Justicia Pectoralis Research Articles

O papel terapêutico do Programa Farmácia Viva e das plantas medicinais

RESUMOEste trabalho realizou um levantamento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais na cidade de Picos-PI, identificou as plantas cultivadas no horto pertencente ao Laboratório Fitoterápico de Picos (LAFIPI), e analisou o uso de fitoterápicos dispensados pelo Programa Farmácia Viva no triênio 2008-2010. Do total dos 750 entrevistados, 37,6% foram homens e 62,4 % mulheres, dentre os quais a maioria não concluiu o segundo grau (69,2%) e 77,2% possuíam renda mensal de até dois salários mínimos. Com relação ao consumo de plantas medicinais, 76,3% afirmaram utilizá-las para tratar doenças, principalmente por considerá-las mais saudáveis (84,8%). A indicação do uso foi orientada, sobretudo, por familiares (82,2%), embora a maioria adquira as plantas em feiras livres (32,8%). Das 127 plantas relatadas, as mais citadas foram erva-cidreira, boldo e hortelã, sendo as folhas a parte mais utilizada (42,3%), predominantemente por infusão (39,4%). As aplicações mais lembradas foram para tratar dores em geral (17%), distúrbios respiratórios (16,5%) e digestivos (16%). As espécies mais cultivadas no horto são chambá (Justicia pectoralis), alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides), malva santa (Plectranthus barbatus) e erva cidreira (Lippia alba). O lambedor de chambá foi o fitoterápico mais procurado pela população entre 2008 e 2010. Esse estudo descreveu, pela primeira vez, o uso tradicional de plantas medicinais no município de Picos e demonstrou, também de forma inédita, a relevância de investimentos do Programa Farmácia Viva no município de Picos e sua inclusão no Programa Saúde da Família como forma de disponibilizar à população de baixa renda fitoterápicos produzidos localmente a custos reduzidos.

Preliminary Investigations of the Anti-asthmatic Properties of the Aqueous Extract of Justicia pectoralis (Fresh Cut).

Justicia pectoralis (fresh cut plant), family Acantheceae, is a herb that is native to central America and the Caribbean. A crude extract prepared from the leaves of Justicia pectoralis is commonly used in Jamaican ethnotraditional medicine to reduce difficulty in breathing and suppress wheezing in asthmatic individuals. To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antihistamine activity of an aqueous extract of Justicia pectoralis. In in vivo experiments, guinea pigs were sensitized by the method of Weinrich and Undem (1987). The effect of water on the wheals was assessed in the control group, n = 4. The effect of 3.3 mg of the crude extract was noted in histamine-induced wheals over a period of three hours. The extract was injected via intraperitoneal injections. In in vitro experiments, 3.3 mg of crude sample was tested for its effectiveness against histamine-induced tracheal contraction caused by cumulative dosing of histamine. The crude extract was efficacious in reducing the formation of histamine-induced wheals (p < 0.05). Results obtained from in vitro studies indicated that the crude extract (3.3 mg) caused significant reduction in tracheal smooth muscle contraction resulting from cumulative doses of histamine (p < 0.05). However, as the histamine doses increased, fresh cut extract was not able to maintain inhibition of histamine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction. This is an indication that the extract showed competitive reversible antagonism, possibly at histamine receptors. A crude extract of the leaves Justicia pectoralis reduced the formation of histamine-induced wheals in sensitized guinea pigs (p < 0.05) and also reduced histamine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contractions (p < 0.05). It blocked the effect of contraction produced by histamine in the airways; this property supports folklore claims for its use as an antihistamine.

Stability of Tilo® tablets formulation obtained from dry extract of Justice pectoralis Jacq.

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, is a herb known popularly in Cuba as Tilo and used traditionally as sedative. The development in a solid pharmaceutical (Tablets 100 mg) using dry extract of Justicia pectolaris aqueous extract is of interest for the development of phytomedicines, which uses this active raw material. The aim of the present study was to carry out chemical and biological stability studies to the formulation. A method of coumarin determination by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used and validated. The stability studies during different periods of time (24 months) showed a stability of the product stored at 32 ± 2 °C, and protected of the light.

