ESTUDO DE VALIDAÇÃO DE ESPÉCIES VEGETAIS DA FLORA MARANHENSE COMO ALTERNATIVA E/OU COMPLEMENTO TERAPÊUTICO NA PERDA DE PESO.

Abstract

Weight gain is described as a global epidemic, with a high worldwide prevalence in recent decades, with high rates of comorbidities, associated morbidity and mortality. Unquestionably, plant species may represent a source of new alternatives and / or therapeutic supplements for several health problems, such as overweight and obesity, but provided that their use is scientifically certified with efforts and resources directed towards the development of validation studies. Thus, the objective of this work is to validate plant species of the Maranhão flora as an alternative and / or therapeutic complement in weight loss. The results of this thesis are presented in 05 (five) chapters. Chapter 1 is a review of the toxicity studies carried out on the bases PubMed, Scopus, GoogleScholar and Web of Science, of the plant species referred to as widely used in overweight and obesity in ethnopharmacological studies, showing that Annona muricata L, Baccharis trimera (Less ) DC,Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Cynara scolymus L. and Hancornia speciosa Gomes are frequently mentioned species, but despite the widespread popular use, the parameters of efficacy and therapeutic safety for such use as an alternative or therapeutic complement in overweight, obesity and/or its comorbidities, have not yet been fully evidenced; what should stimulate Pharmacovigilance in Phytotherapy. Chapter 2 presents an ethnopharmacological study aiming to investigate the use of plants for weight loss, in an urban area of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil; conducted with 227 users of public health services in São Luís, proving that Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (hibiscus) and Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC (gorse) were the most referred species, but although they already have studies indicating potential for use in weight loss, they do not have certification for safe and rational use. Based on the results of the ethnopharmacological study (chapter 2) Hancornia speciosa Gomes (mangaba) was selected for a validation study from the perspective of obtaining a bioproduct. Thus, chapter 3 addresses a review of the species Hancornia speciosa, with an emphasis on aspects of ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, biological activity, chemical composition and toxicity; carried out in databases (Biological Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts, Medline, Lilacs, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Food and Drugs Administration) and patent database; being evidenced medicinal potential of the species, stimulating the continuity of pharmacological and chemical studies in the perspective of development of new phytotherapics. Thus, the experimental works with Hancornia speciosa are presented in chapter 4 and chapter 5. Recognizing the interface of the studies of validation and standardization of plant extracts, chapter 4 comprises a study of standardization of extracts of Hancornia speciosa, with the objective of investigating the variables that influence the extracts of the species being carried out with hydroethanolic extracts of the leaves of Hancornia speciosa obtained by different extractive procedures (maceration, maceration assisted by ultrasound, percolation and extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus) and hydromodule relationships (1:10 and 1:15), to evaluate the influence of these variables by chemical analysis (content of polyphenols and flavonoids), physical-chemical (chromatographic profile) and biological in vitro (inhibition of pancreatic lipase); demonstrating that the species inhibits the activity of pancreatic lipase and presents chemical substances with anti-obesity property, evidencing the potential of the species in the continuity of the studies, to be carried out with standardized extracts since the results demonstrate that extractive procedures and hydromodule ratio influence the quality of the extracts enabling contribution to the technological development of bioproducts as an alternative and/ or therapeutic complement for weight loss. In the continuation of the validation study from standardized extracts of Hancornia speciosa, an investigation of sub chronic toxicity in the oral treatment with hydroethanolic extract of mangaba leaves (doses of 5, 50 and 250 mg/ kg for 15 days) was carried out, in an inpatient model. live (Swiss mice), to evaluate the viability of employment in weight loss, resulting in chapter 5, being found that the sub chronic treatment with hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of Hancornia speciosa is indicative of toxicity at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day, with lesions especially in the liver and kidney, confirming the risk of indiscriminate use of the plant species. Thus, it is concluded that the popular use of plant species for weight loss, represents risks given the finding that predominates the use of plant material without certification of efficacy, safety and quality, parameters guaranteed by the development of validation studies; proving, further, that the use of Hancornia speciosa extract or phytocomplex may not be safe, but given the potential anti-obesity found in an in vitro model, studies with isolated substances should be continued, with a view to obtaining phytopharmaceuticals.