RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o látex de Himatanthus drasticus em feridas induzidas experimentalmente em camundongos. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos (n=7): GI - salina 0,9% (controle), GII - óleo mineral (veículo), GIII - látex comercial de H. drasticus (HdCL) e GIV - fração isolada mista de H. drasticus (MIF, 1mg/mL). Os tratamentos foram aplicados topicamente uma vez ao dia (50µL), durante 14 dias consecutivos. Lesões macroscópicas, as expressões de VEGF+, CD68+ e a participação dos mastócitos (coloração azul de toluidina) foram avaliadas. HdCL induziu maior contração e tecido de granulação exuberante (P >0,05). HdCL induziu leve processo inflamatório enquanto MIF promoveu intenso infiltrado inflamatório predominantemente linfocítico, congestão vascular, hemorragia e reepitelização parcial. Observou-se reorganização das fibras colágenas (coloração picrosírius). A expressão de CD68+ e os mastócitos apresentaram-se moderados, intensos e leves em GI, GIII e GIV, respectivamente. A neovascularização foi observada em todos os grupos, enquanto a expressão de VEGF+ foi mais intensa em MIF em relação a HdCL. Conclui-se que HdCL apresenta potencial de cicatrização por meio da modulação dos mastócitos e das expressões de CD68+ e VEGF+, o que pode estar associado à presença de triterpenos de acordo com MIF isolada de HdCL.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate Himatanthus drasticus latex in a mice wound healing experimental model. Animals were divided into four groups (n=7) according to the treatments: GI - saline 0.9% (control), GII - mineral oil (vehicle), GIII - H. drasticus commercial latex (HdCL) and GIV - H. drasticus mixed isolated fraction (MIF, 1 mg/mL). The treatments were applied topically once daily, 50 µL for 14 consecutive days. Macroscopic lesions were evaluated, considering parameters such as swelling, redness, granulation tissue and reepithelialization. VEGF+, CD68+ expressions and mast cells (Toluidin blue stain) were evaluated. HdCL induced higher contraction and exuberant granulation tissue (P > 0.05). HdCL showed a mild inflammatory process while MIF induced intense infiltrate inflammatory predominantly by lymphocytes, vascular congestion, bleeding and did not presented full reepithelialization. Reorganization of collagen fibers (red picrosirius stain) was observed. CD68+ expression and mast cells were presented as moderate, intense and mild in GI, GIII and GIV, respectively. Neovascularization occurred in all groups, while VEGF+ expression was intense in MIF in relation to HdCL. We concluded that HdCL presents wound healing potential, through modulation of mast cells, CD68+ and VEGF+ expressions that can be associated to triterpenes presence according MIF isolated from HdCL.

Esta revisão tem por objetivo levantar dados de literatura sobre o histórico e a situação atual das técnicas de cultura de tecidos em plantas medicinais. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão de publicações do período de 1976 a 2009. A cultura de tecidos é muito utilizada em pesquisas envolvendo plantas medicinais, com destaque para a técnica de micropropagação. A aplicação das técnicas de cultura de tecidos em plantas medicinais tem como perspectivas a obtenção de germoplasma competitivo e adaptado a diversos métodos de cultivo, escolha de novas espécies que servirão como fonte de compostos biologicamente ativos e aprimoramento da produção de fitofármacos, a fim de assegurar exploração sustentável destas espécies.

The aim of this literature review is to conduct a survey concerning the history and current situation of tissue culture techniques in medicinal plants. Therefore, a review was done considering the period from 1976 to 2009. Tissue culture is widely applied in medicinal plants researches, especially micropropagation. The perspectives of tissue culture techniques in medicinal plants are related to the development of competitive germoplasm adapted to diverse methods of cultivation, the election of new species that will serve as source of biological active composts, and the improvement of phytochemicals production, in order to assure sustainable exploration of these species.

