Pharmacological and Toxicological Study of Maytenus ilicifolia Leaf Extract Part II-Clinical Study (Phase I).

Maytenus ilicifolia is a plant widely used in South American folk medicine as an effective anti-dyspeptic agent, and the aim of this study was to evaluate their clinical and toxicological effects in healthy volunteers in order to establish its maximum safe dose. We selected 24 volunteers (12 women and 12 men) between 20 and 40 years of age and put them through clinical/laboratory screening and testing to ascertain their psychomotor functions (simple visual reaction, speed and accuracy, finger tapping tests). M. ilicifolia tablets were administered in increasing weekly dosages, from an initial dose of 100 mg to a final dose of 2000 mg. The volunteers' clinical and biochemical profiles and psychomotor functions were evaluated weekly, and they also completed a questionnaire about any adverse reactions. All subjects completed the study without significant changes in the evaluated parameters. The most cited adverse reactions were xerostomia (dry mouth syndrome) (16.7%) and polyuria (20.8%), with reversal of these symptoms without any intervention during the study. The clinical Phase I study showed that the administration of up to 2000 mg of the extract was well tolerated, with few changes in biochemical, hematological or psychomotor function parameters, and no significant adverse reactions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Are medicinal herbs safe? The opinion of plant vendors from Diadema (São Paulo, southeastern Brazil)

Medicinal plants (MP) have been used world-wide for the treatment or prevention of health conditions and due to their natural origin; they have been historically considered harmless. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with an intentional sample of twenty plant vendors in the city of Diadema to explore their knowledge and beliefs on the safety and efficacy of MP. Different levels of perceptions about the safety of MP were found, varying from "completely safe" to "completely harmful". The majority of the interviewees declared that "if herbs have an effect, they are also likely to have a side effect", depending on many factors such as dosage, concomitant use of other drugs, characteristics of the plant material and consumer related factors, specially those related to pregnant women, children and elderly people. Thirty-nine unexpected events related to 21 species of MP were reported. One case of serious gastrointestinal disease related to the consumption of a contaminated "slim mixture" was also described. Adverse events and other problems that result from MP are relatively uncommon, but they are almost certainly underreported and occur more often than acknowledged. This study strengthens the call for further research and educational efforts into this complex area.

Preclinical toxicological assessment of a phytotherapeutic product--CPV (based on dry extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha L., Passiflora incarnata L., and Valeriana officinalis L.).

Associations of plants have been widely used, for centuries, in Ayurveda and in Chinese medicine and have been increasingly acknowledged in Western medicine. The objective of this study is to assess the level of toxicity of an association of three plants: Crataegus oxyacantha, Passiflora incarnata, and Valeriana officinalis (CPV extract). This association was administered to rats, mice, and dogs, both acute and chronically for 180 days. The tests used in the acute experiments were: observational pharmacological screening, LD(50), motor coordination and motor activity. Chronic tests carried out were: weight gain/loss and behavioral parameters in rats and in mice; estrus cycle, effects on fertility, and teratogenic studies in rats and of mutagenic features in mice, in addition to the Ames test. The following parameters were assessed in dogs: weight gain/loss, general physical conditions, water/food consumption and anatomopathological examination of the organs subsequent to the 180 days of treatment. All of the results were negative, showing that CPV administered in high doses and over a long period of time presents no toxicity, suggestive of the fact that this is an association devoid of risk for human beings.

Use of alcohol among the inhabitants of the 107 largest cities in Brazil--2001.

