Evaluation of prolyl oligopeptidase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition by Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. from Brazil.

Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. (Phyllanthaceae) is a plant used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of intestinal infections and diabetes. Despite its use in traditional medicine, it was reported that P. tenellus extract may cause several effects in the central nervous system (CNS) of animals, such as agitation and signs of depression. The aim of this study was to determine the main constituents of P. tenellus methanol extract and to investigate whether the extract is able to inhibit the enzymes prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). Corilagin (1) was isolated as the main constituent of the P. tenellus extract, along with rutin (2) and vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside (3). The extract presented the ability to inhibit mainly POP. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions showed the highest inhibitory potency against POP (IC50 values of 1.7 ± 0.4 and 11.7 ± 2 µg/mL, respectively). All fractions were inactive against AChE. Corilagin displayed selective POP inhibition in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50= 19.7 ± 2.6 µg/mL. Corilagin exhibited moderate capacity to pass through the phospholipid membrane by passive diffusion, presenting effective permeability (Pe) of 1.26 × 10-7 cm/s.

Chemical constituents from Valeriana polystachya Smith and evaluation of their effects on the acetylcholinesterase and prolyl oligopeptidase activities.

Two new iridoids (1-2) and a new decomposition product of valepotriates (3), together with fifteen known compounds (4-18) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana polystachya Smith, a native species from the Pampa Biome. Their structures were elucidated by means of NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and optical rotation. The structures of 3 and 18 were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the group of the isolated compounds, 6ß-hydroxysitostenone, hydroxymaltol and isovillosol were isolated from the Valeriana genus for the first time. The extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and prolyloligopeptidase (POP). Compounds 7, 9 and 11 showed weak inhibitory activity against AChE, while 3 and 5 displayed exceptional POP inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 5.3 ±â€¯0.07 and 7.9 ±â€¯0.4 µM, respectively.

Antimicrobial Evaluation of Erythrinan Alkaloids from Erythrina cristagalli L.

BACKGROUND: Several species of the genus Erythrina have been used as sedative, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant. Erythrina crista-galli is native to the Pampa Biome and is widely used for medicinal purposes. Erythrinan alkaloids exhibit a range of pharmacological properties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the basic fractions and the alkaloids isolated from E. crista-galli bark against a collection of bacteria and fungi for the first time. METHODS: Erythrina crista-galli stem bark was extracted with MeOH under reflux. The crude extract was dissolved in water, acidified and extracted with diethyl ether. Basification of the aqueous solution followed by diethyl ether and ethyl acetate extractions gave the basic ether and basic ethyl acetate fractions. Chromatographic purification of these fractions afforded five known alkaloids: erytharbine (1), erysotrine (2), erysotramidine (3), erysotrine N-oxide (4) and erythratidine (5) along with a new alkaloid named here erythratidine N-oxide (6). Alkaloids 1-6 were investigated against a collection of bacteria and fungi using the broth micro dilution method. RESULTS: In this work, a new alkaloid was isolated from E. crista-galli. The most significant bacterial inhibitory effect of alkaloidal fractions was observed against the Gram-negative Pseudomas aeroginosa (MIC values of 31.25 µg.mL-1). Basic ether fraction displayed good antimicrobial activity against Shigella sonnei with MIC= 62.5 µg.mL-1. Isolated alkaloids 1-6 showed inhibitory activity against all bacteria tested (MIC values of 50-100 µg.mL-1). In addition, the crude extract and alkaloids 1, 2, and 5 also showed good antifungal potential against Candida krusei (MICs between 12.5 and 31.25 µg.mL-1). The previously undescribed alkaloid 6 presented MIC values between 50 and 100 µg.mL-1 against all tested microorganisms. CONCLUSION: In general, as with a considerable number of phytochemicals with antimicrobial activity, alkaloids 1-6 may be considered with potential as antibacterial/antifungal agents. The MIC values of the extract, alkaloidal fractions and compounds 1-6 indicate that, at least in part, the isolates were responsible for the antimicrobial activity observed.

