Eucomis L’ Hér. is a genus of 10 species that fall within the Hyacinthaceae family. Eucomis zambesiaca Baker is a summer-blooming bulbous geophyte occurring from northern South Africa to Malawi. Eucomis species are used in southern African traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments, in particular, pain and inflammation. As a result, the bulbs are heavily harvested for trade in South Africa’s traditional ‘muthi’ markets. Over-collection of Eucomis species has seriously depleted natural populations and now Eucomis plants are among the 15 scarcest medicinal species to be traded. Micropropagation is a useful technique for rapid clonal multiplication of plant material which could potentially yield useful secondary metabolites as well as alleviate the pressure on the wild plant populations. The in vitro induction of storage organs is especially beneficial as it can limit the loss of plants during acclimatization as bulblets are hardier than shoots or plantlets. The aim of this research was to determine optimal growth conditions for bulblet induction of Eucomis zambesiaca. The effect of environmental and physiological parameters on the initiation and growth of bulblets was investigated. These included the effect of temperature, photoperiod, various carbohydrates at different concentrations and combinations as well as various plant growth regulators. Maximum number of bulblets per explant was obtained at 20 °C, with an average of three bulbs p er leaf explant. The average bulblet mass was 57 mg, which was significantly higher than bulblets formed at other tested temperatures. An 8 h light regime was the optimum photoperiod. The highest mean number of bulblets (1.4 per leaf explant) developed under the 8 h photoperiod and the bulblets that formed were large in size. They had a mean bulb diameter of 3.4 mm and a mean bulb weight of 42 mg. Different carbohydrates such as fructose, sucrose and glucose were tested at concentrations of; 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12%. Fructose at a concentration of 3% was found to produce the best results. An average of 1.2 bulbs formed per explant. The mean bulb diameter was 3.4 mm and mean bulb weight was 56.6 mg. Plant growth regulators (GA3, IAA, IBA, NAA, BA, zeatin, iP and others) were tested at concentrations of 1, 2 and 5 mg/L. 1 mg/L IBA was found to be the optimum hormone treatment for bulblet induction. Bulblets were large, had good leaves and well established roots. Medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA produced bulblets that had an average bulb diameter of 4.36 mm and a mean bulblet weight of 79.1 mg. Bulblets grown in vitro were transferred to vermiculite and placed in a misthouse to acclimatize. After 2 months the plantlets were transferred to pots containing a sand:soil mixture of 1:1 and placed in a greenhouse. There was a 80 to 90% survival rate. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

This thesis is about the history of the muthi trade (the African traditional medicine trade) since it was introduced to Durban. "D'Urbanised Tradition" refers to the way the tradition surrounding muthi was urbanised in Durban, and how it has been viewed as a 'de-urbanising' element in the city. The thesis deals with the changes, over the past 100 years, to the tradition of muthi trading that were brought about both by actors 'within' the trade - what I refer to as 'restructuring of tradition' - and by interventions from 'external' forces (the state, the biomedical lobby and the conservationist lobby) - what I have termed 'the development of tradition'. Whereas many studies present (Zulu) tradition as something static, this study of "D'Urbanised tradition" focuses on change and process - why and how these changes to tradition have occurred. It comprises an analysis of how the dialectic between change and continuity within the muthi trade has been negotiated by strategic actors throughout the twentieth century. Emphasis is on the economic and political potentials of tradition and traditional medicine, and focus will be on changes in the muthi trade in Durban, using the Russell Street Muthi Market in the 1990s as a case study. Although 'restructuring' and 'development' are kept separate in this thesis, they denote interrelated processes whereby active agents strategically use tradition to achieve their ends. It is argued that the traditions surrounding muthi have been manipulated both as economic as well as political tools by the various vested interests in the trade. The thesis deals with one of the largest and most important sectors of South Africa's informal economy, and provides a historical analysis and case study of the strategies used by both traders and outside institutions involved in the trade. This is done by using the paradigm of 'tradition'. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

