Toxicity and phytochemistry of eight species used in the traditional medicine of sul-mato-grossense, Brazil.

The Brazilian Cerrado has several botanical species for medicinal purposes used by traditional communities and many of these plants are not included in the list of Medicinal Plants Research Program of Central Medicines. The purpose of this study was the phytochemical screening and toxicology bioassay front of Brine shrimp L. of ethanolic extracts of eight species of plants used in folk medicine of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The ethanolic extracts were submitted to phytochemical screening, determination of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Toxicological assays were carried front of Brine shrimp according to standard methodology. The analysis TLC and HPLC-DAD confirmed the predominance of phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically for the quercetin. The most toxic was the C. affinis DC. with death at all concentrations, the A. humile A. St. Hil. showed no mortality and the other species showed intermediate toxicity. The extracts of the investigated species are rich in phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically quercetin, and feature toxicity between moderate to high, a fact that requires attention, since much of the traditional communities rely on herbal drugs in its raw form with preventive and curative purpose, meeting the basic health care.

Wound-Healing potential of Sebastiania hispida (Mart.) Pax (Euphorbiaceae) ointment compared to low power laser in rats.

Impaired wound healing represents a serious complication in some pathologies and the use of plant extracts has proved to improve tissue repair. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the healing potential of the ointment of Sebastiana hispida compared with Aluminum-Gallium Indium-Phosphide Laser (InGaAlP) in surgically induced wounds in rats and to perform the phytochemical analysis. The phytochemical analysis was performed in the classic way and also by HPLC. A controlled study was developed with 80 rats (200-250 g) in which a linear excision was performed in the dorsal region after shaving, measuring 2 cm × 1 cm (epidermis and dermis) exposing the muscle fascia. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of twenty animals each. The experimental groups (n = 5) were G1 (Saline); G2 (crude methanol plant extract 2% + Carbopol Gel 98%); G3 (crude methanol plant extract 2% + lanolin/vaseline) and G4 (laser). The incision healing processes were monitored during 3, 7, 14 and until 21 days after excision. The histologic parameters evaluated were Collagen fiber types, microscopic examination and neovascularization. There was a significant increase in the deposition of collagen fibers, as evidenced by a better organized epithelial tissue, keratinized and showing greater proliferation of new blood vessels in the inflammatory phase in the group treated with both the extract and laser. The results were correlated to the phenolic derivatives found after qualitative and quantitative analysis. These compounds were considered responsible for the healing process. The topical treatment with S. hispida leaves, in the two different formulations, was more effective than the application of the laser (Ingan ALP) 660 nm in the model used.

Hypoglycemic Effect of the Methanol flower Extract of Piper Claussenianum and the Major Constituent 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats.

Piper claussenianum inflorescences crude methanol extract was tested for hypoglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The blood glucose levels of rats treated with methanol extract were reduced from 318.4±28.1 mg/dl before treatment to 174.2±38.3 mg/dl after 12 days of treatment (P<0.05). Phytochemical studies were carried out on inflorescences methanol crude extract in order to investigate the possible metabolites responsible for the pharmacological properties of the extract. After chromatographic procedures, three flavonoids were isolated and characterized. The major compound 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone was also tested. Rats that received the chalcone content also displayed a reduction in blood glucose levels from 277.4±7.7 mg/dl before treatment to 158.8±9.2 mg/dl after 12 days of treatment (P<0.05). The results suggest this chalcone is one of the metabolite responsible for the blood glucose levels reduction in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The inflorescence crude extract of P. claussenianum was found to be composed mainly by flavonoids and may be a potential natural source of compounds with hypoglycemic properties.

