Neuroprotective potential of the Amazonian fruits Euterpe oleracea Mart. and Paullinia cupana Kunth

Abstract Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth) are native species from the Amazon Forest that in folk medicine are used to treat several diseases due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This review brings together findings from different studies on the potential neuroprotective effects of acai and guarana, highlighting the importance of the conservation and sustainable exploitation of the Amazon Forest. A bibliographic survey in the PubMed database retrieved indexed articles written in English that focused on the effects of acai and guarana in in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases. In general, treatment with either acai or guarana decreased neuroinflammation, increased antioxidant responses, ameliorated depression, and protected cells from neurotoxicity mediated by aggregated proteins. The results from these studies suggest that flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids found in both acai and guarana have therapeutic potential not only for neurodegenerative diseases, but also for depressive disorders. In addition, acai and guarana show beneficial effects in slowing down the physiological aging process. However, toxicity and efficacy studies are still needed to guide the formulation of herbal medicines from acai and guarana.

Diversity, abundance and ecological importance of plant species for medical use in tropical forest of Tingo Maria, Peru / Diversidad, abundancia e importancia ecológica de especies vegetales de uso medicinal de la selva tropical en Tingo María, Perú

Peru is a megadiverse country due to the large number of animal and plant species. Its diversity derives from the different ecoregions present that developed with geological evolution. Much of its plant diversity is contained in the Peruvian Amazon, which includes a large proportion of plant species, many of them endemic. Of this diversity, many plants have been underestimated, and it is believed that more than 50% of them have not been recorded. These scientific gaps also address medicinal plants, their taxonomic identification, phytochemical bioactives produced, mechanisms of action of phytochemicals, and the metabolic pathways involved. These medicinal plants are active against common diseases such as: protozoa, with emphasis on malaria and leishmania, diabetes, inflammation, hypertension, cancer, infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, and fungal), kidney, liver, diarrhea and other health problems. This work is based on the study of a forest area in the district of Rupa Rupa called Reserve Forest of the Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva (BRUNAS) in Tingo María, Peru, which is being highly pressured by the people who live in the surroundings of this forest ecosystem for domestic use, so it is urgent to sensitize the population linked to this natural resource and make known the plants found there with high medicinal potential for the use of the locals, the nation and the world(AU)

El Perú es un país megadiverso debido a la gran cantidad de especies de animales y plantas. Su diversidad se deriva de las diferentes ecorregiones presentes que se fueron desarrollando con evolución geológica. Mucha de su diversidad vegetal está contenida en la Amazonía Peruana que incluye una gran proporción de especies de plantas, muchas de ellas, de carácter endémico. De esta diversidad, muchas plantas han sido subestimada, y se cree que más del 50% de ellas no han sido registrada. Estas lagunas científicas también abordan también a las plantas medicinales, su identificación taxonómica, bioactivos fitoquímicos producidos, mecanismos de acción de los fitoquímicos y las vías metabólicas involucradas. Estas plantas medicinales son activas a enfermedades comunes como: protozoos, con énfasis en la malaria y leishmania, diabetes, inflamación, hipertensión, cáncer, enfermedades infecciosas (virales, bacterianas, y hongos), afecciones renales, hepáticas, diarrea y otros problemas de salud. Este trabajo se basa en el estudio de una zona boscosa del distrito de Rupa Rupa denominada Bosque de Reserva de la Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva (BRUNAS) en Tingo María, Perú, la cual esta siendo muy presionada por los pobladores que viven en los alrededores de este ecosistema forestal para uso domésticos, por lo que es urgente sensibilizar a la población vinculada a dicho recurso natural y dar a conocer las plantas allí encontradas con alto potencial medicinal para el uso de los lugareños, de la nación y el mundo(AU)

Benshoanon: el proceso curativo de la medicina tradicional del pueblo indígena shipibo-konibo / Benshoanon: the healing process of the traditional medicine of the Shipibo-Konibo indigenous people

El presente artículo ha sido escrito por una pareja de esposos comuneros empadronados de la comunidad nativa de Santa Clara de Yarinacocha, del pueblo shipibokonibo, uno de los más numerosos de la Amazonía peruana, reconocido por la sabiduría de sus antiguos médicos meraya. El trabajo propone una explicación del proceso curativo de la medicina tradicional desde las propias racionalidades indígenas, sin imponer categorías eurocéntricas, y a partir de un modo de escritura académica intercultural que permite a los saberes indígenas expresarse sin perder su temperamento poético y narrativo. Plantea, asimismo, un diálogo intercultural con la medicina académica y con la sociedad moderna, para tratar de ensanchar la visión sobre el ser humano y la salud.

This article was written by a married couple registered at the native community of Santa Clara de Yarinacocha, of the Shipibo-Konibo people. The Shipibo-Konibo people are one of the more numerous indigenous groups of the Peruvian Amazonia; they are recognized for the wisdom of the Meraya, their traditional doctors. The work explains the healing process involved in traditional medicine from the standpoint of indigenous rationalities themselves, not from Eurocentric categories. Instead, it uses a mode of intercultural academic writing that allows indigenous knowledge to be expressed without losing its poetic and narrative temperament. To broaden the vision of human beings and health, this article also proposes an intercultural dialogue with academic medicine and with modern society.

