Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Segundo a OrganizaÃÃo Mundial de SaÃde, medicina tradicional à a soma das experiÃncias prÃprias de uma cultura, utilizada para prevenir, tratar e curar doenÃas fÃsicas e mentais. No Nordeste brasileiro, o uso de plantas medicinais como prÃtica terapÃutica està constantemente presente. Nesse contexto, os mercados pÃblicos abrigam os herbanÃrios, orientadores do uso e preparo de plantas, conservando a transmissÃo oral. A etnobotÃnica surge como mediadora entre os discursos cientÃfico e tradicional, envolvendo o fator cultural e sua interpretaÃÃo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar as prÃticas populares e tradicionais de uso de plantas medicinais comercializadas em trÃs mercados pÃblicos do Nordeste brasileiro. Caracterizou-se como observacional, descritivo e exploratÃrio, realizado nos mercados SÃo SebastiÃo, CearÃ, Central de JoÃo Pessoa, ParaÃba e SÃo JosÃ, Pernambuco, no perÃodo de fevereiro a agosto de 2011. Aplicou-se um questionÃrio abordando questÃes socioeconÃmicas, sobre o comÃrcio de plantas e informaÃÃes sobre cada espÃcie vegetal vendida. Participaram 33 herbanÃrios cadastrados nesses mercados, destes, 57,6% do sexo feminino (n=19), 24,2% possuÃam mais de 60 anos de idade e 96,9% eram naturais do Nordeste (n=32). Em relaÃÃo à escolaridade, 42,4% concluÃram o ensino mÃdio (n=14). Vendiam em mÃdia 40 unidades de espÃcies vegetais por dia, sendo a remuneraÃÃo inferior a um salÃrio mÃnimo mensal em 28,5% dos casos (n=6), dentre os que responderam essa questÃo. O tempo mÃdio de trabalho nesse ofÃcio foi de 16 anos. Utilizavam como fonte de conhecimento as relaÃÃes interpessoais 37% (n=29), e 9,63% jà participaram de algum treinamento sobre o manejo de plantas medicinais (n=3). Do total de espÃcies citadas (n=311), chegou-se ao nÃmero de 43 coincidentes nos trÃs mercados. Calculou-se a importÃncia relativa (IR) , sendo as plantas de maior destaque: alecrim (IR=1,87); jatobà (IR=1,72) e eucalipto (IR=1,44). ApÃs identificaÃÃo botÃnica do material-testemunho, confirmou-se a indicaÃÃo popular para o alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). As amostras de jatobà fornecidas por fornecedores do Mercado Central de JoÃo Pessoa estavam infÃrteis, impossibilitando a identificaÃÃo precisa (Hymenaea aff courbaril.). Jà as do Cearà e Pernambuco, foram identificadas como Hymenea stignocarpa Hayde O eucalipto comercializado era o Eucalyptus citriodora, o qual, segundo à literatura cientÃfica, deveria ser utilizado como desinfetante domÃstico. Foi observado, tambÃm, o Fator do Consenso do Informante (FCI), sendo o tratamento para transtornos do sistema respiratÃrio o mais prevalente (FCI=0,65), apresentando 64 espÃcies citadas e 17 tipos de usos distintos reportados. A ausÃncia de atividades em grupo prejudica a qualidade desse ofÃcio, colocando em risco a saÃde da populaÃÃo que recorre aos herbanÃrios na esperanÃa de cura para seus males. A realizaÃÃo de oficinas educativas sobre o uso adequado de plantas medicinais poderia qualificar essa profissÃo, estimular a entrada de mais pessoas nessa atividade e (re)conquistar da sociedade brasileira o reconhecimento das prÃticas populares e tradicionais do uso de plantas medicinais. / According to the World Health Organization, traditional medicine is the sum of personal experiences of a culture resorted to prevent, treat and cure physical and mental diseases. In northeastern Brazil, the use of medicinal plants as a therapeutic practice is diffusely present. In this context, public markets shelter herbalists, guiding the use and preparation plant, conserving the oral transmission. The Ethnobotany arises as a mediator between scientific and traditional discourses involving the cultural factor and its interpretation. The aim was to investigate the popular and traditional practices of medicinal plants using commercialized in three public markets in Northeast Brazil. It was characterized as observational, descriptive and exploratory, held in SÃo SebastiÃo (CE), Central (PB) and SÃo Josà (PE) markets in the period from February to August 