Adesão de idosos com diabetes mellitus à terapêutica: revisão integrativa* / Adherence to therapy by elderly patients with diabetes mellitus: an integrative review / Adhesión de ancianos con diabetes mellitus a la terapéutica: revisión integrativa

Objetivou-se identificar na literatura os fatores que influenciam a adesão do idoso com Diabetes Mellitus à terapêutica. Realizou-se revisão integrativa, com análise textual qualitativa. A busca ocorreu no Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, por publicações brasileiras, em oito bases de dados, no período de janeiro de 2002 a setembro de 2016. Selecionou-se 12 estudos, dos 187 encontrados, originando duas categorias: Fatores que influenciam positivamente a adesão do idoso com Diabetes Mellitus à terapêutica, e Fatores que influenciam negativamente a adesão do idoso com Diabetes Mellitus à terapêutica. Conclui-se a necessidade de mais estudos sobre a temática, pois foram encontradas apenas publicações com baixos níveis de evidências e a premência da intensificação no diálogo conscientizador com os idosos e suas famílias, no intuito de maximizar e/ou manter sua qualidade de vida, autonomia e independência (AU).

The present study had the aim of identifying in the literature the factors that influence adherence to therapy by elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus. An integrative review with qualitative textual analysis was conducted. The search was conducted at the Portal of Periodicals of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel and included Brazilian publications in eight databases between January 2002 and September 2016. A total of 12 studies was selected from the 187 that were found, generating two categories: factors that influence adherence to therapy by elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus positively; and factors that influence adherence to therapy by elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus negatively. The fact that only publications with low levels of evidence were found revealed the need for further studies on the theme and intensification of the awareness-raising dialogue with elderly individuals and their families in order to maximize and/or maintain their quality of life, autonomy, and independence (AU).

Se objetivó identificar en la literatura los factores que influyen en adhesión del anciano con Diabetes Mellitus a la terapéutica. Se realizó revisión integrativa, con análisis textual cualitativo. Búsqueda efectuada en Portal de Periódicos de la Coordinación de Perfeccionamiento de Personal de Nivel Superior, por publicaciones brasileñas, en ocho bases de datos, de enero de 2002 a setiembre de 2016. Doce estudios fueron seleccionados de 187 hallados, determinando dos categorías: Factores que influyen positivamente en adhesión del anciano con Diabetes Mellitus a la terapéutica; y Factores que influyen negativamente en adhesión del anciano con Diabetes Mellitus a la terapéutica. Se concluye en que son necesarios más estudios sobre la temática, pues solo fueron encontradas publicaciones con bajos niveles de evidencias, y la urgencia de la identificación del diálogo de concientización con los ancianos y sus familias, para maximizar y/o mantener su calidad de vida, autonomía e independencia.

Avaliação do desempenho cognitivo em idosos residentes em zona rural / Evaluation of cognitive performance in older adult residents of a rural area / Evaluación del desempeño cognitivo en ancianos que viven en área rural

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o desempenho cognitivo dos idosos residentes na zona rural. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa descritiva de corte transversal, com idosos de 60 anos ou mais residentes na zona rural de um município do extremo sul do Brasil e ocorreu entre os meses de julho e outubro de 2014. A amostra do estudo foi de 806 idosos. Os participantes da pesquisa foram 450 (55,83%) do sexo feminino, idosos jovens, com idades entre 60 a 69 anos e possuíam 4 a 7 anos de escolaridade. A média no Mini-Exame do Estado Mental foi de 23,59, desvio padrão 5,21. Homens tiveram média nesta escala maior que mulheres (p<0,001). As diferenças nas médias em relação à idade não foram significativas (p=0,8). Estes resultados poderão servir de subsídios para os profissionais e gestores da área da saúde criem estratégias de prevenção ao declínio cognitivo (AU).

The aim of this study was to describe the cognitive performance of older adults living in a rural area.This was a descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study, with older adults, aged 60 or more, living in the rural area of a municipality in the south of Brazil, which took place between July and October 2014. The study sample was 806 older adults.The majority of the older adults participants were aged 60-69 years, with 4-7 years of schooling and 450 (55.83%) were female.The mean in the Mini-Mental State Examination was 23.59, standard deviation 5.21. The men presented a higher mean in this scale than the women (p<0.001). Differences in the mean for age were not significant (p=0.8). These results may serve to support health professionals and managers in the creation of cognitive decline prevention strategies (AU).