Propriedades medicinais do óleo da Copaifera Langsdorfii: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Medical properties of Copaifera Langsdorfii oil: an integrative literature review

O Brasil é o maior produtor de óleo extraído da Copaifera, uma das plantas medicinais mais estudadas do mundo, encontrada principalmente na região amazônica. Dentro desse contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar, com base na literatura, as principais utilizações medicinais do óleo de copaíba, avaliar sua composição fitoquímica e possível toxicidade. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, cujo seleção das literaturas foram nas bases de dados eletrônicas LILACS e MEDLINE, na biblioteca do SCIELO e em repositório de ensino superior. Os critérios de inclusão definidos para a seleção dos estudos foram: literaturas publicadas em português e inglês disponíveis na íntegra no período de 2011 a 04/2021; e exclusas literaturas pagas e duplicadas. Foram selecionados 34 estudos, distribuídos entre pesquisa em laboratórios 79,5% (27) e de revisão bibliográfica 20,5% (7), que comprovaram propriedades emolientes da copaíba quando utilizadas em curativos, cicatrizante de pele e mucosa, capacidade de penetração transcutânea (recurso viável para fisioterapia), anti-inflamatório, efeito bacteriostático, antimicrobiano em bactérias gram-positivas, o óleo-resina também mostrou-se eficaz como antifúngico e no combate a pragas. Portanto, foi possível notar consideráveis propriedades farmacologias presentes no óleo-resina da copaíba.

Brazil is the largest producer of oil extracted from Copaifera, one of the most studied medicinal plants in the world, found mainly in the Amazon region. Within this context, the present work aims to identify, based on literature, the main medicinal uses of copaiba oil, evaluate its phytochemical composition and possible toxicity. This is an integrative literature review, whose selection of literature was made in the electronic databases LILACS and MEDLINE, in the SCIELO library, and in a higher education repository. The inclusion criteria defined for the selection of studies were: literature published in Portuguese and English available in full from 2011 to 04/2021; and excluded paid and duplicated literature. Thirty-four studies were selected, distributed between laboratory research 79.5% (27) and literature review 20.5% (7), which proved emollient properties of copaiba when used in dressings, skin and mucosa healing, transcutaneous penetration capacity (viable resource for physiotherapy), anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic effect, antimicrobial in gram-positive bacteria, the oil-resin also proved to be effective as antifungal and in fighting pests. Therefore, it was possible to note considerable pharmacological properties present in the oil-resin of copaiba.

Morphology, germination, and geographic distribution of Pentaclethra macroloba (Fabaceae): a hyperdominant Amazonian tree / Morfología, germinación y distribución geográfica de Pentaclethra macroloba (Fabaceae): árbol amazónico hiperdominante

Introduction: Pentaclethra macroloba is a hyperdominant tree in the Amazon estuary of great socioeconomic importance for the region because the oil from its seeds is a powerful herbal medicine. Objective: We aimed to characterize the morphological structure, the morphological adaptations in response to the daily flooding of the Amazon estuary and the biogeographic area of P. macroloba. Methods: Detailed description of the external morphology, from germination to the adult tree, was obtained from individuals located in floodplain forest, Northeast Amazonia. The occupation area and the geographical extension of P. macroloba were determined from point of geographical coordinates of botanical samples deposited in the digital collections of Mobot and SpeciesLink. Results: Adult individuals have adapted structures in response to daily flooding, such as: adventitious roots to increase respiratory efficiency and lenticels in the trunk, serving as a connection point for oxygen transport between the root and the aerial part. Dried fruit favours the activation of the explosive dehiscence mechanism, allowing the seed to be expelled long distance. Deltoid shape of the seed allows water fluctuation and more efficient dispersal. Seedling is phanerocotylar hypogeal and with one pair of reserve cotyledons that provide the seedling an extra source of energy to escape the flood. Germination rate was 78 % and the speed was 0.2 seeds.day-1. Circular buffer method revealed the presence of 123 subpopulations of P. macroloba distributed in a radius of 5 699 943 km² across the Neotropical region. Conclusions: Much of the morphological structures of P. macroloba are adaptive and evolutionary responses to the periodically flooded environment of the Amazon estuary, showing that these environments select the trees, best adapted, to inhabit the flood. P. macroloba has a wide geographical area denotes the plasticity of adapting to different environments, which may justify its monodominance in some regions.

Introducción: Pentaclethra macroloba es un árbol hiperdominante en el estuario del Amazonas, de gran importancia socioeconómica para la región, pues el aceite de sus semillas es un poderoso medicamento natural. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo fue caracterizar la estructura morfológica, las adaptaciones morfológicas en respuesta a las inundaciones diarias del estuario del Amazonas y el área biogeográfica de P. macroloba. Métodos: Una descripción detallada de la morfología externa, desde la germinación hasta el árbol adulto, se obtuvo de individuos ubicados en el bosque periódicamente inundado, al noreste de la Amazonia. El área de ocupación y la extensión geográfica de P. macroloba se determinaron a partir del punto de coordenadas geográficas de muestras botánicas depositadas en las colecciones digitales de Mobot y SpeciesLink. Resultados: Los individuos adultos tienen estructuras adaptadas en respuesta a las inundaciones diarias, tales como: raíces adventicias para aumentar la eficiencia respiratoria y lenticelas en el tronco, que sirven como punto de conexión para el transporte de oxígeno entre la raíz y la parte aérea. Los frutos secos favorecen la activación del mecanismo de dehiscencia explosiva, permitiendo que la semilla sea expulsada a larga distancia. La forma deltoidea de la semilla permite la fluctuación en el agua y una dispersión más eficiente. La plántula es hipogel fanerocotiledones y con un par de cotiledones de reserva que proporcionan a la plántula una fuente extra de energía para escapar de la inundación. La tasa de germinación fue del 78 % y la velocidad fue de 0.2 semillas día-1. El método Circular buffer reveló la presencia de 123 subpoblaciones de P. macroloba distribuidas en un radio de 5 699 943 km² a lo largo de la región neotropical. Conclusiones: Gran parte de las estructuras morfológicas de P. macroloba son respuestas adaptativas y evolutivas al ambiente periódicamente inundado del estuario del Amazonas, lo que demuestra que estos ambientes actúan como filtro ambiental seleccionado las especies mejor adaptadas al medio. Su amplia área geográfica denota la plasticidad de adaptarse a diferentes ambientes, lo que puede justificar su monodominancia en algunas regiones.