Alcohol is part of the history of humanity, seemingly as a result of countless factors including the easy production of alcoholic beverages in practically all regions of the world. The authors studied aspects of the use of and the dependence on alcohol in Brazil, through a household survey conducted by Centro Brasileiro de Informações sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas (CEBRID). A total of 8,589 interviews were held in 107 of the largest cities in Brazil, all of them with more than 200 thousand inhabitants. The study was planned to gather information within the household environment about a stratified probabilistic sample obtained in three selection phases: 1) the censitaire sectors for each municipality, 2) a systematic randomized sampling, and 3) drafting a respondent by lot in each household to provide information. Approximately 11.2% of the subjects were concerned with their own consumption of alcohol. The signs/symptoms of the syndrome of dependence evident in a greater percentage were the desire to stop or reduce the use of alcohol and to stop or reduce resorting to alcoholic beverages more often than desired, as reported by 14.5 and 9.4% of the respondents, respectively. The regions in Brazil with the highest percentage of dependents were the North (16.3%) and the Northeast (19.9%). According to the estimates obtained in the survey, 5.2% of the teenagers were concerned about the use of alcohol. The estimates obtained in this survey reveal a need to implant specific preventive programs for the problem of alcohol, especially for the very young.

Use of alcohol among the inhabitants of the 107 largest cities in Brazil - 2001

Alcohol is part of the history of humanity, seemingly as a result of countless factors including the easy production of alcoholic beverages in practically all regions of the world. The authors studied aspects of the use of and the dependence on alcohol in Brazil, through a household survey conducted by Centro Brasileiro de Informações sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas (CEBRID). A total of 8,589 interviews were held in 107 of the largest cities in Brazil, all of them with more than 200 thousand inhabitants. The study was planned to gather information within the household environment about a stratified probabilistic sample obtained in three selection phases: 1) the censitaire sectors for each municipality, 2) a systematic randomized sampling, and 3) drafting a respondent by lot in each household to provide information. Approximately 11.2 percent of the subjects were concerned with their own consumption of alcohol. The signs/symptoms of the syndrome of dependence evident in a greater percentage were the desire to stop or reduce the use of alcohol and to stop or reduce resorting to alcoholic beverages more often than desired, as reported by 14.5 and 9.4 percent of the respondents, respectively. The regions in Brazil with the highest percentage of dependents were the North (16.3 percent) and the Northeast (19.9 percent). According to the estimates obtained in the survey, 5.2 percent of the teenagers were concerned about the use of alcohol. The estimates obtained in this survey reveal a need to implant specific preventive programs for the problem of alcohol, especially for the very young.

Evaluation of Baccharis trimera and Davilla rugosa in tests for adaptogen activity.

Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae) and Davilla rugosa (Dilleniaceae) are used popularly as tonics, aphrodisiacs and for stomach ailments, among other uses. Hydroalcohol extracts of the aerial parts of both plants were investigated with regard to their chemical constitution and their pharmacological activity in tests that evaluate adaptogen activity. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols/tannins and coumarins were identified in both extracts, while lignans were found only in the extract of Davilla rugosa. This extract presented also a marked antioxidant activity and exerted a moderate antiulcer effect in rats submitted to cold immobilization stress. It did not, however, inhibit the increase in the levels of ACTH and corticosterone induced by stress. Moreover, the Davilla rugosa did not improve the physical performance of mice submitted to forced exercise and the learning time of old rats in the T-maze, neither did it reduce the blood viscosity of the old animals. Conversely, the Baccharis trimera extract only presented a moderate antioxidant activity, without any positive effect on the other tests. These results point to the absence of an adaptogen activity of Baccharis trimera, with some effects that could be related to such an activity as regards the Davilla rugosa.

Decrease in tobacco use among Brazilian students: a possible consequence of the ban on cigarette advertising?

In 2000, cigarette advertising was banned from the Brazilian media [LEI N degrees 10.167, de 27 de dezembro de dezembro. (2000). http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/Leis/L10167.htm]. Nevertheless, not enough surveys have been carried out to measure the impact of the prohibition. The objective of the present survey was to compare the use of tobacco by primary and secondary school students in 1997 and 2004, that is, before and after the ban on tobacco advertising in Brazil. Two surveys were conducted (in 1997 and 2004) using the same methodology, with a target population of primary (from the fifth grade on) and secondary public schools in ten different Brazilian capitals. The sampling was done by conglomerates, stratified, and obtained in two stages. In total, 15,501 students were surveyed in 1997, and 21,712 in 2004. The questionnaire was adapted from an instrument developed by WHO, anonymous, self-administered, and applied collectively in the classroom. In a comparison of the two surveys (1997 and 2004) tobacco lifetime use (used any psychotropic drug at least once in their life) decreased significantly in seven out of ten capitals surveyed. The 11-12 year old age group experienced the largest decrease in tobacco lifetime use. There was a decrease in lifetime use for males in nine capitals, and in eight capitals for females. A decrease was also observed in heavy tobacco use also in eight capitals. In conclusion there was a significant decrease in tobacco consumption among the surveyed students, suggesting that the decrease is related to changes in public policy in Brazil over the surveyed period.

