Antimicrobial Activity of Psidium guajava Aqueous Extract against Sensitive and Resistant Bacterial Strains.

The inappropriate use of antimicrobials, along with environmental conditions, can lead to the emergence of resistant microorganisms. The use of phytopharmaceuticals and herbal medicines has a positive impact and represents a promising alternative. Psidium guajava extracts have been widely reported to have antimicrobial potential; however, studies reporting their activity against resistant bacterial strains are scarce. Because of the emerging resistance, the aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial capacity of the aqueous extract of guava leaves against wild-type and resistant bacterial strains. The aqueous extract obtained from the leaves of P. guajava was evaluated by HPLC for the content of total phenolics and tannins, antioxidant activity, and chemical composition. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was analyzed by the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The results of the chemical analysis of the extracts showed total phenolics content of 17.02 ± 6.87 mg/g of dry extract, total tannin content of 14.09 ± 1.20 mg of tannic acid equivalents/g of dry extract, and moderate antioxidant capacity with an EC50 value of 140 µg/mL. Flavonoids are the major compounds (rutin, hesperidin, and quercetin), followed by phenolic acids. Disk diffusion test results showed the presence of inhibition halos for Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, sensitive and resistant; Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, sensitive and resistant; and Streptococcus spp., beta-hemolytic), while for Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, sensitive and resistant), there was no inhibition in the tested concentration range. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration was 6.8 mg/mL for all Gram-positive strains evaluated. The present study demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of P. guajava against sensitive and resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The better antimicrobial activity found in the present study compared with previously reported activity should be highlighted and may be related to the higher concentration of total phenolics present in the tested extract. Moreover, the content of tannins found suggests a species with high quality that produces tannins. These new findings suggest an innovative profile regarding therapeutic resources that can be adopted to combat resistant microbial strains.

Formulation of water-soluble Buddleja globosa Hope extracts and characterization of their antimicrobial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Buddleja globosa Hope (BG) extracts are traditionally used to treat skin and gastric ulcers due to their healing properties. Non-aqueous solvents such as ethanol and DMSO are usually used to extract naturally occurring compounds. However, the cytotoxicity of these solvents and the low water solubility of the extracted compounds can hinder their biomedical applications. To overcome the limited solubility of the BG extracts, we aimed to enhance the solubility by processing a standardized hydroalcoholic extract (BG-126) through spray drying (SD), with and without two solubility enhancers. Spray-dried BG (BG-SD) extracts and spray-dried BG extracts plus polyvinylpyrrolidone (BG-SD PVP) and Soluplus® (BG-SD SP) were developed starting from BG-126 (containing 53% ethanol). These four formulations were characterized by total phenolic content, water solubility at 25°C and 37°C, and antimicrobial properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the SD formulations presented a solubility that allowed them to reach maximum concentrations of 1,024 µg/ml catechin for BG-SD and 2,048 µg/ml catechin for BG-SD PVP and BG-SD SP for antimicrobial testing. BG-SD showed the highest antimicrobial potency with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 512 µg/ml catechin, followed by BG-126 with a MIC of 1,024 µg/ml catechin and SP. BG-126 was also shown to inhibit biofilm formation, as well as the excipients PVP and SP. The spray-dried BG (BG-SD) extract represents a promising natural active component with enhanced antimicrobial properties against P. aeruginosa for further research and the development of novel phytopharmaceuticals.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Essential Oils Against Endometritis-Causing Microorganisms in Mares.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EO) from Ocimum basilicum (basil), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) on endometritis-causing microorganisms in mares. Serial concentrations of the EO from 30.00 mg/mL to 0.47 mg/mL were tested. The major compounds of O. basilicum EO were linalyl acetate (33.32 wt.%) and citronellal (25.06 wt.%); of R. officinalis EO were borneol (26.48 wt.%), trans-ß-ocimene (16.76 wt.%), camphene (12.45 wt.%), and α-phellandrene (11.08 wt.%); and of C. citratus EO were geranial (45.96 wt.%) and neral (32.62 wt.%). Regarding antimicrobial activity, C. citratus EO has had the highest inhibition percentage (73.9%), followed by O. basilicum (67.2%) and R. officinalis (58.7%). P. aeruginosa was the only pathogen unable to establish the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for the studied EO. The EOs were effective against all other microorganisms (S. equi, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and C. Albicans). In conclusion, the EOs of O. basilicum, R. officinalis, and C. citratus have presented in vitro antimicrobial activity against microorganisms causing endometritis in mares.

