Crude Extracts of Pleurotus Spp. and the Presence of Their Proteins in the Ovicidal and Larvicidal Activity of Haemonchus contortus.

Mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus have shown nematophagous activity as it produces many chemical compounds and enzymes affecting parasitic nematodes. This study aimed to extract the inhibitory activity of the five strains of the fungus Pleurotus spp. It was evaluated against eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus. The extract of P. ostreatus obtained the highest level of inhibition of eggs at 97.6% (1341 µg/mL) followed by P. pulmonarius (EPP) at 81.2% (774 µg/mL). The extract selected for evaluation against larvae was P. pulmonarius, showing no effect for L3 larvae, but for L4 larvae an immobility effect of 56.93% was observed at 900 µg/mL. The protein profile showed the presence of 23 protein bands in the extract. The crude extract of P. pulmonarius showed degradation of tissues both inside the eggs and larvae L1. Metabolites produced by Pleurotus mushrooms can consider using in agriculture sustainable by utilizing in producing of ovicidal and larvicidal against H. contortus instead of chemical compounds.

Potential Use of Agave Genus in Neuroinflammation Management.

Agavaceae contains about 480 species, commonly used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as tequila and mezcal, making it a resource of economic and cultural importance. Uses of this plant rely mainly on the stem; other components such as the leaves are discarded, generating agro-industrial waste, despite being a source of bioactive and nutraceutical products. Reports show anti-inflammatory and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of these species, with flavonoids and saponins being mainly responsible. Neuroinflammation is a brain process that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders and its effects contribute greatly to mortality and morbidity worldwide. This can be triggered by mechanisms such as glial reactions that lead to the release of inflammatory and oxidative molecules, causing damage to the CNS. Treatments do not cure chronic disease associated with inflammation; they only slow its progression, producing side effects that affect quality of life. Plant-based therapy is promising for treating these diseases. Pharmacological activities have been described for the Agavaceae family; however, their role in neuroinflammation has not been fully investigated, and represents an important target for study. This review synthesizes the existing literature on the biologically active compounds of Agave species that are related in some way to inflammation, which will allow us to propose a line of research with this genus on the forefront to orient experimental designs for treating neuroinflammation and associated diseases.

Isorhamnetin: A Nematocidal Flavonoid from Prosopis Laevigata Leaves Against Haemonchus Contortus Eggs and Larvae.

Haemonchus contortus affect small ruminants all over the world. Anthelmintics cause resistance, contamination, and a risk of public health. Prosopis laevigata is a plant used as a home remedy against many diseases in Mexico. This study arose from a preliminary study where a P. laevigata hydroalcoholic extract (Pl-hae) showed anthelmintic activity (aa) against H. contortus. Searching for bioactive compounds (bac) with high aa, the Pl-hae was fractioned obtaining an aqueous (Aq-F) and an ethyl acetate fraction (EtAc-F), and a flavonoid with aa identified as isorhamnetin was obtained from EtAc-F. Both fractions were in vitro assessed by the egg hatch test (eht) and larval mortality (lm) assays. The bac obtained from EtAc-F were characterised by NMR analysis. The highest aa were recorded with EtAc-F, resulting in 100% eht and 80.45% lm at 0.75 and 30 mg/mL, respectively. Alterations in eggs and larvae attributed to isorhamnetin were recorded by environmental scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning and by high-resolution digital-coupled camera. This flavonoid caused 100% eht at 0.07 mg/mL after 48 h and 100% lm at 7.5 mg/mL after 72 h exposure. Isorhamnetin has promising potential as an anthelmintic against sheep haemonchosis.

Improving the production of podophyllotoxin in hairy roots of Hyptis suaveolens induced from regenerated plantlets.