Colletotrichum siamense, a Mycovirus-Carrying Endophyte, as a Biological Control Strategy for Anthracnose in Guarana Plants

Abstract Guarana, the fruit of Paullinia cupana, is known for its stimulating and medicinal properties by the Amazonian indigenous population and communities. However, it presents serious phytopathological problems, such as anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum spp. The objective of this study was to verify if C. siamense, a mycovirus-carrying endophytic fungus, could protect guarana seedlings, by reducing or by eliminating characteristic disease symptoms. Other physiological changes in the plant caused by the presence of this endophyte were also evaluated. The cuttings of the Cereçaporanga cultivar were dipped in a biological control suspension and planted in a specific substrate. After four months in the greenhouse, the seedlings were sprayed with a suspension of phytopathogen conidia, and a portion of these seedlings received the fungicide indicated for the crop to be compared with the control seedlings. After 28 days, the number of lesions, morphophysiological and macro characteristics, and leaf micronutrients were evaluated. The seedlings treated with C. siamense showed a lower percentage of lesions and an increased aerial part and root system compared to the other treatments. There were no significant differences between treatments regarding the percentage of macronutrients and micronutrients.

Prevalencia del virus de la rinotraqueitis infecciosa bovina en el departamento del Caquetá, Amazonía Colombiana / Prevalence of bovine infectious rhinotracheitis virus in Caquetá department, Colombian Amazon

RESUMEN La rinotraqueitis infecciosa bovina (IBR) es una enfermedad ampliamente difundida en el mundo con gran repercusión socio-económica en las ganaderías bovinas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de IBR en 100 hatos del departamento del Caquetá, para lo cual, se muestrearon 960 bovinos mayores de 36 meses entre enero y marzo de 2016 en predios seleccionados a partir de los criterios: a) tamaño (50-180 hectáreas), b) con más de 10 vacas en ordeño, c) disponibilidad de los productores para cooperar y d) accesibilidad de las vías. Las muestras de suero sanguíneo se remitieron al Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Clínico Veterinario del ICA y se analizaron a través la prueba Elisa de bloqueo (BHV-1) gB. Los sueros con porcentaje de bloqueo superior al 55% se consideraron positivos a anticuerpos para IBR. Se encontró alta seroprevalencia (73,13%), mayor además en machos que en hembras (p < 0,05). A nivel municipal la seroprevalencia fue mayor en los municipios de El Doncello, Puerto Rico y San Vicente del Caguán y se encontró diferencia significativa (p < 0,05) entre los nueve municipios analizados. A nivel de hatos, la prevalencia fue del 99%. En conclusión, la prevalencia del virus de la rinotraqueitis infecciosa bovina (IBR) en bovinos de doble propósito del departamento del Caquetá fue muy alta.

ABSTRACT Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a disease widely spread throughout the world with great socio-economic impact on bovine livestock. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of IBR in 100 herds in Caqueta department, for which 960 cattle older than 36 months between January and March 2016 were sampled in farms selected from the criteria: a) size (50-180 hectares), b) with more than 10 cows in milking, c) availability of producers to cooperate and d) accessibility of roads. Blood serum samples were sent to the ICA veterinary clinical diagnostic laboratory and analyzed using the Elisa blocking test (BHV-1) gB, where sera with blocking percentage greater than 55% were considered as positive for IBR antibodies. High seroprevalence was found (73.13%), being higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). At municipal level, seroprevalence was greater in El Doncello, Puerto Rico and San Vicente del Caguán municipalities, significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the nine municipalities analyzed. At herd level prevalence was of 99%. In conclusion the prevalence of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus in dual-purpose cattle of Caquetá department was very high.

Ecología, manejo y aprovechamiento sustentable de la uña de gato (Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) y Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ) D. C) en comunidades Tikuna del sur de la Amazonia colombiana / Ecology, management and sustainable use of the cat's claw (Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) and Uncaria tomentosa (Willd) D. C) in Tikuna communities of the southern Colombian Amazon

