RESUMO: Protozoários do gênero Phytomonas são parasitas prejudiciais a várias culturas agrícolas de importância econômica. Devido a sua atividade biológica reconhecida, extratos brutos de folhas de Piper aduncum, P. crassinervium, P. hispidum e P. amalago, foram testadas pela técnica de microdiluição em placa para avaliar o seu potencial antiparasitário contra Phytomonas serpens. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato bruto etanólico de P. crassinervium e P. amalago apresentaram as melhores concentrações inibitórias para 50% das células (IC50), 16,5 µg mL-1 na fase clorofórmio e 18 µg mL-1 na fase aquosa, respectivamente, após 48 h de tratamento. Análises de citotoxicidade foram realizadas através do método colorimétrico da sulforodamina-B, em células de mamíferos LLCMK2. A fase clorofórmio de P. crassinervium foi submetida ao processo de fracionamento, no qual as frações acetato de etila e diclorometano obtiveram melhores valores de IC50. Imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) mostraram alterações na membrana celular dos parasitas tratados com fase aquosa de P. amalago. Os dados obtidos indicam potencial efeito antiparasitário das espécies de Piper analisadas contra P. serpens, sendo consideradas candidatas promissoras para formulações de bioprodutos para controle do parasito.

ABSTRACT: Protozoa of the genus Phytomonas are harmful parasites to several agricultural crops of economic importance. Due to their recognized biological activity, crude extracts of Piper aduncum, P. crassinervium, P. hispidum, and P. amalago leaves, were tested using the microdilution plate technique to assess the antiparasitic potential against Phytomonas serpens. Results showed that the ethanolic crude extract of P. crassinervium and P. amalago presented the best inhibitory concentration for 50% of the cells (IC50), 16.5 µg mL-1 in chloroform phase, and 18 µg mL-1 in aqueous phase, respectively, after 48 h treatment. Cytotoxicity analyses were performed using the colorimetric method of sulforhodamine-B in LLCMK2 mammalian cells. The chloroform phase of P. crassinervium was subjected to the fractionation process, in which the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions obtained better IC50 values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed alterations in the cell membrane of the treated parasites. The data obtained indicate a potential antiparasitic effect of the Piper species analyzed against P. serpens, being considered promising candidates for formulations of bioproducts to control the parasite.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar o nível de instrução dos profissionais da área de estética em relação à utilização de filtro solar, e também identificar as orientações que estes passam aos seus pacientes. O estudo foi exploratório-descritivo, adotando a metodologia qualitativa ao entrevistar 30 profissionais da área. A coleta de dados foi feita por entrevistas semiestruturada na cidade de Maringá (PR). Os dados foram tratados com o software Atlas.ti a partir análise qualitativa e categorização das respostas. Dos entrevistados, 83,33% possuíam graduação em Estética, 20% participaram de atividade de formação continuada sobre o assunto, 73,17% adquirem o protetor solar pela qualidade, e 86,67% não conhecem filtros solares com componentes antirradicais livres naturais. Dos entrevistados, 80% nunca atenderam pacientes com câncer de pele, porém mencionaram ter conhecimento sobre os cuidados em relação à exposição solar e à forma de utilização do filtro solar e a relação dessas práticas com a doença. Os resultados mostraram que a indicação e o uso de filtro solar por profissionais da beleza vêm ocorrendo de maneira adequada e consciente.

