The activity of propolis against pathogenic fungi isolated from human infections

Abstract Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by bees from the buds or other parts of plants. It is known for having various biological properties, including antifungal activity. Among the substances present in propolis, flavonoids and phenolic acids and their esters are responsible for its antifungal properties. This means that propolis is ideal for use as an antifungal agent in alternative medicine to treat a number of both topical and systemic infections caused by Candida species and other yeast-like fungi, dermatophyte and nondermatophyte moulds, without the serious side effects typical of synthetic treatment. It is also active against strains of fungi that are resistant to polyenes and azoles, the classes of drugs most commonly used to treat fungal infections. In this article, we review current knowledge about the activity of propolis from different parts of the world and its components in vitro and in vivo against pathogenic fungi isolated from human infections. The article also indicates the possible mechanism of antifungal activity of propolis and its components.

Estudo etnofarmacológico em entorno de floresta urbana como subsídio para a implantação da Fitoterapia no Sistema Único de Saúde / Ethnopharmacological study surrounding urban forest as a resource for the implementation of herbal medicine in the National Health System

RESUMO O estudo etnofarmacológico pode ser definido como exploração científica interdisciplinar dos agentes biologicamente ativos, tradicionalmente utilizados por populações humanas e que fazem parte de um acervo de conhecimento compartilhado. Desta forma o presente estudo teve como objetivo o estudo etnofarmacológico de plantas medicinais, no entorno de floresta urbana na Reserva Biológica Poço D’Anta em Juiz de Fora/MG visando a implantação da fitoterapia no Sistema Único de Saúde. Para este, realizou-se levantamento com três diferentes amostras: profissionais de saúde, domicílios em geral e especialistas locais. Quanto aos profissionais de saúde, pôde-se constatar que nenhum entrevistado soube conceituar o termo “Fitoterápico” e que não conheciam as políticas vigentes. Constatou-se que há aceitabilidade da implantação de Fitoterapia na saúde pública, porém, o conhecimento do tema é limitado. A partir das entrevistas nos domicílios em geral e com os especialistas locais, selecionou-se um total de 20 espécies botânicas para análise estatística e confirmação farmacológica. Esses resultados possibilitaram confrontar o conhecimento cultural com científico, com base em 14 espécies que poderiam ser cultivadas em horto na Reserva Biologica Poço D´Anta, com base em suas relevâncias locais. Os resultados obtidos podem subsidiar a aproximação do saber popular em relação ao científico, servindo de base para manutenção e fomento da implantação da Fitoterapia no sistema único de saúde.

ABSTRACT The ethnopharmacological study can be defined as an interdisciplinary scientific exploration of biologically active agents, traditionally used by human populations and part of a shared body of knowledge. Thus, the current study focused on the ethnopharmacological research of medicinal plants, in the surroundings of the urban forest in the Biological Reserve PoçoD’Anta in Juiz de Fora / MG, aiming on the implementation of the herbal medicine in the Public Health System. For this purpose, a survey was held with three different groups: health professionals, members of the community and local experts.Concerning the health professionals, it could be verified that none of the participants were able to explain the term Phytotherapic and neither they had knowledge about the relevant and applicable policies.The acceptability for the implantation of Phytotherapy for public health use was observed, but the knowledge about this subject is limited. From the interviews with members of the community and local experts, a total of 20 plant species were selected for a statistical analysis and pharmacological confirmation. These results made possible to compare the cultural knowledge with the scientific one, defining 14 species that could be grown in the garden of the Biological Reserve Poço D’Anta, based on their local relevance. The results can support the approximation of the popular knowledge with the scientific one, providing a basis for the maintenance and promotion of the Phytotherapy in the Public Health System.

Práticas integrativas e complementares: oferta e produção de atendimentos no SUS e em municípios selecionados / Integrative and complementary health practices: the supply and production of care in the Unified National Health System and in selected municipalities in Brazil

A Medicina Tradicional/Complementar e Alternativa tem crescido no mundo e sua importância vem sendo ressaltada em diversos estudos. No Brasil, a Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares incentiva sua inserção e fortalecimento na atenção primária. Buscou-se identificar a oferta dos serviços e de práticas integrativas e complementares no SUS e a produção de atendimentos entre os anos 2000 e 2011, analisando as informações disponíveis nos bancos de dados nacionais vis-à-vis os dados da atenção primária nos municípios de Campinas (São Paulo), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina) e Recife (Pernambuco). A análise permitiu identificar um descompasso entre o que se registra nos sistemas de informação e o que se pratica nos municípios. Esse descompasso deve-se, em grande parte, à indefinição do escopo do que se compreende como práticas integrativas e complementares na Política Nacional, o que significa uma grande limitação para sua mensuração e avaliação, já que os sistemas de informação atuais não permitem o registro adequado dessas práticas.

The world of Traditional/Complementary and Alternative Medicine has grown and its importance has been emphasized in several studies. In Brazil, the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices encourages their inclusion and empowerment in primary care. This study attempted to identify the provision of services and integrative practices in the Unified National Health System and the production of consultations from 2000 to 2011, contrasting the analysis of available information in national databases with the primary care data collected locally in Campinas (São Paulo State), Florianópolis (Santa Catarina State), and Recife (Pernambuco State). Analysis of the data revealed a mismatch between records in information systems and actual practices in these cities. This mismatch is due largely to lack of definition on the scope of what are understood as integrative and complementary practices in the Brazilian National Policy, thereby posing a major limitation to their measurement and evaluation, since current information does not allow adequate recording of such practices.

Fitoestrógenos y hormonas bio-idénticas / Phytoestrogens and bio-identical hormones

Fitoestrógenos / Alerta de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) sobre el uso inseguro de las Medicinas de Alternativa / Hormonas Bio-idénticas / recomendaciones sobre los tratamientos alternativos de la International Menopause Society (IMS) Con gran frecuencia se consulta sobre los tratamientos complementarios o de alternativa en diferentes situaciones pero sobre todo durante la transición menopáusica...

Medicina alternativa y complementaria / Complementary and alternative medicine

This article is an invitation to reflect on what is termed Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and its potential impact on the way we normally practice Western-style medicine. CAM is defined, and its relation with traditional medicine (TM) is discussed. Features are mentioned that could provide a core identity for this heterogeneous group of practices that the West includes in CAM/TM. Data is presented on the extent to which CAM/TM is practiced in the world, who uses it, for what illnesses, and why they opt for this type of health care. Trends in terms of safety and effectiveness are discussed, as well as the evidence from tests supporting these practices. Finally, possible challenges are presented both for those who practice traditional Western medicine and for CAM/TM practitioners. As the former, we must break away from the taboo, the prejudice, the ignorance, and the indifference with which we view non-conventional forms and practices. The challenge for the latter is to develop supervisory and qualification mechanisms at least among peer practitioners, provide practice records with indications and contraindications, and furnish solid proof of safety and effectiveness using universal standards for the practices and products used. Progress in these areas could lead toward tolerance, respect, and the ties necessary to achieve a stronger integrated or convergent type of medicine that focuses on the individual and respects his or her culture, needs, lacks, ailments, beliefs, and choices.

Alternative medicine: old ideas with new interests?

The use of complementary or alternative medicine has greatly increased in developed countries during the last few years. In such countries, laws have been passed and regulations made to protect both the public and the practitioners. There are a growing number of research units in universities, journals, and associations of practitioners of complementary medicine. In Jamaica, too, there is increasing recognition, if not acceptance, of the popular interest in complementary medicine. In preparation for the next century we will need to address some of the legal, educational and scientific issues raised.