Cytotoxicity, antinociceptive and gastroproiltective potential of the Abuta selloana Eichler: a fruit plant from Catarinense flora, Brazil.

This study evaluated some biological activities of extracts from Abuta selloana. The gastroprotective potential was determined against ethanol/HCl- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, whereas the antinociceptive effect was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions in mice. The cytotoxicity activity was measured against human cancer cell lines: U251 (glioma), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and NCI-H460 (lung cancer). The radical scavenger potential was verified; and preliminary phytochemical analyses were performed. The phytochemical screening revealed higher levels of phenolic compounds in all extracts. Moreover, the methanolic extract from pulp fruit (MEPu), peel fruit (MEPe), branches (MEB) and leaves (MEL) scavenged the DPPH radical at 100 µg/mL. Besides, only MEL presented GI50 < 30 µg/mL in all tested cells. Besides, MEPu, MEPe, MEB or MEL at 10 mg/kg (i.p) reduced the abdominal contortions at 47.22%, 63.31%, 84.59% and 37.76%, respectively. The MEPu, MEPe, MEB and MEL reduced the ethanol/HCl- and indomethacin- induced ulcer at 250 mg/kg (p.o). In conclusion, A. selloana had interesting biological activities; presenting the leaves as a promising source for compounds with cytotoxic potential, however, further studies should be performed to confirm its antitumoral activity. Besides, the whole plant can be an important source of bioactive compounds associated with gastroprotective and antinociceptive properties.

Uso de substâncias psicoativas entre estudantes de Medicina de Salvador (BA) / Psychoactive substance use by medical students from Salvador (BA)

CONTEXTO: Estudos indicam que estudantes de Medicina, apesar do seu dedutível conhecimento sobre os efeitos das substâncias psicoativas, consomem-nas em proporção semelhante à dos jovens de mesma idade na população geral. OBJETIVO: Analisar o padrão local do consumo dessas substâncias entre graduandos de Medicina e contribuir na formulação de atividades preventivas. MÉTODOS: Aplicação de questionário semi-estruturado no qual foi avaliada a freqüência de uso das substâncias psicoativas entre os estudantes, assim como as principais razões apontadas para o consumo. Foram analisados 404 questionários obtidos entre alunos dos seis anos de curso das duas maiores escolas médicas de Salvador. RESULTADOS: As drogas mais utilizadas no critério uso na vida foram álcool (92,8 por cento) e lança-perfume (46,2 por cento). O uso de álcool apresentou-se constante nos seis anos de curso. Entretanto, o uso de tabaco, lança-perfume e tranqüilizantes aumentou significativamente para os alunos dos últimos anos (p < 0,05). Há um maior consumo de drogas pelo gênero masculino. Diversão foi apontada como razão mais importante para o uso dessas substâncias (58,7 por cento das respostas válidas). CONCLUSÃO: O consumo de substâncias psicoativas entre estudantes de Medicina de Salvador é considerado alto, em concordância com o que se constatou em outros trabalhos científicos.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that medical students consume psychoactive substances at the same rates as the same age youth on general population, despite their predictable knowledge about drugs effects. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the local pattern of psychoactive substances use among medical students and contribute for the formulation of preventive activities. METHODS: The frequency of psychoactive substances use was evaluated by a self-administered anonymous questionnaire that also asked the main reasons for that use. Four hundred and four students in the first to sixth year from the two biggest medical schools in Salvador answered the questionnaire. RESULTS: The lifetime use was bigger for alcohol (92.8 percent) and inhalant (46.2 percent). Alcohol use was constant for the students from first to sixth year of course, but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, tobacco, inhalants and tranquilizers use had a significant increase at the last two years of course students (p < 0.05). It was verified a bigger drugs use by the male gender. "Fun" was shown as the first main reason for psychoactive substances (58.7 percent of the valid answers). CONCLUSION: Psychoactive substances consume rates by medical students from Salvador are as high as the ones shown on other scientific researches about this subject.