Arrabidaea chica (Bignoniaceae) is a vine native to the Amazon Rainforest, popularly known as “crajiru” and whose infusion and decoction of the leaves are used to treat diseases such as gastric ...ulcers, inflammations, infections, anemia, herpes, jaundice among others. It is also used as a natural dye. This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo toxicity, antimicrobial activity including analysis of chemical constitution of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of Arrabidaea chica (HEAc).
Acute and subchronic toxicity of HEAc was evaluated in mice and rats, respectively, and by Alamar blue (cytotoxicity assay) using CHO-K1 cells. Antimicrobial activity of HEAc was tested by broth microdilution method using a panel of bacteria and yeast of clinical interest. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of HEAc was performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry ESI(+)–MS. Secondary metabolites were quantified by colorimetric methods.
When administered in vivo at doses up to 3000mg/kg v.o., HEAc did not cause any signs and symptoms of acute toxicity in mice and no cytotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells. Administration for 30 days caused leukocytosis (200mg/kg) and reversible reductions in non-dose dependent of body weight, total weight gain and feed intake in rats given 200mg/kg and 500mg/kg of HEAc, but were not accompanied by behavioral and clinical changes (laboratory and histopathological) that may have demonstrated evidences of subchronic toxicity HEAc demonstrated a pronounced activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC=12.5μg/mL) and moderate activity against Enterococcus faecalis (MIC=100μg/mL) in broth microdilution. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of HEAc by colorimetric methods revealed that mainly the presence of phenolic compounds (16.6%), especially flavones and flavonols (4.02%). ESI(+)–MS fingerprint analyses of HEAc revealed the presence of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and kaempferol.
Our data provide evidence that HEAc is safe and can be useful in infections related to Helicobacter pylori and Enterococcus faecalis. Phytochemical analysis revealed the predominant presence of flavones and flavonols, possibly involved in the antimicrobial action of HEAc.
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is a
found in regions with few nutrients and water. This study aimed to identify bioactive compounds in the fruit of
in the southern region of Brazil. In the fruit of
five phenolic compounds were ...identified: protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid,
-coumaric acid, catechin and quercetin. The ferulic acid and catechin were found in higher concentration in the fruit. The terpenes α-amyrin, β-amyrin, oleanolic acid and cycloartenol were also identified in the hexane fractions of the fruit. Unsaturated fatty acids were found in the fruit seed, with the highest concentration of linoleic acid (69.0%).
Cariniana rubra Gardner ex Miers (Lecythidaceae), is a native and endemic tree in Brazil, whose inner stem bark decoction preparation is used in folk medicine to treat various inflammatory disorders. ...Previous scientific reports confirmed its popular use as an anti-inflammatory, without, however, evaluating its action mechanisms.
The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of the methanolic extract of Cariniana rubra (MECr), using experimental models in vivo and in vitro, as well as to identify secondary metabolites present in the extract.
The MECr was prepared by maceration of inner stem bark powder in methanol (1:10 w/v). The in vitro cytotoxicity effect was evaluated in CHO-k1 cells. The Hippocratic screening test was conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of MECr in mice. The actions of MECr on leukocyte migration, cytokine levels (IL-1β and TNF-α) and annexin-A1 (AnxA1) expression, were carried out on lambda-type carrageenan air pouch inflammation model in Swiss mice. Additionally, the phytochemical analysis of MECr was carried out by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and spectrometric mass analysis with electrospray ionization ESI(−)/MS and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Treatment of CHO-k1 cells for 24 h with MECr did not cause cytotoxicity (IC50 > 200 μg/mL), however, the MECr was shown to be cytotoxic after 72 h of cell exposure (IC50 = 19.90 ± 3.51 μg/mL). In the Hippocratic test, oral treatment of mice with 750, 1500, or 3000 mg/kg of MECr did not show any histopathological changes and mortality during the 14 days of observation. In the carrageenan air pouch inflammation model, MECr reduced (p < 0.001) polymorphonuclear migration (57.7% and 57.8%), leukocyte monocyte migration (74.5% and 61.8%) in the air pouch cavity and in the skin tissue, respectively. MECr also inhibited TNF-α concentration in the air cavity wash (3.2%, p < 0.01) and increased expression of the AnxA1 protein (26.9%, p < 0.01) in the skin tissue, particularly in neutrophils. β-sitosterol (1.95%), gallic acid (1.24%), β-amyrin (0.87%) and stigmasterol (0.66%) were identified as the major constituents in methanolic extract.
