A new sarpagine-type alkaloid, Na-methylrauflorine (1), was isolated from Rauvolfia capixabaetogether with isoreserpiline (2),Nb-oxide-isoreserpiline (3), ajmalicine (4), perakine (5) and vinorine (6) alkaloids. These compounds were characterized based on their spectral data basis, mainly one- (1H, 13C, APT) and two-dimensional(1H-1H-COSY, 1H-1H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) NMR, and mass spectra, also involving comparison with data from the literature.

This the first phytochemical investigation of Mimosa artemisiana (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) describing the isolation and identification of quercitrin, myricitrin, 3,5,4´-trihydroxi-6,7-dimethoxyflavone (6,7-dimethylkaepferol), flavolignans, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosil sitosterol, lupeol, sitostenone, stigmastenone, campestenone, sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, methyl indole-3-carboxilate and indole-3-carboxaldehyde in the extracts from the leaves and wood of this plant. This is the first registry of 6,7-dimethoxy,4'-hydroxy-flavona and the flavonolignans in this genera. The isolation of all metabolites was made by chromatographic methods and the structures were established on the basis of IR, MS, ¹H and 13C NMR spectra analysis, comparison with literature data and GC-MS of mixtures analysis.

Leaves and flower heads of P. brevipedunculata were submitted to four drying-air temperatures (room temperature, 40, 50 and 60 ºC). Room temperature (approximately 30 ºC) and higher temperature drying (50 and 60 ºC) had a deleterious effect on the essential oil content. The recommended drying-air temperature for the species is 40 ºC for it results in the same amount of essential oil observed in fresh cut plants. Overall, 13 components accounting for more than 92% of the total composition were identified. Citral was the major component, followed by α-pinene and limonene. The essential oil showed high toxicity against Artemia salina larvae.

O presente trabalho descreve o isolamento e a identificação de nove alcaloides indólicos monoterpênicos das cascas das raízes e folhas de Tabernaemontana salzmannii (Apocynaceae). As estruturas dos alcaloides foram identificadas através de métodos espectroscópicos uni (RMN ¹H, 13C, APT) e bidimensionais (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC e HMBC) e espectrometria de massas (EM), além da comparação com dados de literatura. Um screening in vitro da atividade antileucêmica foi feito com os alcaloides majoritários isolados. Dentre os nove alcaloides isolados, a isovoacangina e voacangina mostraram-se capazes de induzir morte celular por apoptose em células leucêmicas humanas THP-1.

This work describes the isolation and structural determination of nine monoterpenic indole alkaloids from the roots bark and leaves of Tabernaemontana salzmannii. The alkaloids were identified by spectroscopic methods uni (NMR ¹H, 13C, APT) and two-dimensional (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) and mass spectra besides comparison with literature data. An in vitro screening was done with the isolated major alkaloids. Among the nine alkaloids isolated, isovoacangine and voacangine alkaloids were able to induce apoptosis cell death in human leukemic cells line THP-1.

Staphylococci bacteria are involved in many human and animal infections and development of alternative antimicrobial drugs against pathogenic bacteria is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry. This study investigated the in vitro effect of Rauvolfia grandiflora methanol extract (root bark fraction) (RGE) on the density of ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and a clinical enterotoxin-producer, S. aureus bovine strain. The alkaloid, isoreserpiline, obtained from dichloromethane extract of R. grandiflora was ineffective against the strains tested. After incubation of staphylococci strains in the presence of 1.2 mg.mL-1 RGE, a significant inhibition of cell growth was observed using both spectrophotometry and ELISA assays. Twelve drugs were evaluated for their antimicrobial effects on culture RGE-treated cells using the disk diffusion method. Penicillin resistant strains became sensitive to the drug after RGE treatment. Furthermore, enterotoxin production by RGE-treated S. aureus was evaluated using a standardized ELISA method. Although staphylococcal LSA 88 bovine strain cells remained viable after exposure to the extract, enterotoxin production was precluded in 20% after RGE treatment. Significant interference in staphylococci cell density, drug sensitivity and enterotoxin secretion was observed after treatment. The study highlights the necessity to find new methods of disease prevention and new antibiotic therapies against staphylococcal infections.