In response to an increase in forest destruction, nature conservation agencies in South Africa are beginning to introduce innovative and integrated conservation strategies. This study was established to provide information on resource use in Gxalingenwa State Forest (GSF) and KwaYili State Forest (KSF) on which such conservation initiatives might be based. Local villagers in the area depend on a mix of forest products to meet their livelihood needs, including for example heating, cooking, fencing, building, craft-work and medicine. Large quantities (102.072 tonnes) of plant resources are removed from the GSF and KSF annually by traditional healers and commercial gatherers with commercial gatherers responsible for the largest proportions (88.1 %). However, the total market value of medicinal products to the resource users is higher than the local value, implying that the resource users are not harnessing the full potential of the forest products. Fuelwood, building, fencing and carving also account for a large bulk of materials harvested from the indigenous forests annually. Among several species, Podocarpus falcatus is the most preferred and harvested tree for fuelwood, fencing and building. Despite its high recruitment level, it shows a very unstable population structure. Calodendrum capense is debarked for medicinal uses. It is used locally and its current harvest by commercial gatherers is driven by a huge demand from the 'muti' markets. In KSF, C. capense generally has a low density but also has a relatively good recruitment rate when compared with an unexploited forest. However, the harvesting of immature stems pose a threat to this species. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-209).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-13T14:50:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-07-30Bitstream added on 2014-08-13T18:00:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000750041.pdf: 2177704 bytes, checksum: 3b2c1f34dc67cf43d4c50a885f043499 (MD5) / O termo Diabetes mellitus (DM) descreve uma desordem metabólica caracterizada por hiperglicemia crônica que leva a alterações no metabolismo de carboidratos, lipídeos e proteínas resultante de defeitos na ação, secreção de insulina, ou ambos. Tais alterações levam a sérias consequências no individuo diabético, como perda de peso, aumento dos níveis de lipídeos no sangue podendo levar ao aumento da incidência de doenças cardiovasculares como aterosclerose e infarto. Além disso, pode causar doenças renais e danos à visão, e em casos mais graves, óbito. A incidência de pessoas diabéticas tem aumentado a cada ano, e pesquisas realizadas recentemente apontam que esse é um número que só tende a aumentar nos próximos anos, principalmente devido aos péssimos hábitos alimentares e estilo de vida sedentário. O tratamento para o DM inclui insulinoterapia e o uso de hipoglicemiantes orais. No entanto, sabe-se que esses medicamentos possuem efeitos adversos, como ganho de peso, desconfortos abdominais e diarreias. Partindo dessas informações, a busca de novas alternativas para o tratamento de DM tem crescido muito nos últimos anos. O uso de plantas medicinais no tratamento de diversas doenças, como o diabetes, é feito desde os primórdios da humanidade. Diante disso, a pesquisa envolvendo plantas medicinais com propriedades hipoglicemiantes tem sido alvo dos pesquisadores nos últimos anos, principalmente para comprovação da sua eficácia e verificação da toxicidade das mesmas. A família Fabaceae possui aproximadamente 300 espécies, popularmente conhecidas como pata-de-vaca ou unhade- boi, devido ao formato de suas folhas e são amplamente utilizadas como analgésicos, antiinflamatórios e no tratamento de diabetes. O gênero Bauhinia, pertencente a essa família possui muitas espécies que são utilizadas no tratamento do diabetes. Diante disso, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a atividade hipoglicemiante do ... / The term Diabetes mellitus (DM) defines a metabolic disorder characterized by cnronic hyperglycemia, which leads to alterations in carbohydrate, proteins and lipids metabolism resultant of defects in insulin action andJor secretion. Those alterations lead to serious consequences to diabetic people as weight loss, increase incidence of cardiovascular diseases, renal and optical diseases, and in some cases, death. The incidence of diabetic people is increasing every year and recent1y researches showed that this number will increase on next years, mainly due to bad eating habits and sedentary life style. The treatment of DM inc1udes insulin therapy and the use of oral hypoglycemic agents. However, those medicaments have many collateral effects as weight gain, abdominal discomforts and diarrheas. Based on this information, studies involving new altematives for the treatment of DM are growing in the last years. The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diverse diseases like diabetes has been done since the beginning of humanity. Due to this, the studies involving medicinal plants with hypoglycemic properties have been the target of researches in the last years, mainly to verify its effectiveness and toxicity. The family Fabaceae has approximately 300 species, which are popular1y called cow's foot and nail ox, due the format of theirs leafs and are largely used as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic. The genus Bauhinia, belonging to this family has many species, which are used in diabetes treatment, and it has been researches target showing promising results. Because of that, the objective of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of crude extract of Bauhinia holophylla, a species very used in traditional medicine. There are no studies that prove its effectiveness in the diabetes treatment. Swiss mice diabetic (STZSAL and STZEXT) and normoglycemic (CTLSAL and CTLEXT) received treatment for 15 days with the crude ...

