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Lippia thymoides is an aromatic and medicinal plant native to the Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado. Some research on pharmacological activities and chemical composition has been carried out. However scientific knowledge about chemical variation is inceptive. Therefore, this research is aimed to evaluate factors that interfere in essential oil content of leaves and flowers, and its chemical composition. Essential oil was quantified by means of hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus. Essential oil obtained was evaluated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The variables were: different individuals (six), hour of collection (7, 12 and 17 hours), recovery after pruning and water stress on field. The hour of collection, pruning and drying, did not influence the essential oil content. It was detected only interindividual variation. Analysis of the chemical composition of essential oil revealed thymol, methyl-thymol and p-cymene as major components. Some variations were observed on essential oil composition, but the chromatographic fingerprint remained constant. Therefore, the collection can be performed any hour of the day, and a new one can take place after the recovery of plants without compromising oil content and chemical composition.

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo compreender como o farmacêutico pode contribuir para o fortalecimento da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, por meio de um estudo qualitativo. Foram realizadas três sessões de grupo focal, duas com atores que atuavam em equipes de unidades básicas de saúde e outro composto de atores da assistência farmacêutica. A análise de conteúdo temática resultou em quatro categorias: 1) falta de esclarecimento de dúvidas sobre medicamentos para a equipe de Saúde da Família e usuários; 2) incipiente interação do farmacêutico com a equipe; 3) necessidade de enfrentamento da medicamentalização da sociedade e 4) estrutura inadequada das farmácias nas unidades básicas de saúde. Houve demanda por profissionais mais preparados para ações integradas às equipes de Saúde da Família. Ações possíveis são discutidas.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a medicinal plant that is cultivated worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the variability in the percentage and the chemical composition of volatile oils from 12 turmeric samples. Rhizomes of the turmeric plant were collected from three different producers in the Brazilian like savanna (Cerrado) habitat in the state of Bahia. The chemical composition of the oils derived from the rhizomes was analysed by thin-layer chromatography and GC-MS. The average oil content was 3.97% ± 0.61%, varying from 3.0% to 5.16%. There were differences between producers; however, all samples met the specification of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis revealed qualitative similarity in both oil and curcuminoid components among the samples. The major components identified in the oils by gas chromatography were ar-turmerone (40.00% ± 13.20%), α-turmerone (10.05% ± 2.90%) and curlone (22.73% ± 12.72%). Regarding stability, there was a difference between the essential oil percentages after 6 months, but the content was maintained adequate and the chromatographic profile remained similar. The vegetable raw material obtained from C. longa rhizomes produced in the western region of the state of Bahia met the quality requirement of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia.

a b s t r a c t The aerial parts of Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J.F. Macbride (Lythraceae) are traditionally employed in Brazil to treat cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to compare preparations of C. cartha- genensis aerial parts (aqueous and ethanol extracts, together with derived fractions) with regard to their total phenolic contents and in vitro vasodilating activity. The main flavonoids found in the extracts were isolated and identified as quercetin derivatives. The extracts and fractions showed similar HPLC pro- files with the presence of quercetin-5-O--glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O--arabinofuranoside and quercetin-3-sulfate in all of them, but marked differences in the contents of flavonoids, proantho- cyanidins, tannis and total phenolics. Excepting the aqueous extract, all assayed preparations elicited vasodilatation on pre-contracted rat aortic rings in the range of pIC50 4.53 ± 0.03 to 4.98 ± 0.06. Polyno- mial regression analysis demonstrated the relationship between vasodilating activity and the contents of flavonoids (r2 = 0.5190), proanthocyanidins (r2 = 0.8016), tannins (r2 = 0.8041) and total phenolics (r 2 = 0.6226), suggesting the participation of these compounds in the pharmacological effect and their potential use as chemical markers for the species.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional, o perfil clínico e a qualidade de vida (QV) de usuários do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial II (CAPS II) em Vitória da Conquista, BA. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 120 usuários do CAPS II por meio de formulário contendo perguntas fechadas sobre dados sociodemográficos, qualidade de vida (QV) e autopercepção da saúde, assim como perguntas abertas sobre morbidade referida. Foi realizada também avaliação antropométrica (peso, altura e circunferência da cintura) para avaliar o estado nutricional. Para avaliação da QV foi usado o instrumento SF-12. A morbidade referida foi categorizada segundo a CID-10. RESULTADOS: Os usuários apresentavam idade média de 39,8 ± 12,48 anos, 64,5% eram mulheres, 55,8% eram solteiros e 71,7% não estavam aposentados. Em relação à QV, o componente mental sumarizado teve um resultado inferior quando comparado ao componente físico sumarizado. A autopercepção de saúde ruim alcançou 70,0% dos entrevistados; os transtornos mais prevalentes foram o transtorno de humor e esquizofrenia; 57,1% dos usuários apresentaram sobrepeso e obesidade e 65,5% dos participantes tiveram alteração da relação circunferência-estatura. CONCLUSÃO: Os usuários do CAPS II revelaram uma prevalência importante de excesso de peso, obesidade central, baixa qualidade de vida e uma autopercepção ruim da sua saúde. Compreender essas questões tornasse extremamente relevante para pensarmos em políticas locais de atendimento e organização dos CAPS, com uma maior interlocução com os serviços de atenção primária dos municípios, promovendo uma atenção integral e promotora de saúde.