Current Antivirals and Novel Botanical Molecules Interfering With Herpes Simplex Virus Infection.

Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are highly prevalent within the human population and are characterized by lifelong infections and sporadic recurrences due to latent neuron infection. Upon reactivations, HSVs may manifest either, symptomatically or asymptomatically and be shed onto others through mucosae body fluids. Although, HSVs can produce severe disease in humans, such as life-threatening encephalitis and blindness, the most common symptoms are skin and mucosal lesions in the oro-facial and the genital areas. Nucleoside analogs with antiviral activity can prevent severe HSV infection, yet they are not very effective for treating skin manifestations produced by these viruses, as they only reduce in a few days at most the duration of lesions. Additionally, HSV variants that are resistant to these antivirals may arise, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. Thus, new antivirals that can reduce the severity and duration of these cutaneous manifestations would certainly be welcome. Here, we review currently available anti-herpetic therapies, novel molecules being assessed in clinical trials and new botanical compounds reported in the last 20 years with antiviral activities against HSVs that might represent future treatments against these viruses.

A Review on Influence of Spray Drying Process Parameters on the Production of Medicinal Plant Powders.

Medicinal plants are used by 80% of the world population as primary health care and the phytomedicine market is growing exponentially. Currently, the production of phytopharmaceuticals with proper efficacy, safety and consistent quality constitutes a relevant challenge. The dried dosage forms of medicinal plants are preferred than liquid presentations because of their higher stability. The spray drying technology is the most employed process to produce dried extracts from medicinal plant liquid extracts. These powders need to meet certain physicochemical (e.g., moisture content, hygroscopicity, particle size, density, the concentration of active ingredients) and mechanical (e.g., flowability and compressibility) properties to be used in a solid pharmaceutical form. In addition, high process yields and good powder quality can be obtained by selecting suitable process parameters: spray drying operating conditions and type/concentration of carriers (drying coadjuvants). The optimal process parameters are strongly affected by the chemical nature of the medicinal plant extract. This review aims to give a general guide to understand the effect of the process parameters on the product properties and process yield. This guideline could help practitioners and researchers to initially select the levels of the process variables to decrease the time and cost of the development stage of medicinal plants powders.

Combination effect naringin and pravastatin in lipid profile and glucose in obese rats.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of naringin 100mg/kg in combination with pravastatin 10mg/kg by gavage for 6weeks compared with monotherapy over lipid profiles, glucose levels and weight in murine model of obesity. MAIN METHODS: The study design was planned with 5 groups of 6 male Wistar Albina rats: Group 1: control with balanced food and vehicle (C-); Group 2: control with Obesity and vehicle (C+); Group 3: Obesity+naringin (N); Group 4: Obesity+pravastatin (P); Group 5: Obesity+pravastatin+naringin (NP). Obesity was developed with a food model. KEY FINDINGS: The naringin groups showed a decrease in weight gain and low glucose values compared to the control group (weight NP:311.4 vs C+:348.6; glucose NP: 173.12 vs C+:235.56) (p<0.05); the group with naringin+pravastatin combination showed the total cholesterol (TC), LDL and triglycerides (TGs) to normal levels (TC NP:51.6 vs C+:83.4; LDL NP:9.32 vs C+:32.32; TGs NP:39.4 vs C+:89.4) (p<0.05); but was not statistically significant compared with monotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: The combination of naringin and pravastatin did not appear to be better than monotherapy on lipids, but its use could generate euglycemic and antiobesogenic effects, in addition to diminishing the adverse hepatic effects of pravastatin in rats.

Novel spectrofluorimetric method for boldine alkaloid determination in herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals.

