Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) induces psychostimulant, anxiolytic-like effects and improvement of motor performance in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is reported by traditional medicine as tonic, stimulating and beneficial in increasing resistance to fatigue. Previous preclinical studies in rats using aqueous extract of sugarcane leaves (AE) revealed pharmacological effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems involving the participation of dopaminergic pathways.

Garlic: An Alternative Treatment for Group B Streptococcus.

Prenatal screening in pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis has successfully reduced the incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality related to Streptococcus agalactiae. However, the contamination rates of newborns are still considerable. In traditional and folk medicines, it has been observed that garlic has been effective in treating S.

Chemical Structure and Localization of Levan, the Predominant Fructan Type in Underground Systems of (Amaranthaceae).

Seub. (Amaranthaceae) is an endemic species from Brazilian with a fructan accumulating underground reserve system. Analyses of high performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC-PAD) revealed the presence of the soluble carbohydrates glucose, fructose, sucrose, 1-kestose, 6-kestose, nystose and fructans with degree of polymerization (DP) up to approximately 40 fructose units.

Phytochemical Characterization of Linn. Extracts and Their antifungal Activities against spp.

Linn bark is used to treat dysentery by various populations in Southeast Asian countries, and its leaves have also been used in traditional medicine to treat hepatitis in India and the Philippines. Here, the antifungal actions of crude hydro-alcoholic extract (TcHE) and fractions from leaves were assessed via the agar diffusion and microdilution tests on reference strains and clinical isolates from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Additionally, the potential cytotoxic effects of TcHE were assessed on cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Involvement of monoaminergic systems in the antidepressant-like properties of Lafoensia pacari A. St. Hil.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil.

A comparative study of two clerodane diterpenes from Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. on the influx and mobilization of intracellular calcium in rat cardiomyocytes.

Baccharis trimera (Less.) D.C.

Phenolic acids, hydrolyzable tannins, and antioxidant activity of geopropolis from the stingless bee Melipona fasciculata Smith.

Geopropolis is a mixture of plant resins, waxes, and soil produced by the stingless bee Melipona fasciculata Smith. This paper describes the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of geopropolis produced by M. fasciculata.

In vivo inhibition of gastric acid secretion by the aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis L. in rodents.

The freeze-dried aqueous extract (AE) from the aerial parts of Scoparia dulcis was tested for its effects on experimental gastric hypersecretion and ulcer in rodents. Administration of AE to animals with 4h pylorus ligature potently reduced the gastric secretion with ED(50)s of 195 mg/kg (rats) and 306 mg/kg (mice). The AE also inhibited the histamine- or bethanechol-stimulated gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated mice with similar potency suggesting inhibition of the proton pump.

Inhibition of the gastric H+,K+ -ATPase by plectrinone A, a diterpenoid isolated from Plectranthus barbatus Andrews.

This work assessed the mechanism underlying the antisecretory gastric acid effect of Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) and active constituents. Popularly known as "false-boldo", this plant is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and hepatic ailments. The plant aqueous extract (AE) and isolated compounds were assayed in vivo in pylorus-ligated mice, and in vitro on acid secretion measured as [(14)C]-aminopyrine ([(14)C]-AP) accumulation in rabbit gastric glands and gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase preparations.

Gastroprotective mechanisms of indole alkaloids from Himatanthus lancifolius.

The indole alkaloids mixture (AlkF) obtained from the barks of Himatanthus lancifolius (Muell. Arg.) Woodson was evaluated for gastroprotective properties in rodents.