Amoebicidal and trichomonicidal capacity of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with extracts of the plants Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) and Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae) / Capacidad amebicida y tricomonicida de nanopartículas poliméricas cargadas con extractos de las plantas Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) y Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae)

Abstract Introduction: Pathogenic protozoans, like Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis, represent a major health problem in tropical countries; and polymeric nanoparticles could be used to apply plant extracts against those parasites. Objective: To test Curcuma longa ethanolic extract and Berberis vulgaris methanolic extracts, and their main constituents, against two species of protozoans. Methods: We tested the extracts, as well as their main constituents, curcumin (Cur) and berberine (Ber), both non-encapsulated and encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), in vitro. We also determined nanoparticle characteristics by photon correlation spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and hemolytic capacity by hemolysis in healthy erythrocytes. Results: C. longa consisted mainly of tannins, phenols, and flavonoids; and B. vulgaris in alkaloids. Encapsulated particles were more effective (P < 0.001); however, curcumin and berberine nanoparticles were the most effective treatments. CurNPs had IC50 values (µg/mL) of 9.48 and 4.25, against E. histolytica and T. vaginalis, respectively, and BerNPs 0.24 and 0.71. The particle size and encapsulation percentage for CurNPs and BerNPs were 66.5 and 73.4 nm, and 83.59 and 76.48 %, respectively. The NPs were spherical and significantly reduced hemolysis when compared to non-encapsulated extracts. Conclusions: NPs represent a useful and novel bioactive compound delivery system for therapy in diseases caused by protozoans.

Resumen Introducción: Los protozoos patógenos, como Entamoeba histolytica y Trichomonas vaginalis, representan un importante problema de salud en los países tropicales; y se podrían usar nanopartículas poliméricas para aplicar extractos de plantas contra esos parásitos. Objetivo: Probar los extractos etanólicos de Curcuma longa y Berberis vulgaris, y sus principales constituyentes, contra dos especies de protozoos. Métodos: Probamos los extractos, así como sus principales constituyentes, curcumina (Cur) y berberina (Ber), tanto no encapsulados como encapsulados en nanopartículas poliméricas (NPs), in vitro. También determinamos las características de las nanopartículas por espectroscopía de correlación de fotones y microscopía electrónica de barrido, y la capacidad hemolítica por hemólisis en eritrocitos sanos. Resultados: C. longa tenía principalmente: taninos, fenoles y flavonoides; y B. vulgaris, alcaloides. Las partículas encapsuladas fueron más efectivas (P < 0.001); sin embargo, las nanopartículas de curcumina y berberina fueron los tratamientos más efectivos. CurNPs tenía valores IC50 (µg/mL) de 9.48 y 4.25, contra E. histolytica y T. vaginalis, respectivamente, y BerNPs 0.24 y 0.71. El tamaño de partícula y el porcentaje de encapsulación para CurNPs y BerNPs fueron: 66.5 y 73.4 nm, y 83.59 y 76.48 %, respectivamente. Los NP son esféricos y redujeron significativamente la hemólisis en comparación con los extractos no encapsulados. Conclusiones: Las NP representan un sistema de administración de compuestos bioactivos útil y novedoso para la terapia enfermedades causadas por protozoos.

Cantharis dissolves calculus in the ureter of a kitten: case repor

Urolithiasis is a disease thatcan occur alone or together, obstruct the urinary flow, and even progress to the animal's death. Objective:The present study is to report the dissolution of calculus in the ureter in a kitten. Methodology: a feline, SRD, male, started at 3 months old with the signs of vomiting, constipation,and hematuria, presenting leukocytosis and increased serum urea. Two abdominal ultrasounds were performed 30 days apart and the third at 3 months. Results:Inthe first ultrasound there was hydronephrosis in the right kidney and dilation of the ureter and microlithiasis in the urinary bladder. The animalhad already been treated with antibiotic therapy and did not improve. Given these characteristics, Cantharis Vesicatoria30cH was administered, there was no more hematuria and when the drug was discontinued, the symptom returned. After 30 days of startinghomeopathic treatment, we repeated the ultrasound which showed 2 kidney stones, and a urinary bladder with cystitis associated with sandy lithiasis. BerberisVulgaris30cH was then administered for 15 days, after which both drugs were discontinued and theanimal remained asymptomatic. After 3 months the ultrasound was repeated which showed 2 kidney stones, Causticum6cH was inserted for 14 days to dissolvekidney stones, thus preventing the return of the initial symptoms. Conclusion:the treatment was beneficial for the patient, who was asymptomatic after the use of Causticum.Considering the natural history of the disease in cats and the high chance of recurrence of the disease, the recommendation was to monitor the organs through an annual ultrasound examination, in addition to encouraging water intake.

