Antidepressant-Like Effect and Phenolic Profile of Brazilian Native and Exotic Species from Psidium Genus.

Depression is one of the disorders involving mental health that most affects the population worldwide. Considering the available pharmacological therapies for the treatment of depression are ineffective in most patients, the search for new alternatives is crucial. In line with this, we investigated the phenolic profile, antidepressant-like, and antioxidant effects triggered by the administration of aqueous extracts from Psidium guajava L. (GUA), Psidium cattleianum Sw. (CAT), and Psidium guineense Sabine (GUI) leaves in mice. Our results show that quercetin is the major compound of GUA and GUI, and o-coumaric acid in CAT extracts. The acute and subchronic administrations of the three plant extracts exerted an antidepressant-like effect in mice exposed to the tail suspension test, without changes on locomotor performance evaluated by the open field test. Furthermore, the GUI and CAT decreased oxidative stress markers, mainly lipid peroxidation and nitrites in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, liver, and plasma. Notably, GUA and CAT increased non-protein thiols in all tissues. Therefore, the Psidium extracts demonstrated an antidepressant-like effect in mice, and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts seems to underlie the behavioral effect.

Phenolic profile, antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects of Maclura tinctoria leaves extract.

Considering the drawbacks elicited by the conventional antidepressants, the interest in natural products for the management of major depressive disorder has increased in the last years. Therefore, this study investigated the phenolic profile of Maclura tinctoria leaf aqueous extract (MtAE) and its possible antidepressant-like effect in mice. The LC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated MtAE has epicatechin as the major phenolic, followed by catechin, gallic acid, quercetin, syringaldehyde, ferulic acid, and syringic acid. Moreover, the acute treatment of MtAE elicited an antidepressant-like response in mice. Importantly, this antidepressant-like effect produced by MtAE was reinforced in the chronic corticosterone (20 mg/kg p.o.) administration model. MtAE treatment was also effective to protect hippocampal and cerebrocortical slices against glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Our results indicated that MtAE displayed antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects and these responses could be associated with the presence of the phenolic compounds identified.

Capacitação de profissionais na atenção primária em saúde: um caminho para a promoção da fitoterapia / Training of primary health care professionals: a path for promoting phytotherapy / Formación de profesionales en atención primaria de salud: una forma de promoción de la fitoterapia

O uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos é uma prática contemplada na Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC), lançada pelo Ministério da Saúde (MS). Este estudo visou implantar as práticas integrativas e complementares envolvendo plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos na Atenção Básica (AB), em Blumenau (SC). A pesquisa-ação de abordagem qualiquantitativa com ações educativas abrangeu 27 profissionais de diversas categorias. Foi realizada uma capacitação sobre a temática com conteúdo teórico/prático, matriciamento e oficina de projetos. Além disso, foram aplicados três questionários e realizados registros fotográficos e uma entrevista. Os profissionais responderam que fazem uso próprio das plantas medicinais (69%), prescrevem ou sugerem seu uso na AB (72,4%), tinham conhecimento anterior à capacitação sobre a PNPIC (65,9%), 76% conheciam a Política Nacional das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos (PNPMF) e 90% relataram que os pacientes têm interesse nessa prática. Entretanto, dos 29 medicamentos de referência citados para as enfermidades de difícil tratamento, somente dois eram fitoterápicos, garra-do-diabo e valeriana. Percebeu-se que a atividade de desenvolver um projeto oportunizou construir a prática no cotidiano da AB. Essa vivência evidenciou dificuldades como alta demanda de serviço, complexidade dessa prática, necessidade de auxílio financeiro e revisão da Relação Municipal de Medicamentos Essenciais (REMUME). Por outro lado, foram identificados facilitadores como apoio da gestão, hortas medicinais e participação da comunidade. Recomenda-se a continuação das formações, intersetoriais, com envolvimento de gestores e comunidade por meio de projetos. Sugere-se como tema norteador plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos utilizados para o manejo de doenças consideradas de difícil tratamento: depressão, ansiedade, diabetes e hipertensão.

