Abstract Many people use medicinal plants to relieve disorders related to the central nervous system, such as depression, epilepsy, anxiety and pain, even though the effectiveness of most of them has not yet been proven through scientific studies. Plants of the Lippia genus, Verbenaceae, are widely used in ethnobotany as a food, for seasoning and in antiseptic remedies. They are also marketed and used for the treatment of different types of pain, including stomach ache, abdominal pain and headache, as well as being used as sedatives, anxiolytics and anticonvulsants. Despite their widespread use, there are no reviews on the central nervous system profile of plants of this genus. Therefore, the databases Medline-PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched using the terms Lippia and biologic activity. Thirty-five papers were found. Eleven species of Lippia showed central nervous system activity, with leaves and the aerial parts of plants being the most commonly used, especially in aqueous and ethanol extracts or volatile oil. The species are composed mainly of terpenoids and phenylpropanoids, including polyketides, flavonoids and in less quantity some alkaloids. Although several species of Lippia present analgesic activity, most studies have not explored the mechanisms responsible for this effect, however, there is some evidence that volatile oils and constituents of the extracts may be responsible for the relief of some CNS disorders, but the effects on pain modulation seem to be the most exploited so far.

The evaluation of the antioxidant activity has been a relevant and important issue to human health. Recent studies show that the use of plants juices or teas as sources of natural antioxidants, which can be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of several diseases. In this context, was evaluated the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracts of Psidium myrsinites DC. and Eugenia jambolana Lam. The total of phenols and flavonoids were quantified in the extracts. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated by the technique of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). According to the results, was showed a better antioxidant activity in the extract of Psidium myrsinites DC. A. In the TBARS assay with egg phospholipid the extracts reduced the basal levels in the process of lipid peroxidation and the IC50 of ethanol extract of Eugenia jambolana (EEFEJ) showed the best results with a lower value of IC50 compared with hydroethanol extract of Psidium mirsinites, demonstrating be more effective. Therefore, through these tests can be seen that extracts from the leaves of the species, Eugenia and Psidium jambolana Lam myrsinites DC. A., exhibit antioxidant activity, directly related phenolic substances produced from the secondary metabolism.

La evaluación de la actividad antioxidante ha sido una cuestión relevante teniendo en cuenta su importancia para la salud humana. Estudios recientes muestran que el uso de plantas en forma de jugos o tés como fuentes de antioxidantes naturales, que se pueden utilizar como complemento para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades. En este contexto, evaluado el potencial antioxidante in vitro, de extractos de Eugenia jambolana Lam y Psidium myrsinites DC. A. y cuantificar fenoles y flavonoides presentes en los extractos. La peroxidación lipídica ha sido evaluada por la técnica de TBARS (sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico). De acuerdo con los resultados, mostraron una mejor actividad antioxidante del extracto de psidium myrsinites DC. A. Para poner a prueba TBARS con fosfolípido de huevo extrae redujo los niveles basales en el proceso de peroxidación de lípidos, la CI50 del extracto etanolico de Euguenia jambolana (EEFEJ) mostró los mejores resultados, con un más bajo valor de la CI50 en comparación con el extracto hidroetanolico de Psidium mirsinites, demostrado ser más efectivo. Por lo tanto, a través de estas pruebas se puede ver que los extractos de las hojas de la especie, Eugenia jambolana Lam y Psidium myrsinites DC. A., la actividad antioxidante de exposiciones, sustancias fenólicas directamente relacionados producidos a partir de su metabolismo secundario.

