Lippia origanoides essential oil possesses anticonvulsant effect in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats: a behavioral, electroencephalographic, and electromyographic study

Epilepsy is a neuronal disorder characterized by abnormal excitability of the brain, leading to seizures. Only around 66% of the epileptic patients respond adequately to treatment with existing conventional anticonvulsants, making it necessary to investigate new antiepileptic drugs. The growing research into natural products and their pharmacological properties has become increasingly promising, particularly in the study of essential oils, which are already widely used in popular culture for treating various diseases. The present study evaluated the anticonvulsant effects of Lippia origanoides essential oil (LOEO) (100 mg/kg i. p.) compared to diazepam (DZP) (5 mg/kg i. p.), and the combined administration of these two substances to control convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) (60 mg/kg i. p.). This evaluation was carried out using 108 male Wistar rats, which were divided into two experiments. Experiment 1–Behavioral assessment: The animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 9): (I) saline solution + PTZ, (II) DZP + PTZ, (III) LOEO + PTZ, (IV) LOEO + DZP + PTZ. The convulsive behavior was induced 30 min after the administration of the tested anticonvulsant drugs, and the observation period lasted 30 min. Experiment 2- Electrocorticographic evaluation: The animals were divided into 8 groups (n = 9): (I) saline solution; (II) LOEO; (III) DZP; (IV) LOEO + DZP; (V) saline + PTZ, (VI) DZP + PTZ (VII) LOEO + PTZ, (VIII) LOEO + DZP + PTZ. PTZ was administered 30 min after LOEO and DZP treatments and electrocorticographic activity was assessed for 15 min. For the control groups, electromyographic recordings were performed in the 10th intercostal space to assess respiratory rate. The results demonstrated that Lippia origanoides essential oil increased the latency time for the appearance of isolated clonic seizures without loss of the postural reflex. The animals had a more intense decrease in respiratory rate when combined with LOEO + DZP. EEG recordings showed a reduction in firing amplitude in the LOEO-treated groups. The combining treatment with diazepam resulted in increased anticonvulsant effects. Therefore, treatment with Lippia origanoides essential oil was effective in controlling seizures, and its combination with diazepam may represent a future option for the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures

Effects of Andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) on wound healing in alloxan-diabetic rats

Purpose: To evaluate wound healing in diabetic rats by using topic Andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis). Methods: Six male, adult, Wistar rats were distributed into three groups: Sham group (wound treatment with distilled water); Collagenase group (treatment with collagenase ointment); and Andiroba group (wound treatment with Andiroba oil). The wound was evaluated considering the macroscopic and microscopic parameters. Results: The results indicated differences in the healing of incisional wounds between treatments when compared to control group. Accelerated wound healing was observed in the group treated with Andiroba oil and Collagenase in comparison to control group, especially after the 14th day. Morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. Conclusion: There was significant effect in topical application of Andiroba oil on wound healing in rats with induced diabetes.   Keywords: Medicinal plants. Diabetes Mellitus. Wound healing. Rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED IN THE MIDDLE XINGU REGION AMAZON FOREST

Introduction: The Amazonian peoples have medicinal knowledge built by symbiosis with the forest. This fact reinforces the importance of studies on the traditional use of natural products, describing the plants used for medicinal purposes. Therefore, this work aimed to carry out an ethnopharmacological survey of plants used by residents of the middle Xingu region, Pará, Brazil. Methods: Questionnaires based on the therapeutic use of plants were used. Results: 36 people were interviewed and 38 plants were described. Of the cataloged species, there was a greater number used in the treatment of infectious, digestive and circulatory diseases, with 21 plant species cited for the treatment of these diseases (the Lamiaceae family was the most cited with popular names). Other families demonstrated use associated with the treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases: Acanthaceae, Annonaceae, Bignoniaceae, Costaceae, Crassulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lecythidaceae, Plantaginaceae, Portulacaceae, Rubiaceae, Smilacaceae, Solanaceae, Urticaceae, Vitaceae and Zingiberaceae. With endocrine and nutritional functions, species of the Amaranthaceae family were listed. For skin diseases, the Portulacaceae and Vitaceae families. Discussion/Conclusions: The results showed that traditional healers have some knowledge about different diseases. However, scientific investigations are needed regarding the effects and toxicity of the herbal medicines used to treat them

Caracterização comportamental e eletroencefalográfica das convulsões induzidas pelo cunaniol e acetato de cunaniol extraídos das folhas de Clibadium sylvestre, um modelo de convulsão generalizada experimental em ratos (Wistar)

