Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Bauhinia L. and Schnella (Raddi.) Wund. are popularly known in Brazil as "mororó". The leaves and stem bark are used in folk medicine for various purposes, especially against diabetes. Morphoanatomical studies of the leaves of Bauhinia cheilantha (Bong.) Steud., B. pentandra (Bong.) Steud., B. ungulata L. and Schnella outimouta (Aublet) Wund., tribe Cercidae, subtribe Bauhiniinae (Benth.) Walp., were carried out as subsidies to the quality control of their etnodrugs and their derivatives, as well as an additional support to their taxonomy. The morphological and anatomical studies employed traditional techniques of stereo- and light microscopy. All species showed bifoliate leaves, a dorsiventral mesophyll, epidermis with a papillose abaxial surface, anomocytic stomata at the level of the epidermis, and tector trichomes. Schnella outimouta showed leaf characters distinctive from the three species of Bauhinia: indument puberulous on the abaxial surface, leaves hypostomatic, midrib with two collateral bundles, and a cylindrical petiole. The species of Bauhinia have a sericeous-pubescent indument, amphistomatic leaves with boat-shaped glands, midrib with a single bundle, and a canaliculate petiole with lateral projections. Our results provide leaf morphological and anatomical parameters, useful to distinguish the four species studied, which support the quality control of its ethnodrugs.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Larrea divaricata Cav., L. cuneifolia Cav. and L. nitida Cav., Zygophyllaceae, are evergreen xerophytic shrubs occurring in Northwestern Argentina used in traditional medicine. The aim of this work was to characterize the morphology, anatomy and histochemistry of the vegetative organs of three Larrea species by light and scanning electron microscopy in order to provide supporting data for their correct identification and to determine the site of synthesis and accumulation of its main active compounds. The shape, number and percentage of coalescence of leaflets, presence or absence of mucrones and rachis and the shape of the stipules represented the main botanical differences between the studied Larrea species. Anatomically three species presented amphystomatic leaves, with thick resinous slightly striated cuticle with resinous deposits, polygonal epidermal cells with straight anticlinal walls, ciclocytic, brachy-paracytic and paracytic stomatal types, non-glandular trichomes and isolateral mesophyll. The position and abundance of the sclerenchyma at the mid vein and petiole transection allows the differentiation of the three species, been more abundant in L. cuneifolia. Secondary phloem and parenchyma cells presented abundant calcium oxalate druses and solitary rhomboidal crystals. Epidermal cells and cuticle layer of leaflets and stipules of the three species presented amber resin deposits and content which stained positively for polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins, while mesophyll palisade cells showed small refracting droplets stained positively for lipophilic substances.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Baccharis species belonging to sect. Caulopterae are difficult to identify. Most countries are controlling the quality of herbal medicines destined for the internal market or export. "Carquejas" are used arbitrarily for the same medicinal purposes and only three species of sect. Caulopterae are official herbal medicines. In the present study, a morpho-anatomical and statistical analysis was performed with nine species of sect. Caulopterae: Baccharis articulata, B. crispa, B. gaudichaudiana, B. microcephala, B. penningtonii, B. phyteumoides, B. sagittalis, B. triangularis and B. trimera, emphasizing the importance of anatomy as a taxonomic tool. A total of 114 populations of these nine species were examined. The first three principal components of morphoanatomical data provided relevant information to classify the species (75.04% of the total variability). The most discriminatory variable in this issue was the stomatal index (1.0530). We determined the qualitative and quantitative variables in order to differentiate the species by using principal components analysis and ANOVA tests. Stomata type, uniseriate trichome type and presence/absence of collenchyma in the wing margin are the qualitative variables that should be analyzed. Regarding quantitative variables, the epidermal ones in superficial view are more important and discriminatory than those of alate stem cross section and they must be considered for proper quality control of the species of this work.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Trembleya parviflora (D. Don) Cogn., Melastomataceae, also known as "quaresmeira-branca", is a subshrub that is commonly used to treat verminosis, scabies, dermatoses, rheumatism, vaginal infections, ulcerations and wounds. The aim of this work was to perform a morphological study of T. parviflora, evaluate the composition and chemical variability of the volatile oils from the leaves, perform phytochemical screening of the powder from the leaves and to define parameters for quality control of the plant material. Macroscopic characterization of T. parviflora was carried out by naked eye in Serra dos Pireneus, Pirenópolis, Goiás for 12 months. Volatile oils were subjected to hydrodistillation with Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phytochemical screening and ash and volatile compound content determination were performed by conventional techniques. T. parviflora has simple, oppositely crossed and petiolate leaves. The inflorescence of this plant is a cyme. The presence of coumarins, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids and tannins was observed. The total ash content was 4.05 ± 0.02%; the insoluble ash content was 0.10 ± 0.03%; and the volatile compound content was 9.53 ± 0.02%. The major compounds present in the volatile oils were α-terpineol (2.7–16.5%), α-pinene (0.6–25.4%), β-pinene (2.7–23.1%), sabinene (1.2–14.1%), acetoxyeudesman-4-α-ol (0.6–6.3%) and 2,4a-8,8-tetramethyldecahydrocyclopropanaphtalene (2.4–24.4). Two clusters were identified: Cluster I represented the period with low levels of rainfall, and Cluster II represented the period with high levels of rainfall. This study provides data that can be applied for the quality control of powdered leaves and is the first description of the chemical composition and variability of the volatile oils from the leaves of T. parviflora.