Use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines is a practice contemplated in the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC), launched by the Ministry of Health (MS). Hence, this study sought to implement integrative and complementary practices involving medicinal plants and herbal medicines at a Primary Care (PC) unit in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. A quantitative and qualitative action research involving educational actions was conducted with 27 professionals from different categories. A training was held on the topic with theoretical/practical content, matrix support, and project workshop. Additionally, participants answered three questionnaires and participated in an interview. Photographic records were taken. Professionals reported making use of medicinal plants (69%), prescribing or suggesting their use in PC (72.4%), and knowing the PNPIC prior to training (65.9%). A total of 76% knew about the National Policy of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines (PNPMF) and 90% reported that patients are interested in this practice. However, of 29 reference drugs mentioned for difficult-to-treat illnesses, only two were herbal medicines, devil's claw and valerian. The project workshop allowed to implement this practice in PC daily routine. This experience highlighted difficulties such as high service demand, complexity of this practice, need for financial support, and revision of the Municipal List of Essential Medicines (REMUME). In turn, management support, medicinal gardens, and community participation were identified as facilitators. Intersectoral training should continue and involve managers and the community through projects. Medicinal plants and herbal medicines used to manage difficult-to-treat illnesses, depression, anxiety, diabetes and hypertension should be the guiding theme.

El uso de plantas medicinales y fitoterápicos es una práctica que se encuentra presente en la Política Nacional de Prácticas Integradas y Complementarias (PNPIC) impulsada por el Ministerio de Salud (MS). Este estudio tuvo como objetivo promover la implementación de la práctica integrada de plantas medicinales y fitoterapéuticos en la Atención Primaria (AP), en Blumenau, Santa Catarina (Brasil). La investigación-acción, con enfoque cualicuantitativo, incluía actividades educativas destinadas a 27 profesionales de diferentes sectores. Se realizaron capacitaciones en el tema involucrando contenidos teórico-prácticos, soporte matricial y taller de proyectos. Además, se aplicaron tres cuestionarios, una entrevista y registros fotográficos. Los profesionales respondieron que hacen uso propio de las plantas medicinales (69%), prescriben o sugieren en AP (72,4%), tenían conocimientos previos sobre la formación de la PNPIC (65,9%), el 76% de ellos conocía la Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinales y Herbolarios (PNPMF) y el 90% mostró que los pacientes están interesados en esta práctica. Sin embargo, de los 29 medicamentos de referencia citados para enfermedades de difícil tratamiento, solo dos eran medicamentos a base de plantas, harpagofito y valeriana. Se percibió que la actividad de elaboración de un proyecto posibilitó la construcción de la práctica en el cotidiano de AP. Esta experiencia mostró dificultades como alta demanda de servicio, complejidad de esta práctica, necesidad de asistencia financiera y revisión de la Lista Municipal de Medicamentos Esenciales (REMUME). Por otro lado, se identificaron facilitadores como apoyo a la gestión, jardines medicinales y participación comunitaria. Se recomienda continuar la formación intersectorial con el involucramiento de los gestores y la comunidad a través de proyectos. Se sugiere como tema rector plantas medicinales y fitoterápicos utilizados para el manejo de enfermedades consideradas de difícil tratamiento, como depresión, ansiedad, diabetes e hipertensión.

Perspectivas e desafios dos profissionais na inserção da prática plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos na atenção primária à saúde, no município de Gaspar, SC / erspectives and challenges of professionals in theinsertion of medicinal plants and herbal practices in primary health care, in the city of Gaspar, SC

Este estudo qualiquantitativo,com abordagem de pesquisa-ação,foi desenvolvido a partir de uma capacitação para promover a inserção da prática plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), no município de Gaspar, Santa Catarina. Foram utilizados dois questionários e uma entrevista para verificar o conhecimento, auxiliar as ações e esclarecer as percepções dos profissionais sobre a inserção desta prática. Verificou-se que a maioria dos 32 participantes acertou as questões sobre o tema, fazia uso de plantas e acreditava no seu efeito. Apesar do interesse na prática, foi relatada insegurança para prescrever, pois necessitam de mais conhecimento, espaço físico para hortas e fitoterápicos incluídos na Relação Municipal de Medicamentos Essenciais. Sendo assim, o envolvimento da gestão e da comunidade e, ações intersetoriais, poderiam minimizar o desafio da implantação da prática ampliando as opções de tratamento e fortalecendo o vínculo entre a APS e os usuários.