A comparison of plants utilized in ritual healing by two Brazilian cultures: Quilombolas and Kraho Indians.

The present study deals with two ethnobotanical surveys carried out in two different segments of the Brazilian population: the first among the Krahô Indians living in Tocantins State, a Cerrado region, and the second one among the descendants of former black slaves, the Quilombolas, living in Mato Grosso State. Both populations use plants which may have effects on the central nervous system (CNS) in their ritual healing ceremonies. Field work was performed during two years by one of the authors (E. Rodrigues) utilizing methods from botany and anthropology. Information was obtained on a total of 169 plants which were utilized in the preparation of 345 prescriptions for 68 ailments seemingly of the CNS, classified as tonics, analgesics, anorectics, hallucinogens, and anxiolytics. The taxonomic families of plants used, the more common therapeutic indications and types of healing rituals are discussed.

Plants with possible psychoactive effects used by the Krahô Indians, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: In spite of the richness of the Brazilian biodiversity, no phytomedicines have been developed from this flora with the purpose of being used in psychiatric treatments. The objective of the present study was to document the use of plants with possible psychoactive effects in rituals performed by the Krahô Indians, who live in the cerrado savannahs biome in the central region of Brazil. Also, the present data were compared with the data obtained during a review of the literature on the use of psychoactive plants by 25 Brazilian indigenous groups. METHOD: The study was carried out during two years of fieldwork during which anthropological and botanical methods were employed. RESULTS: Seven local shamans were interviewed and they indicated 98 formulas, consisting of 45 plant species that appear to have psychoactive properties and were used in 25 different treatments. Some of the psychoactive properties were "prevention of madness", "stimulant effect", "tranquilizing effect", "prevention of tremors", "longer sleeping period", "open mind" and "induction of sleep". This article also describes the review of literature, which recorded 58 plants that may have psychoactive effects used by 25 Brazilian Indian cultures. CONCLUSION: The treatment of psychological/psychiatric disorders based on the plants used by the Krahô Indians is very rich. It is also observed among other Brazilian indigenous groups. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies on these plants may develop new medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

OBJETIVO: Apesar da riqueza da biodiversidade brasileira, não foram desenvolvidos, até o momento, fitoterápicos voltados para tratamentos psiquiátricos a partir desta flora. O principal objetivo deste estudo é documentar as plantas utilizadas pelos índios Krahô em rituais de cura, sobretudo aquelas com potenciais ações psicoativas. Esta etnia indígena ocupa uma área no bioma cerrado, numa região central do Brasil. Além disso, estes resultados foram comparados àqueles obtidos durante um levantamento bibliográfico realizado a respeito das plantas psicoativas utilizadas por outras 25 etnias indígenas brasileiras. MÉTODO: Os dois anos de trabalho de campo foram conduzidos utilizando-se métodos da antropologia e botânica. RESULTADOS: Sete xamãs locais foram entrevistados e indicaram 98 receitas preparadas a partir de 45 plantas para 25 usos, que parecem estar envolvidos a propriedades psicoativas. São eles: "para evitar ficar louco", "estimulante", "calmante", "para diminuir tremores", "para dormir por mais tempo", "para abrir a cabeça" e "para induzir o sono". Este artigo descreve também um levantamento bibliográfico que registrou 58 plantas utilizadas por 25 etnias indígenas brasileiras que, de modo similar, podem ter alguma ação psicoativa. CONCLUSÃO: É muito rica a terapêutica para males psicológicos/psiquiátricos a partir de plantas utilizadas pelos índios Krahô. Este mesmo fato ocorre entre outras etnias indígenas brasileiras. Futuros estudos de fitoquímica e farmacologia a serem realizados com estas plantas poderão prover a psiquiatria com novos medicamentos.

