Phenolic profile by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS of six Brazilian Eugenia species and their potential as cholinesterase inhibitors.

Eugenia genus is known for its phenolic metabolites, which may influence the progression of the Alzheimer Disease. This study aimed to evaluate the anticholinesterase effects of six Eugenia species from Brazil. Leaves and stems were submitted to maceration (methanol) and partitioned with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Samples were screened (200 µg mL-1) for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis allowed the identification of twenty-eight phenolic compounds. Regarding the enzymatic activity, EtOAc fraction of E. mattosii exhibited the best results. Chemical and pharmacological aspects of seasonal E. mattosii extracts were evaluated. The extract from leaves collected in the winter was the most effective for AChE, and the extract from leaves collected in the spring was the most effective for BuChE. Correlating the enzymatic results with the chemical data, it was possible to associate these effects to isoquercitrin, quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, procatecuic acid and myricitrin content.

Antiparasitic activity of two Brazilian plants: Eugenia mattosii and Marlierea eugeniopsoides.

Parasitoses are very common throughout the world, generating serious consequences for public health. Leishmaniosis and giardiasis are examples of fairly recurrent, but neglected diseases. Several higher plants have demonstrated promising activity against the parasites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from the leaves and stems of two Brazilian plants: Eugenia mattosii and Marlierea eugeniopsoides (Myrtaceae) against Leishmania and Giardia. XTT and the fluorimetric method were used to for this evaluation, respectively. Cytotoxicity was evaluated against HeLa cells. The results demonstrated that chloroform fractions of E. matosii and pinostrobin presented the most pronounced antiparasitic activity, with the CLF-stems being the most effective against Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis. Pinostrobin also presented activity against G. lamblia. Therefore, E. mattosii stems and pinostrobin may be considered possible targets for the continuity of studies against other parasites.

Mechanisms underlying Eugenia mattosii D. Legrand leaves extract, fractions and compounds induce relaxation of the aorta from normotensive and hypertensive rats.

The present study aimed to verify the effect of methanolic extract, fractions, and phenolic compounds of Eugenia mattosii D. Legrand leaves on the aorta relaxation. Isometric tensions were measured on the aorta of normotensive (NTR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The results showed that both methanolic extracts of leaves and stems, as well as, fractions obtained from leaves were able to induce a concentration-dependent relaxation in both endothelium-intact and -denuded aortas. The methanolic extract of leaves (ME-leaves) was the most effective since the maximal relaxation (≈ 83%) obtained was at the concentration of 300 µg/mL. As the endothelium-dependent relaxation was more significant, we investigated the mechanisms by which ME-leaves induced this effect. After the pretreatment with LNAME, ME-leaves-induced relaxation was decreased in the aorta of NTR and SHR. However, the pretreatment with methylene blue only reduced the relaxation in the aorta of NTR. Furthermore, pretreatment with ME-leaves decreased phenylephrine-induced contraction in preparation Ca2+-free only in aortic rings from NTR. This study also reveals that both compounds, cryptostrobin isolated from chloroform fraction and catechin from the ethyl acetate fraction induced a marked relaxation in endotheliumintact aortic rings of NTR. In conclusion, ME-leaves induces relaxation in the rat aorta involves the modulation of NO/cGMP dependent signaling pathway, this mechanism may at least, in part, explain the endothelium-dependent relaxation. Furthermore, cryptostrobin and catechin also induced relaxation, which may contribute synergistically to the vasorelaxation effect of the ME-leaves.

Cryptostrobin and catechin isolated from Eugenia mattosii D. Legrand leaves induce endothelium-dependent and independent relaxation in spontaneously hypertensive rat aorta.

BACKGROUND: Considering the therapeutic potential of phenolic compounds, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the relaxation induced by cryptostrobin and catechin, isolated from Eugenia mattosii D. Legrand leaves, in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: The thoracic aorta was isolated from SHR and kept in the organ bath system by recording contractile or relaxant responses. RESULTS: The addition of cumulative concentrations of cryptostrobin and catechin induced endothelium-dependent and-independent relaxation in aorta rings from SHR, as well as both compounds were effective in reducing phenylephrine-induced contraction. Pretreatment of aortic rings with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methylester (L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) or 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase), resulted in a significant change of relaxant effect induced by catechin, and a slight influence on cryptostrobin-induced relaxation. Muscarinic receptor and potassium channels are involved in catechin-induced relaxation as assessed using atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), tetraethylammonium (a non-selective K+ channel blocker) and glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker). Conversely, cryptostrobin, but not catechin, blunted the contraction induced by the addition of phenylephrine in a calcium-free solution. Besides that, cryptostrobin attenuated the contraction of rat aorta rings induced by internal Ca2+ release and external Ca2+ influx. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that cryptostrobin and catechin alter vascular smooth muscle reactivity, and this effect may be involved, at least in part, by enhancing the endothelium NO/cGMP pathway and potassium channels activation. In addition, cryptostrobin reduced the phenylephrine, KCl and CaCl2-induced contractions in a calcium-free solution.