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Oryza sativa L., Poaceae, is the most important staple food in the world and provides food for more than half of the world's population. The roots of O. sativa have been used as a traditional medicine in Korea. As part of our continuing efforts to explore structurally new compounds from Korean natural resources, two feruloyl glycerides, 2-O-(E)-feruloyl glyceride (1) and 2-O-(Z)-feruloyl glyceride (2), which is a new compound, together with one known flavonoid, 8-hydroxyacacetin (3), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the roots of O. sativa using an LC/MS-guided isolation method. The chemical structure of compound 2 was elucidated based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments and HR-ESIMS. This study represents the first report of feruloyl glycerides (1–2) identified in O. sativa. In addition, the identification of compound 3 is reported from Asian rice (O. sativa) for the first time. The cytotoxic activities of the isolates 1–3 were evaluated by determining their inhibitory effects on A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Condensed tannins have been used for many years in folk medicine to treat gastric problems. The mechanism of action that explains why tannins improve gastritis symptoms is based on their ability to chelate metals, antioxidant activity, and their complexation power with other molecules. Even though these uses are well-known, the requirements to become an herbal medicine are much more complex. Herein, we analyzed Stryphnodendron rotundifolium Mart., Fabaceae, extract using MALDI for tannin characterization and carried out a fluorescence-imaging study to prove the gastroprotective effects of tannins as coating agents. Through these methods we show that condensed tannins form a gastroprotective layer. Moreover, we revise and discuss other possible mechanisms of action for phenolic-rich plant extracts and their potential in the development of herbal medicines to treat ulcers and gastritis.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Formulations containing chitosan incorporated with methanolic fraction of Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns, Euphorbiaceae, were studied aiming future applications of this new material as medicine. In order to investigate potential interactions between chitosan and the methanolic fraction (10, 50 and 100% in relation to the amount of chitosan) physicochemical characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy, density, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and colorimetry techniques. The phenolic compounds released from the chitosan membranes were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteau quantification method; antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were also studied. Increasing amounts of the methanolic fraction added to polymeric matrix produced different numbers of pores on the surface of the membranes, changes in the calorimetric, spectroscopic and crystalline properties as well as color changes, when compared to the inert membrane. These changes can be attributed to chemical interactions that occurred between the structure of the chitosan and the phenolic compounds present in the studied fraction. The matrix samples incorporated with 50 and 100% of the methanolic fraction presented different release profiles of phenolic compounds from the membranes (controlled manner) and promoted antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The scientific basis corresponding with the folkloric use of Albizia myriophylla Benth., Fabaceae, for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases was established by measuring antioxidant potential using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radicals, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays as well as anti-inflammatory effect using nitrite assay and ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced rat ear edema model. Both ethanol extract (DPPH, IC50 46.23 µg/ml; ABTS, IC50 57.14 µg/ml; FRAP, 950.14 mM Fe (II)/g) and dichloromethane fraction (DPPH, IC50 29.54 µg/ml; ABTS, IC50 40.36 µg/ml; FRAP, 946.69 mM Fe (II)/g) from A. myriophylla demonstrated a promising antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it was found that the ethanol extract of A. myriophylla showed significant inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage cells (IC50 13.8 µg/ml). The ethanol extract (15% w/v) also exhibited the maximum percentage inhibition (81–95%) of inflammation in the ear edema model at all assessment times comparable to indomethacin (0.5 mg/ear). Among all isolates 1-5 from the active extract of A. myriophylla, indenoic acid (1) (DPPH, IC50 8.96 µg/ml; ABTS, IC50 10.12 µg/ml) and 8-methoxy-7,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavone (2) (DPPH, IC50 5.05 µg/ml; ABTS, IC50 7.89 µg/ml) had potent free radical scavenging effects comparable to those of ascorbic acid (DPPH, IC50 2.12 µg/ml; ABTS, IC50 3.26 µg/ml). Compound 2 also displayed remarkable reducing power in FRAP test (261.81 mg QE/g) and showed a marked inhibition of the cellular nitric oxide production (IC50 27.7 µg/ml). Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of A. myriophylla is most probably based on its capacity to suppress nitric oxide production as well as to be free radical scavenger.