Geographical variation in the chemical composition, anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil, micromorphology and histochemistry of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae) is rich in essential oil, distinguished by a predominance of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, it being widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammations. AIM OF STUDY: This study's objective was to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil of S. terebinthifolia (EOST) collected in six states of Brazil, evaluate its anti-inflammatory effects in mice, and analyze the histochemistry and micromorphology of leaves and stems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aerial parts of S. terebinthifolia were collected in six states of Brazil, and the essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The histochemistry and micromorphology of leaves and stems were performed using standard reagents, light and field emission scanning electron microscopy, beyond energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The EOST were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity and hyperalgesia using the carrageenan-induced paw edema methodology. RESULTS: The EOST showed variation across the six states in its yield (0.40%-0.86%) and chemical composition: hydrocarbon monoterpenes (28.76%-47.73%), sesquiterpenes, (31.43%-41.76%), oxygenated monoterpenes (14.31%-19.57%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.87%-14.38%). Both α-pinene and limonene were predominant constituents of essential in five regions, except for one state where α-phellandrene and limonene were the dominant components. A comprehensive description of the leaf and stem micromorphology and histochemistry was performed. In the in vivo testing, all EOST samples exerted antiedematogenic and anti-hyperalgesic effects, when tested in a carrageenan-induced paw inflammation (mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia) model with oral doses of 30 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the EOST samples collected in six Brazilian states differed in their chemical composition but not their anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects, which was correlated with the synergistic effect of its components, collaborating the etnhopharmacologycal use of this plant due to its an anti-inflammatory effect. Also, micromorphology and histochemistry of leaves and stems presented in this study provide anatomical and microchemical information, which aids species identification.

Exploration of essential oil from Psychotria poeppigiana as an anti-hyperalgesic and anti-acetylcholinesterase agent: Chemical composition, biological activity and molecular docking.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leaves from Psychotria poeppigiana Müll. Arg. (accepted as Palicourea tomentosa (Aubl.) Borhidi), Rubiaceae, has traditionally been used in medicine for treatments of inflammation and pain; Synonymously, Cephaelis elata for the treatment of dementia; However, few scientific studies have been evidence demonstrating this activity. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of P. poeppigiana essential oil obtained from leaves (EOPP) and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Molecular docking simulations were carried out with the main constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EOPP (hydrodistillation) was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The fractionation of EOPP afforded germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene. The antioxidant activity of EOPP was determined by MDA assay. The inflammatory parameters were evaluated using CFA model (with paw edema, mechanical, thermal hyperalgesia, MPO and NAG) in EOPP (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg), germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene (30 mg/kg). The AChE inhibition was evaluated in rat brain structures and molecular docking simulations were carried out using Autodock v.4.3.2. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis identified 19 compounds, and the major compounds were germacrene D (29.38%) and bicyclogermacrene (25.21%). EOPP exhibited high antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 12.78 ± 1.36 µg/mL). All the tested doses of EOPP and both major constituents significantly inhibited cold and mechanical hyperalgesia and significantly blocked the increase in MPO activity 24 h after the CFA injection. There was significant AChE inhibition by EOPP and germacrene D in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (>50%). Enzyme-ligand molecular modelling showed that the major constituents of EOPP interacted differently with AChE. CONCLUSIONS: The chemical compounds of the essential oil from the leaves of P. poeppigiana is based mainly on terpenes, the sesquiterpenes germacrene D (29.38%) and bicyclogermacrene (25.21%) being the major compounds. EOPP presented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Besides, enzyme-ligand molecular modelling showed the EOPP may act as an anti-hyperalgesic and AChE inhibitory agent. Taken together, these results might be in accordance with if folk use for pain- and inflammation-related symptoms.

