Hypotensive effect and endothelium-dependent vascular action of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way

Uma análise crítica da literatura sobre a oferta e a circulação de moeda metálica no Brasil nos séculos XVI e XVII

Este artigo examina os principais fatores determinantes da oferta e da circulação de moeda metálica no Brasil nos séculos XVI e XVII. O objetivo é contribuir para o debate, até hoje pouco explorado, sobre a escassez de moeda no Brasil colonial. O trabalho é dividido em seis seções, além da introdução e considerações finais. A primeira apresenta as principais características do sistema bimetálico então vigente em Portugal e de sua política de desvalorização da unidade de conta. A análise da oferta de moeda no Brasil é desenvolvida nas quatro seções seguintes, destacando o início do processo de monetização, os fluxos de entrada e saída de metais, os impactos da política de cunhagem metropolitana e os episódios de remarcação e cunhagem de moeda no Brasil. Os determinantes do entesouramento são discutidos a seguir. Uma última seção resume os argumentos apresentados ao longo do trabalho.This paper examines the main factors that determined the supply and circulation of metallic coins in Brazil in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The objective is to contribute to the debate, often neglected, on the scarcity of money in colonial Brazil. The paper is divided into six parts, on top of the introduction and the concluding remarks. The first presents the main features of the then prevalent Portuguese monetary system, as well as its policy of debasement. The next four parts deal with the supply of metallic currency in Brazil analysing respectively the early stages of the process of monetization, the inflows and outflows of precious metals, the impacts of the policy of coinage adopted by the Portuguese Crown, and some episodes of marking and minting of coins in Brazil. This is followed by an analysis of hoarding. It concludes with a summary of the main arguments developed along the paper