Assessing the safety of using the dry extract of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (Acanthaceae) during pregnancy of Wistar rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (Acanthaceae), popularly known as tilo, chambá and anador, is widely used in folk medicine in Latin American countries as a sedative, anti-anxiety, reducing menopause symptoms and in the treatment of pathologies of the respiratory tract. Although J. pectoralis is widely used by the female population, there are no studies on the safety of using this species during pregnancy. AIM OF THIS STUDY: To evaluate the effects of prenatal treatment with dry extract from the aerial parts of J. pectoralis on maternal and developmental toxicity in Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats (n = 10/group) were treated from gestational day (GD) 0-20 with the vehicle (control group) or with the dry extract of J. pectoralis at doses of 300, 600 or 1200 mg/kg. During pregnancy, clinical signs of toxicity, maternal weight, feed and water intake were evaluated. On GD 21, rats were anesthetized and intracardiac blood was collected to evaluate biochemical parameters. During cesarean section, reproductive performance parameters were recorded. The liver, kidneys, uterus and ovaries were removed for histopathological analysis. Fetuses were examined for possible malformations and/or skeletal and visceral variations. RESULTS: Treatment with dry extract of J. pectoralis did not alter weight gain, feed intake or biochemical and maternal reproductive performance parameters There were also no significant histopathological changes in the maternal organs, as well as external, skeletal and visceral malformations in the fetuses. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of J. pectoralis dry extract during pregnancy did not induce maternal toxicity or embryotoxic and teratogenic effects.

Mycosis fungoides and Kaposi's sarcoma association in an HIV-negative patient.

The association of mycosis fungoides and kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-negative patients is a rare phenomenon. The presence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) - associated with all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma - has also been recently identified in mycosis fungoides lesions. However, a causal association between HHV-8 and the onset of mycosis fungoides has not been established yet. The present case reports a patient who developed Kaposi's sarcoma lesions after a two-year UVB phototherapy to treat a mycosis fungoides. Negative immunohistochemistry staining for Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in the initial mycosis fungoides lesions strengthens the absence of a link between Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and mycosis fungoides. Immunosuppression caused by the lymphoma and prolonged phototherapy were probably the contribut ing factors for the onset of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Retinoids for prevention and treatment of actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratosis is a common cause of dermatological consultations and it presents a strong association with squamous cell carcinoma. Many substances are used for treatment and prevention, such as retinoids. Nevertheless, many studies on retinoids emphasize their application in treating and preventing non melanoma skin cancers. In this article, we reviewed studies about systemic and topical retinoids used with immunocompetent patients and organ transplant recipients with actinic keratosis, as primary or secondary outcomes. The majority of these papers pointed to a reduction in actinic keratosis count after treatment with retinoids. However, studies need to be better-defined in order to address the lack of a standardized dose, the absence of control groups, the low number of patients and short follow-up periods. Blind, randomized and controlled clinical trials with adequate sample sizes, specifically focused on actinic keratosis, are needed to clarify the real benefit of topical and/or oral retinoids. Comparison of efficacy and safety between oral and topical retinoids in the prevention and treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers and actinic keratosis is an essential pre requisite to establish new strategies to control these conditions.

[Seringueira's latex membrane (Hevea brasiliensis) with and without polylysine 0.1% and marlex mesh for the reconstruction of iatrogenics abdominal wall defects in rats]. / Membrana de látex da seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis), com e sem polilisina a 0,1% e tela de marlex na reconstrução de defeitos iatrogênicos da parede abdominal de ratos.

PURPOSE: To compare seringueira latex membrane implant, with and without polylysine at 0.1% and marlex mesh on the repair of iatrogenic abdominal defects in rats. METHODS: A circular segment block of approximate three centimeters of diameter was sectioned out of the ventral abdominal muscle wall of 31 Wistar rats. The skin was preserved. The animals were divided into three experimental groups: only latex, latex and polylysine at 0.1%, and marlex mesh. Some rats underwent euthanasia at five and some at 120 days after surgery. Fragments of abdominal wall were collected and submitted at histopathologic analysis. RESULTS: The main alterations observed in groups treated with the latex membrane with and without polylysine were dehiscence (21 animals) and evisceration (two animals). The elimination of implant occurred at an average of 13.8 days. These animals presented fiber conjunctive tissue formation, similar to that observed in the group which received the marlex mesh. Other alterations noted were viscera-parietal adherences in all evaluated groups. CONCLUSION: The seringueira' s latex membrane, with or without polylysine 0.1%, when used on the reconstruction of abdominal defects in rats is eliminated at 13.8 days after its implantation, leaving a fiber base of reparation, similar to that observed after marlex mesh implantation.

Membrana de látex da seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis), com e sem polilisina a 0,1 por cento e tela de marlex na reconstrucão de defeitos iatrogênicos da parede abdominal de ratos / Seringueira's latex membrane (Hevea brasiliensis) with and without polylysine 0, 1 percent and marlex mesh for the reconstruction of iatrogenics abdominal wall defects in rats

OBJETIVO: Comparar o implante de membrana de látex da seringueira sem e com polilisina 0,1 por cento e tela de marlex na reparacão de defeitos abdominais iatrogênicos em ratos. MÉTODOS: Ressectou-se em bloco um segmento circular de aproximadamente três centímetros de diâmetro da parede muscular abdominal ventral de 31 ratos Wistar, preservando-se a pele. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos: grupo látex sem polilisina, grupo látex com polilisina 0,1 por cento e grupo marlex. Os animais foram sacrificados aos cinco e aos 120 dias após o procedimento cirúrgico. Fragmentos da parede abdominal foram coletados e submetidos à avaliacão histopatológica. RESULTADOS: As principais alteracões observadas nos grupos tratados com as membranas de látex sem e com polilisina 0,1 por cento foram deiscência (21 animais) e evisceracão (dois animais). A eliminacão dos implantes nos grupos tratados com látex ocorreu, em média, aos 13,8 dias. Nestes animais ocorreu a formacão de tecido conjuntivo fibroso, similar ao observado no grupo que recebeu o marlex. Outras alteracões notadas foram aderências viscero-parietais em todos os grupos avaliados. CONCLUSAO: A membrana de látex da seringueira com e sem polilisina a 0,1 por cento, quando utilizada para reconstrucão de defeitos abdominais em ratos é eliminada, em média, aos 13,8 dias após a sua implantacão, deixando uma base fibrosa de reparacão, similar à observada após a implantacão da tela de marlex.