Effects of Calendula officinalis extract on liver histopathology, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in rats submitted to a diet rich in cholesterol and carbohydrates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the modulatory properties of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) (C. officinalis) extract on cafeteria diet-fed rats. METHODS: A cafeteria diet was administered ad libitum for 45 days to induce dyslipidemia. Then, the rats were treated with the formulations containing C. officinalis in the doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg or only with the vehicle formulation; the control group received a commercial ration. RESULTS: The cafeteria diet decreased glutathione S-transferase activity and high-density lipoprotein plasmatic levels and damaged the hepatic architecture. The C. officinalis extract was able to reduce lipid infiltration in liver tissue and to modulate oxidative stress and lipid profile markers. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations between the variables suggest a pathological connection between oxidative stress markers and serum lipid profile.

Effects of Calendula officinalis extract on liver histopathology, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in rats submitted to a diet rich in cholesterol and carbohydrates

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the modulatory properties of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) (C. officinalis) extract on cafeteria diet-fed rats. Methods: A cafeteria diet was administered ad libitum for 45 days to induce dyslipidemia. Then, the rats were treated with the formulations containing C. officinalis in the doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg or only with the vehicle formulation; the control group received a commercial ration. Results: The cafeteria diet decreased glutathione S-transferase activity and high-density lipoprotein plasmatic levels and damaged the hepatic architecture. The C. officinalis extract was able to reduce lipid infiltration in liver tissue and to modulate oxidative stress and lipid profile markers. Conclusions: The correlations between the variables suggest a pathological connection between oxidative stress markers and serum lipid profile.

Behavioral Pharmacology of Five Uncommon Passiflora Species Indicates Sedative and Anxiolytic-like Potential.

BACKGROUND: There are over 500 species in the Passiflora genus, and while some of them are very well known in folk medicine for their anxiolytic effects, very little is known for the other genus representants, which could also present medicinal effects. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we performed an interspecific pharmacological comparison of five investigated Passiflora species, all native to Brazil, namely P. bahiensis, P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, P. sidaefolia, and P. vitifolia. METHODS: Extracts were administered to mice before behavioral testing, including a general pharmacological screening and anxiolytic-like effect investigation. RESULTS: Three of the species (P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia) induced a decrease in locomotor activity of mice; P. coccinea also reduced the latency to sleep. Importantly, none of the species interfered with motor coordination. Oral administration evoked no severe signs of toxicity, even at higher doses. Regarding the anxiolytic-like profile, P. sidaefolia reduced the anxious-like behavior in the Holeboard test in a similar way to the positive control, Passiflora incarnata, while not affecting total motricity. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia reduced the general activity of mice and conferred a calmative/sedative potential to these three species, which must be further elucidated by future investigations.

Phytochemistry profile of rosella and jambolan extracts and the therapeutic effects on obesity.

Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (HSE) and Syzygium cumini extract (SCE) have been used in traditional medicine due to their hypoglycemic, antidiabetic, anti-obesity and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of these extracts, as well as to evaluate their toxicities. The phytochemical profiles were obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analyses. Pharmacological screening, motor activity, motor coordination and acute toxicity were evaluated by administering HSE or SCE (oral or intraperitoneal routes) at different doses to mice. The anti-obesity effects were examined by assessing the decrease in food intake and body weight loss in Wistar albino rats and by gastrointestinal transit in Swiss albino mice. Sibutramine was used as the positive control. Both extracts showed no toxic effects. At the end of 7 days of treatment, we observed that SCE and HSE reduced the weight gain and food intake of the treated rats in relation to the controls. Sub-chronic treatment revealed that HSE, SCE and sibutramine had the best effect 7 and 14 days after starting treatment. After 28 days, the SCE group showed less weight gain and reduced food consumption compared to the HSE group and controls. In addition, intestinal transit was increased in the HSE group, which is probably due to the high fiber content of the extract and may explain its anti-obesity properties. Myricetin glycosides were found in high levels in SCE and low levels in HSE, which may be the main compounds associated with the anti-obesity effect found in SCE. It is not possible to suggest an effective dose without conducting a preclinical toxicology study. We recommend clinical studies that evaluate the efficacy and safety, as well as the effect of discontinuing the extracts.

