The Cardiorenal Effects of Piper amalago Are Mediated by the Nitric Oxide/Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Pathway and the Voltage-Dependent Potassium Channels.

Piper amalago L. is used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat inflammation, chest pain, and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the safety and the renal and cardiovascular effects of the volatile oil (VO) and the aqueous (AE) and hydroalcoholic (HE) extracts from P. amalago. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses identified 47 compounds in the VO, with ß-cyclogermacrene, spathulenol, ß-phellandrene, and α-pinene standing out. Among the 47 compounds also found in AE and HE by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, glycosylated flavones, organic acids, amino acids, and amides were highlighted. Some examples of these compounds are methoxy-methylenedioxy cis-cinnamoyl pyrrolidine, methoxy-methylenedioxy trans-cinnamoyl pyrrolidine, and cyclobutene-2,4-bis-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-methoxy-6-yl)-1,3-dicarboxapyrrolidide. The acute toxicity experiments were conducted on female rats (n = 5). The cardiorenal assays (n = 8) and evaluations of vasodilatory effects on the mesenteric vascular bed (n = 5) were conducted on male rats. In either extract or VO, there were no mortality or changes in relative weights or histopathological analysis of the organs. Urinary volume and renal electrolyte excretion were elevated significantly during repeated dose 7-day treatment with different preparations from P. amalago. None of the preparations induced hypotension or changes in cardiac electrical activity. Only HE promoted significant vasodilatory effects in rats' isolated mesenteric vascular beds. These effects were completely abolished in the presence of L-NAME plus 4-aminopyridine. Therefore, P. amalago leaves are safe and present diuretic activity after acute and repeated dose administration over 7 days. Moreover, the HE induced significant vasodilator response in rats' mesenteric vascular beds by NO/cGMP pathway and voltage-dependent K+ channels activation.

Authentication and Quality Control of the Brazilian Traditional Herb "Espinheira-Santa" (Monteverdia ilicifolia) by Morpho-Anatomy and Microscopy.

The leaves of Monteverdia ilicifolia (syn. Maytenus ilicifolia), commonly called espinheira-santa, are widely used in South American traditional medicines to treat gastritis and ulcers. Several products labeled as espinheira-santa are sold as dietary supplements in retail stores and via e-commerce. Many different species with similar leaf morphology are often mistaken for Monteverdia ilicifolia and used as espinheira-santa, including Monteverdia aquifolia (Celastraceae), Citronella gongonha (Cardiopteridaceae), Jodina rhombifolia (Santalaceae), Sorocea bonplandii (Moraceae), and Zollernia ilicifolia (Fabaceae). This study aimed to characterize M. ilicifolia and distinguish it from adulterants using morphological and microscopic techniques. In addition, foreign matter and powder characteristics of botanical materials sold as "espinheira-santa" were analyzed. The morphoanatomical studies of the leaves and stems of M. ilicifolia and its five adulterant species have revealed noteworthy features that can help species identification and quality control of commercial espinheira-santa. This study showed that many commercial espinheira-santa materials were adulterated and of inferior quality.

Cytotoxicity of latex and pharmacobotanical study of leaves and stem of Euphorbia umbellata (Janaúba)

AbstractIn southern Brazil, the bottled latex of Synadenium grantii Hook f., Euphorbiaceae, is popularly used as a treatment of all types of cancer. Similarly, Synadenium umbellatum Pax. is used in the central western region of Brazil for the same purpose and in the same manner of use. Both plants are popularly known as janaúba or leitosinha. The objectives of this study were to use pharmacobotanical analysis to verify whether these two species, which are considered to be distinct, are actually the same to determine anatomical markers; to assist in the identification and differentiation of other Euphorbia; and to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the latex in relation to HeLa and HRT-18 cells. Leaves and stems of the species were collected in Goiânia and Ponta Grossa and were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy techniques. The latex was also collected and analyzed in relation to its cytotoxic effect by employing MTT and NR techniques. The pharmacobotanical study of the specimens in both localities showed that they were the same species, namely Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns, which is the scientific nomenclature accepted and confirmed by an expert taxonomist who specializes in Euphorbia. The pharmacobotanical characteristics highlighted in this study can assist in the identification of the taxon and contribute to the control of the quality of this plant drug. The evaluation of the latex in relation to HRT-18 cells demonstrated action after 48 h of experiment. In contrast, in relation to HeLa cells its induced cytotoxicity in all times and a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values (72 h) observed were 252.58 ± 18.51 µg/ml and 263.42 ± 15.92 µg/ml to MTT experiment and 250.18 ± 19.48 µg/ml and 430.56 ± 19.71 µg/ml to NR experiment for the HeLa and HRT-18 cells, respectively.