Ten Hyptis suaveolens hairy root lines were established by infecting nodal explants with K599+pGus-GFP+ and ATCC15834+pTDT strains from Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Genetic transformation was confirmed by epifluorescence and plagiotropic hairy root growth in absence of growth regulators. Cytotoxicity was determined using the sulforhodamine B method, and the production of podophyllotoxin (PTOX) was measured by high performance thin layer chromatography scanning. Through these methodologies, HsTD10 was identified as the hairy root line with the highest cytotoxicity and PTOX production, which was corroborated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and micrOTOF-Q II. A suspension culture of HsTD10 was established in which PTOX and carbohydrate consumption during growth kinetics were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Procedures to increase the production and retrieval of PTOX in the HsTD10 line included selection of culture medium, addition of thiamine, and modification of the PTOX extraction method. The best combination of these variables was MS medium at 75% of its components with the addition of 2 mg L-1 of thiamine, extraction with methanol-dichloromethane, and sonication at 40 ± 5°C. During kinetics, growth-associated PTOX accumulation was observed. The specific growth rate (µ) was 0.11 d-1. The highest concentration of PTOX obtained with HsTD10 (5.6 mg g-1 DW) was 100 times higher than that reported for roots of wild plants and 56 times higher than that for in vitro nontransformed roots of H. suaveolens.

DNA barcoding and TLC as tools to properly identify natural populations of the Mexican medicinal species Galphimia glauca Cav.

Galphimia glauca is a plant that is endemic to Mexico and has been commonly used since pre-Hispanic times to treat various illnesses, including central nervous system disorders and inflammation. The first studies investigating a natural population of G. glauca in Mexico showed that the plant has anxiolytic and sedative activities in mice and humans. The plant's bioactive compounds were isolated and identified, and they belong to a family of nor-secofriedelanes called galphimines. The integration of DNA barcoding and thin-layer chromatography analysis was performed to clarify whether the botanical classification of the populations in the study, which were collected in different regions of Mexico, as G. glauca was correct or if the populations consist of more than one species of the genus Galphimia. We employed six DNA barcodes (matK, rbcL, rpoC1, psbA-trnH, ITS1 and ITS2) that were analyzed individually and in combination and then compared each other, to indicate differences among the studied populations. In the phylogenetic analysis, ITS1 and ITS2 markers as well as the combination of all DNA regions were the most efficient for discriminating the population studied. The thin-layer chromatography analysis exhibited four principal chemical profiles, one of which corresponded to the populations that produced galphimines. DNA barcoding was consistent and enabled us to differentiate the populations that produce galphimines from those that do not. The results of this investigation suggest that the studied populations belong to at least four different species of the genus Galphimia. The phylogenetic analysis and the thin-layer chromatography chemical profiles were convenient tools for establishing a strong relationship between the genotype and phenotype of the studied populations and could be used for quality control purposes to prepare herbal medicines from plants of the genus Galphimia.

Bioactive Dimeric Acylphloroglucinols from the Mexican Fern Elaphoglossum paleaceum.

Two new prenylated acylphloroglucinols, paleacenins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizome n-hexane and chloroform extracts of the fern Elaphoglossum paleaceum. Both compounds were found to possess the same geranylated filicinic acid moiety but have a different phloroglucinol ring substituent. Their structures were determined using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic, HRMS, and ECD analysis. The plant extracts and purified compounds were assayed for inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, and the n-hexane and chloroform extracts displayed 25.0% and 26.5% inhibition of MAO-A, respectively, as well as 42.5% and 23.7% inhibition of MAO-B, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited IC50 values of 31.0 (1.3) µM for MAO-A and 4.7 (4.4) µM for MAO-B. Paleacenin A (1) showed a higher selective index (SI) toward MAO-B (SIMAO-B/MAO-A 0.1), and paleacenin B (2) exhibited selectivity to MAO-A (SIMAO-B/MAO-A, 3.5). The extracts showed cytotoxicity against a panel of prostate, cervix, breast, and colon cancer cell lines (IC50 values between 1.7 and 10.6 µg/mL); the pure compounds were more active against the prostate, cervix, and colon cancer cell lines. Paleacenins A (1) and B (2), with IC50 values of 46 and 41 µM, respectively, inhibited nitric oxide production by the RAW264.7 murine macrophage model.

Anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activity of triterpenoids isolated from Bursera cuneata (Schldl.) Engl.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To isolate compounds with anti-inflammatory activity from Bursera cuneata by a bioassay-guided fractionation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three extracts of different polarities were elaborated by maceration. These extracts were assayed for their inhibitory effects on phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced edema in mice. The dichloromethane extract was subjected to activity guided fractionation using successive chromatographic procedures. Additionally, the levels of histamine were determined in the ear samples obtained from the TPA assay, which were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Effect of moronic Acid on RAW 264.7 stimulated with LPS was evaluated for NO and TNF secretion. RESULTS: The dichloromethane extract had the highest anti-inflammatory effect (89.1 ±â€¯2.2% inhibition) over that of the hexane (53.3 ±â€¯1.2%) and methanolic (77.4 ±â€¯1.8%) extracts at a dose of 0.1 mg/ear. The FS-3 fraction, obtained from the dichloromethane extract, comprised triterpenes ß-sitosterol (1), α-amyrin (2), moronic acid (3), and ursolic acid (4), and all the compounds showed significant activity in comparison with that of indomethacin (41.5 ±â€¯0.6%) at 0.1 mg/mouse ear. However, moronic acid displayed the highest inhibitory effect (68.1 ±â€¯1.3%). Additionally, levels of histamine were determined by HPLC in the treated tissues. moronic acid was the most active (73.3 ±â€¯1.1%, indomethacin 33.8 ±â€¯0.8%). The bio-guided isolation resulted in the identification of moronic acid as the principal anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic compound present in B. cuneata. To confirm a general anti-inflammatory effect, moronic acid was evaluated on the activation of RAW 264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. At 30 and 15 mg/mL a significant reduction of ON was observed (36% and 28% respectively) but had no significant effect on TNFα production. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the organic extracts and isolated compounds from the aerial parts of B. cuneata had topical anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activities in vivo, but in vitro only modified the production of ON in RAW cells. The results of this study validated the use of B. cuneata in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Multidisciplinary Investigations on Galphimia glauca: A Mexican Medicinal Plant with Pharmacological Potential.

Galphimia glauca (Cav.) Kuntze is an important endemic plant species, which possesses many medicinal properties and has been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for its sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antiasthmatic and antiallergic properties. The therapeutic properties of this plant are mainly due to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolics. Several triterpenoids and flavonoids compounds have been isolated and identified. Modern studies have demonstrated many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, gastroenteritis, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Nevertheless, many studies are restricted to the crude extract, and many bioactive compounds are yet to be identified and validated according to its traditional use. However, its commercial exploitation and use are highly limited due to the non-availability of enough plant material and lack of knowledge about its agronomical practices. Moreover, the misinterpretation and mislabeling of closely related species of the genus Galphimia Cav. as G. glauca or G. gracilis is a common problem for its rigorous scientific study and commercial exploitation. The present review provides comprehensive knowledge based on the available scientific literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on G. glauca. This comprehensive information will certainly provide a guide for the better understanding and utilization of G. glauca for its scientific and industrial exploitation.

Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid Enhanced the Production of Ursolic and Oleanolic Acid in Callus Cultures of Lepechinia Caulescens.

BACKGROUND: The production of triterpenes from plants for pharmacological purposes varies in concentration, due to genetic and environmental factors. In vitro culture enables the control and increase of these bioactive molecules. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators and elicitors in the induction of calli and the production of ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) in Lepechinia caulescens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leaf explants were exposed for the induction of calli at different concentrations and combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid were used as elicitors. High-performance liquid chromatography method was used to quantify UA and OA content in each treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with 3.0 mg/L of 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/L of BAP produced the best results for calli induction and production of UA (1.57 mg/g dry weight [DW]) and OA (1.13 mg/g DW). Both elicitors facilitated the accumulation of triterpenes. CONCLUSION: The combination of auxins and cytokinins showed favorable results for the induction of calli. Variation concerning the accumulation of UA and OA was observed between treatments. MJ increased the production of triterpenes five times after 8 h of exposure, compared to control treatment. There is a greater accumulation of UA (16.58 mg/g DW) and OA (1.94 mg/g DW) in leaves of wild plants. SUMMARY: Callus cultures of Lepechinia caulescens were obtained from leaf explants treated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-bencylaminopurineResulting cultures were elicited with methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid to increase the production of the triterpenes, ursolic acid (UA), and oleanolic acid (OA)The cultures elicited with MJ increased the production of UA and OA five times, as compared to the control. Abbreviations used: 2,4-D: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, BAP: 6-benzylaminopurine, DW: Dry weight, MJ: Methyl jasmonate, OA: Oleanolic acid, PGRs: Plant growth regulators, UA: Ursolic acid, SA: Salicylic acid.

Gastroprotective Mechanism and Ulcer Resolution Effect of Cyrtocarpa procera Methanolic Extract on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury.

