Evaluation of acute oral toxicity and diuretic activity of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. (congonha-de-bugre)

Rudgea viburnoides é utilizada popularmente como diurética, hipotensora, antirreumática, antissifilítica, depurativa do sangue e tratamento da dispepsia. Este trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a toxicidade aguda e a atividade diurética do extrato etanólico bruto (EEBFRV) das folhas da R. viburnoides. Na toxicidade aguda empregou-se o teste de Classe, nas doses de 2000 e 5000 mg/kg, dose única, gavage, em camundongos Swiss e ratos Wistar (ambos os sexos). Na atividade diurética administrou-se em ratas Wistar o extrato bruto (40, 80 e 160 mg/kg, furosemida 20 mg/kg (controle +) e solução salina 0,9% (controle -). Não houve letalidade ou sinais de intoxicação, indicando baixa toxicidade desse extrato. O efeito diurético foi dose-dependente nas 24 h, com aumento dos parâmetros: volume de urina 24 h, excreção dos eletrólitos sódio, potássio e cloreto, uréia e creatinina. Os resultados até o momento, podem justificar a sua utilização popular como diurética.Rudgea viburnoides is popularly used as anti-hypertensive, anti-rheumatic, antissifilitic, blood depurative and for treatment of dyspepsia (leaves, bark, tea). The acute toxicity of ethanolic extract (EEBFRV) in single dose was performed by gavage of doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg in Swiss mice and Wistar rats, both sexes, by the class test. To diuretic activity in Wistar rats, it was used the EEBFRV at the doses of 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, furosemide 20 mg/kg (control +), and saline solution 0.9 % (control -). Regarding acute toxicity, no mortality and no toxicity signs at the dose levels were observed, indicating low toxicity of the extract. The EEBFRV showed statistically significant dose-dependent diuretic effect in 24 h, increasing all parameters evaluated (24h urine volume, excretion of Na+, K+ and Cl- electrolytes, urea (BUN) and creatinine). Thus, the results so far may justify the popular use of Rudgea viburnoides as diuretic.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Characterization of leaves and barks of Rhamnidium elaeocarpum Reissek

As folhas e cascas da Rhamnidium elaeocarpum Reissek (Rhamnaceae), conhecida como cafezinho, são utilizadas popularmente no Brasil para reduzir o prurido das gengivas de crianças no início da dentição e para dores estomacais. O objetivo desse trabalho foi realizar a caracterização das folhas, cascas do caule e cascas da raiz da R. elaeocarpum. Observou-se que as folhas são opostas cruzadas simples, hipoestomáticas, apresentando tricomas tectores sobre as nervuras. As cascas das raízes possuem cicatrizes ou fendas na face externa e fratura fibrosa na face interna. Verificou-se a presença de flavonóides, alcalóides, saponinas e taninos em todas as amostras. Esses resultados podem subsidiar estudos futuros, pois contribuiram para a obtenção de dados padrão visando o controle de qualidade da matéria-prima dessa espécie.The leaves and barks of Rhamnidium elaeocarpum Reissek (Rhamnaceae), known as cafezinho, are popularly used in Brazil to reduce gums itching of the children at the teeth beginning and the stomach pain. The work was a characterization the leaves, stem bark and root bark of R. elaeocarpum. It was observed that the leaves are cross-opposite simple, hypostomatic, showing trichomes on the veins. The roots bark have scars or cracks on the outside and fibrous fracture on the inner side. It was detected the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and tannins in all samples. These results may support future studies, allowing to obtain data to the standard quality control of raw material of this species.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Chemical composition, antibacterial activity and evaluation of acute toxicity of vetiveria zizanoides L. Nash (Poaceae)

O vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash) é uma planta aromática representante da família Poaceae e utilizada na terapia Ayurvédica. Nesse trabalho objetivou-se investigar a composição química do óleo essencial da raiz do vetiver cultivado no Hospital de Medicina Alternativa em Goiás-Brasil, avaliar seu potencial antimicrobiano e realizar ensaio de toxicidade aguda. A análise química do óleo essencial foi realizada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG/EM), e o khusimol (12,86 %) e o palustrol (8,67 %) foram os componentes majoritários. Na avaliação do potencial antimicrobiano do óleo essencial de V. zizanioides foi observada potente atividade contra Micrococcus roseus, com concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) de 70 μg/mL e contra Staphylococcus aureus com CIM de 150 μg/mL. O extrato etanólico bruto apresentou atividade antimicrobiana superior à s frações, com CIM de 190 μg/mL para M. roseus e Bacillus cereus. Na avaliação da toxicidade aguda via oral verificou-se que o extrato etanólico bruto não apresentou toxicidade para ratos na dose de 2000 mg/kgThe vetiver (Vetiver zizanioides L. Nash) is a representative aromatic plant of the family Poaceae and used in Ayurvedic therapy. This work aimed to investigate the chemical composition of essential oil of the roots of vetiver grown in the Hospital of Alternative Medicine in Goiás, Brazil, to evaluate potential antimicrobial and perform acute toxicity test. In the analysis of the essential oil khusimol (12, 86%) and palustrol (8,67%) were the major components. In evaluating the antimicrobial potential of essential oil of V. zizanioides it was noted a potent activity against Micrococcus roseus, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 70 μg/mL and against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC of 150 μg/mL. The crude ethanolic extract showed antimicrobial activity greater than the fractions, with MIC of 190 μg/mL for M. roseus and Bacillus cereus. In assessing the acute oral toxicity it was found that the crude ethanolic extract showed no toxicity to rats at a dose of 2000 mg/kgColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Infraspecific chemical variability in the essential oils of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum (Myrtaceae)

