Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Research report: Faculty of Health Sciences / ABSTRACT Labour induction in an underresourced environment poses a tremendous challenge. While labour induction is a common obstetric procedure, it poses potential hazards for mother and fetus. This is largely dependent on method and agent used and can be expensive on limited resources because of high purchase prices, refrigerated storage, monitoring equipment and manpower. Misoprostol is a unique anti-ulcer agent that has good properties as an induction agent, but as yet not fully evaluated. It is relatively cheap, easily available, simple to store and has a long shelf life, and would amount to considerable cost saving in an underresourced setting if it were proven to be effective and safe for induction of labour. A simple reliable method of administration and appropriate dosage regimen of misoprostol for the purposes of induction of labour is needed. This study was undertaken in two phases; Part A. The clinical trial where an oral misoprostol suspension was given in a stepwise manner for the induction of labour alone or in combination with an inexpensive mechanical method (Foley catheter bulb) is compared with the “standard” method of induction i.e. dinoprostone 2 mg gel in a randomized controlled trial. Altogether 750 patients (250 in each arm) were recruited. Part B. (a) In vitro study to verify if misoprostol has a direct stimulatory effect on gut smooth muscle similar to sihlambezo.1 There is an increase in the incidence of meconium stained liquor in women who have taken sihlambezo or castor oil and misoprostol.2 It is postulated that misoprostol crosses the placenta and stimulates foetal bowel activity directly rather than as a result of asphyxia caused by excessive uterine contractions due to misoprostol. Strips of rat uterine and intestinal smooth muscle were mounted on a strain gauge with a chart recorder in a physiological bath as was done in the Pharmacology department for the original sihlambezo studies. The model was perfused with doubling concentrations of each test substance, and the concentration noted at which the first uterine muscle and the first bowel muscle activity was detected. The test substances were: #1; prostaglandin E2 (Dinoprostone) #1; oxytocin (Syntocinon) #1; misoprostol freshly dissolved in water #1; misoprostol freshly dissolved in a weak hydrochloric acid solution to approximate stomach content pH #1; misoprostol dissolved in water and stored for 2 hours, 6 hours, 24 hours and 1 year. For each substance, the ratio between the minimum stimulatory concentration for uterine to bowel smooth muscle was calculated, and these ratios compared between substances. The absolute minimum stimulatory concentrations were compared between the different misoprostol preparations to determine the effects of storage and acidification. (b) In vitro study to find out if misoprostol dissolved in water is stable and over what duration of time. This has practical importance, because if it is unstable, it may imply that a fresh sample has to be prepared each time the induction agent is given, and this may be several times per patient per induction. This would escalate the cost of the drug, especially in an underresourced setting such as ours, and would mean more manpower i.e. nursing staff, would be required for each case of induction. We also wanted to establish if acidification of the preparation would affect misoprostol stability as was implied to happen when misoprostol is given vaginally3. References 1 Mitri F, Hofmeyr GJ, van Gelderen CJ. Meconium during labor, self medication and other associations. S Afr Med J 1987: 71: 431-433. 2 Hofmeyr GJ, Gulmezoglu AM. Vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction in late pregnancy (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 1999. Oxford: Update Software. 3 Gunalp S, Bildirici I. The effect of vaginal pH on the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol for induction of labour. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Scand 2000; 79(4): 283-5.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Also available in print.