Variation in essential oil components and anti-inflammatory activity of Allophylus edulis leaves collected in central-western Brazil.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: An infusion obtained from the leaves of "chal-chal" (Allophylus edulis Radlk.) is used for popular treatment of intestinal disorders and as an anti-inflammatory throat treatment. Because of the anti-inflammatory medicinal folk use, a previous work reported scientific research confirming the anti-inflammatory activity of A. edulis essential oil collected in Dourados, MS, Brazil, in March 2015. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in the chemical profile of the essential oil of A. edulis plants collected in Dourados (EOAE-D) and Bonito (EOAE-B), two cities in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Additionally, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil, as well as that of the major compounds (caryophyllene oxide and α-zingiberene), in experimental in vivo models of inflammation in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leaves were collected from plants at both sites in July 2018. The composition of the essential oil (EOAE-D and EOAE-B) was determined by GC/MS, and major compounds (caryophyllene oxide and α-zingiberene) were isolated and identified by chromatographic methods and NMR spectroscopy. Anti-inflammatory capacities were assessed using two classical models of inflammatory models, carrageenan- and CFA-induced paw inflammation (mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia). RESULTS: Both EOAE-D and EOAE-B showed sesquiterpenes as a major constituent, namely, caryophyllene oxide (29.5%) and α-zingiberene (45.0%), respectively. In tests, EOAE, caryophyllene oxide and α-zingiberene-induced antiedematogenic and antihyperalgesic effects were found in the different utilized models. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that samples from the two cities differed in chemical composition but not in their anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects. This finding corroborates the use of A. edulis as a medicinal plant and indicates its potential in the therapy of inflammatory conditions.

Matéria seca e acúmulo de macronutrientes na parte aérea das plantas de Crambe / Dry matter and macronutrients accumulation in crambe shoots

O crambe (Crambe abyssinica) tem bom potencial para produção de biodiesel pelo seu teor de óleo, além de ser uma alternativa para a rotação de culturas. Contudo, são escassas as informações sobre a demanda de nutrientes pelo crambe. O trabalho objetivou determinar a produção de matéria seca e o acúmulo de macronutrientes na parte aérea das plantas de crambe, em diferentes estágios de crescimento e desenvolvimento. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram coletadas amostras da parte aérea das plantas aos 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 e 84 dias após a emergência (DAE). Para cada coleta, as plantas foram dividas em folha (limbo e pecíolo), caule + ramos e frutos (cápsulas) e as amostras foram secas até peso constante para posterior determinação da matéria seca e teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S. As folhas apresentam grande contribuição na produção de matéria seca nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento das plantas. A partir do florescimento, a queda das folhas é acentuada e a contribuição dos caules+ramos é maior. Foi observada a seguinte demanda pelos nutrientes na parte aérea: N>Ca>P>S>K>Mg. Quanto às quantidades exportadas via colheita de grãos, seguiu-se a ordem: N>P>S>Mg>Ca>K. A produção de matéria seca da parte aérea das plantas e dos frutos é baixa. No entanto, em função do ciclo curto e da rápida transição entre as fases de florescimento e maturação dos frutos, a adubação de semeadura é fundamental para obtenção de rendimentos satisfatórios.

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) has shown potential for biodiesel production because of high oil content in grains. Furthermore it is a viable option in crop rotation systems. Nevertheless, there are few studies about nutrient uptake by crambe plants. The aim of this work was to determine dry matter and nutrient accumulation in crambe shoots in different growth stages. The experiment was carried under a randomized complete block design with five replications. Shoot sampling was done at 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 days after seedling emergence. Each plant sample was separated in leaves (blade and petiole), stems+benches and fruit (capsules). The samples were dried, weighted and levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were determined. Plant leaves greatly contribute to dry matter production in initial stages of development. Leaf senescence is accentuated and the contribution from stems and branches is higher from flowering. The following nutrient demand by plant shoot was observed: N>Ca>P>S>K>Mg. Nutrients are exported by harvested grains as follows: N>P>S>Mg>Ca>K. Dry matter produced by shoots and fruit is low; however, sowing fertilization is essential to obtain satisfactory results due to a short plant cycle and fast transition period between flowering and fruit maturation.