Anatomical investigations of Piper amalago (jaborandi-manso) for the quality control

Abstract Piper amalago L., Piperaceae, popularly known as jaborandi-manso, is a shrub that spans a height of 2–7 m. It can be found in the regions of Southern America downward up to the south of Brazil. Traditionally it is used to treat digestive problems, heart problems, and burns. This study aims to conduct an anatomical investigation and analysis of the leaves and stems of P. amalago through electron scanning and optical micro techniques. The analysis showed that P. amalago has a hypostomatic leaf, with a subepidermal layer on its surface. There are grandular trichomes that resemble sacs, conic non-glandular trichomes, dorsiventral mesophyll, and a plano-convex midrib having a single vascular bundle in the center. The petiole is short with irregularly shaped and adaxially grooved. The stem is circular in shape and contains two circles of vascular bundles and a sclerenchymatic sheath in the perimedular region. These anatomical features of the Piper amalago's leaves and stems make it easy to pick it out among other species of the Piper genus. This is helpful when conducting quality control process.

Epidemiological analysis of serological markers of hepatitis B in HIV+ patients from Curitiba and metropolitan region / Análise epidemiológica de marcadores sorológicos de hepatite B em pacientes HIV+ de Curitiba e região metropolitana

Introduction: The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to a higher incidence of liver disorders due to persistence and recurrence of HBV infection in addition to increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B in patients infected by HIV followed at Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná (HC-UFPR). Methods: The clinical and epidemiological data were collected through a questionnaire applied to the patients, as well as a retrospective analysis of medical records. Serum levels of total hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) were evaluated through chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Among the 297 HIV+ patients, 49.8% were seropositive only for anti-HBc, and 2.6 % were positive for both markers. Results and discussion: The prevalence of hepatitis B markers was significantly associated with HIV infection when compared with the prevalence observed in the general population from the same geographical area (anti-HBc+ HBsAg+: 0.14% vs. 2.6%, OR: 18.82, 95% CI 2.34-151.19, p = 0.00052). Concerning the associated risks to acquire HIV/HBV infection, 44.87% of the patients reported having been infected through sexual contact. A total of 16.66% HIV/HBV positive patients were in the age group 18-30 years, 62.82% were between 31-50 years and 16.66% were over 60 years old. Conclusion: The findings of the present study corroborate the need to investigate systematically the presence of markers for HBV in HIV+ patients from different regions of the country. .

Introdução: A presença do vírus da hepatite B (HBV) em indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) está associada ao significante aumento da morbimortalidade nos pacientes afetados. Objetivo: Estabelecer a prevalência de marcadores sorológicos de HBV e dos fatores epidemiológicos associados em pacientes HIV+ acompanhados pelo Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná (HC-UFPR). Métodos: Os dados clinicoepidemiológicos foram coletados por meio de análise retrospectiva dos prontuários e de aplicação de um questionário. Os marcadores anti-HBc total e o antígeno HbsAg foram avaliados pela quimioluminescência por micropartículas. Resultados e discussão: Dos 297 pacientes HIV+, 49,8% apresentaram sorologia positiva somente para anti-HBc e 2,6%, para anti-HBc e HbsAg. A prevalência de marcadores de hepatite B foi significantemente associada à infecção pelo HIV quando comparada com a prevalência observada na população geral da mesma área geográfica (anti-HBc+/HbsAg+: 0,14% vs. 2,6%, odds ratio (OR): 18,82, intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%: 2,34-151,19, p = 0,00052). Em relação aos grupos de risco para infecção pelo HIV, 44,87% dos pacientes com sorologia positiva para HBV informaram terem sido infectados por transmissão sexual. Quanto à faixa etária dos pacientes HIV+/HBV+, 16,66% tinham entre 18-30 anos, 62,82%, entre 31-50 anos e 16,66%, acima dos 50 anos de idade (p = ns). Conclusão: Esses achados corroboram a necessidade de se investigar sistematicamente a presença de marcadores para HBV em pacientes HIV+ das diferentes regiões do país. .