Wilbrandia ebracteata (WE), a Brazilian medicinal plant used in folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, displays anti-inflammatory properties and constitutes a rich source of cucurbitacins and cucurbitacin-related compounds. The current study investigated the potential anti-inflammatory properties of Dihydrocucurbitacin B (DHCB), a cucurbitacin-derived compound isolated from roots of WE, in some in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with DHCB reduced both carrageenan-induced paw edema (0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg caused inhibitions of 26, 44 and 56 % at 2 h after stimulation, respectively) and pleurisy (10 mg/kg inhibited leukocyte numbers and LTB(4) levels in the pleural fluid by 51 and 75% at 6 h after cavity challenge, respectively). In vitro, DHCB (up to 10 microg/mL) failed to modify LTB(4) production by human neutrophils or PGE(2) production by COS-7 cells transfected with COX-1, but PGE(2) production by COX-2 transfected COS-7 cells was markedly inhibited (by 72%). The levels of COX-1 or COX-2 proteins in IL-1alpha-stimulated NIH3T3 cells were unaffected by DHCB. The results corroborate the potential anti-inflammatory properties ascribed to W. ebracteata Cogn. in folk medicine and suggest that they might be attributed, at least in part, to the capacity of one of this plants main constituents, DHCB, to inhibit COX-2 activity (but not its expression) during inflammation.

Wilbrandia ebracteata is a medicinal plant from South America used in folk medicine for the treatment of chronic rheumatic diseases. We have shown that the high performance liquid chromatography-characterized (HPLC) dichloromethane fraction isolated from Wilbrandia ebracteata (WEDC) inhibits the parameters observed in experimental models of inflammation in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we extend our previous observations on the analgesic effects of WEDC by investigating its actions using the hot plate test and zymosan-induced writhing test in mice, as well as zymosan-induced arthritis in rats evaluating articular inflammatory pain, cell migration and determination of NO release into the joint exudate. The effect of WEDC on the activity of COX-1 and COX-2 in vitro and its ulcerogenic capacity in vivo were also investigated. The oral treatment of the animals with WEDC (1-10 mg/kg) produced a significant, dose-dependent reduction of articular incapacitation and abdominal contortions in the writhing test. The same effect was not observed in the hot plate and rota-rod tests. WEDC also reduced nitrite release into the zymosan-inflamed joints. In the evaluation of COX activity, we observed that WEDC was able to selectively inhibit COX-2 but not COX-1 activity in COS-7 cells. Moreover, WEDC treatment did not show gastrointestinal toxicity. Our data confirm the anti-nociceptive activities of the WEDC and indicate that this effect could be associated with inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nitric oxide release. The effects could be attributed to cucurbitacins since several of these were isolated from the WEDC.

Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) MacBride Lythraceae, denominada popularmente sete-sangrias, tem uso medicinal tradicional no tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares, entre outras. Como não foram encontrados estudos sobre a relação entre composição química quantitativa e atividade biológica, ou sobre identificação de metabólitos secundários polares, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composição qualitativa e quantitativa de metabólitos secundários da espécie e sua potencial atividade vasodilatadora e hipotensora, visando definir marcadores químicos e desenvolver métodos de análise. Foram obtidos extratos aquoso (EA) e etanólico bruto (EB) de partes aéreas, bem como frações derivadas de EB (n-butanólica, aquosa solúvel e insolúvel em metanol, e precipitado). Análises cromatográficas por CCD e CLAE dos derivados da droga vegetal obtidos, bem como a quantificação dos teores totais de flavonoides, taninos e proantocianidinas indicaram composição química diferenciada para os extratos e frações. Taninos foram os metabólitos majoritários (75,0 ± 0,9% m/m) na fração n-BuOH, enquanto flavonoides e proantocianidinas foram mais abundantes no precipitado (5,80 ± 0,16 e 37,9% m/m, respectivamente). Os extratos e as frações obtidos foram avaliados em modelo in vitro de vasodilatação em preparações de aorta de ratos. Todos foram ativos, sendo o efeito vasodilatador das frações n-BuOH, aquosa solúvel em metanol, do precipitado e do EB estatisticamente equivalentes (pCI50 4,98 ± 0,06 a 4,85 ± 0,11; p 0,05). Os teores dos metabólitos e os valores de pCI50 foram submetidos a análise de correlação de Spearman. Observou-se correlação positiva forte entre a atividade biológica e os teores totais de flavonoides (r = 0,90), proantocianidinas (r = 0,90) e taninos (r = 0,60). A administração per os do extrato etanólico e da fração n-BuOH a camundongos normotensos (doses de 10 e 100 mg/kg) induziu hipotensão, com diferenças significativas entre as doses (p < 0,05). O estudo fitoquímico de C. carthagenensis resultou no isolamento de quercetina-3-sulfato, quercetina-5-O--glicopiranosídeo e quercetina-3-O--arabinofuranosídeo, sendo os dois últimos inéditos para a espécie. Estes flavonoides correspondem aos picos majoritários dos cromatogramas de C. carthagenesis registrados com detecção no UV em = 350 nm. Foi desenvolvido e parcialmente validado um método de CLAE para quantificar os flavonoides isolados em extratos de C. carthagenensis. Foram estabelecidas também as condições para a quantificação por CLAE simultânea de quercetina e dos ácidos gálico e elágico em extrato hidrolisado de C. carthagenensis. Porém, as condições de hidrólise avaliadas não apresentaram precisão satisfatória. Concluindo, os flavonoides isolados, assim como flavonoides, taninos e proantocianidinas totais são potenciais marcadores químicos de folhas de Cuphea carthagenensis Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) MacBride Lythraceae is popularly known as sete-sangrias. It is traditionally employed to treat cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions. It was not found any research about the relationship between quantitative chemical composition and biological activity. Therefore the goal of the present work was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the species and its potential vasodilating activity, along with to define chemical markers and develop analytical methods. The extraction of C. carthagenensis aerial parts afforded the aqueous (EA) and ethanol (EB) extracts, whereas fractionation of EB furnished n-BuOH, aqueous soluble and aqueous insoluble in MeOH fractions together with a precipitate. TLC and HPLC analysis of the extracts and fractions, along with spectrophotometric determination of the total contents of flavonoids, tannins and proanthocyanidins indicated different chemical compositions for the preparations. Tannis showed the highest contents, reaching 75.0 ± 0.9% w/w in the n-BuOH fraction, whereas flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were the major compounds in the precipitate (5.80 ± 0.16% and 37.9% ± d.p. w/w, respectively). The potential vasodilator effect of the extracts and fractions were assayed in vitro using rat aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylefrine. All preparations were active and the vasodilatation elicited by some fractions (n-BuOH and aqueous soluble in MeOH), the precipitate and EB were statistically equivalents (pCI50 4.98 ± 0.06 to 4.85 ± 0.11; p 0.05). The contents of the assayed compounds and the of the biological assay were submitted to Spearman correlation analysis. Strong positive correlations were obtained between the vasodilator effect and the total contents of flavonoids (r = 0.90), proanthocyanidins (r = 0.90) and tannins (r = 0.60). Therefore, such groups of metabolites may constitute potential chemical markers for the species. The administration of EB and n-BuOH fraction to normotense mice (per os; doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg) induced hypotension, with significant differences among the doses (p < 0.05). The phytochemical study of C. carthagenensis afforded quercetin-3-sulfate and two flavonoids described for the first time for the species, quercetin-5-O--glucopyranoside and quercetin-3-O--arabinofuranoside. The above mentioned flavonoids are the major peaks found in the HPLC profiles of C. carthagenensis registered by DAD detector at 350 nm. An HPLC method was developed and partially validated to quantify the isolated flavonoids in the extracts of C. carthagenensis. The HPLC conditions for the simultaneous analysis of quercetin, gallic and ellagic acid in hydrolyzed extracts of C. carthagenensis was also established. However, the hydrolysis reaction did not present satisfactory precision for quantitative analysis. The isolated flavonoids as well total flavonoids, tannins and proanthocyanidins are potential chemical markers for Cuphea carthagenensis aerial parts

Roots of Wilbrandia ebracteata Cogn., Cucurbitaceae, used in folk medicine for treatment of rheumatic disease, are rich in cucurbitacins. Dihydrocucurbitacin B is the most abundant cucurbitacin while cucurbitacin B is a minor component. A reverse-phase HPLC system was developed for simultaneous quantitative assay of these cucurbitacins in the roots. The optimised experimental conditions were acetonitrile/H(2)0 40:60, flow-rate 1.2 mL/min., detection at 230 nm and isocratic elution. A variety of sample preparation modes were tested and the extraction with dichloromethane under reflux gave better results. The validation process included linearity, accuracy, repeatability and intermediate precision. The calibration curve of dihydrocucurbitacin B was linear from 40.00 to 400 μg/mL, the recovery was 95.5±3.01%, the intermediate precision was found to be 1.64% and the repeatability varied between 1.30 to 2.05%. The calibration curve of cucurbitacin B was linear from 4.00 to 240 μg/mL, intermediate precision was found to be 2.29% and repeatability varied between 1.03 to 2.95%. Analysis of the same specimen of W. ebracteata every year from 2002 to 2005 revealed a great rise on the cucurbitacin B concentration after the root was attacked by an herbivore.