Resumo em Inglês:

In addition to three known phytoecdysteroids, a new phenolic glycoside (named, chenoalbuside) was isolated from the methanol extract of the seeds of Chenopodium album. While the structures of all phytoecdysteroids were elucidated by direct comparison of their spectroscopic data with published data, the structure of chenoalbuside was determined unequivocally by a combination of UV, MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. The antioxidant potential of the new compound was assessed by the DPPH assay, and the RC50 value was found to be 1.4 x 10-4 mg/mL.

Resumo em Espanhol:

Bursera graveolens (Burseraceae), known in Colombia as "sasafrás", is useful for its medicinal properties and is rich in secondary metabolites. In our research, we carried out antimicrobial tests of several fractions and ethanolic extracts from aerial parts against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, that showed growth inhibitory activity when applied at 250 mg/mL for extracts and 150 mg/mL for fractions. We carried out an antiinflamatory assay also, that showed 71% of inhibition by extracts (81% of Indomethacin) and 70% of inhibition by fractions (78% of Indomethacin). Phytochemical investigation of the bark of Bursera graveolens (Burseraceae) yielded three tetracyclic triterpene acids that have oxygenation in C-3, carboxylic acid in C-21 and unsaturation in C-24 and have been identified as 3-oxotirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oic acid (b-elemonic acid), 3a-hydroxytirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oic acid (a-elemolic acid) and 3a-hydroxytirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid. The isolated compounds were identified using spectroscopic methods including one and two-dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY) experiments and comparison with published data. This is the first report of the isolated compounds in Bursera graveolens and they have a very important chemotaxonomic significance within the Burseraceae family and related families from the order Rutales.

Resumo em Inglês:

The murine model of OVA-induced immediate allergic reaction was used to evaluate the effectiveness of intraperitoneal sub-acute treatment with the leaf hydroalcoholic extract of Cissampelos sympodialis (AFL) in the anaphylactic shock reaction, IgE production and the background proliferative response. BALB/c mice treated with AFL ranging from 200 to 400 mg/kg/day for 5 days before and during OVA-sensitization strongly reduced the animal death and promoted reduction in total and OVA-specific serum IgE level. Spleen cells from AFL-treated sensitized animals showed a decreased proliferative background response when compared with non-sensitized animals. These results demonstrated that sub-acute intraperitoneal treatment with Cissampelos sympodialis extract has an anti-allergic effect.

Resumo em Inglês:

In our continued studies on the genus Solanum for detecting a good source of soladodine, the steroid alkaloid potentially important for the manufacture of steroid hormones, as well as other compounds of potential therapeutic value, we investigated the fruits of Solanum crinitum, S. rhytidoandrum, and S. jabrense belonging to the subgenus Leptostemonum and S. stipulaceum, belonging to the subgenus Brevantherum, allof which are native of the northeastern region of Brazil and yielded solasodine in moderate to high yield.

Resumo em Inglês:

Lyophilized aqueous extract (LAE) from Lychnophora pinaster Mart (Asteraceae) aerial parts was evaluated in the search of possible biological activities. LAE exhibited trypanocidal activity (113.62 mg/mL), but could not inhibit 5-lipoxygenase in vitro (17% of inhibition). LAE chemical characterization by HPLC with UV-Diode Array Detector showed the presence of caffeic acid, isochlorogenic acid, vitexin, isovitexin and quercetin, in comparison with authentic samples.

