Brazilian researchers test the efficacy and safety of 20 medicinal plants

Ongoing research at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) seeks to assess the safety and efficacy of extracts of 20 medicinal plants to treat diseases like ulcers, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pain, inflammation, cancer and diabetes.

In the first phase of work, coordinated by Wagner Vilegas were extracted the active ingredients present in the species. The molecules have been isolated and its structure characterized. Then, experiments were performed in vitro and in rodents to evaluate the therapeutic action and possible adverse effects.

The purpose of the research, according Vilegas, is to expand the options available in the National Medicinal Plants of Interest to the National Health System (Renisus). Published in 2009 by the Ministry of Health, this list brings 71 plants with the potential to generate products of interest to the public health.

Based on the experiments, the research team selected extracts of the six most promising species for further investigation.

The Serjania marginata and Machaerium hirtum demonstrated gastroprotective action, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, no mutagenic or toxic. Already a mangle and Hymenaea stigonocarpa showed therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The species Myrcia bella and Bauhinia holophylla shown promising experimental results for the treatment of diabetes.

"We intend to further investigate the mechanisms of action of the active principles present in these species. Would be interesting to discover a mechanism of action different from those found in drugs already on the market," said the coordinator.

In the next stage of the research will be conducted to evaluate whether geographical or seasonal changes in the extracts of the species, ie, the amount of active ingredients varies according to the location in which the plant was grown or according to the time the year in which it was harvested.

"We are doing field cultivation of these species, therefore, to produce standardized extracts, it is important to assess whether the plan provides raw material for the production of herbal medicines in sufficient quantity throughout the year. If you can not maintain the regularity of supply will not turn them into viable herbal products, "said Wagner Vilegas.

With information from UNESP

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