Ayahuasca blocks ethanol preference in an animal model of dependence and shows no acute toxicity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, is originally used by Amazon-based indigenous and mestizo groups for medicinal and ritualistic purposes. Nowadays, ayahuasca is used in religious and shamanic contexts worldwide, and preliminary evidence from preclinical and observational studies suggests therapeutic effects of ayahuasca for the treatment of substance (including alcohol) use disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the initial pharmacological profile of ayahuasca and its effects on ethanol rewarding effect using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ayahuasca beverage was prepared using extracts of B. caapi and P. viridis, and the concentration of active compounds was assessed through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The following behavioral tests were performed after ayahuasca administration: general pharmacological screening (13, 130, or 1300 mg/kg - intraperitoneally - i.p., and 65, 130, 1300, or 2600 mg/kg - via oral - v.o.); acute toxicity test with elevated doses (2600 mg/kg - i.p., and 5000 mg/kg - v.o.); motor activity, motor coordination, and hexobarbital-induced sleeping time potentiation (250, 500, or 750 mg/kg ayahuasca or vehicle - v.o.). For the CPP test, the animals received ayahuasca (500 mg/kg - v.o.) prior to ethanol (1.8 g/kg - i.p.) or vehicle (control group - i.p.) during conditioning sessions. RESULTS: Ayahuasca treatment presented no significant effect on motor activity, motor coordination, hexobarbital-induced sleeping latency or total sleeping time, and did not evoke signs of severe acute toxicity at elevated oral doses. Ayahuasca pre-treatment successfully inhibited the ethanol-induced CPP and induced CPP when administered alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that ayahuasca presents a low-risk acute toxicological profile when administered orally, and presents potential pharmacological properties that could contribute to the treatment of alcohol use disorders.

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.

Pharmacological and Toxicological Study of Maytenus ilicifolia Leaf Extract. Part I - Preclinical Studies.

One of the Brazilians medicinal plants most cited in ethnopharmacological surveys for the treatment of ulcers and gastric diseases was evaluated for its efficacy and toxicity. Maytenus ilicifolia leaf extract (MIE) was acutely and chronically (180 days) administered to rats, mice, and dogs. Acute tests were antiulcer effect and toxicological trials (observational pharmacological screening, LD50, motor coordination, sleeping time and motor activity). Chronic tests were the following: weight gain/loss and behavioral parameters in rats and mice; estrus cycle, effects on fertility, and teratogenic studies in rats and mutagenic features in mice, in addition to the Ames and micronucleus 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-day treatment. The results showed a clear antiulcer activity for MIE from 70 mg/kg and an absence of toxicological effects in the three animal species, even if given in high doses or over a long period. The present results confirm the antiulcer property and absence of toxicological effects in three animal species of MIE, which is in line with its current popular medicinal use. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Saponins, tannins and flavonols found in hydroethanolic extract from Periandra dulcis roots

Periandra dulcis Mart. ex Benth. Fabaceae (Syn.: P. mediterranea (Vell.) Taub.) is native to the northern and middle parts of Brazil. In Brazilian ethnomedicine, their roots are used as anti inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic and laxative. An HPLC-ESI-MS/MS system was employed to provide a rapid method to make a tentative characterization of the compounds found in the hydroethanolic extract from P. dulcis roots. The structures of sixteen compounds found in this hydroethanolic extract were suggested mainly by MS data conjugated with the UVDAD spectra, reference compounds and available mass spectra data in literature. Saponin derivatives of hederagenin and soyasapogenol E, such as hederagenin-3-O-rhamnosyl glucosyl glucuronide, soyasapogenol E-3-O-rhamnosyl glucosyl glucuronide and periandrin isomers were found as the main constituents, with a minor content of flavonols quercetin and myricetin glycosides derivatives and hydrolysable tannins, such as dihexahydroxydiphenoyl galloyl glucoside and trisgalloyl hexahydroxydiphenoyl glucose.To the best of our knowledge, with exception of periandrins found in the roots, nothing has been published about the chemical composition of P. dulcis..

