Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on October 23, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (PhD. (Phytomedicine)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Sc.)(Biochemistry)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.)(Botany)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-13T14:50:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-11-19Bitstream added on 2014-08-13T18:01:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000747370_20141231.pdf: 717783 bytes, checksum: c4b4e78a50f2c554cb1d9f949caafee2 (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-01-05T11:00:46Z: 000747370_20141231.pdf,Bitstream added on 2015-01-05T11:01:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000747370.pdf: 13604795 bytes, checksum: 1cc506830b013969ae968ef0b7210106 (MD5) / O uso de fitoterápicos tem crescido consideravelmente nos últimos anos. Entretanto, o consumo de produtos derivados de plantas medicinais não está isento de riscos. Além do princípio ativo algumas espécies vegetais podem apresentar em sua composição química substâncias tóxicas (orgânicas ou inorgânicas) que podem causar sérios danos à saúde quando ingeridas. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de métodos analíticos visando a determinação de As, Cd, Co, Pb, Se e Sn em plantas medicinais empregando a espectrometria de absorção atômica de fonte contínua com alta resolução em forno de grafite com amostragem direta de sólidos (SS HR-CS GFAAS). O emprego de modificadores químicos permitiu calibração em meio aquoso para determinação dos analitos. A utilização de uma etapa de pirólise extra assistida por ar a 600 °C permitiu eliminar resíduos carbonáceos e eliminar os sinais de fundo. Para determinação de As, Co, Se e Sn foram observadas interferências espectrais causadas por moléculas diatômicas de PO e SiO. Nestes casos, o emprego do algoritmo dos mínimos quadrados (LSBC) corrigiu o fundo; entretanto, para a determinação de As observou-se interferências espectrais provocadas por linhas atômicas de Al que somente foram corrigidas utilizando algoritmo de correção de fundo interativa (IBC). Os limites de detecção foram 28,7 ng g-1 (As), 0,15 ng g-1 (Cd), 3,2 ng g-1 (Co), 7,3 ng g-1 (Pb), 40,1 ng g-1 (Se) e 24,5 ng g-1 (Sn). A exatidão dos métodos foi avaliada através da análise de materiais de referência certificados de plantas, cujos valores foram concordantes com os certificados ao nível de 95 % (test t). Os estudos de homogeneidade foram conduzidos visando determinar as massas mínimas e a homogeneidade após moagem com moinho criogênico e moinho de facas. A melhor precisão e exatidão foi obtida a partir da análise de massas maiores que 0,2 mg de amostra... / Phytotherapy has increased considerably during the last years. However, besides active compounds, products derived from medicinal plants may contain hazardous organic compounds or toxic metals. Thus, the goal of this work was to develop methods to determine As, Cd, Co, Pb, Se and Sn in medicinal plants by high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry using solid sampling. The use of chemical modifiers allowed the determination of the analytes of interest using calibration with aqueous standard solutions. An additional air-assisted pyrolysis step at 600 °C was useful to remove carbonaceous residues and eliminate background signal. Spectral interferences due to structured background caused by diatomic molecules (PO and SiO) were observed on the analytical lines of As, Cd, Co and Sn. In this case, interferences were removed using least squares background correction algorithm (LSBC). In addition, interactive correction background algorithm (IBC) was used to remove spectral interferences caused by Al lines on the analytical line of As. Limits of detection were 28.7 ng g-1 (As), 0.15 ng g-1 (Cd), 3.2 ng g-1 (Co), 7.3 ng g-1 (Pb), 40.1 ng g-1 (Se) and 24.5 ng g-1 (Sn). Micro-homogeneity studies were performed after using knife or cryogenic mills in order to establish minimal sample mass and homogeneity. Most accurate and precise results were obtained for sample masses above 0.2 mg for samples ground using knife mill with 30 mesh sieve or cryogenic mill. Accuracy and precision were evaluated by analyzing plant certified reference materials and results were in agreement with certified values at a 95% confidence level (t test). The proposed methods were applied for the determination of analytes in eighteen medicinal plant samples. The concentration ranged from 3.2 to 287.2 ng g-1 (Cd), 14.7 to 1195.7 ng g-1 (Co), 124.2 to 1946.1 ng g-1 (Pb) and 142.8 to 342.6 ng g-1 (Sn). Results were in agreement at a 95% confidence level...