Resumo em Inglês:

Several species of the genus Hyptis have presented medicinal characteristics and are frequently indicated to treat gastro intestinal infections, gramps and pain, as well as for skin infections. Three harvests were carried out using six H. pectinata accessions, and the following characteristics were evaluated: plant height, canopy diameter, leave length (L) and width (W), L/W relation and dry weight of leaves and stem. The accession SAM006 have presented highest leave dry matter yield when the three harvests were summed. The aqueous leaf extracts of the same six H. pectinata accessions were tested for anti-edematogenic effect using the carrageenin-induced rat paw edema at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. The extracts administered orally had a significant anti-edematogenic effect. The dose of 200 mg/kg of accessions SAM004 and SAM005 had a stronger effect reducing the edema by 19.6% and 15.4%, respectively. Similar results were obtained using higher dosages of the aqueous extract of the accessions SAM002, SAM003 and SAM006. It can be concluded that the accessions SAM004, SAM005 and SAM006 are promising genotypes for a plant breeding program that aims the development of a cultivar with highest leave yielding and anti-edematogenic effect.

Resumo em Português:

O interesse pelos bioensaios frente à larvas de Aedes aegypti e Culex quinquefasciatus deve-se ao fato de que estas espécies estão distribuídas por todo o território nacional, sendo portanto uma atividade realizada por inúmeros pesquisadores do Brasil. Os óleos essenciais de Syzigium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry, Lippia sidoides Cham.,e Hyptis martiusii Benth.,foram testados no combate ao transmissor da dengue e da filariose. As larvas de terceiro estádio foram expostas em triplicatas a diferentes concentrações (1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25 e 10 ppm). As análises foram observadas após dez minutos do início do tratamento, e mostraram resultados bastante significativos, com potencialidade de mortalidade de até 100% das larvas testadas, indicando acentuados efeitos tóxicos de alguns constituintes voláteis presentes nos óleos. Para os óleos de S. aromaticum, L. sidoides e H. martiusii foram constatadas, frente à Aedes aegypti, valores respectivos de CL50 de 21,4; 19,5 e 18,5 ppm e frente ao Culex quinquefasciatus, 14,5; 16,6 e 27,5 ppm, respectivamente.

Resumo em Inglês:

The interest for a biological assay against larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus is due to the fact that these species are distributed by the whole national territory, being therefore an activity carried out by countless researchers of Brazil. The essential oils of Syzigium aromaticum, Hyptis martiusii and Lippia sidoides were tested in the combat of the transmitter of the dengue and of the filariosis, using larvae of third stadium were exposed in triplicate to different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25 and 10 ppm). The larvicidal activity was observed after ten minutes of the beginning of the treatment, in the end showed very significant results, with mortality potentials of up to 100% of the tested larvae, indicating accentuated toxical effects in some representatives of the volatile compounds present in the oils. For the oils of S. aromaticum, L. sidoides and H. martiusii DL50 of 1,0; 1,0 and 8,0 ppm, respectively, were observed.

Resumo em Português:

Polygala paniculata L. (Polygalaceae) é uma erva que ocorre em todas as regiões do Brasil. No presente trabalho, foram avaliadas as atividades analgésica, através do teste da placa quente, da retirada de cauda e da formalina, e antiedematogênica, através do teste do edema de orelha induzido por óleo de cróton, dos extratos etanólicos obtidos das partes aéreas de Polygala paniculata selvagem e cultivadas por micropropagação. A aplicação oral do extrato etanólico de Polygala paniculata apresentou atividade analgésica, em ratos, tanto em testes de dor induzida por agentes térmicos (testes da placa quente e de retirada da cauda) quanto por agentes químicos (teste da formalina), de modo que os melhores resultados foram obtidos na dose de 400 mg/kg. Também foi observada redução na formação de edema de orelha induzida pela aplicação de óleo de cróton. Os efeitos provocados pelos extratos obtidos a partir das plantas cultivadas in vitro foram menos pronunciados que aqueles produzidos pelos extratos das plantas selvagens, embora ambos tenham sido significativos. Estes resultados sugerem que o extrato etanólico de Polygala paniculata possui atividades analgésica e antiedematogênica.