Abstract The scope of this research was to establish the level of awareness of beauticians regarding the importance of the application of sunscreen and to identify whether their patients had been properly instructed by these professionals. It involved a descriptive and exploratory study with interviews applying qualitative methodology among 30 beauticians. Data were gathered using the semi-structured interview technique in Maringá, in the southern state of Paraná. The data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software after applying quantitative analysis and response classification. Of those interviewed, 83.33% had a degree in Aesthetics, 20% attended ongoing training activities on sunscreen and 73.17% acquired sunscreen for its quality, though 86.67% were not familiar with sunscreens with natural anti-free radical components. Of those interviewed, 80% had never treated patients with skin cancer, though they reported having knowledge of care in relation to sun exposure and how to use the sunscreen and the relationship of these practices with the disease. The results showed that the recommendations and use of sunscreen by beauticians and users has been conducted in an adequate and conscientious manner.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar o nível de instrução dos profissionais da área de estética em relação à utilização de filtro solar, e também identificar as orientações que estes passam aos seus pacientes. O estudo foi exploratório-descritivo, adotando a metodologia qualitativa ao entrevistar 30 profissionais da área. A coleta de dados foi feita por entrevistas semiestruturada na cidade de Maringá (PR). Os dados foram tratados com o software Atlas.ti a partir análise qualitativa e categorização das respostas. Dos entrevistados, 83,33% possuíam graduação em Estética, 20% participaram de atividade de formação continuada sobre o assunto, 73,17% adquirem o protetor solar pela qualidade, e 86,67% não conhecem filtros solares com componentes antirradicais livres naturais. Dos entrevistados, 80% nunca atenderam pacientes com câncer de pele, porém mencionaram ter conhecimento sobre os cuidados em relação à exposição solar e à forma de utilização do filtro solar e a relação dessas práticas com a doença. Os resultados mostraram que a indicação e o uso de filtro solar por profissionais da beleza vêm ocorrendo de maneira adequada e consciente.

Abstract The scope of this research was to establish the level of awareness of beauticians regarding the importance of the application of sunscreen and to identify whether their patients had been properly instructed by these professionals. It involved a descriptive and exploratory study with interviews applying qualitative methodology among 30 beauticians. Data were gathered using the semi-structured interview technique in Maringá, in the southern state of Paraná. The data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software after applying quantitative analysis and response classification. Of those interviewed, 83.33% had a degree in Aesthetics, 20% attended ongoing training activities on sunscreen and 73.17% acquired sunscreen for its quality, though 86.67% were not familiar with sunscreens with natural anti-free radical components. Of those interviewed, 80% had never treated patients with skin cancer, though they reported having knowledge of care in relation to sun exposure and how to use the sunscreen and the relationship of these practices with the disease. The results showed that the recommendations and use of sunscreen by beauticians and users has been conducted in an adequate and conscientious manner.

Objective identify the traditional use of medicinal plants by the elderly. Methods exploratory and descriptive study conducted in the Intermunicipal Consortium on Health. Three hundred and fifty-one questionnaires were applied to the elderly to survey socio-demographic information and issues related to plants. Results the use of plants was reported by 78.4% of the elderly, and these were collected in backyards. The most often cited plants were mint, boldo, fennel, lemongrass and chamomile. Regarding the reason for use, 33.3% participants said that “it’s not harmful to health”, 61.8% usually indicate the use to other people. Most elderly make use of plants in a safe manner, and these are present in the daily lives of these people as a therapeutic method. Conclusion the elderly make use of medicinal plants as an important therapeutic resource.

Objetivo identificar o uso tradicional de plantas medicinais por idosos. Métodos estudo exploratório-descritivo realizado em Consórcio Intermunicipal de Saúde. Foram aplicados 351 questionários aos idosos, contendo informações sociodemográficas e questões relacionadas às plantas. Resultados foi relatado o uso de plantas por 78,4% dos idosos, estas adquiridas em quintais. As mais citadas: hortelã, boldo, erva doce, capim limão e camomila. Com relação ao motivo de uso, 33,3% afirmaram “não fazer mal à saúde”, 61,8% indicavam o uso para outras pessoas. A maioria dos idosos utiliza-se das plantas de forma segura, estando presentes no cotidiano destas pessoas como uma forma terapêutica. Conclusão os idosos fazem uso das plantas medicinais, como um importante recurso terapêutico.

