Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae) is commonly called the “coconut tree” and is the most naturally widespread fruit plant on Earth. Throughout history, humans have used medicinal plants therapeutically, and minerals, plants, and animals have traditionally been the main sources of drugs. The constituents of C. nucifera have some biological effects, such as antihelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. Our objective in the present study was to review the phytochemical profile, pharmacological activities, and toxicology of C. nucifera to guide future preclinical and clinical studies using this plant. This systematic review consisted of searches performed using scientific databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, SciVerse, and Scientific Electronic Library Online. Some uses of the plant were partially confirmed by previous studies demonstrating analgesic, antiarthritic, antibacterial, antipyretic, antihelminthic, antidiarrheal, and hypoglycemic activities. In addition, other properties such as antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antiseizure, cytotoxicity, hepatoprotective, vasodilation, nephroprotective, and anti-osteoporosis effects were also reported. Because each part of C. nucifera has different constituents, the pharmacological effects of the plant vary according to the part of the plant evaluated.

Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review.

Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae) is commonly called the "coconut tree" and is the most naturally widespread fruit plant on Earth. Throughout history, humans have used medicinal plants therapeutically, and minerals, plants, and animals have traditionally been the main sources of drugs. The constituents of C. nucifera have some biological effects, such as antihelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. Our objective in the present study was to review the phytochemical profile, pharmacological activities, and toxicology of C. nucifera to guide future preclinical and clinical studies using this plant. This systematic review consisted of searches performed using scientific databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, SciVerse, and Scientific Electronic Library Online. Some uses of the plant were partially confirmed by previous studies demonstrating analgesic, antiarthritic, antibacterial, antipyretic, antihelminthic, antidiarrheal, and hypoglycemic activities. In addition, other properties such as antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antiseizure, cytotoxicity, hepatoprotective, vasodilation, nephroprotective, and anti-osteoporosis effects were also reported. Because each part of C. nucifera has different constituents, the pharmacological effects of the plant vary according to the part of the plant evaluated.

Atividade mioelétrica do cólon: efeitos do propranolol durante o período de íleo pararalítico pós-operatório / Colon myoeletric activity: effects of propranolol in the postoperative adynamic ileus

A hiperatividade simpática durante o período pós-opratório tem sido responsabilizada como competente causal do íleo paralitico pós-operatório. Foi realizado estudo prospectivo randômico, avaliando os efeitos do beta-bloqueio pré-operatório com propranolol, em pacientes esquistossomóticos hepatoesplênicos sobre a atividade mioelétrica do cólon esquerdo durante o período de íleo paralítico pós-operatório comparando com pacientes esquistossomóticos similares não beta-bloqueados. Três pares de eletrodos bipolares foram fixados no cólon esquerdo durante a cirurgia para o tratamento da hipertensão portal esquistossomótica em ambos os grupos e obtidos os registros duas vezes ao dia da atividade contrátil colônica durante o período de íleo paralítico, utilizando um sistema de aquisição de dados (DATA Q Série 200) que capta frequêcias entre 0,02 a 10 Hz, sendo os sinais previamente amplificados, filtrados e separados em Atividade Elétrica de Controle (AEC) e Atividade Elétrica de Resposta (AER). Não foi observado diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos parâmetros eletromiográficos entre dois grupos, exeto pela presença de um maior número de contrações de curta duração no segundo dia de pós-operatório no grupo beta-bloqueado. Pode-se concluir que o beta-bloqueio adrenérgico pré-operatório, com propranolol,não determina diferenças na atividade miolétrica do cólon esquerdo, compatíveis com uma resolução mais precoce ou mais tardia do íleo paralítico pós-operatório em pacientes esquistossomóticos