Resumo em Inglês:

The ethanolic extracts of Polygala paniculata L. (Polygalaceae), wich is a herbaceous plant widely distributed all over Brazil, were tested for their analgesic effects using hot plate, tail flick and formalin test models, and for their antiedematogenic effects using croton oil induced ear oedema. The ethanolic extracts obtained from wild and micropropagated plants produced analgesic effects against thermal and chemical induced pain. The highest results were observed at the dose of 400 mg/kg. The inhibition of ear oedema in mice was also observed after treatment with ethanolic extract of Polygala paniculata. The effects produced by micropropagated plants were lower than wild plants, whereas both had produced significant effects. These results suggest that the ethanolic extracts from wild and micropropagated Polygala paniculata possess analgesic and antiedematogenic effects.

Resumo em Português:

Especialmente nas últimas décadas, inúmeros esforços têm sido dirigidos para conferir às plantas seu real papel e valor na terapia. Neste estudo foi avaliada a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos secos de Artemisia absinthium L. (losna), Mentha pulegium L. (poejo), Punica granatum L. (romã), Xanthosema violaceum Schott (taioba) e Syzygium cuminii L. (jambolão). Para avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana foi realizado o teste de difusão em ágar, com 15 diferentes microrganismos, utilizando discos impregnados com as dispersões aquosas dos extratos vegetais. A Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) foi determinada para os extratos que apresentaram atividade inibitória. Os resultados mostraram que os extratos de X. violaceum e S. cuminii inibiram, respectivamente, 8 e 6 bactérias. Conclui-se que os extratos de X. violaceum e S. cuminii são capazes de inibir expressivamente o crescimento microbiano.

Resumo em Inglês:

In the last decades, innumerable efforts have been directed to confer to the plants its real value in the therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of dry extracts of Artemisia absinthium L. (wormwood), Mentha pulegium L. (poejo), Punica granatum L. (pomegranate), Xanthosema violaceum Schott(taro) and Syzygium cuminii L. (jambolan). To evaluate the antimicrobial activity the diffusion test in agar was carried through, with 15 different microorganisms, using discs impregnated with aqueous dispersions of the vegetal extracts. For those extracts that had presented inhibitory activity, the calculation of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was carried out (CIM). The results had shown that the extracts of X. violaceum and S. cuminii had inhibited 8 and 6 bacteria, respectively. What leads to the conclusion that the extracts of X. violaceum and S. cuminii are capable to inhibit the microbial growth.

Resumo em Português:

Do extrato butanólico de Croton campestris St. Hill. (Euphorbiaceae) foram isolados quatro flavonóides, todos O-glicosídeos da quercetina. Estas substâncias foram identificadas como 3-O-b-D-apiofuranosil-(1®2)-galactopiranosil quercetina (1), 3-O-b-D-galactopiranosil quercetina (hiperina) (2), 3-O-a-L-arabinopiranosil quercetina (guaijaverina) (3) e 3-O-a-L-ramnopiranosil quercetina (quercitrina) (4).O presente trabalho relata a presença destas substâncias pela primeira vez para esta espécie de Croton, cuja elucidação estrutural deu-se por espectroscopia em UV, EM e RMN, incluindo as técnicas bidimensionais: ¹H-¹H (2D NOESY, 2D COSY), ¹H-13C (2D HETCOR) e 13C (APT), além de comparações com os dados da literatura.

Resumo em Inglês:

Four flavonoids were isolated from the butanolic extract of the aerial parts of Croton campestris St. Hill. (Euphorbiaceae). These compounds were identified as 3-O-b-D-apiofuranosyl-(1®2)-galactopyranoside quercetin (1), 3-O-b-D-galactopyranoside quercetin (hyperin) (2), 3-O-a-L-arabinopyranoside quercetin (guaijaverin) (3) and 3-O-a-L-ramnopyranoside quercetin (quercitrin) (4). They have been isolated for the first time from Croton campestris. Their structures were elucidated by UV, MS and NMR experiments including ¹H-¹H (2D NOESY, 2D COSY), ¹H-13C (2D HETCOR), 13C (APT) and by comparison of the spectral data with those reported in the literature.