Plants with possible psychoactive effects used by the Krahô Indians, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: In spite of the richness of the Brazilian biodiversity, no phytomedicines have been developed from this flora with the purpose of being used in psychiatric treatments. The objective of the present study was to document the use of plants with possible psychoactive effects in rituals performed by the Krahô Indians, who live in the cerrado savannahs biome in the central region of Brazil. Also, the present data were compared with the data obtained during a review of the literature on the use of psychoactive plants by 25 Brazilian indigenous groups. METHOD: The study was carried out during two years of fieldwork during which anthropological and botanical methods were employed. RESULTS: Seven local shamans were interviewed and they indicated 98 formulas, consisting of 45 plant species that appear to have psychoactive properties and were used in 25 different treatments. Some of the psychoactive properties were "prevention of madness", "stimulant effect", "tranquilizing effect", "prevention of tremors", "longer sleeping period", "open mind" and "induction of sleep". This article also describes the review of literature, which recorded 58 plants that may have psychoactive effects used by 25 Brazilian Indian cultures. CONCLUSION: The treatment of psychological/psychiatric disorders based on the plants used by the Krahô Indians is very rich. It is also observed among other Brazilian indigenous groups. Future phytochemical and pharmacological studies on these plants may develop new medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Use of South American plants for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Two conditions greatly encourage the folk use of plants to cure diseases and alleviate ailments: plant biodiversity (the richer the better)particular cultural traits of local populations.

Uso de drogas psicotrópicas no Brasil: pesquisa domiciliar envolvendo as 107 maiores cidades do país - 2001 / Use of psychotropic drugs in Brazil: household survey in the 107 biggest Brazilian cities - 2001

O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência do uso de drogas, álcool, tabaco e o uso não médico de medicamentos psicotrópicos. Este estudo abrangeu as 107 maiores cidades do Brasil; amostra: idades entre 12 e 65 anos. Amostragem em três estágios; setores censitários; domicílios e o respondente. Entrevistadas 8.589 pessoas. O uso na vida de álcool com 68,7 por cento foi próximo aos 70,8 por cento do Chile. O uso na vida de tabaco foi de 41,1 por cento, inferior aos EUA (70,5 por cento). O uso na vida de maconha foi de 6,9 por cento próximo ao da Colômbia (5,4 por cento) e abaixo dos EUA (34,2 por cento). O uso na vida de cocaína foi 2,3 por cento, inferior aos EUA (11,2 por cento). O uso de solventes foi de 5,8 por cento, bem menor que no Reino Unido (20,0 por cento). Os estimulantes tiveram 1,5 por cento de uso na vida e os benzodiazepínicos com 3,3 por cento. Estes achados permitirão a implantação de políticas públicas adequadas à nossa realidade no campo das drogas psicotrópicas.

Ritual use of plants with possible action on the central nervous system by the Kraho Indians, Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to document the use of plants, probably acting on the central nervous system (CNS), in rituals carried out by the Kraho Indians, who occupy the cerrado biome in the central region of Brazil. The 2 years of fieldwork were guided by methods of anthropology and botany. The local shamans have indicated 286 formulas, consisting of 138 plant species in 50 uses that could be associated with some type of action on the CNS; of which 98 formulas, 87 plants and 25 uses, appear to involve psychoactive properties, such as: 'to get slow', 'stimulant effect', 'to calm down', 'to enhance memory', 'to reduce anxiety' and 'to induce sleep'. Phytochemical and pharmacological literature data were queried to establish any correlation between indigenous knowledge and scientific indications, for each one of the 138 plant species. Studies were available for 11 of these plants; and for two of them, scientific data coincided with indigenous information.

