1H HR-MAS NMR chemical profile and chemometric analysis as a tool for quality control of different cultivars of green tea (Camellia sinensis).

Green tea is a product obtained from the processing of fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze species. In this study, the influence of climatic parameters on the chemical composition of green tea cultivars ('Yabukita' and 'Yutakamidori') over the harvest was evaluated using HR-MAS NMR. 'Yabukita' showed higher concentrations of epicatechin while higher amounts of theanine and caffeine were found in 'Yutakamidori'. The decline of theanine was associated with high average maximum temperature and solar radiation index, this latter also seemed to be responsible for relevant changes in epicatechin concentrations. It was not possible to associate any trend between climatic parameters and caffeine concentration. Fluctuations in linolenic acid concentration were monitored during the harvest period and were associated with the plant's defense mechanism. Monitoring of green tea over seasons and correlating the fluctuations of compounds to climatic parameters might become an efficient strategy for establishing quality standards for green teas.

1H HR-MAS NMR-Based Metabolomic Fingerprinting to Distinguish Morphological Similarities and Metabolic Profiles of Maytenus ilicifolia, a Brazilian Medicinal Plant.

Maytenus ilicifolia or "Espinheira-Santa" is a renowned Brazilian medicinal plant usually used against intestinal and stomach ulcers. Other species with similar thorny leaves have raised great confusion in order to discern the authentic M. ilicifolia. Misidentifications can lead to product adulteration of authentic M. ilicifolia with other species, which can be found on the Brazilian market. The intake of misclassified herbal products potentially could be fatal, demanding faster reliable fingerprinting-based classification methods. In this study, the use of 1H HR-MAS NMR metabolomics fingerprinting and principal component analysis (PCA) allowed an evaluation of the authenticity for both collected and commercial M. ilicifolia samples, from the content of the flavanol, (-)-epicatechin (2), by observing variations in metabolic patterns. Plant specimen types from cultivated and natural habitats were analyzed by considering seasonal and topological differences. The interand intraplant topological metabolic profiles were found to be affected by seasonal and/or ecological trends such as sunlight, shade, rain, and the presence of pathogens. Moreover, several commercial samples, labeled as M. ilicifolia, were evaluated, but most of these products were of an inadequate quality.

Brazilian panorama about the registration and use of herbal medicines / Panorama brasileño en cuanto al registro y el uso de las hierbas medicinales

It was evaluated the Brazilian panorama regarding the registration and use of phytotherapics. A descriptive study about herbal medicines was carried out using the Pubmed and Portal Capes databases, and online data from the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Of the 114-plant species described in the list of Brazilian Common Denomination (CBD), 67 have at least one formulation registered by ANVISA, with emphasis on Ginkgo biloba L. Fifteen different pharmaceutical forms were observed, the most common being tablets. There are 22 different indications, laxative was the most cited. Publications in the field of herbal medicine have increased significantly in the last 2 decades.

Se evaluó el panorama brasileño sobre el registro y uso de fitoterápicos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de las hierbas medicinales utilizando las bases de datos Pubmed y Portal Capes, así como datos en línea de la Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA). De las 114 especies de plantas descritas en la lista de Denominación Común Brasileña (CBD), 67 tienen al menos una formulación registrada por ANVISA, con énfasis en Ginkgo biloba L. Se observaron 15 formas farmacéuticas diferentes, siendo las más comunes las tabletas. Hay 22 indicaciones diferentes, laxante fue el más citado. Las publicaciones en el campo de la medicina herbal han aumentado significativamente en las últimas 2 décadas.

Croton argenteus preparation inhibits initial growth, mitochondrial respiration and increase the oxidative stress from Senna occidentalis seedlings.

Senna ocidentalis is a weed, native to Brazil, considered to infest crops and plantations, and is responsible for yield losses of several crops, particularly soybean. The aim of this work was to evaluate if the Croton argenteus extract and fractions possess phytotoxic activity on S. ocidentalis. The crude ethanolic extract (CEE) and its hexanic (HF), chloroformic (CLF) and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions were tested in germination, growth, oxidative stress increase, Adenosine triphosphate, L-malate and succinate synthesis. The crude extract and its fractions slowed down the germination of S. ocidentalis and decreased the final percentage of germination. Oxidative stress was also increased in the seedlings, by an increase of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and lipid peroxidation; and it became clear that the ethyl acetate fraction was more phytotoxic. The results indicate that the crude extract and fractions of C. argenteus compromise the mitochondrial energy metabolism, by the inhibition of mitochondrial ATP production, with a decrease in the production of L-malate and succinate. The ethyl acetate fraction of C. argenteus showed high activity on germination and growth, and these effects take place by means of mitochondrial metabolism alterations and increase the oxidative stress, leading the seedling death.