Chemical composition and effects of ethanolic extract and gel of Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg. Leaves on inflammation, pain, and wounds.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cochlospermum regium is well-known as "Algodãozinho do cerrado" in folk Brazilian medicine, and is used to fight infections, inflammation and skin disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify the phytochemical constituents and the effects of the ethanolic extract of C. regium leaves (EECR) on inflammation and pain, and the effects of C. regium gel (GEECR) on wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were treated with EECR (30-300 mg/kg) or GEECR (1.25 and 2.5%) and studies were conducted using carrageenan-induced pleurisy and paw edema tests, formalin-induced pain model, and excision wound model. RESULTS: In total, 25 compounds, including quercitrin, methyl gallate, and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylhexose, with highest detectability were identified. The treatments reduced leukocyte migration, nitric oxide production, protein extravasation, edema, mechanical hyperalgesia, pain in both phases (neurogenic and inflammatory), cold hypersensitivity, and improved wound closure and tissue regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings established the anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and wound healing potential of the leaves of C. regium, confirming the potential therapeutic effect of this plant.

Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) pilger leaf extract inhibit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cochlospermum regium, known as "algodãozinho", is an important plant belonging to Brazilian biodiversity used in traditional medicine to treat infections, wounds and skin conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from C. regium leaves on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus planktonic cells and biofilm formation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The phytochemical characterization of the extracts was carried out by quantification of flavonoids, phenols and tannins and HPLC-DAD. Minimum inhibitory concentrations, cell viability, and enzyme activity inhibition were determined in planktonic cells exposed to C. regium extracts. The effect of the extracts on biofilms was assessed by quantifying colony-forming units (CFUs) and the extracellular matrix, and by visualizing the biofilm structure using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Leaf extract contents showed high concentration of phenols and the gallic and ellagic acids were identified. The extracts showed potent antimicrobial activities at concentrations ranging from 62.5-250 µg/mL, and decreased coagulase activity. In addition, the extracts prevented biofilm formation, and the aqueous extract completely inhibited its formation. CONCLUSIONS: C. regium extracts stand out as promising alternative treatments for the prevention and treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

In vitro antifungal activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão against human vaginal Candida species.

Myracrodruon urundeuva is a plant native to Brazil, which is used by the indigenous population for the treatment of candidiasis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antifungal activity of extract against human vaginal Candida species and evaluate the possible toxicological activities of M. urundeuva. Initially, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and hydroalcoholic fractions of the bark and leaf of M. urundeuva were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts that showed antifungal activity were characterized by liquid chromatography and subjected to toxicity assessment. Toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic testing were performed using Allium cepa and Ames assays with the ethanol extracts of the bark and leaves. Hemolytic activity was evaluated in erythrocytes and acute toxicity in rats. The ethanol bark extracts showed best activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis ATCC (4-512 µg/mL). Chemical characterization indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Hemolytic activity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity were not observed. The results of the Ames and A. cepa tests were also in agreement, ethanol bark extracts and ethanol leaf extracts of M. urundeuva showed absence of mutagenic activity. Similar results were observed in the A. cepa assay and acute toxicity test in rats. M. urundeuva bark extracts showed potential for the treatment of vaginal infections caused Candida species, as a topical.

In vitro antifungal activity of Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão against human vaginal Candida species

ABSTRACT Myracrodruon urundeuva is a plant native to Brazil, which is used by the indigenous population for the treatment of candidiasis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antifungal activity of extract against human vaginal Candida species and evaluate the possible toxicological activities of M. urundeuva. Initially, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fractions, and hydroalcoholic fractions of the bark and leaf of M. urundeuva were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts that showed antifungal activity were characterized by liquid chromatography and subjected to toxicity assessment. Toxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic testing were performed using Allium cepa and Ames assays with the ethanol extracts of the bark and leaves. Hemolytic activity was evaluated in erythrocytes and acute toxicity in rats. The ethanol bark extracts showed best activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis ATCC (4-512 µg/mL). Chemical characterization indicated the presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Hemolytic activity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity were not observed. The results of the Ames and A. cepa tests were also in agreement, ethanol bark extracts and ethanol leaf extracts of M. urundeuva showed absence of mutagenic activity. Similar results were observed in the A. cepa assay and acute toxicity test in rats. M. urundeuva bark extracts showed potential for the treatment of vaginal infections caused Candida species, as a topical.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of hydroethanolic extract from Jacaranda decurrens leaves.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Leaves of Jacaranda decurrens are used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat metabolic diseases related to increased reactive oxygen species. The present study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of hydroethanolic extract from the leaves of Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and saponins were evaluated in an ethanol:water (80:20, v/v) extract from the leaves of Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata (E-Jds). The antioxidant activity of E-Jds was investigated by assessing the following: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity; protection against 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes; in vitro and in vivo malondialdehyde dosage; and the ability to activate antioxidant enzymes. K562 leukemia cells were used for the cytotoxic evaluation of E-Jds and for the assessment of the cell death profile through flow cytometry. KEY RESULTS: Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were quantified as 14.38% and 2.15%, respectively, of E-Jds. These phenolic and flavonoid compounds proved to be able to scavenge DPPH free radicals with an IC50 of 9.3 ± 3.3 µg/mL, to protect up to 50% of erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis and to reduce in vitro and in vivo malondialdehyde levels up to 84% and 22%, respectively. E-Jds also increased glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity, with a concomitant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic activity on K562 erythroleukemia cells with cell death occurring via both late apoptosis and necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: E-Jds exhibits in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential, which may be the mechanism mediating the metabolic activities reported in folk medicine. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity identified in this study contributes with the knowledge of antiproliferative activities that have been described in the literature for the genus Jacaranda.