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In Brazil, the economic potential of the germplasm of medicinal species is a treasure to be preserved and utilized, increasingly becoming a form of alternative therapy available for the population to use. However, the indiscriminate and uncontrolled use can, cause more harm than benefits to health and it is important to understand these plants, from cellular levels and the action on living organisms. The medicinal species Echinodorus grandiflorus and Sagittaria montevidensis belong to the family Alismataceae, known respectively as leather hat and false leather hat in Brazil. For E. grandiflorus the attributed medicinal potentials are depurative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiophidic and anti-rheumatic action, were leaves are the main part of the plant used, either as a tea or infusion. S. montevidensis has no known medicinal properties and having a wide range of leaf morphologies, leading to population confused with leather hat . The present study evaluated the genotoxic and antiproliferative extracts of the dried leaves of E. grandiflorus and S. montevidensis using the cell cycle of Allium cepa, and performing analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) for the quantification of the extracts of the compounds. The test system is well suited for the analysis of genotoxicity, being validated by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS, WHO) and can alert on the possible damages that can be caused to organisms exposed to the substances in the plants. For the test, plant material was collected in the field in Rio Grande do Sul, in the municipalities of: Santa Maria, São Sepé, Silveira Martins and Pinhal Grande and in the commercial form of E. grandiflorus, separated into two experimental groups. The extracts were prepared, by infusing dry leaves for 15 min., at two concentrations, 6g.L-1 e 24g.L-1, and two controls, water (negative control) and glyphosate 15% (positive control). The chromatographic analysis (HPLC-DAD), revealed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids for both species, higher concentrations of caffeic acid and flavonoid glycoside in E. grandiflorus and phenol glycoside in S. montevidensis. This study showed that extracts of E. grandiflorus and S. montevidensis show genotoxic potential and when used in high concentrations, antiproliferative potential. / No Brasil, o potencial econômico de germoplasma de espécies medicinais é uma riqueza a ser preservada e utilizada, tornando-se cada vez mais uma forma de terapia alternativa acessível para o uso da população. No entanto, o uso indiscriminado e sem controle pode causar mais danos à saúde do que benefícios, sendo importante o conhecimento dessas plantas, desde os níveis celulares bem como ação sobre os organismos vivos. As espécies medicinais Echinodorus grandiflorus e Sagittaria montevidensis pertencem à família Alismataceae, conhecidas respectivamente como chapéu-de-couro e falso chapéu-de-couro. Para E. grandiflorus é atribuído potencial medicinal como ações depurativa, diurética, antiinflamatória, antiofídica e antirreumática, sendo as folhas a principal parte utilizada da planta, seja na forma de chá ou infusão. S. montevidensis não apresenta suas propriedades medicinais conhecidas e tendo uma grande variedade morfológica das folhas, isso leva a população a confundi-la com chapéu-de-couro . O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o potencial genotóxico e antiproliferativo de extratos das folhas secas de E. grandiflorus e S. montevidensis, sobre o ciclo celular de Allium cepa, bem como realizar análise por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE-DAD) para quantificação dos compostos dos extratos. O sistema teste A. cepa é bem aceito para a análise da genotoxicidade, sendo validado pelo Programa Internacional de Segurança Química (IPCS, OMS), podendo vir a alertar sobre possíveis danos que substâncias podem causar aos organismos a elas expostos. Para o teste foi coletado material vegetativo no habitat natural no Rio Grande do Sul, nos munícipios de: Santa Maria, São Sepé, Silveira Martins e Pinhal Grande e na forma comercializada de E. grandiflorus, separados em 2 grupos experimentais. Os extratos preparados, por infusão de 15 min. das folhas secas, em duas concentrações 6g. L-1 e 24g.L-1, para cada espécie e 2 controles, água (controle negativo) e o glifosato 15% (controle positivo). A análise cromatográfica (HPLC-DAD) revelou a presença de flavonóides e ácidos fenólicos para ambas as espécies. Sendo, maiores teores de ácido cafeico e flavonóide glicosídeo em E. grandiflorus e glicosídeo fenol em S. montevidensis. Este estudo mostrou que os extratos de E. grandiflorus e S. montevidensis apresentam potencial genotóxico e quando usadas em elevadas concentrações, potencial antiproliferativo.