Las especies de uña de gato son reconocidas por su uso en la medicina tradicional de comunidades amazónicas y por su potencial comercial en la industria farmacéutica, ya que sus propiedades farmacológicas tienen un carácter tanto preventivo como paliativo. El interés por la comercialización de estas especies, especialmente de Uncaria tomentosa, ha llevado a una extracción intensiva en bosques primarios sin tener en cuenta aspectos de sustentabilidad. Lo anterior hace evidente la necesidad de establecer unos lineamientos para el aprovechamiento de Uncaria guianensis y U. tomentosa, teniendo en cuenta aspectos ecológicos como sociales y culturales. El objetivo general de esta investigación era determinar el uso y manejo de las especies de uña de gato en comunidades indígenas Tikuna, que articulado con información sobre elementos ecológicos, botánicos y condiciones edafo-biológicas, aporten al conocimiento de alternativas para un posible aprovechamiento sustentable de las especies en el sur de la Amazonia colombiana. Para esto, se planteó un estudio de tipo interdisciplinario, con cuatro fases metodológicas: conocimiento local de la uña de gato, identificación de especies, paisajes y de suelos, trabajo en laboratorio y aprovechamiento de las especies. Se encontró que las especies de Uncaria no tienen una distribución homogénea en el sur de la Amazonia colombiana y que su propagación se favorece en áreas intervenidas de bosques sucesionales. U. guianensis presentó una mayor abundancia y distribución en el territorio que U. tomentosa, ya que se encontró tanto en zonas inundables como de tierra firme con una abundancia de 1,1 individuos/hectárea y 0,4 individuos/hectárea, respectivamente. Además, U. guianensis es considerada por los Tikuna como un recurso medicinal más valioso en comparación con la otra especie. El manejo tradicional de estas especies se da principalmente por la regeneración natural en claros de bosques secundarios; y en menor medida, con la siembra en zonas de cultivo. Estas comunidades poseen los conocimientos botánicos de las especies de uña de gato, así como de las áreas de crecimiento, el control de malezas y los métodos de extracción de la corteza. Sin embargo, el manejo agroecológico debe fortalecerse con los conocimientos sobre el inventario de especies, la multiplicación del material vegetal, las asociaciones agroforestales y el procesamiento de la materia prima. Esta investigación aporta información adicional sobre las especies de Uncaria, que conduzca a prácticas de manejo social y económicamente viables, así como ecológicamente más adecuadas en la región amazónica.

Revisión bibliográfica de la ayahuasca y su uso terapéutico / Bibliographic review of ayahuasca and its therapeutic use

La ayahuasca es un brebaje psicotrópico con acción serotoninérgica. Las fuentes botánicas más comunes de la ayahuasca son la Banisteriopsiscaapi y la Psychotriaviridis, en la revisión bibliográfica se buscó conocer las propiedades bioquímicas, síntomas y signos que produce esta planta, asimismo, se reconocieron los efectos que produce al ser utilizada como brebaje por los chamanes de la Amazonía y su uso como medicamento homeopático. Con esta investigación se puede comparar, afirmar o negar las indicaciones empíricas que manejan los chamanes de nuestra región frente a los diferentes estudios científicos realizados por médicos, antropólogos y psicólogos y, de este modo dilucidar la utilidad de la planta en el campo de la homeopatía. Según Fericgla, JM, la ayahuasca es útil para inducir estados emocionales y espirituales de carácter curativo, introspectivo y terapéutico. Por otro lado, no se ha observado que su consumo genere adicción psicológica ni fisiológica, por lo que se puede afirmar que no representa ningún peligro para la salud pública. Palma D, manifiesta que la Di MetilTriptamina (DMT) es la principal responsable de los efectos psicoactivos del brebaje y que actúa en el timo y la glándula pineal.

Ayahuasca is a psychotropic potion with serotonergic action. The most common botanical sources of ayahuasca are Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, in the Bibliographic Review it was sought to know the Biochemical properties, Symptoms and signs that Ayahuasca produces Corroborating with the effects that it produces when is used as a potion by shamans from the Amazon and being dynamically prepared as a Homeopathic medicine. With this investigation it is possible to compare affirming or denying the empirical indications that the Shamans of our region handle with the different Scientific studies carried out by doctors, anthropologists and psychologists; and see what is the utility that is given in the field of Homeopathy. According to Fericgla. Josep María states that it is useful to induce emotional and spiritual states of a healing, introspective and therapeutic nature. On the other side, it has not been observed that the consumption of Ayahuasca generates psychological or physiological addiction, so it can be stated that it does not represent any danger to Public Health. According to Diego Palma, he states that Di Methyl Tryptamine (DMT) is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of the brew. Acting at the Thymus and Pineal Gland level

Efecto antidiabético de los extractos liofilizados de Guazuma ulmifolia Lam., Dracontium loretense Krause, Physalis angulata L, y Handroanthus obscurus (Bureau & K. Schum) Mattos, mediante la inhibición in vitro de la alfa α-glucosidasa / Antidiabetic effect of freeze-dried extracts of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam, Dracontium loretense Krause, Physalis angulata L, and Handroanthus obscurus (Bureau & K. Schum) Mattos, through in vitro inhibition of alpha α-glucosidase

La etnomedicina es una disciplina idónea para elegir especies vegetales con el fin de ser estudiadas farmacológicamente; las cuatro especies seleccionadas para el presente estudio se usan como hipoglucemiantes en la medicina tradicional de la Amazonía peruana. Objetivos. Estudiar la capacidad inhibitoria in vitro de los extractos de cuatro plantas de uso tradicional, sobre la actividad de la α-glucosidasa, una enzima importante involucrada en la regulación de la glicemia. Materiales y métodos. Mediante el ensayo de inhibición de la enzima α-glucosidasa se evaluaron diferentes concentraciones de cada extracto para determinar la concentración inhibitoria media (IC50) y compararlos con la droga control acarbosa. Resultados. El extracto acuoso liofilizado de Guazuma ulmifolia mostró significante efecto inhibitorio (IC50 :13,49±3,65 µg/mL), al compararlo con la droga control, acarbosa (IC50: 858,67±29,73 µg/mL) y los otros extractos. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que la actividad antidiabética de la Guazuma ulmifolia estaría mediada por la inhibición de la α-glucosidasa, lo que implicaría su potencial en la reducción de la glucosa posprandial.

