Antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities and determination of the total tannin content of bark extracts Endopleura uchi.

Endopleura uchi is a typical Amazonian tree and its bark is popularly employed in the preparation of teas against myomas, arthritis, influenza, diarrhea and cancer. In this study, the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of five different extracts of the bark, selected by their total tannin content, were assessed. The potential antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and the values found were very similar among the extracts and to the standards antioxidants used in the tests. Cytotoxicity analysis in mammalian cells indicated that all the tested extracts exhibited IC(50) values higher than the highest concentration used, showing that they do not present a risk when consumed under these conditions. Extract tested against five bacterial strains and one yeast strain did not show satisfactory growth inhibitory activity, and even the extracts that showed some antimicrobial activity were not effective at any dilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The results may serve as a reference for subsequent works, since such reference values described in the literature for the bark of E. uchi.

Effect of Glycolic Extract of Dillenia indica L. Combined With Microcurrent Stimulation on Experimental Lesions in Wistar Rats.

UNLABELLED: This study evaluated the wound healing activity of a glycolic extract of Dillenia indica (GED) prepared from the mature fruits of the plant applied alone or in combination with microcurrent stimulation to skin wounds surgically induced on the back of Wistar rats. METHODS: The animals were randomly divided into six groups: (A) negative control group; (B) group receiving microcurrent application (MC; [10 mA/2 mins]); (C) group treated with GED; (D) group treated with an emulsion containing GED; (E) group treated with GED and MC, and (F) group treated with the emulsion containing GED and MC. Tissue samples were obtained 2, 6, and 10 days after injury and underwent structural and morphometric analysis. RESULTS: There were observed differences in wound healing among the various treatments when compared to the control group. The combination of microcurrent plus extract or microcurrent plus emulsion containing GED was advantageous in all of the studied parameters (P < 0.05) when compared to the other groups with positive effects seen regarding newly formed tissue, number of fibroblasts, and number of newly formed blood vessels. The morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. CONCLUSION: Microcurrent application alone or combined with GED exerted significant effects on wound healing in this experimental model. This was probably due to the efficacy of microcurrent application since the extract alone did not significantly accelerate the healing process. D indica fruit extract most likely participates in the wound healing process as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Estudo fitoquímico de goiaba (Psidium guajava L. ) com potencial antioxidante para o desenvolvimento de formulação fitocosmética / Phytochemical study of guava (Psidium guajava L. ) with potential antioxidant activity aiming at developing a phytocosmetic formulation

Considerando-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos, é importante salientar que a preocupação com esta questão inclui rigoroso acompanhamento das diferentes etapas do desenvolvimento e produção destes produtos, desde a coleta do vegetal até a disponibilidade do produto final. Neste trabalho, foram realizados o controle da qualidade, o potencial antioxidante como também ensaios biológicos in vitro do fruto da goiabeira (Psidium guajava L.), para o desenvolvimento de uma formulação fitocosmética. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o fruto apresenta taninos e flavonóides, bem como atividades antioxidante e antimicrobiana. A análise microbiológica não apresentou crescimento de patógenos na formulação desenvolvida entre os outros testes realizados. Destaca-se a importância do estabelecimento do controle da qualidade para as plantas, a fim de que sejam utilizadas para o desenvolvimento de uma formulação fitocosmética segura, eficaz e com qualidade.

Considering the quality of the phytotherapic products, it is important to point out that the concern with this question includes rigorous accompaniment of the different stages of the development and production of these products, since the collection of the vegetable until the availability of the end product. In this work the quality control, the antioxidant potential were performed as also biological assays in vitro of guava fruit (P. guajava L.), for the development of a phytocosmetic formulation. The results had shown that the fruit presents tannins and flavonoids, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The microbiological analysis did not present growth of pathogens. The importance of the establishment of the quality control for the plants is relevant, so that they are used for the development of a phytocosmetic formulation considered safe, efficient and with quality.

Controle da qualidade do fruto de Syzygium cumini (L. ) Skeels / Quality control of Syzygium cumini (L. ) Skeels fruits

Considerando-se a qualidade dos fitoterápicos, é importante salientar que a preocupação com esta questão inclui rigoroso acompanhamento das diferentes etapas do desenvolvimento e produção destes produtos, desde a coleta do vegetal até a disponibilidade do produto final. Neste trabalho foi realizado o controle da qualidade do fruto de Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, popularmente conhecido como jambolão. Para o controle físico-químico e microbiológico utilizaram-se metodologias farmacopéicas e não farmacopeicas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o fruto apresenta um teor de taninos de 4,2 por cento e a análise fitoquímica preliminar dos frutos de S. cumini evidenciou taninos, flavonóides, antocianidinas, iridóides, alcalóides e heterosídeos fenólicos simples. A análise microbiológica não apresentou crescimento de patógenos entre os outros testes realizados. Destaca-se a importância do estabelecimento de normas para o controle da qualidade para as plantas, a fim de que sejam utilizadas com finalidade fitoterápica.

Considering the quality of the phytotherapic agents, it is important to point out that the concern with this subject includes rigorous attendance of the different steps of the development and production of these products, from the collection of the vegetable to the availability of the final product. In this work the quality control of the Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels fruit, popularly known as jambolão, was carried out. Pharmacopoeic and no pharmacopoeic methodologies were employed to physico-chemical and microbiological quality control. The obtained results showed that the fruits presents a content of tannins of 4.2 percent, the preliminary phytochemical analysis of the S. cumini fruits evidenced tannins, flavonoids, antocianidin, iridoids, alkaloids and heterosides simple phenols. The microbiological analysis didnÆt present phatogenic growth among the other accomplished tests. The work stands out the importance of the establishment of norms for the quality control for the plants, so that they are used with phytotherapic purpose.

Evaluation of efficacy of preservatives associated with Achillea millefolium L. extract against Bacillus subtilis

A eficácia antimicrobiana de conservantes empregados em formulações cosméticas foi avaliada usando Phenova® e Imidazolinidil uréia que inibiram o crescimento de Bacillus subtilis no extrato de Achillea millefolium L. e Nipagin®/ Nipasol® 0,2 por cento em propilenoglicol não apresentaram efeito microbicida.