Herbs have been the basis for medical treatments through much of human history, and even now such herbalism is still widely practiced around the world. Most frequently and traditionally, water is used as the extraction solvent for preparing medicinal herbs to generate decoction or infusion for medicinal purpose. In other words, in most cases, multiple chemical components in water extracts should be responsible for therapeutic (toxic and side, if any) effects of medicinal herbs. Phytochemical analysis of water extracts for quality control of medicinal herbs is therefore important to ensure their safeties and efficacies. Unfortunately, however, it is not given enough attention in the modern research whereas the relative current studies are intensively focused on organic solvent-extracts of medicinal herbs. In this project, analysis of medicinal herbs’ water extracts is thus focused. Various analytical approaches have been exhaustively developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemicals in water extracts of medicinal herbs. However, many research challenges in methodology still exist. Polysaccharides and small molecules are two most important kinds of chemcials in water extracts of medicinal herbs, so they also widely regarded as markers for quality evaluation. For analysis of small molecules, the levels of quantitative determination are always far unsatisfactory, normally less than 10%. For analysis of polysaccharides, the existed problems are even more serious in both sample preparation and chemical analysis. Ethanol precipitation is always the first step for crude polysaccharide preparation. But it is just directly used without optimization and its capacity has never been evaluated. Following that, chemical analysis of natural polysaccharide also suffers severe methodological bottlenecks and many drawbacks occurre in qualitative and quantitative characterization. Besides, polysaccharides and small molecules in medicinal herbs are always individually investigated but hardly studied together before. Concerning these issues, here several approaches and stratigies were accordingly proposed to improve the current situations using decoctions of some traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) as the research objects and examples. In detail, first, a quantitative method was developed for quality evaluation of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang. In this study, quantitative levels of small molecules were greatly improved, compared with the current analogous studies for quality evaluation of medicinal herbs. Then, shifting to polysaccharides, availability of ethanol precipitation for natural polysaccharide precipitation was critically evaluated. Parameters which could affect the ethanol precipitation results, such as structural features, molecular size of polysaccharide, and ethanol concentration were systematically investigated. Successively, a novel and rapid HPGPC-based strategy for quality control of saccharide-dominant medicinal herbs was proposed using Dendrobium officinale as the example. Polysaccharides in the decoction of Dendrobium officinale were qualitatively and quantitatively determined. The methodological superiority of the developed method compared with conventional approaches was highlighted. To facilitate this study, research on chemistry, bioactivity and quality control of Dendrobium was systematically reviewed in advance. After that, small molecules and polysaccharides in in Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma were compared together. Lastly, effects of ginseng polysaccharides on the in vivo pharmacokinetics of ginsenoside Rg1 on induced immunosuppressive model rats was investigated to provide a chemically holistic view for Du-Shen-Tang. By these studies, the above mentioned predicament in chemical analysis on both small molecuels and polysaccharides in water extracts of medicinal herbs were methodologically improved to varying degrees. Concerning small molecules and polysaccharides from multiple perspectives, the successive studies are helpful for enhancing quality evaluation and scientific understanding of medicinal herbs’ decoctions.

Pelargonium inquinans which belongs to the family Geraniaceae, is an essential oil yielding plant. P. inquinans was collected from two different sites in Grahamstown (wild) and Alice, at the University of Fort Hare botanical garden. Authentication of the plant was done by Dr. T. Dold at Schonland herbarium, and the voucher specimen being T01. This study is focused at determining the chemical constituents and biological properties of the essential oils of wild and cultivated P. inquinans across different seasons, as the plant grows throughout the year. Seasonal collection of wild and cultivated P. inquinans was achieved in a duration of 12 months. 32 essential oil samples of P. inquinans were obtained by extraction using hydro-distillation technique for 3-4 hours. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined using GC/MS and GC/FID. Amongst the 32 essential oils only 4 samples wild ( fresh stem and leaf) and cultivated ( fresh stem and leaf) from summer season were evaluated for analgesic activity using acetic acid induced writhings and hot plate nociception models in mice, anti-inflammatory activity was determined on the egg albumin- induced rat paw oedema in rats. The results obtained from GC-MS revealed a total of 169 components obtained from the leafstem, fresh/dry wild and cultivated P. inquinans. These essential oils showed a great deal of chemotaxonomic variation and similarity in the major and minor components along the season. In spring season the essential oils of wild and cultivated P. inquinans had abundance of hydrogenated sesquiterpenes (20.6percent-66.7percent). The major components were found to be α-caryophyllene (9.1percent-26.8percent), p-xylene (23.3percent-27.5percent), β-caryophyllene (11.4percent-30.9percent), o-xylene (6.3percent-39.4percent), β-thujene (8.7percent), isocaryophyllene (13.9percent), isoborneol (14.2percent), β-myrcene (5.7percent), geranyl acetate (13.8percent), toluene (7.9percent), β-gurjunene (18.5percent), α-cadinene (15.8percent), β-farnesene (14.2percent), 3-carene (12.1percent) and camphene (9.0percent). In summer season the essential oils of wild and cultivated P. inquinans were found to have abundance of hydrogenated sesquiterpenes (50.3percent- 63.0percent), oxygenated monoterpenes (30.4percent) and hydrogenated monoterpenes (20.8percent- 61.0percent). The major components were found to be α-caryophyllene (12.3percent-25.8percent), β-caryophyllene (15.1percent- 31.7percent), trans-caryophyllene (10.3percent- 17.8percent), phytol (14.2percent- 20.2percent), camphor (46.5percent), sabinene (27.8percent), elemol (18.1percent), z3-hexenyl isobutyrate (16.3percent), limonene (12.1percent), menthone (12.1percent)< E.E-β-farnesene (14.7percent), palmitic acid (9.6percent), eugenol (9.4percent), cis- β-ocimene (8.7percent), α-terpineol (8.7percent), geranyl acetone (7.8percent), β- humulene (7.5percent). linoleic acid (7.4percent), trans-linalool oxide (7.4percent), β-bisabolene (7.1percent), cis- linalool oxide (7.1percent), ionone (6.9percent), caryophyllene oxide (6.9percent) and germacrene d (6.3percent). In autumn season the essential oils of wild and cultivated P. inquinans were found to be rich in hydrogenated sesquiterpenes (29.3percent- 65.2percent) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (22.8percent- 31.4percent). The major components were found to be α-caryophyllene (15.5percent- 23.4percent), β-caryophyllene (15.2percent- 17.2percent), β-myrcene (7.7percent-13.8percent), β-humulene (8.7percent- 15.2percent), caryophyllene oxide (9.8- 16.2percent), trans- caryophyllene (16.7percent- 23.3percent), α-humulene (11.8percent- 18.6percent), linoleic acid (11.2percent), palmitic acid (10.4percent), phytol acetate (8.5percent), -longipinene (8.3percent) and citronellol (7.8percent). In winter season the essential oils of wild and cultivated P. inquinans were found to have abundance of hydrogenated sesquiterpenes (25.1percent- 48.6percent), oxygenated monoterpenes (47.6percent), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (22.2percent- 28.0percent). The major components were found to be β-caryophyllene (14.6percent- 23.0percent), α-caryophyllene (9.4percent- 18.0percent), trans- caryophyllene (12.2percent- 14.6percent), α-cedrene (26.2percent), germacrene –d-4-ol (16.8percent), 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (15.6percent), (+) epibicyclosesquiphellandrene (15.3percent), E-β- farnesene (13.0percent), β-phellandrene (11.7percent), 2-nitrophenol (9.5percent), palatinol (8.4percent), geranyl acetate (7.7percent) and linoleic acid (7.4percent). The oils from the wild and cultivated sources showed significant (p<0.05-0.001) decrease in number of writhes induced by the acetic acid compared to vehicle; caused significant (p<0.05-0.001) delay in reaction time on the hot plate at 60 and 90 min post-treatment and significantly (p<0.05-0.001) reduced oedema size caused by the egg albumin injection compared to the vehicle. The oils from the wild plant showed more potency compared to the cultivated. The essential oils of wild and cultivated P. inquinans showed qualitative, quantitative and chemotaxonomic variation with analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. These essential oils need to be explored for further biological analysis because of the major components they contain.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-01-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:53:10Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lima_vm_me_botib.pdf: 317215 bytes, checksum: ff0dcd5619e23c674cb1a4079dd8c95c (MD5) / Adepressão e as desordens de ansiedade são distúrbios psiquiátricos de alta prevalência, cuja falta ou o tratamento inadequado acarretam um impacto negativo expressivo na vida social, física e mental do individuo. Historicamente, depressão e ansiedade são clinicamente consideradas desordens separadas e distintas, predominantemente devido aos diferentes tratamentos utilizados, usualmente os antidepressivos tricíclicos e os benzodiazepínicos, respectivamente. Entretanto, muitos estudos clínicos têm demonstrado uma grande sobreposição entre esses dois estados e vários antidepressivos são também utilizados no tratamento da ansiedade. Porém, mesmo com o arsenal terapêutico disponível, muitos portadores destes transtornos não respondem ao tratamento, a terapêutica efetiva leva algumas semanas para manifestar seus efeitos e estes são muitas vezes acompanhados por efeitos adversos. Neste contexto, as plantas medicinais desempenham um importante papel na busca de novos compostos, mais eficazes e seguros para o tratamento dessas desordens. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a atividade do óleo essencial obtido da espécie Rosmarinus offi.cinalis L. em modelos experimentais clássicos de depressão (Teste do Nado Forçado), transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (Labirinto em Cruz Elevado) e Transtorno Obsessivo Compulsivo (Teste de Esconder Esferas). Os resultados são promissores, pois o óleo essencial demonstrou ser ativo na dose de 500 mglkg no Teste do ado Forçado e no Teste de Esconder Esferas, sem apresentar indícios de alterações sobre o sistema motor no Teste da Barra Giratória. Não foi observada atividade no modelo de ansiedade generalizada. O conjunto de resultados sugere a presença de efeito compatível com atividade sobre a depressão e sobre o transtorno obsessivo compulsivo. A continuidade deste estudo objetivará o esclarecimento do mecanismo de... / Depression and anxiety are psychiatric disorders of high prevalence. Lack or inappropriate treatment has a significant negative impact on person' s social and physical life as well as on mental well-being. Historically, depression and anxiety were considered separated and distinct disorders in the medical concept, due to different approaches usually used for their treatment, such as tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines, respectively. However, many clinical studies have shown a great overlapping between these two states and many antidepressants are also used for the treatment of anxiety. Although a wide range of therapeutic drugs is available, many patients do not respond to the antidepressant treatment. Some weeks are required for an effective therapeutic response and treatment effects are usually accompanied by unwanted side-effects. Thus, attempts in order to find new, more effective and safe treatment options are necessary. ln this perspective, medicinal plants play an important role on the research of new drugs for treatment of these disorders. The objective ofthis paper was to evaluate the effect of essential oil obtained from Rosmarinus officinalis L. in c1assical experimental models of depression (Forced Swimming Test), generalized anxiety disorder (Elevated Plus Maze) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (Marble Burying Test). Our results are promising, such essential oil was active at 500 mglkg in the Forced Swimming Test and in the Marble Burying Test, without impairment upon the motor system, evaluated in the Rota-rod Test. There was no observed activity in the experimental procedure to generalized anxiety. Data analysis suggests the presence of depression and obsessivecompulsive disorder-like effects. The continuity of this study will intend the elucidation of action mechanisms, pharmacokinetic parameters and toxicity of essential oil form Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:44:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 camargo_ees_dr_arafcf.pdf: 2843351 bytes, checksum: 6cef82229e6c2adebf97fcde6b8ae17a (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Os sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo estão em fase de transição. As mudanças nos trazem diariamente diferentes prioridades e expectativas e uma nova série de acrônimos a ser aprendida. No Brasil, vários municípios e estados, implantaram programas de distribuição de plantas medicinais e medicamentos fitoterápicos, com o objetivo de garantir o acesso dos usuários ao medicamento. As informações para o diagnóstico dos programas foram obtidas por meio de questionário, enviados a 124 municípios, os quais estavam cadastrados no Departamento de Assistência Farmacêutica da Secretaria de Ciência e Tecnologia e Insumos Estratégicos do Ministério da Saúde, como sendo detentores de programas de fitoterapia. Após o recebimento dos questionários respondidos e verificados quais encontravam em atividades, foram selecionados 10 programas dos quais realizou-se visitas in loco no sentido de confirmar as respostas obtidas nos respectivos questionários. Os resultados obtidos através dos questionários, foram concordantes aos observados nas visitas técnicas. Do total de questionários enviados, foram devolvidos 36% e desses, 55% estão em atividades no país. As regiões nordeste e sudeste concentram o maior número de programas em atividades. Porém a região sudeste também se destaca no número de programas que abandonaram suas atividades. Os motivos relacionados a implantação dos programas foram atribuídos a demanda da população em utilizar plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos. A iniciativa que levou os municípios implantarem os programas foram atribuídos em aproximadamente 58%, pelos gestores, porém as dificuldades encontradas na implantação, em 91% deles, atribuíram a falta de recursos financeiros. Mesmo assim, esses municípios usaram recursos próprios para efetivação dos serviços. Um fator bastante forte, que assegura a continuidade dos serviços, atribui-se em... / Health systems around the world are in transition. Changes in daily bring different priorities and