Objetivou-se investigar o efeito do extrato acetato de etila de Cocos nucifera (EAECN) sobre parâmetros fisiológicos e sobre a inflamação tópica induzida por xileno. EAECN foi obtido a partir da água da fibra da casca do coco verde e o teste fitoquímico indicou a presença de taninos condensados, flavononas, flavonóis, flavononóis, xantonas e esteróides. EAECN foi administrado aos camundongos Swiss por via oral em dose única diária de 10, 30, 100 e 250 mg Kg-1 por cinco dias consecutivos para os protocolos de toxicidade e inflamação tópica. No ensaio de toxicidade foram observadas as freqüências cardíacas e respiratórias, a presença de diarréia, analgesia e apatia e realizada a contagem total dos leucócitos do sangue periférico, avaliação macroscópica dos órgãos e peso relativo do rim, fígado, timo e baço. O efeito do EAECN sobre a inflamação tópica foi realizado utilizando-se grupos testes com as diferentes concentrações de EAECN e grupos controles positivos que receberam, pela mesma via nas mesmas condições, NaCl 0,9% ou DMSO a 5% ou o antiinflamatório padrão, Dexametasona (6 mg Kg-1). Todos os animais receberam o agente flogístico (25 µL) nas partes interna e externa da orelha duas horas após o último tratamento, enquanto os animais do grupo controle negativo não receberam qualquer tratamento. Após 50 minutos da aplicação do xileno, os animais foram sacrificados, e uma porção de cada orelha foi retirada e pesada. A diferença de peso entre as orelhas representa o efeito induzido pelos tratamentos. EAECN não desenvolveu toxicidade, não alterou a contagem total de leucócitos, não alterou o peso e nem o peso relativo dos órgãos dos animais tratados em relação aos controles. EAECN não inibiu a inflamação provocada pelo xileno, apresentando efeito pró-inflamatório dependente da dose. Conclui-se que EAECN nos protocolos utilizados não é tóxico e não possui atividade antiinflamatória tópica.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of Cocos nucifera (EAECN) on physiological parameters and xylene-induced topic inflammation. EAECN was obtained from the water of the green coconut husk fiber and the phytochemical test indicated the presence of condensed tannins, flavanones, flavonols, xanthones and steroids. EAECN was orally administered to Swiss mice at a single daily dose of 10, 30, 100 and 250 mg Kg-1 during five consecutive days for toxicity and topic inflammation protocols. Toxicity experiments included the observation of heart and respiratory frequencies, diarrhea, analgesia and apathy, besides total leukocyte count in peripheral blood, macroscopic evaluation of the organs, and relative weight of kidneys, liver, thymus and spleen. The effect of EAECN on topic inflammation was assessed using test groups with different EAECN concentrations and positive control groups which received, by the same route and conditions, NaCl 0.9%, DMSO 5% or reference drug, Dexamethasone (6 mg Kg-1). All the animals received the phlogistic agent (25 µL) in the inner and outer parts of the ears two hours after the last treatment, whereas the negative control group animals did not receive any treatment. At 50 minutes after xylene application, the animals were sacrificed and a portion of each of their ears was removed and weighed. The difference between ear weights represents the effect induced by the treatments. EAECN did not develop toxicity, change leukocyte total count, or alter animal weight and organ relative weight in treated animals compared with control groups. EAECN did not inhibit the xylene-induced inflammation, demonstrating dose-dependent pro-inflammatory effect. In conclusion, EAECN used as in these experimental protocols is not toxic and does not have topic anti-inflammatory activity.

RESUMO A soroprevalência e os possíveis fatores de risco para a infecção por Brucella spp. foram estimados em 2.109 vacas do Município de Monte Negro, Rondônia. De cada animal selecionado foi coletado soro sangüíneo e para as propriedades envolvidas foi preenchido um questionário. As amostras coletadas foram analisadas pelas provas de Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado corado com Rosa Bengala, Soroalgutinação Lenta em Tubos e 2-Mercaptoetanol. A prevalência total da infecção por Brucella spp. em vacas no Município de Monte Negro foi de 15%, sendo 54 (63%) fazendas com animais reagentes. A regressão logística sugeriu que rebanhos com mais de 25 vacas (OD = 2,8; P = 0,02) e a presença de suínos (OD = 2,5; P = 0,04) foram fatores associados a soropositividade dos bovinos. Outras variáveis associadas à infecção pelo teste do Qui-Quadrado foram repetição de cio e nascimento de bezerros enfermos (P < 0,05).