Resumo em Português:

A família Aristolochiaceae apresenta entre seus constituintes terpenóides, alcalóides e lignóides. Papo-de-peru, jarrinha, mil-homens e capivara são nomes populares da espécie Aristolochia birostris, a qual é utilizada na medicina popular como antiofídica, sudorífica, anticatarral e abortiva. Um estudo fitoquímico anterior com as partes aéreas desta espécie reportou o isolamento de quatro terpenóides, um lignóide e uma antraquinona. Dando continuidade a esse estudo, este trabalho relata a identificação de 4 lignóides, sendo dois do tipo ariloxiarilpropânico (4-metilenodioxi-5,3',5' -trimetoxi-1'-alil-8.O.4'-neolignana e 3,4,5,3',5'-pentametoxi-1'-alil-8.O.4'-neolignana), um do tipo tetraidrofurano (grandisina) e uma lignana dibenzilbutirolactônica [(-)-hinoquinina], além de vanilina. As estruturas foram estabelecidas através de métodos espectroscópicos de infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear uni e bidimensionais. Os lignóides foram avaliados quanto a atividade antimicrobiana frente a algumas cepas de bactérias, fungos e leveduras, entretanto foram inativos.

Resumo em Inglês:

The family Aristolochiaceae presents among its chemical constituents terpenoids, alkaloids and lignoids. Aristolochia birostris is a species of this family popularly known as "papo-de-peru", "jarrinha", "mil-homens" and "capivara", and it is used in the folk medicine to treat snake bites, as a sudorific, expectorant and abortive. A previous phytochemical study of the aerial parts of this plant reported the isolation of four terpenoids, lignoids and antraquinone. Continuing this study it is now reported the isolation of four lignoids, two of the type aryloxyarylpropane (4-methylenedioxy-5,3',5'-trimethoxy-1'-alyl-8.O.4' -neolignan and 3,4,5,3',5'-pentamethoxy-1'-alyl-8.O.4'-neolignan), one tetrahydrofuran (grandisin) and a dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans [(-)-hinokinin], and also vanillin. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established based on spectral data, mainly IR and NMR including 1D and 2D experiments. The lignoids were evaluated for their activity against some bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli), fungi (Aspergilus flavus and Microsporum canis) and yeast (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Criptococcus neoformans), but they were inactive.

Resumo em Português:

O óleo essencial de Sinningia aggregata (Ker. Gawl.) Wiehler (Gesneriaceae) foi extraído por hidrodestilação e analisado por CG e CG/EM. Foram identificados 17 compostos, representando 91,8% do óleo. O óleo é constituído principalmente por compostos alifáticos de cadeia longa (49,8%) e sesquiterpenos oxigenados (40,2%). Os principais componentes foram: linoleato de metila (28,4%), 1-octadecanol (16,9%), acetato de (Z)-nerolidila (8,8%), espatulenol (7,8%) e (E)-nerolidol (6,7%). Monoterpenos e fenilpropanóides não foram encontrados. Este é o primeiro relato de estudo de óleo essencial na família Gesneriaceae.

Resumo em Inglês:

The essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Sinningia aggregata (Ker. Gawl.) Wiehler (Gesneriaceae) was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. Seventeen components were identified, representing 91,8% of the total oil. The oil was characterized by a high content of long-chain aliphatic compounds (49,8%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (40,2%). The two major components were methyl linoleate (28,4%) and 1-octadecanol (16,9%). Among the sesquiterpenes, (Z)-nerolidol acetate (8,8%), spathulenol (7,8%) and (E)-nerolidol (6,7%) are present in appreciable amounts. Monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids were not found in the oil.

