Redox-Active Profile Characterization of Remirea maritima Extracts and Its Cytotoxic Effect in Mouse Fibroblasts (L929) and Melanoma (B16F10) Cells.

Remirea maritima is a tropical plant with a reticulated root system belonging to the family Cyperaceae, also known to have biologically active secondary metabolites. However, very few data on R. maritima's biological actions are available and there are no reports regarding the redox-active profile of this plant. In this study, we examined the total phenolic content of Remirea maritima hydroalcoholic (RMHA) extracts, redox properties against different reactive species generated in vitro and their cytotoxic effect against fibroblasts (L929) and melanoma (B16F10) cells. Total reactive antioxidant potential index (TRAP) and total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) results revealed that RMHA at all concentrations tested showed significant antioxidant capacity. RMHA was also effective against hydroxyl radical formation, reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ and in scavenging nitric oxide (NO) radicals. In vitro, the level of lipid peroxidation was reduced by RMHA extract and the data showed significant oxidative damage protection. The RMHA cytotoxicity was evaluated by a neutral red assay in fibroblast (L929) and melanome (B16F10) cells. The obtained results showed that the RMHA (40 and 80 µg/mL, respectively) reduced 70% of the viable cells. In conclusion, this study represents the first report regarding the antioxidant and anti-proliferative potential of R. maritima against B16F10 melanoma cells.

Physico-chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of inclusion complexes of Hyptis martiusii Benth essential oil in ß-cyclodextrin.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been used as important pharmaceutical excipients for improve the physicochemical properties of the drugs of low solubility as the essential oil of Hyptis martiusii. This oil is important therapeutically, but the low solubility and bioavailability compromises your use. Therein, the aim of this study was to obtain and to characterize physico-chemically the samples obtained by physical mixture (PM), paste complexation (PC) and slurry complexation (SC) of the essential oil Hyptis martiusii (EOHM) in ß-CD, and to compare the antibacterial and modulatory-antibiotic activity of products obtained and oil free. The physicochemical characterization was performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Karl Fischer titration. Additionally, the antibacterial tests were performed by microdilution technique. Thus, it was observed that the PM method showed low complexing capacity, unlike PC and SC in which it was observed the formation of inclusion complexes. In addition, the second stage of the TG/DTG curves showed that SC was the best method inclusion with mass loss of 6.9% over the PC that was 6.0%. The XRD results corroborate with the results above suggesting the formation of new solid phase and the SEM photomicrographs showed the porous surface of the samples PC and SC. The essential oil alone demonstrated an antibacterial and modulatory effect against the S. aureus and the Gram negative strain, respectively. However, the ß-CD and the inclusion complex did not demonstrate any biological activity in the performed antibacterial assays.

In vivo antitumor effect, induction of apoptosis and safety of Remirea maritima Aubl. (Cyperaceae) extracts.

BACKGROUND: Remirea maritima has been widely used in the treatment of diarrhea, kidney disease, and high fever and for therapeutic purposes, such as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. However, few scientific research studies on its medicinal properties have been reported. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of aqueous extract (AE), 40% hydroalcoholic extracts (40HA) and 70% (70HA) from R. maritima in experimental models and to identify its phytochemical compounds. METHODS: The chemical composition of AE, 40HA and 70HA was assessed by HPLC-DAD and ESI-IT-MS/MS. In vitro activity was determined on cultured tumor cell, NCI-H385N (Broncho-alveolar carcinoma), OVCAR-8 (Ovarian carcinoma) and PC-3M (prostate carcinoma) by the MTT assay, and the in vivo antitumor activity was assessed in Sarcoma 180-bearing mice. Toxicological parameters were also evaluated as well as the humoral immune response. RESULTS: Among the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of R. maritima, only 40HA showed in vitro biological effect potential, presenting IC50 values of 27.08, 46.62 and >50µg/ml for OVCAR-8, NCI-H385M and PC-3M cells lines, respectively. Regarding chemical composition, a mixture of isovitexin-2''-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, vitexin-2''-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide and 1-O-(E)-caffeoyl-ß-D-glucose were identified as the major phytochemical compounds of the extracts. In the in vivo study, the tumor inhibition rates were 57.16-62.57% at doses of 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg, respectively, and the tumor morphology presented increasing numbers of apoptotic cells. Additionally, 40HA also demonstrated significantly increased of OVA-specific total Ig. CONCLUSIONS: 40HA exhibited in vitro and in vivo anticancer properties without substantial toxicity that could be associated with its immunostimulating properties.

Physicochemical characterization and analgesic effect of inclusion complexes of essential oil from Hyptis pectinata L. Poit leaves with ß-cyclodextrin.

The formation of inclusion complexes of Hyptis pectinata essential oil (EOHP), with potent activities such as anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, among others, with ß -cyclodextrin (ß-CD), was obtained by slurry (SC) and paste procedures (PC). The gas chromatography coupled to the mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis demonstrated a total of 36.4% monoterpenes and 63.6% sesquiterpenes in the EOHP. The major components of EOHP were identified as (E)- caryophyllene (54.07%). The analysis of samples (PM, PC and SC) by GC/MS involved the surface and the total extracted oils. The GC/MS results suggested important differences between in SC and PC methods indicating the complexation of mono and sesquiterpenoids in different ratios. Furthermore, the thermal analysis techniques suggests the complexation, especially in SC, which show a thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) peak at 140-270ºC, probably related to oil loss. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed reduction size of the samples mainly in the SC product. Additionally, EOHP/ ß-CD improves pharmacological profile of EOHP alone in formalin-induced pain protocol in mice.