Toxicity and phytochemistry of eight species used in the traditional medicine of sul-mato-grossense, Brazil / Toxicidade e fitoquímica de oito espécies usadas na medicina tradicional sul-mato-grossense, Brasil

Abstract The Brazilian Cerrado has several botanical species for medicinal purposes used by traditional communities and many of these plants are not included in the list of Medicinal Plants Research Program of Central Medicines. The purpose of this study was the phytochemical screening and toxicology bioassay front of Brine shrimp L. of ethanolic extracts of eight species of plants used in folk medicine of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The ethanolic extracts were submitted to phytochemical screening, determination of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Toxicological assays were carried front of Brine shrimp according to standard methodology. The analysis TLC and HPLC-DAD confirmed the predominance of phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically for the quercetin. The most toxic was the C. affinis DC. with death at all concentrations, the A. humile A. St. Hil. showed no mortality and the other species showed intermediate toxicity. The extracts of the investigated species are rich in phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically quercetin, and feature toxicity between moderate to high, a fact that requires attention, since much of the traditional communities rely on herbal drugs in its raw form with preventive and curative purpose, meeting the basic health care.

Resumo O Cerrado brasileiro possui diversas espécies botânicas com fins medicinais utilizadas por comunidades tradicionais e muitas dessas plantas não estão incluídas na lista do Programa de Pesquisa de Plantas Medicinais da Central de Medicamentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi a triagem fitoquímica e o bioensaio toxicológico frente ao Brine shrimp L. de extratos etanólicos de oito espécies de plantas utilizadas na medicina popular de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Os extratos etanólicos foram submetidos à triagem fitoquímica, determinação de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides. Os ensaios toxicológicos foram realizados frente ao Brine shrimp de acordo com a metodologia padrão. A análise de cromatografia de camada delgada e HPLC-DAD confirmou a predominância de compostos fenólicos e derivados, especificamente para a quercetina. O mais tóxico foi o C. affinis DC. com a morte em todas as concentrações, o A. humile A. St. Hil. não apresentou mortalidade e as demais espécies apresentaram toxicidade intermediária. Os extratos das espécies investigadas são ricos em compostos fenólicos e derivados, especificamente a quercetina e apresentam toxicidade entre moderada a alta, fato que requer atenção, pois grande parte das comunidades tradicionais conta com fitoterápicos em sua forma bruta com preventivo e finalidade curativa, atendendo aos cuidados básicos de saúde.

Wound-Healing potential of Sebastiania hispida (Mart) Pax (Euphorbiaceae) ointment compared to low power laser in rats / Potencial cicatrizante da pomada de Sebastiania hispida (Mart) Pax (Euphorbiaceae) comparado ao laser de baixa potência

Abstract Impaired wound healing represents a serious complication in some pathologies and the use of plant extracts has proved to improve tissue repair. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the healing potential of the ointment of Sebastiana hispida compared with Aluminum-Gallium Indium-Phosphide Laser (InGaAlP) in surgically induced wounds in rats and to perform the phytochemical analysis. The phytochemical analysis was performed in the classic way and also by HPLC. A controlled study was developed with 80 rats (200-250 g) in which a linear excision was performed in the dorsal region after shaving, measuring 2 cm × 1 cm (epidermis and dermis) exposing the muscle fascia. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of twenty animals each. The experimental groups (n = 5) were G1 (Saline); G2 (crude methanol plant extract 2% + Carbopol Gel 98%); G3 (crude methanol plant extract 2% + lanolin/vaseline) and G4 (laser). The incision healing processes were monitored during 3, 7, 14 and until 21 days after excision. The histologic parameters evaluated were Collagen fiber types, microscopic examination and neovascularization. There was a significant increase in the deposition of collagen fibers, as evidenced by a better organized epithelial tissue, keratinized and showing greater proliferation of new blood vessels in the inflammatory phase in the group treated with both the extract and laser. The results were correlated to the phenolic derivatives found after qualitative and quantitative analysis. These compounds were considered responsible for the healing process. The topical treatment with S. hispida leaves, in the two different formulations, was more effective than the application of the laser (Ingan ALP) 660 nm in the model used.