Resumo em Português:

A camomila [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert], é uma planta empregada na indústria de medicamentos, cosméticos e alimentos. Os frutos secos da camomila conhecidos por "sementes" são provenientes dos capítulos florais, dos quais pode-se extrair um óleo fixo rico em ácidos graxos insaturados. Através da técnica de extração com hexano em dispositivo de soxhlet, foi obtido o óleo bruto dos frutos secos da camomila em 19% de rendimento. O óleo foi caracterizado pela técnica de CG-EM, revelando um elevado teor de ácido linoleico na sua composição. Portanto, o óleo oriundo dos frutos secos da camomila vem a ser uma matéria-prima potencialmente útil na dermo-farmácia.

Resumo em Inglês:

Chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert], is a plant employed in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The chamomile dried fruits known as "seeds" they derive from floral chapters from which fixed oil rich in unsatured fatty acids can be extracted. Through the use of a soxhlet apparatus, using hexane as solvent, the chamomile dried fruits crude oil was obtained in 19% yields. This oil, was characterized by GC-MS technique and showed a high ratio of linoleic acid in its composition. Therefore, the chamomile dried fruits oil is a potential material to be used in the dermatological-pharmacy.

Resumo em Português:

Os ácidos triterpênicos são metabólitos comuns na família Myrtaceae, especialmente no gênero Eugenia. O ácido ursólico foi descrito como um dos principais constituintes, nas folhas de Eugenia brasiliensis, coletada no Sudoeste do Brasil. Uma partição prévia, por solventes, do extrato etanólico ou do extrato clorofórmico de E. brasiliensis, seguida por uma purificação por cromatografia de contra-corrente de alta velocidade (CCCAV), conduziu ao isolamento do ácido ursólico com alto grau de pureza (> 97%). Esta substância, também foi isolada por cromatografia convencional de coluna aberta (rendimento de 0.22% a partir do extrato etanólico), e caracterizada por 13C-RMN, GC-EM e co-injeção com padrão comercial em CG-DIC, na forma do éster metílico. A técnica de CCCAV, usualmente usada para triterpenos glicosilados, foi aqui aplicada para a aglicona. As fases móvel e estacionária, no experimento de CCCAV, foram geradas pela mistura de n-hexano : acetato de etila : metanol : água, na proporção 10:5:2,5:1. A seleção do sistema de solventes (fases estacionária e móvel) foi determinada pela máxima distribuição eqüitativa do ácido ursólico em ambas as fases, medida por densitometria e monitorada por cromatografia em camada delgada, CCD, usando-se ácido ursólico comercial como referência.

Resumo em Inglês:

Triterpene acids are common metabolites in the Myrtaceae family, especially in the genus Eugenia. Ursolic acid was found in Eugenia brasiliensis collected in Southeastern Brazil. A previous solvent partition of the ethanol or chloroform extracts of the leavesof E. brasiliensis, followed by rapid high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) afforded ursolic acid in high purity (> 97%). This compound was also purified apart by conventional column chromatography (yield of 0.22% from the ethanolic extract) and characterized by 13C-NMR, GC-MS and co-injection of its methyl ester with standards in GC-FID. The HSCCC technique, usually applied to triterpene glycosides, was here applied successfully to an aglycone, to which examples are rarely described. The mobile and stationary phase for the HSCCC experiment were derived from the two-phase solvent system composed by n-hexane : ethyl acetate : methanol : water in the proportion of 10:5:2.5:1. The choice of the developing solvent system for optimum HSCCC separation was determined by TLC coupled to densitometric measurements of ursolic acid in both stationary and mobile phase, generated by the upper and lower layer of the system above. Commercial ursolic acid was used as standard.

