Chemical composition, larvicidal and cytotoxic activity of Annona salzmannii (Annonaceae) seed oil

The seed oil of Annona salzmannii A. DC. was analyzed by GC-MS and 1H qNMR, revealing a mixture of unsaturated (80.5%) and saturated (18.7%) fatty acids. Linoleic (45.3%) and oleic (33.5%) acid were the major unsaturated fatty acids identified, while palmitic acid (14.3%) was the major saturated fatty acid. The larvicidal effects of A. salzmannii seed oil were evaluated against third-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linn.). The oil exhibited moderate larvicidal activity, with a LC50 of 569.77 ppm (95% CI = 408.11 to 825.88 ppm). However, when the cytotoxic effects of the oil were evaluated, no expressive antiproliferative effects were observed in tumor cell lines B16-F10 (mouse melanoma), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), K562 (human chronic myelocytic leukemia), HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia), and non-tumor cell line PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), with IC50 values > 50 µg·mL-1. This is the first study to evaluate the chemical composition, larvicidal and cytotoxic activity of A. salzmannii seed oil

Preliminary analysis of Brazilian Amazonian plant extracts using bench-top assays in a through-put basis aiming the identification of potential antioxidant natural product

Plants are a source of compounds that are used for the treatment of human and veterinary diseases. Brazil is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. The present study evaluated extracts using thin-layer chromatography to identify antioxidant activity and determine the presence of groups of compounds, in a large-scale basis. A total of 1,260 aqueous and organic extracts were obtained from plants that were collected in the Amazon and Atlantic rain forests. Thin-layer chromatography was performed to evaluate the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardioactive glicosides, terpenes, and phenolics and determine antioxidant and radical scavenging activity using the following reagents: Dragendorff's reagent, KOH, Kedde's reagent, sulphuric acid, NP reagent, ß-carotene, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Of the 1,260 extracts, 837 (66.43%) presented a ß-carotene/bleaching response, and 1,205 (95.63%) presented a radical scavenging response. Alkaloids were found in 203 extracts (16.11%). Anthraquinones were found in 14 extracts (1.11%), cardenolides were found in eight extracts (0.63%). The present findings shows the importance of the Brazilian Amazon plants as sources of antioxidant and radical scavenging active compounds.(AU)

Efecto del extracto etanólico de las hojas de Annona muricata L (guanábana) sobre Síndrome metabólico inducido en ratas / Effect of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Annona muricata L (soursop) on metabolic syndrome induced in rats

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del extracto etanólico de hojas de guanábana (EEA) administrado en ratas con síndrome metabólico experimental. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio Experimental. 90 ratas machos de 2 meses, cepa Holtzmann de 175±25g de peso fueron divididos en nueve grupos: I) normal (Suero salino fisiológico-SSF-2mL/kg); II) EEA 200mg/kg; III) 200mg/kg de colesterol y 100mg/kg de fructosa (CF) para inducción de síndrome metabólico (SM); IV-VI) CF + EEA 50, 100 y 200mg/kg respectivamente; VII) CF + atorvastatina 20mg/kg; VIII) CF + enalapril 20mg/kg; IX) CF + enalapril 20mg/kg + atorvastatina 20mg/kg. corporal. Estos grupos fueron intervenidos por 90 días, donde se midieron: peso corporal (g), niveles de glicemia (mg/dL), hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), presión arterial (mmHg) y perfil lipídico (Colesterol total, triglicéridos, HDL-c y LDL-c en mg/dL). Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en comparación, en los valores de glicemia (-23.9 mg/ml; IC95%: -36.7 a -11.0), HbA1c (-0.8%; IC95%: -1.2 a -0.4) y Triglicéridos (-68.1; IC95% -96.0 a -40.1) en la dosis de EEAM 200mg/kg en comparación con el grupo III. La dosis de 100mg/kg logró presiones arteriales: sistólica (-6.8 mmHg; IC95%: -17.5 a 3.9, p=0.397), diastólica (-3.9 mmHg; IC95%: -14.0 a 6.2, p=0.861) y media (-9.9 mmHg; IC95%: -31.1 a 11.3, p=0.720); parecidas al grupo I. Asimismo, esta dosis logró diferencias en colesterol total (-57.6 mg/dl; IC 95% -75.7 a -39.4) y LDL-c (-56.5 mg/dl; IC 95% -75.7 a -37.3) en comparación con el grupo III. Conclusiones: El extracto etanólico de las hojas de Annona muricata L. (guanábana) a dosis de 200 mg/Kg mostró un mejor efecto ante la inducción de síndrome metabólico experimental.