O presente trabalho descreve o isolamento e a identificação de nove alcaloides indólicos monoterpênicos das cascas das raízes e folhas de Tabernaemontana salzmannii (Apocynaceae). As estruturas dos alcaloides foram identificadas através de métodos espectroscópicos uni (RMN ¹H, 13C, APT) e bidimensionais (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC e HMBC) e espectrometria de massas (EM), além da comparação com dados de literatura. Um screening in vitro da atividade antileucêmica foi feito com os alcaloides majoritários isolados. Dentre os nove alcaloides isolados, a isovoacangina e voacangina mostraram-se capazes de induzir morte celular por apoptose em células leucêmicas humanas THP-1.

This work describes the isolation and structural determination of nine monoterpenic indole alkaloids from the root barks and leaves of Tabernaemontana salzmannii. The alkaloids were identified by spectroscopic methods uni (NMR ¹H, 13C, APT) and two-dimensional (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) and mass spectra besides comparison with literature data. An in vitro screening was done with the isolated major alkaloids. Among the nine alkaloids isolated, isovoacangine and voacangine alkaloids were able to induce apoptosis cell death in human leukemic cells line THP-1.

A partir de Aspidosperma illustre, foi obtido como produto natural um novo triterpeno da série oleanano, o olean-12-en-11α-metóxi-3β-acetato (10), além dos triterpenos β-amyrina (3), lupeol (4), acetato de β-amyrina (5), acetato de lupeol (6), olean-12-en-28-hidróxi-3β-tetradecanoato (7), olean-12-en-28-carboxi-3β-hexadecanoato (8), ácido ursólico (9) e dois alcalóides indólicos monoterpênicos, β-ioimbina (1) e 1,2-desidroaspidospermidina (2). As substâncias isoladas foram identificadas através de métodos espectroscópicos, principalmente uni (RMN ¹H, 13C, APT) e bidimensionais (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC e HMBC) e de massas, envolvendo também comparação com dados de literatura.

A new natural product oleanane-type triterpene, olean-12-ene-11α-methoxy-3β-acetate (10) was isolated from Aspidosperma illustre, together with β-amyrin (3), lupeol (4), β-amyrin acetate (5), lupeol acetate (6), olean-12-ene-28-hydroxy-3β-tetradecanoate (7), olean-12-ene-28-carboxy-3β-hexadecanoate (8), ursolic acid (9) triterpenes, and two monoterpenic indole alkaloids, β-yoimbine (1) and 1,2-dehydroaspidospermidine (2). These compounds were characterized on their spectral data basis, mainly one- (¹H, 13C, APT) and two-dimensional (¹H-¹H-COSY, ¹H-¹H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) NMR, and mass spectra, involving also comparison with data from the literature.

Do extrato hexânico da madeira de Swartzia apetala Raddi var. glabra foram isolados um estilbeno (1), uma flavanona (2), um pterocarpano (3), um triterpeno (4) e uma mistura de esteróides (5 a 7). O extrato bruto e as substâncias isoladas foram submetidas à avaliação do potencial antifúngico usando nove cepas padrão ATCC do gênero Candida. Entre as substâncias testadas apenas o triterpeno (4) e a mistura de esteróides (5 a 7) não apresentaram atividade. As estruturas das substâncias foram determinadas através da análise dos espectros de CG/EM, e RMN (1D e 2D) e comparação com dados da literatura.

From the hexanic extract of the stem from Swartzia apetala Raddi var. glabra were isolated one stilbene (1), one flavanone (2), one pterocarpan (3), one triterpene (4) and a mixture of three steroids (5 to 7). The crude extract and the compounds isolated were submitted to evaluation of the antifungal activity against nine yeast standard ATCC of the Candida genus. Among the compounds only the triterpene (4) and the mixture of steroids (5 to 7) showed no activity. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectral data analysis of GC/MS and ¹H and 13C NMR (1D and 2D experiments), as well as comparison with literature values.