2011. It was applied a questionnaire addressing socioeconomic issues on the trade of plants and information about each species sold. 33 participants registered herbalists, of whom 57.6% were female (n = 19), 24.2% were older than 60 years old and 96.9% were born in the Northeast (n = 32). Regarding education, 42.4% completed high school (n = 14). They sold an average of 40 units per day, and getting less than the minimum monthly wage by 28.5% of cases (n = 6), among those who answered this question. The average working time in this job was 16 years. Used as a source of knowledge the interpersonal relationships 37% (n = 29) and 9.63% have attended some training on the management of medicinal plants (n = 3). Of the species mentioned (n = 311), came to the number of 43 matching the three markets. We calculated the relative importance (RI), and the most outstanding plants: rosemary (RI = 1.87); jatobà (RI = 1.72) and eucalyptus (RI = 1.44). After botanical identification of the material-witness, it was confirmed the nomination popular to rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). The samples provided by middlemen jatobà Central Market, PB, were infertile, precluding accurate identification (Hymenaea courbaril aff.). The samples from Ceara and Pernambuco were identified as Hymenea stignocarpa Hayde. The Eucalyptus was sold, which, according to scientific literature should be used as a household disinfectant. It was also observed, the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and treatment for disorders of the respiratory system the most prevalent (ICF = 0.65), with 64 species listed and 17 different types of uses reported. The absence of group activities affect the quality of that office, putting at risk the health of the population that uses the herbalists hoping the cure for their ills. The educational workshops on the proper use of medicinal plants could qualify these professionals, stimulate the entry of more people in this activity and (re)gain the recognition of Brazilian society practices of popular and traditional use of medicinal plants.

Cordia ecalyculata Vell. (Boraginaceae), espécie medicinal vulgarmente conhecida como porangaba e chá-de-bugre, é utilizada popularmente como emagrecedor, diurético, para curar tosses catarrais e reumatismos além de ser usada no tratamento de úlceras externas em forma de banhos. No Brasil existe grande confusão com relação aos nomes populares das espécies medicinais, fato que motivou a realização do presente trabalho. A espécie estudada é confundida com outras espécies vegetais, particularmente com Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Flacourtiaceae), também conhecida pelos nomes de guaçatonga e erva-de-bugre. O estudo farmacobotânico de C. ecalyculata revelou estruturas papilosas na epiderme e células esclereificadas no parênquima cortical, que não haviam sido descritas anteriormente. Foram listadas as principais diferenças morfoanatômicas entre as folhas de C. sylvestris e C. ecalyculata. auxiliares na diagnose da droga vegetal comercializada. As amostras adquiridas no comércio como porangaba não apresentaram características de C. ecalyculata, mas sim, de C. sylvestris, como: duas a três camadas de parênquima paliçádico; cavidades secretoras; drusas e cristais prismáticos em abundância; estômatos paracíticos; células epidérmicas poligonais; ausência de litocistos e areia cristalina. Fotomicrografias ilustram o trabalho. A triagem fitoquímica do extrato hidroetanólico liofilizado (EHEL) de C. ecalyculata apresentou resultado positivo para taninos, flavonóides e saponinas. A análise cromatográfica permitiu verificar a presença de substância coincidente com a alantoína no extrato de C. ecalyculata, além de possibilitar o desenvolvimento do perfil cromatográfico, auxiliar na diferenciação de C. sylvestris. Os ensaios de quantificação de alantoína no EHEL foram realizados por meio de dois métodos espectrofotométricos, cujos valores encontrados foram 0,68% e 0,70% de alantoína. O EHEL não apresentou róxicidade no ensaio de toxicidade aguda, na dose de 5 g/kg de massa corpórea do