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:45:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5966.pdf: 1570084 bytes, checksum: 2e2c6304254671e63daa574073dfb3a6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-04 / Study population-territorial, transverse survey, whose general objective was to describe the popular knowledge regarding medicinal plants, along in tree Family Health Units (USF) in the State of São Paulo, in year of 2013. The specific objectives tried to report the medicinal plants used by the community, collecting their popular name (and if it was used fresh or dried household plants), the parts used, the way of preparing them, conservation, therapeutic purpose, frequency and the source for the usage. The data collection occurred through standardized interviews, there were 25 participants, indicated by USF teams. The characterization of the participants shows that the largest number are from female gender, 19 (76%) and 6 were from male gender (24%), aged between 32 and 80 years. The results reveal that the beginning of this practice, for most participants, took place from lessons with parents. Among the plants mentioned, over 100 are for medical use, characterized by some fruit, even resin and wood waste. The most cited were: guaco, mint, bilberry and ruby. Regarding the purpose of the use, the most mentioned plant is used for disorders of the respiratory tract (such as cough, sputum, rhinitis, sinusitis, influenza-like illnesses), a fact consistent with the scientific literature. It is understood that this practice contributes to enhance the recovery and preservation of cultural diversity, allowing the users to acess a better care for themselves and giving them autonomy. Thus, it is possible a revaluation of popular knowledge, aiming to recover once deleted knowledge about the way one understands life, the knowledge about the culture inherited and acquired reconciled to scientific knowledge. / Pesquisa populacional-territorial, descritiva e transversal, cujo objetivo geral foi descrever o conhecimento popular em relação às plantas medicinais junto à três Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF) no interior do Estado de São Paulo/SP, no ano de 2013. Os objetivos específicos se detiveram em relacionar essas plantas medicinais quanto ao nome popular, partes usadas, modo de preparo, conservação, finalidade terapêutica, frequência e a origem do uso. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevistas padronizadas, totalizando 25 participantes indicados pelas equipes das USFs. A caracterização dos participantes aponta que o maior número é do sexo feminino, 19 (76%) e 6 do sexo masculino (24%), com idade entre 32 e 80 anos. Os resultados revelam que o início desta prática, para a maioria dos participantes, aconteceu a partir de um aprendizado com os pais. Dentre as plantas apontadas, mais de 100 são para uso medicinal, caracterizando-se desde algumas frutas até resina e resíduos de madeira. As mais citadas foram: o guaco, a hortelã, o boldo e o rubim. Em relação à finalidade de uso, a mais citada é usada para afecções do trato respiratório (como tosse, expectoração, rinite, sinusite, estado gripal), fato em consonância com a literatura científica. Entende-se que valorizar esta prática contribui para o resgate e preservação da diversidade cultural, permitindo ao usuário um maior cuidado de si e conferindo-lhe autonomia. Assim, é possível uma revalorização do conhecimento popular; visando resgatar conhecimentos outrora excluídos do modo de entender a vida, saberes da cultura herdada e adquirida conciliado aos conhecimentos científicos.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:56:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 944601 bytes, checksum: c211a613a7ca088bee34c901c685111c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The objective of this research was to investigate the existence of antimicrobial plant compounds and anti-quorum sensing in oral biofilms. The plants used in this study were: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira da praia); Lippia sidoides Scham (alecrim pimenta); Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão); Anacardium occidentale Linn (cajueiro); Psidium guajava Linn (goiabeira); Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb (ipê-roxo); Hymenaea courbaril L. (jatobá) e a Bowdichia virgiloides Kunth (sucupira), Anadenanthera macrocarpa Benth (angico), Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão), Ziziphus joazeiro Mart (joazeiro), Sida