Pfaffia glomerata contains high levels of β-ecdysone, which has shown a range of beneficial pharmacological effects. The present study demonstrated that inflorescences of P. glomerata contain other ...important bioactive compounds in addition to β-ecdysone. The identification of compounds from inflorescences using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was performed for the first time. The eight compounds identified were β-ecdysone, flavonoid glycosides such as quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-(6-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside, oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins such as ginsenoside Ro and chikusetsusaponin IV, in addition to oleanonic acid and gluconic acid. This study provided information on the phytochemicals contained in P. glomerata inflorescences revealing the potential application of this plant part as raw material for the phytotherapeutic and cosmetic industries.
Dermatophyte species infect the epidermis and appendages, often with serious social and health-economic consequences. The hydroalcoholic extract of pomegranate fruit peel showed activity against the ...dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis and M. gypseum.
Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared with pomegranate peels. This crude extract was fractionated and submitted to liquid-liquid partition, resulting in an active fraction which was fractionated in a Sephadex LH-20 column, followed by a Lobar column. The structure of the active compound was established with the use of spectroscopic methods.
The crude extract of pomegranate fruit peel showed activity against the dermatophytes Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis, and M. gypseum, with MICs values of 125 μg/ml and 250 μg/ml, respectively for each genus. Punicalagin was isolated and identified by spectroscopic analysis. The crude extract and punicalagin showed activity against the conidial and hyphal stages of the fungi. The cytotoxicity assay showed selectivity for fungal cells than for mammalian cells.
These results indicated that the crude extract and punicalagin had a greater antifungal activity against T. rubrum, indicating that the pomegranate is a good target for study to obtain a new antidermatophyte medicine.
Tetradenia riparia
(Lamiaceae) is native to Central Africa popularly known as myrrh, used in folk medicine to treat various diseases like malaria, gastroenteritis, and tropical skin disease. This ...research was to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the crude extract (CE) and fractions (FR) of the
T. riparia
by classical chromatography. The CE of
T. riparia
leaves was submitted to column chromatographic fractionation to obtain four fractions of the interest, which were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrum: FR-I (abieta-7,9(11)-dien-13-β-ol), FR-II (Ibozol), FR-III (8 (14), 15-sandaracopimaradiene-2α, 18-diol and 8 (14), 15-sandaracopimaradiene-7α, 18-diol), and FR-IV (Astragalin, Boronolide and Luteolin). Total phenol content of CE and FR were measured, and antioxidant action by methods of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), β-carotene/linoleic acid system, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and the antibacterial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution method with the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The FR-IV presented antioxidant potential with 181.67 μg gallic acid/mg, IC
50
of 0.61 μg/mL by DPPH method, 55.61% oxidation protection by β-carotene/linoleic acid system and 4.59 µM ferrous sulfate/mg of sample by FRAP, and the FR-I showed higher antibacterial potential on the strain
Staphylococcus aureus
with MIC 0.98 μg/mL
, Enterococcus faecalis
and
Bacillus cereus
with MIC 31.2 μg/mL. Thus, the fractionation of CE was extremely important to detect fractions with potential activities, and investigations are necessary regarding the mechanism of action and action in vivo.
Graphical Abstract
Display omitted
Many infections worldwide are associated with bacterial biofilms. The effects of isolated neolignans (conocarpan and eupomathenoid-5) and the dichloromethane extract of Piper ...regnellii (Miq.) C. DC., Piperaceae, were tested against isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus biofilms and S. aureus planktonic cells. The dichloromethane extract presented better results than isolated neolignans against all of the biofilms tested, with a minimum inhibitory concentration <400μg/ml for preformed biofilms and minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration of 15.6μg/ml for biofilm formation. The minimum inhibitory concentration to planktonic cells was <12.5μg/ml. These results indicate a good effect of the dichloromethane extract against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus biofilms and efficient prophylaxis.