expectations and a new set of acronyms to learn. In Brazil, many municipalities and states have implemented programs for the distribution of medicinal plants and herbal medicines, in order to ensure users access to medicine. The information for the diagnosis of the programs were obtained through a questionnaire sent to 124 municipalities, which were registered in the Department of Pharmaceutical Services of the Department of Science and Technology and Strategic Inputs of the Ministry of Health, as having programs for herbal medicine. Upon receipt the answered of the questionnaire, it was being able to identify which programs are in activity. Then, it was selected ten programs to technical visit for confirmation of the answers in their questionnaires. The results obtained from the questionnaires were in agreement with was observed in the technical visits. Of the total questionnaires, it was returned 36%, and of these, 55% are in-country activities. The northeast and southeast regions have the highest number of programs in activity. The southeast is notable in the number of programs that have abolished their activities. The implementation of the programs occurs basically because the demand of the population in uses medicinal plants and herbal medicines. The initiative of municipalities to roll out the programs was allocated in 58% by the managers, but the lack of financial resources was the difficulties factor for implementation in 91% of theses programs. Nevertheless, 50% of theses programs are involved in organizations and communities, which is a strong factor to ensure continuity of service. It means that 50% of municipalities have being used their own resources for effective services. In approximately 80% of programs the doctors did not adhere to the herbal medicine... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-23Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:49:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marques_es_me_botib.pdf: 444476 bytes, checksum: 204ed9f67d83c3092663922679788606 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Garcinia achachairu Rubsy (Clusiaceae) é popularmente conhecida como achachairú, e é usada na medicina popular boliviana como cicatrizante, digestiva, propriedades laxativa e no tratamento de gastrite, reumatismo e inflamações. Apesar de sua ampla utilização terapêutica, há uma carência de dados acerca de seus efeitos genotóxicos in vivo. Contudo, neste trabalho, foi utilizado o ensaio cometa e teste do micronúcleo, respectivamente, para avaliar os possíveis efeitos genotóxicos e clastogênicos do extrato de semente de Garcinia achachairu (GAE) em diferentes células de camundongos. O extrato foi administrado via gavage em doses de 500, 1000 e 2000 mg / kg. Para as análises, foram realizados o ensaio cometa em leucócitos (coletados 4 e 24 horas após o tratamento), fígado, medula óssea e células testiculares (coletadas 24 horas após o tratamento), e o teste de micronúcleo (MN) em células da medula óssea. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada pela contagem consecutiva de 200 eritrócitos policromáticos (PCE) e normocromáticos (NCE) (PCE / NCE relação). Os resultados mostraram que o GAE não induziu danos ao DNA significativos em leucócitos (amostras de 4h e 24h), fígado, medula óssea e células testiculares (amostras de 24h amostras). Não foi evidenciado aumento significativo de eritrócitos policromáticos micronucleados (MNPCE) nas três doses testadas. A relação PCE / NCE não indicou citotoxicidade. Nas nossas condições experimentais, os dados obtidos sugerem que uma única administração oral do extrato de G. achachairu não causa genotoxicidade e clastogenicidade em diferentes células de camundongos / Garcinia achachairu Rubsy (Clusiaceae) is popularly known as achachairu, and is used in folk Bolivian medicine for its healing, digestive, and laxative properties, and in the treatment of gastritis, rheumatism and inflammation. Despite its widespread therapeutic use, there is a lack of data regarding its in vivo genotoxic effects. Therefore, in this study, we used the comet assay and the micronucleus test, respectively, to evaluate the possible genotoxic and clastogenic effects of Garcinia achachairu seed extract (GAE) on different cells of mice. The GAE was administered by oral gavage at doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg. For the analysis, the comet assay was performed on the leukocytes (collected 4 and 24 hours after treatment), liver, bone marrow and testicular cells (collected 24 hours after treatment), and the micronucleus test (MN) on bone marrow cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed by scoring 200 consecutive polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes (PCE/NCE ratio). The results showed that GAE did not induce significant DNA damage in leukocytes (4h and 24 h samples), liver, bone marrow and testicular cells (24 h samples). Neither did they show any significant increase in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) at the three tested doses. The PCE/NCE ratio indicated no cytotoxicity. Under our experimental conditions, the data obtained suggest that a single oral administration of G. achachairu extract does not cause genotoxicity and clastogenicity in different cells of mice