Connaraceae: An updated overview of research and the pharmacological potential of 39 species.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: An interdisciplinary scientific investigation of biologically active agents is fundamental to search for natural substances with therapeutic action. This review collected the most relevant information on traditional knowledge related to the use of plants of the Connaraceae family. This work is the first to compile all the published ethnobotanical, chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological information about this important plant family. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our objective was to provide the scientific community with an up-to-date overview of the pharmacological potential of Connaraceae species. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched NCBI Pubmed Central, Google Scholar, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), ScienceDirect, SciFinder, and Scopus databases to review the research on ethnobotanical, chemical, pharmacognostical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies with Connaraceaes. Books that address the theme were also included. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The literature review indicated that 39 species of Connaraceaes have pharmacological potentiality. Ethnobotany reports listed 36 of the 39 species discussed. Pharmacognostical studies have been conducted with 23 species and isolates, and chemical compounds have been identified for only 15 species. At least one study has been published concerning the pharmacological activities for 20 of the 39 species analyzed. For Agelaea pentagyna, Cnestis ferruginea, Connars suberosus, and Rourea minor, pharmacological activity experiments were performed using isolated compounds, which have the highest current pharmacological potential. Studies employing a toxicological approach cover only 10 of the 39 Connaraceaes species. Thus, scientific community should conduct much more research for a broader understanding of this plant family.

Antinociceptive and antioxidant effects of extract enriched with active indole alkaloids from leaves of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ethnopharmacological knowledge is important for the identification of active compounds from natural products. Pain may have different aetiologies with complex mechanisms. Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. is well known for indole alkaloids, being used empirically in folk medicine, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory as well as antiofidic actions among others. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work aims to evaluate the antinociceptive and antioxidant effect in mice of the alkaloids extract from leaves of Tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. (AITc). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AITc was produced by ultrasound and acid-base extraction, and the chemical composition was evaluated by high resolution mass spectrometry. Male mice (Mus musculus), Swiss, were used for in vivo tests. The AITc was administrated at doses of 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg in acetic acid model, formalin, tail-immersion, hot plate, and open field tests, and compared to saline, morphine, or diazepam controls, depending on the test. The toxicological, biochemical, haemogram and antioxidant effect were evaluated in mouse organs such as liver, brain, kidneys, spleen and stomach. RESULTS: In total, 10 compounds were identified in the AITc, being from the indole alkaloids from the ibogan and corynanthean classes. The extract in doses ranging from 5.0 to 10.0 mg/kg showed an antinociceptive effect for acetic acid, inhibiting by 47.7% and 61.6%. In the same line, reductions of 47.1% (first phase) and 43.6% (second phase) were observed for the 5.0 mg/kg dose in the formalin test. However, tail-immersion and hot plate tests did not show considerable modifications in the latency period, while in the open field test there was an inhibition of only 5.1%. It was observed no differences in NO levels and total antioxidant status of the mice in any of the studie tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The results justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine. in vivo tests indicate that these compounds possess central and peripheral mechanisms of action. This is study that reports the nociceptive action of these alkaloids, also including toxicity tests, which are intended to guarantee the safety of use of extracts of this plant.

Bacterial cellulose membrane associated with red propolis as phytomodulator: Improved healing effects in experimental models of diabetes mellitus.

Since early times, propolis has been used in folk medicine. The red propolis, collected in the northeast region of Brazil has been highlighted due to its popular use as an antimicrobial, with anti-inflammatory and healing properties, which are associated with its chemical composition. Here, we combine a bacterial membrane with red propolis to treat wounds of diabetic mice. This work aims to evaluate a biocurative from bacterial cellulose associated with red propolis in diabetic mice as wound healing model. Biocuratives from bacterial cellulose membrane and different extracts of red propolis were produced. The qualification and quantification of the presence of propolis chemical compounds in the membrane were investigated through high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Tests in vivo with biocuratives were performed on Swiss male diabetic mice induced by estroptozotocin. The animals were submitted to a surgical procedure and a single lesion was produced in the dorsal region, which was treated with the biocuratives. Macroscopic assessments were performed at 2, 7 and 14 postoperative days, and biopsies were collected on days 0, 7 and 14 for histological analysis, myeloperoxidase enzyme activity (MPO) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and TGF-ß). Altogether, ten compounds were identified in membranes and five were further quantified. The ethyl acetate extract showed more red propolis markers, and the most prevalent compound was Formononetin with 4423.00-2907.00 µg.g-1. Macroscopic analyses demonstrated that the two groups treated with red propolis (GMEBT and GMEAE) showed significantly greater healing capabilities compared to the control groups (GS and GMS). An increase in leukocyte recruitment was observed, confirmed by the activity of the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) in GMEBT and GMEAE groups. The levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in wounds stimulated with red propolis, as well as in TGF-ß (GMEBT and GMEAE) on day 7. This was different from the IL-1ß levels that were higher in the control groups (GS and GMS). In summary, the biocuratives produced in this work were able to accelerate the wound healing process in a diabetic mouse model. In this way, the traditional knowledge of red propolis activity helped to create a biotechnological product, which can be used for diabetic wound healing purpose.

A cultura de segurança do paciente da equipe de enfermagem de um ambulatório central / The patient safety culture of a nursing team from a central ambulatory / La cultura de seguridad del paciente del personal de enfermería de una clínica central

Objetivo: Identificar a cultura de segurança do paciente dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem de um Ambulatório Central. Métodos: estudo de abordagem quantitativa do tipo Survey transversal. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no primeiro semestre de 2015, com auxílio do questionário Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. A amostra foi composta por três enfermeiros e cinco técnicos de enfermagem. Resultados: nenhuma das dimensões alcançou a média mínima (75 pontos) para uma cultura de segurança do paciente adequada. Conclusão: percebe-se a necessidade de uma mudança cultural, sendo necessária uma atuação conjunta entre a equipe e gestores para alcançar índices adequados. A cultura de segurança do paciente deve ser constantemente avaliada. Sugere-se a aplicação do SAQ em todas as equipes deste ambulatório, uma vez que o cuidado multidisciplinar proporciona uma assistência de qualidade à comunidade assistida

Objetivo: Identificar la cultura de seguridad del paciente de los profesionales del equipo de enfermería de una clínica central. Métodos: estudio transversal, enfoque cuantitativo. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo en la primera mitad de 2015, con la ayuda del cuestionario Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. La muestra se compone de tres enfermeras y cinco técnicos de enfermería. Resultados: ninguna de las dimensiones alcanza el promedio mínimo (75 puntos) para una cultura de seguridad del paciente adecuado. Conclusión: se nota la necesidad de un cambio cultural, lo que requiere un esfuerzo conjunto entre el personal y los gerentes en lograr tasas adecuadas. La cultura de seguridad del paciente debe ser constantemente evaluada. Se sugiere la aplicación de la SAQ en todos los equipos de esta clínica, ya que la atención multidisciplinar ofrece una atención de calidad a la comunidad asistida

Objective: The study's purpose has been to identify the patient safety culture of a nursing team from a central ambulatory. Methods: It is a quantitative cross-sectional study. Data collection was performed over the first half of 2015 by using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. The sample consisted of three nurses and five nurse technicians. Results: It was found that none of the dimensions reached the minimum average (75 points) for an adequate patient safety culture. Conclusions: It was noticed a need for a cultural change, then requiring a joint action between the team and managers to achieve adequate indexes. The safety culture of the patient should be constantly assessed. It is suggested that the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire should be applied to all teams in this ambulatory, since multidisciplinary care provides quality care to the assisted community