The non-commercial copolymers E45S8, E45S17 and their mixtures with Pluronic® P123 (E21P67E21) were studied as carriers of the model drug griseofulvin. Critical micelle concentration (cmc) (dye solubilisation method), drug solubilisation capacity (Scp and Sh) determined by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and cytotoxicity (LDH activity in human neutrophils) were studied. E45S17 1.0 wt.% dispersions presented colloidal aggregates limiting its Scp in comparison to E45S8, but in 0.1 wt.% solutions this phenomenon seemed to be absent and E45S17 presented a higher Scp. The mixtures that showed the best Scp results contained 50% of P123 and presented low cmc. An evaluation of literature data suggested a minimum Em content of 62% in EmSn copolymers below which the increase of Sn length does not lead to an increase of Sh. The results suggested no toxicity of the copolymers on human neutrophils, supporting the use of P123 and poly(styrene oxide) containing copolymers as drug carriers.

The aim of this study was to compile the traditional knowledge about plants used for the treatment of giardiasis, and also to carry out experimental research to evaluate the anti-Giardia activity of five species.To reach this objective, 398 interviews were performed using a previously prepared questionnaire, followed by an in vitro evaluation of giardicidal potential of hydroalcoholic leaf extracts of Anacardium occidentale L., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Passiflora edulis Sims, Psidium guajava L., and Stachytarpheta cayennensis(Rich.) Vahl. Among the interviewed people, 55.53% reported the use of plants to treat diarrhea, the most severe symptom of giardiasis. The results indicated 36 species used by this population for these problems. The use of leaves (72.50%) of a single plant (64.25%) collected from backyards and gardens (44.34%) and prepared by decoction were predominant. The majority of the interviewees (85.52%) attributed their cure to the use of plants. In the experimental tests, all extracts inhibited the growth of Giardia lambliatrophozoites in different intensities: A. occidentale and P. guajava extracts elicited a moderate activity (250 ≤ IC50 ≤ 500 μg/ml), C. ambrosioides and S. cayennensis extracts evoked a high activity (100 ≤ IC50 ≤ 250 μg/ml), and P. edulis extract showed very high activity (IC50≤ 100 μg/ml). This study shows that an ethnopharmacological approach is useful in the selection of plant materials with potential giardicidal activity.

Many biological properties have been attributed to various types of propolis, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, wound healing, and immunomodulatory activities. This article reviewed studies published that investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis of different origins and/or its isolated components, focusing on the mechanisms of action underlying this activity and also addressing some aspects of immunomodulatory effects. The search was performed of the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, HighWire Press, Scielo, Google Academics, Research Gate and ISI Web of Knowledgement. The anti-inflammatory activity was associated with propolis or compounds such as polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids and their esters), terpenoids, steroids and amino acids. CAPE is the most studied compounds. The main mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis included the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and consequent inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, free radical scavenging, inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, reduction in the concentration of inflammatory cytokines and immunosuppressive activity. Propolis was found to exert an anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro models of acute and chronic inflammation and others studies, indicating its promising potential as anti-inflammatory agent of natural origin and as a source of chemical compounds for the development of new drugs.

The gastroprotective action of the aqueous extract (AE) and the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Struthanthus marginatus (Desr.) Blume, Loranthaceae, were performed with in vivo models in rodents using: ethanol, indomethacin or stress-induced ulcers, determination of gastric secretion and the mucus production. The scavenger activity of AE in vitro was tested by the DPPH method. The treatment with the extracts (125-1000 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ulcerative lesions in comparison with the negative control groups in all the models evaluated and demonstrated greater effectiveness of the aqueous extract. Regarding the model of gastric secretion, a reduction in volume of gastric juice and total acidity was observed, as well as an increase in the gastric pH. The treatment of rats raised the gastric mucus production. Significant DPPH scavenging activity was evident in the AE. No sign of toxicity was observed. These results show that S. marginatus possesses gastroprotective activity. There are indications that the mechanisms involved in anti-ulcer activity are related to a decrease in acid secretion and an increase in gastric mucus content. Also, there is evidence for the involvement of antioxidant activity in the gastroprotective mechanism.

A atividade anti-Leishmania do extrato hidroalcoólico de Stachytarpheta cayennensis, espécie utilizada popularmente no tratamento de lesões cutâneas causadas por Leishmania sp, foi testado em ensaios in vitro utilizando formas promastigotas de Leishmania braziliensis e L. amazonensis. O extrato hidroalcoólico foi preparado a partir das folhas secas e utilizado em culturas de L. amazonensis e L. braziliensis nas concentrações de 500 a 32,5 µg/mL. Após 24 horas as formas promastigotas foram quantificadas para o cálculo da CI50. A citotoxicidade do extrato foi avaliada também em culturas de macrófagos peritoneais. O extrato apresentou efeito leishmanicida dose e espécie-dependente para promastigotas de Leishmania sendo mais eficaz para L. braziliensis. O extrato não apresentou efeito citotóxico quando utilizado nas culturas de macrófagos. Concluiu-se que o extrato hidroalcoólico de S. cayennensis inibe formas promastigotas de Leishmania in vitro o que poderia justificar, pelo menos parcialmente, o uso popular dessa espécie no tratamento de úlceras causadas por Leishmania.