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem with mass spectrometry was developed and validated for accurate determination of monotropein in rat plasma and tissues. All biological samples were prepared by simple protein precipitation method using catalpol as an internal standard. The analyte and internal standard were separated on a C18 analytical column with 2 min of run time, at flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer equipped with negative-ion electrospray ionization by selected-reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 389→147 for monotropein and m/z 361→169 for the internal standard. The calibration curves for plasma and tissue samples were linear over the concentration range of 4–2000 ng/ml, with a lower limit of quantification of 4 ng/ml. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study of monotropein in rats.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Zeaxanthin, an abundant carotenoid present in fruits, vegetables and algae was reported to exert antiproliferative activity and induce apoptosis in human uveal melanoma cells. It also inhibited uveal melanoma tumor growth and cell migration in nude mice xenograft models. Here we report that zeaxanthin purified from the rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum (Bory) K.M.Drew & R.Ross, Porphyridiaceae, promotes apoptosis in the A2058 human melanoma cell line expressing the oncogenic BRAF V600E mutation. Zeaxanthin 40 µM (IC50) induced chromatin condensation, nuclear blebbing, hypodiploidy, accumulation of cells in sub-G1 phase, DNA internucleosomal fragmentation and activation of caspase-3. Western blot analysis revealed that zeaxanthin induced up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic factors Bim and Bid and inhibition of NF-κB transactivation. Additionally, zeaxanthin sensitized A2058 melanoma cells in vitro to the cytotoxic activity of vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor widely used for the clinical management of melanoma, suggesting its potential interest as dietary adjuvant increasing melanoma cells sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Flavones have the potential of being used as a dietary supplement for bone health promotion beyond calcium and vitamin D. Recent studies have showed that flavones enhanced bone formation and inhibited bone resorption by affecting osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation through various cell signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the effects of a new flavone (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate, isolated from the metabolites of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. FJ-1 of Acanthus ilicifolius L., Acanthaceae, on osteoblast differentiation by using MC3T3-E1 cells. It was observed that (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate promoted osteoblast differentiation, as evidenced by increased mineralization process and alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as expression of genes encoding the bone differentiation. Moreover (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate treatment upregulated the gene expression of wingless-type MMTV integration site family, bone morphogenetic protein and runt-related transcription factor 2, and protein expression of phosphor-Smad1/5/8, β-catenin and runt-related transcription factor 2 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The osteoblast differentiation effects induced by (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate were attenuated by the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Noggin, and wingless-type MMTV integration site family signaling pathway inhibitors Dickkopf-1. Co-treatment with adenosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate pathway inhibitors, H89 and KT5823, respectively, reversed the (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate-induced activations of p-Smad1/5/8, β-catenin, and runt-related transcription factor 2. Our data demonstrated that (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate promoted the osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, at least partially through the adenosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 30,50-cyclic monophosphate signaling pathways, providing the scientific rational to develop (2R,3S)-pinobanksin-3-cinnamate against bone loss-associated diseases.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Kudouzi (Sophora alopecuroides L., Fabaceae) is an effective folk medicine, but it always causes a hepatic and renal toxicity in clinical therapy. The toxic mechanism remains unclear. This paper detected the urinary and plasma metabolites alteration by 1H NMR-based metabonomics study in Kudouzi-induced rats to evaluate the toxic mechanism for clinical security. The male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally dosed with 0.5 and 1 g Kudouzi/kg weight once per day for consecutive 14 days. Urine samples were collected at day −1 (before treatment), and days 7, 14, and 21 for NMR analysis, respectively. Plasma samples were harvested at day 14 for NMR and biochemical analysis. The metabonomic profiling of Kudouzi-treated rats differed from that of the vehicle. This was confirmed by the biochemistry analysis. The accumulated subacute toxicity of Kudouzi was visible with dosing time, and persisted at day 21 even after the disposal was ended. The observable biochemical pathways alterations included inhibited TCA cycle, activated anaerobic glycolysis, perturbed amino acids metabolism, and disordered gut microbiota. The results evidenced the toxicity mechanism of Kudouzi from a systematic and holistic view.