Prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Belo Horizonte, Southeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are still scarce. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence rate of NMOSD in Belo Horizonte, southeast Brazil, where the prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) has already been established. METHODS: For this observational study, eligible patients had to meet the 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis, be seen at the study center between January 2000 and February 2019 and live in Belo Horizonte. The prevalence rate of NMOSD was estimated based on the number of MS and NMOSD patients seen at same Center during the same period, and the previously established prevalence of MS in Belo Horizonte. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 69 patients with NMOSD, 60 (87.0%) of whom were females, and 44 (63.8%) non-whites. The median age at disease onset was 36.7 (4-72) years, the mean EDSS score 4.78±2.36, and the mean ARR 0.57±0.43. Anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin testing was available for 61 (88.4%) patients, of whom 41 (67.2%) had a positive result. During the same period, 280 MS patients were seen. Considering the local known prevalence rate of MS of 18.1/100,000 inhabitants, the estimated NMOSD prevalence rate in Belo Horizonte was 4.52/100,000 (95% CI 3.72-5.43) inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of NMOSD in Belo Horizonte is high as compared with those found in most of the studies reported to date.

Variação sazonal nos teores de flavonoides, taninos e atividade antioxidante de Davilla rugosa Poir / Seasonal variation in the flavonoid and tannin contents and antioxidant activity of Davilla rugosa Poir

Davilla rugosa Poir. (Dilleniaceae) é uma trepadeira, conhecida como folha de lixa e cipó-cabloco, com distribuição geográfica ampla no Brasil. É utilizada como analgésica, vasoconstritora, antiúlcera, útil no tratamento das hemorroidas e varizes. O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar a influência da variação sazonal sobre alguns parâmetros das folhas de D. rugosa, como os teores de flavonoides e taninos. Os teores de flavonoides e taninos, determinados nas 4 estações do ano, foram avaliados segundo a Farmacopeia Brasileira e foram mais elevados no verão (0,71%; 16,73%) seguido do outono (0,58%; 16,39%). Considerando que substâncias fenólicas são, provavelmente, os responsáveis pela atividade anti-inflamatória e antiulcerogênica, podemos inferir que a melhor época de coleta, que conduza a uma matéria-prima com concentrações desejáveis de princípios ativos, é, preferencialmente, no verão seguida do outono. A atividade antioxidante do extrato de acetato de etila, desengordurado com hexano, submetido ao teste do DPPH, apresentou uma CE50 de 24,73 ±2,95 μg/mL e no ensaio do fosfomobdênio de 1,85 ±0,57 mmol de ácido ascórbico/mg de extrato seco. A atividade antioxidante encontrada nos extratos reforça os efeitos anti-inflamatórios e antiúlcera gástrica atribuídos para a espécie.

Davilla rugosa Poir. (Dilleniaceae) is a woody vine, popularly known as “folha de lixa e cipó-caboclo”, native to forest edges widely distributed across Brazil. It is used as an analgesic, vasoconstrictor and anti-ulcer agent and is useful in the treatment of hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of seasonal changes on some parameters of its leaves, such as the contents of flavonoids and tannins and antioxidant activity. The contents of flavonoids and tannins were determined in each of the four seasons, as recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopeia, and found to be highest in summer (0.71%; 16.73%), followed by autumn (0.58%; 16.39%). Considering that phenolic substances are probably responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities, we can infer that the best time for collection, to obtain a raw material with good concentrations of these metabolites, is in summer and autumn. The antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate extract, subjected to the DPPH test after defatting with hexane, showed an EC50 of 24.73 +2.95 μg/mL and the equivalent of 1.85 +0.57 mmol ascorbic acid/mg dry extract in the phosphomolybdenum assay. The antioxidant activity determined for this extract enhances the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities attributed to the species.