Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Zingiber officinalis rhizomes on LPS-induced rat airway hyperreactivity and lung inflammation.

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinalis Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), is a common constituent of diets around the world and its extracts have been reported to exhibit several pharmacological activities. We investigated the effect of crude hydroalcoholic extract of ginger on the rat trachea hyperreactivity (RTHR) and lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our results demonstrate that ginger extract and celecoxib attenuated RTHR 90 min and 48 h after LPS. Ginger and celecoxib reduced the serum level of prostaglandin (PGE2) and thromboxane (TXA2) 90 min after LPS. Celecoxib and ginger also reduced myeloperoxidase activity and the number of cells in rat bronchoalveolar lavage 48 h post-LPS. On lung parenchyma, ginger and celecoxib reduced the release of PGE2 and TXA2 48 h post-LPS. These results suggest that ginger exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on lung attenuating RTHR and COX metabolites seem to be involved in these processes.

Characterization of trace elements in Casearia medicinal plant by neutron activation analysis.

Leaves of Casearia sylvestris, Casearia decandra and Casearia obliqua plant species, collected at the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, were analyzed by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Short and long irradiations using thermal neutron flux of the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor were carried out for these analyses. Concentrations of Ca, K and Mg were found in these samples at the percentage levels, Br, Cl, Fe, Mn, Na, Rb and Zn at the microg g(-1) levels and Co, Cr, Cs, La, and Sc at the microg kg(-1) levels. Comparisons were made among the element concentrations obtained in these three Casearia species and significant differences were found for the elements Cl, Co, Cs, Cr, La, Mn, Na and Sc. The precision and the accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing the certified reference materials NIST-1515 Apple Leaves and NIST-1573a Tomato Leaves.

Pharmacological assay of Cordia verbenacea V: oral and topical anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic effect and fetus toxicity of a crude leaf extract.

Cordia verbenacea D.C. (Borraginaceae) is a perennial bush plant that grows widely along the southeastern coast of Brazil. Its leaves have been used in folk medicine for their anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and cicatrizing activities. We have already described the anti-inflammatory properties of C. verbenacea and its low toxicity in different acute animal models. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity in sub-chronic animal models of a crude leaf lyophilized extract when administered by oral route or topically applied, and concomitantly, its analgesic potency and toxicity to the fetus. Topical administration of the extract inhibited nystatin-induced edema proportionally to the doses used, and this effect at a dose of 4.56 mg/kg body wt. was similar to that observed with 6.0 mg/kg body wt. of naproxen. In miconazole-induced edema, the leaf extract at a dose of 1.24 mg/kg body wt., orally administered, has a very similar effect as compared to nimezulide (2.5 mg/kg body wt.) and dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg body wt.). At an oral dose of 2.48 mg/kg body wt. the extract showed a very low analgesic effect, and total absence of fetus toxicity at doses of less than 7.44 mg/kg body wt.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the hydralcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizomes on rat paw and skin edema.

Plant extracts have been used for centuries as a popular mode of treatment for several health disorders. Over the last ten years, the study of those extracts has attracted attention in different fields of the biological sciences. Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), is a commom constituent of diet worldwide and it has been reported that its extracts present some pharmacological activities. Here we investigate the effects of the crude hydralcoholic extract of ginger rhizomes on the classical models of rat paw and skin edema. The carrageenan-, compound 48/80- or serotonin-induced rat paw edema were inhibited significantly by the intraperitoneal administration of alcoholic ginger extract. Ginger extract was also effective in inhibiting 48/80-induced rat skin edema at doses of 0.6 and 1.8 mg/site. Rat skin edema induced by substance P or bradikinin was not affected by treatment with Z. officinalle extract. The intraperitoneal administration of ginger extract (186 mg/kg(-1) body wt.) 1 h prior to serotonin injections, reduced significantly the serotonin-induced rat skin edema. Our results demonstrated that crude extract of Zingiber officinale was able to reduce rat paw and skin edema induced by carrageenan, 48/80 compound and serotonin. The antiedematogenic activity seems to be related, at least partially, to an antagonism of the serotonin receptor.

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a crude extract of Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae).

Petiveria alliacea L (Phytolaccaceae) is a perennial bush plant that grows widely in Brazil. The roots and leaves of P. alliacea have been used in folk medicine for their antispasmodic, sedative, diuretic and antihelminthic actions. We recently described the anti-inflammatory properties of P. alliacea administered topically and orally in different animal models. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of a crude lyophilized extract of P. alliacea roots administered to rats with pleurisy. The oral administration of P. alliacea root extract did not significantly reduce the total number of leukocytes at the doses tested. By contrast, the highest dose of extract tested (43.9 mg/kg body wt.) significantly reduced the number of migrating neutrophils, mononuclear cells and eosinophils; the dose of 31.4 mg/kg body wt. also reduced mononuclear cell migration. The P. alliacea root extract also showed a significant analgesic effect in the experimental model used. The results of this study provide a basis for the use of P. alliacea extracts in popular folk medicine, but further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions.

Bioequivalência de formulaçöes farmacêuticas de bupivacaína: estudo sobre o marcapasso cardíaco / Bioequivalence of pharmaceutical formulations of bupivacaine: study on the artificial pacemaker

Estudou-se o efeito cardiodepressor, em marcapasso atrial de rato, do cloridrato de bupivacaína, comercializado no Brasil por diferentes laboratórios. A análise das curvas dose-resposta mostrou que a resposta depressora é dose-dependente sobre o cronotropismo atrial. Evidenciou-se, ainda, que o fármaco comercializado pela Abbott do Brasil apresentou ligeiro desvio à direita embora estatisticamente näo significante, sugerindo provável interferência do NaCI presente em sua formulaçäo. O metilparabeno, empregado como conservante pelos Laboratórios Lepetit S.A., näo interferiu na atividade depressora nem na vida média do produto, mostrando-se ainda equivalente, em todos os ponto da curva, ao medicamento fabricado pela Apsen do Brasil. O ensaio evidenciou que as amostras säo bioequivalentes de acordo com a metodologia de estudo, näo sendo encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos resultados obtidos. Pequenas diferenças observadas, sem significado estatístico, podem ser atribuídas às diferenças de formulaçäo, como por exemplo a presença do NaCI em um dos produtos