The Clibadium sylvestre is largely distribued in the Amazon region, where is know as cunambi or cunhambi, and its ingestion causes inebriation or even fish´s death, demonstrating ichthyotoxic property. The compounds existing in the leaf of Clibadium sylvestre are powerful of central nervous system stimulants, its leafs contain potential convulsivant substances. The electroencephalographic changes, seizure and drug effects on seizure behavior control were studied as well as metabolic pathway of compounds cunaniol acetate and cunaniol. The work was performed with adult male Wistar rats, treated with DE50 of 2,92 mg/kg or DL50 of 3,64 mg/kg of cunaniol, administration route used was intraperitoneal. After cunaniol administration, the seizure evolution was observed, it allows to classify them according to the presentation intensity relate to cunaniol plasma concentration. The eletroencefalografic parameters of the drugs action on the seizure control and the clinic characteristic were determined and evaluated. The plasma analysis obtained by liquid chromatography after the application of convulsivant substances indicates that the cunaniol acetate undergoes deacetylation giving rise to cunaniol, drug responsible for convulsive state. Data electrocorticography has been shown five different patterns of tracks during recording with 4 hours remaining changes outlined by 12 hours after application. Among the drugs used to prevent the onset of seizures, the most effective were diazepam, phenobarbital and ketamine. The convulsive behavior was classified into five stages. For the occurrence of stages 4 and 5 there was no statistical differences regarding plasma cunaniol.A Clibadium sylvestre é largamente distribuída na região amazônica, onde é conhecida como cunambi ou cunhambi, e sua ingestão causa embriaguez, ou mesmo morte dos peixes, demonstrando propriedade ictiotóxica. Os compostos existentes nas folhas da Clibadium sylvestre são poderosos estimulantes do sistema nervoso central, suas folhas contêm substâncias com potencial convulsivante. As alterações eletroencefalográficas, crise convulsiva e os efeitos de drogas no controle do comportamento convulsivo foram estudados bem como a via metabólica dos componentes acetato de cunaniol e cunaniol. O trabalho foi realizado em ratos wistar machos adultos, tratados com DE50 de 2,92 mg/kg ou DL50 de 3,64 mg/kg de cunaniol a via de administração utilizada foi a intraperitoneal. Após a administração do cunaniol, a evolução das crises convulsivas foram observadas, permitindo classificá-las de acordo com a intensidade de apresentação e relacionar com a concentração plasmática do cunaniol. Os parâmetros eletroencefalográficos, da atuação das drogas no controle das convulsões e a característica cíclica foram determinadas e avaliadas. A análise de plasma obtido por cromatografia líquida após a aplicação das substâncias convulsivantes indicam que o acetato de cunaniol sofre desacetilação dando origem ao cunaniol, droga responsável pelo quadro convulsivo. Dados eletrocorticográficos demonstraram cinco padrões de traçados diferentes durante registro de 4 horas permanecendo com alterações de traçado por 12 horas após aplicação. As drogas utilizadas para prevenir o desencadeamento das convulsões, as mais efetivas foram o Diazepam, o Fenobarbital e a Quetamina. O comportamento convulsivo foi classificado em cinco estágios. Para a ocorrência dos estágios 4 e 5 não houve diferenças estatísticas quanto à concentração plasmática de cunaniol

Fatty Acid Amides Synthesized from Andiroba Oil (Carapa guianensis Aublet.) Exhibit Anticonvulsant Action with Modulation on GABA-A Receptor in Mice: A Putative Therapeutic Option

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by excessive neuronal activity leading to seizure; about 30% of affected patients suffer from the refractory and pharmacoresistant form of the disease. The anticonvulsant drugs currently used for seizure control are associated with adverse reactions, making it important to search for more effective drugs with fewer adverse reactions. There is increasing evidence that endocannabinoids can pharmacologically modulate action against seizure and antiepileptic disorders. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the anticonvulsant effects of fatty acid amides (FAAs) in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in mice. FAAs (FAA1 and FAA2) are obtained from Carapa guianensis oil by biocatalysis and are characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis (FT-IR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Only FAA1 is effective in controlling the increased latency time of the first myoclonic jerk and in significantly decreasing the total duration of tonic-clonic seizures relative to the pentylenetetrazol model. Also, electrocortical alterations produced by pentylenetetrazol are reduced when treated by FAA1 that subsequently decreased wave amplitude and energy in Beta rhythm. The anticonvulsant effects of FAA1 are reversed by flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist on Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-A (GABA-A) receptors, indicating a mode of action via the benzodiazepine site of these receptors. To conclude, the FAA obtained from C. guianensis oil is promising against PTZ-induced seizures

Análise da adesão ao imatinibe na leucemia mielóide crônica: estudo retrospectivo em hospital de referência na amazônia brasileira