Implicações da alimentação e nutrição e do uso de fitoterápicos na profilaxia e tratamento sintomático da enxaqueca: uma revisão / Influence of food and nutrition and the use of the herbal medicine on the prophylaxis and symptomatic treatment of migraine: a review

Migrane is a disease of high prevalence which can cause significant limitations to the welfare and social relations. The consumption of certain foods and the eating behavior are very important in the triggering or prevention of headaches associated to this disease. This study aimed toknow the role of food and nutrition and the use of herbal medicine in the treatment and prophylaxis of migraine based on a literature review. The main food items mentioned as migraine triggering agents were wine, beer or distilled drinks, chocolate, yellow cheeses, citrus fruits, sausages, fried food, tea, cola soft drinks, ice creams, aspartame and monosodium glutamate. A healthy and balanced nutrition acts in the prophylaxis by decreasing the frequency and intensity of the pain, while the consumption of refined carbohydrates and a long interval between the meals are considered as triggering factors of the headaches. Food products such asginger and nutrients such magnesium, vitamin B2 and coenzyme Q10 are pointed as effective alternatives in the prophylaxis of migraine. Tanacetum parthenium and Petasites hybridus have presented positive results in decreasing the intensity of the headaches. Some studies have evidenced the relation between the nutritional status and migraine, showing that the prevalence this disease increases not only among malnourished people but also among obese people.

La jaqueca es una enfermedad con alta prevalencia, que puede provocar significativas limitaciones en el bienestar y en las relaciones sociales. El consumo de determinados alimentos y el comportamiento alimentario ejercen gran influencia en desencadenar o prevenir las crisis de esta enfermedad. Esta pesquisa tuvo por objetivo conocer el papel de la alimentación y nutrición y del uso de medicina herbaria en el tratamiento y profilaxis de la jaqueca con base en una revisión de la literatura. Los principales desencadenantes alimentares de la jaqueca citados fueron vino, cerveza o bebidas destiladas, chocolate, quesos amarillos, frutas cítricas, embutidos, frituras, té, refrescos de cola, helados, aspartame y glutamato monosódico. Una alimentación saludable y equilibrada actúa en la profilaxis disminuyendo la frecuencia y la intensidad de las crisis, mientras que el consumo de hidratos de carbono refinados y un gran intervalo entre las comidas son factores desencadenantes de las crisis. Productos alimentares como jengibre, y nutrientes como magnesio, vitamina B2 y Coenzima Q10 son apuntados como alternativas eficaces en la profilaxis de la jaqueca. Tanacetum partheniume o Petasites hybridus han mostrado resultados positivos en la disminución y en la intensidad de las crisis. Algunos estudios evidencian la relación entre el estado nutricional y la jaqueca, demostrando que la prevalecía de esta enfermedad aumenta tanto entre las personas desnutridas cuanto entre las obesas.

A enxaqueca é uma enfermidade de alta prevalência que pode provocar significativas limitações no bem estar e nas relações sociais. O consumo de determinados alimentos e o comportamento alimentar exercem uma grande importância no desencadeamento ou na prevenção das crises desta enfermidade. Este estudo objetivou conhecer o papel da alimentação e nutrição e do uso de fitoterápicos no tratamento e profilaxia da enxaqueca com base em uma revisão da literatura. Os principais desencadeantes alimentares de enxaqueca citados foram vinho, cerveja ou bebidas destiladas, chocolate, queijos amarelos, frutas cítricas, embutidos, frituras, chá, refrigerantes a base de cola, sorvetes, aspartame e glutamato monossódico. Uma alimentação saudável e equilibrada age na profilaxia diminuindo a frequência e a intensidade da dor, enquanto o consumo de carboidratos refinados e um grande intervalo entre as refeições são responsabilizados como fatores desencadeantes das crises. Produtos alimentares como gengibre e nutrientes como magnésio, vitamina B2 e Coenzima Q10 são apontados como alternativas eficazes na profilaxia da enxaqueca. Tanacetum partheniume o Petasites hybridus têm apresentado resultados positivos na diminuição e na intensidade das crises. Alguns estudos evidenciam a relação entre estado nutricional e enxaqueca, demonstrando que a prevalência desta enfermidade aumenta tanto entre as pessoas desnutridas quanto entre as obesas.

Nutrição e Odontologia: a prática interdisciplinar em um projeto de extensão / Nutrition and Dentistry: the interdisciplinar experience of an extension project

Introdução e objetivos: Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o estado nutricional e de higiene oral de escolares pertencentes ao Programa AABB Comunidade e verificar a eficácia da aplicação da educação em saúde na modulação dos estados nutricional e de saúde oral. Material e métodos: Foram realizados levantamentos antropométricos e de higiene oral, além de atividades de educação nutricional e de saúde oral com 98 (Nutrição) e 55 (Odontologia) escolares de 8 a 15 anos. Resultados e conclusão: Essas atividades, bem como o reforço da alimentação por intermédio das refeições servidas na instituição, influenciaram o estado nutricional e de saúde oral dos escolares. A fase escolar é um excelente momento para a formação de hábitos alimentares saudáveis e de higiene oral que respeitem as características de cada pessoa. Os registros obtidos podem ter aplicação direta na avaliação e na reorientação do programa e também individualmente no modelo liberal das áreas profissionais envolvidas.

Introduction and objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and oral health status of students from the AABB Community Program and to determine the effectiveness of professional orientation on modulating nutritional and oral health conditions. Material and methods: Anthropometric and oral health surveys were used, as well as nutritional and oral health educational sessions with 98 (NutritionCourse) and 55 (Dentistry Course) students between 8 and 15 years old. Results and conclusion: These activities, as well as the nutritional reinforcement, by providing balanced meals offered by the institution, favorably influenced students´ general health condition. This educational stage seems to be an adequate moment to establish healthy nutritional and oral health habits that respect each person characteristics. These data can be applied in the evaluation and development of this particular program, just as individually in the self-employed model from these two involved professional s: Nutrition and Dentistry.