animal, por via oral. O experimento de atividade antiúlcera do EHEL de C. ecalyculata não apresentou diferenças significativas entre os animais controle e tratados. / Cordia ecalyculata Vell. (Boraginaceae) is a medicinal species most known as porangaba and chá-de-bugre. It is commonly used as diuretic, weight controller, for phleem cough healing, rheumatism healing and also in baths for externai ulcers treatment. The present work aims at clarifying the popular names of medicinal species often misnamed in Brazil. For example, the species cited above has always been mistaken as Casearia sylvestris Swartz. (Flacourtiaceae), also known as guaçatonga and erva-de-bugre. The pharmacological-botanical study of C. ecalyculata revealed papillary structures on the epidermis and sclerenchymatous cells on the cortical parenchyma which had not yet been described in the literature. The main morphological-anatomical differences between the C. sylvestris and the C. ecalyculata leaves were listed. These differences have been of great help concerning the diagnosis of commercialized vegetal drug. The commercialized samples do not show the features of the C. ecalyculata, but the features of the C. sylvestris, such as: two or three palisade parenchyma layers; secretive cavities; plenty of druses and prismatic crystals; paracytic stomata; polygonal epidermical cells; absence of lythocysts and crystal-sand, as it can be seen in the illustrative photomicrographies. The phytochemical screening of the lyophilized hydroethanolical extract (EHEL) of the C. ecalyculata showed a positive outcome for tannins, flavonoids and saponins. The chromatographic analysis not only allowed the evaluation of the coincident substance with the allantoin in the C. ecalyculata extract, but also enable the development of its chromatographic aspect, what eventually helped to differenciate it from C. sylvestris. The quantification assays of allantoin in the EHEL extract of the C. ecalyculata were performed through two spectrophotometric methods and the values found were 0,68% and 0,70% of allantoin. The EHEL extract displayed no toxicity in the acute toxicity trial in the 5 g/kg oral dosage per animal body weight. The anti-ulcer assay of this extract showed no meaningful differences among the subject and the treated animais.

Orientador: Alba Regina Monteiro Souza Brito / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T07:29:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dunder_RicardoJose_D.pdf: 2426258 bytes, checksum: 9743b73aabe9418e5f23aa0021ea18ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A inflamação é uma resposta do sistema imune a patógenos ou a traumas físicos e químicos; sua evolução pode resultar em resolução dos danos ou tornar-se crônica. Como tal, trata-se de um fenômeno complexo envolvendo inúmeros mediadores como o NF-?B, que promove a liberação de citocinas e enzimas pró-inflamatórias seguidas por uma infiltração de leucócitos, resultando nos cinco sinais cardinais: calor, rubor, tumor (edema), dor e perda de função. A aplicação de metabólitos secundários de plantas é uma alternativa para o tratamento da dor e inflamação. Dentre estes metabólitos, os alcaloides recebem especial atenção já que a morfina é o mais potente analgésico conhecido. Neste trabalho o potencial anti-inflamatório e analgésico de outro alcaloide, o índigo (1.5, 3.0 e 6.0 mg/kg), obtido a partir de Indigofera truxillensis (Leguminosae), foi analisado em modelos de edema (de orelha induzido por xilol e ácido araquidônico, e de pata induzido por carragenina) e de migração celular (granuloma cotton pellet e pleurisia). Nesses modelos, o índigo apresentou redução significativa do edema e do infiltrado celular, principalmente de polimorfonucleares. Análises por ELISA (em lavado pleural) revelaram que o alcaloide diminuiu os níveis de MPO, nitrito e nitrato, PGE2 e TNF-?, além de apresentar redução significativa na expressão da COX-2 avaliadas por western blot e imuno-histoquímica. A redução dos mediadores sugere que o índigo possa ter ação anti-inflamatória envolvendo NF-?B, já que tal atividade foi confirmada