Effect of a Semisolid Formulation of Linum usitatissimum L. (Linseed) Oil on the Repair of Skin Wounds

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a semisolid formulation of linseed oil, SSFLO (1%, 5%, or 10%) or in natura linseed oil on skin wounds of rats. We used wound models, incisional and excisional, to evaluate, respectively, the contraction/reepithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction. The groups (n = 6) treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%) began the process of reepithelialization, to a significant extent (P < .05), on the sixth day, when compared to the petroleum jelly control group. On 14th day for the groups treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%), 100% reepithelialization was found, while in the petroleum jelly control group, this was only 33.33%. Our study showed that topical administration of SSFLO (1% or 5%) in excisional wounds allowed reepithelialization in 100% of treated animals. Therefore, a therapeutic potential of linseed oil, when used at low concentrations in the solid pharmaceutical formulations, is suggested for the process of dermal repair

Characterization of the Antidiabetic Role of Parkinsonia aculeata (Caesalpineaceae)

This paper reports the characterization of the antidiabetic role of a hydroethanolic extract from Parkinsonia aerial parts (HEPA), in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, treated with HEPA (125 and 250 mg/kg; p.o.). Oral glucose tolerance test, acute oral toxicity test and preliminary phytochemical analyses were performed. The diabetic rats treated with HEPA showed a significant reduction in serum and urinary glucose, urinary urea and triglyceride levels, as compared to the diabetic untreated group. However, in the normal treated groups, a significant reduction was found only in serum triglyceride levels. In all treated diabetic groups, an improvement in hepatic glycogen was observed, as well as a decrease in liquid intake and urinary volume, and an enhancement in the weight of skeletal muscles (soleus and extensor digitorum longus), kidneys and epididymal adipose tissue. Nevertheless, body and liver weights were ameliorated only in the diabetic group treated with HEPA (250 mg/kg). Moreover, oral glucose tolerance was higher in animals treated with HEPA, while results also showed that HEPA could be considered toxicologically safe. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tanins, flavonoids and steroids in HEPA. In conclusion, P. aculeata presents an antidiabetic activity and other beneficial effects that ameliorate diabetes and associated complications

Libidibia ferrea extract as a promising antidiabetic agent: characterization, pre-clinical analysis and development of pharmaceutical dosage forms / Extrato de Libidibia ferrea como um promissor agente antidiabético: caracterização, análise pré-clínica e desenvolvimento de formas de dosagem farmacêutica

The present work aimed at developing pharmaceutical dosage forms based on the dry bark extract of Libidibia ferrea for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The physicochemical characterization of the plant raw material, extractive solution and dry extract obtained by freeze drying were carried out. Effervescent granules, oral solution and tablets from the dry extract were developed and subjected to the recommended quality control tests. All materials presented standardized values after physical-chemical characterization. The presence of several secondary compounds was confirmed, and the content of the tannins was determined. The extract did not present acute toxicity in the in vivo experiment and provided an increase in glucose uptake in the in vitro study. The developed formulations complied with previously established values for quality control. The results show the safety and efficacy of the developed products, may being promising options in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Os Conflitos em Torno de uma Ferrovia de Escoamento de Minérios na Amazônia Oriental: Paradoxos da Sustentabilidade

A eclosão de conflitos sociais como manifestação de insatisfação de comunidades em áreas sob influência da mineração e transporte de minérios é um fenômeno recorrente nas últimas décadas, apesar dos esforços para diminuir os impactos socioambientais desta atividade, à luz dos novos valores da sustentabilidade. Porém, esses conflitos permanecem configurando-se um paradoxo. A metodolodia do estudo consistiu na análise de uma amostra de 69 conflitos sociais relacionados com a operação de uma ferrovia de transporte de minério com extensão de 900 km. Foram aplicadas teorias sobre conflitos ligados à atividade minerária na complexa relação entre a operação de uma ferrovia e as comunidades no seu entorno. Os resultados apontam que os conflitos estudados podem ser evitados e todos os stakeholders devem ser envolvidos na sua solução. Assim, mostram a necessidade de novos arranjos institucionais que favoreçam o diálogo efetivo, a construção de consensos e o planejamento de ações integradas

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of indole–imidazolidine derivatives

AbstractNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent a group of approximately 50 different medicines that are widely prescribed for the management of inflammation and that exhibit variable anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities. Most NSAIDs also exhibit a shared set of adverse effects, particularly related to gastrointestinal complications; thus, the development of new drugs for the treatment of chronic inflammation and pain continues to be an issue of high interest. Hydantoin and indole derivatives are reported to possess various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of hybrid molecules containing imidazole and indole nuclei. The anti-inflammatory activities of 5-(1H-Indol-3-yl-methylene)-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one (LPSF/NN-56) and 3-(4-Bromo-benzyl)-5-(1H-indol-3-yl-methylene)-2thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one (LPSF/NN-52) were evaluated using air pouch and carrageenan-induced peritonitis models as well as an acetic acid-induced vascular permeability model followed by IL-1β and TNF-α quantification. To evaluate the antinociceptive activities of the compounds, acetic acid-induced nociception, formalin and hot plate tests were also performed. The anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds were evidenced by a reduction in both leukocyte migration and the release of TNF-α and IL-1β in air pouch and peritonitis models. Upon acetic acid-induced nociception, a decrease in the level of abdominal writhing in the groups treated with LPSF/NN-52 (52.1%) or LPSF/NN-56 (63.1%) was observed. However, in the hot plate test, none of the derivatives tested exhibited an inhibition of nociception. These results indicate that the compounds tested exhibited promising anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities that likely involved the modulation of the immune system

Caracterização da droga vegetal e solução extrativa obtidos a partir de Parkinsonia aculeata

A espécie vegetal Parkinsonia aculeata, pertencente à subfamília Caesalpiniaceae da família Fabaceae, é uma árvore de uma espécie de porte arbustivo-arbóreo oriunda de regiões semiáridas da América tropical, caracteriza-se como uma pequena árvore caducifólia espinhosa que apresenta casca verde ou marrom; folhas bipinadas; flores perfumadas tipo racemos e de coloração amarela; fruto do tipo vagem, no Brasil pode ser encontrada no Nordeste. É um exemplo de planta medicinal utilizada pela população e curandeiros e, dentre os seus principais constituintes químicos, destacam-se os taninos glicosados, flavonóides e esteróides que possuem uma potente ação no tratamento de resistência insulínica. Dentre as propriedades observadas nas diversas partes da planta, foi constatado que as partes aéreas da P. aculeata possuem substâncias que apresentam atividade anti-hiperglicemiante. Desta forma, este trabalho visa caracterizar físico-quimicamente a droga vegetal e solução extrativa obtidos a partir das partes aéreas de Parkinsonia aculeata para desenvolvimento de forma farmacêutica como futura alternativa no tratamento de resistência insulínica. O material vegetal de P. aculeata foi coletado na região do Xingó-SE. Suas partes aéreas foram secas e trituradas. A solução extrativa foi obtida através da maceração da matéria-prima e as caracterizações foram realizadas de acordo com a Farmacopeia Brasileira

Effect of Semisolid Formulation of Persea Americana Mill (Avocado) Oil on Wound Healing in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the wound-healing activity of a semisolid formulation of avocado oil, SSFAO 50%, or avocado oil in natura, on incisional and excisional cutaneous wound models in Wistar rats. An additional objective was to quantify the fatty acids present in avocado oil. On the 14th day, a significant increase was observed in percentage wound contraction and reepithelialization in the groups treated with 50% SSFAO or avocado oil compared to the petroleum jelly control. Anti-inflammatory activity, increase in density of collagen, and tensile strength were observed inSSFAO 50% or avocado oil groups, when compared to control groups. The analysis of the components of avocado oil by gas chromatography detected the majority presence of oleic fatty acid (47.20%), followed by palmitic (23.66%), linoleic (13.46%) docosadienoic (8.88%), palmitoleic (3.58%), linolenic (1.60%), eicosenoic (1.29%), and myristic acids (0.33%). Our results show that avocado oil is a rich source of oleic acid and contains essential fatty acids. When used in natura or in pharmaceutical formulations for topical use, avocado oil can promote increased collagen synthesis and decreased numbers of inflammatory cells during the wound-healing process and may thus be considered a new option for treating skin wounds

Síntese e atividade antiedematogênica de derivados N-triptofil-5-benzilideno-2,4-tiazolidinadiona e N-triptofil-5-benzilideno-rodanina Synthesis and antiedematogenic activity of some N-trypthophyl-5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and N-trypthophyl-5-benzylidene-rhodanine derivatives

<abstract language="eng">Derivatives of N-tryptophyl-5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione (7a-c) and N-tryptophyl-5-benzylidene-rhodanine (7d-f) were prepared by condensation of the intermediates 5 and 6 with different benzaldehydes, respectively. Their structural elucidation was carried through by IR, ¹H NMR and MS. The acute toxicity and antiedematogenic activity of the compounds 7b,c and 7e,f were evaluated. The data did not reveal any sign of toxicity, and no mortality was registered. As indomethacin (10 mg/kg; v.o.), the antiedematogenic activity of the compounds 7b (50 mg/kg; v.o.) and 7e, 7f (50 or 100 mg/kg; v.o.) against carrageenan-induced paw edema was verified at time intervals of 180 min