This quali-quantitative study with an action-research approach was developed from training to promote the insertion of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in Primary Health Care (PHC), in the city of Gaspar, Santa Catarina. Two questionnaires and an interview were used to verify knowledge, assist actions and clarify professionals' perceptions about the insertion of this practice. It was found that most of the 32 participants got the questions right on the subject, made use of plants and believed in their effect. Despite the interest in the practice, it was reported insecurity to prescribe, as they need more knowledge, physical space for medicinal gardens and herbal medicines included in the Municipal List of Essential Medicines. Thus, the involvement of management and the community, and intersectoral actions, could minimize the challenge of implementing the practice, expanding treatment options and strengthening the bond between PHC and users.

Plumieride exerts anxiolytic-like effect mediated by GABAergic and monoaminergic systems.

Plumieride (PLU), an iridoid isolated from Allamanda cathartica flowers, has been studied by our research group due to its anti-inflammatory potential, antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects. This research investigated the involvement of GABAergic and monoaminergic systems in the anxiolytic-like effect elicited by PLU. Therefore, mice were pre-treated with GABAergic, serotonergic, adrenergic or dopaminergic receptor antagonists (i.p.), and exposed to Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) and Open-Field Test (OFT). The preliminary results revealed that PLU (p.o.) possibly interacts with the mentioned systems through the GABAA, GABAB, 5-HT1A, 5-HT3, α1, α2, and D2 receptors.

Involvement of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway in the antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects of Morus nigra and its major phenolic, syringic acid.

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder whose pathophysiology has been associated with glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Thus, the research for new antidepressant strategies with the ability to mitigate glutamate toxicity has received growing attention. Given this background, the present study sought to investigate the antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects of Morus nigra (MN) and its major phenolic, syringic acid (SA), against glutamate-induced damage, as well as, the role of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway in these effects. Treatment with MN (3 mg/kg) and SA (1 mg/kg) for 7 days, similar to fluoxetine (10 mg/kg), triggered an antidepressant-like effect. Moreover, the treatments evoked neuroprotection against glutamatergic excitotoxicity in hippocampal slices, and MN treatment also afforded protection in cerebrocortical slices. Notably, ex vivo neuroprotective effect of MN and SA was mediated, at least in part, by PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway. Furthermore, the ability of MN and SA to counteract the glutamate-induced damage were evaluated in three different in vitro experiments. The hippocampal slices pretreated with MN (0.05 and 0.1 µg/mL) or SA (0.01-0.1 µg/mL) as well as the concomitant treatment with MN (0.01 and 0.05 µg/mL) or SA (0.05 and 0.1 µg/mL) exhibited protection against glutamate toxicity. Interestingly, post-treatment with MN in all doses (0.01-0.1 µg/mL) and SA at dose of 0.1 µg/mL were capable of preventing glutamate-induced cell death. In vitro neuroprotective effect of SA, but not MN, involves the activation of Akt, since the pretreatment with LY294002 completely abolished the protective effect. Overall, MN and SA presented antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects against glutamatergic excitotoxicity via PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß.

Lutein prevents corticosterone-induced depressive-like behavior in mice with the involvement of antioxidant and neuroprotective activities.