Gastric ulcers are a worldwide health problem and their poor healing is one of the most important causes for their recurrence. We have previously reported the remarkable gastroprotective and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of the methanolic extract (CpMet) of Cyrtocarpa procera bark. This work investigates, in a murine model, the CpMet gastroprotective mechanism and establishes its preclinical efficacy in the resolution of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. The results showed that the gastroprotective activity of CpMet is mainly associated with endogenous NO and prostaglandins, followed by sulfhydryl groups and KATP channels. Furthermore, CpMet (300 mg/kg, twice a day) orally administered during 20 consecutive days promoted an ulcer area reduction of 62.65% at the 20th day of the treatment. The effect was confirmed macroscopically by the alleviation of gastric mucosal erosions and microscopically by an increase in mucin content and a reduction in the inflammatory infiltration at the site of the ulcer. No clinical symptoms or signs of toxicity were observed in the treated animals. The results indicate the safety and efficacy of CpMet in promoting high quality of ulcer healing by different mechanisms, but mostly through cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a promising phytodrug for ulcer treatment.

Antibacterial activities of medicinal plants used in Mexican traditional medicine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: We provide an extensive summary of the in vitro antibacterial properties of medicinal plants popularly used in Mexico to treat infections, and we discuss the ethnomedical information that has been published for these species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a bibliographic investigation by analyzing local and international peer-reviewed papers selected by consulting internationally accepted scientific databases from 1995 to 2014. We provide specific information about the evaluated plant parts, the type of extracts, the tested bacterial strains, and the inhibitory concentrations for each one of the species. We recorded the ethnomedical information for the active species, as well as their popular names and local distribution. Information about the plant compounds that has been identified is included in the manuscript. This review also incorporates an extensive summary of the available toxicological reports on the recorded species, as well as the worldwide registries of plant patents used for treating bacterial infections. In addition, we provide a list with the top plant species with antibacterial activities in this review RESULTS: We documented the in vitro antibacterial activities of 343 plant species pertaining to 92 botanical families against 72 bacterial species, focusing particularly on Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The plant families Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Euphorbiaceae included the largest number of active species. Information related to popular uses reveals that the majority of the plants, in addition to treating infections, are used to treat other conditions. The distribution of Mexican plants extended from those that were reported to grow in just one state to those that grow in all 32 Mexican states. From 75 plant species, 225 compounds were identified. Out of the total plant species, only 140 (40.57%) had at least one report about their toxic effects. From 1994 to July 2014 a total of 11,836 worldwide antibacterial patents prepared from different sources were recorded; only 36 antibacterial patents from plants were registered over the same time period. We offered some insights on the most important findings regarding the antibacterial effects, current state of the art, and research perspectives of top plant species with antibacterial activities in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of the antibacterial in vitro activity of medicinal plants popularly used in Mexico to treat infections indicate that both the selection of plant material and the investigation methodologies vary. Standardized experimental procedures as well as in vivo pharmacokinetic studies to document the effectiveness of plant extracts and compounds are necessary. This review presents extensive information about the medicinal plants possessing antibacterial activity that has been scientifically studied and are popularly used in Mexico. We anticipate that this review will be of use for future studies because it constitutes a valuable information tool for selecting the most significant plants and their potential antibacterial properties.

Preclinical evaluation of anti-Helicobacter spp. activity of Hippocratea celastroides Kunth and its acute and sub-acute toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Hippocratea celastroides Kunth, commonly known as "cancerina", is used in Mexican Traditional Medicine for the treatment of gastric and intestinal infections, systemic and skin inflammation, injuries and gastritis. The aim of this research was to assess the anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of hydro-ethanolic root-bark extracts from Hippocratea celastroides Kunth in naturally infected dogs, after testing their acute and subacute toxicities in mice. METHODS: To determine in vivo acute toxicity, a hydro-ethanolic extract was obtained and administered orally in female and male Balb-C mice, at doses ranging from 2000 to 5000 mg/kg. For the subacute study, a hydro-ethanolic extract was given to male and female Balb-C mice at doses ranging from 200 to 2000 mg/kg body weight. The animals were observed daily over a period of 42 days for signs of toxicity. In the pre-clinical anti-Helicobacter spp. assay, 60 dogs were included. Eighteen and 19 dogs for the experimental and control groups respectively, concluded the study. The experimental treatment consisted of H. celastroides hydro-ethanolic extract and the control treatment of amoxicillin-clarithromycin-omeprazole. RESULTS: Oral LD50 (lethal dose 50) values for hydro-ethanolic extract were indeterminable at the highest tested doses. Under the subacute administration, neither mortality nor any sign of toxicity were observed when the hydro-ethanolic extract was administered. There were no significant alterations in biochemical parameters. The prevalence of Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs was 97.1 % for the experimental group and 100 % for the control group. Effectiveness was of 33.3 and 55 % in the experimental and control group respectively. The oral administration of H. celastroides was well-tolerated and safe. CONCLUSION: The root-bark of H. celastroides produced no signs of toxicity, and manifested pharmacological activity that indicated the possibility of an alternative treatment for H. pylori infection. Effectiveness is still low so it is necessary to continue research.