Estudio cuya finalidad fue describir el desempeño cognitivo de los ancianos que viven en espacio rural. Es una investigación cuantitativa descriptiva de cohorte trasversal, con ancianos de 60 años o más que viven en el espacio rural de un municipio del extremo sur de Brasil. Fue realizada entre los meses de julio y octubre de 2014. La muestra del estudio fue de 806 ancianos y los participantes de la investigación totalizaron 450 (55,83%) del sexo femenino, ancianos jóvenes, con edades entre 60 y 69 años y escolaridade de 4 a 7 años. La media en el Mini Examen del Estado Mental fue de 23,59, desvío patrón 5,21. La media de los hombres en esta escala fue mayor que de mujeres (p<0,001). Las diferencias en las medias referentes a la edad no fueron significativas (p=0,8). Los resultados obtenidos podrán ser utilizados como subsidios para que los profesionales y gestores del área de salud puedan crear estrategias de prevención al declinio cognitivo (AU).

Conhecimento dos Enfermeiros frente ao abuso sexual / Conocimiento de los enfermeros frente al abuso sexual / Knowledge of Nurses when Faced with Sexual Abuse

Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou conhecer a prática profissional dos enfermeiros de cinco Unidades Básicas de Saúde da família de um município do extremo sul do Brasil, quanto ao abuso sexual com crianças e adolescentes. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido com sete enfermeiras pertencentes às sete equipes da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, cujos dados foram coletados entre os meses de março e abril de 2009, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, enfocando o conhecimento acerca da intervenção ante a suspeita de abuso sexual na infância e na adolescência e a percepção das enfermeiras sobre a assistência prestada às vítimas de abuso sexual e a sua família. Resultados e discussão: Mediante a análise temática dos dados, os resultados apontam que os profissionais se sentem despreparados, desprotegidos e decepcionados com relação às medidas tomadas para confirmar ou não os casos de suspeita de abuso sexual. Ressalta-se também que não há um protocolo de atendimento às vítimas que dá respaldo aos profissionais, o que dificulta o atendimento a essa clientela. Conclusão: Destaca-se a necessidade de cursos de capacitação que forneçam esclarecimentos de como manejar a problemática, envolvendo todos os profissionais que trabalham com essa realidade.

Objetivo: Este estudio indagó sobre la práctica profesional de los enfermeros en cinco Unidades Básicas de Salud de la familia en una ciudad del extremo sur de Brasil, con el abuso sexual con niños y adolescentes. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo, desarrollado con siete enfermeras pertenecientes a las siete equipes de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia, cuyos datos fueran recolectados entre los meses de marzo y abril de 2009, a través de entrevista semi-estructurada, centrado en el conocimiento acerca de la intervención frente a sospecha de abuso sexual en la infancia y en la adolescencia y la percepción de las enfermeras sobre la asistencia prestada a las víctimas de abuso sexual y a su familia. Resultados y discusión: Mediante el análisis temático de los datos, los resultados indican que los profesionales se sienten no preparados, desprotegidos y decepcionados en relación a las medidas tomadas para confirmar o refutar la sospecha de abuso sexual. Se resalta también que no hay un protocolo de atención a las víctimas que dé respaldo a los profesionales, lo que hace difícil atender a los usuarios. Conclusión: Se destaca la necesidad de cursos de formación que ofrezcan capacitación para el manejo del tema, involucrando a todos los profesionales que trabajan con esta realidad.

Objective: This study examined professional practice of nurses from five Basic Health Units of the family from a city in southern Brazil in relation with sexual abuse of children and adolescents. Methodology: This is a qualitative study, developed with seven nurses belonging to the seven teams from the Family Health Strategy, whose data were collected between the months of March and April of 2009 through semi-structured interview, focusing on knowledge about intervention in case of suspected sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence, and the perception of nurses on the assistance provided to victims of sexual abuse and their family. Results and discussion: On the grounds of thematic analysis of data, results indicate that professionals feel unprepared, helpless and disappointed with respect to the measures implemented to confirm or refute the suspected sexual abuse. Another highlight is that there is no victim care protocol to support professionals, which makes user care difficult. Conclusion: This study makes emphasis on the need of training courses that provide clarification on how to handle the issue, involving all the professionals who work with this reality.