agudas del tracto respiratorio acompañadas de tos y de enfermedades bronquiales inflamatorias crónicas, como su excelente tolerabilidad en niños y adultos (AU)

Ivy leaf is an herbal drug used since ancient times for medicinal purposes. Its extracts are widely used in the treatment of respiratory conditions, mainly due to its expectorant and spasmolytic activities. The active principles are pentacyclic y triterpene saponins, the major one being hederacoside C, a bidesmosidic glycoside that in the body is transformed into the monodesmosidic alpha-hederin, which is the main responsible of the pharmacological activity. Its mechanism of action, recently described, is related to the inhibition of the internalisation of B2-adrenergic receptors, which determines their higher reactivity resulting in an increase of secretolysis and bronchodilation. Clinical studies demonstrate both the efficacy of the hydroalcoholic extract (EtOH 30%, DER:5-7,5:1) in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections accompanied by cough and chronic inflammatory bronchial conditions, as well as its excellent tolerability in children and adults (AU)

Plant use in the medicinal practices known as "strict diets" in Chazuta valley (Peruvian Amazon).

AIM OF THE STUDY: Strict diets are traditional medicinal practices where plant remedies are consumed with nearly fasting and with some sort of social seclusion. The aim of this work was to describe these practices of Chazuta and the use of plants within, as well as to analyse the possible functions of the last. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The information was obtained through interviews to the 6.3% of the district rural adult population (140 individuals, 75% of which was considered Quechua). RESULTS: In total, 122 strict diets were recorded and 106 different plant species were reported to be used. Strict diets present a characteristic structure and plant use. The main effects reported in strict diets were antinflammatory, antiinfective, brain function alteration and depuration. CONCLUSIONS: Strict diets are well structured traditional medicinal practices, also with a symbolic significance in the life cycle of chazutian men. Plants used in strict diets can contribute to the main effects through antinflammation, antiinfective actions, psychoactivity and depurative related activities. The correlation between literature evidence of activity of most used plants and effects reported for the correspondent diet (i.e. in which the plant was used) are 36% for antinflammatory activity, 29% for antimicrobial activity, 18% for psychoactivity and 5% for depurative related activities. The percentages go to 77%, 64%, 73% and 32%, respectively, when literature evidences on related taxa are also considered.

Composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil from the rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis.

The analysis of the essential oil from rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis Boiss. (Apiaceae) by GC-FID, GC-MS and ¹³C NMR allowed the identification of 79 constituents, more than 90% of the oil, the major one being α-pinene (43.3%), followed by α-bisabolol (11.1%) and the unusual acetylenic compound 3,5-nonadiyne (4.4%). The antifungal activity of the essential oil before and after fractionation was assayed against several yeasts and filamentous fungi. Purification of the active fractions afforded 3,5-nonadiyne, α-bisabolol, jaeschkeanadiol angelate, α-bisabolol oxide B and trans-verbenol, as well as two purified fractions, one of them (JB73) with 73% of jaeschkeanadiol benzoate and the other with 50% of spathulenol. Determination of MIC and MFC values of all these products evidenced strong antifungal activities for JB73 and 3,5-nonadiyne. Particularly, against the dermatophyte Tricophyton mentagrophytes, MIC and MFC values were 0.25 µg/ml for JB73, and 8 µg/ml for 3,5-nonadiyne, the former being more active than amphotericin B and nystatin.