Browsing by Author "Cunha, Sílvia"
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- Antispasmodic activity of aqueous extracts from Mentha x piperita native from Trás-os-Montes region (Portugal)Publication . Moutinho, Carla; Matos, Carla; José Manuel, Neves; Teixeira, Dora Martins; Cunha, Sílvia; Gomes, Lígia RebeloThe wild mint Mentha x piperita (Mentha rotundifolia Huds.), has been used by the local people in a northern region of Portugal to prepare infusions for treating digestive pain and spasms, as an appetite stimulant and for treating headache and migraine. This suggests that these aqueous extracts have analgesic; antispasmodic and stomachic properties. In the present study the antioxidant potential of aqueous extracts of Mentha x piperita is investigated since natural antioxidants can scavenge the reactive oxygen species, ROS, and thus might attenuate inflammation pathways. The antispasmodic activity was also checked. The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated by the DPPH• method, by the quantification of the total phenolic compounds and by characterization of the main phenolic compounds. The antispasmodic effects were investigated by performing pharmacological assays using the distal ileum of guinea pigs. The aqueous extract exhibits antioxidant properties that may be due to its phenolic content. The main phenolic compounds were quinic, caffeic, rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids. The antispasmodic affects are observed after electrical stimulation of segments of distal ileum of guinea pigs and may be attributed, at least, to a alfa-1 blockage.
- Plantas medicinaisPublication . Neves, José Manuel Gomes da Silva; Cunha, SílviaAs plantas são uma fonte importante de compostos com actividade biológica. As novas moléculas têm grande interesse científico, económico e social podendo contribuir, em muito, para a saúde das pessoas e da sua qualidade de vida. O rastreio de novos compostos com actividade biológica é fundamental e, os Açores, pelas suas características particulares e endemismos assumem particular importância. A construção de uma “biblioteca de actividades” e o controlo das vias metabólicas sem descartar a biotecnologia vegetal e a cultura hidropónica são aspectos fundamentais na exploração das plantas medicinais. Plants are an important source of active biological compounds. The new molecules discovered have substantial scientific, economical and social interest because may contribute to the health and quality of life so, the survey of these new compounds is fundamental. Azores islands because have particular characteristics in soil, climate, moisteness, temperature and have endemic plantsl, assume great interest. To make a “activities library”, control the metabolic pathways, vegetal biotech and hydroponic cultures are fundamental aspects to explore medicinal plants.