Screening of Bioactivities and Toxicity of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl.

The caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, is one of the most endangered vegetation systems in the planet. To be exploited rationally, its potential needs to be scientifically demonstrated. Among these is the faveleira, used in northeastern Brazil. It stands out for its extraordinary drought resistance and medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic potential of compounds extracted from Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl in preventing disease and its rational use as a herbal therapeutic tool. The methodology began with the collection and herborization of the plant material, to obtain the chemical compounds, preliminary phytochemical analysis, and extraction of the constituents of the active extracts. To determine the biological activities the authors conducted investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, inhibition capacity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, and initial assessment of toxicity of the extracts. The results demonstrated great potential as an antimicrobial agent, an important antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition response with no significant difference compared with the reference drug. The authors expect to develop a new herbal product, resulting in lower production costs and that, consequently, could be commercialized in more accessible form to the population, highlighting the risk reduction of contraindication of this category of medications.

Avaliação dos benefícios da ginástica localizada sobre a postura e a flexibilidade de mulheres na terceira idade / Evaluation of the benefits of gymnastic in the posture and flexibility of old women

Desvios posturais e redução na flexibilidade são alterações observadas com o avançar da idade, podendo desencadear dor e dificuldades de movimentação. Este estudo buscou avaliar a influência de um programa de ginástica, de dois meses de duração, sobre a postura e flexibilidade de idosas institucionalizadas (n = 10, 60-75 anos). A postura foi avaliada através do uso de simetrógrafo, fotografias e do teste de equilíbrio sagital pélvico, e a flexibilidade através do teste de sentar e alcançar. Cinco participantes modificaram a postura. Verificamos ainda redução da retroversão pélvica e aumento significativo (p < 0,001) de flexibilidade. Concluímos que um programa de ginástica é capaz de melhorar as alterações posturais de idosas, assim como resgatar a flexibilidade.

Ageing is associated with postural alterations and a decrease in flexibility, which results in pain and functional impairment among elders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program, conducted during two months, in the posture and flexibility of old women (n = 10, age = 60-75). The posture was evaluated by symetrographic techniques, digital photography and the sagital pelvic balance test, and the flexibility through the sit-and-reach test. Five participants showed alterations in their postures. We verify the reduction of the pelvic retroversion and a significant increase (p < 0.001) in flexibility. We conclude that a gymnastics program is capable of correct some postural alterations of old women due to flexibility improvements.

Análise da efetividade de um programa de hidroginástica sobre o equilíbrio, o risco de quedas e o IMC de mulheres idosas / Analysis of the effectiveness of a water exercise program on balance, risk of falls and BMI in elderly women

A pesquisa teve o propósito de investigar os efeitos da hidroginástica sobre o equilíbrio corporal, o risco de quedas e o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) em mulheres idosas. A amostra foi composta por 40 mulheres (60 a 80 anos), sendo 20 sedentárias e 20 praticantes regulares de hidroginástica no Serviço Social do Comércio, em Fortaleza, há mais de 6 meses. O equilíbrio foi avaliado através do Teste da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). Os escores obtidos na EEB foram aplicados em uma equação para cálculo do risco de quedas. O IMC foi utilizado para avaliar a normalidade do peso corporal e como um indicador de excesso de peso. A média dos escores obtidos no teste da EEB no grupo ativo (55,15 ± 0,20) foi significativamente maior (p<0,001) que a obtida no grupo sedentário (49,35 ± 0,91). A média do risco de quedas obtida no grupo sedentário (38,77 ± 5,47%) foi significativamente maior (p<0,01) do que a encontrada no grupo ativo (20,55 ± 2,76%). Dentre as mulheres do grupo sedentário, 30% apresentaram IMC normal, 40% sobrepeso grau I, 25% sobrepeso grau II e 5% sobrepeso grau III, enquanto no grupo ativo, 45% apresentaram IMC normal, 50% sobrepeso grau I e 5% sobrepeso grau II. Verificamos que a hidroginástica possivelmente melhora o equilíbrio, reduzindo o risco de quedas de mulheres idosas, além de ajudar no controle da obesidade.

The research had the purpose of investigating the effects of hydro gymnastics on the body balance, the risk of falls and the body mass index (BMI) in elderly women. The sample comprised 40 women (60 to 80 years), being 20 sedentary and 20 regular practitioners of hydro gymnastics in the Social Service of Trade, in Fortaleza, over 6 months. The balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBE). The scores obtained in the BBE were applied to an equation for calculating the risk of falls. BMI was used to assess the normality of body weight and as an indicator of overweight. The mean scores obtained in the BBE in the active group (55.15 ± 0.20) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than that obtained in the sedentary group (49.35 ± 0.91). The average risk of falls from the sedentary group (38.77 ± 5.47%) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than that found in the active group (20.55 ± 2.76%). Among women of the sedentary group, 30% had normal BMI, 40% overweight grade I, 25% overweight grade II and 5% overweight grade III, while in the active group, 45% had normal BMI, 50% overweight grade I and 5% overweight grade II. We find that the hydro gymnastics may improve the balance by reducing the risk of falls in elderly women, besides to help of obesity control.