AbstractLeaf essential oils of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus from the central Brazilian Cerrado were obtained by hydrodistillation and investigated by GC and GC–MS. A total of 57 constituents were identified, accounting for 96–100% of the volatile constituents. Principal component and cluster analysis identified three chemotypes: cluster I, characterized by high percentages of geranial (41.2 +/− 3.9%), neral (26.8 +/− 1.3%), caryophyllene oxide (3.8 +/− 2.5%), and spathulenol (3.7 +/− 1.8%); cluster II, with high contents of (E)-asarone (21.8 +/− 30.9%), (E)-caryophyllene (16.2 +/− 7.7%), and elemicin (8.8 +/− 2.4%); and cluster III, with high amounts of (E)-methyl isoeugenol (93.2 +/− 1%). The occurrence of these chemotypes at the same site indicates that chemovariation is genetically determined

Antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extract and fractions from Eugenia uniflora leaves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanol extract and fractions from Eugenia uniflora L. leaves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 72 P. aeruginosa isolated from patients of three hospitals in Goiânia and 8 standard strains were selected to test antimicrobial activity. The bacteria susceptibility profile against 15 antimicrobial agents was determined using the disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the crude ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate, chloroform and hexane fractions was determined. Most of the P. aeruginosa analyzed proved resistant to a number of antimicrobial substances and their sensitivity varied from 81.9% sensitivity to meropenem to 0.0% sensitivity to cefotaxim. All the P. aeruginosa were inhibited by the crude extract and by the ethyl acetate fraction. Only 11.25% of the bacteria analyzed were inhibited by the chloroform fraction (8.75 mg/mL MIC). The hexane fraction presented no activity.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Antibacterial activity of the crude ethanol extract from jacaranda decurrens leaves

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the leaves crude ethanol extract of Jacaranda decurrens Cham. (Bignoniaceae). The crude ethanol extract was obtained from the material collected in Senador Canedo and Mossâmedes, Goiás, Brazil, pulverized and submitted to phytochemical screening. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the well diffusion test and the agar dilution method for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoid heterosides and coumarins. The crude ethanol extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms tested. The MIC of J. decurrens for the Gram-positive bacteria varied from 2.18 mg/mL to 8.75 mg/mL. The MIC for the Gram-negative bacteria was 17.5 mg/mL except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 8.75 mg/mL) and Serratia marcescens (MIC = 35 mg/mL). This was the first report of antimicrobial activity of J. decurrens.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Chemical composition and seasonal variability of the essential oils of leaves and morphological analysis of Hyptis carpinifolia

Hyptis carpinifolia Benth., Lamiaceae, is a species known popularly as “rosmaninho” and “mata-pasto”, and leaves are employed in Brazilian folk medicine to treat colds, flu, and rheumatism. The aim of this study was to perform a morphological description of H. carpinifolia and to evaluate the seasonal chemical variability of the leaf essential oils during 12 months. Macroscopic characterization of H. carpinifolia was carried out with the naked eye and with a stereoscopic microscope. Essential oils were isolated from leaves by hydrodistillation in Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Major compounds were found to be 1,8-cineole (39.6–61.8%), trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (2.8–17.5%), β-caryophyllene (4.4–10.0%), prenopsan-8-ol (4.2–9.6%) and β-pinene (2.9–5.3%). Results of essential oils compositions were processed by cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Data showed high variability in the concentration of the components. Besides, there was a seasonal variability of chemical composition, probably related mainly to the rainfall regime. Keywords: Hyptis carpinifolia, Sesquiterpenes, Essential oil composition, 1,8-Cineol

Chemical composition of essential oils of leaves, flowers and fruits of Hortia oreadica

Hortia oreadica Groppo, Kallunki & Pirani, Rutaceae, known as “para-tudo”, “quina”, and “quina-do-campo”, is used in traditional medicine locally to treat stomach pain and fevers. The aims of this study were: analyze the chemical composition of essential oils from leaves, flowers and fruits of H. oreadica and verify the seasonal variation of the chemical components of essential oils from leaves. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger type apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS. The major components found in the samples of the essential oils were the amorpha-4,7(11)-diene (29.27% – flowers, 20.26% – fruits, 27.66–37.89% – leaves), bicyclogermacrene (23.28% – flowers, 20.64% – fruits, 14.71% to 31.37% – leaves). This work represents the first study of the chemical composition of essential oils from leaves, flowers and fruits and seasonal variation in the essential oils from leaves of H. oreadica. Keywords: Essential oils, Hortia, Rutaceae, Savannah, Medicinal plants, Bicyclogermacren