Cytotoxic Activity and Chemical Composition of the Root Extract from the Mexican Species Linum scabrellum: Mechanism of Action of the Active Compound 6-Methoxypodophyllotoxin.

The cytotoxic activity and the chemical composition of the dichloromethane/methanol root extract of Linum scabrellum Planchon (Linaceae) were analyzed. Using NMR spectra and mass spectrometry analyses of the extract we identified eight main constituents: oleic acid (1), octadecenoic acid (2), stigmasterol (3), α-amyrin (4), pinoresinol (5), 6 methoxypodophyllotoxin (6), coniferin (7), and 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8). By using the sulforhodamine B assay, an important cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines, HF6 colon (IC50 = 0.57 µg/mL), MCF7 breast (IC50 = 0.56 µg/mL), PC3 prostate (IC50 = 1.60 µg/mL), and SiHa cervical (IC50 = 1.54 µg/mL), as well as toward the normal fibroblasts line HFS-30 IC50 = 1.02 µg/mL was demonstrated. Compound 6 (6-methoxypodophyllotoxin) was responsible for the cytotoxic activity exhibiting an IC50 value range of 0.0632 to 2.7433 µg/mL against the tested cell lines. Cell cycle studies with compound 6 exhibited a cell arrest in G2/M of the prostate PC3 cancer cell line. Microtubule disruption studies demonstrated that compound 6 inhibited the polymerization of tubulin through its binding to the colchicine site (binding constant K b = 7.6 × 10(6) M(-1)). A dose-response apoptotic effect was also observed. This work constitutes the first investigation reporting the chemical composition of L. scabrellum and the first study determining the mechanism of action of compound 6.

Production of podophyllotoxin from roots and plantlets of Hyptis suaveolens cultivated in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Hyptis suaveolens was an important source of food and medicines in pre-hispanic Mιxico and is actually used popularly to treat respiratory and skin diseases, fever, pain, and cramps, between other ailments. In 2008 the presence of podophyllotoxin (PTOX) was reported in this plant. OBJECTIVE: To establish in vitro cultures of H. suaveolens able to produce PTOX. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Explants of H. suaveolens were cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of the phytohormones 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and kinetin (Kin), in order to induce the production of podophyllotoxin. Root cultures without hormones were also established and the quantification of PTOX was performed by HPLC analysis. RESULTS: The presence of growth regulators during in vitro cultivation of H. suaveolens, provoked morphological variations in explants, and induced the accumulation of different levels of PTOX. Roots grown without phytohormones accumulated PTOX at 0.013% dry weight (DW), while in three of the callus cultures cell lines growing together with roots, PTOX accumulated at concentrations of 0.003, 0.005 and 0.006% DW when NAA was combined with either Kin or BAP. In wild plant material PTOX was present in trace amounts in the aerial parts, while in the roots it was found at 0.005% DW. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that although it is possible to obtain PTOX in a variety of in vitro cultures of H. suaveolens, in vitro roots grown without the addition of growth regulators were better producers of PTOX.

