Neuroprotective effect of cinnamic alcohol: A bioactive compound of Cinnamomum spp. essential oil.

Cinnamic alcohol (CA) is a phenylpropanoid found in the essential oil of the bark of the genus Cinnamomum spp. Schaeff. (Lauraceae Juss.), known as cinnamon. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of CA and its possible mechanism of action on mice submitted to the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced epileptic seizures model. Behavioral, neurochemical, histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis were carried out. The administration of CA (50-200 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min prior to PTZ and 0.7-25 mg/kg, i.p., 60 min prior to PTZ) increased the latency to seizure onset and the latency to death. The effects observed with CA treatment at 60 min were partially reversed by pretreatment with flumazenil. Furthermore, neurochemical assays indicated that CA reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde and nitrite, while increasing the concentration of reduced glutathione. Finally, histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a reduction in inflammation and an increase in neuronal preservation in the hippocampi of CA pre-treated mice. Taken together, the results suggest that CA seems to modulate the GABAA receptor, decrease oxidative stress, mitigate neuroinflammation, and reduce cell death processes.

Antifungal Activity, Mode of Action, and Cytotoxicity of 4-Chlorobenzyl p-Coumarate: A Promising New Molecule.

Fungal infections represent a serious health problem worldwide. The study evaluated the antifungal activity of 4-chlorobenzyl p-coumarate, an unprecedented semi-synthetic molecule. Docking molecular and assay experiments were conducted to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC), mode of action, effect on growth, fungal death kinetics, drug association, effects on biofilm, micromorphology, and against human keratinocytes. The investigation included 16 strains of Candida spp, including C. albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, C. lusitaniae, C. utilis, C. rugosa, C. guilhermondi, and C. parapsilosis. Docking analysis predicted affinity between the molecule and all tested targets. MIC and MFC values ranged from 3.9 µg/mL (13.54 µM) to 62.5 µg/mL (217.01 µM), indicating a probable effect on the plasma membrane. The molecule inhibited growth from the first hour of testing. Association with nystatin proved to be indifferent. All concentrations of the molecule reduced fungal biofilm. The compound altered fungal micromorphology. The tested compound exhibited an IC50 of 7.90±0.40 µg/mL (27.45±1.42 µM) for keratinocytes. 4-chlorobenzyl p-coumarate showed strong fungicidal effects, likely through its action on the plasma membrane and alteration of fungal micromorphology, and mildly cytotoxic to human keratinocytes.

Derivative of 7-hydroxycoumarin has antifungal potential against Candida species and low cytotoxicity against human cells: In silico studies and biological evaluation.

This study investigates the antifungal and cytotoxic properties of 7-(pentyloxy)-2H-chromen-2-one. Through molecular docking and dynamics simulations, we explored the compound's interactions with fungal cell protein targets. Notably, it exhibited strong affinities for 1,3ß-glucan synthase, squalene epoxidase, δ-14-sterol reductase, 14-α-demethylase, and thymidylate synthase, with binding energies ranging from -100.39 to -73.15 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed its stable binding at active targets. The MIC and MFC values ranged from 67.16 µM (15.6 µg/mL) to 537.28 µM (125.0 µg/mL). The compound displayed promising antifungal effects, inhibiting fungal growth for at least 24 hours. Fungal plasma membrane function alteration likely contributed to these antifungal mechanisms. Additionally, the combination of the compound with nystatin, fluconazole, and caspofungin showed indifferent effects on antifungal activity. Cytotoxicity assessment in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) revealed an IC50 of 100 µM, which was approximately 1.5 times higher than the MIC for C. krusei. Thus, the compound exhibited strongly in silico and in vitro antifungal activity with low cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. These findings support its potential as a candidate for further development as an antifungal compound.

Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-like Effects of Monoterpene Tetrahydrolinalool and In silico Approach of new Potential Targets.