Ethnomedicine is an ideal discipline for choosing plant species to be studied pharmacologically; the four species selected for this study are used as hypoglycemics in the traditional medicine of the Peruvian Amazon. Objectives. To study the inhibitory capacity in vitro of the extracts of four plants of traditional use, on the activity of α-glucosidase, an important enzyme involved in the regulation of glycemia. Materials and methods. Using the inhibition test of the enzyme α-glucosidase, different concentrations of each extract were evaluated to determine the average inhibitory concentration (IC50) and to compare them with the control drug acarbose. Results. The freeze-dried aqueous extract of Guazuma ulmifolia showed a significant inhibitory effect (IC50:13,49±3,65 µg/mL) when compared with the control drug, acarbose (IC50: 858,67±29,73 µg/mL), and the other extracts. Conclusions. The results suggest that the antidiabetic activity of Guazuma ulmifolia would be mediated by the inhibition of α-glucosidase, which would imply its potential in the reduction of postprandial glucose.

Synthesis of enriched biochar as a vehicle for phosphorus in tropical soils

Phosphorus (P) is one of the nutrients that most limits agricultural productivity, especially in tropical soils. Enriched biochar has been proposed to increase the bioavailability of P and other nutrients in the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the availability of P in phosphate biochar (composed of biomass and soil) as a function of the triple superphosphate mixture before and after the pyrolysis process. We produced eight types of enriched biochar via pyrolysis by combining sandy or clayey soil with rice or coffee husk, and by adding triple superphosphate before or after pyrolysis. The heating of the phosphate fertilizer during the pyrolysis process resulted in a higher crystallinity of the phosphates, lower content of labile fractions of P and lower content of available P in phosphate biochars than when the superphosphate was added after pyrolysis. (AU)

Efectividad de las vitaminas C y E como tratamiento adyuvante a la terapia triple estándar para Helicobacter pylori en una cohorte de la Amazonía peruana / Effectiveness of vitamins C and E adjuvant to standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori in a cohort from the Peruvian Amazon

Resumen Introducción y objetivos: la terapia con vitaminas C y E ha sido propuesta como adyuvante a la terapia triple estándar (TTE) con el fin de incrementar la tasa de erradicación del Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). En este estudio probamos esta hipótesis en una cohorte de pacientes de la Amazonía peruana. Materiales y métodos: retrospectivamente, evaluamos una cohorte de 50 pacientes infectados con H. pylori del Hospital de Tarapoto en el período comprendido entre julio-diciembre de 2016; de estos, 25 fueron tratados con TTE (amoxicilina 1 g, claritromicina 500 mg y omeprazol 20 mg, dos veces al día por 14 días) en adyuvancia con las vitaminas C y E, y 25 fueron tomados al azar (1:1), quienes solo recibieron TTE. Se estimó y comparó la efectividad de ambos tratamientos utilizando un modelo regresión general lineal con familia Poisson y link log, teniendo como desenlace de interés la erradicación del H. pylori confirmada por histopatología. Resultados: al comparar la cohorte de expuestos y con los no expuestos, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en sus características basales, incluyendo edad (38 ± 11 frente a 36 ± 10 años), género masculino (65 % frente a 63 %), síntomas y diagnóstico histopatológico. Al comparar la efectividad de ambos tratamientos, se encontró un incrementó no significativo en las tasas de erradicación del 9,5 % (91 % frente a 82 %, razón de tasas de incidencia = 1,11; intervalo de confianza [IC] 95 %: 0,92 a 1,36). Conclusiones: la terapia adyuvante con vitaminas C y E podría ayudar a incrementar la efectividad de la TTE para H. pylori en pacientes de la Amazonía peruana, aunque se requiere confirmar esta hipótesis en un ensayo clínico.

Abstract Introduction and Objectives: Adjuvant therapy with vitamins C and E has been proposed to increase standard triple therapy's Helicobacter pylori eradication rate. This study tested this hypothesis in a cohort of patients from the Peruvian Amazon. Material and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 50 patients at Tarapoto Hospital who were treated for H. pylori infections from July to December 2016. Of these, 25 were randomly selected to receive standard triple therapy of 1 g amoxicillin, 500mg clarithromycin and 20mg omeprazole twice a day for 14 days plus adjuvant vitamins C and E. The other 25 only received standard triple therapy. The effectiveness of both treatments was estimated and compared using a general linear regression model using the Poisson family of distributions and log link with H. pylori eradication confirmed by histopathology as the outcome of interest. Results: A comparison of the two groups found no significant differences in their baseline symptoms, histopathological diagnoses, ages (38 ± 11 years vs. 36 ± 10 years) or genders (65% male vs. 63% male). A comparison of the effectiveness both treatments found a non-significant increase in eradication rates of 9.5% (91% vs. 82%, incidence rate ratio = 1.11; 95% confidence interval: 0.92 to 1.36). Conclusions: Adjuvant therapy with vitamins C and E may help increase the effectiveness of standard triple therapy for H. pylori in patients in the Peruvian Amazon, although this hypothesis needs to be confirmed in a clinical trial.

Handroanthus obscurus (Bureau & K. Schum.) Mattos "tahuari": una puesta al día / Handroanthus obscurus (Bureau & K. Schum.) Mattos "tahuari": up to date

Existe un gran potencial en las plantas de la selva amazónica; en los últimos años los usos etnobotánicos fueron avalados por estudios científicos, como es el caso de diversas especies del género Handroanthus, el presente trabajo hace una revisión de las publicaciones, a la fecha, que estudian el Handroanthus obscurus (Bureau & K. Schum.) Mattos "tahuarí".