Background: There has been a revolution in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia since imatinib's introduction. However, patient adherence has a great impact on the response obtained with medical treatment. This study's objective was to analyze the drug adherence and the factors that influenced it in patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in a referral hospital in the Brazilian Amazon. Method: This was a retrospective study including 120 patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia from January 2002 to December 2014. The adherence was estimated by the Proportion of Days Covered and the persistence by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The data was analyzed in Epi Info 7® software and the relationship between the variables was analyzed by Fisher's exact test. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Twenty-seven patients (22.5%) were considered non-adherent. There has been irregular medication use and disinterest in the treatment in 20.83% (n = 25), of which 13 were considered non-adherent (p < 0.001). A total of 26.67% (n = 32) abandoned the treatment for a period. Of those, 56.25% (n = 18) were non-adherent (p < 0.001). Distance to the hospital, lack of medication and side-effects were all non-significant to low adherence. At the end of a 360-day follow-up, 44.16% (n = 53) of patients presented a break in persistence, whose average was 255 days. Conclusion: The adherence found in this study was similar to that found in others of its kind. The only factors that negatively influenced the adherence were disinterest and abandonment of treatment, which can reflect the need to individually educate Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patients.Fundo: Houve uma revolução no tratamento da Leucemia Mielóide Crônica desde a introdução do imatinibe. No entanto, a adesão do paciente tem um grande impacto na resposta obtida com o tratamento médico. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a adesão medicamentosa e os fatores que a influenciaram em pacientes com Leucemia Mielóide Crônica em um hospital de referência na Amazônia brasileira. Método: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo incluindo 120 pacientes com Leucemia Mielóide Crônica, de janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2014. A adesão foi estimada pela Proporção de Dias Cobertos e a persistência pela análise de Kaplan-Meier. Os dados foram analisados ​​no software Epi Info 7 ® e a relação entre as variáveis ​​foi analisada pelo teste exato de Fisher. Um valor p menor que 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Vinte e sete pacientes (22,5%) foram considerados não aderentes. Houve uso irregular de medicamentos e desinteresse pelo tratamento em 20,83% ( n = 25), dos quais 13 foram considerados não aderentes ( p<0,001). Um total de 26,67% ( n = 32) abandonou o tratamento por um período. Destes, 56,25% ( n = 18) eram não aderentes ( p <0,001). Distância para o hospital, falta de medicação e efeitos colaterais foram todos não significativos para baixa adesão. Ao final de um seguimento de 360 ​​dias, 44,16% ( n = 53) dos pacientes apresentaram quebra de persistência, cuja média foi de 255 dias. Conclusão: A adesão encontrada neste estudo foi semelhante à encontrada em outras do gênero. Os únicos fatores que influenciaram negativamente a adesão foram o desinteresse e o abandono do tratamento, o que pode refletir a necessidade de educar individualmente os pacientes com Leucemia Mielóide Crônica.UFPA - Universidade Federal do Par

Analysis of imatinib adherence in chronic myeloid leukemia: a retrospective study in a referral hospital in the Brazilian Amazon

Background: There has been a revolution in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia since imatinib's introduction. However, patient adherence has a great impact on the response obtained with medical treatment. This study's objective was to analyze the drug adherence and the factors that influenced it in patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in a referral hospital in the Brazilian Amazon. Method: This was a retrospective study including 120 patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia from January 2002 to December 2014. The adherence was estimated by the Proportion of Days Covered and the persistence by Kaplan–Meier analysis. The data was analyzed in Epi Info 7® software and the relationship between the variables was analyzed by Fisher's exact test. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Twenty-seven patients (22.5%) were considered non-adherent. There has been irregular medication use and disinterest in the treatment in 20.83% (n = 25), of which 13 were considered non-adherent (p < 0.001). A total of 26.67% (n = 32) abandoned the treatment for a period. Of those, 56.25% (n = 18) were non-adherent (p < 0.001). Distance to the hospital, lack of medication and side-effects were all non-significant to low adherence. At the end of a 360-day follow-up, 44.16% (n = 53) of patients presented a break in persistence, whose average was 255 days. Conclusion: The adherence found in this study was similar to that found in others of its kind. The only factors that negatively influenced the adherence were disinterest and abandonment of treatment, which can reflect the need to individually educate Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patients. Keywords: Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, Adherence, Imatinib, Amazo

Antifungal Activity of Coumarin Mammeisin Isolated from Species of the Kielmeyera Genre (Family: Clusiaceae or Guttiferae)

Coumarin mammeisin isolated from Kielmeyera elata was evaluated for its toxicity and antifungal activities. The toxicity of mammeisin was investigated by utilizing the Artemia salina methodology to determine its LD50 value. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fungi Candida sp. was assessed for mammeisin, presenting equivalent activity to ketoconazole but displaying better results than fluconazole