Searching for promising sources of grain protectors in extracts from neotropical annonaceae / Búsqueda de fuentes prometedoras de protectores de granos en extractos de anonaceas neotropicales

To investigate potential sources of novel grain protector compounds against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which is an important insect pest of stored cereals, this study evaluated the bioactivity of ethanolic extracts (66) prepared from 29 species belonging to 11 different genera of Neotropical Annonaceae. A screening assay demonstrated that the most pronounced bioactive effects on S. zeamais were caused by ethanolic extracts from Annona montana, A. mucosa, A. muricata, and A. sylvatica seeds, causing the death of all weevils exposed, almost complete inhibition of the F1 progeny and a drastic reduction in grain losses. Furthermore, the ethanolic extracts obtained from the leaves of A. montana, A. mucosa, A. muricata, and Duguetia lanceolata, especially A. montana and A. mucosa, demonstrated significant bioactive effects on the studied variables; however, the activity levels were less pronounced than in the seed extracts, and the response was dependent on the concentration used. This study is the first to report the activity of secondary metabolites from D. lanceolata on insects as well as the action of A. sylvatica on pests associated with stored grains.

Para investigar las posibles fuentes de nuevos compuestos protectores de granos contra Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), una importante plaga de los cereales almacenados, este estudio evaluó la bioactividad de los extractos etanólicos (66) preparados a partir de 29 especies pertenecientes a 11 géneros distintos de Anonaceas Neotropicales. Un ensayo de selección demostró que los efectos bioactivos más relevantes sobre S. zeamais fueron causados por los extractos etanólicos de las semillas de Annona montana, de A. mucosa, de A. muricata y de A. sylvatica, que causaron la muerte de todos los gorgojos expuestos, la inhibición parcial de la progenie F1 y una drástica reducción de las pérdidas de grano. Además, los extractos etanólicos obtenidos de las hojas de A. montana, de A. mucosa, de A. muricata y de Duguetia lanceolata, especialmente de A. montana y de A. mucosa, demostraron efectos bioactivos significativos sobre las variables estudiadas. Sin embargo, los niveles de bioactividad fueron menores en comparación con los extractos de semillas, y la respuesta fue dependiente de la concentración utilizada. Este estudio es el primer relato sobre la actividad de los metabolitos secundarios de D. lanceolata sobre insectos, así como la acción de A. sylvatica sobre plagas asociadas a los granos almacenados.

Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa maas, colombian medicinal plant: a review / Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa maas, planta medicinal colombiana: una revisión

The Annonaceae family is one of the largest, with 130 genre and 2500 species, consisting of trees, shrubs and a few vines. Within this family, the Pseudoxandra genus of neotropical distribution is found. In Colombia, there are endemic and native species, distributed in the Amazon region and along the valley of the Magdalena River in the Chocó. Of the total of 22 species that form the genus in Colombia, Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa Maas is exclusive of the Antioquia region, receiving the common name of garrapato or frisolo. From this tree, bisbenzylisoquinolinic alkaloids like antioquine, medellline, obaberine, among others, has been isolated. Also neolignans: dieugenol and dehydro-1-O-methydehydrodieugenol. It is used in traditional medicine as an antiparasitic. From the pharmacological point of view, the alkaloids have shown activity against leishmaniasis and also have spasmolytic activity. Within the bisbenzylisoquinolinic alkaloids, antioquine has properties of being calcium antagonist.

La familia Annonaceae es uno de los más grandes, con 130 géneros y 2.500 especies, que consiste en árboles, arbustos y algunos bejucos. Dentro de esta familia, el género Pseudoxandra es de distribución neotropical. En Colombia existen especies endémicas y nativas, distribuidas en la región del Amazonas ya lo largo del valle del río Magdalena en el Chocó. Del total de 22 especies que forman el género en Colombia, Pseudoxandra sclerocarpa es exclusiva de la región de Antioquia, recibiendo el nombre común de garrapato o frisolo. De este árbol se ha aislado alcaloides bisbencilisoquinolínicos como antioquina, medelllina, obaberina, entre otros. También neolignanos: dieugenol y dehidro-1-O-metil-dehidrodieugenol. Se utiliza en la medicina tradicional como un antiparasitario. Desde el punto de vista farmacológico, los alcaloides han mostrado actividad contra la leishmaniasis y también tienen actividad espasmolítica. Dentro de los alcaloides bisbencilisoquinolínicos, antioquina tiene propiedades de ser antagonista del calcio.