INTRODUCTION: Although drugs currently available for the treatment of anxiety and depression act through modulation of the neurotransmission systems involved in the neurobiology of the disorder, yet they often present side effects, which can impair patient adherence to treatment. METHODS: This has driven the search for new molecules with anxiolytic and antidepressant potential. Aromatic plants are rich in essential oils, and their chemical constituents, such as monoterpenes, are being studied for these disorders. This study aims to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like potential of the monoterpene tetrahydrolinalool in in vivo animal models and review pharmacological targets with validation through molecular docking. Male Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were treated with THL (37.5-600 mg kg-1 p.o.) and submitted to the elevated plus maze, open field, rotarod, and forced swim tests. In the elevated plus-maze, THL at doses of 37.5 and 75 mg kg-1 induced a significant increase in the percentage of entries (72.7 and 64.3% respectively), and lengths of stay (80.3 and 76.8% respectively) in the open arms tests. RESULTS: These doses did not compromise locomotor activity or motor coordination in the animals. In the open field, rotarod tests, and the forced swimming model, treatment with THL significantly reduced immobility times at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg kg-1, and by respective percentages of 69.3, 60.9 and 68.7%. CONCLUSION: In molecular docking assay, which investigated potential targets, THL presented satisfactory energy values for: nNOs, SGC, IL-6, 5-HT1A, NMDAr, and D1. These demonstrate the potential of THL (a derivative of natural origin) in in vivo and in silico models, making it a drug candidate.

Antidepressant activity of rose oxide essential oil: possible involvement of serotonergic transmission.

Rose oxide (RO) is a monoterpene found in rose oil fragrances. This monoterpene has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity, however, little is known regarding its pharmacological activity. The present study was carried out to evaluate its antidepressant action and possible mechanisms of action. Analysis of ADMET pharmacokinetic properties (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) of rose oxide was performed by computational prediction analysis. Behavioral tests were performed to assess the interaction between rose oxide and the central nervous system and antidepressant effect that includes: forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), open field test (OFT) and rota-rod test. The results of pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties indicate that rose oxide could be used orally, since it has good intestinal absorption as well as pharmacological and toxicological properties that can be similar to pharmacological compounds (regular hepatic metabolism and low toxicity). Treatment with 50 mg/kg of rose oxide was able to decrease the immobility time of animals not affected by FST and TST and was not able to alter the motor activity of the OFT and rota-rod test, suggesting modulation and antidepressant activity. Docking data suggest that rose oxide can bind to receptors in the serotonergic pathway. The results described here suggest that rose oxide has antidepressant activity, modulating the serotonergic pathway.

Carvone Enantiomers Differentially Modulate IgE-Mediated Airway Inflammation in Mice.

Carvone is a monoterpene found in nature in the form of enantiomers (S- and R-). While previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of carvone, the influence of carvone enantiomeric composition on its anti-allergic activity remains to be investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-allergic activity of carvone enantiomers in a murine model of airway allergic inflammation induced by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The oral treatment with R-carvone or S-carvone 1 h before each challenge inhibited the number of leukocytes and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). R-carvone inhibited leukocyte infiltration and mucus production in the lung, which was correlated with decreased production of OVA-specific IgE in the serum and increased concentrations of IL-10 in the BAL. On the other hand, the administration of S-carvone had little inhibitory effect on inflammatory infiltration and mucus production in the lung, which might be associated with increased production of IFN-γ in the BAL. When administered 1 h before each sensitization, both enantiomers inhibited eosinophil recruitment to the BAL but failed in decreasing the titers of IgE in the serum of allergic mice. Our data indicate that carvone enantiomers differentially modulated IgE-mediated airway inflammation in mice. In conclusion, unlike S-carvone, R-carvone has the potential to be used in anti-allergic drug development.