Assessment of the toxicity of the Brazilian pepper trees Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Aroeira-da-praia) and Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (Aroeira-do-sertão).

The present study aimed to assess the preclinical toxicity of two plants commonly used to treat "stomach ailments" in Brazil: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (S) and Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (M). In male rats, chronic treatment (83 days) with both pepper trees (17.6 and 13.8 mg/kg, S and M, respectively) has been shown to decrease hematocrit. However, a reduction in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin was only seen following administration of S. terebinthifolius. None of the plants caused anatomopathological alterations following chronic treatment, and mating ability and fertility were not affected. Both pepper trees showed moderate toxicity following acute and chronic treatment by gavage, particularly S. terebinthifolius. Moreover, bone malformations were induced in fetuses, and a slight delay in recovery time of the postural reflex was observed in pups from female animals treated (18 days) with S. terebinthifolius. Given these results, a better assessment of the risks and benefits of the internal use of these plants is necessary, especially when used by women of childbearing age.

Chemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts from five species of the Passiflora genus

The diversified genus Passiflora is well distributed all over Brazil, and many species have been long used as medicinal plants, mainly against anxiety disturbances. This effect has been attributed to its rich flavonoid composition. Flavonoids’ main class, flavonoid glycosides, has presented central action, particularly as sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic and analgesic. The objective of the present study was to make a phytochemical screening of five little studied Passiflora species, in order to evaluate their phenolic composition. For this aim, HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS was used. After the preparation of the hydroalcoholic extracts, each species was evaluated by direct injection electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry. Although belonging to the same genus, the composition of each species presented particularities; this justifies the importance of studies aiming for the phenolic composition of different Passiflora species. Flavones C-glycosides were detected in all extracts, and are found as the main constituents in P. vitifolia, P. coccinea, P. bahiensis and P. sidifolia. In this last one, flavone-6,8-di-C-glycoside, apigenin-6-C-rhamnosyl-8-C-arabinoside are present in high content. Cyclopassiflosides were found in high content together with cyanogenic glycosides in P. quadrangularis, while in P. coccinea, besides flavones-C-glycosides were also found procyanidins.

Chemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts from Siparuna guianensis, medicinal plant used as anxiolytics in Amazon region

Siparuna guianensis Aubl., Siparunaceae, is used as anxiolytic plants in folk medicine by South-American indians, "caboclos" and river-dwellers. This work focused the evaluation of phenolic composition of hydroethanolic extract of S. guianensis through HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS/MS. The constituents exhibited protonated, deprotonated and sodiated molecules and the MS/MS fragmentation of protonated, deprotonated and sodiated molecules provided product ions with rich structural information. Vicenin-2 (apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside) was the main constituent found in S. guianensis together quercetin-3,7-di-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol-3,7di-O-rhamnoside. A commercial extract of Passiflora incarnata (Phytomedicine) was used as surrogate standard and also was analyzed through HPLC-DAD-ESI/ MS/MS, showing flavones C-glycosides as constituents, among them, vicenin-2 and vitexin. The main constituent was vitexin. Flavonols triglycosides was also found in low content in S. guianensis and were tentatively characterized as quercetin-3O-rutinoside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-pentosyl-pentoside-7-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol-3-O-pentosyl-pentoside-7-O-rhamnoside. Apigenin and kaempferol derivatives had been reported as anxiolytic agents. Flavonoids present in this extract were correlated with flavonoids reported as anxiolytics.

Effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult., Turneraceae, in tests for adaptogenic activity

The objective of the present study was to assess whether Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult., Turneraceae, (TD), plant known in popular medicine as tonic and aphrodisiac, has other effects that are characteristic of an adaptogen substance, such as improvement of the memory and reduction of the damage caused by stress. We carried out an initial screening to detect a possible toxicity of the plant. In that phase of the study we used tests of observational screening; evaluation of acute toxicity; measurement of motor activity and motor coordination, and sleeping time induced by pentobarbital, and observed that the extract presented low toxicity and no stimulant or depressant effect on the animals. We then performed specific tests for the evaluation of an adaptogen effect. TD did not protect the stomach of the animals from the formation of ulcers, neither did it alter the plasmatic levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone of the animals submitted to immobilization and cold. As regards the evaluation of memory in passive avoidance, TD did not inhibit scopolamine-induced amnesia. Additionally, the hydroalcoholic extract presented low antioxidant activity in vitro. In the models used, TD produced no changes in relation to a possible adaptogen effect.

Bitter acids from hydroethanolic extracts of Humulus lupulus L., Cannabaceae, used as anxiolytic

Humulus lupulus L., Cannabaceae, é usada como sedativo e ansiolítico na medicina popular. O método de HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn representa uma ferramenta poderosa para a análise de produtos naturais, desde que ela fornece o espectro de UV e informações estruturais sobre os constituintes da mistura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de caracterizar os constituintes encontrados no extrato hidroalcoólico. Os constituintes 1-9 foram tentativamente caracterizados através do UV/DAD e ionização por electrospray (MS/MS) depois da separação usando fase reversa, tempo de retenção e dados da literatura. Os principais compostos fenólicos (baseados na área dos picos) foram caracterizados como ácido hulupínico (9), coulupona (8), dois alfa-ácidos amargos oxidados (principais constituintes), um deles sendo um derivado da coumulinona oxidada (5) e o outro um derivado da humulinona oxidada (7), junto com uma procianidina B (3) e os flavonoides rutina (4) e o canferol-7-O-rutinosídeo (6). Esta planta conhecida devido às suas propriedades ansiolíticas e por ser um componente da cerveja, mostrou derivados oxidados de alfa-ácidos, como principais constituintes do extrato hidroalcoólico.

Humulus lupulus L., Cannabaceae, is commonly used as light sedative and anxiolytics in folk medicine. HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn represents a powerful tool for the analysis of natural products, since it can simultaneously provide a UV chromatogram and significant structural information about compounds in complex mixture. The aim of this work was characterize the constituents present in hydroethanolic extract. Compounds 1-9 were tentatively characterized on the basis of UV, MS/MS, after reversed phase separation, retention time and literature data. The main phenolic compounds (based on peak area) were characterized as hulupinic acid (9), cohulupone (8), two oxidized hop alfa-bitter acids (principal constituents), one being a oxidized cohumulinone (5) and the other an oxidized humulinone (7) derivatives, together with a procyanidin dimer B (3), flavonoids rutin (4) and kaempferol-7-O-rutinoside (6). This plant known, due to anxiolytic property and beer flavoring, showed oxidized hop bitter acids, as principal constituents, in its hydroethanolic extract.

Antiulcer effect of the pepper trees Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira-da-praia) and Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae (aroeira-do-sertão) / Ação antiúlcera das aroeiras Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira-da-praia) e Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae (aroeira-do-sertão)

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and the Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão were evaluated in rats and mice for antiulcer effects, as these two plants are widely used in Brazil for gastric ulcer treatment. Extracts of the plants showed a marked protective effect against gastric ulcerations induced by immobilization stress at low temperature in rats. They also showed an increase in the pH and volume of the gastric contents, and reduction in gastric hemorrhage in rats, and decrease in intestinal transit in mice, even at the low doses of 3.4 mg/kg (1/4 of the dose used by humans).

Foram avaliados, em ratos e camundongos, os efeitos antiúlcera de duas plantas usadas popularmente no Brasil para o tratamento de "males gástricos": a Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira-da-praia) e a Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (aroeira-do-sertão). Os decoctos de ambas as plantas apresentaram um marcante efeito protetor da mucosa gástrica contra as ulcerações induzidas por estresse de imobilização em baixa temperatura em ratos. Ambas as plantas apresentaram, ainda: elevação do pH, do volume do conteúdo gástrico, redução das hemorragias gástricas e do trânsito intestinal em camundongos, mesmo em doses tão reduzidas quanto 3,4 mg/kg (1/4 da dose utilizada pelo homem).