Depression is a neuropsychiatry medical condition with high prevalence, in which the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction has been postulated as the main cause. The glucocorticoids can be harmful to the brain, particularly by induction of oxidative stress and glutamatergic damage, therefore antioxidants or neuroprotective agents could have beneficial effects. Lutein (LUT) is a dietary xanthophyll able to arrive in the brain that has been used for therapy of macular degeneration. In this sense, several studies pointed beneficial effects of LUT in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, key regions in mood regulation. Thus, this study sought to evaluate antidepressant-like, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of LUT (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) given orally (p.o.), acute, 7 or 21 days, once a day, in combination or not with corticosterone (20 mg/kg) in mice. After behavioral evaluation, the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and plasma were collected to assess the oxidative stress markers. And the neuroprotection against glutamate was developed through prefrontal cortex and hippocampal slices. LUT and fluoxetine in acute or subchronic treatment decreased immobility time at the dose 10 mg/kg. Furthermore, corticosterone was effective to induce depressive-like behavior accompanied by an increase of the oxidative stress. Conversely, LUT and fluoxetine were able to counteract the behavioral changes displayed by corticosterone showing antidepressant-like effect. In addition, both LUT and fluoxetine presented antioxidant effect in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and plasma of mice, and exhibited a capability to protect hippocampal and prefrontal cortex slices against glutamatergic toxicity. Our results demonstrated that LUT treatment presented an antidepressant-like effect with the involvement of oxidative stress and neurochemical abnormalities amelioration. Therefore, LUT, widely used for therapy of macular degeneration emerge as a promising agent useful in the management of depression.

[Medicinal plants and herbal medicines in Primary Health Care: the perception of the professionals]. / Plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos na Atenção Primária em Saúde: percepção dos profissionais.

The Ministry of Health through the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC) encourages the offer of Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Hydrotherapy and Anthroposophical Medicine in the Unified Health System (SUS). This study evaluated the profile for the prescription/suggestion and credibility of herbal medicine usage as complementary therapy among the 157 professionals from the 66 Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams in Blumenau city. Data collection was conducted between the years of 2014 and 2015 through a semi-structured questionnaire applied to a sample comprised of 42 (26.8%) physicians, 40 (25.5%) nurses, 66 (42%) nursing technicians, 5 (3.2%) dentists and 4 (2.5%) oral health technicians. Bivariate associations were assessed using the Chi-Square test or Fisher's exact test for variables. Despite 65.6% of respondents being aware of the existence of the PNPIC, the presence of herbal medicines on the National List of Medicines was unknown by 85.4%. The majority (96.2%) of the professionals believe in the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants but do not prescribe this medicine. However, 98.7% agreed with the initiative to offer this complementary and integrative practice through SUS after training in the area.

O Ministério da Saúde através da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC) incentiva a oferta de Acupuntura, Homeopatia, Fitoterapia, Medicina Antroposófica e Termalismo no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Este estudo avaliou o perfil de prescrição/sugestão e credibilidade no uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos como terapia complementar entre 157 profissionais de 66 equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) do município de Blumenau. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre abril de 2014 e fevereiro de 2015, utilizando um questionário semiestruturado em uma amostra composta por 42 (26,8%) médicos, 40 (25,5%) enfermeiros, 66 (42%) técnicos de enfermagem, 05 (3,2%) odontólogos e 04 (2,5%) técnicos de saúde bucal. As associações entre variáveis foram verificadas através da análise bivariada pelo teste Qui-Quadrado ou teste Exato de Fisher. Apesar de 65,6% dos entrevistados relatarem conhecer a PNPIC, a presença de fitoterápicos na Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais era desconhecida por 85,4%. A maioria (96,2%) dos profissionais acredita no efeito terapêutico das plantas medicinais, mas não prescrevem. No entanto, 98,7% dos entrevistados concordam com a iniciativa de ofertar esta prática integrativa e complementar no SUS após uma capacitação na área.

Cholecalciferol counteracts depressive-like behavior and oxidative stress induced by repeated corticosterone treatment in mice.