The present study was designated to evaluate the in vitro antidermatophyte activity of extracts from leaves of
Piper regnellii as well as of the bioactivity-directed isolation of neolignans. The ...antifungal assay was performed by microdilution techniques. The hydroalcoholic extract of
Piper regnellii leaves presented a strong activity against the dermatophyte fungi
Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum,
Microsporum canis and
Microsporum gypseum with MICs of 15.62, 15.62, 15.62 and 62.5
μg/ml, respectively. On light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of nail fragments not exposed to hydroalcoholic extract of
Piper regnelli leaves, well-formed and extensive mycelial growth was seen. On nail fragments exposed to hydroalcoholic extract at concentrations more than 1.2
mg/ml and then inoculated with spore suspension, growth was not seen. The hydroalcoholic extract was fractionated on silica gel in to nine fractions. The active chloroform fraction was lyophilized and chromatographed by column chromatography on silica gel. Structures were established by comparison with literature data and identified as eupomatenoid-3 and eupomatenoid-5. The pure compounds showed strong activity on
Trichophyton rubrum with MIC of 50 and 6.2
μg/ml, respectively. Comparing the activity of the active chloroform fraction obtained from hydroalcoholic crude extract with that of isolated compound eupomatenoid-5, it is clear that this showed the same results against
Trichophyton rubrum. The results showed that the plant could be explored for possible antifungal agents and provides preliminary scientific validation for the traditional medicinal use of this plant.
The conventional techniques used to extract natural products have many disadvantages, and alternative methods have been used, such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE-CO2). We compared the ...anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity and cytotoxicity of extracts and major pure compounds were obtained from the leaves of Calophyllum brasiliense by SFE-CO2, maceration and Soxhlet. Anti-M tuberculosis activity was evaluated by resazurin microtiter assay plate and cytotoxicity assay was performed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide. The (-) mammea A/BB, (-) mammea B/BB, mammea B/BB cyclo D, ponnalide, mammea A/BA cyclo D, and amentoflavone were identified as the majority compounds. SFE-CO2, especially at 313 K and 10.92 MPa showed better yield for (-) mammea A/BB. Anti-M. tuberculosis activity (62.5 μg/mL) and cytotoxicity (Selectivity Index = 0.320-0.576) were similar for the three extracts. Mammea B/BB cyclo D had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 μg/mL, and ponnalide and mammea A/BA cyclo D had MICs > 250 μg/mL. The pure compounds isolated showed low Selectivity Index (< 0.09). SFE-CO2 may be more promising than conventional methods for the extraction of compound (-) mammea A/BB, which presented the best anti-M. tuberculosis activity in our previous study. This is important for current industrial requirements to obtain extracts from medicinal plants using clean technologies.
Piper ovatum (Piperaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammations and as an analgesic. Previous studies have showed important biological activities of the extracts ...and amides from P. ovatum leaves.
In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed and validated for quantitative determination of the amides in different parts of Piper ovatum.
The analysis was carried out on a Metasil ODS column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5μm) at room temperature. HPLC conditions were as follows: acetonitrile (A), and water (B), 1.0% acetic acid. The gradient elution used was 0-30 min, 0-60% A; 30-40 min, 60% A. Flow rate used was 1.0mL/min, and detection at 280nm.
The validation using piperlonguminine, as the standard, demonstrated that the method shows linearity (linear correlation coefficient = 0.998), precision (relative standard deviation <5%) and accuracy (mean recovery = 103.78%) in the concentration range 31.25 - 500μg/mL. The limit of detection and quantification were 1.21 and 4.03μg/mL, respectively. This method allowed the identification and quantification of piperlonguminine and piperovatine in the hydroethanolic extracts of P. ovatum obtained from the leaves, stems and roots. All the extracts showed the same chromatographic profile. The leaves and roots contained the highest concentrations of piperlonguminine and the stems and leaves showed the most concentrations of piperovatine.
This HPLC method is suitable for routine quantitative analysis of amides in extracts of Piper ovatum and phytopharmaceuticals containing this herb.
Objectives: The main objective of this work was to investigate the antifungal activity of a crude extract, fractions and subfractions from Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville, known as ...‘barbatimão’. Methods: The growth inhibition by ‘barbatimão’ of 103 isolates of yeasts from vaginal fluid was determined using the broth microdilution method. In addition, the effect of the most active subfraction on cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), germ-tube formation, budding, ultrastructure and phagocytosis of Candida albicans was analysed. Fluconazole and nystatin were used as reference drugs. The cytotoxicity of ‘barbatimão’ to Vero cells, macrophages and red blood cells was assessed. The most active subfraction was characterized by mass and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Results: Subfraction F2.4 had the best antifungal action at concentrations above 7.80 mg/L. Its action was similar to nystatin, and only slightly less effective than fluconazole. CSH and the capacity for adhering to Vero cells and a glass surface were lower in treated yeasts. In addition, the inhibition of formation of the germ tube, the increase in the number of buds and changes in the cell wall ultrastructure of C. albicans were also demonstrated. ‘Barbatimão’ extracts showed low cytotoxicity to Vero cells, macrophages and red blood cells. Subfraction F2.4 is composed of proanthocyanidin polymers of prodelphinidin and prorobinetinidin units and gallic acid of molecular weight 2114 Da. Conclusions: The antifungal action of subfraction F2.4 on C. albicans can be attributed to condensed tannins. It is considered moderate antifungal activity. These properties of ‘barbatimão’ on the growth of C. albicans, putative virulence factors and its low cytotoxicity justify further studies to investigate the mechanisms of action and the possible development of a new antifungal agent.
