He graduated in Biomedicine at the Federal University of Pernambuco (1977) and after concluding this course, went on to study Medicine until the 4º year (Course length is six years) at the same Federal University of Pernambuco, leaving to dedicate himself to Research and Teaching. He has specialised in Pharmacology of Natural Products through the National Specialisation Course in Pharmacology of Natural Products promoted by the Paulista School of Medicine (EPM – UNIFESP) and the Federal University of Maranhão (CAPES 1983/1985). He concluded his Master's Degree in Psychobiology at the Federal University of Sao Paulo – EPM- Brazil (1995) and his Doctorate in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products at the Federal University of Paraiba (Joao Pessoa – Brazil – 2002). At present he is a Associate Professor of the Federal University of Pernambuco, and Consultant ad hoc of the Severino Sombre University -RJ-Brazil, of the UFPE – Brazil, of the National Council for Research (CNPq) and of the State University of Maringa Publishers. He is an Institutional Assessor of the Graduation Course of SINAES-INEP of the Ministry of Education and Culture Brazil. He has experience in the Pharmacology area, with emphasis on Psycho pharmacology of Natural Products, working mainly on the following themes: Ethnopharmacology, Reproductive Toxicology and Collective Health. He Professor Pharmacology and Physiology of the Central Nervous System. As researches, he has tutored and tutors students of the Scientific Initiation, Masters and Doctorate Degrees, with various papers published in this area.
Abstract: Naphthoquinones have been studied extensively due to their activity as topoisomerase inhibitors. These enzymes are critical to DNA replication in cells. -Lapachone (beta-lap) is an o-naphthoquinone chemically obtained from lapachol. This work results in a toxicological evaluation of beta-lap in Wistar rats observing the following parameters: teratology, histology, hematology and serum biochemistry. The data demonstrate teratogenic action at the doses used, as well as hematological alterations in the total leukocytes, monocytes and segmented. The biochemical data demonstrated an increase in gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels. Histological study showed significant alterations in the spleen, however, the liver and kidney did not present significant alterations.
Abstract: The aim of the study presented here was to determine the influence of subcutaneously administered lysine-vasopressin (LVP, 1 U/kg, s.c.), chlorodiazepoxide (BDZ, 20 mg/kg, i.p.), and vehicle (veh, chlorobutanol + saline (0.85%) + Tween 80, 0.1 mL/100 g) administered through the peritoneum on anxiety-related-behavior using the Vogel conflict test, the elevated plus-maze test (EPM) and the marble-burying test. The results of the Vogel test referring to the number of shocks received by rats after administration of vehicle + BDZ was highly significant (p < 0.01), that is, the animals did not show any inhibition during the phase of shock. However, when LVP + BDZ were used the data obtained showed that there was a significant inhibition of BDZ action on the number of shocks received (p >0.05). In the second phase of the test the veh + BDZ group received a significant number of shocks, benzodiazepine effect and the group receiving LVP + BDZ showed the same result as the vehicle + LVP group (p > 0.05). In the elevated plus-maze (EPM), the group of mice treated with veh + BDZ showed no significant change in their behavior, that is, number of entries and time spent on the open arm was not inhibited (p < 0.01). Already the veh + LVP group has shown inhibition in the number of entries and the time spent on the open arm (p > 0.05). The same result was obtained when the LVP + BDZ group was used in the EPM. In the marble-burying test, the number of marbles hidden was significantly higher in mice treated with the veh + BDZ (p < 0.01). The group treated with veh + LVP presented a small number of hidden spheres (p > 0.05). The data obtained in this study show that LVP in behavioral tests related to anxieties presents an inhibitory action on the BDZ, and the LVP alone does not present any significant effect when compared with the veh (p > 0.05). Veh is the shortened form of vehicle which is the chemical element (solvent) used for dilution of the compound test.
Abstract: The extract of the methanolic leaves of Bauhinia cheilandra (BC) was tested on glucose loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In both tests, the methanolic extract at doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg, has shown a statistically significant and considerable hypoglycemic activity.
Abstract: The acute treatment of rats and mice with a hydroalcoholic extract from the seeds of Dioclea grandiflora (EHDg) at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, by intraperitoneal or oral administration, produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the tail flick and hot plate tests, an effect which was inhibited by naloxone. EHDg given to mice daily for 30 days at a dose of 500 mg/kg, did not cause any observable toxic effect nor any alteration in the pattern of antinociceptive response by the tail immersion test during the course of this treatment. These results suggest that EHDg has a central antinociceptive action devoid of tolerance effect typical of opioid drugs.