Depression is one of the most frequent neuropsychiatric diseases in the western world and its physiological causes are not yet fully understood. Since the available antidepressants failed to provide a complete illness remission, the diversification of the therapy in the management of depression could be a useful contribution. The present study aimed to investigate the cholecalciferol capability to revert depressive-like behavior induced by chronic corticosterone (CORT) treatment in mice and its implication on the oxidative stress modulation. Sixty minutes after having orally received different doses of cholecalciferol, adult male mice were evaluated in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests, whereas in the seven-day treatment they were only tested in tail suspension. Additionally, for 21 days, the animals received CORT (20 mg/kg, p.o.) and cholecalciferol or fluoxetine, once a day for the last 7-days of the CORT treatment. Moreover, the markers of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and nitrite levels were assessed in the plasma and brain's mice after the splash and tail suspension tests. It was observed that corticosterone treatment resulted in depressive-like behavior with established oxidative stress in mice, while cholecalciferol ameliorated both, behavioral (immobility time and grooming latency) and biochemical (protein carbonyl and nitrite levels) changes induced by CORT model, suggesting that cholecalciferol has antidepressant-like effect with the involvement of the oxidative stress modulation.

Plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos na Atenção Primária em Saúde: percepção dos profissionais / Medicinal plants and herbal medicines in Primary Health Care: the perception of the professionals

Resumo O Ministério da Saúde através da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC) incentiva a oferta de Acupuntura, Homeopatia, Fitoterapia, Medicina Antroposófica e Termalismo no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Este estudo avaliou o perfil de prescrição/sugestão e credibilidade no uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos como terapia complementar entre 157 profissionais de 66 equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) do município de Blumenau. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre abril de 2014 e fevereiro de 2015, utilizando um questionário semiestruturado em uma amostra composta por 42 (26,8%) médicos, 40 (25,5%) enfermeiros, 66 (42%) técnicos de enfermagem, 05 (3,2%) odontólogos e 04 (2,5%) técnicos de saúde bucal. As associações entre variáveis foram verificadas através da análise bivariada pelo teste Qui-Quadrado ou teste Exato de Fisher. Apesar de 65,6% dos entrevistados relatarem conhecer a PNPIC, a presença de fitoterápicos na Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais era desconhecida por 85,4%. A maioria (96,2%) dos profissionais acredita no efeito terapêutico das plantas medicinais, mas não prescrevem. No entanto, 98,7% dos entrevistados concordam com a iniciativa de ofertar esta prática integrativa e complementar no SUS após uma capacitação na área.

Abstract The Ministry of Health through the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC) encourages the offer of Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Hydrotherapy and Anthroposophical Medicine in the Unified Health System (SUS). This study evaluated the profile for the prescription/suggestion and credibility of herbal medicine usage as complementary therapy among the 157 professionals from the 66 Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams in Blumenau city. Data collection was conducted between the years of 2014 and 2015 through a semi-structured questionnaire applied to a sample comprised of 42 (26.8%) physicians, 40 (25.5%) nurses, 66 (42%) nursing technicians, 5 (3.2%) dentists and 4 (2.5%) oral health technicians. Bivariate associations were assessed using the Chi-Square test or Fisher's exact test for variables. Despite 65.6% of respondents being aware of the existence of the PNPIC, the presence of herbal medicines on the National List of Medicines was unknown by 85.4%. The majority (96.2%) of the professionals believe in the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants but do not prescribe this medicine. However, 98.7% agreed with the initiative to offer this complementary and integrative practice through SUS after training in the area.

[Use of medicinal plants as home remedies in Primary Health Care in Blumenau - State of Santa Catarina, Brazil]. / Utilização de plantas medicinais como remédio caseiro na Atenção Primária em Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brasil.