082 — (VAS0091) Involvement of glycine in the anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in mice

Rationale: Natural products have consistently been an important source of therapeutic agents, including in the treatment of seizures, purportedly with less side effects. In this context, Justicia pectoralis is a plant widely used in popular medicine, and its effect on the central nervous system should be investigated more. This work aimed to evaluate the possible anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of the standardized extract of J. pectoralis (SEJP) in a seizure model with strychnine.

083 — (VEN0161) Anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of chamba (Justicia pectoralis) in mice: Involvement of GABA receptor

083 — (VEN0161) Anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of chamba (Justicia pectoralis) in mice: Involvement of GABA receptor

038 — (LIM0157) Evaluation of effects of the standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in the pilocarpine model of seizure and antioxidant effect in the hippocampus of mice

038 — (LIM0157) Evaluation of effects of the standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in the pilocarpine model of seizure and antioxidant effect in the hippocampus of mice

065 — (SAN0093) Evaluation of anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in the electroshock model in mice

065 — (SAN0093) Evaluation of anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in the electroshock model in mice

076 — (SOU0156) Involvement of calcium and sodium channels in the anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in mice

076 — (SOU0156) Involvement of calcium and sodium channels in the anticonvulsant and antioxidant effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (chamba) in mice

The anti-inflammatory effects of a standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) on the antigen-elicited rat airway hyperresponsiveness involve changes in gene expression of canonical transient receptor proteins (TRPC)

Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (Acanthaceae) has coumarin and umbelliferone as natural constituents. While the hydroalcoholic extract has relaxant properties in guinea-pig trachea, this plant is useful in folk medicine to treat respiratory diseases (J Ethnopharmacol 2000;70:151). Here, we evaluate the protective effects of SEJP against the development of the hyperresponsive phenotype of isolated Wistar rat trachea induced by antigenic challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The standardized extract was prepared as described in Phytother Res. 2011;25:444. It was analyzed in HPLC and the content of coumarin and umbelliferone was 1.5 and 0.2 mg/ml extract, respectively. Antigen sensitization was achieved by the injection of OVA (10 mg/kg; i.p.) and antigen challenge occurred by inhalation of OVA (5 mg/ml) 14 days after the sensitization procedure. Tracheal rings of OVA-challenged group (OCG) were hyperresponsive showing significantly higher (p < 0.05) values of Emax to contractile stimuli due to acetylcholine (ACh; 10-8 to 10-3 M; Emax 1.0 ± 0.1 g) or KCl (10-3 to 10-1 M; Emax 0.9 ± 0.1 g) compared to their respective saline-challenged rats (SAL; 0.6 ± 0.1 g for ACh and 0.5 ± 0.1 g for KCl). OCG rats treated with SEJP (˜ 150 mg coumarin/kg, p.o.) showed Emax values for ACh or KCl without significant difference compared to SAL (p > 0.05). SEJP treatment also reduced the hyperresponsiveness of thapsigargin-treated trachea submitted to extracellular Ca2+ restoration under Ca2+-free medium (capacitative Ca2+ entry). SEJP also impaired (p < 0.05) the increased levels of TNFα and IL-1β in OCG. SEJP returned to basal levels (p < 0.05) the relative gene expression (by RT-PCR) of TRPC1 and TRPC5 in lung tissue, which were decreased and augmented, respectively, by the antigen challenge. Thus, SEJP has anti-inflammatory actions that prevent the development of tracheal hyperresponsiveness after antigen challenge in rats. Its effects appear to involve modulation in gene expression of TRPC proteins.