There is great potential in plants present in the Amazon region, in the last years the ethnobotanical uses were endorsed by scientific studies, as it is the case of diverse species of the genus Handroanthus, the present work makes a revision of the publications to the date that they study the Handroanthus obscurus (Bureau & K. Schum.) Mattos "tahuarí".

Plantas medicinais utilizadas na Agrovila Princesa do Xingu, Altamira, Pará / Medicinal plants used in the Agrovila Princesa del Xingu, Altamira, Pará

Introdução: o uso de plantas no tratamento de algumas doenças tem acompanhado o homem ao longo de sua evolução. Objetivo: realizar um levantamento etnobotânico sobre a utilização de plantas medicinais na Agrovila Princesa do Xingu, Altamira, Pará. Métodos: foram aplicados questionários semi-estruturados a 40 moradores, identificando-se as plantas utilizadas, a finalidade terapêutica, os órgãos vegetais e a forma de preparo dos fitoterápicos. foram feitas perguntas sobre a forma de aquisição dos conhecimentos acerca das plantas e sobre os dados socioeconômicos dos interlocutores. Resultados: foram identificadas 81 espécies de plantas medicinais, distribuídas em 46 famílias botânicas e 72 gêneros, sendo a família Fabaceae a mais representativa. A estrutura vegetal mais utilizada foi a folha, sendo o chá a forma de preparo mais comum. As doenças mais citadas foram doenças do sistema circulatório e doenças digestivas. As mulheres possuem o maior conhecimento em relação ao uso de plantas medicinais e são as responsáveis pelo cultivo e manejo das plantas como também da manutenção da saúde familiar. Conclusão: os conhecimentos etnobotânicos foram adquiridos e repassados oralmente de geração para geração. Muitas plantas são usadas como medicamentos na Agrovila Princesa do Xingu, no entanto, a flora local ainda é pouco conhecida e usada pela população.

Introdución: el uso de plantas en el tratamiento de algunas enfermedades ha acompañado al hombre a lo largo de su evolución. Objetivo. realizar un levantamiento etnobotánico sobre la utilización de plantas medicinales en la Agrovila Princesa del Xingu, Altamira, Pará. Métodos: se aplicaron cuestionarios semiestructurados a 40 residentes, identificándose las plantas utilizadas, la finalidad terapéutica, los órganos vegetales y la forma de preparación de los fitoterápicos. Se hicieron preguntas sobre la forma de adquisición de los conocimientos sobre las plantas y sobre los datos socioeconómicos de los interlocutores. Resultados. se identificaron 81 especies de plantas medicinales, distribuidas en 46 familias botánicas y 72 géneros, siendo la familia Fabaceae la más representativa. La estructura vegetal más utilizada fue la hoja, siendo el té la forma de preparación más común. Las enfermedades más citadas fueron enfermedades del sistema circulatorio y enfermedades digestivas. Las mujeres poseen el mayor conocimiento en relación al uso de plantas medicinales y son las responsables del mantenimiento de la salud familiar. Conclusiones: los conocimientos etnobotánicos fueron adquiridos y transmitidos oralmente de una generación a otra. Muchas plantas son utilizadas como medicinales en la Agrovila Princesa del Xingu, sin embargo, la flora local todavía es poco conocida y utilizada por la población.

First record of the chemical composition of essential oil of Piper bellidifolium, Piper durilignum, Piper acutilimbum and Piper consanguineum from the Brazilian Amazon forest / Primeiro registro da composição química de óleos essenciais de Piper bellidifolium, Piper durilignum, Piper acutilimbum e Piperconsanguineumda Floresta Amazônica no Brasil

Piper bellidifolium, Piper durilignum, Piper acutilimbum and Piper consanguineum are bushes that occur in the Amazon and are morphologically similar. With the aim of analyzing the chemical profile of the volatile constituents of these species, essential oils from the leaves were obtained through steam distillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The chemical analysis enabled the identification of 95 compounds representing 96.3 ± 0.6% of the P. bellidifolium oil, 95.5 ± 0.71% of the P. durilignum oil, 98.0 ± 1.0% of the P. acutilimbum oil and 96.1 ± 2.1% of the P. consanguineum oil. Although sesquiterpenes were the predominant chemical class in the oils of the four species, qualitative and quantitative differences were found in their chemical composition. The major constituents were (E)-nerolidol (20.3 ± 0.4%) in the P. bellidifolium oil, germacrene D (11.1 ± 0.3%) in the P. durilignum oil, and -eudesmol in both the P. consanguineum (18.6 ± 0.5%) and P. acutilimbum (7.5 ± 0.4%) oils. Despite their morphological similarity, a principal component analysis (PCA) of the GC-MS data clearly separated the four species according to the chemical profile of the essential oil extracted from their leaves.