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study investigated the influence of different processing methods on the oral toxicity of Sophora alopecuroides L., Fabaceae, seeds in mice and on the contents of five known toxic-effective quinolizidine alkaloids from the ethanol extracts quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry. It provides an evidence to elucidate the possible reasons why vinegar-processing and parching methods significantly decrease the acute oral toxicity induced by S. alopecuroides and why wine-processing method increases it instead (demonstrated by measurement of LD50 and histopathological analysis). The analytical performance for the determination of the five analytes was evaluated by linearity, stability, repeatability, precision and accuracy, and recovery test. The lowest limit of quantification was determined to be 5 ng/ml for each substance and the precision and accuracy at lowest limit of quantification were below 20%. Cytisine, the most toxic alkaloid among the five alkaloids, declined 11.26, 3.98, and 2.73 folds after being vinegar-processed and fried in a ceramic or iron pan, respectively and had a very close correlation with the toxicity of S. alopecuroides seeds (r = 0.8589). Other matrine-type alkaloids with lower toxicity including matrine, sophcarpine, and sophoridine decreased after being wine-processed and fried in a ceramic pan, but increased 4.44, 7.20, and 7.23 folds when being processed by vinegar. Oxymatrine declined in all groups. It, therefore, reveals that vinegar-processing method reduces the oral toxicity of S. alopecuroides mainly due to a sharp decrease of cytisine, thus improves its clinical safety.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The leaves of Syringa oblata Lindl., Oleaceae, had been extensively used as a folk medicine to treat various infections, heal inflammations, icteric hepatitis and acute mastitis. The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in primary hepatocytes and mice with the indicator of glutathione S-transferase alpha 1. The hepatoprotective effects of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract were evaluated on the basis of liver histopathology and biochemical parameters as well as hepatic oxidative stress markers. The results showed that CCl4 negatively modulated biochemical parameters and liver antioxidant activities. However, the use of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract restored altered-serum biochemical parameters and liver antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, the trends in S-transferase alpha 1 were similar to alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level, and S-transferase alpha 1 was suggested to be a marker for the evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract. Histopathological examination showed that CCl4 causes significant hepatic injury relative to control group. The above findings suggested that S. oblata leaves ethanol extract has hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced hepatic injury and S-transferase alpha 1 may be an indicator to evaluate the protective effects of S. oblata leaves ethanol extract.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study aimed to prepare hydrogel containing Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Poaceae, volatile oil encapsulated in poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles and to evaluate its in vitro anti-herpetic activity. Polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by solvent emulsification-diffusion method and incorporated in carbomer hydrogels. In vitro release profiles for the nanogel, loaded nanoparticles and hydrogel containing free oil were evaluated by dialysis. Inhibitory activities against Herpes simplex for the formulations were investigated in Vero cells. Hydrogel was developed using nanoparticles with mean diameter of 217.1 nm and negative Zeta potential (−20.5 mV). Volatile oil release profile showed a biphasic pattern with an initial faster release and subsequent sustained phase in all formulations. Nanogel strongly inhibited virus in a non-cytotoxic concentration, 42.16 times lower than free oil, 8.76 and 2.23 times than loaded nanoparticles and hydrogel containing free oil, respectively. These results highlight the potential of nanogel to protect oil against volatilization, control release and improve its anti-herpetic activity.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Medicinal plants play a vital role in the human health care system of tribal communities and in the treatment of various gynecological problems. This study is an effort to document important medicinal flora used for the treatment of gynecological problems by indigenous people living in a tribal region near the Pak-Afghan border. The main objective of the study was to establish a clear profile of indigenous knowledge and practices from the unexplored tribal territory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions. The data were analyzed through Use Value and Factor of Informant Consensus. A total of 52 medicinal plants were recorded from the area; the most widely accepted were Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (94 Use Value), Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (93 Use Value), Prunus domestica L. (91 Use Value), Myrtus communis L. (91 Use Value), Cannabis sativa L. (91 Use Value) and Nigella sativa L. (90 Use Value). A high consensus factor was recorded for menses-related problems (0.95). The root was the main part used (23% plants), followed by the leaves (20% plants), whole plant (18% plants), fruit (18% plants), and seed (13% plants). A total of 21 plants were used to treat menses-related problems, followed by sexual problems (ten plants), leucorrhea (nine plants), gastric problems (seven plants) and amenorrhea (seven plants). Knowledge related to ethnogynecological treatments is restricted to midwives and traditional healers. In conclusion, the documented flora that is particularly important to medicinal plants may be researched in the future to discover new pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and other pharmacological agents against gynecological complaints.