ABSTRACT The seroprevalence of Brucella spp. and the possible associated risk factors were estimated for 2,109 adult cows in Monte Negro county, State of Rondônia, Brazil. A questionnaire was completed for each farm where cattle were sampled. Laboratory tests were Rose-Bengal Agglutination, Standard Tube agglutination, and Mercaptoethanol. The adjusted overall prevalence of Brucella spp. seropositive cows for Monte Negro county was 15% and at least 54 herds (63%) were positive. A logistic regression analysis suggested that the herd size of more than 25 cows and the presence of pigs were significant factors associated with the seropositivity (herd size: OD = 2.8; P=0.02; presence of pigs: OD = 2.5; P =0.04). Other significant variables associated to the infection, analysed by Chi-Square were the presence of seropositivity cows with the herd that were repeat breeders and birth of weak calves (P < 0.05).

Limited evidence is available regarding antiretroviral (ARV) safety for uninfected infants exposed to these drugs in utero. Our objective was to determine if ARV administered to pregnant women is associated with decreasing umbilical arterial pH and base excess in uninfected infants. A prospective study was conducted on 57 neonates divided into three groups: ZDV group, born to mothers taking zidovudine (N = 20), triple therapy (TT) group, born to mothers taking zidovudine + lamivudine + nelfinavir (N = 25), and control group (N = 12), born to uninfected mothers. Umbilical cord blood was used to determine umbilical artery gases. A test was performed to calculate the sample by comparing means by the unpaired one-tailed t-test, with a = 0.05 and ß = 20%, indicating the need for a sample of 18 newborn infants for the study groups to detect differences higher than 20%. The control and ARV groups were similar in gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores. Values of pH, pCO2, bicarbonate, and base excess in cord arterial blood obtained at delivery from the newborns exposed to TT were 7.23, 43.2 mmHg, 19.5 mEq/L, and -8.5 nmol/L, respectively, with no significant difference compared to the control and ZDV groups. We conclude that intrauterine exposure to ARV is not associated with a pathological decrease in umbilical arterial pH or base excess. While our data are reassuring, follow-up is still limited and needs to be continued into adulthood because of the possible potential for adverse effects of triple antiretroviral agents.

Foram testados, pela técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica aplicada à leptospirose, 329 cães provenientes do município de Monte Negro, RO, dos quais 156 eram da área urbana e 173 da área rural. Simultaneamente foi aplicado questionário para verificar a existência de possíveis fatores de risco pela regressão logística. Abordaram-se questões referentes a idade, sexo, dieta, tipo de criação, ambiente, contato com outras espécies e hábito de caça. Foram detectadas reações com títulos >100 em 27,3%, com 90 cães positivos ao agente, das quais 23,7% eram da área (37/156) urbana e 30,6% (53/173), da área rural (P>0,05). Os sorovares predominantes, reatores com títulos mais elevados, foram Autumnalis (22%), Pyrogenes (12%), Canicola (10%) e Shermani (7,5%). Cães com idade acima de 12 meses apresentaram maior ocorrência de anticorpos quando comparados aos cães mais jovens (P<0,05). Dentre os fatores de risco analisados, foram significativos a alimentação (dieta à base de ração comercial - odds ratio: 3,3; intervalo de confiança: 95%: 1,2 - 9,2; P=0,02) e o sexo (macho - odds ratio: 2,3; intervalo de confiança: 95%: 1,3 - 3,9; P=0,003). Ressalta-se a ocorrência de reações para sorovares mantidos na natureza por animais silvestres.

The microscopic agglutination test was applied to 329 samples taken from 156 dogs from urban area and 173 from rural areas of Monte Negro County, Rondônia State, Brazil, to determine anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. A survey was concomitantly done to detect eventual risk factors thru the use of logistic regression. Studied variables were age, sex, diet, management, environment, contact with other species and hunting habit. Titers >100 were detected in 27.3% (90/329) of the dogs, being 23.7% (37/156) urban and 30.6% (53/173) rural dogs. The most frequent serovars were Autumnalis (22.0%), Pyrogenes (12.0%), Canicola (10.0%) and Shermani (7.5%). Dogs older than 12 months showed higher positive frequencies than younger animals (P<0.05). Risk factor were associated with commercial food as compared to homemade food (odds ratio: 3.3; 95% confidence interval : 1.3 - 3.9; P=0.02) and associated with sex, with higher occurrence in males than in females (odds ratio: 2.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.3 - 3.9; P=0.003). It was emphasized the serological occurrence of serovars kept and spread in nature by wild animals.

