Medicinal plants have great prominence in research into the development of new medicines. Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) is an edible and medicinal plant with economic value in the northeast region of Brazil. Several preparations from E. uniflora leaves and its fruits are employed as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. In this study we evaluated the preclinical toxicology of crude extract and vaginal gel obtained from the leaves of E. uniflora (5%, 10%, and 15%) aiming to provide safety for its use in the treatment of vulvovaginitis. Both formulations were applied to the vaginal cavity for 14 days. Detailed observations of the vaginal region, including pruritus, swelling, irritation, burning, pain, and vaginal secretion, as well as the estrous cycle were evaluated. On the fifth day, blood samples were obtained from the supraorbital plexus for biochemical and hematological analyses. The animals were subsequently euthanized. All animals underwent necropsy and macroscopic examination of the vaginal mucosa and reproductive system. A histological examination was also performed. No clinically significant changes were detected during the entire experimental period. All biochemical, hematological, or histopathological parameters were within the normal range for the species. The data obtained allow us to suggest that the E. uniflora vaginal formulations are safe in this experimental model.

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As grandes conquistas da mulher na escala social, familiar e socioeconômica, trazem a público também um quadro de sinais e sintomas vivenciados na sua vida fértil, que antes ficavam entre elas e seus ginecologistas, que é a Síndrome da Tensão Pré Menstrual (STPM). social e no trabalho podem trazer benefícios socioeconômicos e na qualidade de vida das A busca por terapias alternativas eficazes e seguras capazes de atuar sobre os sintomas psicológicos e físicos evitando perda de dias de trabalho e melhor relacionamento familiar, mulheres que padecem deste grande incômodo. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar pacientes diagnosticadas com STPM com o uso associado da camomila (Matricaria recutita), maçã (Malus domestica) e maracujá (Passiflora edulis) na forma de suco em mistura única nos 10 dias que antecedem a menstruação na forma de chá das referidas plantas. Para este propósito participaram da pesquisa 43 pacientes em idade fértil (entre 18 e 49 anos) com diagnóstico de STPM em consultório médico particular na cidade de Umuarama – PR, que responderam um questionário sobre a prevalência dos sintomas mais frequentes referentes a STPM, sendo os resultados observados em nosso estudo mostraram que os parâmetros: 1) Irritabilidade e Nervosismo, 2) Ansiedade e 7) Desejo aumentado de comer doce, foram os mais afetados em relação a terapia alternativa com 91%, 81% e 67%, respectivamente. Além disso, foi verificado que 93% das pacientes citaram ter mais de 4 em até 10 parâmetros afetados. Isto refletiu o nível de satisfação frente a terapia realizada com 79,1% de satisfação das mulheres avaliadas em relação a este percentual de parâmetros alcançados (91%), onde a faixa etária predominante das pacientes se encontrava entre 18 a 23 anos de idade com 35% de participação na referida pesquisa. Desta forma, verificou-se que os eventos centrais relativos a esta Síndrome são os mais afetados positivamente por esta terapia proposta, e que as queixas periféricas também foram amenizadas. Estes efeitos se devem as atividades gerais dos flavonoides contidos nestes produtos naturais (Maracujá, Camomila e Maçã) que atuam em receptores centrais, semelhantes as atividades de Gaba (ácido gama amino butírico) e suas ações moduladoras do processo inflamatório reduzindo a síntese de prostaglandinas e metaloproteinases respectivamente. Assim, concluiu-se que esta terapia propiciou em termos gerais melhora nos sintomas mais frequentes desta síndrome (irritabilidade e nervosismo, ansiedade, e vontade de comer doces) e na qualidade de vida destas mulheres quando fora utilizado a prática das terapias alternativas.

Background: COVID-19 has reached more than 20 million people since its appearance in December 2019. As a result of the infection process by the Sars-CoV-2 virus, patients manifest initial symptoms easily mistaken for common flu. However, in a small group of the population, the condition may progress to pneumonia or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Objective: The objective of this study was to carry out an integrative review on laboratory and imaging diagnostics for COVID-19, in the period from 2019 to 2021. Method: Electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO, Virtual Library, LILACS, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and the official website of the World Health Organization were used. Results: RT-qPCR identifies fragments of viral RNA in the initial stage of the disease since the genes E and RdRp are the most used, given the great sensitivity. Imaging and serological methods can be used as complementary exams. The main radiographic findings are reticular and ground-glass opacity patterns, reversed halo sign, mosaic attenuation, and consolidations. The antibody levels are detected after the seventh day of symptom onset. Conclusion: Caution should be exercised when interpreting the results for the diagnosis of COVID-19, since the onset of clinical symptoms and laboratory and imaging tests must be taken into account.

Echinodorus grandiflorus has pharmacological properties due to its secondary metabolism, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antihypertensive, and cardioprotective effects. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude extract of E. grandiflorus form its leaves. In the analysis of the phytochemical profile, qualitative tests were performed to identify tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenes, saponins, polysaccharides, and coumarins. Antimicrobial tests were performed using the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in 96-well microplates, using hydroalcoholic crude extract obtained by maceration in the proportions 1:5 and 1:10. The higher content of crude extract was observed by maceration 1:5 (3.26%). In phytochemical tests, the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins was detected. The microbial strains evaluated were Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Lactobacillus casei, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of crude extract has not apparent against the tested organisms. It is concluded that the crude extract present several phytochemical, however did not show antimicrobial activity, and furthermore studies should be carried out researching isolated chemical compounds and the antimicrobial activity leaves crude extract of Echinodorus grandiflorus plant.