Effect of a natural supplement containing glucosinolates, phytosterols and citrus flavonoids on body weight and metabolic parameters in a menopausal murine model induced by bilateral ovariectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a herbal preparation containing glucosinolates, phytosterols and citrus flavonoids (supplement) on body weight and metabolic parameters usually impaired by menopause. METHODS: A pre-clinical experimental study carried out in twenty-five Swiss strain mice (Mus musculus) randomly distributed (1:1:1:1:1 ratio) to five groups to receive for ten weeks: (1) oral gelatinized maca extract 0.5625 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (Maca + OVX); (2) oral supplement 0.5625 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (S1 + OVX); (3) oral supplement 1.6875 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (S2 + OVX); (4) oral saline 100 µl/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (OVX); and (5) oral saline 100 µl/kg/day + sham surgery (sham). The primary endpoint was change in body weight gain from baseline to final. Secondary endpoints were uterine weight and cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and glucose/triglycerides index values at the end of the study. A modified intention-to-treat analysis was performed through linear regression models and using the Bonferroni method to penalized p-values by multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Twenty-three animals completed the study. There was a significant average difference in weight gain, with a greater reduction in the S2 + OVX group compared to the OVX group (difference= -3.5; 95% CI (-5.27; -1.74); p < .001). S2 + OVX group also displayed a significant average reduction of total blood cholesterol (difference: -16.94; 95% CI (-33.73; -0.15); p = .037). No significant effects of the supplement were found on other secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION: In this murine menopausal model, triple oral supplement dose resulted in an average reduction of weight gain and total cholesterol levels, suggesting that the compound could have a potential effect at regulating menopausal altered metabolism.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Andean people of Canta, Lima, Peru.

A survey aiming to document medicinal plant uses was performed in Canta Province Lima Department, in the Peruvians Andes of Peru. Hundred and fifty people were interviewed. Enquiries and informal personal conversations were used to obtain information. Informants were men and women over 30 years old, who work in subsistence agriculture and cattle farming, as well as herbalist. Eighty-seven species were collected and identified that had indigenous uses. Common names, habit, part of the plant used, preparation, administration and illnesses treated were recorded for each species. Results are compared with other ethnopharmacological studies performed in the Peruvian Andes.

Anatomia do lenho de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa (Rubiaceae) do estado do Acre, Brasil / Wood anatomy of Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa (Rubiaceae) from the State of Acre, Brazil

As plantas de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa são lianas trepadeiras, arbustos trepadores ou rasteiros ascendentes que ocorrem em amplas áreas da Amazônia brasileira e países da América Central e do Sul. Possuem excepcional importância medicinal, com sua casca, lenho e folhas utilizadas pelos povos amazônicos e pela indústria farmacêutica. Face a necessidade da identificação das plantas em condições de campo e de laboratório, o presente trabalho descreveu a estrutura anatômica do lenho de Uncaria guianensis e U. tomentosa, ocorrentes no Estado do Acre, Brasil. Os resultados mostraram que o lenho das espécies é característico da família Rubiaceae, a exceção dos vasos arredondados, grandes e solitários, parenquima axial difuso e largura dos raios que são próprios das lianas.

Uncaria guianensis and U. tomentosa are climbing lianas, bush lianas occuring in large areas of Brazilian Amazon and Central and South America countries. The species presented exceptional medicinal importance, with its bark, wood and leaves used by Amazon native people and pharmaceutical industries. Considering the importance of the species identification in field and laboratory conditions, the present work described the anatomical structure of Uncaria guianensis and U. tomentosa, which occurs in State of Acre, Brazil. The results showed that the wood of the species was characteristic of the Rubiaceae family, except the rounded vessel, greater and solitary, parenchyma axial diffuse and width of the rays, proper of lianas.

Electrocardiographic findings in Rett syndrome: an explanation for sudden death?

Girls with Rett syndrome had significantly longer corrected QT intervals (p < 0.001) and more T-wave abnormalities (p < 0.001) than were found in age-matched healthy girls. With advancing stages of the syndrome, the proportion of corrected QT interval prolongations and T-wave changes increased. The findings suggest a possible cardiac basis for sudden, unexpected death in Rett syndrome.

Chiari type I malformation in children.

We reviewed the recent experience at Texas Children's Hospital by examining the records of 11 children who underwent suboccipital decompression for symptomatic Chiari type I malformation. Presenting complaints included neck pain (1 child), scoliosis (4 children), back pain (1 child), torticollis (1), motor dysfunction (1), and apnea (3 children). Neurologic findings were normal in 7 of the 11 children. The craniocervical junction and medulla were studied by magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed anatomy consistent with Chiari type I malformation in all cases. At surgery, all patients had tonsillar herniation to the first cervical vertebra or below. Three patients had syringomyelia. Postoperatively, either the patients were symptom free or, in the cases of scoliosis and torticollis, there was no progression. Our experience suggests that Chiari type I malformation may occur in childhood with varied and unusual clinical findings. Magnetic resonance imaging was essential to the diagnosis; the presence of tonsillar herniation was confirmed at surgery. The results of suboccipital decompression were favorable in this series.