Hoy en día, es ampliamente conocido que las cepas patógenas resistentes a antibioticos se están convirtiendo en uno de los mayores problemas de salud en el campo de la ciencias de la salud. También se sabe que los ácidos grasos pueden presentar actividad antimicrobiana. Los aceites de maíz y de soja son ricos en ácidos grasos. En este sentido, esta investigacion dirigida para evaluar la actividad antibacteriana y modulador de estos dos aceites fijos usados industrialmente. Ambas pruebas se realizaron utilizando el método de microdilución de concentración inhibitoria mínima en 1,024 mg/ml. La actividad de los aminoglucósidos se mejoró mediante la combinación de aceite de maíz usando E. coli 27. Uno de los mecanismos que podrían explicar la sinergia hacia el aceite de maíz, en parte, podría ser debido a la naturaleza hidrofóbica de los lípidos saturados e insaturados presentes en la muestra. Los resultados indican que los aceites fijos podrían desempeñar un papel como una forma alternativa para potenciar de los fármacos antimicrobianos.

Nowadays, it is widely known that resistant pathogenic strains are becoming one of the greatest health problems related to human sciences. It is also known that fatty acids can present antimicrobial activity. The corn and soy oils are rich in fatty acids. In this regard, this work aimed to evaluate antibacterial and modulatory activity of these two industrial fixed oils. Both tests were performed using the microdilution method to Minimum inhibitory concentration under 1024 mg/ml. The aminoglycosides activity was enhanced by combining corn oil using E. coli 27. One of the mechanisms that might explain the synergism toward the corn oil, in part, might be due to the hidrophobic nature of the saturated and unsaturated lipids present in the sample. The results indicate that fixed oils might play a role as an alternative way to potentiate of the antimicrobial drugs.

A leishmaniose e a doença de Chagas tem sido um grande desafio, no que diz respeito à sua terapêutica. Devido à grande dificuldade de encontrar fármacos que garantam uma ação terapêutica eficiente e menos agressora à espécie humana, diferentes produtos naturais vêm sendo testados. Muitas espécies vegetais foram investigadas quanto à sua ação leishmanicida e tripanocida na expectativa de que seus compostos metabólicos possuam atividade antiparasitária e ausência ou baixa citotoxicidade. Neste estudo sobre bioatividade do a-pineno e carvacrol, avaliaram-se os potenciais leishmanicida e tripanocida. O carvacrol apresentou um percentual de inibição de 38,34% e 74,12% para as formas promastigotas e epimastigotas respectivamente, na concentração de 100µg/mL, apresentando uma citotoxicidade de 21,62%. O a-pineno apresentou 100% e 5,30% de inibição para as formas epimastigota e promastigota na concentração de 100 µg/mL, com citotoxicidade de 87,88%.

Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease represent a great challenge against the modern therapeutics. Due the high difficult to find new drugs with therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity, several natural products had been screened. Many species of plants were investigated about their leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities. Some phytocompounds are the a-pinene and carvacrol. In this work, we evaluated the bioactivities of a-pinene and carvacrol against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania braziliensis cell lines. The carvacrol inhibited 38,34% and 74,12% of the promatigote and epimastigote forms, respectively at 100 µg/mL, showing a low cytotoxic activity (21,62%). The O a-pinene inhibited 100% and 5,30% against the epimastigote and promastigote forms respectively, at 100 µg/mL, showing a higher cytotoxic activity (87,88%).

Introducción. Algunas especies de Staphylococcus suelen ser reconocidas como agentes etiológicos de muchas infecciones oportunistas en animales y em humanos. Este estudio es la primera prueba del cambio en la resistencia de la actividad antibiótica por Croton campestris A. y Ocimum gratissimum L.contra cepas multirresistentes de Staphylococcus aureus. Objetivo. Ensayar la actividad antibacteriana de los extractos hexánicos y metanólicos de Croton campestris A. y Ocimum gratissimum L. sola y en combinación con norfloxacina sobre la cepa SA1199B. Materiales y métodos. Se analizó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) y el efecto modulador de los extractos usando el ensayo de microtitulación. Resultados. Por el hecho de que la CIM observada no era clínicamente relevante (CIM: 512 ≥ 1.024mg/ml), la actividad antibiótica de norfloxacina fue potenciada cuando se combinó este antibiótico conconcentraciones subinhibitorias de los extractos, principalmente con los extractos hexánicos. Conclusiones. Estos resultados indican que los extractos ensayados presentan compuestos que pueden ser utilizados como inhibidores putativos de la bomba de eflujo, lo que indica que Crotoncampestris A. y Ocimum gratissimum L. pueden ser una fuente de productos derivados de plantas conactividad modificadora de antibióticos.