Song Jing-mei. / Thesis submitted in: December 1998. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-156). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Title page --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.ii / Table of contents --- p.iii / Abbreviations --- p.viii / Abstract --- p.x / 摘要 --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter2 --- Evaluation of Antiulcer Effect Exhibited by Hippophae rhamnoides Using Different Ulcer Models / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Ethanol-induced gastric lesions --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- NSAID-induced gastric lesions --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Stress-induced gastric lesions --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesions --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Necrotizing agent-induced lesion model --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Plant materials --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Identification of the plant --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Preparation of crude extract for animal studies --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Experimental animals --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Acidified aspirin-induced gastric lesions --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Water immersion plus restraint-induced stress lesion model --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesions --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Necrotizing agent-induced gastric lesions --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Test of acute toxicity of Hippophae --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- Statistical analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Effect of Hr extract on ethanol-induced gastric lesions --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Effect of Hr extract on aspirin-induced gastric damage --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Effect of Hr extract on stress-induced gastric lesions --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Effect of Hr extract on pylorus ligation-induced gastric injury --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Effect of Hr extract on acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Effect of Hr extract on necrotizing agent-induced gastric damage --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Test of acute toxicity of Hr --- p.55 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Cytoprotective effect of Hr against ethanol-induced lesions --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Preventive effect of Hr on NSAIDs-induced gastric lesions --- p.57 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Inhibitory effect of Hr on stress-induced lesions --- p.58 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Inhibitory effect of Hr extract on pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesions --- p.59 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Healing effect of Hr extract on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Protective effect of Hr extract on necrotizing agent-induced gastric damage --- p.61 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Summary --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter3 --- Study on Cytoprotective Effect of Hippophae rhamnoides on Ethanol-induced Gastric Damage / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Chemicals and Instruments --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Test on effect of different concentrations of ethanol on gastric mucosa --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Examination of the gastric protective effect of Hr extract by different routes of administration --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Study on relationship between gastric protective effect of Hr extract and endogenous PGs --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Measurement of gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Measurement of gastric secretion and acidity in gastric juice --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Measurement of gastric gastric emptying rate --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Measurement of pepsin content in gastric juice --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Measurement of protein content in gastric juice --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Measurement of mucus content on gastric wall --- p.75 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- Measurement of GSH content in gastric mucosa --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.12 --- Measurement of PGE2 content in gastric mucosa --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.13 --- Determination of protein content in gastric mucosa --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Test on gastric lesions induced by different concentrations of ethanol --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of Hr extract on ethanol-induced gastric damage by different routes of administration --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effect of Hr extract on GMBF and output of gastric acid --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Effect of Hr extract on gastric emptying rate --- p.87 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Effect of Hr extract on gastric mucus --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Effect of Hr extract on gastric GSH content --- p.89 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Influence of Hr extract on endogenous prostanglandin-E2 --- p.90 / Chapter 3.3.8 --- Antagonistic effect of indomethacin on the gastric protection of Hr extract --- p.91 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol at different concentrations --- p.92 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Different routes of administration --- p.92 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- "Role of GMBF, gastric acidity and acid output in the formation of gastric lesions" --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Effect of Hr extract on gastric motility --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Effect of Hr extract on gastric mucus --- p.96 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Effect of Hr extract on gastric GSH content --- p.96 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- Effect of Hr extract on endogenous prostaglandins --- p.98 / Chapter 3.4.8 --- Summary --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Study on plant constituents of Hippophae rhamnoides / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Plant Materials --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Plant Extraction --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Fractionation of hexane-extract by column chromatography --- p.103 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Phytochemical identification and analyses of vitamin content in Hr extract --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.4.1 --- Identification of vitamin A and vitamin C in the Hr extract by TLC --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.4.2 --- Identification of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol by HPLC --- p.105 / Chapter 4.2.4.3 --- Analyses of the content of α-tocopherol in the Hr extract --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.4.4 --- Identification and analysis of fatty acid in the Hr fractions --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.4.4.1 --- Esterification of fatty acids --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.4.4.2 --- Isolation and identification of FAME by GC-MS --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.4.5 --- Quantitative analysis of composition and relative content of fatty acid in the Hr fractions --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Phytochemical analysis and identification --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Identification of vitamin A --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Identification of vitamin C --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Identification of α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.1.4 --- Quantitative analysis of α-tocopherol content in the Hr extract --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.1.5 --- Identification of fatty acid composition --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.1.6 --- Analysis of relative content of fatty acids in the Hr extract --- p.122 / Chapter 4.3.1.7 --- Study on phytosterols of Hr --- p.124 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Examination of antiulcer effect of Hr fractions against ethanol-induced gastric lesions --- p.124 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Effect of different extracts of Hr seed on ethanol-induced gastric lesions --- p.125 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Effect of fractions of hexane-extract of Hr on gastric lesions induced by ethanol --- p.126 / Chapter 4.3.2.3 --- Effect of Hr components on gastric lesions induced by different ulcer models --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3.2.3.1 --- Effect of Hr components on ethanol-induced lesions --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3.2.3.2 --- Effect of Hr components against stress-induced gastric lesions --- p.128 / Chapter 4.3.2.3.3 --- Effect of β-sitosterol against gastric lesions induced by pylorus ligation --- p.129 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Role of fatty acids in the stomach protection --- p.130 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Role of vitamins in the gastric protection --- p.133 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Role of plant terpenoids in the stomach --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Summary --- p.135 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General discussion --- p.136 / References --- p.141

No / Three new xanthones, hypericorin C (1), hypericorin D (2) and 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthone (3), along with eight known compounds; 2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (4), 3,4-dihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone (5), 3,5-dihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone (6), 3-acetylbetulinic acid (7), 10H-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-b]xanthen-10-one (8), 3-hydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone (9), 3,4,5-trihydroxyxanthone (10) and betulinic acid (11) were isolated from the roots of Hypericum oblongifolium. The structures of the new compounds 1, 2 and 3 were deduced by spectroscopic techniques [ESI MS, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC, COSY and NOESY)]. The entire series of compounds were evaluated for anti-ulcer activity.