In vitro biological screening of the anticholinesterase and antiproliferative activities of medicinal plants belonging to Annonaceae

The aim of this research was to investigate the antiproliferative and anticholinesterase activities of 11 extracts from 5 Annonaceae species in vitro. Antiproliferative activity was assessed using 10 human cancer cell lines. Thin-layer chromatography and a microplate assay were used to screen the extracts for acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitors using Ellman's reagent. The chemical compositions of the active extracts were investigated using high performance liquid chromatography. Eleven extracts obtained from five Annonaceae plant species were active and were particularly effective against the UA251, NCI-470 lung, HT-29, NCI/ADR, and K-562 cell lines with growth inhibition (GI50) values of 0.04-0.06, 0.02-0.50, 0.01-0.12, 0.10-0.27, and 0.02-0.04 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the Annona crassiflora and A. coriacea seed extracts were the most active among the tested extracts and the most effective against the tumor cell lines, with GI50 values below 8.90 µg/mL. The A. cacans extract displayed the lowest activity. Based on the microplate assay, the percent AchE inhibition of the extracts ranged from 12 to 52%, and the A. coriacea seed extract resulted in the greatest inhibition (52%). Caffeic acid, sinapic acid, and rutin were present at higher concentrations in the A. crassiflora seed samples. The A. coriacea seeds contained ferulic and sinapic acid. Overall, the results indicated that A. crassiflora and A. coriacea extracts have antiproliferative and anticholinesterase properties, which opens up new possibilities for alternative pharmacotherapy drugs.

In vitro antioxidant properties, free radicals scavenging activities of extracts and polyphenol composition of a non-timber forest product used as spice: Monodora myristica

BACKGROUND: Excessive production of free radicals causes direct damage to biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates leading to tumor development and progression. Natural antioxidant molecules from phytochemicals of plant origin may directly inhibit either their production or limit their propagation or destroy them to protect the system. In the present study, Monodora myristica a non-timber forest product consumed in Cameroon as spice was screened for its free radical scavenging properties, antioxidant and enzymes protective activities. Its phenolic compound profile was also realized by HPLC. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that M. myristica has scavenging properties against DPPH',OH',NO', and ABTS'radicals which vary in a dose depending manner. It also showed an antioxidant potential that was comparable with that of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and vitamin C used as standard. The aqueous ethanol extract of M. myristica barks (AEH); showed a significantly higher content in polyphenolic compounds (21.44 ± 0.24 mg caffeic acid/g dried extract) and flavonoid (5.69 ± 0.07 quercetin equivalent mg/g of dried weight) as compared to the other studied extracts. The HPLC analysis of the barks and leaves revealed the presence of several polyphenols. The acids (3,4-OH-benzoic, caffeic, gallic, O- and P- coumaric, syringic, vanillic), alcohols (tyrosol and OH-tyrosol), theobromine, quercetin, rutin, catechine and apigenin were the identified and quantified polyphenols. All the tested extracts demonstrated a high protective potential on the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and peroxidase activities. CONCLUSION: Finally, the different extracts from M. myristica and specifically the aqueous ethanol extract reveal several properties such as higher free radical scavenging properties, significant antioxidant capacities and protective potential effects on liver enzymes.

Impact of feeding ethanolic extract of root bark of Cananga odorata (Lam) on reproductive functions in male rats.

The 50% ethanolic extract of the root bark of C. odorata administered orally at the dose of 1g/kg body weight/day for 60 days resulted in decreased epididymal sperm motility and sperm count in male albino rats. Morphological abnormalities were also observed in the sperms. The testicular glycogen, the activities of 3beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, sorbitol dehydrogenase in seminal vesicle, fructose in seminal plasma and serum testosterone were significantly decreased in treated group. While testicular cholesterol level, the concentration of the fecal bile acids, urinary excretion of 17 ketosteroids, the activities of 17beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, epididymal lactate dehydrogenase and that of testicular HMG CoA reductase were increased in treated group when compared to control. The results suggest that the ethanolic extract of C. odorata possesses the spermatotoxic effects in male albino rats.