Piper bellidifolium, Piper durilignum, Piper acutilimbum e Piper consanguineum são arbustos que ocorrem na Amazônia e são morfologicamente similares. Com o intuito de analisar o perfil químico dos constituintes voláteis dessas espécies, óleos essenciais das folhas foram obtidos por hidrodestilação e analisados por cromatografia gasosa - detector por ionização de chama (CG-FID) e cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massa (CG-EM). A análise química permitiu identificar 95 compostos, representando 96.3 ± 0.6% do óleo de P. bellidifolium; 95.5 ± 0.71% de P. durilignum; 98.0 ± 1.0% de P. acutilimbum e 96.1 ± 2.1% de P. consanguineum. Apesar dos óleos das quatro espécies terem sesquiterpeno como classe química predominante, diferenças qualitativas e quantitativas em sua composição química foram observadas. Os principais componentes encontrados foram: (E)-nerolidol (20.3 ± 0.4%) em P. bellidifolium; germacreno D (11.1 ± 0.3%) em P. durilignum; e -eudesmol nos óleos de P. consanguineum (18.6 ± 0.5%) e P. acutilimbum (7.5 ± 0.4%). Apesar da similaridade morfológica entre as espécies, uma análise de componentes principais (PCA) dos dados de CG-EM claramente separou as quatro espécies quanto ao perfil químico do óleo essencial extríado de suas folhas.

Etnobotánica de plantas medicinales en la comunidad de Caruarú, Isla del Mosqueiro, Belém-PA, Brasil / Ethnobotany of medicinal plants in the community of Caruaru, Mosqueiro Island, Belém-PA, Brazil

La investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar etno-botánicamente las plantas medicinales de la comunidad de Caruarú, Isla de Mosqueiro-PA, y buscar sus aplicaciones fitoquímicas y farmacológicas. Fueron usadas entrevistas del tipo semi-estructurada, índices de diversidad Shannon-Wiener y Equidad; y técnicas de Valor de Consenso de Uso, Importancia Relativa y Factor de Consenso del Informante. Fabaceae fue la familia más representativa. La Diversidad y Equidad fueron de 1.61 y 0.95, respectivamente. El mayor consenso de uso fue para Anacardium occidentale, Cinnamomum verum, Eleutherine bulbousa y Caamembeca spectabilis. Recibieron mayor importancia relativa A. occidentale L. y C. spectabilis. El mayor factor de consenso del informante fue para el sistema genitourinario. La hoja y el té fueron los más usados. Los preparados de las plantas y sus aplicaciones configuran importantes datos para análisis futuras.

The research aimed to study the ethnobotanical evaluation of some medicinal plants of the community of Caruarú, Isla de Mosqueiro-PA, and to search their phytochemical and pharmacological applications. Semi-structured interviews, Shannon-Wiener diversity indices and equity, consensus value techniques, relative Importance, and informant consensus factor were evaluated. Fabaceae was the most representative family. Diversity and equity were 1.61 and 0.95, respectively. Anacardium occidentale, Cinnamomum verum, Eleutherine bulbousa, and Caamembeca spectabilis received the greatest consensus use. The greatest relative importance was for A. occidentale L. and C. spectabilis. The greatest informant consensus factor was for the genitourinary system. The leaf and the tea were the most used. The preparations of the plants and their applications configure essential data for future analysis.

Care from the perspective of midwives from the amazon: a descriptive study / O cuidado na perspectiva singular das parteiras da região amazônica: estudo descritivo / El cuidado en la perspectiva singular de las parteras de la región amazónica: estudio descriptivo

PROBLEM: geography and difficulty of access to health care contribute to maternal and neonatal mortality in the North and Northeast of Brazil. AIM: to identify the care arrangements used during labor and birth by midwives from the Amazon. METHOD: 15 midwives from the cities of Manaus and of Vila de Lindoia/Itacoatiara region took part in two focus groups held between December 2015 and March 2016. Data analysis focused on three cores of meaning and the use of narratives. RESULTS: most of the arrangements designed to assist women occurred in cities in the inner regions of the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The midwives' narratives were based around three core sets of meanings: Complicity and Recognition; Midwife Memories, and Labor and Birth. CONCLUSION: midwives build a logic for care centered around women. It is an extensive and creative practice, available to sustain life during and after the birth.

PROBLEMA: a geografia e a dificuldade de acesso à saúde contribuem para a mortalidade materna e neonatal no norte e nordeste do Brasil. OBJETIVO: identificar os arranjos empregados durante o cuidado, por parteiras da Amazônia, no parto e nascimento. MÉTODO: estudo descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa e uso de grupo focal para a coleta de dados. Participaram 15 parteiras de Manaus e da Vila de Lindoia/ Itacoatiara, entre dezembro de 2015 e março de 2016. Análise de conteúdo baseada em núcleos de sentido e organizada em narrativas. RESULTADOS: a maior parte dos arranjos forjados para assistir as mulheres ocorreu em cidades do interior do Amazonas. Os traços comuns das narrativas seguem em três núcleos de sentido: Cumplicidade e Reconhecimento; Memória de Parteira e Parto e Nascimento. CONCLUSÃO: as parteiras constroem uma lógica de cuidado centrada na mulher. Uma prática extensiva e criativa, disponível para a vida e o nascer.

PROBLEMA: la geografía y la dificultad para acceder a la salud, contribuyen en el norte y nordeste de Brasil, a la mortalidad materna y neonatal. OBJETIVO: identificar las disposiciones empleadas durante el cuidado, por las parteras de la Amazonia, en el parto y nacimiento. MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo, de abordaje cualitativo, usando un grupo focal para recolectar los datos. Participaron 15 parteras de Manaus y de la Villa de Lindoia/ Itacoatiara, entre diciembre de 2015 y marzo de 2016. Análisis de contenido basado en núcleos de sentido y organizado en narrativas. RESULTADOS: la mayor parte de las disposiciones creadas para cuidar a las mujeres, ocurrieron en las ciudades del interior de Amazonas. Los trazos comunes de las narrativas siguen en tres núcleos de sentido: Complicidad y Reconocimiento; Memoria de la Partera y Parto y Nacimiento. CONCLUSIÓN: las parteras construyen una lógica de cuidado centrada en la mujer. Una práctica extensiva y creativa, disponible para la vida y el nacer.