Bioactivity evaluation against Artemia salina Leach of medicinal plants used in Brazilian Northeastern folk medicine

The brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) lethality bioassay offers an advantage in standardization and quality control of botanical products. This test is well correlated with antitumor activity (cytotoxicity) and can be used to monitor the activity of bioactive natural products. This paper reports the bioactivity of ethanol extracts from seven medicinal plants from the Northeast of Brazil (Acmella uliginosa, Ageratum conyzoides, Eugenia uniflora, Plectranthus neochilus, Moringa oleifera, Justicia pectoralis and Equisetum sp.) against Artemia salina. Biological activity was evaluated for extracts at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µg/mL in triplicate, and the mean lethal concentration values (LC50) were obtained by probit analysis. The species Acmella uliginosa showed the highest bioactivity, and its flower extract was more active than its leaf extract.

Crescimento e produção de cumarina em plantas de chambá (Justicia pectoralis Jacq.) tratadas com isoterápico

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a resposta a dinamizações do isoterápico Justicia no crescimento e na produção de cumarina em Justicia pectoralis. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal de Viçosa. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e seis tratamentos, totalizando 24 parcelas experimentais, sendo cada parcela constituída de uma planta por vaso. Os tratamentos foram constituídos das dinamizações 3CH, 6CH, 12CH, 18CH, 24CH e 30CH, do isoterápico Justicia. A aplicação dos tratamentos iniciou após o plantio das mudas, sendo pulverizada a parte aérea, em intervalos semanais. Após quatro meses do plantio as plantas foram colhidas. Foram avaliadas a matéria fresca e seca das folhas e caules a matéria fresca e seca da inflorescência, e a matéria fresca e seca total. Foram pesadas amostras de 200 mg das folhas e caules das plantas secas. As amostras foram devidamente armazenadas até a realização das análises químicas. A quantificação da cumarina (1-2 benzopirona) nas amostras foi feita em Cromatógrafo Líquido de Alta Eficiência. A matéria fresca de folhas e caules, a matéria fresca total e o rendimento de cumarina variaram em função das dinamizações do isoterápico. Os resultados confirmam o efeito de preparações homeopáticas na planta demonstrando que a homeopatia nos vegetais, mesmo na Lei da Igualdade tem efeitos potenciais.

Volatile Constituents from Leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. var. tipo

The volatile constituents from leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. var. tipo grown in Cuba was studied by GC and GC-MS. Thirty-two compounds were identified, of which the most prominent were nonanal (45.9 %), 1-octen-3-ol (8.4 %) and coumarin (7.4 %).

Justicia pectoralis Jacq: , Acanthaceae: preparation and characterisation of the plant drug including chromatographic analysis by HPLC-PDA

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, is a herb popularly known in Brazilian northeast as "chambá" and used in folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory tract conditions such as asthma, cough and bronchitis. This species is included in the National Register of Plants of Interest to the National Health System. The aim of the present study was to develop a protocol for the preparation of the plant drug from J. pectoralis and to characterise the plant drug for its use as a pharmaceutical raw material. The aerial parts of J. pectoralis, after drying chamber with forced air circulation (35 °C) for different periods of time (1-5 days), presented after one day a moisture content below the maximum allowed for plant drugs. The powder of the plant drug was classified as moderately coarse, and the total ashes content and the water- or ethanol-soluble extractives were determined. Analysis of hydroalcoholic (ethanol 20%) extract of J. pectoralis by high performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) determined the content of coumarin and umbelliferone (16.2 and 0.81 mg/g plant drug, respectively). The preparation conditions of the plant drug and the quality control parameters established for J. pectoralis in this study are of interest for the development of phytomedicines which use this active raw material.

Anxiolytic‐like effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in mice: Involvement of GABA/benzodiazepine in receptor

Justicia pectoralis (Acanthaceae) is used as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and bronchodilator, and its extract exerts an anxiolytic-like effect profile in animal models. This work presents the behavioral effects of an aqueous standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in animal models, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark, open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time. The extract was administered intragastrically to male mice at single doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, while diazepam 1 or 2 mg/kg was used as a standard drug and flumazenil 2.5 mg/kg was used to evaluate the participation of benzodiazepinic receptors. The results showed that, similar to diazepam (1 mg/kg), SEJP significantly modified all the observed parameters in the EPM test, without altering the general motor activity in the open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time tests. Flumazenil reversed not only the diazepam effect but also the SEJP effect. In the same way, all doses of SEJP increased the time of permanence in the light box in the light/dark test. The results showed that SEJP presented an anxiolytic-like effect, disproving sedative effects.