We evaluated the in vitro anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity and the cytotoxicity of dichloromethane extract and pure compounds from the leaves of Calophyllum brasiliense. Purification of the dichloromethane extract yielded the pure compounds (-) mammea A/BB (1), (-) mammea B/BB (2) and amentoflavone (3). The compound structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric data. The contents of bioactive compounds in the extracts were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet detector. The anti-M. tuberculosis activity of the extracts and the pure compounds was evaluated using a resazurin microtitre assay plate. The cytotoxicity assay was performed in J774G.8 macrophages using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide colourimetric method. The quantification of the dichloromethane extract showed (1) and (2) at concentrations of 31.86 ± 2.6 and 8.24 ± 1.1 µg/mg of extract, respectively. The dichloromethane and aqueous extracts showed anti-M. tuberculosis H37Rv activity of 62.5 and 125 µg/mL, respectively. Coumarins (1) and (2) showed minimal inhibitory concentration ranges of 31.2 and 62.5 µg/mL against M. tuberculosis H37Rv and clinical isolates. Compound (3) showed no activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The selectivity index ranged from 0.59-1.06. We report the activity of the extracts and coumarins from the leaves of C. brasiliense against M. tuberculosis.

Two natural amides isolated from the chloroform extract of Piper amalago L., Piperaceae, leaves, a hydrogenated derivative and seven synthetic analogs were tested against the promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The antileishmanial activity was evaluated in terms of growth inhibitory concentration for 50% of protozoa (IC50). The cytotoxicity toward the J774A1 macrophages was evaluated in terms of the cytotoxic concentrations for 50% of macrophages (CC50). The ability to induce nitric oxide production was also investigated for all compounds. The saturated amide 7-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-heptanone was obtained by hydrogenation of the natural compound N-[7-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2(Z),4(Z)-heptadienoyl]pyrrolidine. Synthetic amides were prepared by addition of the appropriate amine to the corresponding acyl chloride. The natural compound, N-[7-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2(E),4(E)-heptadienoyl]pyrrolidine, was the most active of all tested compounds against the promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms with IC50 values of 15 µM and 14.5 µM, respectively. None of the compounds modulated the production of nitric oxide.

In vitro activity of the essential oil from Piper diospyrifolium leaves was tested using disk diffusion techniques. The antifungal assay showed significant potencial antifungal activity: the oil was effective against several clinical fungal strains. The majority compounds in the essential oil were identified as sesquiterpenoids by GC-MS and GC-FID techniques.

O óleo essencial de Cymbopogon citratus cultivado em canteiro único e consorciado com Achillea millefolium, foi obtido por arraste a vapor e o rendimento de óleo em observação sazonal, tendo como parâmetros a temperatura, índices pluviométricos e período de coleta. Os melhores rendimentos foram observados para período matutino em dias com altas temperaturas e altos índices pluviométricos. A análise microbiana do óleo essencial de C. citratus foi determinada pela técnica de microdiluição em caldo (MIC) contra as leveduras Candida albicans e C. tropicali, e para as bactérias Escherichia coli, Sthaphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Os óleos essenciais obtidos do canteiro único e consorciado apresentaram atividade moderada frente às leveduras testadas (0,63 - 1,25 mg/mL). Para as bactérias, o óleo essencial da planta cultivada em canteiro único apresentou alta atividade frente ao Sthaphylococcus aureus (0,08 mg/mL), e foi inativo para as demais bactérias.

The essential oil of the plant Cymbopogon citratus, cultivated separately, and also joined with Achillea millefolium L, was obtained by the process of steam distillation. The oil yield was determined through seasonal variation, having as main parameters the temperature, the pluviometer indexes and the collection time. The best results were obtained in the morning period, during high-temperature-days presenting high pluviometer indexes. The microbiological analysis of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil against leavenings (Candida albicans and C. tropicalis), and against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Sthaphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was determined by micro-dilution in broth (MIC). The essential oils cultivated separately, and joined with Achillea millefolium L., presented moderate activity in relation to the tested yeasts (0.63 - 1.25 mg/mL-1). Regarding bacteria, the essential oil of the plant cultivated separately presented high activity in relation to Sthaphylococcus aureus (0.08 mg/mL). On the other hand, the oil revealed to be inactive against other bacteria.

