Papers by Henrique Coutinho
Pharmaceutical Biology, 2016
Context: Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) has been used for the treatment of abdominal p... more Context: Chrysobalanus icaco L. (Chrysobalanaceae) has been used for the treatment of abdominal pain and cramps. Objective: Assess the chemical and pharmacological profile of the lyophilized aqueous extract from C. icaco leaves (AEC). Materials and methods: Chromatographic methods were used to assess compounds from AEC. Mice were treated with vehicle (control group) or AEC (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) (group with 7-8 mice) and the analgesic profile was assessed employing the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, hot plate tests and hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan (CG) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha. The animal motor performance was assessed using rota-rod and grip strength tests. Results: The chromatographic profile of AEC demonstrated the presence of terpenoid compounds. The acute pretreatment with AEC, at all doses, produced a significant (p < 0.01) inhibition of painful bahaviour (11.4 ± 3.6; 10.3 ± 2.8; 11.3 ± 2.2) when compared to the control group (24.7 ± 4.7) in acetic acid-induced writhing test. In the formalin test, AEC were effective in the second phase (p < 0.01) (57.2 ± 10.3; 56.3 ± 9.2; 54.7 ± 8.9) when compared to control group (121.9 ± 18.5). No response was observed in the hot plate test. The higher dose of AEC produced a significant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) inhibitory effect on the mechanical hyperalgesia test. AEC did not affect the motor performance of the mice. Discussion: The terpenoids from AEC are known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. So, these results corroborate the experiments using the AEC in inflammatory pain protocols. Conclusion: Our results suggest that AEC act against inflammatory pain.
Journal of Molecular Structure
Revista Interfaces: Saúde, Humanas e Tecnologia, 2014
Chemotherapy, 2008
Background: This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of Ment... more Background: This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of Mentha arvensis. Methods: In this study an ethanol extract of M. arvensis L. and chlorpromazine were tested for their antimicrobial activity alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics against strains of Escherichia coli. Results: The growth of two E. coli strains tested was not inhibited by the extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericide concentration values were ≥1 mg/ml for both strains of E. coli used. A potentiating effect of this extract on gentamicin was demonstrated. Similarly, there was a potentiating effect of chlorpromazine on kanamycin, amikacin and tobramycin, indicating the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to these aminoglycosides. Conclusions: It is therefore suggested that extracts from M. arvensis could be used as a source of plant-derived natural products with resistance-modifying activity, such as in the case of gentamic...
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2010
Escherichia coli is known to produce enterotoxins whose properties and its role in diarrheal dise... more Escherichia coli is known to produce enterotoxins whose properties and its role in diarrheal disease has been extensively investigated. Some species of Staphylococcus are often recognized as etiological agents of many animal and human opportunistic infections. This study is the first test of change in resistance of antibiotic activity by Ocimum gratissimum L. against multiresistant strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, the hexane and methanol extract of O. gratissimum L. were tested for antibacterial activity alone and in combination with aminoglycosides against bacterial strains. The synergy of the methanolic and hexane were verified by microdilution method. A synergistic effect of both extracts combined with the aminoglycosides was demonstrated. Is therefore suggested that the extracts from O. gratissimum L. could be used as a source of natural products derived from this plant with resistance-modifying antibacterial activity, providing a new weapon against t...
International Journal of Food Properties, 2010
Pequi fruits have a high nutritional value, and they are rich in protein and vitamins. This work ... more Pequi fruits have a high nutritional value, and they are rich in protein and vitamins. This work reports the results of the chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of “pequi” fruit pulp oil of Caryocar coriaceum (Wittm). Chemical composition was assessed by GLC and the antibacterial activity was assayed by the disk diffusion method. GLC indicated the following fatty acid content:
Archives of Biological Sciences, 2012
The ethanol extract and methanol fraction of Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) link were evaluated fo... more The ethanol extract and methanol fraction of Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) link were evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal and modulatory activities against strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. The antimicrobial activity of the natural products was evaluated by the microdilution method associated or not with aminoglycosides and antifungals. The ethanol extract and methanol fraction of P. calomelanos showed good activity against S. aureus when associated with aminoglycosides and with benzoilmetronidazol against species of the genus Candida. These results indicate that P. calomelanos should be studied as a possible source of natural products to combat bacteria and fungi either directly or by modulating the mechanisms of resistance of these microorganisms, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of these drugs and combating microbial resistance.
Immunity & Ageing, 2009
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disorder that belongs to a ... more Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disorder that belongs to a group of conditions called laminopathies which affect nuclear lamins. Mutations in two genes, LMNA and ZMPSTE24, have been found in patients with HGPS. The p.G608G LMNA mutation is the most commonly reported mutation. The aim of this work was to compile a comprehensive literature review of
BMC …, Jan 1, 2009
Background: Several species from Insecta are used as remedies. Among these species, the termite N... more Background: Several species from Insecta are used as remedies. Among these species, the termite Nasutitermes corniger is commonly used in traditional medicine in Northeast Brazil. The present work tests the modifying antibiotic activity of Nasutitermes corniger, a termite used in folk medicine in Northeastern region of Brazil.
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Papers by Henrique Coutinho