Introduction: Some species of Staphylococcus are often recognized as etiological agents of many animal and human opportunistic infections. This study is the first test of change in resistance of antibiotic activity by Croton campestris A. and Ocimum gratissimum L. against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Objective: In this study, the hexane and methanol extract of Croton campestris A. and Ocimumgratissimum L. was tested for antibacterial activity alone and in combination with norfloxacin against the strain SA1199B. Materials and methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the modulatory effect ofextracts was assayed using microtitre assay. Results: By the fact of the MIC observed was not clinically relevant (MIC= 512 to ≥1.024 µg/ml), the antibiotic activity of norfloxacin was enhanced when this antibiotic was combined with sub-inhibitory concentrations of extracts, mainly the hexane extracts. Conclusions: These results indicate that the assayed extracts present compounds that can be used as a putative efflux pump inhibitor, indicating that Croton campestris A. and Ocimum gratissimum L. can be a source of plant derived products with antibiotic modifier activity.

A dinâmica das populações bacterianas meso e termofílicas foi estudada no solo sem raízes e rizosférico associado à gramínea Aristida adscensionis L. na caatinga da zona semi árida do nordeste brasileiro. As bactérias totais heterotróficas, as bactérias esporuladoras e actinomicetos mesofílicos foram significativamente mais abundantes que os termofílicos, suas contagens variando na ordem de 10(6) - 10(7) UFC g-1 de solo seco, apresentando flutuações discretas ao longo de um período de um ano. Microrganismos termófilos foram encontrados numa ordem de 10(6) UFC g-1 de solo seco e demonstraram, em geral, flutuações mais evidentes durante o mesmo período de estudo. Entre os termófilos, os actinomicetos apresentaram um maior declínio durante a estação seca. Nenhuma diferença significativa no número de microrganismos foi observada entre o solo rizosférico e o solo não rizosférico. As bactérias mesofílicas mais observadas foram as filamentosas Gram positivas (actinomicetos) e os bastonetes esporulantes Gram positivos. Todos os isolados termofílicos foram bactérias esporuladoras Gram positivas em forma de bacilo. A maioria dos isolados mesofílicos produziu amilases e proteases, enquanto que 38% das linhagens produziram todas as enzimas extracelulares estudadas: amilases, proteases, celulases e quitinases. Entre as bactérias termofílicas, todos os isolados apresentaram atividade proteolítica e 77% produziram amilases, mas nenhum produziu quitinases ou celulases.

The dynamics of mesophilic and thermophilic bacterial population was studied in the bulk soil and rhizosphere of the grass Aristida adscensionis L. in a caatinga of the semi-arid Brazilian Northeast. Mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria, sporeforming bacteria and actinomycetes were significantly more abundant than thermophiles, and their counts were 10(6) - 10(7) CFU g-1 dry soil, showing weak fluctuations over the one-year study period. Thermophiles were below 10(6) CFU g-1 dry soil and, in general, demonstrated stronger fluctuations over the studied period. Among them, thermophilic actinomycetes showed the greatest decline during the dry season. No significant differences in microbial number were observed between bulk and rhizosphere soil. Mesophilic bacteria were represented mainly by Gram positive, filamentous organisms (actinomycetes) and by Gram positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped organisms. All isolates of thermophilic bacteria were Gram positive, endospore-forming rods. Most of mesophilic isolates produced amylases and proteases, and 38% of isolates produced all studied extracellular enzymes: amylases, proteases, cellulases and chitinases. Among thermophilic bacteria, all isolates showed proteolytic activity and 77% produced amylases, but no one produced cellulases or chitinases.