Croton nepetaefolius Baill., is an aromatic plant native to the northeast of Brazil where it is extensively used in folk medicine as a sedative, orexigen and antispasmodic agent. In the present study the antinociceptive effects of the essential oil of C. nepetaefolius (EOCn), administered orally, were evaluated in male Swiss mice (20-25 g). In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, EOCn (100 and 300 mg/kg; N = 14 and N = 12, respectively) was effective at the highest dose. In the hot-plate test, EOCn at 30 and 300 mg/kg, but not at 3 mg/kg, significantly increased the latency at all observation times up to the 180th min (N = 12 for each dose). In the formalin test, EOCn significantly reduced paw licking in the second phase of the test at 100 mg/kg (N = 12), but decreased it in both phases at 300 mg/kg (N = 12). At 30 mg/kg, the effect of EOCn did not differ from control values in either phase of the formalin test (N = 6). Pretreatment with naloxone (5 mg/kg, ip) significantly reversed the analgesic effect of morphine (5 mg/kg, sc) on both phases, but not that of EOCn at 300 mg/kg (N = 6) on both phases of the formalin test. The data show that orally administered EOCn promotes a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect whose mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Croton zehntneri is an aromatic plant native to Northeastern Brazil, where it is often used in folk medicine. In the present study the antinociceptive effects of the essential oil of Croton zehntneri (EOCz) were evaluated in mice. EOCz administered orally at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg reduced paw licking time in the second phase of the formalin test from the control value of 41.61 ± 8.62 to 12.01 ± 7.97 and 6.57 ± 3.42 s, respectively. During the first phase of the formalin test only 300 mg/kg induced a significant alteration (from 58.2 ± 7.02, control, to 28.7 ± 4.73 s). The number of contortions in response to intraperitoneal injections of acetic acid did not differ significantly between controls (80.6 ± 9.01) and experimental (300 mg/kg body weight) animals (89.1 ± 9.53% of the control numbers; P > or = 0.05, Student t-test). In the hot-plate test, EOCz at doses > or = 100 mg/kg significantly increased the latency time with respect to controls (11.2 ± 0.80). At 100 and 300 mg/kg this increase persisted for 180 and 240 min, respectively. The data show that EOCz is effective as an antinociceptive agent.