Orientadores: João Ernesto de Carvalho, Mary Ann Foglio, Lucia Tasca Gois Ruiz / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T14:23:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jorge_MichellePedroza_M.pdf: 2723510 bytes, checksum: d0521f341cbca8308beb772206b9dd69 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: As folhas de Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) Verlot (Bignoniaceae), popularmente conhecida como Crajiru, são utilizadas na medicina popular como cicatrizante, antiinflamatória e no tratamento de cólicas intestinais. O presente trabalho descreve os efeitos cicatrizante, antiinflamatório, antiulcerogênico e antioxidante do extrato bruto metanólico das folhas de Arrabidaea chica. O extrato estimulou o crescimento de fibroblastos, in vitro, de forma proporcional à concentração utilizada com atividade similar à alantoina. Também estimulou a produção in vitro de colágeno de maneira semelhante ao ácido ascórbico. Nos ensaios de DPPH e Folin-Ciocalteau, o extrato bruto apresentou moderada ação antioxidante. A aplicação tópica do extrato bruto em modelos experimentais do processo cicatrizante in vivo reduziu em 96% a área cutânea ulcerada após dez dias de tratamento, enquanto o grupo salina apresentou redução de somente 36%. Em modelos de úlcera gástrica em ratos induzida por etanol, o extrato bruto de A. chica reduziu o índice de lesões em 90%. Apesar do uso popular em processos inflamatórios, esse extrato não reduziu o edema de pata induzido por carragenina nem o edema de orelha induzido por óleo de cróton em ratos. Esses resultados permitem concluir que o extrato bruto metanólico das folhas secas de Arrabidaea chica possui princípios ativos que ativam o processo cicatricial, através da proliferação de fibroblastos e síntese de colágeno, confirmando o uso popular cicatrizante desta espécie / Abstract: Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) Verlot (Bignoniaceae) leaves, popularly known as Crajiru, are employed in folk medicine for wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and intestinal colic. Herein we report the in vitro and in vivo healing, antulcerogenic, antiinflamatory and antioxidant activities of Arrabidaea chica crude methanolic extracts. A. chica crude methanolic extract stimulated cell growth in a concentration dependent way and demonstrated similar effect as allantoin and vitamin C increasing in vitro collagen production. Also, A. chica crude extract demonstrated moderate scavenger effect (DPPH assay) and moderate reducing effect (Folin-Ciocalteau reagent). Wound healing experimental models in rats reduced in 96% the wounds size after ten days treatment, whereas saline group showed only 36% wound healing. Antiulcerogenic experimental models in rats showed gastroprotective activity, redution of 90%, by measuring ulceration lesion index (ULI). The Arrabidaea chica crude extract showed no antiinflamatory activity. The crude extract¿s efficiency seems to involve fibroblast growing stimulus and collagen synthesis both in vitro and in vivo, beyond the moderate scavenging activity and antiulcerogenic activity, corroborating with the folk use of this plant species / Mestrado / Ciencias Basicas / Mestre em Clinica Medica

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Introduction: Plant extracts and herbal preparations are often marketed as natural and safe alternatives to conventional medicines for the prevention and treatment of a variety of ailments, without proof of efficacy and safety. Cardiovascular, hematopoetic, hepatic and renal impairment resulting from the use of conventional drugs is widely acknowledged. However, there is less awareness of the potential toxicity of herbal preparations and other botanicals, many of which are widely perceived by the public as being effective and harmless, and are commonly used for self medication without supervision. In addition, potential interactions between herbal medicines and conventional drugs may compromise with patient management. In the safety evaluation of most substances, non human primates are preferred to rodent species for preclinical animal safety studies, because of their biological similarity to humans. They are regarded to be the best metabolic models for humans in a broad range of investigations. Additionally, a disadvantage of using small animal species in toxicological testing is that they require higher doses of drugs and more frequent administrations than in larger species. In light of these considerations, vervet monkeys are used here to investigate toxicity of a plant-derived triterpene, oleanolic acid. The focus is to determine effects of different concentrations of this triterpene on the cardiovascular, hematopoetic, hepatic and renal systems. Materials and methods: 12 male vervet monkeys used in this study were equally divided into four groups, i.e. three treatment groups (4, 10 and 25 mg/kg bodyweight), and one control group. Each individual in a treatment group received a specified concentration of oleanolic acid in food for 16 weeks. Monkeys in the control group received the vehicle (food) alone. Bodyweight, body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressure were recorded from ketamine-anaethetized monkeys at baseline and every second week until week 16. In addition, blood samples were collected at baseline and every fourth week for clinical biochemistry indicators (serum electrolytes, enzymes, proteins, lipids, nitrogenous compounds, bilirubins and glucose) and hematological tests (red cell count and its indices, hemoglobin, haematocrit, white blood cell and differential count and platelet count). Results: No animal showed deviation from their normal behavioral patterns, food and water intake, was in poor health or died during and after completion of the study. The average bodyweights were not statistically significantly different between controls and the treated groups. The biphasic changes in the average body temperature of treated monkeys were similar to those seen in the control group during the first eight weeks of the study. No statistically significant differences were found in body temperature determinations between controls and the treated groups. Fluctuations observed in the respiratory rates of the treated monkeys were not statistically significantly different from that of the control group. Although not