Ethnobotanical study of antimalarial plants in the middle region of the Negro River, Amazonas, Brazil / Etnobotânica de plantas antimaláricas no médio Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brasil

ABSTRACT The middle Rio Negro region is an interesting place to seek novel antimalarial compounds because of the traditional knowledge of the Amazon population in conjunction with the high biodiversity of the region. The objective of this work was to study the use of antimalarial plants in Barcelos, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Fifty-two local specialists from eight different communities were interviewed over one year. The identified plants were collected with the assistance of local specialists, classified to species level and deposited in herbarium. In total, 55 antimalarial plants were identified in use in the region, of which 16 had not been previously reported in other published studies. Many factors could be involved with the use of antimalarial plants by the Barcelos population, such as the accessibility of these medicinal plants, efficiency and safety of using these plants, the accessibility to drugs or other medical treatments, plant bitterness, and the gender of the interviewees. Our results indicate that the population of Barcelos possesses an extensive knowledge on the use of a diverse array of antimalarial plants, and may contribute to the development of novel antimalarial compounds.

RESUMO O conhecimento tradicional da população amazônica, associado à grande biodiversidade da região, faz do médio Rio Negro um lugar propício para a pesquisa de novos remédios antimaláricos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o uso de plantas antimaláricas no município de Barcelos, Amazonas, Brasil. Ao longo de um ano foram entrevistados 52 especialistas de oito comunidades de Barcelos. As plantas indicadas foram coletadas com o auxílio dos especialistas, identificadas e depositadas em herbário. Foram mencionadas 55 plantas antimaláricas, das quais 16 nunca foram citadas em outros trabalhos previamente publicados. Muitos fatores podem estar associados ao uso destas plantas antimaláricas, tais quais o acesso a estas plantas, sua eficiência e segurança, o acesso a outros tratamentos médicos, o amargor das plantas e o gênero das pessoas entrevistadas. Nossos resultados indicam que a população de Barcelos é detentora de um rico conhecimento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais antimaláricas e pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novas drogas antimaláricas.

Elaboration and characterization of snack bars made with ingredients from the Amazon / Elaboração e caracterização de barras de cereais à base de ingredientes da Amazônia

ABSTRACT Snack bars were launched on the market as an alternative for people seeking healthier food options. They are popular portable snacks commonly eaten between meals. This study aimed to develop snack bars made with tapioca flour, Brazil nut and native fruit pulps (açaí, cupuaçu, muruci and taperebá) as well as to assess their physical, physicochemical, microbiological and sensory attributes. The preferred concentration of fruit pulp was 10% in the açaí bar, and 15% in the cupuaçu, muruci and taperebá bars. The acceptance rate of the açaí bars was greater than 70% for the attributes appearance, color, texture, and overall impression, but was lower for flavour. This result may be related to the eating habits of some panelists, who eat açaí pulp without adding any other ingredients that can impart the unique flavour of the fruit. The cupuaçu and muruci snack bars had higher sensory acceptance than the açaí and taperebá bars; therefore, they are more likely to have better market prospects.

RESUMO Como uma alternativa para as pessoas que procuram opções para uma alimentação saudável, as barras de cereais foram lançadas no mercado. Elas são populares como alimentos portáteis e podem ser consumidas entre as refeições. Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver e determinar as variáveis físicas, físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais de barras de cereais à base de farinha de tapioca, castanha-do-brasil e polpas de frutas regionais (açaí, cupuaçu, muruci e taperebá). A concentração preferida de polpa na barra sabor açaí foi de 10% e nas barras sabor cupuaçu, muruci e taperebá de 15%. O índice de aceitação da barra sabor açaí foi superior a 70% nos atributos aparência, cor, textura e impressão global e inferior no sabor. Este comportamento pode estar relacionado à cultura de alguns provadores, os quais têm o hábito de consumir a polpa de açaí sem adição de qualquer outro ingrediente que possa mascarar o sabor intrínseco e peculiar do fruto. As barras sabor cupuaçu e muruci, por apresentarem maior aceitação sensorial, quando comparadas às barras sabor açaí e taperebá, têm melhores perspectivas de mercado caso sejam comercializadas.

Preliminary analysis of Brazilian Amazonian plant extracts using bench-top assays in a through-put basis aiming the identification of potential antioxidant natural product

Plants are a source of compounds that are used for the treatment of human and veterinary diseases. Brazil is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. The present study evaluated extracts using thin-layer chromatography to identify antioxidant activity and determine the presence of groups of compounds, in a large-scale basis. A total of 1,260 aqueous and organic extracts were obtained from plants that were collected in the Amazon and Atlantic rain forests. Thin-layer chromatography was performed to evaluate the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardioactive glicosides, terpenes, and phenolics and determine antioxidant and radical scavenging activity using the following reagents: Dragendorff's reagent, KOH, Kedde's reagent, sulphuric acid, NP reagent, ß-carotene, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Of the 1,260 extracts, 837 (66.43%) presented a ß-carotene/bleaching response, and 1,205 (95.63%) presented a radical scavenging response. Alkaloids were found in 203 extracts (16.11%). Anthraquinones were found in 14 extracts (1.11%), cardenolides were found in eight extracts (0.63%). The present findings shows the importance of the Brazilian Amazon plants as sources of antioxidant and radical scavenging active compounds.(AU)