The Effect of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) Bark Extract on Histamine-Induced Paw Edema and Ileum Smooth Muscle Contraction.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as red aroeira, is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory, gastric, and respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihistaminic activity of S. terebinthifolius (St) bark extract by using in vivo and in vitro experimental models. The effects of St were investigated on contractions induced by histamine, carbachol, and potassium chloride in isolated guinea pig ileum. St was also studied in response to hind paw edema induced by histamine in rats. Experiments revealed that although St (250, 500, and 1,000 µg/mL) reduced the histamine-induced contractions by 9.1 ± 1.8, 50.2 ± 2.0, and 68.9 ± 2.0%, respectively, it did not inhibit contractions induced by carbachol or KCl. The association of St (250 and 500 µg/mL) with hydroxyzine, an H1-antihistamine (0.125 and 0.250 µM), increased the inhibitory effect to 67.0 ± 3.2 and 85.1 ± 2.1%, respectively. Moreover, St (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) decreased paw edema from its peak by 33.9, 48.4, and 54.8%, respectively, whereas hydroxyzine (70 mg/kg) inhibited the peak edema by 56.5%. Altogether, the results suggest that the bark extract of S. terebinthifolius has an antihistaminic effect (H1).

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of the bark and leaf extracts of Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul against multidrug resistant strains.

Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul., a plant that belongs to Moraceae family, is found throughout the Brazilian Cerrado. The antimicrobial activities of ethanolic bark and leaf extracts of B. gaudichaudii were tested against multiresistant bacteria isolated from diabetic foot infections (DFIs). Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated by agar disc diffusion (DD) and broth dilution (BD) methods. By BD method, bark (53.85, 45.83%) and leaf (42.31, 50.00%) extracts contained antimicrobial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Increased antimicrobial activity was observed when bark and leaf extracts were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (63.64%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (66.67%). Statistical analyses of bark and leaf extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive (p = 0.000) and gram-negative bacteria (p = 0.012). Extract of bark (p = 0.075) or leaf (p = 0.005) associated with ACA antibiotic showed antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. Our study suggests that the bark and leaf extracts contain bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant strains.

Levels of tannins and flavonoids in medicinal plants: evaluating bioprospecting strategies.

There are several species of plants used by traditional communities in the Brazilian semiarid. An approach used in the search for natural substances that possess therapeutic value is ethnobotany or ethnopharmacology. Active substances that have phenolic groups in their structure have great pharmacological potential. To establish a quantitative relationship between the species popularly considered to be antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antidiarrheal, the contents of tannins and flavonoids were determined. The plant selection was based on an ethnobotanical survey conducted in a community located in the municipality of Altinho, northeastern Brazil. For determination of tannin content was utilized the technique of radial diffusion, and for flavonoids, an assay based on the complexation of aluminum chloride. The group of plants with antimicrobial indications showed a higher content of tannins compared to the control groups. The results evidence suggests a possible relationship between these compounds and the observed activity.

Relationship of biometric parameters on the concentration of tannins in two medicinal plants: a case study / Relación de los parámetros biométricos sobre la concentración de taninos en dos plantas medicinales: un estudio de caso

The Northeast region of Brazil has long been neglected because it mostly consists of semi-arid climate vegetation. However, this biome has an immense diversity, including various plants used for medicinal purposes. Two species widely used by local populations are Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão and Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Humb. ex Roem. & Schult.) T.D. Penn. In order to identify parameters that could assist the pharmaceutical industry and local collectors in collecting samples with high yields of tannin, this study raised the following question: Do biometric parameters (diameter at breast height (DBH), bark thickness and height) relationship the concentrations of tannins in these species? The radial diffusion method was used to measure the tannin levels in all samples, and some were selected also measured using the method of Folin-Ciocalteu in order to compare results between methods. None of the biometric parameters evaluated showed any relationship on the concentration of tannins by either species. The radial diffusion method presented is safe and effective. Since it does not require sophisticated equipment and is inexpensive to implement, it is ideal for studies that use large numbers of samples.

La región nordeste de Brasil consiste fundamentalmente de una vegetación de clima semi-árido. Sin embargo, este bioma tiene una inmensa diversidad, incluyendo diversas plantas utilizadas empleadas para fines medicinales. Dos especies, ampliamente utilizadas por las poblaciones locales, son Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão y Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Humb. ex Roem. & Schult.) TD Penn. Con el fin de analizar los parámetros que pueden ayudar a la industria farmacéutica y los coleccionistas locales en la recogida de muestras de corteza con una alta producción de tanino, este estudio plantea la cuestión siguiente: ¿los parámetros biométricos (diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP), grosor de la corteza y la altura) presentan relación con las concentraciones de taninos en las especies? El método de difusión radial fue empleado para medir la concentración de taninos en todas las muestras, y algunas fueron seleccionadas también para análisis por el método de Folin-Ciocalteu a fin de comparar los resultados entre los métodos. Ninguno de los parámetros biométricos evaluados mostraron asociación con la concentración de taninos para cualquiera de las especies. El método de difusión radial se presenta seguro y efectivo.

Validação de metodologia espectrofotométrica para quantificação dos flavonóides de Bauhinia cheilantha (Bongard) Steudel / Validation of spectrophotometric methodology for quantify flavonoid content in Bauhinia cheilantha (Bongard) Steudel

Os laboratórios de fitoterápicos necessitam de metodologias que assegurem o controle de qualidade de seus produtos quando os mesmos não constam em farmacopéias ou monografias oficiais. Baseando-se neste fato, o presente estudo visou validar umametodologia analítica para quantificação de flavonóides contidos nos extratos da pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia cheilantha [Bongard] Steudel), através de espectrofotometria no visível, como equivalentes de Rutina (μg/mL). Todos os parâmetros exigidos pela ANVISA foram avaliados. No teste de especificidade, observou-se a existência de pico máximo a 420 nm. O método foi considerado linear e com alta sensibilidade de quantificação (2,51 μg/mL). O método também mostrou-se robusto e com elevada recuperação (98,36%). Os resultados obtidos para repetibilidade (intra-corrida), precisãointermediária (inter-corridas) e reprodutibilidade certificaram a precisão do método com valores entre 0,31 e 3,58%, sendo também considerado exato (95,71-105,50%). Com este estudo, o método proposto foi considerado específico, preciso, reprodutível, exato, de baixo custo e fácil execução.

Phytotherapeutic laboratories require access to methodologies that guarantee quality control for their products when these items are not already registered in pharmacopeias or official monographs. As such, the present study sought to validate analytical methodologies for quantifying natural flavonoids contained in extracts of ôpata-de-vacaõ (Bauhinia cheilantha [Bong.] Steudel) using visible light spectrophotometry and a rutin standard (μg/ml). All of the parameters required by ANVISA were evaluated. The specificity test revealed a maximum absorption peak at 420 nm. The methodology was considered linear and of high quantification sensitivity(2.51 μg/ml). The methodology also proved to be robust, and had high recovery levels (98.36%). The results obtained for repeatability, intermediate precision (intra and inter-day), and reproducibility all certified the precision of the method, with values between 0.31 and 3.58%; the methodology was also considered exact (95.71-105.50%). This study demonstrated that the proposed methodology can be considered specific, precise, reproducible, exact, of low cost, and easy to perform.