Pharmacological evaluation of a phytotherapeutic product - CPV (dry extract of Crataegus oxyacantha L., Passiflora incarnata L. and Valeriana officinalis L.) in laboratory animals / Avaliação farmacológica do produto fitoterápico - CPV (extrato seco de Crataegus oxyacantha L., Passiflora incarnata L. e Valeriana officinalis L.) em animais de laboratório

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar em modelos animais, os possíveis efeitos do produto fitoterápico CPV (extrato seco de Crataegus oxyacantha, Passiflora incarnata e Valeriana officinalis) quanto à sua ação ansiolítica avaliada no modelo do labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE). Outros efeitos como neuroléptico (bloqueio da estereotipia por apomorfina), analgésico (testes: placa quente; retirada da cauda e contorções abdominais), bem como sobre a memória (esquiva passiva) também foram considerados. O extrato CPV (430 e 860 mg/kg) apresentou um efeito ansiolítico (aumento do número de entradas nos braços abertos do LCE) em ratos e uma tendência de efeito amnésico para ambas as doses (430 e 860 mg/kg), embora menos intenso quando comparado com o diazepam (1,5 mg/kg). O extrato não apresentou efeitos neuroléptico ou analgésico.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the central effects of the phytotherapeutic product-CPV (dry extract of Crataegus oxyacantha, Passiflora incarnata and Valeriana officinalis) in animals models. In order to investigate the psychopharmacological profile of CPV extract, an evaluation toward anxiolytic effect of this extract on the elevated plus-maze (EPM) was carried out. Other effects such as neuroleptic (blockade of the stereotyped behavior induced by apomorphine), analgesic (hot plate; acetic acid writhing and tail-flick tests) and on the memory (passive avoidance test) were also analyzed. CPV extract (430 and 860 mg/ kg) presented an anxiolytic effect on rats (increased the number of entries into the open arms in the EPM) and, furthermore, a tendency of slight amnesic effect for the doses (430 and 860 mg/kg), but less intense when compared to diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). The extract did not show neuroleptic or analgesic effects.

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.

Preliminary investigation of the central nervous system effects of 'Tira-capeta' (Removing the Devil), a cigarette used by some Quilombolas living in Pantanal Wetlands of Brazil.

During an ethnopharmacological survey carried out among some Quilombolas living in Brazil, 48 plants with possible central nervous system (CNS) action were cited. A mixture of nine plants, known as 'Tira-capeta' (Removing the Devil) cigarette, has been utilized for years as a tonic for the brain. The effects observed after consuming this cigarette are: dizziness, lightness sensation, humor changes, yawns, heavy eyes, hunger, sleep and relaxation. This study aimed to verify the effects of a hydroalcohol extract of 'Tira-capeta' cigarette (ETC), as well as to evaluate the phytochemical profile. The phytochemical screening carried out through characterization reactions, thin layer chromatography and high efficiency liquid chromatography indicated the presence of tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids; tannins and phenolic acids being the principal constituents. The pharmacological tests showed that ETC induced a biphasic effect, with intense initial stimulation of the CNS, followed by a general depressor state; decreased the latency for sleeping and increased the total sleeping time (50, 100 and 500 mg/kg), without causing prejudice in motor coordination (doses up to 200 mg/kg); induced catalepsy in mice, verified 10 and 50 min after drug administration (500 mg/kg). Also, no anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects were verified in rats submitted to the elevated plus-maze.

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.

Treatment of drug dependence with Brazilian herbal medicines / Tratamento da dependência de drogas com plantas medicinais brasileiras

