ABSTRACT
The extract obtained from Mikania glomerata leaves rich in ent-kaurenoic acid (ERKA) shows cytotoxic activity in vitro, but its hydrophobic nature and thermosensitivity are issues to be solved prior to in vivo antitumor studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor activity of inclusion complexes formed between ERKA and ß-cyclodextrin (ERKA:ß-CD) in rodents. ERKA:ß-CD complexes obtained by malaxation (MX) and co-evaporation (CE) methods were firstly characterized regarding their physical properties, encapsulation efficiency, and cytotoxicity againts L929 cells. The antitumor activity study was then performed in mice with sarcoma 180 treated with saline, 5-fluouracil (5FU) and ERKA:ß-CD at 30, 100 and 300 µg/kg. The weight, volume, percentage of inhibition growth, gross and pathological features and positivity for TUNEL, ki67, NFκB and NRF2 in the tumors were assessed. Serum lactate-dehydrogenase activity (LDH), white blood cells count (WBC) and both gross and pathological features of the liver, kidneys and spleen were also evaluated. The formation of the inclusion complexes was confirmed by thermal analysis and FTIR, and they were non-toxic for L929 cells. The MX provided a better complexation efficiency. ERKA:ß-CD300 promoted significant tumor growth inhibition, and attenuated the tumor mitotic activity and necrosis content, comparable to 5-fluorouracil. ERKA:ß-CD300 also increased TUNEL-detected cell death, reduced Ki67 and NF-kB immunoexpression, and partially inhibited the serum LDH activity. No side effect was observed in ERKA:ß-CD300-treated animals. The ERKA:ß-CD inclusion complexes at 300 µg/kg displays antitumour activity in mice with low systemic toxicity, likely due to inhibition on the NF-kB signaling pathway and LDH activity.
Subject(s)
Mikania , Neoplasms , Sarcoma 180 , beta-Cyclodextrins , Mice , Animals , Mikania/chemistry , Sarcoma 180/drug therapy , NF-kappa B , Ki-67 Antigen , beta-Cyclodextrins/chemistry , Drug DevelopmentABSTRACT
The Copaifera oleoresins are widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. The goal of this study was to develop a validated reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with photodiode array detection (RP-HPLC-PDA) to quantify eight terpenes: ent-hardwickiic acid, ent-copalic acid, ent-7α-acetoxy hardwickiic acid, ent-16-hydroxy-3,13-clerodadiene-15,18-dioic acid, ent-5,13-labdadiene-15-oic acid, junenol, ent-kaurenoic acid, and 13E-ent-labda-7,13-dien-15-oic acid in the oleoresins of Copaifera pubiflora L. (OCP), Copaifera trapezifolia L. (OCT) and Copaifera langsdorffii L. (OCL). The linearity of the method was confirmed in the range of 20.00-500 µg.mL-1 (r2 > 0.999). The limit of quantification was between 1,05 and 16.89 µg.mL-1. Precision and accuracy ranges were found to be %RSD <0.2 and 96% to 110%, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the developed analytical method is rapid, precise, accurate, and sensitive for quantifying these terpenes in Copaifera's oleoresins.
ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski is used in traditional medicine in Brazil for inflammatory diseases treatment including asthma. The diterpene kaurenoic acid (KA) is one of its active compounds, but whether KA activity could explain the traditional use of S. trilobata in asthma is unknown. AIM: Investigate KA effect and mechanisms in asthma. METHODS: Experimental asthma was induced by ovalbumin immunization and challenge in male Swiss mice. KA (0.1-10 mg/kg, gavage) was administered 1 h before the ovalbumin challenge. Total leukocytes, eosinophil, and mast cell were counted in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung histopathology was performed. Lung mRNA expression of Th2 and regulatory T cells markers, and BALF type 2 cytokine production were quantitated. NFκB activation and oxidative stress-related components in pulmonary tissue were measured. RESULTS: KA inhibited the migration of total leukocytes and eosinophils to BALF, reduced lung histopathology (inflammatory cells and mast cells), mRNA expression of IL-33/ST2, STAT6/GATA-3 and NFκB activation in the lung, and reduced IL-33, IL-4, IL-5 production in the BALF. KA also reduced the mRNA expression of iNOS and gp91phox, and superoxide anion production accompanied by the induction of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 mRNA expression, thus, exerting an antioxidant effect. Finally, KA induced nTreg-like and Tr1-like, but not Th3-like markers of suppressive T cell phenotypes in the lung tissue. CONCLUSION: KA prevents antigen-induced asthma by down-regulating Th2 and NFκB/cytokine-related pathways, and up-regulating Nrf2 and regulatory T cells' markers. Thus, explaining the ethnopharmacological use of S. trilobata for the treatment of lung inflammatory diseases.
