ABSTRACT
Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. could be of interest in the control of symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but clinical evidence of its efficacy is lacking. This clinical trial assessed the effects of an extract of B. monnieri on parameters that are related to Parkinson's diseases. Twenty volunteers with Parkinson's disease were recruited for a primary, interventional, controlled, parallel, double-blind clinical study. The volunteers were assigned to treatment with either a commercial B. monnieri extract (225 or 450 mg/day) or placebo. The Parkinson's Disease Quality-of-Life (PDQL) questionnaire was applied, and motor activity was assessed before treatment and 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment with the B. monnieri extract or placebo. Characteristics such as age, body weight, and height were also collected. No differences in parkinsonian and systemic symptoms, emotional function, or social function were observed between. The delta percent (Δ%) showed time-dependent improvements in emotional function with B. monnieri treatment at the daily dose of 450 mg. A strong correlation was found between quality of life and motor outcomes at baseline and 30 days of treatment with B. monnieri, and a moderate correlation for 60 and 90 days of treatment with B. monnieri when compared with baseline time. A moderate correlation was found between motor outcomes and Hoehn and Yahr stages at baseline. Our results suggest that B. monnieri extract can improve emotional function in Parkinson's disease patients, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm this possibility.
Subject(s)
Bacopa , Parkinson Disease , Humans , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Pilot Projects , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Bacopa monnieri(L.) Wettst. (Plantaginaceae), also known as Brahmi, has been used to improve cognitive processes and intellectual functions that are related to the preservation of memory. The objective of this research is to review the ethnobotanical applications, phytochemical composition, toxicity and activity of B. monnieri in the central nervous system. It reviewed articles on B. monnieri using Google Scholar, SciELO, Science Direct, Lilacs, Medline, and PubMed. Saponins are the main compounds in extracts of B. monnieri. Pharmacological studies showed that B. monnieri improves learning and memory and presents biological effects against Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. No preclinical acute toxicity was reported. However, gastrointestinal side effects were reported in some healthy elderly individuals. Most studies with B. monnieri have been preclinical evaluations of cellular mechanisms in the central nervous system and further translational clinical research needs to be performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the plant.
Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Plantaginaceae), también conocida como Brahmi, se ha utilizado para mejorar los procesos cognitivos y las funciones intelectuales que están relacionadas con la preservación de la memoria. El objetivo de esta investigación es revisar las aplicaciones etnobotánicas, composición fitoquímica, toxicidad y actividad de B. monnieri en el sistema nervioso central. Se revisaron artículos sobre B. monnieri utilizando Google Scholar, SciELO, Science Direct, Lilacs, Medline y PubMed. Las saponinas son los principales compuestos de los extractos de B. monnieri. Los estudios farmacológicos mostraron que B. monnieri mejora el aprendizaje y la memoria y presenta efectos biológicos contra la enfermedad de Alzheimer, la enfermedad de Parkinson, la epilepsia y la esquizofrenia. No se informó toxicidad aguda preclínica. Sin embargo, se informaron efectos secundarios gastrointestinales en algunos ancianos sanos. La mayoría de los estudios con B. monnieri han sido evaluaciones preclínicas de los mecanismos celulares en el sistema nervioso central y es necesario realizar más investigaciones clínicas traslacionales para evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de la planta.
Subject(s)
Humans , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Central Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy , Bacopa/chemistry , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Saponins/analysis , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Triterpenes/analysis , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Central Nervous System/drug effects , Cognition/drug effects , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , PhytochemicalsABSTRACT
Além da terapia medicamentosa, muitos pacientes utilizam plantas medicinais para o tratamento da hipertensão e do diabetes, muitas vezes sem o conhecimento sobre a eficácia e a segurança delas. Esta pesquisa investigou a prevalência dessa prática por diabéticos e hipertensos e analisou sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas. Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico, descritivo e transversal com 300 pacientes atendidos pela Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) Ouro Branco, em Umuarama-PR, que responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e sobre o uso de plantas medicinais. A maioria dos participantes eram mulheres, com baixa escolarização e renda mensal. Em relação ao uso dessas plantas, foram citadas 27 espécies, mas apenas 7,7% dos respondentes as utilizavam de maneira preconizada. Concluiu-se que pacientes hipertensos e diabéticos recorrem a plantas medicinais sem o conhecimento da forma correta de preparo e da potencialidade dessas espécies em causar efeitos adversos.
In addition to drug treatment, many patients use medicinal plants to treat hypertension and diabetes, often without knowledge of efficacy and safety. Thus, this research investigated the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants by diabetic and hypertensive patients and analyzed its association with sociodemographic variables. An epidemiological, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out with 300 hypertensive and diabetic patients attended by the Ouro Branco health unit, in Umuarama-PR, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and on the use of medicinal plants. Most patients were women, with low education and family income. Regarding the use of medicinal plants, 27 species were mentioned, but only 7.7% patients used them in a recommended manner. Hypertensive and diabetic patients make use of medicinal plants without knowledge of the correct preparation and the potential of these species to cause adverse effects.
ABSTRACT
A Ginástica Laboral vem sendo utilizada como um método de prevenção e tratamento dos D.O.R.T. (Distúrbios Osteomusculares Relacionados ao Trabalho). É uma atividade física realizada no ambiente de trabalho, de curta duração. Suas atividades são fundamentadas basicamente nos exercícios de alongamento, relaxamento e consciência corporal, compensando as estruturas solicitadas durante o trabalho, contribuindo para a melhora da qualidade de vida do trabalhador e conseqüentemente aumento da produtividade no trabalho. O presente estudo tem como objetivo verificar os benefícios da ginástica laboral para prevenção dos D.O.R.T. em funcionários da Universidade Paranaense - UNIPAR. O estudo foi composto por uma amostra de 40 funcionárias dos serviços gerais, todas do sexo feminino, comidade entre 30 e 45 anos, avaliadas antes e após o programa de Ginástica Laboral por meio de questionários. Os resultados obtidos foram satisfatórios, evidenciados pela melhora em todos os aspectos avaliados: condições sintomatológicas (dor) e o nível de satisfação. Diante disto, conclui-se que a ginástica laboral proporciona uma melhora na qualidade da realização do trabalho, no bem estar físico e mental do trabalhador, aumentando sua performance, motivação e produtividade.
Labor gymnastics has been used as a preventive and treatment method for the WRMD (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder). It is a short-term physical exercise performed at the work site. Its activities are basically based on stretching, relaxing, andbody-awareness exercises what compensates the structures necessary for working, thus contributing for the improvement of the employees quality of life, and, consequently, increasing its productivity at work. This article verifi es the benefits of labor gymnastics for the preventionof WRMD in Universidade Paranaense UNIPAR employees. The study consisted of 40 service female workers 30-45 yr surveyed by questionnaire prior to and after the Labor Gymnastics program. The results were satisfactory and evidenced by an improvement concerningall the aspects assessed: symptomalogic conditions (pain) and satisfaction level. It was concluded that labor gymnastic results in an improvement of the quality of working and the employees physical/mental well-being by improving is performance, motivation, and productivity.
