Ethnopharmacological study of Stryphnodendron rotundifolium in two communities in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

AbstractThis work describes the local knowledge of the medicinal use of Stryphnodendron rotundifolium Mart., Fabaceae, according to informants in two areas of the Araripe bioregion, in the Northeast Region of Brazil. We used interviews to investigate the ethnomedicinal use of the local species to determine the mode of use, frequency of administration, duration of treatment and restrictions of use. In traditional medicine, the use of S. rotundifolium is associated with the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. The part of the plant most used was the stem bark (86.11%), the predominant mode of preparation was immersion in water (52.83%), and oral administration was the most cited (48.43%). For inflammatory and infectious diseases, the treatment lasted 3-10 days and the frequency of administration was 2-3 times/day. For gastroprotective effects, treatment lasted up to 30 days, and the herb was administered 1-3 times/day. For pain complaints, the therapy varied from 2-3 days to continuous administration. The informants (46.87%) did not mention restrictions of use, except for pregnant women, with a rate of 25%. A comparison of these results with the ethnopharmacological information from other studies showed that some of the traditional indications are scientifically supported by the literature or clinical studies. Nevertheless, the results showed that pharmacologists have not fully investigated all the possible bioactivities that healers credit to this plant

Antiulcerogenic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Annona muricata Linnaeus in mice

AbstractAnnona muricata Linnaeus, popularly known as “graviola” and also called soursop, is a species typical of countries with a tropical climate, and it is used in folk medicine as an anticancer, analgesic and antispasmodic agent. The aim of the present study was to validate the gastroprotective activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of A. muricata (HEAM) and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action for this effect. Gastric lesions were induced in mice by absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol or indomethacin. Before, the animals were pretreated with saline, omeprazole or HEAM orally at doses of 50–400mg/kg. To determine the mechanism of action of the extract, we investigated, using specific inhibitors, the involvement of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGEs), ATP-dependent K+ channels and α2-noradrenergic receptors. HEAM showed significant antiulcer activity against lesions induced by absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol or indomethacin, which was mediated by endogenous gastric prostaglandins

Medicinal plants in the treatment of respiratoty diseases in childhood: a view from popular knowledge

This work investigates the popular knowledge regarding the usage of medicinal plants in the treatment of respiratory diseases in childhood. Exploratory descriptive study of qualitative nature, performed in Juazeiro do Norte/CE with twenty-two mothers and/or the ones responsible for the children patients of the Health Family Strategy. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews in the months of June and July, 2011. Collective Subject Discourse to Data analysis technique was used. The research pointed out that the popular knowledge has a great significance and is widely accepted, sometimes being used replacing synthetic drugs. The relevance of the cultural transmission of this knowledge through generations was also pointed out. We believe in the importance of the health professional to discuss the popular practices of health, so they can act more effectively to solve the real problems of health, joining the popular knowledge to scientific knowledge and strengthening such practices

PLANTAS MEDICINAIS NO TRATAMENTO DE DOENÇAS RESPIRATÓRIAS NA INFÂNCIA: UMA VISÃO DO SABER POPULAR

Investiga el conocimiento popular acerca del uso de plantas medicinales en tratamiento de enfermedades respiratorias en la infancia. Estudio exploratorio descriptivo, cualitativo, en Juazeiro do Norte/CE, Brasil, con 22 madres y/o responsables de niños usuarios de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia. Los datos fueron recogidos entre junio y julio de 2011 a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Empleó se la técnica del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo para análisis de datos. El conocimiento popular tiene gran significado y es ampliamente aceptado, siendo utilizado a veces en la sustitución a medicamentos sintéticos. Hay pertinencia de la transmisión cultural de esto conocimiento por las generaciones. Los profesionales de la salud necesitan discutir las prácticas populares de la salud para que puedan actuar de forma más eficaz en la resolución de los reales problemas de la salud, aliando el conocimiento popular al científico

Uso etnofarmacológico de plantas medicinais em infecções geniturinárias por moradoras da Chapada do Araripe, Crato, Ceará – Brasil - doi: 10.5020/18061230.2012.p278