Schinus terebinthifolius is a plant rich in phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant properties and can provide new opportunities for treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by ultraviolet ...radiation like photoaging and skin cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the photoprotective potential and ex vivo percutaneous penetration of the crude extract of Schinus terebinthifolius leaves. The extract was tested for antioxidant activity using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and β‐carotene bleaching test. The sun protection factor was also evaluated. The ex vivo skin permeation of the emulsion and gel formulations were assayed. Fractionation of the extract resulted in gallic acid, ethyl gallate and a mixture of flavonoids, suggesting derivatives of quercetin and myricetin. The phenolic content of the extract was 384.64 ± 2.60 mg GAE g−1 extract. The antioxidant activity was superior to butylated hydroxytoluene, in DPPH method, and ascorbic acid and rutin, in β‐carotene bleaching assay. The extract showed UV absorption with photoprotector potential in the UVB region. The photoacoustic spectroscopy measurements confirmed absorption in the UV region and topical application of the formulations caused no histological changes in the rats' skin. These results suggest that the crude extract of Schinus terebinthifolius leaves may be a promising natural sunscreen product.
Plant extracts can be incorporated in photoprotective formulations. The crude extract and the fraction containing gallic acid, ethyl gallate and a mixture of flavonoids were obtained from Schinus terebinthifolius leaves. Emulsion and gel formulations containing the crude extract were prepared to evaluate the permeation and the histology of the skin after topical application of the formulations. The photoacoustic spectroscopy measurements confirmed absorption in the UV region and related to the permeation of these formulations. No histopathological changes were detected.
Display omitted
•Crude extract of Piper corcovadensis roots and isolated compounds exhibited anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity.•Crude extract of Piper corcovadensis roots and isolated ...compounds in combination with rifampicin showed synergism.•Isolated compounds showed selectivity index greater than 20 for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.•Crude extract of Piper corcovadensis roots and isolated compounds presented activity for clinical isolates resistant.•Crude extract of Piper corcovadensis roots and isolated compounds showed promising in vitro results for the development of new drugs.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem worldwide and the development of drug resistance, as multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, contributed to the worsening of this scenario. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of new anti-TB drugs. The objective of this research was to characterize the crude extract of the Piper corcovadensis roots (CEPC) by the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis, in addition to isolate the chemical constituents by column chromatography and evaluate the antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as their cytotoxicities. Anti-M. tuberculosis activity (H37Rv and clinical isolates) was evaluated using resazurin microtiter assay plate (REMA), classical checkerboard assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytotoxicity assay was realized on Vero cells. By UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, four pyrrolidine alkaloids were identified in the chemical composition of CEPC, namely: piperovatine, piperlonguminine, isopiperlonguminine and chingchengenamide A. Piperovatine and the fraction (90% piperlonguminine and 10% isopiperlonguminine) (FRPI) were isolated by column chromatography. For M. tuberculosis H37Rv, CEPC, piperovatine and FRPI showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 15.60; 7.80 and 7.80 μg/mL, and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 55; 192 and 215 μg/mL in Vero cells, respectively. The MIC values for clinical isolates ranged between 0.98–3.90 μg/mL for CEPC, 0.48–1.95 μg/mL for piperovatine, and 0.48–3.90 μg/mL for FRPI. Futhermore, CEPC in combination with isoniazid and rifampicin showed synergism, while the piperovatine and FRPI presented synergism in combination with the rifampicin. By analyzing the SEM micrographs, it was possible to conclude that there were alterations in the morphology of the bacteria in all treatments and at the different times. Thus, it can be stated that CEPC, piperovatine, and FRPI showed promising in vitro results for the development of new drugs. Nevertheless, further studies are in progress to explain the mechanism of action and the in vivo activity is necessary to confirm their effectiveness.
PDF