cordifolia L. (malva branca), Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (mastruz), Punica granatum L. (romã) and Zingiber officinale (gengibre). The extracts were submitted in good yield to the partition with solvents in order of increasing polarity, hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The antimicrobial activity was determined by the techniques of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and use the model QSIs (Quorum Sensing Inhibitor System) proposed by Rasmussen and colleagues (2005). The results proved promising for the development of phytomedicines. The anti-quorun sensing was significant for Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & JW Grimes (barbatimão), Anacardium occidentale Linn (cajueiro), Psidium guajava Linn (goiabeira) and the fruit of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Jatobá). The results support the hypothesis that extracts and partitions of some medicinal plants have anti-quorum sensing activity as a mechanism of antimicrobial activity. / O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a existência de compostos vegetais que apresentem atividade antimicrobiana e anti-quorum sensing em micro-organismos formadores de biofilmes bucais. As plantas utilizadas nesta pesquisa foram: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira da praia); Lippia sidoides Scham (alecrim pimenta); Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão); Anacardium occidentale Linn (cajueiro); Psidium guajava Linn (goiabeira); Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb (ipê-roxo); Hymenaea courbaril L. (jatobá) e a Bowdichia virgiloides Kunth (sucupira), Anadenanthera macrocarpa Benth (angico), Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão), Ziziphus joazeiro Mart (joazeiro), Sida cordifolia L. (malva branca), Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (mastruz), Punica granatum L. (romã) e Zingiber officinale (gengibre). Os extratos de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira da praia); Lippia sidoides Scham (alecrim pimenta); Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão); Anacardium occidentale Linn (cajueiro); Psidium guajava Linn (goiabeira); Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb (ipê-roxo); Hymenaea courbaril L. (jatobá) e a Bowdichia virgiloides Kunth (sucupira), Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão), Ziziphus joazeiro Mart (joazeiro) foram submetidos à partição com solventes em ordem crescente de polaridade, hexano, diclorometano e acetato de etila. A atividade antimicrobiana foi determinada pela técnica da microdiluição em caldo e utilizou o modelo de QSIs (sistema Inibidor de Quorum Sensing) proposto por Rasmussen e colaboradores (2005). Os resultados obtidos revelaram-se promissores para o desenvolvimento de fitomedicamentos. A atividade anti-quorun sensing foi significante para Abarema cochiliacarpos (Gomes) B. & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão); Anacardium occidentale Linn (cajueiro); Psidium guajava Linn (goiabeira); e o fruto do Hymenaea courbaril L. (jatobá). Os resultados suportam a hipótese que extratos e partições de algumas plantas medicinais possuem atividade anti-quorum sensing como mecanismo de atividade antimicrobiana.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:56:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3533467 bytes, checksum: bbf8bea9a32ae2311cd924bf8ad167bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-01-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this work was to identify through an Etnobotanic study the most used medicinal plants for health treatment of oral diseases and to evaluate the antibacterial activity and the potential for medicine interactions (antibiotics) during the use of medicinal plants. For this purpose the study was performed in the municipal districts of Cruz do Espírito Santo, Guarabira, Jacaraú, João Pessoa, Mamanguape, Santa Rita and Sapé, where 62 healers, 385 users and 197 dentists participated in an interview. They answered to subjects that involved socioeconomic and cultural variables and other factors relative to the use of medicinal plants for oral health. The antimicrobial activity of the most cited plants (n=5) was evaluated. To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the crude ethanolic extracts and decocts of the peels of Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão), Anacardium occidentale L., (cashew tree-purple), Punica granatum L. (pomegranate), Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira) and Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. (juá) were tested against strains