DNA barcoding of the Mexican sedative and anxiolytic plant Galphimia glauca.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Galphimia glauca (Malpighiaceae) is a Mexican plant popularly used as a tranquilizer in the treatment of nervous system disorders, although it is also used to treat other common illnesses. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this investigation is to find out if populations of Galphimia glauca collected in different regions and ecosystems in Mexico actually belong to the same species by using the contemporary technique of DNA barcodes. Our previous metabolic profiling study demonstrates that different collections of this plant obtained from various geographical areas exhibited diverse chemical profiles in terms of the active compounds named Galphimines. We expected the DNA barcodes apart from indicating the different species of Galphimia would indicate the active populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We employed matK, rpoC1 and rbcL DNA barcodes to indicate the different species. Furthermore to investigate the possible impact of the several different ecosystems where the seven populations were collected, thin layer chromatography was employed to create a partial chemical profile, which was then compared with the metabolic profiles obtained by (1)H-NMR and multivariate data analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the seven populations here analyzed contain at least three different species of the genus Galphimia, although each individual population is homogeneous. Interestingly our TLC analysis clearly showed that the active populations displayed a distinctively unique chemical profile. This work also showed that the use of DNA barcodes combined with chemical profile analysis is an excellent approach to solve the problems of quality control in the development of Galphimia-based medicines as well as for any breeding programs for this species.

A comparison on the metabolic profiling of the Mexican anxiolytic and sedative plant Galphimia glauca four years later.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Galphimia glauca has a long traditional use, and continues to be used in Mexico as a natural tranquilizer for the treatment of Central Nervous System disorders as well as for other illnesses. AIM OF THE STUDY: In 2005 the initial use of metabolic profiling to populations of Galphimia glauca resulted in two of the six collected populations being producers for galphimines, the markers for sedative and anxiolytic activities. The aim of this investigation was to confirm the previously established metabolic profile, as well as the previous in vivo results on mice. Additionally in this study we wanted to investigate potential anti-inflammatory properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four years later, we collected samples in the five localities designated for the first-stage investigation in 2005, and in two new locations. Metabolic profiling was carried out by means of (1)H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis applied to crude extracts from wild plant specimens. HPLC analysis was performed to confirm and quantify the presence of galphimines. Two neuropharmacological in vivo assays on mice were employed to study anxiolytic (elevated plus maze test) and sedative (sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis model) activities in the extracts. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by using the tetradecanoylphorbol acetate-induced mouse ear inflammation model (TPA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results for the 2009 collected species were similar to the 2005 collection, confirming the metabolic profiles and that galphimines are consistent good markers for CNS activity. Galloylquinic acid levels varied between the years without, as of yet, known effects. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was similar for all plants and thus not linked with galphimines, requiring further studies to identify the active compound(s). Areas of collection affect neuropharmacological activities but not anti-inflammatory action.

Transformed cell suspension culture of Galphimia glauca producing sedative nor-friedelanes.

The Mexican species GALPHIMIA GLAUCA (Cav.) Kuntze (Malphigiaceae) synthesises a family of sedative and anxiolytic nor-secofriedelanes, designated as galphimines. These active principles accumulate at low concentration in the aerial parts of plants from wild populations. Transformed calluses and cell suspension cultures of this species were established in order to induce a greater production of nor-friedelanes. The cell suspension line GgBa was selected and grown over a period of two years of continuous subculturing in MS nutrient medium in the absence of growth regulators. PCR and Southern blot analyses were employed in order to confirm that the ROL A gene had been integrated into the plant genome. Batch cultures of the GgBa cell line were grown over a 32-day period and first-order growth kinetics was observed, reaching a specific growth rate (micro) of 0.13 d (-1). The production of glaucacetalin A ( 10), a triterpenoid related to the known galphimines, was quantified in the nutrient medium by HPLC. The transformed cell suspension culture GgBa also synthesised a novel nor-friedelane, given the name glaucacetalin D ( 13). High-resolution spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques were employed to elucidate the structure of 13. This triterpene has never been observed in wild plant tissues or in other IN VITRO cultures. Maslinic acid ( 14) was identified in cell biomasses. The triterpene production of the cell line GgBa was as follows: glaucacetalin A, 2.7 mg/L; glaucacetalin D, 2.9 mg/L and maslinic acid, 2.4 mg/g dry weight. The sedative activity of compounds 10 and 13 was demonstrated in ICR mice by using the sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis model. No cytotoxicity of 10 and 13 was exhibited against KB, MCF-7 and HF6 human cancer cell lines.