Estrogenic and progestagenic effects of extracts of Justicia pectoralis Jacq., an herbal medicine from Costa Rica used for the treatment of menopause and PMS

Objectives To investigate the biological activities of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (Acanthaceae), an herbal medicine used in Costa Rica (CR) for the management of menopausal symptoms and dysmenorrhea. Study design The aerial parts of J. pectoralis were collected, dried and extracted in methanol. To establish possible mechanisms of action of JP for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, the estrogenic and progesterone agonists, and antiinflammatory activities were investigated. Main outcome measures The methanol extract (JP-M) was tested in ER and PR binding assays, a COX-2 enzyme inhibition assay, the ERβ-CALUX assay in U2-OS cells, as well as reporter and endogenous gene assays in MCF-7 K1 cells. Results The JP-M extract inhibited COX-2 catalytic activity (IC 50 4.8 μg/mL); bound to both ERα and ERβ (IC 50 50 μg/mL and 23.1 μg/mL, respectively); induced estrogen-dependent transcription in the ERβ-CALUX; and bound to the progesterone receptor (IC 50 22.8 μg/mL). The extract also modulated the expression of endogenous estrogen responsive genes pS2, PR, and PTGES in MCF-7 cells at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. Activation of a 2 ERE-construct in transiently transfected MCF-7 cells by the extract was inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780, indicating that the effects were mediated through the estrogen receptor. Finally, the extract weakly enhanced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells, however this was not statistically significant as compared with DMSO controls. Conclusions Extracts of J. pectoralis have estrogenic, progestagenic and anti-inflammatory effects, and thus have a plausible mechanism of action, explaining its traditional use for menopause and PMS.

Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicities of Justicia pectoralis J. Extract in Wistar Rats

We have studied the acute and subchronic oral toxicities of Justicia pectoralis J hydroalcoholic extract in Wis- tar rats. In acute test, both sexes of adult Wistar rats were given single po dose of J. pectoralis extract at 2000 mg/kg. Fol- lowing euthanasia 14 days later, mortality and signs of toxicity were not observed. In subchronic test, J. pectoralis extract was po administered to both sexes of Wistar rats at 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg/day, 5 days per week for 90 days. The major toxicological endpoints examined included animal body weight, food intake, selected tissue weights, and histopathologi- cal examinations. In addition, we examined blood elements and blood chemistry. Of the blood elements, the blood clotting time was significantly affected in males and females after 90 days. For blood chemistry parameters, cholesterol, ALT, bilirubin, and urea were affected. Organs and tissues abnormalities were not observed in histopathological examination. These results indicate that the effects observed are low and include slight variations in blood clotting time and biochemi- cal parameters.

Plant Coumarins: Myths and Realities

Plant coumarins are structurally distinct, nonanticoagulant compounds that have significant medical activity. They can be fermented by various fungi to metabolites, which then dimerize to vitamin K—antagonist anticoagulants, but these are not inherently found in any known plants. Plant coumarins are often described as being anticoagulant and as interacting with drug anticoagulants, despite all evidence to the contrary. Coumarin itself does have potential to cause hepatotoxicity, perhaps in the tiny subset of people who take enough and have insufficient CYP2A6 activity to break coumarin down into safe catabolites. The particular concern over Cinnamomum aromaticum (cassia) versus Cinnamomum zeylanicum (true cinnamon) is discussed. Plant coumarins and plants rich in these compounds, including Melilotus spp. (sweet clover), Angelica keiskei (ashitaba), Angelica pubescens (pubescent angelica), Artemisia scoparia (yin-chen wormwood), Citrus spp. (orange), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice), Justicia pectoralis (c...