The topic "Herbal Medicines in the Treatment of Addictions" in a country must be preceded by answers to four questions: 1. Does the country in question possess a biodiversity rich enough to allow the discovery of useful medicines? 2. Do local people have tradition and culture to look for and use resources from Nature to alleviate and cure diseases, including drug dependence? 3. Is drug dependence (or addiction) present in the country in question? 4. Do people of that country recognize and diagnose such problem as a serious one? Alcohol is, by far, the most serious health problem when drug abuse is considered, reaching all of Brazilian society, including the Indians. On the contrary, other drugs may be considered as minor problems and they are not the main focus of this manuscript. The people living in Brazilian hinterland don’t have access to public health systems. Consequently, these people seek assistance from "curandeiros" and "raizeiros"; the Indians are assisted by the shaman. These "folk doctors" do not know the academic medicine and therapeutics, and resort to the local plants to treat different ailments of their patients. Furthermore, alcohol abuse and dependence are not recognized by them, according to the rules and criteria of academic medicine. We have conducted a survey in many Brazilian books, Thesis concerning phytotherapy, and several databank. The results of such searches were very disappointing. No published papers from Brazilian authors concerning the use of plants for the treatment of addictions were found in the databases and there were only three very short notes in the masterly book written by Shultes and Raffauf (1990). From the Brazilian books on folk medicine employing medicinal plants, ten mentions were disclosed: most of them dealing with treatment of alcohol problems and two to counteract "Ayahuasca" dependence.

O tema "Plantas medicinais no tratamento de dependência" em um país deve ser precedido pela resposta a quatro questões: 1. O país em questão possui biodiversidade suficiente para permitir a descoberta de remédios naturais úteis? 2. Seus habitantes possuem tradição e cultura de procurar e utilizar recursos da natureza para aliviar e curar doenças, incluindo dependência de drogas? 3. O problema de dependência de drogas está presente no país em questão? 4. Seus habitantes reconhecem e diagnosticam a dependência de drogas como um sério problema? O álcool é, de longe, o mais sério problema de saúde quando o assunto abuso de drogas é considerado, atingindo toda a sociedade brasileira, incluindo os índios. Ao contrário, outras drogas podem ser consideradas como problemas menores e não são o foco principal deste artigo. As pessoas vivendo nas terras brasileiras mais isoladas não têm acesso ao sistema público de saúde. Conseqüentemente, estas pessoas procuram tratamento com curandeiros e raizeiros; ou, no caso dos indígenas, com os shamans. Estes doutores populares não conhecem a medicina e terapêutica acadêmicas e recorrem a plantas locais para tratar as diferentes patologias que acometem seus pacientes. Entretanto, o abuso e dependência de álcool não são vistos por eles como problemas de saúde segundo as regras e critérios da medicina acadêmica. Um levantamento foi feito em diversos livros brasileiros, teses sobre fitoterapia e alguns bancos de dados. Os resultados de tal pesquisa foram frustrantes. Não foram encontrados artigos de autores brasileiros sobre o uso de plantas para o tratamento de dependência de drogas nos bancos de dados consultados e apenas três notas muito curtas em um livro clássico escrito por Shultes e Raffauf (1990). Dos livros brasileiros sobre o uso popular de plantas medicinais, foram obtidas dez menções: a maioria delas sobre o tratamento de problemas relatados ao álcool e duas delas a respeito do tratamento da dependência de "Ayahuasca".

Use of anorectic amphetamine-like drugs by Brazilian women.

The history of anorectic drug use was investigated in 2370 subjects in São Paulo and Brasília cities. Socio-demographic data and the number of previous treatments to lose weight were obtained. When the last treatment was drug-based, the substance(s) used, its duration, the occurrence of adverse reactions, and whether it was adequate were studied. There was a prevalence of female patients, 92.7%, in both cities and as many as 72.4% of them had already undergone from 1 to >10 previous treatments. Out of those patients, 75.37% had undergone pharmacological treatment, 79.2% of those with amphetamine-like anorectic drugs. Treatment was longer than 3 months in half of the cases, and 60% of the subjects had a Body Mass Index below 29.9. Over 50% of the subjects was given amphetamine-like drugs through compounded formulas containing four or more substances, which had been specifically tailored by the doctor for each patient. On the other hand, 86.3% of all the subjects reported adverse reactions to the amphetamine-like drugs, 37.4% of them sought medical advice, and 3.9% required hospitalization. In conclusion, the use of amphetamine-like drugs in Brazil is particularly prevalent among women and this use is strongly related to the culture of slimness as a symbol of beauty.