Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart. (Apocynaceae) is used in popular medicine to treat malaria and dengue. The aim of the present study was to morphoanatomically, histochemistry and phytochemically characterize A. macrocarpon young branches and leaves, seeking to indicate secondary compounds presenting medicinal potential to treat these diseases. Aspidosperma macrocarpon young branches and leaves were collected in private properties located in municipality of Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Sectional and paradermic sections were set freehand using a steelblade, were doubly stained and assembled on histological slides. The fresh material was subjected to histochemical and phytochemical tests for detection of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiotonic glycosides, anthraquinone, steroids and terpenes. Aspidosperma macrocarpon presented glandular trichomes, cavities and secretory cells. We detected the presence of tannins, flavonoid, phenolic compounds, cardiotonic glycosides and alkaloids, which may confer antiplasmodic activity and antiviral properties to the species. As far as it is known, the present study was the first to identify aspects of the histochemical and phytochemical composition of young branches and leaves A. macrocarpon which may be associated with the popular use of this plant to treat malaria and dengue in a transition region between the Cerrado and Amazon biomes, where malaria and dengue occur endemically.

Potassium losartan is an example of AT1 receptors antagonist, and it is used for hypertension treatment. Potassium losartanoften is prepared at compounding pharmacies. Thus, the aim of this work is to analyze the dosage forms of potassium Losartan prepared by compounding pharmacies at Montes Claros, MG. Capsules containing 50 mg losartan were purchased commercially in three randomly chosen compounding pharmacies. The average weight of the capsules ranged from 0.136 g to 0.147 g for the same prescription of 50 mg. The test for disintegration of the capsule as described in the methodology above, lies within the parameters established in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. It is not conclusive analysis of the mean weight of the capsules, while the disintegration test demonstrated a good quality capsules analyzed.Keywords: potassium losartan; compounding pharmacy; Quality Control RESUMO Losartana Potássica é um exemplo clássico de antagonistas dos receptores da AT1 ativos por via oral,e é utilizada no tratamento da Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica. A fórmula manipulada em farmácias magistrais deve conter a quantidade de fármaco exata em todas as preparações farmacêuticas. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi analisar cápsulas de Losartana Potássica manipuladas em farmácias de Montes Claros, MG. As amostras de Losartana Potássica 50 mg foram adquiridas comercialmente em três farmácias de manipulação escolhidas aleatoriamente. Para a determinação do peso médio e tempo de desintegração da cápsula, foi seguida a Farmacopeia Brasileira. O peso das cápsulas variou de 0,136 g a 0,147 g para a mesma prescrição de 50 mg. O teste para desintegração da cápsula conforme descrito na Farmacopeia se encontrou dentro dos parâmetros estabelecidos.

The presence of weeds amid pastures has caused significant damage to cattle farmers due to the difficulty in controlling these species. Paspalum virgatum stands out as an aggressive weed in Amazonian agroecosystems. Proper management of weed species is threatened by their aggressiveness, adaptation to low fertility soils and morphological, physiological and biochemical similarities with the grasses used as fodder. It is also possible that part of these characteristics of aggressiveness occur due to the ability of weeds to produce allelochemicals, resulting in damage to surrounding plants. The objective of this study was to qualitatively verify the presence of secondary metabolites in P. virgatum species under different water availability. The analyzed species were initially grown separately under three conditions of water availability: water deficit, field capacity and flooded environment. The water deficit treatment was conducted to verify weed ability to develop under conditions of extreme water shortage. This is a characteristic related to its rusticity, as found in grasses in the Amazon region. Excess water treatments were also conducted, since this is a common condition found in areas with partial flooding of a few months during the rainy season in the Amazon. After 120 days, weeds were collected and separated into roots, stems and leaves. The material was subsequently dried, ground and subjected to procedures to determine secondary metabolites. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids were identified in all conditions of plant development. The flavonoid detection test presented an intense yellow color. This is a strong indication of the presence of this class in stems and leaves of plants under flood and in leaves of plants under field capacity soil conditions. An intense presence of phenolic compounds was verified in stems and leaves, regardless of treatment. General alkaloids were found in great intensity in all samples. Saponins were found in leaves of P. virgatum under water stress (flooding and water deficit). All the metabolites were found in the plants, diverging between treatments and parts of the plant. It was concluded that the species presented higher steroid content in the roots when growing in places with excess of water. In conditions of full water supply, the presence of steroid was less intense in the roots, leaves and stems, result also found in roots and leaves of plants under water deficit. Alkaloids were less intensely present in the roots, regardless of the water treatment in which the plant was submitted. Results demonstrated that there are secondary metabolites responsible for some physiological ability of the weed to withstand excess or water deficit, indicating the need for further studies

Background: Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. (Fabaceae) is one of the plant species commonly found in Brazilian cerrado. It is popularly known as jatobá-do-cerrado. Phytochemical studies of different parts of the plant demonstrated the presence of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and oligosaccharides. The species produces an opaque, translucent, pale yellow, or almost white resin rich in labdanóides compounds, widely used in folk medicine, but without proving its pharmacological actions. Objective: To analyze the H. stigonocarpa resin to confirm its pharmacological actions through specific tests for cicatrization, nociception, and cytotoxicity and to evaluate the chemical composition through the gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Materials and Methods: The cell proliferation/ migration capacity was evaluated using the scratch assay method and the cell viability determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-tetrazolium 2,5-diphenyl-bromide cytotoxicity assay. In the pharmacological tests were performed Abdominal Contortions induced by acetic acid and Nociceptive Response evaluated by the Formalin Test. GC-MS was used to trace the profile of the bioactive compounds of the resin. Results: It was possible to verify the presence of terpene compounds with the labdanos skeleton. Structures that revealed important pharmacological actions regarding healing, evidenced by the scratch assay test and nociceptive activity demonstrated by the animal tests. No cytotoxic activity was detected at the dosages tested. Conclusion: The results obtained confirm the pharmacological action of the species and can be used to elaborate on new therapies, which will increase the therapeutic arsenal available to the population.