Subject(s)
Asteraceae/chemistry , Asthma/drug therapy , Cytokines/metabolism , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Diterpenes/administration & dosage , Diterpenes/isolation & purification , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , GATA3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Male , Mice , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Ovalbumin/immunology , STAT6 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Th2 Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
Propolis is a bee product that has been used in medicine since ancient times. Although its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities have been investigated, its anti-parasitic properties remain poorly explored, especially regarding helminths. This review surveys the results obtained with propolis around the world against human parasites. Regarding protozoa, studies carried out with the protozoa Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. have demonstrated promising results inâ vitro and inâ vivo. However, there are fewer studies for Plasmodium spp., the etiological agent of malaria and less so for helminths, particularly for Fasciola spp. and Schistosoma spp. Despite the favorable inâ vitro results with propolis, helminth assays need to be further investigated. However, propolis has shown itself to be an excellent natural product for parasitology, thus opening new paths and approaches in its activity against protozoa and helminths.
Subject(s)
Antiparasitic Agents/pharmacology , Phenols/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Propolis/chemistry , Animals , Antiparasitic Agents/chemistry , Antiparasitic Agents/isolation & purification , Brazil , Helminths/drug effects , Leishmania/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Parasitic Sensitivity Tests , Phenols/chemistry , Phenols/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plasmodium/drug effects , Trypanosoma/drug effectsABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski is a plant species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Kaurenoid acid (KA) is a diterpene metabolite and one of the active ingredients of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski. Extracts containing KA are used in traditional medicine to treat pain, inflammation, and infection. AIM: The goal of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effects of KA (1-10 mg/kg, per oral gavage) upon LPS inoculation in mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intraplantar (i.pl.; subcutaneous plantar injection) routes at the dose of 200 ng (200 µL or 25 µL, respectively). METHODS: In LPS paw inflammation, mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia MPO activity and oxidative imbalance (TBARS, GSH, ABTS and FRAP assays) were evaluated. In LPS peritonitis we evaluated leukocyte migration, cytokine production, oxidative stress, and NF-κB activation. RESULTS: KA inhibited LPS-induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, MPO activity and modulated redox status in the mice paw. Pre- and post-treatment with KA inhibited migration of neutrophils and monocytes in LPS peritonitis. KA inhibited the pro-inflammatory/hyperalgesic cytokine (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-33) production while enhanced anti-inflammatory/analgesic cytokine IL-10 in peritoneal cavity. In agreement with the effect of KA over pro-inflammatory cytokines it inhibited oxidative stress (total ROS, superoxide production and superoxide positive cells) and NF-κB activation during peritonitis. CONCLUSION: KA efficiently dampens LPS-induced peritonitis and hyperalgesia in vivo, suggesting it as a suitable candidate to control excessive inflammation and pain during gram-negative bacterial infections and bringing mechanistic explanation to the ethnopharmacological application of Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski in inflammation and infection.