Avaliação da toxicidade aguda do epóxilimoneno em camundongos adultos / Evaluación de la toxicidad aguda en adultos epóxilimoneno ratones / Evaluation of the acute toxicity of limonene epoxide in adult mice

Introdução: a biodiversidade da flora mundial proporciona moléculas importantes no tratamento e na prevenção de várias enfermidades humanas, porém na maioria das vezes não são avaliadas sua toxicidade. Objetivo: avaliar a toxicidade do monoterpenóide epóxilimoneno em camundongos tratados de forma aguda com doses repetidas (25, 50 e 75mg/kg) por via oral em parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos. Métodos: quarenta camundongos correspondendo a quatro grupos (n=10/grupo) foram tratados, por via oral de forma aguda com doses repetidas e observados durante 14 dias, com epóxilimoneno nas doses de 25, 50 e 75 mg/kg emulsionado em Tween 80 0,05%dissolvido em solução salina 0,9 % (grupos EL25, EL50 e EL75, respectivamente), e com veículo (Tween 80, 0,05 % dissolvido em solução salina 0,9 %, grupo controle). Resultados: o tratamento não causou nenhuma morte ou sinal de toxicidade nos animais. Discussão: dessa forma, baseado nos resultados obtidos a partir dos estudos hematológicos e bioquímicos em camundongos, pode ser sugerido que a administração do epóxilimoneno não produz efeitos tóxicos sobre a maioria dos parâmetros analisados e que pode ser usado de forma segura em ensaios pré-clínicos. No entanto, mais estudos devem ser realizados para garantir que esse derivado de um monoterpeno natural seja utilizado de forma segura na indústria alimentícia e farmacêutica.

Introducción: la biodiversidad global de la flora proporciona moléculas importantes para el tratamiento y prevención de diversas enfermedades humanas, pero más a menudo no se evalúa su toxicidad. Objetivo: evaluar la toxicidad de lepóxilimoneno monoterpenoide en los ratones tratados de forma aguda con dosis repetidas (25, 50 y 75 mg/kg) por vía oral en los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos. Métodos: cuarenta ratones que representan cuatro grupos (n = 10/grupo) fueron tratados con dosis por vía oral de forma aguda repetida y se observaron durante 14 días com elepóxilimonenoa dosis de 25, 50 y 75 mg/kg emulsionados enTween 80 0,05 % disuelto en solución salina 0,9 % (grupos EL25, EL50 y EL75, respectivamente), y vehículo (Tween 80, 0,05 % disuelto en solución salina 0,9 %, grupo de control). Resultados: El tratamientono no causó muertes ni signos de toxicidad en animales. Discusión: de este modo, sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos a partir de los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos en ratones, se puede sugerir que la administración de epóxilimoneno no produce efectos tóxicos en la mayoría de los parámetros analizados y se puede utilizar de forma segura en la pre-clínica. Sin embargo, se deben realizar más estudios para asegurar que el derivado de un monoterpeno natural puede ser usado con seguridad en la industria alimentaria y farmacéutica.

Introduction: the biodiversity of global flora provides important molecules for the treatment and prevention of various human diseases, but most often their toxicities are not evaluated. Objective: evaluate the toxicity of monoterpenoid limonene epoxidein mice treated acutely with repeated doses (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) orally on hematological and biochemical parameters. Methods: forty mice divided infour groups (n = 10/group ) were treated orally andacutely with repeated doses and observed for 14 days. The mice were treatedwith limonene epoxide administered at doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg / kg emulsified with 0.05 % Tween 80 dissolved in 0.9 % saline (groupsEL25, EL50 and EL75, respectively)and withvehicle (0.05 % Tween 80, dissolved in 0.9% saline, control group). Results: the treatment caused no deaths or signs of toxicity in the mice treated. Discussion: thus, based on the results obtained from hematological and biochemical studies in mice, it can be suggested that limonene epoxide does not produce anytoxic effect on most of the parameters analyzed, and can be safely used in pre-clinical-assays However, more studies should be conducted to ensure that this derivative of a natural monoterpenecan be safely used in thefood and pharmaceutical industry.