of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC25175), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC700610), Streptococcus oralis (ATCC10557), Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC7073) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (CBM) were determined for all strains through the diffusion method in solid medium, using disks of filter paper and using the microdilution method in broth, using plates of 96 wells. The interference of the crude extracts and decocts of the peels of the plants in the activity of the antibiotics Ampicillin 10μg/mL, Amoxicillin 10μg/mL and Cefalexina 30μg/mL was evaluated in an experimental model of microdiluição in broth. The results of the diffusion method evidenced that, except for the decoct of the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., with activity just against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC25175) and the decot of Punica granatum L. against Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC7073), all the other tested products showed activity antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms. The diameters of halos varing from 12 to 28mm for the crude extracts and varying from 6 to18mm for the decocts. The MIC varying from 15 a 150 μg/mL and the 200 a 400 mg/mL, respectively, for the crude extracts and the decocts. The CBM for the crude extracts varying from 40 to 400 μg/mL and for the decocts was >400mg/mL. It was observed synergism and antagonism effect of the extracts in the activity of the selected antibiotics. The results of this study indicate that the medicinal plants are frequently used as therapeutic source for oral health and that there is a potential association (synergic or antagonistic) of the plants and antibiotics in this experimental model. Therefore, the most used medicinal plants evaluated presented effective biological activity (antibacterial activity). However potential associations with medicines deserves attention among users and professionals of health. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar através de estudo etnobotânico, as plantas medicinais mais utilizadas para tratamento de doenças bucais e, avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana e o potencial para interações medicamentosas com antibióticos. Para tanto, realizou-se estudo etnobotânico nos municípios de Cruz do Espírito Santo, Guarabira, Jacaraú, João Pessoa, Mamanguape, Santa Rita e Sapé, onde 62 raizeiros, 385 usuários e 197 cirurgiões-dentistas participaram de uma entrevista e responderam a questões que envolviam indicadores sócio-econômicos e culturais e, outras relativas ao uso de plantas medicinais para tratar doenças bucais. Avaliou-se a atividade antimicrobiana das cinco plantas mais citadas no estudo etnobotânico. Para o ensaio da atividade antibacteriana dos extratos etanólicos brutos e decoctos das cascas de Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & J.W. Grimes (barbatimão), Anacardium occidentale L., (cajueiro-roxo), Punica granatum L. (romã), Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (aroeira) e Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. (juá) em linhagens de Streptococcus mutans (ATCC25175), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC700610), Streptococcus oralis (ATCC10557), Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC7073) e Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538, determinou-se a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM). Os ensaios foram realizados através do método de difusão em meio sólido, utilizando discos de papel de filtro e, pelo método de difusão em meio líquido, utilizando placas de 96 poços. A interferência dos extratos etanólicos brutos e dos decoctos das cascas das plantas na atividade dos antibióticos Ampicilina - 10 μg/mL, Amoxicilina 10 μg/mL e Cefalexina 30 μg/mL foram avaliados em modelo experimental de microdiluição em caldo. Os resultados evidenciaram que, com exceção do decocto do Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., com atividade apenas frente ao Streptococcus mutans (ATCC25175) e o da Punica granatum L., frente ao Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC7073), todos os demais produtos testados mostraram atividade antimicrobina frente aos microrganismos ensaiados. Os halos de inibição variaram de 12 a 28mm para os extratos e de 6 a 18mm para os decoctos ensaiados. A CIM variou de 15 a 150 μg/mL e de 200 a 400 mg/mL, respectivamente, para os extratos e decoctos testados. A CBM dos extratos estudados variou de 40 a 400 μg/mL e, a dos decoctos foi > 400 mg/mL. Observaram-se efeitos de sinergismo e de antagonismo nas associações entre as plantas medicinais e os antibióticos ensaiados, indicando interferência dos extratos testados na atividade dos antimicrobianos selecionados. Os resultados apresentados neste estudo indicam que as plantas medicinais são utilizadas popularmente como recurso terapêutico na área da Odontologia e que, a associação das plantas e antibióticos ensaiados, neste modelo experimental, apresentou potencial para promover interações medicamentosas sinérgicas ou antagônicas. Portanto, as plantas medicinais mais utilizadas pela população apresentaram atividade biológica antimicrobiana. No entanto, o uso simultâneo com medicamentos merece atenção dos usuários e dos profissionais de saúde.