statistically significantly different from the controls, the systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures in the group treated with 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid were lower at week 16 compared to baseline, while those of the groups treated with 4 and 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid were relatively unchanged. Except for a reduction in systolic pressure of the control group, other blood pressure parameters were stable. Heart rates in the treated groups were not statistically significantly different from those in the controls. In all groups, except the control, high density lipoprotein concentrations were higher at week 16 compared to baseline. Fluctuations in low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol concentrations were similar between controls and the treated groups. The triglycerides were lower at week 16 compared to baseline for all four groups. Upward trends from baseline to the end of the study were observed in creatine kinase concentrations of the controls and the groups that received 4 and 25 mg/kg. Concentrations of this enzyme were unchanged in the group that received 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid between baseline and the end of the study. No statistically significant differences were found with cholesterol, triglyceride and creatine kinase concentrations between treated groups and the controls. Serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase were unchanged in the controls and the groups treated with 4 and 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid, but changes in this parameter over time were statistically significantly different (P = 0.0452) from the controls in the group that received 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid. Despite wide fluctuations in the alanine aminotransferase concentrations in the groups that received 4 and 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid, no statistically significant differences were found with any of the treated groups compared to the controls. No statistically significantly different changes were seen in alkaline phosphatase activities between controls and the treated groups. Reductions in gamma-glutamyl transferase activities in the groups that received 4 and 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid were not statistically significantly different from concentrations of this enzyme in the controls. In addition, no statistically significant differences were evident between controls and the group that received 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid. There were no statistically significantly different changes in the total and conjugated bilirubin and glucose concentrations between controls and the treated groups. Fluctuations over time in the serum albumin and globulin concentrations were similar between treated groups and the controls, whereas total protein concentrations were relatively constant. Consequently, no statistically significant differences were found between controls and the treated groups. Wide fluctuations were observed in the creatinine concentrations of the groups that received 4 mg/kg oleanolic acid, while no such changes were encountered in the controls and the group that received 10 and 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid. Serum urea concentrations increased in all groups over time, except for the group that received 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid. Both urea and creatinine concentrations in the treated groups were not statistically significantly different from concentrations in the controls. Serum concentrations of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium and phosphate in the treated groups were not statistically significantly different from these electrolyte concentrations in the controls. Decline in red cell and hemoglobin concentrations of the controls and the group that received 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid were not statistically significantly different between these groups. In addition, no statistical significant differences were found in red cell and hemoglobin concentrations between controls and the groups that received 4 and 10 mg/kg oleanolic acid. Controls and the treated groups showed upward trends in haematocrit concentrations. Mean corpuscular volumes were statistically significantly increased; P = 0.0027 (4 mg/kg), P = 0.0010 (10 mg/kg), and P = 0.0022 (25 mg/kg), while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations were statistically significantly reduced; P = 0.0017 (4 mg/kg), P = 0.0004 (10 mg/kg), P = 0.0002 (25 mg/kg) in the treated groups as compared to the controls. No statistically significant differences were evident in the concentrations of mean corpuscular hemoglobin between controls and the treated groups. White blood cell counts of the treated groups were not statistically significantly different from those of the controls throughout the study period. No statistically significant differences were found in the differential white cells and platelet counts between treated groups and the controls. Discussions: The results of this study showed that administration of oleanolic acid had no effects on the general wellbeing, bodyweights, body temperature, respiratory and heart rates, and blood pressure of vervet monkeys. A statistically significant increase in the aspartate aminotransferase activity of the group treated with 25 mg/kg oleanolic acid, together with the increase in the alanine aminotransferase levels during the same time period, might indicate oleanolic acid-induced hypersensitivity, and accordingly hepatocellular alteration. However, since serum concentrations of these enzymes returned to baseline levels, as well as the absence of variations over time in other parameters of the hepatic function, particularly alkaline phosphatase activity, it is likely that there was no underlying subacute liver disease. Serum renal function parameters also appeared to be within normal physiological limits. No pronounced changes were observed in the hematological parameters of monkeys that received oleanolic acid. Conclusion: This study's results, suggest that oleanolic acid does not produce cumulative liver enzyme alterations, and has no detrimental effects on the renal, hematopoetic and cardiovascular systems of vervet monkeys.

