Wendtia calycina (Griseb.) Griseb., Vivianiaceae, is a Paraguayan herbaceous plant commonly known as burrito. Our previous study indicated that burrito leaves are a very good source of phenylpropanoid glycosides, principally verbascoside. From W. calycina leaves, a standardized, water-soluble extract rich in phenylpropanoid glycosides (WSE) has been developed on an industrial scale to be used as a food supplement, cosmetic, phytomedicine, and ingredient of different formulations. In this study, we investigated the effect of the WSE on human platelet aggregation in vitro induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine (EPN), collagen (COL) or arachidonic acid (AA). WSE, concentration-dependently, inhibited ADP and EP-induced human platelet aggregation (IC50 were 0.82±0.15 mg/mL and 0.41±0.02 mg/mL, respectively). It did not inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation, thus suggesting a selectivity for the ADP-induced platelet activation pathways.

INTRODUCTION: Passiflora edulis Sims (maracuyá) is widely used in traditional medicine in many countries worldwide for treatment of diverse diseases due to its scientifically demonstrated antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive effect; however, there are not preclinical studies on methanol extract diuretic activity from P. edulis leaves in rats. OBJECTIVES: to determine the diuretic activity of above mentioned extract in rats. METHODS: twenty Holtzman rats were used in this study divided into four groups (n= 5). Previous fasting of 18 hours, all rats were hydrated using 5 mL/100 g of saline solution. Group 1 received 5 mL/kg of this solution (negative control); group 2 received intraperitoneal Furosemide in dose of 10 mg/kg (positive control); the groups 3 and 4 received intraperitoneal methanol extract from P. edulis leaves in dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. RESULTS: at 24 hours, urine collectable volumes in groups treated with methanol extract from P. edulis leaves were significantly different from that of control group, but not from that in Furosemide group. CONCLUSIONS: diuretic activity of methanol extract from maracuyá leaves was demonstrated.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Passiflora edulis Sims (maracuyá) se usa ampliamente en la medicina tradicional de muchos países del mundo para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades, de la cual se ha demostrado científicamente su efecto antitumoral, antiinflamatorio y antihipertensivo; sin embargo, no existen estudios preclínicos que demuestren el efecto diurético y validen su uso. OBJETIVO: determinar la actividad diurética del extracto metanólico de hojas de P. edulis en ratas. MÉTODOS: se utilizaron 20 ratas Holtzman que se designaron a 4 grupos (n= 5). Previo ayuno de 18 h, todas las ratas fueron hidratadas con 5 mL/100 g de solución salina fisiológica. El grupo 1 recibió 5 mL/kg de solución salina fisiológica (control negativo); el grupo 2 recibió furosemida en dosis de 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal (control positivo); los grupos 3 y 4 recibieron extracto metanólico de hojas de P. edulis en dosis de 200 y 400 mg/kg intraperitoneal, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: a las 24 h, los volúmenes acumulados de orina en los grupos que recibieron tratamiento con el extracto metanólico de hojas de P. edulis resultaron significativamente diferentes del grupo control, pero no significativamente diferentes del grupo furosemida. CONCLUSIONES: se demostró la actividad diurética del extracto metanólico de hojas de maracuyá.

The advantages of an experimental procedure to develop carotid atherosclerosis in rabbits were evaluated. Eighteen animals distributed into 3 groups, 6 animals each, were examined. Animals were fed with fodder supplemented with 0.5 and 1% of cholesterol (group I and II respectively) whereas group 3 (control) was given only fodder. Biochemical determinations were performed before the experiments and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 after the dietary treatments. The animals´weight in groups I and II had significantly increased by the 8th week for a p< 0,05;hemoglobin and hematocrit values remained unchanged. Cholesterol substantially increased in groups I and II from the 4th week on. The morphometric study revealed that there were fatty streaks in both carotids of animals included in group 2, which proved the benefits of this experimental model of carotid atherosclerosis

Se evaluó la utilidad de un procedimiento experimental para desarrollar aterosclerosis carotídea en conejos. Se estudiaron 18 animales divididos en 3 grupos, con 6 animales cada uno. Los animales fueron alimentados mediante pienso suplementado con 0,5 y 1 % de colesterol (grupos I y II, respectivamente), en tanto el III (control) solo con pienso. Se hicieron determinaciones bioquímicas antes de comenzar el experimento y en las semanas 4, 8 y 12, posteriores a la dieta. Se observó un aumento significativo en el peso de los animales de los grupos I y II en la semana 8 para p < 0,05, se mantuvieron sin variaciones la hemoglobina y el hematócrito. El colesterol mostró un incremento significativo para los grupos I y II a partir de la semana 4 hasta el final. El estudio morfométrico dio como resultado que en los animales del grupo II en ambas carótidas había presencia de estrías adiposas, lo que demostró la utilidad de este modelo de aterosclerosis carotídea