Plectranthus Species with Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Potential: A Systematic Review on Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Findings.

The use of medicinal plants to treat inflammatory conditions and painful processes has attracted the attention of scientists and health professionals due to the evidence that natural products can promote significant therapeutic benefits associated with fewer adverse effects compared to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The genus Plectranthus is composed of various plants with pharmacological potential, which are used to treat various diseases in traditional communities worldwide. The present study systematically reviewed Plectranthus species with anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential. To this end, a systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The search was conducted on the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, and Web of Science. Different combinations of search terms were used to ensure more excellent article coverage. After the selection, a total of 45 articles were included in this review. This study identified twelve Plectranthus species indicated for the treatment of different inflammatory conditions, such as wounds, fever, bronchitis, abscess, asthma, hepatitis, labyrinthitis, tonsillitis, and uterine inflammation. The indications for pain conditions included headache, sore throat, heartburn, menstrual cramp, colic, toothache, stomachache, migraine, chest pain, abdominal pain, local pain, labor pain, and recurring pain. Among the listed species, ten plants were found to be used according to traditional knowledge, although only four of them have been experimentally studied. When assessing the methodological quality of preclinical in vivo assays, most items presented a risk of bias. The SR results revealed the existence of different Plectranthus species used to treat inflammation and pain. The results of this systematic review indicate that Plectranthus species have the potential to be used in the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component, as well as in the management of pain. However, given the risk of biases, the experimental analysis of these species through preclinical testing is crucial for their safe and effective use.

Antiparasitic Activity and Essential Oil Chemical Analysis of the Piper Tuberculatum Jacq Fruit.

With the increase of neglected diseases such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, there was a need for the search for new therapeutic alternatives that reduce the harm caused by medicine available for treatment. Thus, this study was performed to investigate the antiparasitic activity of the essential oil from the fruits of Piper tuberculatum Jacq, against lines of Leishmania braziliensis (MHOM/CO/88/UA301), Leishmania infantum (MHOM/ES/92/BCN83) and Trypanosoma cruzi (LC-B5 clone). Before running protocols, an analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil was conducted, which presented monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. As major constituents, ß-pinene and α-pinene were identified. Regarding to antiparasitic activity, the essential oil had an EC50 values of 133.97 µg/mL and 143.59 µg/mL against variations promastigotes of L. infantum and L. braziliensis, respectively. As for trypanocidal activity, the oil showed EC50 value of 140.31 µg/mL against epimastigote form of T. cruzi. Moreover, it showed moderate cytotoxicity in fibroblasts with LC50 value of 204.71 µg/mL. The observed effect may be related to the presence of terpenes contained in the essential oil, since it has its antiparasitic activity proven in the literature.

Mulher e climatério: concepções de usuárias de uma unidade básica de saúde / Woman and climaterio: conceptions of users of a basic health unit

Objetivo: Compreender a percepção da mulher na vivência do climatério. Método: Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS), em Crato (CE). Participaram 17 mulheres cadastradas pela UBS. Os dados foram coletados por entrevista semiestruturada. Foram organizados em categorias temáticas e examinados pela técnica da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Os dados foram organizados em três categorias temáticas: Conceitos das mulheres sobre o climatério e sintomas mais prevalentes; Impacto do climatério na saúde da mulher e Procura ao serviço de saúde nesse período. As alterações fisiológicas mais relatadas foram: ondas de calor, dores de cabeça, insônia, enjoo e fadiga. A maioria das mulheres não conhecia o significado da palavra climatério, que correlacionava com a menopausa. Percebeu­se que boa parte delas também não procurou assistência profissional. Conclusão: Notou­se a necessidade de implantação e implementação nas UBS de estratégias específicas para as mulheres no período do climatério, não apenas por meio da ampliação dos serviços já existentes, como também pela criação de programas específicos que possibilitem corresponder à demanda vigente.(AU)

Objective: the present study aims to understand the women's perception of the climacteric experience. Analyzing how is provided the nursing care for this audience. Method: This is a qualitative study, developed in a Basic Health Unit (BHU), headquartered in the municipality of Crato­CE. Participated in this study 17 women registered by UBS. Data collection was through a script of semiestruturada interview. Data was organized into thematic categories, being analyzed by the technique of content analysis. Results: Data were organized into three thematic categories: Women's Concepts about climacteric and most prevalent symptoms; Climacteric Impact to Women's Health and Search to health services during this period. The most reported physiological changes were: hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, nausea and fatigue. Was showed that most of the women did not know the meaning of the word menopause, correlating the climacteric with menopause. It was noticed that most of them did not seek any professional assistance. Conclusion: Was noted the need for establishment and implementation of specific strategies for women in climacteric period in UBS, not only through the expansion of services already covered, as well as the formulation of specific programs that make it possible to match current demand.(AU)