A new green on-line method for Boldine determination (BOL) in herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals, using its native fluorescence in acid media (λex=282nm; λem=373nm) has been developed. The presented methodology involves for the first time, a flow injection (FI) strategy using a mini-column of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as retention agent coupled with molecular fluorescence. Different parameters influence as sample pH and flow rate, eluent flow rate and composition; on BOL sensitivity and elution time was investigated by multifactorial techniques. Adequate dynamic calibration range (r2=0.9993) was obtained over a concentration interval of 0.029-27.0µgmL-1 BOL. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.008 and 0.029µgmL-1, respectively. The average recoveries in explored samples ranged from 95% to 103%. Under optimized conditions, the throughput sample as high as 30h-1 was achieved with high repeatability performance (99%). The proposed development represents a useful and valuable tool emulating the analytical efficiency of the official methodologies for quality control of herbal and phytopharmaceutical drugs containing BOL. Moreover, this approach shows advantages respect to low cost, simplicity and environmental and analyst friendly.

Effectiveness of Ageratina pichinchensis Extract in Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Controlled Pilot Study.

Previous clinical studies have demonstrated the antifungal effectiveness of Ageratina pichinchensis extracts when topically administered to patients with dermatomycosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of a 7% standardized extract of A. pichinchensis (intravaginal) in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. The extract was standardized in terms of its encecalin content and administered during 6 days to patients with Candida albicans-associated vulvovaginitis. The positive control group was treated with Clotrimazole (100 mg). On day 7 of the study, a partial evaluation was carried out; it demonstrated that 94.1% of patients treated with Clotrimazole and 100% of those treated with the A. pichinchensis extract referred a decrease or absence of signs and symptoms consistent with vulvovaginal candidiasis. In the final evaluation, 2 weeks after concluding administration, 86.6% of patients in the control group and 81.2% (p = 0.65) of those treated with the A. pichinchensis extract demonstrated therapeutic success. Statistical analysis evidenced no significant differences between the two treatment groups. With the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the standardized extract from A. pichinchensis, intravaginally administered, showed therapeutic and mycological effectiveness, as well as tolerability, in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis, without noting statistical differences in patients treated with Clotrimazole. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fitoterapias en lesiones de mucosa oral: propiedades reparativas y aplicación clínica: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Phytotherapies in oral mucosa lesions: reparative properties and clinical application: systematic review of the literature

Dada la exposición constante a injurias, las lesiones de mucosa oral (LMO) y su cicatrización son asunto de importancia para la práctica odontológica, siendo relevante contribuir al restablecimiento de la integridad del área afectada. Se plantea la utilización de fitofármacos como coadyuvantes en la cicatrización de LMO, pero aun cuando los fitofármacos están socialmente valorados, no siempre existe evidencia que los respalde como alternativa terapéutica. Es por esto que consideramos necesario determinar que fitofármacos efectivamente ejercen acción sobre las LMO, para una práctica odontológica basada en evidencia. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo exploratoria pre-sistemático (scoping review), para lo cual se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Korean Journal Database, ProQuest Central, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane, CUMED, IBECS y LILACS, utilizando los términos MeSH "phytotherapy", "plant extracts", "medicinal plants", "ethnopharmacology", "mouth mucosa" y "oral mucosa". Se incluyeron artículos de los últimos 15 años escritos en español, inglés o portugués, siendo requisito el estudio de heridas o lesiones ulcerativas de la mucosa oral y la evaluación de fitofármacos como alternativa terapéutica para la resolución de las mismas. Resultados: Se seleccionaron mediante lectura de resumen un total de 21 artículos para revisión, correspondiendo 6 a estudios experimentales realizados en animales, 3 a estudios en cultivos celulares, 11 a ensayos clínicos y 1 a revisión Cochrane. Acorde a lo obtenido, los fitofármacos entregan una amplia gama de evidencia de mejorías clínicas e histológicas; existiendo un gran número de artículos científicos que avalan las propiedades benéficas de las plantas y sus componentes activos, sin embargo en cuanto a la cavidad oral, existe un menor número de ensayos clínicos en donde se observen resultados específicos para la mucosa oral. Es necesario ampliar el estudio e inversión en el campo de la fitoterapia, especilamente en lo que concierne a la cicatrización en cavidad oral y sus efectos en la regeneración celular, con el fin de avalar este tipo de terapias.