Resumo em Português:

Neste trabalho realizou-se uma caracterização morfoanatômica comparativa, entre as folhas de Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. e Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae), espécies de uso na medicina popular, cujas folhas e raízes são indicadas como diurético e antitérmico. As identificações botânicas e as morfodiagnoses macroscópicas foram realizadas após estudos morfológicos. Para as morfodiagnoses microscópicas realizaram-se cortes paradérmicos e transversais das folhas (lâmina e pecíolo), clarificados e posteriormente corados com safranina e safrablue. Além dos caracteres morfológicos da flor e do fruto, as duas espécies diferem pelos seguintes caracteres: vascularização da nervura principal em forma de arco em N. physalodes, e semicircular em P. angulata; drusas no mesofilo de P. angulata; tricomas glandular-estipitados com a glândula apical bisseriada em N. physalodes. As duas espécies distinguem-se principalmente pela morfologia da flor e fruto e pela anatomia do mesofilo e vascularização da nervura principal.

Resumo em Inglês:

In this work a morphoanatomical comparative characterization was carried out between the leaves of Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. and Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) species used in folk medicine, whose leaves are indicated as diuretic and febrifuge. The botanical identification and macroscopical morphodiagnosis were made after morphological studies. The microscopical morphodiagnosis were carried out by paradermic and transversal cuts of the leaves (blade and petiole), clarified and coloured with safranin and astrablue. Moreover the morphological characters of the flower and fruit, of the two species can be distinguished by the following characters: N. physalodes has the bundle vascular of the middle vein in arc format; P. angulata has the vascular bundle of the middle vein in a semi-circle format; druses in the mesophyll of P. angulata; andthe presence of trichomes glandular-estipitate with bisseriate head in N. physalodes. The morphology of flower and fruit and the anatomy of mesophyll, the vascular bundles of middle vein are the principal distinctive characters between them.

Resumo em Português:

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. é empregada popularmente no tratamento de hemorróidas, diarréias e ferimentos. O propósito deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo farmacognóstico de folhas de D. elliptica de dois locais do Estado de Goiás. Cortes paradérmicos e transversais foram submetidos a técnicas usuais de microscopia óptica. As folhas de D. elliptica são hipoestomáticas, sendo os estômatos predominantemente paracíticos. Na epiderme observam-se tricomas unicelulares em ambas faces. O mesofilo é isobilateral e apresenta idioblastos cristalíferos. O sistema vascular na nervura principal é constituído por três feixes vasculares, formando uma estrutura circular. No pecíolo o sistema vascular apresenta uma estrutura circular formada, provavelmente, pela união de vários feixes vasculares. O material pulverizado foi submetido a testes de prospecção fitoquímica, de pureza e quantitativo. Foi constatada a presença de taninos, cumarinas, resinas, flavonóides, saponinas, esteróides e triterpenóides. Os teores de cinzas totais foram de 10,32% e 12,26%; os de cinzas insolúveis em ácido, 7,46% e 9,68%; e os de umidade, 9,92% e 9,50%. Os teores de flavonóides totais foram de 1,20% e 1,48%, e os de taninos 9,89% e 13,96%. Devido ao número reduzido de amostras, não é possível afirmar, através deste estudo, que o perfil farmacognóstico de D. elliptica seja influenciado por fatores abióticos.

Resumo em Inglês:

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. is popularly used in the treatment of hemorrhoid, diarrhea and wounds. The aim of this work was to characterize pharmacognosticaly two leaves samples of D. elliptica. Paradermal and transversal sections had been submitted the usual techniques of optical microscopy. The leaves of D. elliptica are hypostomatics, and the stomata predominantly paracytic. In both epidermis were observed unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The mesophyll is isolateral and shows idioblasts with crystals in raphide. The vascular system in the midrib is constituted by three vascular bundles, forming a circular structure. The petiole shows a circular structure probably formed by union of many vascular bundles localized in the central region. The powdered plant material was submitted to tests of phytochemical prospection, of purity and quantitative. There had been evidenced the presence of tannins, coumarins, resins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. The content of total ashes was of 10,32% and 12,26%, insoluble in acid of 7,46% and 9,68%; the humidity of 9,92% and 9,50%. The flavonoids contents was of 1,20% and 1,48%; the tannins contents was of 9,89% and 13,96%. Because of the reduced number of samples, it was not possible to affirm through this study that the pharmacognostic profile de D. elliptica is influenced by abiotics factors.