por western blot. Nos modelos de dor inflamatória (teste de Randall & Selitto, contorções abdominais e formalina) o alcaloide novamente demonstrou resposta significativa, muito provavelmente por reduzir os mediadores inflamatórios envolvidos. O índigo aumentou a latência em modelos de dor induzido por estímulo térmico (tail flick e placa quente) e capsaicina, ambos envolvidos com atividade do TRPV1, mas não demonstrou interação alguma com receptores opioides no modelo de formalina com reversão por naloxona. Os resultados sugerem que o índigo possui ação anti-inflamatória devido um possível mecanismo de ação COX-2 e NF-?B. É provável que a redução desses mediadores contribua para ação analgésica na dor inflamatória e também para redução da dor periférica / Abstract: The inflammation is an immune system response to pathogens, chemical or physical traumas; this evolution may result in damage, or become chronic. It is a complex phenomenon, which involves several mediators, such as NF-?B that promotes the release of cytokines and pro-inflammatory enzymes followed by leukocyte infiltration; resulting in five cardinal signs: heat, redness, tumour, pain and loss of function. The application of secondary metabolites of plants is an alternative for treatment of pain and inflammation. Among the metabolites, the alkaloids receive special emphasis such as morphine, a potent analgesic. In this work, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of indigo alkaloid (1.5, 3.0 e 6.0 mg/kg), obtained from Indigofera truxillensis (Leguminosae) was observed in edema models (xylene and arachidonic acid ear edema and carrageenan hind paw) and cellular infiltration (granuloma cotton pellet e pleurisy). In these models, indigo presented significant reduction of edema and cellular infiltration, mainly polimorphonuclears. ELISA analyses revealed that alkaloid decreased the levels of MPO, nitrite and nitrate, PGE2 and TNF-?, as well as the expression of COX-2 by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The reduction of mediators suggests that indigo could have anti-inflammatory an action that involves NF-?B, this activity was seen again by western blot. Randall & Selitto, abdominal writhing and formalin models of inflammatory pain were also performed and the alkaloid, over again, showed significant statistic response, probably by the reduction of inflammatory mediators. Indigo was also evaluated in neurogenic models of pain and demonstrated an increase of the latency in thermal stimuli (tail flick and hot plate tests) and capsaicin tests implicated with TRPV1 activity, however, the alkaloid did not show any interaction with opioid receptors in the formalin test with naloxone reversal. These results suggest that indigo has an anti-inflammatory action that may be involved with COX-2 and NF-?B, the reduction of these mediators contributed to the analgesic action in inflammatory pain and also to the reduction in peripheral pain / Doutorado / Farmacologia / Doutor em Farmacologia

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Biological Sciences, Technikon Natal, 2000. / This study focussed on the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal activity of four plant extracts, maackiain and formononetin from Virgilia oroboides and chlorophorin and lroko from Chlorophora excelsa / M

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Since Helichrysum is known by the indigenous people of Africa for therapeutic properties, such as against colds, flu and wounds, the aim of this study was to focus on the patulum species found predominantly in the Western Cape region of South Africa and by means of isolation and identification of the plant constituents, be able to relate the therapeutic activity on the basis of literature precedents, to the compounds extracted. / South Africa