Os extratos obtidos de folhas e caule de Paullinia weinmmaniaefolia foram testados contra larvas de Artemia salina e mostraram significante letalidade. Os extratos das folhas em diclorometano e do caule em metanol e metanol-água (8:2) apresentaram atividade com valores de CL50 366,87; 375,38 e 620,30 ppm, respectivamente. Sete triterpenos, dois esteróides e um ciclitol foram identificados através de técnicas espectrométricas como principais constituintes destes extratos.

The extracts obtained from leaves and steam of Paullinia weinmmaniaefolia were tested against Artemia salina larvae and showed significant lethality. The extracts in dichloromethane of the leaves, in methanol and methanol-water (8:2) of the steam showed activity with LC50 values of 366.87, 375.38 and 620.30 ppm, respectively. Seven triterpenes, two steroids and one cyclitol were characterized by spectrometric methods with majoritary constituents of these extracts.

Dois novos alcalóides indólicos com esqueleto plumerano, spruceanuminas A (1) e B (2), e oito alcalóides indólicos conhecidos, aspidospermidina (3), desmetoxipalosina (4), aspidocarpina (5), aspidolimina (6), fendlerina (7), aspidolimidina (8), obscurinervidina (9) e obscurinervina (10), foram isolados do extrato metanólico das cascas do caule e sementes de Aspidosperma spruceanum. As estruturas dos compostos foram elucidadas com base na análise de dados espectroscópicos, principalmente os obtidos por espectros de RMN ¹H e 13C (1D e 2D) e por espectrometria de massas.

Two novel indole alkaloids with plumeran skeleton, spruceanumines A (1) and B (2), and eight known indole alkaloids, aspidospermidine (3), demethoxypalosine (4), aspidocarpine (5), aspidolimine (6), fendlerine (7), aspidolimidine (8), obscurinervidine (9) and obscurinervine (10) were isolated from stem bark and seeds methanolic extracts of Aspidosperma spruceanum. Compounds structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, mainly those obtained by ¹H and 13C NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectrometry.

Dentre os tratamentos da doença de Alzheimer (DA) está o uso de inibidores da enzima acetilcolinesterase. Pesquisas recentes visando a descoberta de novos agentes terapêuticos naturais para esta doença sugerem que o gênero Tabernaemontana é uma fonte promissora de alcalóides indólicos anticolinesterásicos. Neste trabalho, duas técnicas de análise em mistura foram associadas de modo a identificar facilmente novos inibidores colinesterásicos. A cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM) das frações alcaloídicas apolares, obtidas da extração ácido-base do caule de T. laeta, revelou a presença de treze alcalóides monoindólicos, quatro deles confirmados por co-injeção com padrões previamente isolados. Os outros alcalóides foram tentativamente identificados pelo padrão de fragmentação de massas. Por cromatografia em fase gasosa com detecção por ionização de chama (CG-DIC) e utilizando isatina como padrão interno, affinisina e voachalotina foram identificadas como substâncias majoritárias. As frações alcaloídicas obtidas e os quatorze alcalóides previamente isolados das raízes de T. laeta e T. hystrix foram analisados quanto à atividade inibitória das enzimas acetil (AChE) e butirilcolinesterase (BuChE) pelo método de Ellman em cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD-ChEI). Os resultados revelaram uma inibição seletiva dos alcalóides heyneanina e Nb-metilvoachalotina para BuChE e de 19-epi-isovoacristina para AChE, enquanto que olivacina, affinisina, ibogamina, affinina, conodurina e hystrixnina inibiram ambas as enzimas. Além de confirmar que alcalóides indólicos monoterpênicos são agentes terapêuticos promissores para o tratamento da DA, este é o primeiro relato da atividade anticolinesterásica de olivacina, um alcalóide piridocarbazólico.