Leishmanicidal activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Stachytarpheta cayennensis, species that is usually employed in ulcers caused by Leishmania, was evaluated in vitro using Leishmania braziliensis and L. amazonensis promastigotes forms. The hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from dried leaves and used in L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis promastigotes cultures at concentrations of 500 to 32.5 µg/mL. After 24 hours the promastigotes forms were quantified and the IC50 was calculated. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using peritoneal macrophages. The extract presented a dose and specie-dependent leishmanicidal effect to Leishmania promastigotes, mainly to the L. braziliensis ones. The cytotoxic effect was not observed in macrophage cultures. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract of S. cayennensis inhibits the growing of Leishmania promastigotes forms in vitro accounting for the folk use of this vegetal in skin ulcers caused by Leishmania.

Na busca de novos agentes leishmanicidas, avaliamos em culturas de promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis o efeito dos extratos hidroalcoólicos das folhas de Tephrosia cinerea (L.) Pers. (Fabaceae), Dichorisandra sp (Commelinaceae), Syzygium jambolanum DC. (Myrtaceae), Julocroton triqueter (Lam.) Didr. var. triqueter (Euphorbiaceae), Passiflora edulis Sims(Passifloraceae), Cecropia sp (Cecropiaceae), Chenopodium ambrosioides L.(Chenopodiaceae), Pedilanhus tithymaloides (L.) Poit (Euphorbiaceae), Peristrophe angustifolia Nees(Acanthaceae) e o extrato aquoso do mesocarpo de Orbignya phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae). As promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis foram cultivadas em presença de 31,3; 63,5; 125,0; 250,0 e 500,0 µg/mL dos extratos por 24 horas. Ao final desse período foi calculada a concentração inibitória do crescimento (CI50) em relação às culturas não tratadas com os extratos. Os extratos das espécies J. triqueter, Dichorisandra sp e T. cinerea apresentaram maior eficácia em induzir a morte das promastigotas, com CI50 de 29,5; 32,9 e 43,6 µg/mL, respectivamente. P. edulis, C. ambrosioides e S. jambolanum apresentaram eficácia moderada com CI50 de 150,1; 151,9 e 166,6 µg/mL, respectivamente. P. tithymaloides e O. phalerata apresentaram baixo efeito leishmanicida com CI50 >500 µg/mL, enquanto Peristrophe angustifolia e Cecropia spnão apresentaram efeito. Dessa forma, dos dez extratos testados, três apresentaram uma expressiva atividade leishmanicida in vitro.

Searching for new leishmanicidal agents, promastigotes forms of L. amazonensis were cultured with the hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the Tephrosia cinerea (L.) Pers. (Fabaceae), Dichorisandra sp (Commelinaceae), Syzygium jambolanum DC. (Myrtaceae), Julocroton triqueter (Lam.) Didr. var. triqueter (Euphorbiaceae), Passiflora edulis Sims(Passifloraceae), Cecropia sp (Cecropiaceae), Chenopodium ambrosioides L.(Chenopodiaceae), Pedilanhus tithymaloides (L.) Poit (Euphorbiaceae), Peristrophe angustifolia Nees(Acanthaceae) leaves and the aqueous extract obtained from the Orbignya phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae) mesocarp flour. The in vitro assay was performed with promastigotes incubated during 24 hours with 31.3, 62.5, 125.0, 250.0 and 500.0 µg/mL of each extract. Then the inhibitory concentration of the parasite growth (IC50) was determined. The effectiveness of J. triqueter, Dichorisandra sp and T. cinerea hydroalcoholic extracts to induce promastigotes death was intense since the IC50 were 29.5; 32.9 and 43.6 µg/mL, respectively. P. edulis, C. ambrosioides and S. jambolanum extracts had moderated effectiveness since the IC50 were 150.1; 151.9 and 166.6 µg/mL, respectively. P. tithymaloides and O. phalerata extracts showed a low efficacy in comparison with IC50 >500 µg/mL. Peristrophe angustifolia and Cecropia sp extracts had no leishmanicidal effect. Thus, three of the ten extracts that were tested showed a significant in vitro leishmanicidal activity.

Infecção intestinal causada por Giardia lamblia representa grave problema de saúde pública, com elevadas taxas de prevalência em diversos países. O aumento de resistência do parasita e os efeitos colaterais dos fármacos de referência empregados no tratamento da giardíase, tornam necessário a busca de novos agentes terapêuticos. Produtos naturais, especialmente de origem vegetal, representam excelentes fontes de pesquisas. Este trabalho tem como objetivo revisar a literatura de extratos de plantas, frações e compostos químicos com estudos in vitro de avaliação da atividade giardicida. A revisão refere 153 (cento e cinqüenta e três) espécies vegetais de 69 (sessenta e nove) famílias que foram submetidas à avaliação da atividade giardicida. Descreve a distribuição geográfica das espécies vegetais, parte usada, preparação, cepa de Giardia lamblia testada e resultados por autores. Apresenta 101 (cento e um) compostos isolados de espécies vegetais classificados por classes químicas. Discute aspectos recentes da pesquisa de produtos naturais de origem vegetal empregados no tratamento da giardíase.

Intestinal infection caused by Giardia lamblia represents a serious public health problem, with increased rates of prevalence in numerous countries. Increased resistance of the parasite and the side-effects of the reference drugs employed in the treatment of giardiasis make necessary to seek new therapeutic agents. Natural products, especially of plant origin, represent excellent starting point for research. The objective of this study is to review the literature on plant extracts, fractions and chemical constituents whose giardicidal activity has been investigated in vitro. The review describes 153 (one hundred and fifty-three) plant species from 69 (sixty-nine) families that were evaluated for their giardicidal activity. The geographical distribution of the plant species, the part used, preparation, strain of Giardia lamblia tested and the results obtained by the authors are also given. One hundred and one compounds isolated from plant species, classified by chemical class, are presented. Recent aspects of research on natural products of plant origin employed in the treatment of giardiasis are also discussed.