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / As plantas naturais da Amazônia vêm instigando o interesse de pesquisadores a extrair os produtos desta região. O intuito destas pesquisas foca no desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a partir dos compostos bioativos de plantas visando o combate de inúmeras doenças associadas ao aumento na produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio. A seiva, folhas e cascas de plantas do gênero Croton são utilizadas pelos povos nativos amazônicos para fins medicinais com ação cicatrizante, anti-inflamatória e antibacteriana. Este estudo teve como objetivo otimizar o processo de extração de produtos naturais de folhas, cascas de extratos de C. lechleri. O delineamento para extração de compostos naturais foi realizado por meio de planejamento fatorial 2³ e análise por metodologia de superfície de resposta (RSM). Três fatores (variáveis independentes); tipo de solvente (água ou etanol), tempo de extração (30 ou 90 min) e temperatura de extração (35°C e 70°C) foram utilizados para o delineamento experimental. Enquanto que as variáveis dependentes; teor de compostos fenólicos, atividade antioxidante por DPPH, e teor de antocianinas foram avaliadas nos extratos de C. lechleri. A composição da diversidade de compostos fenólicos foi investigada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O conjunto de dados foi submetido à análise de componentes principais (ACP). A melhor condição de extração de compostos fenólicos foi água, a 70 ºC por 30 min, enquanto que para os compostos com atividade antioxidante foi etanol, a 70 ºC por 90 min. A análise por cromatografia revelou a presença majoritariamente de ácido gálico, catequina, epicatequina, ácido siríngico, ácido cumárico e ácido ferrúlico. Por fim, o delineamento fatorial permitiu a redução do número de ensaios realizados sem diminuir a qualidade da informação e dos resultados da análise de variância. Metodologia de superfície de resposta e análise de componentes principais empregadas provaram ser ferramentas eficientes para analisar dados da bioatividade de extratos de C. lechleri. / The natural plants of the Amazon have been instigating the interest of researchers to extract the products of the region. The purpose of this research focuses on no development of new drugs from bioactive plant compounds aimed at fighting numerous diseases associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species. The sap, leaves and barks of plants of the genus Croton are used by native Amazonian peoples for medicinal purposes with healing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. This study aimed to optimize the extraction process of natural products from leaves, bark of C. lechleri extracts. The design for the extraction of natural compounds was performed by 2³ factorial experimental design and analysis using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Three factors (independent variables); type of solvent (water or ethanol), extraction time (30 or 90 min) and extraction temperature (35 °C and 70 °C) were used for the experimental design. While the dependent variables; content of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity by DPPH, and anthocyanin content were evaluated in extracts of C. lechleri. The composition of the diversity of phenolic compounds was investigated by high performance liquid chromatography. The data set was submitted to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The best extraction condition of phenolic compounds was water, at 70 ºC for 30 min, while for the compounds with antioxidant activity was ethanol, at 70 ºC for 90 min. Chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, syringic acid, coumaric acid and ferulic acid. Finally, the factorial design allowed the reduction of the number of tests carried out without diminishing the quality of information and the results of analysis of variance. Response Surface Methodology and Principal Component Analysis proved to be efficient tools used to analyze data bioactivity of extracts from C. lechleri.