Alternative therapies from Costa Rica for the management of PMS and dysmenorrhea: Justicia pectoralis Jacq.: mechanisms of action

Alternative therapies from Costa Rica for the management of PMS and dysmenorrhea: Justicia pectoralis Jacq.: mechanisms of action

Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for reproductive problems.

BackgroundThroughout history women have tried to control or enhance their fertility using herbal remedies, with various levels of societal support. Caribbean folk medicine has been influenced by European folk medicine, either through the early Spanish and French settlers or through the continuous immigration of Spanish-speaking peoples from Venezuela. Some folk uses are ancient and were documented by Galen and Pliny the Elder.MethodsThirty respondents, ten of whom were male were interviewed from September 1996 to September 2000. The respondents were obtained by snowball sampling, and were found in thirteen different sites, 12 in Trinidad (Paramin, Talparo, Sangre Grande, Mayaro, Carapichaima, Kernahan, Newlands, Todd's Road, Arima, Guayaguayare, Santa Cruz, Port of Spain and Siparia) and one in Tobago (Mason Hall). Snowball sampling was used because there was no other means of identifying respondents and to cover the entire islands. The validation of the remedies was conducted with a non-experimental method.ResultsPlants are used for specific problems of both genders. Clusea rosea, Urena sinuata and Catharanthus roseus are used for unspecified male problems. Richeria grandis and Parinari campestris are used for erectile dysfunction.Ageratum conyzoides, Scoparia dulcis, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Gomphrena globosa and Justicia pectoralis are used for prostate problems.The following plants are used for childbirth and infertility: Mimosa pudica, Ruta graveolens,Abelmoschus moschatus, Chamaesyce hirta, Cola nitida, Ambrosia cumanenesis, Pilea microphylla, Eryngium foetidum, Aristolochia rugosa, Aristolochia trilobata, Coleus aromaticus, Laportea aestuans and Vetiveria zizanioides.The following plants are used for menstrual pain and unspecified female complaints:Achyranthes indica, Artemisia absinthium, Brownea latifolia, Eleutherine bulbosa, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Eupatorium macrophyllum, Justicia secunda, Parthenium hysterophorus, Wedelia trilobata, Abelmoschus moschatus, Capraria biflora, Cordia curassavica, Croton gossypifolius, Entada polystachya, Leonotis nepetaefolia, Eryngium foetidum, Aristolochia rugosa, Aristolochia trilobata and Ambrosia cumanenesis.ConclusionNative Caribbean plants have been less studied that those from Africa, India and Europe. Chamaesyce hirta has scientific support but as a diuretic. Other plants with level 3 validity for reproductive issues are: Achyranthes indica, Coleus aromaticus, Hibiscus rosa-sinesis, Parthenium hysterophorus and Ruta graveolens. The non-experimental validation method can be used to advise the public on which plants are safe, effective and useful, and which are not; pending clinical trials. This is especially important since so few clinical trials are conducted on Caribbean plants.

Caracterização morfológica de Justicia pectoralis Jacq. e J. gendarussa Burm. F. (Acanthaceae)

Justicia pectoralis e J. gendarussa são espécies de interesse medicinal utilizadas popularmente em vários países da América do Sul e Central como analgésicas e antiinflamatórias. As folhas de J. pectoralis também são utilizadas por indígenas da Amazônia brasileira e da Venezuela em rapés alucinógenos. J. pectoralis e J. gendarussa foram caracterizadas morfologicamente sob condições padronizadas de cultivo e investigadas quanto a presença de algum princípio alucinógeno. Duas variedades de J. pectoralis, J. pectoralis var. stenophylla Leonard e J. pectoralis var. A. (indeterminada), foram diferenciadas pelo hábito, forma e número de folhas; J. gendarussa difere destas pelo hábito, forma das folhas e coloração das nervuras. O uso de J. pectoralis como alucinógena também é discutido.