Expression of mPGES-1 and IP mRNA is reduced by LLLT in both subplantar and brain tissues in the model of peripheral inflammation induced by carrageenan.

The increase in PGE2 production by microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in CNS contributes to the severity of the inflammatory and pain responses in the model of edema formation and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. PGI2, alike to PGE2, plays an important role in the inflammation. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in the treatment of inflammatory pathologies, reducing both pain and the acute inflammatory process. In this work, we studied the effect of LLLT on the expression of both mPGES-1 and IP messenger RNA (mRNA), in either subplantar or total brain tissues obtained from rats submitted to model of edema formation and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan administration. The test sample consisted of 30 rats divided into five groups: A1 (control-saline), A2 (carrageenan-0.5 mg/paw), A3 (carrageenan-0.5 mg/paw + LLLT), A4 (carrageenan-1.0 mg/paw), and A5 (carrageenan-1.0 mg/paw + LLLT). The animals from groups A3 and A5 were irradiated 1 h after induction of inflammation by carrageenan injection. Continuous-wave red laser with wavelengths of 660 nm and dose of 7.5 J/cm(2) was used. Six hours after carrageenan-induced inflammation, mPGES-1 and prostacyclin receptor (IP) mRNA expression were significantly increased both in subplantar and brain tissues. LLLT was able to reduce both mPGES-1 and IP mRNA expression in subplantar and brain tissues. We suggest that LLLT is able to reduce both inflammation and hyperalgesia observed in the model of edema formation and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, by a mechanism involving the decrease in the expression of both mPGES-1 and IP.

Terapêuticas não convencionais para o alívio da cefaleia / Unconventional therapies to relieve headache

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A terapêutica popular é, sabidamente, praticada no cotidiano brasileiro, seja pela abundância da flora, rica e diversificada, sejam pela fácil acessibilidade, ou pela incorporação de práticas empíricas, costumes e tradições culturais da manipulação e utilização de plantas para os mais diferentes tratamentos, principalmente, relacionados à dor. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer as práticas terapêuticas não convencionais para o alívio da cefaleia, utilizadas no Vale do Paraíba Paulista. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo-exploratório com o levantamento de informações sobre o uso das terapêuticas não convencionais com plantas medicinais para o alívio da cefaleia. Foram entrevistados 130 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 21 e 90 anos, utilizando-se um formulário com questões abertas e fechadas referentes às características sócio-demográficas e às terapêuticas não convencionais utilizadas para o alívio da cefaleia, o modo de preparo e vias de administração. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que 34,6% dos entrevistados usavam chás de ervas medicinais para o alívio da cefaleia. A infusão de erva doce - Pimpinella ansium foi a mais usada (4,6%), seguida do chá de hortelã - Mentha crispa com 3,9% e de melissa - Salvia microphyla, também com 3,9%. Outro tipo de terapêutica não convencional usada foi a aplicação de rodelas de batata - Solanum tuberosum, presas na testa com um tecido umedecido ou não com água fria ou morna (20,1%). Da mesma forma, "compressas com água fria na testa" e "compressas com água fria e álcool na testa" e "repouso no escuro" foram procedimentos de escolha de aplicação por 5,4%; 2,3% e 4,6%, dos entrevistados, e o "banho frio, morno e massagem facial" foi utilizado por 9,3%, sendo que 14,% dos entrevistados não fazem qualquer tipo de terapêutica não convencional. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível identificar 14 tipos de terapêuticas não convencionais e 16 tipos de plantas medicinais utilizados para o alívio da cefaleia, muitas delas contem substâncias que tem atividade terapêutica comprovada, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias de investigação científica que fundamentem e ratifiquem ou não o uso de erva medicinal pela população que tem acesso limitado aos medicamentos convencionais.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is known that popular therapy is practiced in the Brazilian everyday life, be it for the abundance of rich and diversified flora, be it for the easy access or for the incorporation of empiric practices, habits and cultural traditions in the handling and use of plants for the most different treatments, mainly with regard to pain. This study aimed at understanding unconventional therapies to relieve headache in the São Paulo Paraíba Valley. METHOD: Descriptive-exploratory study with collection of information about unconventional therapies with medicinal plants to relieve headache. We have interviewed 130 individuals of both genders, aged between 21 and 90 years, using open and closed questions about socio-demographic characteristics and unconventional therapies used to relieve headache, how to prepare them and administration routes. RESULTS: It was observed that 34.6% of respondents used medicinal herb teas to relieve headache. Fennel - Pimpinella ansium infusion was the most widely used (4.6%), followed by mint "Mentha crispa tea with 3.9% and common balm" Salvia microphyla, also with 3.9%. Another unconventional therapy was the application of potato "Solanum tuberosum slices on the forehead tightened with tissue moistened or not with cold or warm water. Similarly, ?bandage with cold water on the forehead" and "bandage with cold water and alcohol on the forehead" and ?rest in the dark? were procedures of choice for 5.4%, 2.3% and 4.6% of respondents, and "cold bath, warm bath and facial massage" was used by 9.3%; 14% of respondents do not use any unconventional therapy. CONCLUSION: We have identified 14 types of unconventional therapies and 16 types of medicinal plants used to relieve headache. Many of them have substances with proved therapeutic activity and it is necessary to develop scientific investigation strategies to substantiate and ratify or not the use of medicinal herbs by the population with limited access to conventional drugs.