Do extrato diclorometano do caule de Almeidea coerulea (Nees & Mart.) A. St.-Hil. foi isolado um triterpeno o 20-hidroxi-diidrolupeol (1), e do extrato metanólico foram isolados os alcalóides dictamina (2) e eskimianina (3), além de uma mistura dos esteróides sitosterol (4) e estigmasterol (5). A identificção substâncias foi realizada pela análise dos espectros de Massas, RMN ¹H, RMN 13C, HSQC, HMBC, e por comparação com dados da literatura.

From the dichloromethane extract of Almeidea coerulea stem one triterpene, 20-hydroxy-dihydrolupeol was isolated (1) and from the methanol extract the known alkaloids dictamnine (2) and skimmianine (3), as well the steroids sitosterol (4) and stigmasterol (5). The identification of these compounds was performed on the basis of spectroscopic analyses (MS, ¹H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC and HMBC) as well as comparison with literature data.

Extratos de folhas de Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) Yunck (Piperaceae), uma planta medicinal utilizada no Brasil para tratar doenças infecciosas, foram testados para a atividade antifúngica sobre as leveduras Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis e C. tropicalis. O extrato em acetato de etila apresentou boa atividade contra C. albicans com uma CIM de 125 mg µL-1, moderada atividade contra C. krusei e C. parapsilosis (CIM de 500 mg µL-1) e foi inativo contra C. tropicalis (CMI> 1000 mg µL-1). Com base nestes resultados, o extrato em acetato de etila foi fracionado em nove frações em cromatografia de coluna de sílica gel. As frações hexano e clorofórmio mostraram variados níveis de atividade antifúngica contra as leveduras testadas. Posterior separação da fração hexânica em cromatografia de coluna resultou nas substâncias puras eupomatenóide-6, eupomatenóide-5, eupomatenóide-3 e conocarpano. A elucidação estrutural das substâncias foi baseada em dados espectrais (RMN de ¹H e de 13C, HSQC, HMBC, gNOE, IV e EM). O conocarpano foi a única substância isolada, com atividade contra as leveduras. As propriedades antifúngicas do extrato de P. regnellii demonstraram preliminar validação científica do uso da planta na medicina popular.

Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) Yunck (Piperaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil to treat infectious diseases. The extracts obtained from the leaves of P. regnellii were investigated for their antifungal activities against the yeasts Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis. The EtOAc extract presented a significant activity against Candida albicans with MIC at 125 µg mL-1, and a moderate activity against both C. krusei and C. parapsilosis with MIC at 500 µg mL-1. Candida tropicalis was not inhibited by this extract at concentrations as high as 1000 µg mL-1. Based on these findings, the EtOAc extract was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography into nine fractions. The hexane and CHCl3 fractions showed varied levels of antifungal activity against all test yeasts. Further column chromatography separation of the hexane fraction afforded the pure compounds eupomatenoid-6, eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-3 and conocarpan. The structure of the compounds was based on spectral data (¹H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, gNOE, IR and MS). Conocarpan was the only active compound on the yeasts. The antifungal property of P. regnellii extract provides preliminary scientific validation for the traditional medicinal use of this plant.

The bioassay-guided fractionation against Biomphalaria glabrata of hydroalcoholic extracts of Calophyllum brasiliense aerial parts led to the isolation of the coumarin, named (-) mammea A/BB. The compound had its structure determined by both spectroscopic techniques (NMR ¹H, NMR 13C, gHSQC, gHMBC and MS) and some literature comparison data. The probit analysis of (-) mammea A/BB showed LD50 = 0.67 ppm and LD90 = 1.47 ppm. In addition, the dichloromethane extract obtained from C. brasiliense leaves with significant molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata was analyzed by HPLC-UV.