Resumo A cicatrização deficiente representa uma complicação grave em algumas patologias e o uso de extratos de plantas tem demonstrado melhora no processo de reparação tecidual. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial cicatrizante da pomada de Sebastiania hispida comparado ao Laser Indio Phosphide-Gallium-Aluminum (InGaAlP) em feridas cutâneas induzidas cirurgicamente em ratos e realizar analise fitoquímica. A análise fitoquímica foi via clássica e por CLAE. O experimento foi desenvolvido com 80 ratos (200-250 g), divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n = 5): G1 (salina); G2 (extrato bruto metanólico 2% + Carbopol Gel 98%); G3 (extrato bruto metanólico 2% + lanolina/vaselina) e G4 (laser). Após a tricotomia da região dorsal realizou uma excisão linear, medindo 2 cm × 1 cm (epiderme e derme), expondo a fáscia muscular. Em sequência os tratamentos e o monitoramento do processo de cicatrização das feridas cirúrgicas ocorreu nos tempos de: 3, 7, 14 e até 21 dias após a excisão. Os parâmetros histológicos avaliados foram: tipos de fibras colágenas, avaliação morfológica e neovascularização. Houve uma deposição significativa de fibras colágenas, evidenciado por um tecido epitelial mais bem organizado, queratinizado e mostrando uma maior proliferação de novos vasos sanguíneos na fase inflamatória do grupo tratado com o extrato e o laser. A eficiência do processo de cicatrização pode estar relacionada com a presença de compostos fenólicos e derivados detectados na análise qualitativa e quantitativa. A utilização do tratamento tópico com as duas formulações diferentes de S. hispida foram mais eficazes do que a aplicação do Laser (InGaAlP) no modelo utilizado.

Toxicity and phytochemistry of eight species used in the traditional medicine of sul-mato-grossense, Brazil

Abstract The Brazilian Cerrado has several botanical species for medicinal purposes used by traditional communities and many of these plants are not included in the list of Medicinal Plants Research Program of Central Medicines. The purpose of this study was the phytochemical screening and toxicology bioassay front of Brine shrimp L. of ethanolic extracts of eight species of plants used in folk medicine of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The ethanolic extracts were submitted to phytochemical screening, determination of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Toxicological assays were carried front of Brine shrimp according to standard methodology. The analysis TLC and HPLC-DAD confirmed the predominance of phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically for the quercetin. The most toxic was the C. affinis DC. with death at all concentrations, the A. humile A. St. Hil. showed no mortality and the other species showed intermediate toxicity. The extracts of the investigated species are rich in phenolic compounds and derivatives, specifically quercetin, and feature toxicity between moderate to high, a fact that requires attention, since much of the traditional communities rely on herbal drugs in its raw form with preventive and curative purpose, meeting the basic health care.

Resumo O Cerrado brasileiro possui diversas espécies botânicas com fins medicinais utilizadas por comunidades tradicionais e muitas dessas plantas não estão incluídas na lista do Programa de Pesquisa de Plantas Medicinais da Central de Medicamentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi a triagem fitoquímica e o bioensaio toxicológico frente ao Brine shrimp L. de extratos etanólicos de oito espécies de plantas utilizadas na medicina popular de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Os extratos etanólicos foram submetidos à triagem fitoquímica, determinação de compostos fenólicos e flavonoides. Os ensaios toxicológicos foram realizados frente ao Brine shrimp de acordo com a metodologia padrão. A análise de cromatografia de camada delgada e HPLC-DAD confirmou a predominância de compostos fenólicos e derivados, especificamente para a quercetina. O mais tóxico foi o C. affinis DC. com a morte em todas as concentrações, o A. humile A. St. Hil. não apresentou mortalidade e as demais espécies apresentaram toxicidade intermediária. Os extratos das espécies investigadas são ricos em compostos fenólicos e derivados, especificamente a quercetina e apresentam toxicidade entre moderada a alta, fato que requer atenção, pois grande parte das comunidades tradicionais conta com fitoterápicos em sua forma bruta com preventivo e finalidade curativa, atendendo aos cuidados básicos de saúde.