Subject(s)
Analgesics/therapeutic use , Asteraceae/chemistry , Diterpenes/therapeutic use , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Peritonitis/chemically induced , Analgesics/chemistry , Animals , Diterpenes/chemistry , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Hyperalgesia/drug therapy , Lipid Peroxidation , Male , Mice , Molecular Structure , NF-kappa B/genetics , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Pain/drug therapy , Peritonitis/drug therapy , Peroxidase/metabolismABSTRACT
Fractionation of extracts from the culture broth of the marine-derived fungus, Paecilomyces sp. 7A22, resulted in the isolation of the harzialactone A (HA), a known compound previously isolated from fungi of marine environments. The chemical structure of HA was determined by spectroscopic analyses. Upon evaluation of HA on antileishmanial assays against Leishmania amazonensis, HA exhibited significant activity against promastigotes forms with IC50 of 5.25 µg mL-1 and moderate activity against intracellular amastigotes with IC50 of 18.18 µg mL-1. This is the first report on the antileishmanial activity of HA, and the effects of HA presented in this work suggest that this class of compounds are suitable for future biological in vitro and in vivo studies for the search of natural products with activity against Leishmania spp. Furthermore, the present results corroborate marine-derived fungi as a promising source of natural products with antiparasitic activity.
Subject(s)
Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology , Lactones/pharmacology , Leishmania mexicana/drug effects , Paecilomyces/chemistry , Animals , Aquatic Organisms , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Lactones/chemistry , Lactones/isolation & purification , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/drug therapy , Macrophages, Peritoneal/parasitology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Molecular Structure , Paecilomyces/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of 12 kaurane-type diterpenes against a panel of bacteria that cause endodontic infection. METHODS & MATERIALS: We conducted tests against bacteria in the planktonic or in the sessile mode, cytotoxic assays for the most promising compounds against human normal lung fibroblast cells, and Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277) proteomic analysis. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Kaurenoic acid and its salt exhibited satisfactory antibacterial action against the evaluated bacteria. Proteomic analysis suggested that these compounds might interfere in bacterial metabolism and virulence factor expression. Kaurane-type diterpenes are an important class of natural products and should be considered in the search for new irrigating solutions to treat endodontic infections.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteroidaceae Infections/drug therapy , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Porphyromonas gingivalis/drug effects , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Bacteroidaceae Infections/microbiology , Biofilms/drug effects , Diterpenes/chemistry , Humans , Microbial Viability/drug effects , Mikania/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Porphyromonas gingivalis/growth & development , Porphyromonas gingivalis/isolation & purification , Pulpitis/drug therapy , Pulpitis/microbiologyABSTRACT
Copaifera (Leguminoseae) species produce a commercially interesting oleoresin that displays several biological activities, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Labdane-type diterpenes are the main chemical constituents of these oleoresins, and copalic acid is the only compound that has been detected in all Copaifera oleoresins. In this study, we investigate some aspects of the gas-phase fragmentation reactions involved in the formation of the product ions from the deprotonated compounds (-)-ent-copalic acid (1), (-)-ent-3ß-hydroxy-copalic acid (2), (-)-ent-3ß-acetoxy-copalic acid (3), and (-)-ent-agathic acid (4) by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and multiple stage mass spectrometry (MSn ). Our results reveal that the product ion with m/z 99 is common to all the analyzed compounds, whereas the product ion with m/z 217 is diagnostic for compounds 2 and 3. Moreover, only compound 4 undergoes CO2 (44 u) and acetic acid (60 u) elimination from the precursor ion. Thermochemical data obtained by computational chemistry at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory support the proposed ion structures. These data helped us to identify these compounds in a crude commercial Copaifera langsdorffii oleoresin by selective multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Finally, a precursor ion scan (PIS) strategy aided screening of labdane-type acid diterpenes other than 1 to 4 in the same Copaifera oleoresin sample and led us to propose the structures of 8,17-dihydro-ent-agathic acid (5) and 3-keto-ent-copalic acid (6), which have not been previously reported in Copaifera oleoresins.