Resumo em Português:

A partir do levantamento das plantas utilizadas como medicinais por moradores e Agentes Comunitários de Saúde, do Posto de Saúde da Família do bairro Ponta Grossa, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, foram selecionadas as dez espécies mais importantes para a comunidade. Para estas espécies foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica, buscando estudos sobre sua constituição química e atividade farmacológica. Para todas as espécies foram encontrados dados químicos e para nove delas dados de atividade farmacológica. Foram encontrados estudos clínicos para quatro espécies e usos terapêuticos aprovados por organismos internacionais para três espécies. Efeitos adversos foram encontrados, na literatura, para cinco das dez espécies pesquisadas e para seis destas, o uso durante a gestação é desaconselhado.

Resumo em Inglês:

The ten most important species among all plants used as medicinal by the residents and Communitary Agents of Health from the Family Health Office of Ponta Grossa neighborhood, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil were selected. A bibliographical review for these species was accomplished, finding studies about the chemical constitution for all species and some pharmacologic activity for nine of them. Clinical studies for four species and therapeutic uses approved by international organisms for three species were found. It was verified that according to the literature, adverse effects for five of the ten researched species and for six of these the use is dissuaded during the gestation.

Resumo em Português:

Trata-se de um estudo com abordagem quantitativa, com o objetivo de investigar o uso de plantas medicinais em crianças na faixa etária de zero a 12 anos internadas no Hospital Infantil Arlinda Marques, da cidade de João Pessoa (PB), entre agosto de 2000 a junho de 2001. Um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturado foi empregado junto aos 132 acompanhantes das crianças para a obtenção dos dados. Os resultados evidenciaram que as doenças que mais acometeram as crianças foram: 1) pneumonia (26%), 2) infecções intestinais (13%), 3) anemia (8%), 4) afecções renais (7%). Cerca de 27,3% dos acompanhantes usaram plantas medicinais em suas crianças antes de procurarem o Serviço Hospitalar e 41,7% associaram plantas com alguma medicação. Diante destes resultados pode-se concluir que a utilização de plantas medicinais em crianças para o tratamento de doenças possui seus riscos e benefícios que precisam ser avaliados pelos profissionais de saúde.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study is to investigate the use of medicinal plants in children of zero to 12 years hospitalized in the "Hospital Infantil Arlinda Marques", City of João Pessoa, State of Paraíba, Brazil between August 2000 and June 2001. For the collection of the data a half-structuralized script interview was applied to 132 children's companions. The results evidenced that the illnesses which mostly affected the children were: 1) pneumonia (26%), 2) infections of the intestines (13%), 3) anemia (8%), 4) kidneys illnesses (7%). About 27,3% of the companions had used medicinal plants in the children before going to the hospital service; 41,7% had associated plants with some medicines. Based on this, it can be concluded that the use of medicinal plants in children for the treatment of illnesses has its risks and benefits that need to be evaluated by health professionals.

Resumo em Inglês:

The inflammatory reaction is a response of the organism against an injury and it involves the action of complex events and mediators through of the blood vessels. The present work is a literature survey of the extracts of plants with anti-inflammatory activity studied in Brazil. The review refers to 75 plants with their families, parts used, type of extract used, bioassay models and their activity.

Resumo em Inglês:

There has been marked interest in recent years in the use of plants for the treatment of diabetes. Plants have been found in many countries which have been indicated as having hypoglycemic activity. The present work is an up-to-date review with 178 references of crude plant extracts and chemically defined molecules with hypoglycemic activity from South, Central and North America. The review refers to 224 plants with their families, parts used and type of extract, organism tested and activity. It also includes 40 compounds isolated from those plants. Some aspects of recent research with natural products from plants directed to the treatment of diabetes are discussed.