Chemical characterization, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Lippia lacunosa, a species used by the Bandeirantes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lippia lacunosa Mart. & Schauer is an endemic plant from the Serra do Espinhaço mountain range located on the Atlantic plateau, Brazil. It is known as "chá de pedestre" and "rosmaninho" in folk medicine. This species has a characteristic mango aroma and is widely used by the population for flu, colds, sinus infections, coughing, relaxing baths, and foot baths after long walks. It is often confused with and, therefore, used interchangeably with L. rotundifolia and L. pseudothea. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to increase scientific knowledge on the ethnopharmacological use of Lippia lacunosa through the evaluation of the micromolecular composition and anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the hexane and ethanolic extracts, essential oil, and fractions in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical profile of L. lacunosa extracts and fractions were obtained by chromatographic methods such as Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Column Chromatography (CC), and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Carrageenan-induced paw edema was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity in mice. Mechanical allodynia induced by carrageenan and hot plate tests were employed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity. RESULTS: The main constituents found in the essential oil were the monoterpenes myrcene (13.81%), linalool (6.84%), ipsenone (21.2%), and myrcenone (25.44%); and sesquiterpenes elemol (7.30%) and spathulenol (3.15%). The chromatograph fractionation of essential oil yielded a fraction rich in the main compounds (F33), ipsenone and mircenone. In experimental models of paw edema and mechanical allodynia induced by carrageenan (600 µg, 30 µL, i.pl.), the administration of hexane extract, essential oil (50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) or majority fraction (10 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced paw edema. The ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg) reduced mechanical allodynia only in the 2 nd h of evaluation. On the other hand, the hexane extract (50 or 100 mg/kg) and essential oil (100 mg/kg), as well as the majority fraction (10 mg/kg), reduced mechanical allodynia throughout the evaluation period. The hexane extract, essential oil, and majority fraction F33 also reduced the heat-induced nociceptive response. Also, majority fraction F33 did not affect the time mice spent in the rota-rod apparatus. CONCLUSIONS: The elucidation of the composition of the essential oil and the demonstration of the activity of L. lacunosa in experimental models of acute inflammation and also in models of nociceptive and inflammatory pain can help to increase knowledge on the ancient ethnopharmacological use by the Bandeirantes, aiming at the evaluation of the species as a candidate for herbal medicine or phytopharmaceutical in the treatment of patients with inflammatory and painful conditions.

Cinnamon Infusion Reduces Satiety and Increases Energy Intake: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the intake of a single dose of cinnamon infusion on energy metabolism, appetite responses, and food intake in healthy individuals. METHODS: This was an open randomized crossover clinical trial, with a minimum washout of 7 days, in which two standardized breakfasts were served randomly: one with cinnamon infusion (2 g, Cinnamomum sp.) and one with water (control). The study included 21 healthy volunteers. Energy expenditure (EE), diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), respiratory quotient (RQ), substrate oxidation, and appetite responses were evaluated, as well as prospective food intake. RESULTS: Ingestion of cinnamon infusion did not alter EE, DIT, RQ, or substrate oxidation. The incremental area under the curve for hunger, satiety, and desire to eat did not differ between the treatment with cinnamon infusion and water; however, there was a reduction in the feeling of satiety (p = 0.021) compared to the control treatment. The energy consumption of the first meal after treatment was higher (p = 0.05) in the treatment with cinnamon infusion than in the control treatment. Regarding macronutrients or food intake throughout the day, there was no difference between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Although it did not affect energy metabolism, consuming a single dose of cinnamon infusion promoted less feeling of satiety and increased energy intake in the first meal after treatment. The study protocol was registered at the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry Platform (RBR-5ftg3z).

Changes in the trade in native medicinal plants in Brazilian public markets.

Plants continue to be an important source of new bioactive substances. Brazil is one of the world's mega-diverse countries, with 20 % of the world's flora. However, the accelerated destruction of botanically rich ecosystems has contributed to a gradual loss of native medicinal species. In previous study, we have observed a fast and intensive change in trade of medicinal plants in an area of Amazon, where human occupation took place. In this study, we surveyed 15 public markets in different parts of Brazil in search of samples of 40 plants used in traditional medicine and present in first edition of Brazilian Official Pharmacopoeia (FBRAS), published in 1926. Samples of plants commercialized as the same vernacular name as in Pharmacopoeia were acquired and submitted to analysis for authentication. A total of 252 plant samples were purchased, but the laboratory analyses showed that only one-half of the samples (126, 50.2 %) were confirmed as the same plant species so named in FBRAS. The high number of unauthenticated samples demonstrates a loss of knowledge of the original native species. The proximity of the market from areas in which the plant occurs does not guarantee that trade of false samples occurs. The impact of the commerce of the substitute species on their conservation and in public health is worrying. Strategies are necessary to promote the better use and conservation of this rich heritage offered by Brazilian biodiversity.

Nephroprotective Effect of Echinodorus macrophyllus Micheli on Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Leaves of Echinodorus macrophyllus (EM), from the Alismataceae family, have been used in Brazilian folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. In this work, the diuretic and nephroprotective activities of crude extracts of EM were evaluated. METHODS: Normal Wistar rats were given 0.9% NaCl containing either EM (10-300 mg/kg), furosemide (13 mg/kg) or arginine vasopressin (0.2 mg/kg). Thereafter, the rats were individually housed in metabolic cages, and urine volume was measured every 30 min for a total of 3 h. Acute kidney injury was induced by gentamicin (GM, 80 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1), b.i.d., 5 days). Along with GM, 0.9% NaCl (control) or EM (30 mg/kg) was given to the rats by gavage. RESULTS: EM produced a dose-dependent reduction in urine elimination. EM was effective in reversing all GM-induced alterations such as polyuria and glomerular filtration rate reduction. The GM-induced morphological alterations were not observed when EM was given concomitantly with GM. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that EM possesses nephroprotective effect which indicates that EM may have therapeutic applications in GM-induced acute kidney injury.

Effect of triterpene saponins from roots of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke on diuresis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke is a plant used in Brazilian folk medicine to both prevent malaria and act as a depurative. AIM OF THE STUDY: We have investigated the effects of an ethanol crude extract of roots of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus (CEAaD), a chemically characterized saponin mixture (SAPAaD), as well as a saponin-free fraction (SAPAaD-free) obtained from CEAaD on diuresis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats under ad libitum water conditions or water deprivation for 12h prior to the start of the experiment were volume-expanded with 0.9% NaCl (4% body weight, by gavage) containing either CEAaD, SAPAaD, or SAPAaD-free at the doses indicated in the text. Rats were individually housed in metabolic cages, and urine volume was measured every 30 min throughout the experiment (3 h). RESULTS: CEAaD increased urine volume in rats under conditions of both free access to water and under water deprivation. In the latter condition, CEAaD (150 mg/kg) increased the urine volume from zero to 0.9+/-0.1 ml/120 min, n=6). Similarly, the SAPAaD-free (50-200 mg/kg) mixture also increased the urine volume. In contrast, SAPAaD (12.5-1000 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction (p<0.01) in diuresis under conditions of both water deprivation and with free access to water prior to the start of the experiment. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that CEAaD contains compounds that cause both diuresis and antidiuresis and that the antidiuretic effect is due mainly to the presence of saponins.