Lychnophora ericoides Mart. (Brazilian arnica) ethanol extract accelerates the skin wound healing process: Evidence for its mechanism of action.

BACKGROUND: Lychnophora ericoides Mart, also known as the Brazilian arnica or fake arnica, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Leaves and roots are used in alcoholic and hydroalcoholic preparations for the treatment of wounds, inflammation, and pain. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of L. ericoides ethanolic extract (EELE) on cutaneous wound healing and the mechanisms of action involved. METHODS: A total of 72 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. An excisional wound was made in the dorsal region of each mouse. The test groups were topically treated with the vehicle, a positive control commercial reference drug, EELE ointment (5%), and EELE ointment (10%). The treatments were applied over 14 days. The wound area was measured every two days to verify the wound closure kinetics. On days 3, 7, and 14 the wound tissue samples were processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson-Trichrome, and Toluidine blue staining. The expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, the vascular growth factor-A (VEGF-A), the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and type I collagen genes were evaluated. Phytochemical analyses were performed using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS. RESULTS: The EELE (10%) significantly reduced the wound area compared to the treatments used for the other groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that wounds treated with L. ericoides for 14 days developed improved anatomical skin features, healed with hair follicles and sebaceous glands, increased collagen production and angiogenesis, and decreased the number of mast cells at the injury site. Real-time PCR data demonstrated that groups treated with EELE (10%) showed increased Type I collagen, VEGF-A, FGF-2, and AT1R and decreased ACE II and receptor MAS. The healing action of L. ericoides may be related to the presence of phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid derivatives, and C-glycoside flavonoids. CONCLUSION: Topical treatment with EELE increases important factors for wound healing: FGF, VEGF, collagen formation, and the expression of the proliferative axis of the renin-angiotensin system. For the first time, the present study shows the healing action of L. ericoides at the molecular level in an animal model. This process can be used as an alternative therapy for wound healing and the development of herbal therapy.

Nutritional implications in the mechanistic link between the intestinal microbiome, renin-angiotensin system, and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Obesity and metabolic disorders represent a significant global health problem and the gut microbiota plays an important role in modulating systemic homeostasis. Recent evidence shows that microbiota and its signaling pathways may affect the whole metabolism and the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS), which in turn seems to modify microbiota. The present review aimed to investigate nutritional implications in the mechanistic link between the intestinal microbiome, renin-angiotensin system, and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome components. A description of metabolic changes was obtained based on relevant scientific literature. The molecular and physiological mechanisms that impact the human microbiome were addressed, including the gut microbiota associated with obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis. The RAS interaction signaling and modulation were analyzed. Strategies including the use of prebiotics, symbiotics, probiotics, and biotechnology may affect the gut microbiota and its impact on human health.

Phytochemical profile and antiproliferative activity of human lymphocytes of Gomphrena virgata Mart. (Amaranthaceae).

Gomphrena virgata Mart. popularly known as 'Cangussu-branco', is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammations and infections. This work aimed to carry out phytochemical analysis and evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of Gomphrena virgata. In the phytochemical investigation, in addition to the presence of two ecdysteroids, 20 R-dihydroxyecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone, identified by HPLC-PDA-MS and NMR, 22 compounds were identified by GC-MS. In the cytotoxicity study, the aqueous extract of the roots of this species did not show in vitro toxicity of PBMCs in the concentrations of 250, 500 and 1000 µg/mL when analyzed by the trypan blue exclusion method. Also, it was effective in reducing lymphocyte proliferation, stimulated with the mitogen PHA, by 26.02%, 48.57% and 50.49% when compared to dexamethasone, respectively. In this work we present information about the phytochemicals of G. virgata, showing that the species is promising in obtaining compounds with medicinal potential mainly anti-inflammatory potential.