Medicinal plants used by Ponta Porã community, Mato Grosso do Sul State / Levantamento etnobotânico em Ponta Porá, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul

The academic interest regarding the knowledge that people in general have about plants and their uses has increased significantly. Therefore, aiming to understand it better, this present work studied parts of the plant used by residents from Jardim Aeroporto, in Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul State, to prepare and use these medicinal plants. This city shares borders with Pedro Juan Caballero (Paraguay), a place where many people use these herbs. The residents use different kinds of plants which are planted around their houses. The leaf was the most used part to prepare the medicines. The plants used by this community belong to 17 families, 28 genera and 30 species, and the women from 30-40 age group with junior high school degree who know the plants, their usage and the preparation of the medicines. These women are responsible to cultivate the plants in the backyards and around their houses. The botanical families which presented higher number of species were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Leguminosae. Baccharis trimera (Less). DC., Mentha piperita L. and Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. were the most used plants by the interviewees, which were prepared in form of tea or plasters.

O interesse acadêmico a respeito do conhecimento que as populações detêm sobre plantas e seus usos têm crescido. Visando conhecer melhor esse conhecimento, o presente trabalho objetivou: levantar o perfil dos usuários de plantas medicinais, caracterizar o conhecimento acercado uso de plantas medicinais, detectar as partes da planta mais empregadas no preparo e aplicação medicinal pela comunidade de moradores do Bairro Jardim Aeroporto em Ponta Porã, Estadodo Mato Grosso do Sul. Foram entrevistados 200 moradores, no período de julho a outubro de 2006. As entrevistas foram feitas pelo método da ?listagem livre?. A cidade faz divisa com Pedro Juan Caballero (Paraguai), onde muitas pessoas recebem as espécies medicinais. Os moradores fazem uso de grupo diversificado de plantas, presentes ao redor de suas casas. A parte vegetal mais citada como utilizada na preparação dos remédios foi a folha. As plantas utilizadas pela populaçãopertencem a 17 famílias, 28 gêneros e 30 espécies, e o conhecimento das plantas, uso e preparo é pertencente às mulheres, na faixa etária dos 30 a 40 anos, em sua maioria com grau de escolaridade do Ensino Fundamental. As mulheres são responsáveis pelo cultivo das plantas, emseus quintais ou ao redor de suas residências. As famílias botânicas que apresentaram maior número de espécies foram, respectivamente, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae e Leguminosae. Baccharis trimera (Less). DC (carqueja), Mentha piperita L. (hortelã) e Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (babosa) foram as plantas mais utilizadas pelos entrevistados, sendo preparadas na forma de chás ou emplastro.

Medicinal plants used by Ponta Porã community, Mato Grosso do Sul State - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i3.3206 / Medicinal plants used by Ponta Porã community, Mato Grosso do Sul State - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i3.3206

The academic interest regarding the knowledge that people in general have about plants and their uses has increased significantly. Therefore, aiming to understand it better, this present work studied parts of the plant used by residents from Jardim Aeroporto, in Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul State, to prepare and use these medicinal plants. This city shares borders with Pedro Juan Caballero (Paraguay), a place where many people use these herbs. The residents use different kinds of plants which are planted around their houses. The leaf was the most used part to prepare the medicines. The plants used by this community belong to 17 families, 28 genera and 30 species, and the women from 30-40 age group with junior high school degree who know the plants, their usage and the preparation of the medicines. These women are responsible to cultivate the plants in the backyards and around their houses. The botanical families which presented higher number of species were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Leguminosae. Baccharis trimera (Less). DC., Mentha piperita L. and Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. were the most used plants by the interviewees, which were prepared in form of tea or plasters.

The academic interest regarding the knowledge that people in general have about plants and their uses has increased significantly. Therefore, aiming to understand it better, this present work studied parts of the plant used by residents from Jardim Aeroporto, in Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul State, to prepare and use these medicinal plants. This city shares borders with Pedro Juan Caballero (Paraguay), a place where many people use these herbs. The residents use different kinds of plants which are planted around their houses. The leaf was the most used part to prepare the medicines. The plants used by this community belong to 17 families, 28 genera and 30 species, and the women from 30-40 age group with junior high school degree who know the plants, their usage and the preparation of the medicines. These women are responsible to cultivate the plants in the backyards and around their houses. The botanical families which presented higher number of species were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Leguminosae. Baccharis trimera (Less). DC., Mentha piperita L. and Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. were the most used plants by the interviewees, which were prepared in form of tea or plasters.