Acute hypotensive and diuretic activities of Berberis vulgaris root bark aqueous extract in normal rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of intravenous administration of Berberis vulgaris root bark aqueous extract (BRBD) on the cardiovascular and renal functions of healthy normotensive rats. The different doses of BRBD 1, 10 and 20 mg/kg were administered intravenously (i.v) in normal rats. Blood pressure, diuretic activity and serum renal profile were analyzed. Intravenous injection of BRBD at the different doses of 1, 10 and 20 mg/kg showed a dose-dependent reduction in mean arterial blood pressure (P<0.001). At different doses of 1, 10 and 20 mg/kg, the hypotensive effect remained for more than one hour. Single dose administration of BRBD at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg caused a significant increase in urine output (P<0.001) as compared to the control rats. Serum renal profile test (albumin, Urea, Uric Acid, creatinine and BUN) did not show any significant alteration. The authors conclude that the BRBD is a potent hypotensive and possesses diuretic potential

Berberis vulgaris: remedio pequeno ou pouco compreendido? / Berberis vulgaris: small remedy or poorly understood?

Este artigo apresenta o relato do caso de uma paciente crônica com queixas múltiplas e prolongadas, incluindo artrose e hematuria, que apresentou importante melhora – mental, geral e local – com o tratamento homeopático realizado com Berberis vulgaris. Esse medicamento é classificado entre os assim chamados “pequenos” e, principalmente, prescrito em função de indicações clínicas pontuais. No entanto, os assim chamados “pequenos” associam-se a um pequeno número de sintomas apenas por não terem sido extensamente pesquisados através de experimentações patogenéticas. Devido à baixa freqüência relativa de sintomas mentais desses medicamentos, sua prescrição como medicamentos de fundo pode ser orientada pela análise dos sintomas locais e suas modalidades.

It is presented the case report of a chronic patient suffering from multiple and long-lasting complaints including arthrosis and hematuria and who exhibit spectacular improvement – mental, general and local – after homeopathic treatment with Berberis vulgaris. The latter is classified among so-called “small remedies”, chiefly prescribed according to well-defined clinical indications. However, such remedies are only “small” because they have not been subjected to exhaustive homeopathic pathogenetic trials. As they lack a significant number of mental symptoms, prescription of so-called “small remedies” as constitutional or typological remedies might be indicated by a thorough analysis of local symptoms and their modalities.

Berberis vulgaris: remedio pequeno ou pouco compreendido? / Berberis vulgaris: small remedy or poorly understood?

Este artigo apresenta o relato do caso de uma paciente crônica com queixas múltiplas e prolongadas, incluindo artrose e hematuria, que apresentou importante melhora – mental, geral e local – com o tratamento homeopático realizado com Berberis vulgaris. Esse medicamento é classificado entre os assim chamados “pequenos” e, principalmente, prescrito em função de indicações clínicas pontuais. No entanto, os assim chamados “pequenos” associam-se a um pequeno número de sintomas apenas por não terem sido extensamente pesquisados através de experimentações patogenéticas. Devido à baixa freqüência relativa de sintomas mentais desses medicamentos, sua prescrição como medicamentos de fundo pode ser orientada pela análise dos sintomas locais e suas modalidades.(AU)

It is presented the case report of a chronic patient suffering from multiple and long-lasting complaints including arthrosis and hematuria and who exhibit spectacular improvement – mental, general and local – after homeopathic treatment with Berberis vulgaris. The latter is classified among so-called “small remedies”, chiefly prescribed according to well-defined clinical indications. However, such remedies are only “small” because they have not been subjected to exhaustive homeopathic pathogenetic trials. As they lack a significant number of mental symptoms, prescription of so-called “small remedies” as constitutional or typological remedies might be indicated by a thorough analysis of local symptoms and their modalities.(AU)

Sexualidad femenina / Female sexuality

El presente trabajo tiene por finalidad ocuparnos de la fisiologia, patologia, sintomas repertoriales y Materia Medica de la sexualidade femenina. Como hemos insistido en oportunidades anteriores, sus sintomas que los entresacamos de los del Aparato Genital Femenino, adquieren la categoria de sintomas mentales, exceptuando el pequeno porcentaje en que aparecen a consecuencia de lesiones organicas