Plinia edulis (Myrtaceae), popularmente conhecida como cambucá, é espécie medicinal empregada no tratamento de afecções da garganta por populações caiçaras. O trabalho teve como objetivo aprimorar o conhecimento da planta sob os aspectos farmacobotânicos, fitoquímicos e farmacológicos. O extrato hidroetanólico liofilizado, preparado com suas folhas, apresentou: classes de substâncias de interesse farmacológico (flavonóides 0,99% e taninos 31,35%); atividade antioxidante elevada no modelo de medida de produção do malonildialdeído, com Q1/2 de 0,21 µg/mL; atividade antiúlcera extremamente significativa no modelo de indução por etanol acidificado, reduzindo o Índice de Lesão Ulcerativa (81,5%), a Área Total de Lesão (97,9%) e a Área Relativa de Lesão (97,6%), comparativamente ao controle, com prévia administração de uma dose de 400 mg/kg, por via oral. O extrato não inibiu o crescimento de Aspergillus niger e Candida albicans na concentração de até 2.000 µg/mL e não inibiu o crescimento de Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus na concentração de até 1.000 µg/mL. Na avaliação de toxicidade aguda, não provocou a morte de nenhum animal no período de ensaio, com uma concentração de até 5.000 mg/kg. A triagem fitoquímica da droga vegetal permitiu detectar flavonóides, taninos, saponinas e óleo volátil. O rendimento de óleo volátil, extraído de folhas frescas, foi de 0,02% (v/m) e sua análise evidenciou como componentes majoritários o epi-α-cadinol (21,72%), α-cadinol (20,22%) e trans-cariofileno (14,19%). As características macro e microscópicas importantes na identificação da droga vegetal foram: folhas cartáceas, lanceoladas, com 14 a 17 cm de comprimento e 4 a 6 cm de largura, nervura mediana evidente e pontos translúcidos no limbo; mesofilo dorsiventral, idioblastos arredondandos em número de 2 a 4 perpendiculares à face adaxial contendo drusas ou cristais prismáticos; folhas hipoestomáticas, com estômatos predominantemente anomocíticos; cavidades secretoras presentes em ambas as faces recobertas por um par de células com parede comissural ligeiramente sinuosa. Fotomicrografias ilustram o trabalho. / Plinia edulis (Myrtaceae), popularly known as cambucá, belongs to the medicinal species employed in the treatment of throat affections by the caiçaras (communities of fishermen families living on coastal towns). This work aims to improve the knowledge of the plant considering its pharmacobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. The lyophilized hydroethanolic extract of the leaves showed substances with pharmacological interest (flavonoids 0.99% and tannins 31.35%); elevated antioxidant activity at malondialdehyde production measure model, with Q1/2 of 0.21 µg/mL; extremely significant antiulcer activity at the acidified ethanol induction model, being able to decrease the Ulcerative Lesion Indices (81.5%), the Total Lesion Area (97.9%) and the Relative Lesion Area (97.6%), comparatively to the control, with previous oral administration of 400 mg/kg. The extract did not inhibit either the growth of Aspergillus Niger and Candida albicans in a concentration of 2,000 µg/mL or the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in a concentration of 1,000 µg/mL. At the acute toxicity evaluation, no animals died at the oral administration assay of 5,000 mg/kg of extract. The phytochemical screening of the vegetal drug showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and volatile oil. The content of volatile oil in fresh leaves was 0.02% (v/m) and the analysis showed, as main components, the epi-α-cadinol (21.72%), &#945-cadinol (20.22%) and trans-caryophyllene (14.19%). The most important characteristics to the vegetal drug identification were: chartaceous lanceolates leaves 14 to 17 cm long and 4 to 6 cm wide, evident midvein and translucent spots at the lamina, dorsiventral mesophyll, circular idioblasts in number of 2 to 4, perpendicularly to the adaxial surface, with druses or prismatic crystals, hypostomatic leaves, with anomocytic stomata predominantly, secretory cavities in both faces recovered by two cells with the comissural wall slightly sinuous. Photomicrographs illustrated the work.