ABSTRACT Operculina macrocarpa (L.) Urb., Convolvulaceae, is used by the population as a laxative. In this work we described the isolation of the three phenolic acids present in the hydroethanolic extract of the O. macrocarpa roots. The quantification of the caffeic, chlorogenic acids and of the new caffeic dimer in the hydroethanolic and infusion extracts was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled photodiode array detector. These analyses showed the higher content of the chlorogenic, caffeic and the new 3,4'-dehydrodicaffeic acid in hydroethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts without resin in which infusion. The acid found in greater quantity is caffeic acid followed by the 3,4'-dehydrodicaffeic acid. The laxative activity was evaluated by different experimental models of intestinal transit with the hydroethanolic and infusion extracts, and the resin fraction, caffeic, chlorogenic and ferulic acids. The results showed all extracts and compounds tested had significant activity in the experimental model tested. These results obtained are essential for the future development of a pharmaceutical product with safety and efficacy.

Considerando-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos, é importante salientar que a preocupação com esta questão inclui rigoroso acompanhamento das diferentes etapas do desenvolvimento e produção destes produtos, desde a coleta do vegetal até a disponibilidade do produto final. Neste trabalho foi realizado o controle da qualidade do fruto de Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, popularmente conhecido como jambolão. Para o controle físico-químico e microbiológico utilizaram-se metodologias farmacopéicas e não farmacopeicas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o fruto apresenta um teor de taninos de 4,2% e a análise fitoquímica preliminar dos frutos de S. cumini evidenciou taninos, flavonóides, antocianidinas, iridóides, alcalóides e heterosídeos fenólicos simples. A análise microbiológica não apresentou crescimento de patógenos entre os outros testes realizados. Destaca-se a importância do estabelecimento de normas para o controle da qualidade para as plantas, a fim de que sejam utilizadas com finalidade fitoterápica.

Considering the quality of the phytotherapic agents, it is important to point out that the concern with this subject includes rigorous attendance of the different steps of the development and production of these products, from the collection of the vegetable to the availability of the final product. In this work the quality control of the Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels fruit, popularly known as jambolão, was carried out. Pharmacopoeic and no pharmacopoeic methodologies were employed to physico-chemical and microbiological quality control. The obtained results showed that the fruits presents a content of tannins of 4.2%, the preliminary phytochemical analysis of the S. cumini fruits evidenced tannins, flavonoids, antocianidin, iridoids, alkaloids and heterosides simple phenols. The microbiological analysis didn’t present phatogenic growth among the other accomplished tests. The work stands out the importance of the establishment of norms for the quality control for the plants, so that they are used with phytotherapic purpose.

A eficácia antimicrobiana de conservantes empregados em formulações cosméticas foi avaliada usando Phenova® e Imidazolinidil uréia que inibiram o crescimento de Bacillus subtilis no extrato de Achillea millefolium L. e Nipagin®/ Nipasol® 0,2% em propilenoglicol não apresentaram efeito microbicida.

The antimicrobial efficacy of three preservatives used in cosmetic formulations was evaluated. Phenova® and imidazolidinyl urea inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis when added to leaf extract of Achillea millefolium L., whereas 0.2% Nipagin®/ Nipasol® in propylene glycol did not.

Mikania glomerata Spreng. (Asteracae) is a plant widely used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in Brazilian traditional medicine. In the present work, an aqueous extract of the leaves of Mikania glomerata has shown a decrease in the propulsive movements of the intestinal contents in mice. Oral administration produced an inhibition of gastrointestinal transit as effective as that produced by loperamide. These findings suggested that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Mikania glomerata might elicit an antidiarrhoeal effect by inhibiting intestinal motility.