Plectranthus Species with Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Potential: A Systematic Review on Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Findings.

The use of medicinal plants to treat inflammatory conditions and painful processes has attracted the attention of scientists and health professionals due to the evidence that natural products can promote significant therapeutic benefits associated with fewer adverse effects compared to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The genus Plectranthus is composed of various plants with pharmacological potential, which are used to treat various diseases in traditional communities worldwide. The present study systematically reviewed Plectranthus species with anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential. To this end, a systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The search was conducted on the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, and Web of Science. Different combinations of search terms were used to ensure more excellent article coverage. After the selection, a total of 45 articles were included in this review. This study identified twelve Plectranthus species indicated for the treatment of different inflammatory conditions, such as wounds, fever, bronchitis, abscess, asthma, hepatitis, labyrinthitis, tonsillitis, and uterine inflammation. The indications for pain conditions included headache, sore throat, heartburn, menstrual cramp, colic, toothache, stomachache, migraine, chest pain, abdominal pain, local pain, labor pain, and recurring pain. Among the listed species, ten plants were found to be used according to traditional knowledge, although only four of them have been experimentally studied. When assessing the methodological quality of preclinical in vivo assays, most items presented a risk of bias. The SR results revealed the existence of different Plectranthus species used to treat inflammation and pain. The results of this systematic review indicate that Plectranthus species have the potential to be used in the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component, as well as in the management of pain. However, given the risk of biases, the experimental analysis of these species through preclinical testing is crucial for their safe and effective use.

The Protein-Rich Fraction from Spirulina platensis Exerts Neuroprotection in Hemiparkinsonian Rats by Decreasing Brain Inflammatory-Related Enzymes and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expressions.

Spirulina platensis is a cyanobacterium with high protein content and presenting neuroprotective effects. Now, we studied a protein-enriched fraction (SPF), on behavior, neurochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays in hemiparkinsonian rats, distributed into the groups: SO (sham-operated), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and 6-OHDA (treated with SPF, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o., 15 days). Afterward, animals were subjected to behavioral tests and euthanized, and brain areas used for neurochemical and IHC assays. SPF partly reversed the changes in the apomorphine-induced rotations, open field and forced swim tests, and also the decrease in striatal dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid contents seen in hemiparkinsonian rats. Furthermore, SPF reduced brain oxidative stress and increased striatal expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter and significantly reduced hippocampal inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expressions. The data suggest that the protein fraction from S. platensis, through its brain anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions, exerts neuroprotective effects that could benefit patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's disease.

UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF Analysis and Antifungal Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Spondias tuberosa.

This study aimed to identify the chemical composition of the Spondias tuberosa aqueous leaf and root extracts (EALST and EARST) and to evaluate their effect, comparatively, against opportunistic pathogenic fungi. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to a Quadrupole/Time of Flight System (UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF) was employed for chemical analysis. Candida albicans and C. tropicalis standard strains and clinical isolates were used (CA INCQS 40006, CT INCQS 40042, CA URM 5974, and CT URM 4262). The 50% Inhibitory Concentration for the fungal population (IC50) was determined for both the intrinsic action of the extracts and the extract/fluconazole (FCZ) associations. The determination of the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) and the verification of effects over fungal morphological transitions were performed by subculture in Petri dishes and humid chambers, respectively, both based on micro-dilution. UPLC-MS-ESI-QTOF analysis revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The association of the extracts with fluconazole, resulted in IC50 values from 2.62 µg/mL to 308.96 µg/mL. The MFC of the extracts was ≥16,384 µg/mL for all tested strains, while fluconazole obtained an MFC of 8192 µg/mL against C. albicans strains. A reduction in MFC against CA URM 5974 (EALST: 2048 µg/mL and EARST: 1024 µg/mL) occurred in the extract/fluconazole association.

Concepts, Beliefs, and Traditional Treatment for Childhood Seizures in a Quilombola Community in Northeastern Brazil: Analysis by the Discourse of the Collective Speech.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacological therapy related to traditional, magical, and/or religious treatments for managing recurrent and non-recurrent seizures in children persists in several traditional communities. The research aims to investigate the concepts, beliefs, and types of traditional treatments used for cases of seizures in children reported by residents of a quilombola community. METHODS: The research took place in the quilombo community Sítio Arruda, Ceará, northeastern Brazil. The study population consisted of 19 participants, including healers, prayers, and midwives. Applied a socioeconomic form and a semi-structured interview script. For data analysis, the Discourse of the Collective Speech (DCS) technique was used. RESULTS: For the questions asked, a total of 14 central ideas were found. The most prevalent was seizure is the most common type of disease in children (50.0%); The seizure occurs because of the fever (42.0%); In the community, we treat and prevent seizures with the use of plants (63.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study's results addressed relevant issues that include valuing and understanding the traditional knowledge of the community, access to health services, and the need for clarification actions about seizures.

ETHNOBIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN OF A TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BARBALHA, CEARÁ, BRAZIL.

BACKGROUND: The use of natural resources for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children is a widespread practice within traditional communities, especially by women by being the primary caregivers. This study aimed to perform ethnobiological survey of plants and animals used for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children of a traditional community in the municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil. METHODS: It is a descriptive exploratory study with a quantitative approach, developed in Sitio Santo Antonio, in the municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil. As a tool for data collection, was applied a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Data analysis used descriptive statistics (simple and percentage rate) and the Relative Frequency of Citation. RESULTS: The research included a total of 54 informants. In total, there were 38 species cited. According to the Relative Frequency of Citation the following species were the most cited: Ocimum basilicum L. (0.59), Eucalyptus globulus Labili (0.59), Plectranthus amboinicus (L.) Spreng (0.42), Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (0.24), Allium aescalonicum L. (0.22) and Mentha arvensis L. (0.18). Among the symptoms mentioned by the research subjects to treat the acute respiratory infections in childhood, there were: fever; cough; coughing with secretions; sore throat; hoarseness; tiredness; nasal congestion. CONCLUSIONS: It is important the knowledge about the usefulness of natural resources as alternative practices in diseases treatment, seeking to rescue popular knowledge used in the traditional community and fomenting the need to consider cultural aspects in the full practice to children's health care.