Effect of Tagetes minuta essential oil on the central nervous system of unfed Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato 'tropical lineage' ticks.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato 'tropical lineage' (Acari: Ixodidae) is considered a sanitary concern due to its role as a disease vector. Tick strains resistant to synthetic acaricides have caused difficulties in their control, besides synthetic acaricides are harmful to the environment and to the health of non-target animals. The research of plants with acaricidal and repellent properties has proved to be an efficient alternative in tick control. The genus Tagetes spp. excels for its use as traditional pest control in households and plantations and also for its potential as an acaricide against R. sanguineus under laboratory conditions. The first aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Tagetes minuta essential oil (TMEO) on the central nervous system (synganglion) in unfed R. sanguineus adults. The histological analysis of synganglion exposed to the different concentrations of TMEO and amitraz 12.5% (50% of the recommended dose in the package insert) showed a significant effect with signs of cell damage including volume increase, loss of shape, and vacuolization, in addition to chromatin alterations such as condensation, margination, and fragmentation. TMEO were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry showing the presence of 21 compounds that according to their chemical structure are classified as terpenoids. Among them (Z)-ß-ocimene, ocimene, (Z)-tagetone, and verbenone were found in major quantities.

Antihyperglycemic activity of crude extract and isolation of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity from Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves grown in Southern Brazil.

The antihyperglicemic activity of crude extract from Moringa oleifera leaves and isolation of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity using bioguided assay were employed by the first time in leaves cultivated in Brazil. The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) was produced by using ethanol:water (80:20 v/v) and purified by solid-liquid procedure using solvents in ascending order of polarity. The ethyl acetate fraction (Fr-EtOAc) presented high antioxidant potential and it was purified using chromatographic techniques rendering isolated compounds that were identified from the spectral data. The HE extract (500 mg kg-1) was adimistrated in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin and chemical markers and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney were evaluated. The Fr-EtOAc showed high antioxidant potential by FRAP reduction method (1678 µmol Fe2+ g-1), DPPH and ABTS scavenging methods (526.7 and 671.5 µmol TEAC g-1 respectively) and ORAC assay (3560.6 µmol TEAC g-1). Therefore, the Fr-EtOAc was purified and yielded three bioactive subfractions (S-12, S-13 abd S-15) that were rechromatoghaphed in HPLC-SemiPrep. After that, two main bioactive glycosylated flavonoids (isoquercitrin and astragalin) and phenolic acid (3-O-caffeoylquinic acid) were obtained. Additionally, the HE extract provided protection against oxidative damage in liver and kidney of diabetic rats ameliorating endogenous antioxidant defenses by increase catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and non-protein thiol groups (NPSH) levels as well as decreased the lipid peroxidation in these tissues. Our results indicate that three phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity were isolated and, the chemical composition of HE crude extract, rich in flavonoids glycosylated could be intimately related to antihyperglycemic action. So, it is possible to suggest that these compounds may be used as chemical biomarkers for this plant in Brazil, ensuring quality and supporting the use of aerial parts in tradicional medicine.

Selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one and Oxidoselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one from Eugenia uniflora Leaf Essential Oil and Their Cytotoxic Effects on Human Cell Lines.

The sesquiterpenes selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one and oxidoselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one were isolated from the essential oil of Eugenia uniflora L. leaves. The structures were elucidated using spectrometric methods (UV, GC-MS, NMR, and specific optical rotation). The relationship between antioxidant activity, as determined by DPPH assay, and the cytotoxic effect was evaluated using tumor cells, namely lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) and human hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG2), as well as a model of normal human lung fibroblast cells (IMR90). Both compounds did not show prominent free-radical scavenging activity according to DPPH assay, and did not inhibit lipid peroxidation in Wistar rat brain homogenate. The isolated compounds showed pro-oxidative effects and cytotoxicity in relation to the IMR90 cell line.

Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) essential oil displays anti-inflammatory activity in models of skin inflammation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) is a commonly used plant in traditional medicine known as "alecrim-do-campo". Popularly it has been used as an immunostimulant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory among other applications. So far, only a few studies have investigated the B. dracunculifolia anti-inflammatory effect and none has investigated the effectiveness of essential oil on skin diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed at evaluating the topical anti-inflammatory activity of B. dracunculifolia essential oil (BdEO) in mice models of acute and chronic skin inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BdEO was obtained from leaves and it was analyzed with Gas Chromatograph. Topical anti-inflammatory activity of BdEO (0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/ear) was evaluated in Arachidonic Acid or TPA-induced acute and chronic skin inflammation in mice. Parameters such edema, cell migration and keratinocytes proliferation were evaluated. In addition, safety and a possible mechanism of action for BdEO essential oil were also investigated. RESULTS: Our results indicate that mainly terpenoids compounds compose BdEO. In addition, topical treatment with BdEO inhibited inflammatory parameters in both acute and chronic models of skin inflammation. This protective effect was associated with reduced edema formation, smaller cellular influx into the inflamed tissue and reduction of keratinocytes hyperproliferation. Although BdEO appears to exert its anti-inflammatory effect through a corticosteroid pathway, no local or systemic side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the present results showed that the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from B. dracunculifolia leaf samples exhibit remarkable topical anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, our study demonstrated evidence for BdEO topical anti-inflammatory efficacy and safety, suggesting that it could be considered for developing of a new phytotherapeutic formulation as treatment for skin diseases.

Expanding the anti-inflammatory potential of Moringa oleifera: topical effect of seed oil on skin inflammation and hyperproliferation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Popularly used in India and sub-Hymalaian region, Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is associated with healing properties demonstrated in its use as treatment of acute and chronic skin diseases. Our study aimed at investigating the effects of M. oleifera seed oil (MOSO) in animal models for inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MOSO was analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperproliferative effects of treatment with either MOSO or oleic acid (OA), its main constituent, was evaluated. Acute and chronic inflammation was induced by applying 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and acute inflammation with either Arachidonic Acid (AA) or Phenol onto the ear of Swiss mice. Systemic activity and the influence of glucocorticoid receptors (GC) was also evaluated. RESULTS: Topical application of MOSO and OA inhibited ear edema caused by TPA, and Phenol. Only MOSO inhibited ear edema induced by AA. Neutrophil migration was also inhibited by treatment with MOSO. Topical application of MOSO, but not OA, significantly reduced chronic skin inflammation and epidermal hypertrophy induced by multiple TPA applications. Pre-treatment with GC antagonist mifepristone reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of MOSO and OA on the TPA model. Repeated administration of MOSO show a similar effect to dexamethasone on thymus weight, though MOSO did not present any influence on skin thickness, as well as in the weight of the spleen, adrenal gland and lymph node. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MOSO is effective as a treatment for skin diseases that rely on keratinocyte hyperproliferation. OA is also effective in acute inflammation. Both MOSO and OA depend on GC activation for anti-inflammatory effect but do not exhibit the same adverse effects seen in topical treatment with dexamethasone. We hereby evidence the use of MOSO as a topical anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory skin diseases, thus, expanding its therapeutic potential.

A stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatography method to determine apocynin in nanoparticles.

In this study, we developed and validated a fast, specific, sensitive, precise and stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to determine the drug apocynin in bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles. Chromatographic analyses were performed on an RP C18 column and using a photodiode array detector at a wavelength of 276 nm. Mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid (60:40, v/v), and it was eluted isocratically at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The retention time of apocynin chromatographic peak was 1.65 min. The method was linear, precise, accurate and specific in the range of 5-100 µg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions presented relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 2%. The method was robust regarding changes in mobile phase proportion, but not for flow rate. Limits of detection and quantitation were 78 ng/mL and 238 ng/mL, respectively. Apocynin was exposed to acid and alkali hydrolysis, oxidation and visible light. The drug suffered mild degradation under acid and oxidation conditions and great degradation under alkali conditions. Light exposure did not degrade the drug. The method was successfully applied to determine the encapsulation efficiency of apocynin in BSA nanoparticles.