Este estudo descreve a triagem de extratos obtidos de 19 espécies de plantas usadas na medicina tradicional brasileira para o tratamento de várias doenças. Os extratos foram testados contra formas amastigota axênica e promastigota de Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, e formas epimastigota de Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro na concentração de 100 mg/ml. Baccharis trimera, Cymbopogon citratus, Matricaria chamomilla, Mikania glomerata, Ocimum gratissimum, Piper regnellii, Prunus domestica, Psidium guajava, Sambucus canadensis, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Tanacetum parthenium, e Tanacetum vulgare apresentaram efeito significante contra um ou ambos parasitas, com a porcentagem de inibição de crescimento entre 49,5 e 99%. Os extratos não mostraram efeito citotóxico em hemácias de carneiro. Essas plantas medicinais podem ser fontes alternativas de novos compostos clinicamente ativos contra L. amazonensis e T. cruzi.

This study describes the screening of extracts obtained from 19 species of plants used in Brazilian traditional medicine for treatment of a variety of diseases. The extracts were tested against axenic amastigote and promastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, and epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. Baccharis trimera, Cymbopogon citratus, Matricaria chamomilla, Mikania glomerata, Ocimum gratissimum, Piper regnellii, Prunus domestica, Psidium guajava, Sambucus canadensis, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Tanacetum parthenium, and Tanacetum vulgare showed significant effects against one or both parasites, with a percentage of growth inhibition between 49.5 and 99%. The extracts showed no cytotoxic effect on sheep erythrocytes. These medicinal plants may be sources of new compounds that are clinically active against L. amazonensis and T. cruzi.

The evaluation of the activity of the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Piper regnellii was tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The aqueous extractdisplayed a weak activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1000 µg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract presented a good activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC and MBC at 15.62 µg/ml. In contrast to the relative low MICs for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited by the extracts at concentrations < 1000 mg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on silica gel into nine fractions. The hexane and chloroform fractions were active against S. aureus (MIC at 3.9 µg/ml) and B. subtilis (MIC at 3.9 and 7.8 µg/ml, respectively). Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, the hexane fraction was rechromatographed to yield the antimicrobial compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6identified as eupomatenoid-6, eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-3, and conocarpan, respectively. The pure compounds 1 and 2 showed a good activity against S. aureus with MIC of 1.56 µg/ml and 3.12 µg/ml, respectively. Both compounds presented MIC of 3.12 µg/ml against B. subtilis. The pure compound 6 named as conocarpan was quite active against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC of 6.25 µg/ml. The antibacterial properties of P. regnellii justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, contaminated through bacteria infections.

Methanol extract obtained from Kielmeyera variabilis stems showed significant molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata. The phytochemical studies of the plants stem to the isolation of three xanthones (assiguxanthone-B, kielcorin and 1,3,5,6-tetrahtydroxy-2-prenylxanthone) and a organic acid (2,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid). The structures of these compounds were identified by IR, MS, ¹H and 13C NMR spectral analysis and comparison with literature data.

Extracts of 13 Brazilian medicinal plants were screened for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts. Of these, 10 plant extracts showed varied levels of antibacterial activity. Piper regnellii presented a good activity against Staphylococus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, a moderate activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a weak activity against Escherichia coli. Punica granatum showed good activity on S. aureus and was inactive against the other standard strains. Eugenia uniflora presented moderate activity on both S. aureus and E. coli. Psidium guajava,Tanacetum vulgare, Arctium lappa, Mikania glomerata, Sambucus canadensis, Plantago major and Erythrina speciosa presented some degree of antibacterial activity. Spilanthes acmella, Lippia alba, and Achillea millefolium were considered inactive. Five of the plant extracts presented compounds with Rf values similar to the antibacterial compounds visible on bioautogram. Of these, three plants belong to the Asteraceae family. This may mean that the same compounds are responsible for the antibacterial activity in these plants. Anticandidal activity was detected in nine plant extracts (P. guajava, E. uniflora, P. granatum, A. lappa, T. vulgare, M. glomerata, L. alba, P. regnellii, and P. major). The results might explain the ethnobotanical use of the studied species for the treatment of various infectious diseases.