Hydroalcoholic Extract of Solanum lycocarpum A. St. Hil. (Solanaceae) Leaves Improves Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Complications in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Solanum lycocarpum is a medicinal plant used in Brazil with hypoglycemic activity by its fruits use. However, the fruits production is restricted in some periods of the year, differently of leaves. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of S. lycocarpum leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. METHODS: Hydroalcoholic extract of S. lycocarpum was characterized by phytochemical and GCMS analysis. The Antidiabetic activity was assessed following treatment for 22 days with S. lycocarpum extract at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg. Bodyweight, water, and food intake, glycemia, biochemical parameters, anatomy-histopathology of the pancreas, liver and kidney, and expression of target genes were analyzed. In addition, oral acute toxicity was evaluated. RESULTS: Animals treated showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in glycemia following a dose of 125 mg/kg. Food intake remained similar for all groups. Decreased polydipsia symptoms were observed after treatment with 250 (p < 0.001) and 500 mg/kg (p < 0.01) compared with diabetic control, although normal rates were observed when 125 mg/kg was administered. A protective effect was also observed in the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, through the regeneration of the islets. Hypoglycemic activity can be attributed to myo-inositol, which stimulates insulin secretion, associated with α-tocopherol, which prevents damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis of ß-pancreatic cells by an increased Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mRNA expression. The toxicological test demonstrated safe oral use of the extract under the present conditions. CONCLUSION: Hydroalcoholic extract of S. lycocarpum promotes the regulation of diabetes in the case of moderate glycemic levels, by decreasing glycemia and exerting protective effects on the islets.

Prevalência e fatores associados à automedicação em acadêmicos de enfermagem / Prevalence and factors associated with self-medication in nursing students

Objetivo: conhecer a prevalência da automedicação e os fatores associados a essa prática entre os acadêmicos do curso de Enfermagem. Método: trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, no qual foram avaliados 143 questionários, tabulados pelo Programa Excel. Apresentaram-se figuras para a síntese dos resultados. Resultados: identificou-se que a prevalência da automedicação foi de 97,9%, sendo os analgésicos/antitérmicos (50,71%), os antiinflamatórios (18,57%) e os antialérgicos (12,86%) as classes terapêuticas mais utilizadas. Apurou-se que as queixas mais apontadas como motivos para a automedicação foram as dores de cabeça (53,57%), as alergias (18,57%) e as infecções de garganta (17,14%). Conclusão: observou-se alta prevalência da automedicação e se demonstrou a necessidade de se fortalecer a educação dos universitários para o uso racional de medicamentos a fim de se preservar a sua própria segurança, bem como a dos seus futuros pacientes.(AU)

Objective: to know the prevalence of self-medication and the factors associated with this practice among nursing students. Method: This is a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, in which 143 questionnaires were evaluated and tabulated by the Excel Program. Figures were presented for the synthesis of the results. Results: the prevalence of self-medication was 97.9%, with analgesics/antipyretics (50.71%), anti-inflammatory drugs (18.57%) and anti-allergic drugs (12.86%) were the most used therapeutic classes. The most common complaints as reasons for selfmedication were headaches (53.57%), allergies (18.57%) and throat infections (17.14%). Conclusion: a high prevalence of self-medication was observed and demonstrated the need to strengthen university education for the rational use of drugs to preserve their own safety and their future patient's safety.(AU)

Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia de la automedicación y los factores asociados a esa práctica entre los académicos del curso de Enfermería. Método: se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal, en el cual 143 cuestionarios fueron evaluados, tabulados por el Programa Excel. Se presentaron figuras para la síntesis de los resultados. Resultados: se identificó que la prevalencia de la automedicación fue de 97,9%, siendo los analgésicos/antitérmicos (50,71%), los anti-inflamatorios (18,57%) y los antialérgicos (12,86%) las clases terapéuticas más utilizadas. Se observó que las quejas más destacadas como motivos para la automedicación fueron los dolores de cabeza (53,57%), las alergias (18,57%) y las infecciones de garganta (17,14%). Conclusión: se observó una alta prevalencia de la automedicación y se demostró la necesidad de fortalecerse la educación de los universitarios para el uso racional de medicamentos para preservarse su propia seguridad, así como la de sus futuros pacientes.(AU)