Subject(s)
Diterpenes/analysis , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods , Anti-Bacterial Agents/analysis , Balsams/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Fabaceae/chemistry , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Plant Extracts/chemistryABSTRACT
Copaiba oleoresins are used in alternative medicine as anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, and antimicrobial treatments. (-)-Copalic acid (CA) is the major diterpene found in exudates from Copaifera species. We have examined the genotoxicity and the chemopreventive potential of Copaifera multijuga oleoresin (CM) and CA. Genotoxicity assessment was examined with the peripheral blood micronucleus test and the comet assay (male Swiss mouse hepatocytes). In the chemoprevention study, we evaluated the effects of CM and CA on the formation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in male Wistar rat colon. Neither agent caused a significant increase in micronucleus frequency relative to controls, but the highest CM dose tested (400mg/kg b.w.) caused DNA damage in the comet assay. Both agents significantly reduced the frequency of DMH-induced ACF. Both CM and CA suppressed ACF formation and may have a protective effect against colon carcinogenesis.
Subject(s)
Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacology , DNA Damage , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Fabaceae/chemistry , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/chemically induced , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Aberrant Crypt Foci/prevention & control , Animals , Anticarcinogenic Agents/isolation & purification , Anticarcinogenic Agents/toxicity , Colonic Neoplasms/prevention & control , Comet Assay , Diterpenes/isolation & purification , Diterpenes/toxicity , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Hepatocytes/drug effects , Hepatocytes/pathology , Male , Mice , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Labdane-type diterpenes induce lower blood pressure via relaxation of vascular smooth muscle; however, there are no studies describing the effects of labdanes in hypertensive rats. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the cardiovascular actions of the labdane-type diterpene ent-3-acetoxy-labda-8(17), 13-dien-15-oic acid (labda-15-oic acid) in two-kidney 1 clip (2K-1C) renal hypertension. Methods: Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in aortic rings isolated from 2K-1C and normotensive (2K) male Wistar rats. Nitrate/nitrite (NOx) measurement was performed in aortas by colorimetric assay. Blood pressure measurements were performed in conscious rats. Results: Labda-15-oic acid (0.1-300 µmol/l) and forskolin (0.1 nmol/l - 1 µmol/l) relaxed endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortas from both 2K-1C and 2K rats. Labda-15-oic acid was more effective at inducing relaxation in endothelium-intact aortas from 2K pre-contracted with phenylephrine when compared to the endothelium-denuded ones. Forskolin was more potent than labda-15-oic acid at inducing vascular relaxation in arteries from both 2K and 2K-1C rats. Labda-15-oic acid-induced increase in NOx levels was lower in arteries from 2K-1C rats when compared to 2K rats. Intravenous administration of labda-15-oic acid (0.3-3 mg/kg) or forskolin (0.1-1 mg/kg) induced hypotension in conscious 2K-1C and 2K rats. Conclusion: The present findings show that labda-15-oic acid induces vascular relaxation and hypotension in hypertensive rats.
