Se evaluó el efecto cardiovascular en ratas inducido por la fracción butanólica de las hojas de Calea prunifolia H.B.K., examinando el efecto generado en preparaciones de anillos aislados de aorta y conducto deferente, y los cambios de presión arterial en ratas wistar anestesiadas y despiertas. También se cuantificó el efecto sobre la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA) en plasma y sobre el calcio citosólico en cardiomiocitos y uteromiocitos. Los resultados mostraron que la fracción butanólica de C. prunifolia (0,1-100 µg/mL) relajaba anillos de aorta contraídos con fenilefrina (CI50: 58 µg/mL) y disminuía la contracción del conducto deferente inducido por noradrenalina con un perfil de inhibición competitiva (pA2: 4.48, m: 1.024). La fracción butanólica de C. prunifolia disminuye la presión sanguínea en ratas anestesiadas en función de la dosis (1-100 mg/kg, i.v.), si bien estuvo desprovista de efectos hipotensores en ratas despiertas. C. prunifolia tampoco modificó el efecto hipertensor inducido por el inhibidor de óxido nítrico sintetasa L-NAME, ni los niveles de ECA, ni la concentración de calcio citosólico en cardio y uteromiocitos. De acuerdo con estos resultados, C. prunifolia relaja el músculo liso y disminuye el tono vascular favoreciendo la disminución de la presión arterial en ratas por medio de mecanismos vinculados con la inhibición alfa adrenérgica.

The butanol-containing fraction from leaves of Calea prunifolia H.B.K. was obtained in order to examine cardiovascular effects on two distinct rat preparations. The responses elicited in isolated aorta and isolated vas deferens, were examined, as were the changes in blood pressure in anesthetized and conscious Wistar rats. In addition, the effects on angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in plasma and the effects on cytosolic calcium in cardiomyocytes and uterine cells were measured. Results show that the butanol-containing fraction from C. prunifolia (0.1-100 µg/mL) relaxes phenylephrine-induced contractions in isolated aorta (CI50: 58 µg/mL), decreases the contractile response induced by noradrenaline in vas deferens, and shows a competitive antagonism profile (pA2: 4.48, m: 1024). The butanol-containing fraction from C. prunifolia also decreases blood pressure in anesthetized rats in a dose-dependent manner (1-100 mg/kg, i.v.), yet is devoid of hypotensive effects in normotensive, conscious rats. In addition, C. prunifolia does not modify the hypertensive effects induced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, and it also does not affect the angiotensin-converting enzyme plasma activity nor the cytosolic calcium in cardiomyocytes and uterine cells. According to these results, C. prunifolia relaxes smooth muscle and vascular tone, favoring the decrease in blood pressure in rats via mechanisms related to alpha adrenergic inhibition.

The aqueous extract (AE) and isolated fraction (ppt-3) of Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J. F. Macbr (sete-sangrias) were tested using models of nociception and inflammation in mice. Oral administration (p.o.) of the AE (10 to 100 mg/kg) and fraction ppt-3 (0.1 to 10 mg/kg) reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice by 40 to 50% and by 46 to 70% of control, respectively. At the same doses AE and ppt-3 did not affect the tail flick response. Fraction ppt-3 also reduced the carrageenininduced paw edema, but at a dose 1000 times higher than that inducing antinociception. The results indicated the presence in the plant of antinociceptive constituents devoid of antiinflammatory activity, with actions apparently mediated by non-opioid mechanisms.

On a preliminary test, anti-inflammatory and analgesic dose-related activities on rats were observed for the aqueous fraction of Urera baccifera; this extract was bioassay-guided fractionated and the final aqueous fraction was used according the ethnobotanical use. Carrageenan-induced edema (n=6), was used as an assay in the fractionating process. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the final aqueous fraction were studied using in vivo models. For the anti-inflammatory activity rat paw edema (n=6), pleurisy induced by carrageenan (n=6) and ear edema induced by topical croton oil (n=6) models were used, and tail-flick test (n=6), abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid (n=6), and formalin test (n=6), were used for the antinociceptive activity. The tests performed showed an inhibition effect on leukocyte migration, and a reduction on pleural exudate, as well as dose-dependant peripheral analgesic activity, at a range of 25-100 mg/kg i.p. The final aqueous fraction contains most of the anti-inflammatory activity of the plant U. baccifera. A possible mechanism of action is discussed and based on the results we conclude that this plant has a potential for both anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity at the clinical level.

The hydroalcoholic extract of the powdered bark of the Indian-snuff Maquira sclerophylla Ducke was purified by column chromatography in silica-gel and the major cardenolide isolated from preparative TLC was identified by 1H-NMR, 1 2 C-NMR and IR analyses. The spectra showed that the active substance has strophanthidin as aglicone.

O "chá de bugre", Casearia sylvestris Sawartz tem sido popularmente usado com várias finalidades. Mais recentemente lhe tem sido atribuído características abortivas. Esta possibilidade levou-nos a avaliar a toxicidade dos extratos brutos de suas folhas e os efeitos no útero sobre a motilidade espontânea e as contrações induzidas pela ocitocina. A dose letal média do extrato aquoso a quente é de 1,792g de resíduo por quilo de peso, para camundongos albinos. Com a solução aquosa do extrato etanólico observamos, "in vitro", na motilidade espontânea uterina de ratos aumento da freqüência de contração e do tonus basal e diminuição da amplitude de contração; na curva dose-resposta à ocitocina, diminuição da resposta máxima e aumento da dose efetiva média. O extrato aquaso a frio produziu, na motilidade espontânea uterina, aumento de todos os parâmetros observados; na curva-dose-resposta à ocitocina, também aumentou a resposta máxima, diminuindo, entretanto, sua dose efetiva média. Os resultados sugerem que os extratos de folhas de C.sylvestrissão capazes de modificar a atividade uterina "in vitro". Estes dados poderiam explicar o uso abortivo.

The "chá de bugre", Casearia sylvestris Swartz has been popularly used for several purposes. More recently, abortive characteristics have been attributed to it. This possibility has prompted us to evaluate the toxicity of its crude natural products and their "in vitro" effects on uterine motility. The median lethal dose of the aqueous extract from C.sylvestrisleaves is 1792g/kg, in albino mice. With the aqueous solution of the ethanol extract we have observed "in vitro" on rat uterine spontaneous motility; increase of frequency of contraction, elevation of resting tone and decrease in the amplitude of contraction. This solution of ethanol extract has reduced the maximum response and increased the median effective dose (ED50) to oxytocin. The aqueous mecerated solution, a kind of galenical preparation, has increased all the parameters observed on uterine spontaneous motility; it has also affected the cumulative dose-response of oxytocin by increasing the maximum response and decreasing the ED50. These results suggest that extracts from leaves of C. sylvestris are able to modify, "in vitro", uterine activity. These data are in agrument with the popular use of this plant as abortive, in our country.