An increase in the use of alternative therapeutic practices has been observed in the past decade, especially in medicinal plants, herbal and home remedies, which has been supported by policies within the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS). This study investigated the use of home remedies by users of Primary Health Care in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina. It is a cross-sectional, observational and epidemiological study, the data for which were obtained via a questionnaire applied to 701 individuals. An unconditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between the use of home remedies and socio-demographic and medical care variables. It was observed that 21.9% of the sample use home remedies and medicinal plants grown in the back yard are the remedies of choice. Lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint and lime were the remedies most frequently mentioned. The use of home remedies was associated with the female gender, older age and the Family Health Strategy care model. The results supported that medicinal plants are used by the population as a therapeutic alternative option. However, it is necessary that primary care services ensure both access to natural products and supply qualified professionals to give instructions regarding the correct usage of home remedies.

Morus nigra and its major phenolic, syringic acid, have antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects in mice.

Depression is a disorder with a high incidence that has been increasing worldwide although the pathophysiology remains unclear. Moreover, some studies revealed a higher concentration of glutamate and oxidative stress in the patients' brain, which causes cell death by excitotoxicity. Morus nigra L. is known as black mulberry and its leaves are popularly used to treat affections related to menopause, obesity and high cholesterol. M. nigra leaves are a rich fount of phenolics which well-known by the antioxidant property. Herein, we examined the phenolic profile and the antidepressant-like effect of the Morus nigra aqueous extract (MN) and its major phenolic constituent, syringic acid (SA). Furthermore, the involvement of antioxidant and neuroprotective activities were further evaluated. Our results show that acute and subchronic MN or SA administration exerted antidepressant-like property in the behavioral testes in mice. The results suggest that the antidepressant-like effect of MN, at least in part, could be due to the SA influence. Moreover, the observed effect involves the nitro-oxidative system modulation in both the serum and brain of mice. Furthermore, MN or SA was able to contain the glutamate-induced cell death in the hippocampal and cortical slices implicating the neuroprotection activity in the antidepressant-like effect.

Utilização de plantas medicinais como remédio caseiro na Atenção Primária em Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brasil / Use of medicinal plants as home remedies in Primary Health Care in Blumenau - State of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Resumo Na última década foi observado um aumento no uso de práticas terapêuticas alternativas apoiadas por políticas no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em particular o uso de plantas medicinais e de fitoterápicos. Este estudo investigou o uso de remédios caseiros pelos usuários da Atenção Primária da Saúde do município de Blumenau, em Santa Catarina. Estudo epidemiológico observacional seccional, cujos dados foram obtidos através de questionário aplicado a 701 indivíduos. Utilizou-se um modelo de regressão logística não condicional para estimar a associação entre uso de remédios caseiros e variáveis sociodemográficas e médicoassistenciais. Observou-se que 21,9% dos entrevistados utilizaram remédios caseiros, sendo as plantas medicinais obtidas no quintal das casas a principal escolha. Como as mais citadas destacaram-se erva-cidreira, camomila, hortelã e limão. O uso de remédios caseiros se mostrou associado ao sexo feminino, à idade mais avançada e à modalidade de serviço, Estratégia Saúde da Família. Os resultados mostraram que as plantas medicinais são utilizadas como alternativa terapêutica. Entretanto, é necessário que os serviços de atenção primária garantam o acesso aos produtos naturais, bem como profissionais qualificados capazes de fornecer orientações sobre sua utilização.

Abstract An increase in the use of alternative therapeutic practices has been observed in the past decade, especially in medicinal plants, herbal and home remedies, which has been supported by policies within the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS). This study investigated the use of home remedies by users of Primary Health Care in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina. It is a cross-sectional, observational and epidemiological study, the data for which were obtained via a questionnaire applied to 701 individuals. An unconditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between the use of home remedies and socio-demographic and medical care variables. It was observed that 21.9% of the sample use home remedies and medicinal plants grown in the back yard are the remedies of choice. Lemon balm, chamomile, peppermint and lime were the remedies most frequently mentioned. The use of home remedies was associated with the female gender, older age and the Family Health Strategy care model. The results supported that medicinal plants are used by the population as a therapeutic alternative option. However, it is necessary that primary care services ensure both access to natural products and supply qualified professionals to give instructions regarding the correct usage of home remedies.