Given the constant exposure to injuries, oral mucosal lesions (OML) and their healing are important issues for dental practice, and it is important to contribute to the restoration of the integrity of the affected area. The use of phytopharmaceuticals as adjuvants in the healing of OML is considered, but even when phytopharmaceuticals are socially valued, there is not always evidence to support them as a therapeutic alternative. This is why we consider it necessary to determine that phytopharmaceuticals effectively exert action on the OMLs, for an evidence-based dental practice. A descriptive exploratory scoping study was carried out, for which MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Korean Journal Database, ProQuest Central, SciELO, Cochrane Library, CUMED, IBECS And LILACS, using the terms MeSH "phytotherapy", "plant extracts", "medicinal plants", "ethnopharmacology", "mouth mucosa" and "oral mucosa". We included articles of the last 15 years written in Spanish, English or Portuguese, being required the study of wounds or ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa and the evaluation of phytopharmaceuticals as a therapeutic alternative for the resolution of the same. Results: A total of 21 articles were selected for review, 6 for experimental studies in animals, 3 for studies on cell cultures, 11 for clinical trials and 1 for Cochrane review. According to the obtained, the phytopharmaceuticals deliver a wide range of evidence of clinical and histological improvements; There is a large number of scientific articles that support the beneficial properties of the plants and their active components, however in the oral cavity, there are fewer clinical trials where specific results are observed for the oral mucosa. It is necessary to expand the study and investment in the field of phytotherapy, especially with regard to healing in the oral cavity and its effects on cellular regeneration, in order to support this type of therapies.

Flavonoid electrochemistry: a review on the electroanalytical applications

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds widespread in vegetal kingdom. They present a C-15 skeleton, which is divided into three units A, B and C. Unit C is an oxygen containing heterocyclic, whose oxidation state and saturation level define major subclasses. Units A and B are aromatic rings, in which four major types of substituents, i. e. hydroxyl, methoxyl, prenyl and glycosides, lead to over 8000 different flavonoids. The great healthy-protecting value of these phytochemical biomarkers has attracted the attention of scientific community. Their main biological actions include anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, which are strictly linked to antioxidant activities. So that, electroanalysis have been extensively applied on mechanistic studies and also for analytical determinations. This review presents the state of the art regarding the main applications of electroanalysis on the flavonoid research. The approaches on redox behavior characterization leading to a better understanding of structure antioxidant activity relationships are highlighted.

Technological development of Cecropia glaziovi extract pellets by extrusion-spheronization

Cecropia glaziovi Snethl., Urticaceae, is commonly used in South America and is one of the species included in the Brazilian Medicinal Plants Research Program. Pharmacological studies have led to reports of the potential of C. glaziovi as a hypotensive, antiasthmatic and anxiolytic agent. The strict requirements regarding the quality, safety and effectiveness of phytopharmaceutical products represent an enormous challenge in the search for products with a high level of uniformity, reproducibility and stability. The incorporation of dry extracts into multiparticulate dosage forms, such as pellets produced by extrusion/spheronization technology, is a suitable alternative to overcome the lack of technological properties of dry extracts, since they are associated with low flowability and high hygroscopicity. In this study, an optimized dry extract (ODE) of C. glaziovi was incorporated into pellets seeking to decrease the moisture sorption and increase the stability, safety and percentage of the extract in the final product. Pellets containing around 50% of ODE were considered the most technologically viable, offering a narrow particle size distribution, significant improvement in the flowability and compressibility properties, and decrease in the moisture compared with the ODE. In conclusion, pellets containing a high dose of the C. glaviovi extract were successfully prepared, achieving degrees of quality, physical stability and feasibility compatible with the desirable characteristics of a phytopharmaceutical.

Spray drying of Eugenia dysenterica extract: effects of in-process parameters on product quality

A 2³ full factorial design was used to assess the impact of spraying air flow rate (30-50 L/min), drying air inlet temperature (90-150 ºC) and extract feed rate (4-6 g/min) on the quality of Eugenia dysenterica DC., Myrtaceae, spray-dried extracts. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to analyze the significance of the effects of process factors on product quality and to obtain fitted equations to predict dry powder properties. Powder yields were satisfactory, ranging from 34.64 to 63.92%. The dried products showed moisture contents and water activities below 5% and 0.5, respectively. The recuperation ratios of total polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids ranged from 88.66 to 99.07%, 70.38 to 81.87% and 74.51 to 98.68%, respectively. Additionally, in some conditions the parameters related to dry product’s flowability and compressibility varied over a range acceptable for pharmaceutical purposes. RSM proved that studied factors significantly affected most of the quality indicators at different levels. The spray drying technology is an attractive and promising alternative for the development of intermediate phytopharmaceutical products of E. dysenterica.