Radix Astragali (the dried root of Astragalus membranaceous (Fisch) Bge.) and Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis (the dried stem of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo) are two traditional Chinese tonic herbs. They are commonly used in the formula with other Chinese herbs for tonifying Qi, nourishing Yin, and treating various kinds of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, inflammation, etc. The polysaccharides are considered the majority of the chemical components of decoction boiled from a formula including these two medicinal herbs. The previous study showed that the polysaccharides isolated from Radix Astragali (named RAP) and Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis (named DOP) have various pharmacological activities and most of their activities are closely related to their immunomodulating effects. Nonetheless, the exact mechanism of their immunomodulating effects, especially on macrophages is not known clearly. In the current study, we have conducted a comprehensive investigation of the bioactive properties and molecular mechanism of immunomodulating activities of DOP and RAP. We aimed to clarify the molecular immunomodulating mechanism of RAP on macrophages and the actual anti-fatigue activity of DOP in vivo. Results can be summarized as follows: RAP itself did not have any cytotoxic effect on mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells, but it significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of the supernatant of RAW264.7cells on 4T1 cells. Furthermore, RAP enhanced the production of NO and cytokines in RAW264.7 cells, and significantly up-regulated gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS. All these bioactivities were blocked by the inhibitor of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4), suggesting that TLR4 is a receptor of RAP and mediates its immunomodulating activity. Further analyses demonstrated that RAP rapidly activated TLR4-related MAPKs, including phosphorylated ERK, phosphorylated JNK, and phosphorylated p38, and induced translocation of NF-κB as well as degradation of IκB-α. In addition, RAP induced higher gene expression of M1 marker, including iNOS, IL-6, TNF-a, CXCL10, compared with those of control group. RAP-induced BMDMs were polarized from M2 to M1 phenotypes. RAP stimulated RAW264.7 cells to express Notch1, Notch2, Jaddge1, Dll1 and SOCS3. Notch signaling pathway played an important role in the RAP-induced polarization of M1 phenotype macrophages. The RAP-induced BMDMs exhibited anti-cancer effect when they were transplanted with 4T1 cells together in vivo and it decreased tumor volume and tumor weight. DOP, the authentication marker of Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis, has immunomodulating activity in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. DOP enhanced cell proliferation, TNF-α secretion, and phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner. It induced the proliferation of lymphocytes alone and with mitogens. For further study the anti-fatigue effect of DOP in vivo, the weight-loaded swimming test was used, because it is an effective method for evaluation of the extent of fatigue. The results indicated that DOP treatment significantly increased the swimming endurance time, body weight, and food intake, compared to the positive control Rhodiola rosea extract. Moreover, the weight-loaded swimming test decreased the levels of glycogen in gastrocnemius muscle, SOD, GSH-Px in serum, and increased the levels of LDH, BUN, MDA, CK, TG, and LD in serum. All of these indicators of fatigue were inhibited to a certain extent by both DOP and Rhodiola rosea extract, and DOP's effects are stronger. Furthermore, DOP-feeding mice showed significantly increased cell variability of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes, compared with control mice. In conclusion, RAP may induce cytokine production of RAW264.7 cells through TLR4-mediated activation of MAPKs and NF-κB. RAP-induced BMDMs were polarized from M2 to M1 phenotypes through Notch signaling pathway. The unique and dominant polysaccharide DOP is proven to be major, active polysaccharide markers of D. officinale, and showed stronger anti-fatigue activity than Rhodiola rosea extract. As such, DOP has promising potential for pharmaceutical development into anti-fatigue health product.