Ferulic acid reverses depression-like behavior and oxidative stress induced by chronic corticosterone treatment in mice.

Corticosterone (CORT) treatment has been evidenced to develop a depression-like state in animals, that mimic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis dysregulation implicated in the development of depression. The present study aimed to examine the ferulic acid (FA), a natural phenolic compound, antidepressant and antioxidant activities on the CORT chronic model. Mice orally treated with 20mg/kg of CORT for 21days were connsidered control group, while mice treated with FA (1mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10mg/kg) for the last week of CORT treatment, as drug groups. Three weeks of CORT treatment resulted in depressive-like behavior, as indicated by the increase on the immobility time in the tail suspension test, grooming in the splash test and an increase in the oxidative stress markers in the brain. It was observed that FA ameliorated the behavioral and oxidative stress alterations induced by CORT, which may plausibly suggest a mode of action for the FA antidepressant effect. The involvement of FA repairing the stress caused by HPA-axis dysfunction evidenced that this phenolic acid could be further investigated as a novel potential agent to improve the management of depression.

Assessment of bioactive metabolites and hypolipidemic effect of polyphenolic-rich red cabbage extract.

CONTEXT: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and the consumption of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra DC. - Brassicaceae) has been linked with the reduction risk of chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study assesses the bioactive metabolites and hypolipidemic effect of red cabbage on rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The content of total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity were assessed, while individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected using reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Acute hypolipidemic activity of aqueous extract of red cabbage (RC - 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was investigated using a Triton WR-1339 (400 mg/kg) induced hyperlipidemic Wistar rats compared to fenofibrate (65 mg/kg). RESULTS: The HPLC analysis of extracts revealed eight phenolic acids, gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, m-coumaric, syringic, caffeic, cinnamic, dicaffeoylquinic and three flavonoids, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, gallocatechin. Furthermore, the aqueous extract showed higher amounts of total phenolics (116.00 mg/g), flavonoids (161.32 µg/g) and, antioxidant activity (87.19%) than the hydromethanolic (89.33 mg/g, 123.34 µg/g and 75.07%), respectively. The RC significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorated the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins alterations in hyperlipidemic rats without toxicity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Herein, the RC presented the higher amounts of phenolics and flavonoids comparing with the hydromethanolic extract. Additionally, the RC showed as the majority compounds, dicaffeoylquinic and cinnamic acids, and the flavonoids epicatechin and gallocatechin. Furthermore, the RC demonstrated a beneficial effect against hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, demonstrating its potential therapeutic effect on these risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

Ferulic acid chronic treatment exerts antidepressant-like effect: role of antioxidant defense system.

Oxidative stress has been claimed a place in pathophysiology of depression; however, the details of the neurobiology of this condition remains incompletely understood. Recently, treatments employing antioxidants have been thoroughly researched. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound with antioxidant and antidepressant-like effects. Herein, we investigated the involvement of the antioxidant activity of chronic oral FA treatment in its antidepressant-like effect using the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST) in mice. The modulation of antioxidant system in blood, hippocampus and cerebral cortex was assessed after stress induction through TST and FST. Our results show that FA at the dose of 1 mg/kg has antidepressant-like effect without affecting locomotor activity. The stress induced by despair tests was able to decrease significantly the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood, catalase (CAT) in the blood and cerebral cortex and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the cerebral cortex. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) levels were increased significantly in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, the results show that FA was capable to increase SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities and decrease TBA-RS levels in the blood, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. These findings demonstrated that FA treatment in low doses is capable to exert antidepressant-like effect with the involvement of the antioxidant defense system modulation.