Estudo Químico e da Atividade Leishmanicida de Frações de Piper cabralanum C.DC. (Piperaceae) / Chemical Composition and Antileishmanial Activity from Fractions of Piper cabralanum C.D.C. (Piperaceae)

Folhas de Piper cabralanum C.DC. foram coletadas no Município de Teresópolis/RJ, em área particular próxima ao Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos. O material vegetal foi seco em estufa a 40oC e, em seguida, submetido a extração com metanol por maceração estática. O extrato metanólico foi concentrado e particionado em solventes de diferentes polaridades, rendendo frações solúveis em n-hexano, diclorometano, acetato de etila e n-butanol. O extrato metanólico bruto e suas partições foram testadas em promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis. Somente o extrato metanólico bruto e sua partição em n-hexano (PCA-Hex) mostraram boa atividade contra L. amazonensis (CE50 de 30 µg/ml e 25 µg/ml, respectivamente. Essa partição foi submetida à purificação por cromatografia em coluna com gel de sílica e posterior análise por cromatografia com fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas, o que possibilitou a caracterização de hidrocarbonetos, sesquiterpenos, esqualeno e uma mistura de esteróides (campesterol, estigmasterol e b-sitosterol).

Quantitative determination of liriodenine and moupinamide in five species of Mollinedia by high performance liquid chromatography.

A simple method for the resolution and subsequent quantitative determination of liriodenine and moupinamide in Mollinedia species was developed using reversed-phase HPLC based on an octadecyl silane-packed column eluted with gradients of methanol and water.

Selective effect of 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone isolated from Piper aduncum on Leishmania amazonensis.

2',6'-Dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (DMC) was purified from the dichloromethane extract of Piper aduncum inflorescences. DMC showed significant activity in vitro against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, with 50% effective doses of 0.5 and 24 micrograms/ml, respectively. Its inhibitory effect on amastigotes is apparently a direct effect on the parasites and is not due to activation of the nitrogen oxidative metabolism of macrophages, since the production of nitric oxide by both unstimulated and recombinant gamma interferon-stimulated macrophages was decreased rather than increased with DMC. The phagocytic activity of macrophages was functioning normally even with DMC concentrations as high as 80 micrograms/ml, as seen by electron microscopy and by the uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled beads. Ultrastructural studies also showed that in the presence of DMC the mitochondria of promastigotes were enlarged and disorganized. Despite destruction of intracellular amastigotes, no disarrangement of macrophage organelles were observed, even at 80 micrograms of DMC/ml. These observations suggest that DMC is selectively toxic to the parasites. Its simple structure may well enable it to serve as a new lead compound for the synthesis of novel antileishmanial drugs.

Improvement of in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activities of 2', 6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone by entrapment in poly(D,L-lactide) nanoparticles.

The inhibition of intracellular Leishmania amazonensis growth by 2', 6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (DMC) isolated from Piper aduncum was further enhanced after encapsulation of DMC in polymeric nanoparticles. Encapsulated DMC also showed increased antileishmanial activity in infected BALB/c mice, as evidenced by significantly smaller lesions and fewer parasites in the lesions.

Effect of leaf essential oil from Piper solmsianum C.DC. in mice behaviour.

The essential oil from Piper solmsianum leaves and its major compound (sarisan) were tested to verify their influences upon mice behaviour. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger extractor and analysed by GC/ MS. This analysis revealed in the oil the presence of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and of arylpropanoids. The compound sarisan, a myristicin analogue, was isolated from the oil to perform the pharmacological tests. Emulsions of the oil and of sarisan (5.0 and 10.0% v/v) were used in the tests. Pentobarbital (30 mg/ kg s.c.) or diazepam (2.5 mg/ kg s.c.) were tested as standard drugs to verify depressant or anxiolytic effects, respectively. Both essential oil and sarisan showed to have exciting and depressant effects in the tested animals.