RESUMO Alpacas (Lama pacos) criadas em Puno, Altiplano Peruano, América do Sul, foram submetidas ao exame de soroaglutinação microscópica aplicada ao diagnóstico da leptospirose frente a uma coleção de antígenos contendo 24 variantes sorológicas de leptospiras (australis, bratislava, autumnalis, butembo, castellonis, bataviae, canicola, whitcombi, cynopteri, grippotyphosa, hebdomadis, copenhageni, icterohaemorrhagiae, javanica, panama, pomona, pyrogenes, hardjo, wolffi, shermani, tarassovi, sentot, andamana e patoc). No período de dezembro de 1993 a agosto de 1994, foram trabalhadas quatro propriedades: Huanacamaya, INIA, Carolina e La Raia, com duas colheitas de sangue: chuvas (dezembro 93/ janeiro 94); secas (julho/agosto de 1994). No período de dezembro de 94 a janeiro de 1996, foram realizadas três colheitas na propriedade de Huanacamaya. Do total de 810 amostras de soros examinadas houve 53 reações positivas (6,54%) frente a sete variantes sorológicas: butembo, cynopteri, hebdomadis, icterohaemorrhagiae, shermani, patoc e pomona. Destas a pomona foi a mais freqüente (79, 24%). Não houve diferença das proporções de sororeatores entre as fazendas Huanacamaya, INIA e La Raia, tanto para a colheita de dez93/jan94 (chuvas) quanto para a de jul94/ ago94 (seca) (p>0,05). Para estas três últimas fazendas foi observada uma diminuição da proporção de soropositivos quando comparados os resultados da colheita de dez93/jan94 (chuvas) com os de jul94/ ago94 (seca) (Huanacamaya: p<0,001; INIA: p<0,001 e La Raia: p=0,02). Lama pacos Puno Peruano Sul 2 australis, australis (australis bratislava autumnalis butembo castellonis bataviae canicola whitcombi cynopteri grippotyphosa hebdomadis copenhageni icterohaemorrhagiae javanica panama pyrogenes hardjo wolffi shermani tarassovi sentot patoc. . patoc) 199 1994 propriedades Huanacamaya Raia sangue 93 94) julho/agosto julhoagosto julho 1994. 1994) 9 1996 81 5 6,54% 654 6 54 (6,54% 79, 79 (79 24%. 24% 24%) dez93jan94 dezjan dez93 jan94 dez jan dez93/jan9 (chuvas jul94 jul ago ago9 seca (seca p>0,05. p005 p p>0,05 0 05 (p>0,05) (Huanacamaya p0001 001 p<0,00 p=0,02. p002 p=0,02 02 p=0,02) 19 8 6,54 65 (6,54 7 (7 dez93jan9 dez9 jan9 dez93/jan jul9 p00 p>0,0 (p>0,05 p000 00 p<0,0 p=0,0 1 6,5 (6,5 ( dez93jan p0 p>0, (p>0,0 p<0, p=0, 6, (6, p>0 (p>0, p<0 p=0 (6 p> (p>0 p< p= (p> (p

ABSTRACT Alpacas (Lama pacos) reared in Puno, Peruvian Highlands, South America, had their sera examined in order to search for antileptospiral agglutinines (MAT) 24 serovars (australis, bratislava, autumnalis, butembo, castellonis, bataviae, canicola, whitcombi, cynopteri, grippotyphosa, hebdomadis, copenhageni, icterohaemorrhagiae, javanica, panama, pomona, pyrogenes, hardjo, wolffi, shermani, tarassovi, sentot, andamana and patoc). During the period from December 1993 to August 1994 the investigations were performed in four farms (Huanacamaya, INIA, Carolina and La Raia) and in each of them there were two blood collections, one in rainy season (December1993/ January1994) and the other in the dry one (July/ August1994).In the following period (December94/January1996) there were three other bleedings only on the Huanacamya farm. Of 810 examined serum samples there were 53 positive reactions with seven different serovars (butembo, cynopteri, hebdomadis, icterohaemorrhagiae, shermani, patoc and pomona) The most frequent serovar was pomona (79.24%). In 1993/1994 the proportions of reactants were significantly lower in dry season than in the rainy one in three of four farms. The other three collections done in the Huanacamaya farm ( December 1994 to January 1996) showed always lower results than in the first examination. During the whole experiment Alpacas did not present any clinical evidence of leptospirosis. Lama pacos Puno Highlands America MAT (MAT 2 australis, australis (australis bratislava autumnalis butembo castellonis bataviae canicola whitcombi cynopteri grippotyphosa hebdomadis copenhageni icterohaemorrhagiae javanica panama pyrogenes hardjo wolffi shermani tarassovi sentot patoc. . patoc) 199 Huanacamaya, (Huanacamaya INIA Raia December1993/ December1993 (December1993 January1994 July/ July (July August1994.In August1994In AugustIn August1994 .In December94/January1996 December94January1996 DecemberJanuary December94 January1996 (December94/January1996 81 5 (butembo 79.24%. 7924 79.24% 79 (79.24%) 19931994 1993/199 1996 examination leptospirosis 19 December199 (December199 January199 August199 December94/January199 December94January199 December9 (December94/January199 8 792 79.24 7 (79.24% 1993199 1993/19 1 December19 (December19 January19 August19 December94/January19 December94January19 (December94/January19 79.2 (79.24 199319 1993/1 December1 (December1 January1 August1 December94/January1 December94January1 (December94/January1 79. (79.2 19931 1993/ (December December94/January December94January (December94/January (79. (79 (7