MECr exhibits significant anti-inflammatory action at least by increasing AnxA1 expression and by inhibiting the release of TNF-α pro-inflammatory cytokine and leukocyte migration, which is probably linked to the presence of identified biologically active compounds, especially gallic acid and terpenes. We believe that the results of this study provide a pharmacological basis for the MECr to be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
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Rationale
Annona species are of interest for the isolation of bioactive molecules; however, studies of Annona jahnii Saff. are limited. The exploration of bioactive metabolites of endophytes isolated ...from this species is unprecedented and allows the preservation of the host plant, in addition to enabling the discovery of compounds with promising biological activities.
Methods
Ethyl acetate extracts from the cultured media of five fungi were obtained. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was measured using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radical method. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the microdilution method in broth in 96‐well plates. The exploration of the metabolic profile of the extracts and dereplication of the compounds were performed using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI‐MS/MS) combined with analysis using molecular networking (MN).
Results
A total of 1818 MS features were detected in the five selected extracts, of which 39 compounds were putatively identified. The secondary metabolites with the highest abundance were alkaloids, naphthopyrons, and cytochalasins. Other secondary metabolites include fumonisins, coumarin, and a meroterpenoid. Most of these compounds are related to specific biological properties such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor activities. Extracts F398 and F403 showed inhibitory activity of the four pathogens tested. Extracts F475 and F506 did not inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, and F407 did not inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli in addition to having potent antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 10 μg/mL or less.
Conclusions
The use of UHPLC/ESI‐MS/MS data combined with MN proved useful in the dereplication of bioactive molecules of complex extracts that are still unexplored. These initial investigations should significantly assist in further research and increase the efficiency and speed in the discovery of new sources of secondary metabolites and new natural products.
Leonotis nepetifolia (L) R. Br., Lamiaceae, a pantropical shrub, popularly known in Brazil as “cordão-de-frade”, “rubim”, is reportedly used in Brazilian ethnomedicine as well as in different ...countries in the treatments of ailments such as infections, inflammations, wounds, stomach disorders, among others.
To evaluate its potential cytotoxicity and antibacterial mode of action of the hydroethanolic extract of L. nepetifolia (HELn) leaves, including phytochemical analysis.
The cytotoxicity of HELn was investigated by Alamar blue assay, using CHO–K1 cells. Antibacterial activity of HELn was tested by broth microdilution methods against a panel of bacteria of clinical interest. The mode of action of L. nepetifolia was studied by targeting bacterial membranes. Phytochemical analysis was performed by determining total secondary metabolites with spectrophotometric assays and HPLC.
HELn is not cytotoxic in the in vitro evaluation (IC50>200μg/mL). It demonstrated a good spectrum of antibacterial activity with major activity against Shigella flexneri, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with MIC=6.25µg/mL, Helicobacter pylori with MIC of 25µg/mL and Streptococcus pyogenes with MIC of 50µg/mL. Its mode of action is associated, at least partly, with changes in the permeability of bacterial membranes, as evidenced by the increased entry of hydrophobic antibiotics in Shigella flexneri and intense efflux of K+ and nucleotide leakage in E. faecalis and Shigella flexneri. In addition, the presence of phenols, flavonoids and carotenoids, described in the literature to possess antibacterial effects, were detected in the composition of HELn, with high phenol content (11.55%), especially the flavonoids (6.47%).
The results indicate that HELn has low cytotoxicity and potent antibacterial activity. It is bacteriostatic in nature, possibly acting at the level of bacterial membranes, especially on the cytoplasmic membrane and outer membrane, thus supporting its popular use in infectious processes. In addition, the presence of phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, fatty acids and steroids, described in the literature as possessing antimicrobial activity, were detected in the composition of HELn.
