ABSTRACT
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously generated in the normal biological systems, primarily by enzymes as xanthine oxidase (XO). The inappropriate scavenging or inhibition of ROS has been considered to be linked with aging, inflammatory disorders, and chronic diseases. Therefore, many plants and their products have been investigated as natural antioxidants for their potential use in preventive medicine. The leaves and bark extracts of Curatella americana Linn. were described in scientific research as anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, anti-ulcerogenic, and hypolipidemic effects. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of leaf hydroalcoholic extract from C. americana (HECA) through the scavenging DPPH assay and their main chemical constituents, evaluated by the following quantum chemical approaches (DFT B3LYP/6-31G**): Maps of Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP), Frontier Orbital's (HOMO and LUMO) followed by multivariate analysis and molecular docking simulations with the xanthine oxidase enzyme. The hydroalcoholic extract showed significant antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging probably due to the great presence of flavonoids, which were grouped in the PCA and HCA analysis with the standard gallic acid. In the molecular docking study, the compounds studied presented the binding free energy (ΔG) values close each other, due to the similar interactions with amino acids residues at the activity site. The descriptors Gap and softness were important to characterize the molecules with antioxidant potential by capturing oxygen radicals.
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Medicinal plants encompass a rich source of active compounds that can neutralize snake venoms or toxins. Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. (Costaceae) is used by the Amazonian population to treat inflammation, pain and other pathological manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of C. spicatus aqueous extract on edema, peritonitis, nociception, coagulation, haemorrhage and indirect haemolytic activity induced by Bothrops atrox venom (BAV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried and pulverized leaves were extracted with distilled water. Envenoming was induced by administration of B. atrox snake venom in Swiss Webster mice. The experimental groups consisted of BAV (at the minimum dose to induce measurable biological responses) and C. spicatus extract (CSE, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 µl phosphate-buffered saline) administered individually and in combination (BAVCSE). PBS was used as a control. In vitro assays were also conducted in order to evaluate phospholipase A2 coagulant activities (indirect haemolytic method). RESULTS: CSE significantly reduced the venom-induced edema and nociception at all concentrations tested and inhibited migration of inflammatory cells at the three least concentrations (5.0, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/25 µl PBS). CSE was not effective in inhibiting coagulant, haemorrhagic and indirect haemolytic activities of the venom. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The data suggest that CSE could exhibit a central mechanism for pain inhibition, and may also inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. These findings corroborate the traditional administration of C. spicatus decoction to treat inflammatory disorders, including those caused by B. atrox envenomation.
Subject(s)
Antidotes/pharmacology , Bothrops , Costus , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Snake Bites/drug therapy , Viper Venoms , Analgesics/isolation & purification , Analgesics/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antidotes/isolation & purification , Blood Coagulation/drug effects , Costus/chemistry , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Edema/drug therapy , Hemolysis/drug effects , Hemorrhage/blood , Hemorrhage/drug therapy , Male , Nociception/drug effects , Nociceptive Pain/drug therapy , Nociceptive Pain/physiopathology , Peritonitis/drug therapy , Phospholipases A2/metabolism , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Leaves , Plants, Medicinal , Snake Bites/blood , Snake Bites/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Introdução: As informações disponíveis a respeito do HIV/Aids, no Brasil, revelam uma epidemia com diferenças regionais relevantes e maneiras diversas de afetar a população,determinando a necessidade de se considerarem as dimensões de gênero, classe social, etnia e geração. Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico da Aids no estado do Amapá, no período de janeiro de 1988 a dezembro de 2008. Métodos: Os dados foram obtidos a partir do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), em colaboração com a Coordenação Estadual de DST/ Aids do Amapá. Resultados e Discussão: Dentre os 590 casos de Aids iagnosticados, no estado do Amapá, 65,8% foram de indivíduos do sexo masculino e 34,2% foram do sexo feminino. Entre os homens, a faixa etária de 30 a 39 anos (39,9%) foi a mais acometida, e, entre as mulheres, foi a de 20 a 29 anos (42,6%). O maior número de casos de Aids ocorreu em2006 (22,9%) e os menores índices foram no ano de 1999 (8,8%). A distribuição dos casos de doença pelo HIV, segundo a etnia dos indivíduos, não apresentou tendência significante. A distribuição dos casos de Aids foi maior entre os indivíduos com 4 a 7anos de escolaridade (42,5%) e a maior prevalência foi verificada no Oiapoque (0,17%), município que faz fronteira com a Guiana Francesa.
Introdution: The information available about HIV/AIDS in Brazilreveals an epidemic with relevant regional differences and differentways to affect the population, determining the need to consider gender,social class, ethnic and generation. Objective: To characterize theepidemiological profile of AIDS in the state of Amapá, from January1988 to December 2008. Methods: Data were obtained from theInformation System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), in collaborationwith the State Coordination of STD and AIDS in Amapá. Results andDiscussion: Among the 590 AIDS cases diagnosed in the State ofAmapá, 65.8% were males and 34.2% were female. Among men, themost affected age group was 30 to 39 years (39.9%), and amongwomen 20 to 29 years (42.6%). The largest number of AIDS casesoccurred in 2006 (22.9%) and the lowest were in 1999 (8.8%). Thedistribution of cases of HIV disease, according to the ethnic group,showed no significant trend. The distribution of AIDS cases wasgreater among individuals with 4-7 years of schooling (42.5%) andhighest prevalence was found in Oiapoque (0.17%), a municipalitythat borders on French Guiana.