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

M.Sc. / The continued use and popularity of plant based traditional medicine necessitates scientific validation of the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants through phytochemical and pharmacological screening as well as the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds. Since the pharmacological effectiveness of medicinal plants is affected by several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, studies on the variations on chemical composition and biological activity are important as well. These provide a scientific rationale for using plants from different regions for the same medicinal purposes and allow traditional healers and consumers to make informed decisions with regard to the collection and use. Rapanea melanophloeos is a popular medicinal plant from the Myrsinaceae family widely distributed in southern Africa. It‟s bark, fruits and rarely the leaves are used traditionally for ailments ranging from stomach disorders, respiratory problems to disorders of the nervous system. Available chemical information reports on the accumulation of benzoquinones as major compounds, as well as some triterpenoid saponins and tannins. In view of the plant‟s wide distribution and medicinal use of different plant parts, this study comparatively evaluated the chemical composition of various crude extracts of the leaves, fruits and bark of plants collected from six localities. This was coupled with antibacterial tests to evaluate the therapeutic potential of different solvent extracts of the leaves, fruits and bark as well as the isolation of bioactive compounds from the fruits. Plants were collected from six different localities between Swaziland and South Africa and sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water as a series of increasingly polar solvents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), Gas-Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were used to obtain a semi-quantitative chemical composition profile of different extracts. The TLC fingerprints of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed the accumulation of non-polar terpenes, benzoquinones, saponins, tannins and flavonoids in the three plant parts. Slight variations in the chemical composition of the leaves, bark, and fruits were noted. Some components occurred in specific plant parts and others occurred in all three plants. The chemical profile of the leaves and bark were quite comparable in most instances with the fruits showing a generally different profile. This confirms previous literature reports on the comparability of leaves and the bark accounting for interchangeable use in traditional medicine.

Ph.D. (Chemistry) / The following study was conducted to explore the in vitro antimicrobial and synergistic properties of the two medicinal plants (Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Fabaceae and Pentanisia prunelloides, Rubiaceae), which are widely used in southern Africa. These two plant species are used to remedy various ailments including diarrhoea, dysentery, inflammation, fever, rheumatism, heartburn, tuberculosis, haemorrhoids, skin diseases, perforated peptic ulcers and sore joints. The cytotoxicity of the aqueous and methanol extracts and fractions of both species was studied using the brine shrimp lethality tests for the first time. The results demonstrated that the lethality (LC₅₀) for crude extracts for both plants ranged between 1.8 and 18 μg/mL which was relatively greater than the fractions of the extracts. This suggested that crude extracts were more potent than their respective fractions which further implied that the different fractions of phytochemicals in these plant species work jointly (In synergy) to exert their therapeutic efficacy. The antimicrobial activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of rhizomes was investigated by means of a checkerboard micro-dilution technique in a bid to validate possible synergistic interactions between the two plants...

M.Sc. / A biosystematic study of the genus Sutherlandia (L.) R. Br., a poorly studied genus with confusing geographical variants, is presented. The species of Sutherlandia are all endemic to southern Africa. The species are very closely related and problems regarding their taxonomy are discussed. A few morphological characters that are useful in distinguishing amongst species are illustrated and discussed in detail. Morphological data are used to investigate infrageneric relationships in a phenetic analysis of 51 geographically separated populations. Sutherlandia has traditional medicinal uses, mainly as an anti-cancer treatment for internal cancers and as a general tonic. A survey of chemical compounds was done and the results are illustrated and presented in tables. The nature of this study did not allow detailed medical investigations, but the medicinal value of Sutherlandia and the compounds detected are highlighted. It is suggested that the anti-cancer activity can mainly be ascribed to the high levels of canavanine, a non-protein amino acid, in the leaves of the plant. Canavanine, an arginine analogue, is known for its antitumourigenic properties. The value of the plant as a bitter tonic is probably related to the presence of several triterpenoids, some of which may well also have other beneficial effects. Enzyme electrophoresis was done to explore genetic relationships amongst the numerous regional forms of Sutherlandia. A study of 19 populations showed that they are all closely related and that a more conservative treatment of the taxa is called for. As a result the number of taxa is reduced. A complete taxonomic revision of the genus is presented. The number of species is reduced from six to two, namely S. frutescens and S. tomentosa. The former is divided into three subspecies, namely subsp. frutescens, subsp. microphylla and subsp. speciosa. Some regional forms are described and illustrated, but these are not formally recognised as taxa. A key to the species, subspecies and regional forms is provided, and the. nomenclature, typification, description and geographical distribution for each of the taxa are given. The multidisciplinary approach of this study provided a better understanding of the morphological, chemical and genetic variation in this relatively poorly known but potentially valuable ornamental and medicinal plant.