RESUMO
Huperzine A, a Lycopodium alkaloid produced by Chinese folk herb Huperzia serrata (Lycopodiaceae), has been shown to be a promising agent for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease due to its potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, as well its efficacy in the treatment of memory of aged patients. Thus, the effects of two Huperzia species of habitats in Brazil (H. quadrifariata and H. reflexa) with described in vitro AChE inhibition activities were studied and their effects on mice brain AChE inhibition were determined after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. The alkaloid extracts were administered to mice in various doses (10, 1 and 0.5mg/kg) and acetylcholinesterase activity was measured post mortem in two brain areas using the Ellman's colorimetric method. The AChE activity was found to be significantly reduced in both the cortex and hippocampus, although this activity was less potent than that of reference inhibitor huperzine A (0.5mg/kg). Thus, it appears that H. quadrifariata and H. reflexa alkaloid extracts, shown to inhibit acetylcholinesterase in vitro, also have very potent in vivo effects, suggesting that the Huperzia species may still constitute a promising source of compounds with pharmaceutical interest for Alzheimer's disease.
Assuntos
Acetilcolinesterase/metabolismo , Alcaloides/farmacologia , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores da Colinesterase/farmacologia , Huperzia/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Alcaloides/uso terapêutico , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Animais , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Córtex Cerebral/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores da Colinesterase/uso terapêutico , Hipocampo/efeitos dos fármacos , Injeções Intraperitoneais , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Sesquiterpenos/farmacologia , Sesquiterpenos/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
CONTEXT: Essential oils (EOs) have been reported to possess pharmacological properties, of which those related to the central nervous system have been especially attributed to mono- and sesquiterpenes. Baccharis uncinella DC. (Asteraceae) is used by the Laklaño Indians (Santa Catarina, Brazil) for sedative purposes. Interestingly, the species does not seem to be used medicinally elsewhere in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the composition and sedative properties of B. uncinella EOs obtained closer (BU-SC) and farther (BU-PR) to the Laklaño Indian Reserve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BU-SC and BU-PR obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by CG-MS. Mice treated with BU-SC and BU-PR (50 and 100 mg/kg) were evaluated regarding pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, body temperature, and locomotion. RESULTS: BU-SC presents a higher monoterpene/sesquitherpene ratio (0.31); α-pinene (6.42%), limonene (7.21%), caryophyllene (26.13%), spathulenol (13.39%) and caryophyllene oxide (13.26%) were identified as major components. BU-PR presents a low monoterpene/sesquitepene ratio (0.004); spathulenol (32.93%), caryophyllene oxide (27.78%), viridiflorol (5.29%) and α-cadinol (2.42%) were identified as the main components. Both samples significantly (p < 0.05, ANOVA) decreased locomotion and body temperature, as well as increased sleeping time. The hypnotic activity was sensitive to the differences in monoterpene composition. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with a sample collected in Paraná State, B. uncinella EO collected closer to the Laklaño Indians possess a composition that better justifies the claimed sedative properties. The study confirms the value of traditional information to guide bioactivity assessment in medicinal plants, and gives notice to the ecological factors that can interfere with the conclusions of such assessments.
Assuntos
Baccharis/química , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Sono/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Temperatura Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/administração & dosagem , Hipnóticos e Sedativos/isolamento & purificação , Locomoção/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Camundongos , Monoterpenos/isolamento & purificação , Monoterpenos/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/administração & dosagem , Óleos Voláteis/isolamento & purificação , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
PIP: 46 pregnant teenagers were analyzed from the obstetric viewpoint, and the findings were correlated with an evaluation of theier newborns in their 1st days of life. The low index of concomitant pathologies shown in this Brazilian study could be related to the process of seeking prenatal care and the perceptual changes in the teenager's psychosocial profile. It was surprise to find that this group was seeking prenatal care; few adverse situation were observed. It is believed that in this clinic basic information on birth-related diet, hygiene, and physiology could be, and was, given to the pregnant teenager. Prenatal care is the most important factor in the evolution of pregnancy in this type of patient. The changes in the psychosocial patterns are created by those who are in contact with and influence the groups' school of thought on a daily basis. This small casuistry characterizes an important social situation that in some ways can contribute to new considerations. Prenatal care needs to be encouraged to combat the negative results arising from a lack of these services. The gap created between pediatricians and gynecologists, in which these teenagers find themselves, will be closed as these 2 professions are geared by training to care for the pregnant teenagers.^ieng