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The present study aimed to determine the chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil obtained from Phyllogonium viride Brid. (Phyllogoniaceae, Bryophyta), whose samples were ...collected in southern Brazil. For the first time, the cytotoxic activity of the essential oil of P. viride in breast and colorectal tumor cells (MCF‐7 and HCT‐116) was evaluated, as well as the cytotoxic potential of this oil in non‐tumoral cells of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) via MTT assay. The compounds majorly found in P. viride essential oil were β‐bazzanene (20.30 %), β‐caryophyllene (17.06 %), β‐chamigrene (14.02), and germacrene B (11.72 %). Treatment with P. viride essential oil in the different tested cell lines did not induce any toxicity in most of the tested concentrations. These data contribute to generating new scientific information about this understudied plant species. Furthermore, the chemical characterization of the compounds present in the essential oil of P. viride can lead to greater elucidation of its biotechnological potential.
Cytotoxic Activity of Cunila angustifolia Essential Oil Sousa, Matheus H. O.; Morgan, Jessica M. S.; Cesca, Karina ...
Chemistry & biodiversity,
February 2020, 2020-Feb, 2020-02-00, 20200201, Letnik:
17, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Cunila angustifolia essential oil was obtained from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC‐FID and GC‐MS to determine its chemical composition. The essential oil presented pulegone ...(29.5 %) and isomenthol (27.0 %) as major components, and other compounds such as menthone (8.6 %), neomenthol (7.2 %), menthyl acetate (2.5 %) and caryophyllene oxide (2.0 %) were identified. The cytotoxic activity of the essential oil was evaluated by MTS assay, with the human cancer cell lines of the lung (A549), breast (MCF‐7) and skin melanoma (SK‐Mel‐28). The assay showed the highest selectivity, to MCF‐7 cell lines, with IC50 equal to 34.0 μg mL−1, low selectivity for SK‐Mel‐28 cell lines, with IC50 equal to 279.9 μg mL−1, and no mortality to A549 cell lines.
A Educação Ambiental (EA) é uma ferramenta poderosa para o desenvolvimento sustentável. Com este entendimento e considerando que nos últimos anos a poluição plástica tornou-se um dos principais ...problemas ambientais no mundo, este artigo apresenta um relato de experiência do projeto de extensão universitária “Nossos Rios Sem Plástico” da Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR). O projeto promoveu ações de sensibilização quanto à poluição plástica e o seu impacto para os ecossistemas aquáticos da cidade de Boa Vista – Roraima, entre agosto/2022 e janeiro/2023. Dentre as ações, destaca-se a implantação da Segunda do Plástico no Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia da UFRR em que a comunidade entregou 94 kg de resíduos plásticos (RP) gerados em suas residências e a realização de mutirão envolvendo 69 voluntários para coleta de 392 kg resíduos sólidos na Praia do Caçari. Foi observada uma reflexão e sensibilização quanto à necessidade de mudança de hábito frente à poluição plástica e preservação ambiental, bem como entre a comunidade e a UFRR. As ações visam contribuir para a formação de cidadãos críticos responsáveis pela construção de uma sociedade sustentável e atendimento do acordo global contra a poluição plástica proposto pela Organização das Nações Unidas. Assim, a continuidade das ações se faz necessária para ampliar o processo de sensibilização em relação à proteção ambiental e EA. Palavras-chave: Extensão Universitária; Desenvolvimento Sustentável; Resíduos Sólidos; Amazônia Our Rivers Without Plastic: Environmental Education regarding plastic pollution in water bodies in Boa Vista - Roraima Abstract: Environmental Education (EE) is a powerful tool for sustainable development. With this understanding and considering that plastic pollution has become one of the leading environmental problems in the world in recent years, this article presents a report of the university extension project “Our Rivers Without Plastic” (“Nossos Rios Sem Plástico”) of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR). The project promoted awareness actions regarding plastic pollution and its impact on the aquatic ecosystems of Boa Vista – Roraima (Brazil) between August/2022 and January/2023. Among the actions, the implementation of Plastic Mondays at the UFRR Science and Technology Center stands out, in which the community delivered 94 kg of plastic waste (PW) generated in their homes, in addition to the joint effort involving 69 volunteers to collect 392 kg of solid waste at Caçari Beach. There was an awareness of the need to change habits in the face of plastic pollution and environmental preservation between the community and the UFRR. The actions aim to contribute to the formation of critical citizens responsible for building a sustainable society, and with the global agreement against plastic pollution proposed by the United Nations. Thus, it is necessary to expand awareness concerning environmental protection and EE. Keywords: University Extension; Sustainable development; Solid Waste; Amazon
