The present study was aimed at evaluating the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract from Vernonia condensata leaves in animal models, in order to afford a better understanding of these properties. The extract reduced the number of abdominal contortions at doses of 100 (51.00 ± 3.00), 200 (42.00 ± 2.98) and 400 mg/kg (39.00 ± 4.00). In formalin tests, a significant reduction in the licking time (p < 0.01) was observed in the first phase by 25.14 (200 mg/kg = 51.50 ± 4.44) and 31.15% (400 mg/kg = 48.00 ± 4.37). The doses of 100 (43.37 ± 5.15), 200 (34.62 ± 4.16) and 400 mg/kg (28.37 ± 3.98) inhibited (p < 0.001) the second phase. After 60 and 90 min of treatment, a dose of 400 mg/kg (10.13 ± 0.39 and 11.14 ± 1.33, respectively) increased the latency time. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg potentiated the sleeping time induced by diazepam, pentobarbital and meprobamate. The extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) showed anti-inflammatory effects by a decrease in paw edema. The extracts also reduced the exudate volume at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. The leukocyte migration had significant effect (p < 0.001) at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. The completion of additional experiments in the investigation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of V. condensata allowed a better understanding of the central and peripheral mechanisms involved.

Background Dipyrone is a non-narcotic analgesic/antipyretic widely used in some countries but prohibited in others due to suspected risk of agranulocytosis. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate hematological alterations in healthy adult volunteers after treatment with dipyrone. Methods The study enrolled 30 healthy volunteers of both genders, aged 19-37 years. They received tablets containing 500 mg of dipyrone sodium to be used four times daily for 7 consecutive days. Before the first administration, arterial pressure was measured and blood was collected in order to evaluate hematological baseline parameters. On the 8th day after the beginning of treatment, the volunteers had their blood pressure assessed once more and underwent a second blood draw. Total and specific leukocyte counts, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), erythrocytes, and platelets were quantitatively determined. Results No statistically significant difference was observed among total or specific leukocyte counts. Number of platelets, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit decreased after treatment. Diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and urea concentration declined, while creatinine, AST, and ALT showed no significant alterations. It is noteworthy that, even for parameters that showed statistically significant changes, the highest and lowest values remained within the normal ranges. Conclusions Although dipyrone has historically been associated with agranulocytosis, leukocyte counts remained practically unchanged after oral administration of dipyrone. On the other hand, the present study adds evidence that dipyrone is able to produce statistically relevant decrease in number of platelets, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in healthy adults, even after short-term treatment.

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The insertion of Pharmaceutical Care in Primary Health Care (PHC) improves patients' clinical outcomes and quality of life. Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up can contribute to the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, promoting better glycemic control and adherence to therapy. This study aimed to assess the Drug-therapy Problems (DTPs) and Pharmacist Interventions (PIs) on the pharmacotherapeutic management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a community pharmacy. A quantitative, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a Pharmaceutical Care Program within the PHC in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Inclusion criteria were patients with T2DM above 18, who attended at least three pharmaceutical consultations between July 2016 and October 2018 and presented two or more glycated hemoglobin tests. The study group (n = 17) was largely composed of women (65%), elderly (76%), sedentary (72%), and obese people (52%). The resolution was achieved in 79% of the DTPs identified (n = 115). Most of DTPs were related to administration and adherence to pharmacotherapy (46%). 60% of the 437 PIs involved the provision of information and counseling. In other words, accessible interventions lead to high resolvability. Therefore, clinical actuation of pharmacists could improve the prognosis in diabetes treatment.