The pharmacotherapyfor Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI). Recent investigations for novel AD therapeutic agents from plants suggested that Tabernaemontana genus is a promising source of novel anticholinesterasic indole alkaloids. In this work two fast screening techniques were combined in order to easily identify novel cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the less polar alkaloidic fractions obtained from the acid-base extraction of the stalk of T. laeta revealed thirteen monoindole alkaloids, four of them confirmed by co-injection with previously isolated alkaloids. The others were tentatively identified by mass fragmentation analysis. By gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and using isatin as internal standard, affinisine and voachalotine were determined as major compounds. These fractions and fourteen previously isolated alkaloids, obtained from root bark of T. laeta and T. hystrix were investigated for acetyl (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities by the modified Ellman's method in thin layer chromatography(TLC-ChEI). Results showed selective inhibition of the alkaloids heyneanine and Nb-methylvoachalotine for BuChE, and 19-epi-isovoacristine for AChE, whereas olivacine, affinisine, ibogamine, affinine, conodurine and hystrixnineinhibited both enzymes. In addition to confirming that monoterpenoid indole alkaloids can be novel therapeutic agents for AD, this is the first report of the ChEI activity of olivacine, a pyridocarbazole alkaloid.

A investigação fitoquímica do extrato metanólico das folhas de Annona dioica (Annonaceae) resultou na identificação dos flavonóides kaempferol (1), 3-O-[3",6"-di-O-p-hidroxicinamoil] -beta-galactopiranosil-kaempferol (2), 6"-O-p-hidroxicinamoil-beta-galactopiranosil-kaempferol (3) e 3-O-beta-galactopiranosil-kaempferol (4). As estruturas foram caracterizadas inequivocamente através de análises espectroscópicas utilizando-se RMN de ¹H e 13C uni e bi-dimensional. Os efeitos citotóxicos dos flavonóides e da fração flavonoídica (FF) foram avaliados frente a células do carcinoma de Ehrlich, utilizando-se o ensaio do MTT (brometo de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difeniltetrazolium). Os resultados indicaram que 1, 2, 3 e FF apresentam ação anti-proliferativa importante quando comparados com a quercetina. A ação inibitória dos flavonóides sobre as DNA-topoisomerases I e II foi avaliada utilizando-se o ensaio de relaxação sobre o plasmídeo pBR322. Os resultados indicaram ação não seletiva dos flavonóides sobre as DNA-topoisomerases I e II.

Chemical investigation of methanol extract leaves from Annona dioica (Annonaceae) resulted in the identification of flavonoids kaempferol (1), 3-O-[3",6"-di-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyl]-beta-galactopyranosyl-kaempferol (2), 6"-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyl-beta-galactopyranosyl-kaempferol (3) and 3-O-beta-galactopyranosyl-kaempferol (4). The structures were unequivocally characterized by ¹H and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D experiments. The cytotoxic effects of the flavonoids and flavonoid fraction (FF) were evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay against Ehrlich carcinoma cells. The results indicated that 1, 2, 3 and FF exhibit significant antiproliferative action when compared to quercetin. The inhibitory action on DNA-topoisomerase I and II of all the flavonoids was evaluated by relaxation assays on pBR322 plasmid DNA. The results indicated the inhibitory and non-selective effects of the flavonoids on DNA-topoisomerase I and II.

Um novo alcalóide, denominado histrixnina (1), e cinco alcalóides indólicos conhecidos, ibogamina (2), olivacina (3) e affinina (4), affinisina (5) e Nb-metilaffinisina (6), foram isolados do extrato metanólico das cascas das raízes de Tabernaemontana hystrix. Os triterpenos conhecidos 3-O-acetil-alfa-amirina, 3-O-acetil-beta-amirina, 3-O-acetil-lupeol foram também identificados. As estruturas dos compostos foram elucidadas com base na análise de dados espectroscópicos.

