RESUMEN
Jacaranda oxyphylla Cham. (Bignoniaceae) is a shrub found in the Brazilian cerrado and used in folk medicine to treat microbial infections. The aim of this study was to carry out a phytochemical screening and evaluate antioedematogenic, antimicrobial and antiacetylcholinesterase properties of J. oxyphylla crude extracts. All extracts analysed showed presence of terpenoids, which are potentially active chemical substances. A high AChE inhibitory activity for hexane extract from leaves and for the extracts from twigs was found. Ethanol extract from leaves of J. oxyphylla showed activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. This extract was also effective in inhibiting the stages of inflammation evaluated. Biological investigation and phytochemical screening of J. oxyphylla extracts provided additional evidence of its traditional medicinal value.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/farmacología , Bignoniaceae/química , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa/farmacología , Edema/tratamiento farmacológico , Antibacterianos/aislamiento & purificación , Bacillus cereus/efectos de los fármacos , Brasil , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa/aislamiento & purificación , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Inflamación/tratamiento farmacológico , Medicina Tradicional , Fitoquímicos/aislamiento & purificación , Fitoquímicos/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Hojas de la Planta/química , Staphylococcus aureus/efectos de los fármacos , Terpenos/aislamiento & purificación , Terpenos/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Kefir is an association of microrganisms generally grown in milk, with known probiotic activities identified from its soured suspensions. Aqueous media are also able to grow kefir, but little is known about the probiotic properties of its fermented products. This work aimed to evaluate some probiotic properties of a carbohydrate fraction isolated from sugary kefir (sugary kefir carbohydrate [SKC]). Anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated fraction of carbohydrate was tested both in vitro (cellular respirometry and macrophage culture) and in vivo (50% effective dose, rat paw edema, vascular permeability, and cicatrizing test). The results indicated no significant difference for oxygen uptake or macrophage culture between control and test groups. Rat paw edema, however, showed a significant inhibitory activity by 30 +/- 4% and 54 +/- 8% (P < .001) for carrageenan and dextran, respectively. In the cicatrizing test, animals treated with SKC cream also presented less trauma after treatments as compared to the negative control group (P < .05). The overall data suggested the SKC as a natural product that could be used as a constituent of an anti-inflammatory compound.