INTRODUÇÃOUm estudo multicêntrico sobre prevalência de Diabetes mellitus no Brasil apontou índice de 7,6% na população brasileira entre 30-69 anos, atingindo cifras próximas a 20% na população acima dos 70 anos. Cerca de 50% dessas pessoas desconhecem o diagnóstico e 25% da população diabética não fazem nenhum tratamento (Paiva et al., 2006 Palavras-chave: Diabetes mellitus, plantas medicinais, fitoterapia, PSF -HiperdiaABSTRACT: Empirical use of medicinal plants for diabetes treatment. Diabetes is an attractive target to search for new methods of treatment, with the possibility of using several medicinal plant species. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants considered hypoglycemic for diabetic patients from Vitoria de Santo Antão-Pernambuco State, Brazil. This was a transversal descriptive study conducted with 158 diabetic patients enrolled in the program HIPERDIA at the PSF's of this city, between July 2009 and May 2010 with data collected by means of structured form. Among interviewees, 36% reported the use of medicinal plants considered hypoglycemic. A total of 35 different plants belonging to 24 families were cited and the most frequent species were: Asteraceae (12.5%) and Myrtaceae (9.37%). The most prevalent medicinal plant was "pata-de-vaca" (Bahuinia sp.), with 16.8%, followed by "azeitona roxa" (Syzygium jambolanum DC.) and "insulina" (Cissus sicyoides L.). Most individuals (58%) cultivated the medicinal plant they used, and for those who acquired them, the main source was "raizeiros" [people similar to healers but who only sell medicinal plants] (28.16%).

OBJECTIVETo assess the quality of health care of older adults using as a parameter the assessment of the responsiveness of the service.METHODSThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a reference unit of the Brazilian Unified Health System at the outpatient level. The sample was probabilistic and had 385 older adults; data collection occurred in 2014. The domains assessed were: choice, autonomy, confidentiality, dignity, communication, physical facilities, and fast service. To this end, we used Pearson correlation test and Fisher’s exact test.RESULTSThe domains of dignity, confidentiality, and communication reached the highest level of adequate responsiveness. On the other hand, freedom of choice and fast service received the worst assessments. Participation in decision-making regarding treatment was significantly lower among the older adults who had no education. In addition, the older adults that self-reported as black receive a lower quality of care regarding clear explanation and respected privacy in the appointment, when compared to users of any other race.CONCLUSIONSAlthough most domains studied have receive a positive assessment, we have found a need for an equal care by the health professionals, regardless of race, education level, or any other adjective characteristic of older adults, users of public health services.

Sea anemones contain a variety of biologically active substances. Bunodosoma caissarum is a sea anemone from the Cnidaria phylum, found only in Brazilian coastal waters. The aim of the present work was to study the biological effects of PLA(2) isolated from the sea anemone B. caissarum on the isolated perfused kidney, the arteriolar mesenteric bed and on insulin secretion. Specimens of B. caissarum were collected from the São Vicente Channel on the southern coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Reverse phase HPLC analysis of the crude extract of B. caissarum detected three PLA(2) proteins (named BcPLA(2)1, BcPLA(2)2 and BcPLA(2)3) found to be active in B. caissarum extracts. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of BcPLA(2)1 showed one main peak at 14.7 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of BcPLA(2)1 showed high amino acid sequence identity with PLA(2) group III protein isolated from the Mexican lizard (PA23 HELSU, HELSU, PA22 HELSU) and with the honey bee Apis mellifera (PLA(2) and 1POC_A). In addition, BcPLA(2)1 also showed significant overall homology to bee PLA(2). The enzymatic activity induced by native BcPLA(2)1 (20 microg/well) was reduced by chemical treatment with p-bromophenacyl bromide (p-BPB) and with morin. BcPLA(2)1 strongly induced insulin secretion in presence of high glucose concentration. In isolated kidney, the PLA(2) from B. caissarum increased the perfusion pressure, renal vascular resistance, urinary flow, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium, potassium and chloride levels of excretion. BcPLA(2)1, however, did not increase the perfusion pressure on the mesenteric vascular bed. In conclusion, PLA(2), a group III phospholipase isolated from the sea anemone B. caissarum, exerted effects on renal function and induced insulin secretion in conditions of high glucose concentration.

Leaves of Croton adamantinus have been used to treat inflammation and skin wounds in the semi-arid area of the Northeast of Brazil. In order to evaluate if the essential oil (EO) was responsible for the claimed activities; antinociceptive, wound healing and antimicrobial tests were carried out. Twenty constituents were identified in C. adamantinus EO by GC-MS, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR, the major compounds being methyl-eugenol (14.81%) and 1,8-cineol (13.74%). Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by the formalin test and the abdominal contortion assay in mice. The EO (50 and 100 mg/kg) decreased the licking time of both phases of the formalin test when compared to the vehicle, but not to morphine (7.5 mg/kg). In the abdominal contortion assay, the EO (50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the number of contortions compared to the vehicle and to indometacin (10 mg/kg). The wound healing activity was verified also using two experimental models: excisional wound and dead space. Topical treatment with the EO (1%) increased the wound contraction from the third day of treatment (compared with nitrofurazone 0.2%), while systemic treatment (50 mg/kg/day) increased granulation tissue formation and reduced the water content. C. adamantinus EO also showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in disk diffusion method. These results corroborate the ethnobotanical use of this specie by Brazilian population.

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