A new alkaloid, named hystrixnine (1), and five known indole alkaloids, ibogamine (2), olivacine (3), affinine (4), affinisine (5) and Nb-methylaffinisine (6), were isolated from the root bark of Tabernaemontana hystrix. The known triterpenes alpha-amyrin acetate, beta-amyrin acetate and lupeol acetate were also identified. The structures of the compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic studies.

Os flavonóides nas raízes e seu papel na regulação da simbiose com fungos micorrízicos não são bem conhecidos. Vários flavonóides estimulam a germinação de esporos, crescimento micelial e colonização micorrízica. Ambos, a colonização micorrízica e a composição de flavonóides nas raízes são afetados pelo estado nutricional da planta. Avaliou-se o efeito de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares sobre a ocorrência e concentração de substâncias, possivelmente metabólitos aromáticos secundários pertencentes à classe dos flavonóides, em raízes de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo, crescidas sob dois níveis de fósforo (10 e 50 mg kg-1). As mudas foram inoculadas com Glomus clarum e uma população nativa de fungos micorrízicos de um plantio de maracujá do município de São João da Barra, RJ. Extratos de raízes em metanol foram analisados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Os cromatogramas mostraram a ocorrência de diversos compostos, possivelmente da classe dos flavonóides, diferenciados no cromatograma em sete picos principais. Foi observado que os conteúdos nas raízes do composto com tempo de retenção de 4,5 minutos, variou em função da colonização micorrízica pelas diferentes espécies de fungos e o conteúdo dos dois compostos com tempo de retenção de 3,4 e 18,9 minutos, variou com o baixo crescimento da planta e o estresse nutricional. Mudas de maracujazeiro apresentam diversos compostos aromáticos, possivelmente da classe dos flavonóides, e o seu conteúdo varia com a colonização radicular por diferentes espécies de fungos micorrízicos, o baixo crescimento da planta devido a estresse nutricional de fósforo e/ou a resposta de defesa da planta ao fungo.

Composition and the role of root flavonoids in the regulation of mycorrhizal symbiosis are still poorly understood. Several flavonoids stimulate spore germination, mycelia growth and root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and both root colonization and flavonoid composition are affected by plant nutritional status. Effects of AMF on the occurrence and content of aromatic secondary metabolites in the roots of passion fruit seedlings grown under two levels of phosphorus (P) fertilization (10 and 50 mg kg-1 of phosphorus) was studied. Seedlings were inoculated with Glomus clarum and a population of native fungi from a passion fruit plantation. Methanolic extracts of passion fruit seedlings roots were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was recorded the occurrence of several compounds, possibly flavonoids, with seven major peaks. The root contents of the compound with a retention time of 4.5 minutes, varied in response to the root colonization by different mycorrhizal fungi, and the contents of two compounds with retention times of 3.4 and 18.9 minutes varied due to the poor plant growth and nutritional status. Passion fruit seedlings have several aromatic compounds, and their contents were correlated with root colonization by different mycorrhizal fungi, the reduced seedling growth due to nutritional stress, and/or the plant defense responses to the fungi.

Silica gel is widely used as adsorbent for isolating and purifying natural compounds. Intensive use and high cost make this process expensive and generate solid residues contaminated with many different organic compounds. In the present work a simple method for recycling silica was investigated, by using Advanced Oxidative Processes. Silica gel was treated with H2O2/solar light and compared with a sample treated by conventional methods (high temperature and oxidation with KMnO4). High temperature treatment changes the structure of the silica and, consequently, the separation efficiency. Oxidation by using KMnO4 requires multiple steps and produces residues, including manganese and oxalic acid. The method using H2O2/solar light to recuperate silica gel does not modify its separation efficiency and is less expensive than the traditional methods. Additionally, HPLC and GC-MS analysis indicate that H2O2/solar light eliminates all residues of the silica gel.