Household survey on drug abuse in Brazil: study involving the 107 major cities of the country--2001.

The prevalence of the use in Brazil of illicit drugs, as well as of alcohol and tobacco, was determined. Further, illicit use of psychotropic medicines, and anabolic steroids were also surveyed. This study was carried out in 107 Brazilian cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants aged 12-65 years. The sampling design adopted was that of sampling per aggregates in three stages: first, the census sectors were selected; second, homes were selected among the sectors; finally, in each home, a respondent was selected in a manner independent of the interviewer. There were 8589 persons interviewed. The questionnaire utilized was that of the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) which was translated and adapted for Brazilian conditions. The lifetime use of alcohol in the 107 major cities of the country was 68.7%, which was close to numbers observed for Chile at 70.8% and the USA at 81.0%. Yet, tobacco lifetime use was 41.1% of the total, which is lower than the prevalence observed in the USA (70.5%). The data on the lifetime use of marijuana in Brazil (6.9%) approximated the findings for Colombia (5.4%), however, being much lower than that observed in the USA (34.2%) and the United Kingdom (25.0%). The prevalence of lifetime use of cocaine was 2.3%, well below the levels for the USA with 11.2% of the total population. The abuse of inhalants was 5.8% of the total, greater than that found in Colombia (1.4%) and about four times less than that in the United Kingdom with 20.0%. Among the medicaments, stimulants had a 1.5% prevalence of lifetime use, and that of benzodiazepines had similar percentages in Brazil (3.3%) and in the USA (5.8%). In this survey, only four individuals reported lifetime use of heroin, which was equivalent to about 0.04% of the sample and much lower than that in the USA with 1.2% and in Colombia reaching 1.5%. These findings will allow the implementation of public policies fitted to the situation with psychotropic drugs in Brazil.

[Use of psychotropic drugs in Brazil: household survey in the 107 biggest Brazilian cities--2001]. / Uso de drogas psicotrópicas no Brasil: pesquisa domiciliar envolvendo as 107 maiores cidades do país--2001.

The objective was to estimate the prevalence of the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and the use of non-medical psychotropics. This study enclosed the 107 biggest cities in Brazil; sample: ages between 12 and 65 years. Sampling in three periods: tax sectors; household and the respondent. Were interviewed 8,589 people. The lifetime use of the alcohol was 68.7%, closer to 70.8% in Chile. The lifetime use of the tobacco was of 41.1%, lower than USA (70.5%). The lifetime use of the marijuana was of 6.9% closer to Colombia (5.4%) and lower than USA (34.2%). The lifetime use of the cocaine was 2.3%, lower than USA (11.2%). The lifetime use of solvent was of 5.8%, much lower than the United Kingdom (20.0%). The stimulants have had 1.5% of lifetime use and the anxiolytics with 3.3%. These findings will allow the implantation of adjusted public politics to our reality in the field of the psychotropics drugs.

Plants used by a Quilombola group in Brazil with potential central nervous system effects.

This study focused on an ethnopharmacological survey among a group of Brazilian Quilombolas (descended from runaway slaves living in hideouts up-country) whose therapeutic practices involve a combination of healing ceremonies and prescription of medicinal plants consisting of the use of, at least, 48 plants with possible effect on the central nervous system (CNS), cited in 53 formulas prescribed for 17 therapeutic indications, the main ones being: to fortify the brain, for insomnia, as a sedative, for insanity, weight loss, and rejuvenation. The formulas consist of one to ten plants, and each plant may be recommended for up to seven different therapeutic indications, with evidence of non-specificity in the use of plants in this culture. Of these 48 plants, only 31 could be identified to the species level as belonging to 20 taxonomic families, with the Asteraceae, Malpighiaceae, Cyperaceae, and Myrtaceae as the most important families. Only eleven of these species have been previously studied and appear in scientific literature. Some of these plants are at present under study in the Department of Psychobiology of the Federal University of Sao Paulo.