Ethnobotanical study of plants used for therapeutic purposes in the Atlantic Forest region, Southern Brazil.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Atlantic Forest is a biome in dangerous situation and it lacks wider information on species with medicinal purposes used by people in this area. In this study an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Apiúna district, Brazil with the goal of assessing traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by rural communities in a region covered by Atlantic Forest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a free list of plants used for medicinal purposes. The respondents were selected by snow ball method. Therefore, the therapeutic use of plants was investigated and the species cited was collected and identified. Local plant uses were evaluated using ethnobotanical indices of diversity and equitability, and then compared with those obtained in other regions of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Besides, the informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 162 species belonging to 61 families were recorded, mainly Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. Furthermore, the species cited, 45.06% were native and 54.94% were considered exotic. The most frequently reported medicinal uses were the symptoms and signs (17.42%), digestive system (15.33%) and, infectious and parasitic diseases (12.73%). Although, the ICF calculation showed that mental and behavioral (0.85), respiratory system (0.79) and, digestive and genitourinary system diseases (0.78 for both) were the categories with higher values reached. Usually, the administration is oral from leaves preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Folk medicine in rural communities in this region of Atlantic Forest is an important source of primary health care. The results indicate an available knowledge of medicinal plants uses in this area, when compared to other regions previously studied. The fact that this research was conducted next to a conservation area makes it possible to dispose the knowledge organized here into a tool for environmental education as well as preservation. Moreover, the pharmacological information will further contribute for the validation and the use of these species in Brazilian health programs benefiting the population.

Involvement of PKA, CaMKII, PKC, MAPK/ERK and PI3K in the acute antidepressant-like effect of ferulic acid in the tail suspension test.

Ferulic acid (FA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid) is a phytochemical compound naturally present in several plants and foods that is approved as an antioxidant additive and food preservative. It exerts a beneficial action in chronic mild stress-induced depressive-like behavior and produces an acute antidepressant-like effect in the tail suspension test (TST) through the activation of the serotonergic system. This study was aimed at investigating the possible involvement of signaling pathways in the antidepressant-like effect of acute and oral administration of FA, in the TST in mice. The anti-immobility effect of orally administered FA (0.01mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by pretreatment of mice with H-89 (1µg/site, i.c.v., an inhibitor of PKA), KN-62 (1µg/site, i.c.v., an inhibitor of CaMKII), GF109203X (5ng/site, i.c.v., an inhibitor of PKC), U0126 (5µg/site, i.c.v., an inhibitor of MAPK/ERK) or LY294002 (10nmol/site, i.c.v., an inhibitor of PI3K), all involved with neurotrophic signaling pathways. The results demonstrated that FA exerts antidepressant-like effect in the TST in mice, through the activation of signaling pathways related to neuroplasticity, neurogenesis and cell survival.

Antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects of Aloysia gratissima: investigation of involvement of L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aloysia gratissima (Gill. et Hook) Tronc. (Verbenaceae) is used traditionally for the treatment of headache, bronchitis, and nervous systems disorders including depression. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects of Aloysia gratissima aqueous extract (AE) and the involvement of l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antidepressant-like effect of AE was evaluated through behavioral despair in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Swiss albino mice were treated by oral route and after 1h were analyzed the time of immobility in the FST and TST. In addition, the neuroprotective effect of AE against glutamate excitotoxicity was evaluate through cell viability of hippocampal slices, phosphorylation of Akt, and the immunocontent of inducible oxide nitric synthase (iNOS) were investigated by western blotting. RESULTS: The immobility time in the FST and TST were reduced by AE (100-1000 and 10-300 mg/kg, respectively). The antidepressant-like effect of AE in the TST was prevented by the pretreatment with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), l-arginine or sildenafil. The subeffective dose of AE produced a synergistic antidepressant-like effect with MK-801 (an antagonist of NMDA receptor), methylene blue, l-NNA (an inhibitor of NO synthase) or ODQ (an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase). In ex vivo experiments, pretreatment with AE prevented the loss of cell viability induced by glutamate, thus affording neuroprotection. Glutamate toxicity caused a decreased Akt phosphorylation and an increased iNOS expression. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides convincing evidence of neuroprotection and the involvement of the l-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in the antidepressant-like effect of AE. Therefore, AE could be of potential interest for the treatment of depressive disorders and neurological conditions associated with glutamate excitotoxicity.