Isolation of jacaranone, a sedative constituent extracted from the flowers of the Mexican tree Ternstroemia pringlei.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ternstroemia pringlei represents one of the most widely employed and commercially exploited medicinal plant in Mexico, used popularly as a tranquilizer and for the treatment of insomnia. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the sedative constituents of the plant through a bio-guided fractionation of extracts derived from calyx and fruits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crude extracts with different polarities (CHCl(3), AcOEt, MeOH, aqueous) were prepared and subjected to chromatographic fractionation, leading to the isolation of the sedative compound (1) from the MeOH crude extract. The identity of 1 was unequivocally established by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. The sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital and the elevated plus-maze models were performed on mice to determine the sedative and anxiolytic activities, respectively. Bioactivity was also investigated though in vitro GABA release experiments using mice brain slices. RESULTS: The sedative compound was established as jacaranone (1), and its effect was clearly demonstrated through a dose-dependent response analysis (ED(50) = 25 mg/kg mouse weight). When tested in the elevated plus-maze model, none of the extracts from Ternstroemia pringlei displayed anxiolytic activity. GABA release experiments showed that the MeOH and aqueous crude extracts released this neurotransmitter at a ratio of 217 and 179 pmol/g protein, respectively, evidencing the presence of other bioactive constituents in the extracts apart of 1, whose activity was absent in this model. CONCLUSIONS: Although 1 has been isolated and identified in a number of plant species, this is the first time that its sedative effect has been demonstrated. No previous record exists of other sedative compounds having been isolated from Ternstroemia pringlei.

Chemical and anti-ulcer evaluation of Jodina rhombifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Reissek extracts / Estudo químico e da atividade antiúlcera de Jodina rhombifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Reissek

Jodina rhombifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Reissek (Santalaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used as an anti-ulcer medicine. The plant native from Southern Brazil was chemically investigated and tested for its in vivo gastric anti-ulcer property by chloride acid/ethanol model. The chromatographic analysis of the hydroethanol extract of its leaves revealed the presence of C-glycosylflavonoids. From the n-butanol fraction of the hydroethanol extract of its aerial parts, vicenin-2 was isolated as the main component and identified by spectroscopic methods; and, a direct comparison with authentic samples was made. This fraction afforded three other C-glycosylflavonoids: vitexin, orientin and swertisin; all of them identified by direct comparison with authentic samples. We found that the oral administration of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts led to a significant decrease in the ulcer index.

Jodina rhombifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Reissek (Santalaceae) é uma espécie vegetal nativa do Sul do Brasil e usada externamente na medicina popular para o tratamento de úlcera na pele. Neste trabalho foi estudada a atividade antiúlcera gástrica em ratos usando como indutor ácido clorídrico/etanol. Os extratos hidroetanólico e aquoso apresentaram atividade antiúlcera no modelo utilizado. A análise cromatográfica do extrato hidroetanólico das folhas indicou a presença de C-glicosilflavonóides. Da fração n-butanólica obtida por extração seqüencial do extrato hidroetanólico foi isolada e identificada por métodos espectroscópicos a vicenina-2 como substância majoritária. Desta fração também foram identificados por CCD bidimensional, com auxílio de substâncias de referência, outros três C-glicosídeos: vitexina, orientina e swertisina.

Metabolic profiling of the Mexican anxiolytic and sedative plant Galphimia glauca using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis.

Galphimia glauca is popularly employed in Mexico for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Pharmacological and phytochemical studies have resulted in the identification of the anxiolytic and sedative principle consisting of a mixture of nor-secofriedelanes, named the galphimine series (1 - 9). These active constituents were found in plants collected in the vicinity of a restricted region in Central Mexico, where this species is abundant. A metabolic profiling carried out by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis was applied to crude extracts from wild plant populations, collected from six different locations as a quality control assessment, in order to differentiate their chemical profile. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the 1H-NMR spectra revealed clear variations among the populations, with two populations out of the six studied manifesting differences, when the principal components PC-1 and PC-2 were analyzed. These two PCs permitted the differentiation of the various sample populations, depending on the presence of galphimines. This information consistently correlated with the corresponding HPLC analysis. The neuropharmacological effects of the crude extracts were evaluated by using ICR mice in the elevated plus maze, as well as the sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis models. Both assays demonstrated anxiolytic and sedative responses only among those sample populations which had previously been differentiated by PC-1. Partial least square regression-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) also confirmed a strong correlation between the observed effects and the metabolic profiles of the plants. The overall results of this study confirm the benefits of using metabolic profiling for the in silico analysis of active principles in medicinal plants.