Objective: To determine the ethnopharmacological use of plants in the treatment of urogenital tract infections (UTIs) by women living in the city of Crato, located in Chapada do Araripe, in the interior of the State of Ceará, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, performed from September to November, 2010, with 25 residents of Chapada do Araripe, who use and/or recommend plants for the treatment of UTIs. Results: The prevalent characteristics of the informants were: age-group between 56 and 60 years old, married, all of them farmers with a monthly income of minimum wage, and most of them with incomplete schooling. Nine plant species were identified as being used by the population against infection, inflammation and pain. The most common forms of usage are the decoction, cooking and the maceration of leaves and barks. Barbatimão and mallow were the most reported species by informants. Conclusion: Popular medicine is greatly adopted by traditional communities and represents an incalculable cultural wealth which should be preserved and evaluated to assure sustainable development. Information brought out by this research may be useful in further pharmacological studies.Objetivo: Conhecer o uso etnofarmacológico de plantas no tratamento de infecções do trato geniturinário (ITU) por mulheres residentes no município de Crato, na Chapada do Araripe, no interior do Estado do Ceará, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa, realizado entre setembro e novembro de 2010, com 25 moradoras da Chapada do Araripe que utilizam e/ou recomendam plantas para o tratamento de ITU. Resultados:As características prevalentes das informantes foram: faixa etária de 56 a 60 anos, casadas e com renda mensal de um salário mínimo, todas agricultoras e a maior parte delas com ensino fundamental incompleto. Foram identificadas nove espécies vegetais empregadas pela população contra processos infecciosos, inflamatórios e álgicos. As principais formas de uso são o decocto, o cozimento e a maceração de folhas e cascas. Barbatimão e malva foram as espécies mais citadas pelas informantes. Conclusão: A medicina popular é amplamente adotada por comunidades tradicionais e representa uma riqueza cultural inestimável que deve ser preservada e valorizada para garantia do desenvolvimento sustentável. As informações levantadas nesta pesquisa podem ser aplicadas em futuros estudos farmacológicos

CÂNCER E IMAGEM CORPORAL: PERDA DA IDENTIDADE FEMININA

La meta fue conocer los sentimientos que enfrentan las mujeres en la quimioterapia antineoplásica en cuanto a los cambios de la imagen corporal. Participaron 14 mujeres en tratamiento en un hospital de notoriedad en oncología, en la región de Cariri-CE, Brasil. La recolección de datos ocurrió entre mayo y julio/2009 mediante una entrevista semiestructurada. Luego, los datos fueron catalogados según el discurso de los sujetos. Prevalecieron mujeres entre 38 a 48 años de edad, con relación conyugal estable y con hijos. La mayoría expresó su optimismo respecto a la patología, con sentimientos que van desde el miedo a la ansiedad. En cuanto al cuerpo, se observó la insatisfacción implícita en las pláticas. Se informó que, después del diagnóstico, ocurrieron cambios en sus vidas, incluyendo el cuidado del cuerpo, haciendo con que adquirieran nuevos valores. Se señala la necesidad de considerar los aspectos psicosociales al abordar pacientes con cáncer, con miras a una atención más integral y humana a esos pacientes

Antiulcerogenic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Annona muricata Linnaeus in mice

Annona muricata Linnaeus, popularly known as “graviola” and also called soursop, is a species typical of countries with a tropical climate, and it is used in folk medicine as an anticancer, analgesic and antispasmodic agent. The aim of the present study was to validate the gastroprotective activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of A. muricata (HEAM) and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action for this effect. Gastric lesions were induced in mice by absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol or indomethacin. Before, the animals were pretreated with saline, omeprazole or HEAM orally at doses of 50–400 mg/kg. To determine the mechanism of action of the extract, we investigated, using specific inhibitors, the involvement of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PGEs), ATP-dependent K+ channels and α2-noradrenergic receptors. HEAM showed significant antiulcer activity against lesions induced by absolute ethanol, acidified ethanol or indomethacin, which was mediated by endogenous gastric prostaglandins. Keywords: Peptic ulcer, Medicinal plants, Phytotherapy, Annon