Avaliação farmacognóstica da própolis da região de Maringá / Pharmacognostic evaluation of propolis in the region of Maringá

Os autores propõem procedimentos para estabelecer o controle de qualidade da própolis. Para tanto, foram adaptadas e executadas técnicas farmacopéicas e/ou desenvolvidas técnicas novas. Foram estabelecidos perfis dos teores de flavonóides, de ceras, de substâncias voláteis totais (através da perda por dessecação) e de cinzas totais. Os valores obtidos para as amostras de própolis estudadas, coletadas em um apiário-escola, foram comparados com os de própolis adquiridas no mercado. Foi estabelecido, ainda, o perfil destes parâmetros para amostras de própolis coletadas nos diferentes locais da colméla, no periodo de três anos, com coletas de inverno e verão. Os teores de flavonóides variaram entre 2,05 - 5,52 por cento.

The aim of this work was to establish a control quality methodology for propolis. For that, techniques were carried out as described in pharmacopoeias, or adapt from it. Moreover it developed new techniques. It was used propolis collected in the school apiary. Profiles of flavonoids, waxes, total volatile substances and total ashes were determined in propolis collected in different places of bees' hive. The results obtained from this propolis were compared with commercial propolis. Flavonoid drift values obtained from apiary school were established in the range between 2.05-5.52 percent.

Avaliaçäo da qualidade de produtos fitoterápicos comercializados em Porto Alegre - RS / Qualitative evaluation of herbal medicines comercialized in Porto Alegre - RS (Brazil)

Este trabalho é uma avaliaçäo qualitativa de produtos fitoterápicos e insumos vegetais comercializados em Porto Alegre no período de julho a outubro de 1997, com o objetivo de verificar as mudanças geradas na qualidade destes produtos após a vigência da Portaria n§ 6 da SVS-MS (DOU de 31/01/95). Foram analisados 42 produtos, adquiridos mediante compra em ervaterios, farmácias de manipulaçäo e drogarias de Porto Alegre. As técnicas utilizadas foram baseadas na Farmacopéia Brasileira 4ª ed. e em literatura especializada ou desenvolvidas na disciplina de Farmacognosia da Faculdade de Farmácia - UFRGS. Foram considerados como indicadores de qualidade: identidade, ausência de matérias orgânicas estranhas, estado de conservaçäo e presença dos principais constituintes químicos das amostras em análise. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a vigência da Portaria n§6 da SVS-MS (DOU 31/01/95) ainda näo induziu uma alteraçäo no quadro de qualidade dos produtos fitoterápicos comercializados em Porto Alegre, visto que das 42 amostras analisadas, 71,4(por cento) näo atendem aos quesitos mínimos de qualidade exigidos por esta norma, à semelhança de resultados obtidos em trabalhos anteriores. (AU)

This paper presents a qualitative evaluation of some herbal Medicines commerciali- zed in Porto Alegre - RS (Brazil) from july to october, 1997, in order to verify if the new Brazilian legislation about these products (Portaria 6 - SVS - MS - DOU 01.31.95) induced the improve- ment in their quality. Forty-two samples purchased from herbalists, drugstores and pharmacies Were analysed considering botanical identity, absence of foreign organic materiaIs, conservation state and presence of the main chemical compouds as quality indicators. The methods employed were based in the Farmacopéia Brasileira 4. ed and specialized literature The results showed that the Portaria 6 ­ SVS - MS (DOU 01.31.95) validity has not yet influenced the quality State of herbal products com- mercialized in Porto Alegre, since 71,4 % of the analysed samples do not fit the minimum quality demands required by such legal rule, These results meet the ones observed in previous researchs in rela- tion to the unsatisfactory qualitity 'of the Brazilian herbal medicines. (AU)