Resumo Fundamento: Diterpenos do tipo labdano induzem uma queda da pressão arterial por meio do relaxamento do músculo liso vascular; todavia, não há estudos que descrevam os efeitos de labdanos em ratos hipertensos. Objetivo: O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para investigar as ações cardiovasculares do labdano ácido ent-3-acetóxi-labda-8(17),13-dieno-15-óico (labda-15-óico) na hipertensão renal dois rins-1 clipe (2R-1C). Métodos: Foram feitos experimentos de reatividade vascular em anéis aórticos isolados de ratos machos 2R-1C e normotensos (2R). A medição de Nitrato/Nitrito (NOx) foi feita nas aortas por meio de ensaio colorimétrico. As medidas de pressão arterial foram feitas em ratos conscientes. Resultados: O ácido labda-15-óico (0,1 - 300 µmol/l) e a forscolina (0,1 nmol/l - 1 µmol/l) relaxaram as aortas com endotélio intacto e as aortas sem endotélio dos ratos 2R-1C e 2R. O labda-15-óico mostrou-se mais eficaz na indução do relaxamento em aortas com endotélio intacto de 2R pré-contraídas com fenilefrina em comparação àquelas sem endotélio. A forscolina mostrou-se mais potente do que o ácido labda-15-óico na indução do relaxamento vascular nas artérias tanto de ratos 2R-1C quanto de ratos 2R. O aumento dos níveis de NOx induzido pelo ácido labda-15-óico foi menor nas artérias de ratos 2R-1C em comparação a ratos 2R. A administração intravenosa de ácido labda-15-óico (0,3-3 mg/kg) ou forscolina (0,1-1 mg/kg) induziu hipertensão em ratos 2R-1C e 2R conscientes. Conclusão: Os presentes resultados mostram que o labda-15-óico induz relaxamento vascular e hipotensão em ratos hipertensos.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Colforsin/pharmacology , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Hypertension, Renovascular/drug therapy , Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects , Phenylephrine/antagonists & inhibitors , Vasoconstrictor Agents/antagonists & inhibitors , Vasodilation/drug effects , Vasodilator Agents/chemistry , Colforsin/chemistry , Rats, Wistar , Disease Models, Animal , Diterpenes/chemistry , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Hypertension, Renovascular/physiopathology , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects , Nitric Oxide/analysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Labdane-type diterpenes induce lower blood pressure via relaxation of vascular smooth muscle; however, there are no studies describing the effects of labdanes in hypertensive rats. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the cardiovascular actions of the labdane-type diterpene ent-3-acetoxy-labda-8(17), 13-dien-15-oic acid (labda-15-oic acid) in two-kidney 1 clip (2K-1C) renal hypertension. METHODS: Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in aortic rings isolated from 2K-1C and normotensive (2K) male Wistar rats. Nitrate/nitrite (NOx) measurement was performed in aortas by colorimetric assay. Blood pressure measurements were performed in conscious rats. RESULTS: Labda-15-oic acid (0.1-300 µmol/l) and forskolin (0.1 nmol/l - 1 µmol/l) relaxed endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortas from both 2K-1C and 2K rats. Labda-15-oic acid was more effective at inducing relaxation in endothelium-intact aortas from 2K pre-contracted with phenylephrine when compared to the endothelium-denuded ones. Forskolin was more potent than labda-15-oic acid at inducing vascular relaxation in arteries from both 2K and 2K-1C rats. Labda-15-oic acid-induced increase in NOx levels was lower in arteries from 2K-1C rats when compared to 2K rats. Intravenous administration of labda-15-oic acid (0.3-3 mg/kg) or forskolin (0.1-1 mg/kg) induced hypotension in conscious 2K-1C and 2K rats. CONCLUSION: The present findings show that labda-15-oic acid induces vascular relaxation and hypotension in hypertensive rats.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure/drug effects , Colforsin/pharmacology , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Hypertension, Renovascular/drug therapy , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects , Colforsin/chemistry , Disease Models, Animal , Diterpenes/chemistry , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Hypertension, Renovascular/physiopathology , Male , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects , Nitric Oxide/analysis , Phenylephrine/antagonists & inhibitors , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Vasoconstrictor Agents/antagonists & inhibitors , Vasodilation/drug effects , Vasodilator Agents/chemistryABSTRACT
The oral cavity, which harbors more than 750 bacterial species, is one of the most diverse sites of the human body. Some of these bacteria have been associated with oral diseases, such as dental caries and endodontic infections. We report on the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of Copaifera oblongifolia oleoresin against bacteria that cause caries and endodontic infections. The aim of this study is to determine the minimum (MIC) and the bactericidal (MBC) inhibitory concentrations as well as the biofilm inhibition ability (through determination of MBIC50) of the C. oblongifolia oleoresin. This study also investigated the bactericidal kinetics (time-kill curves) and the synergistic effect of the C. oblongifolia oleoresin. Additionally, this study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of the oleoresin toward V79 cells by means of the colony-forming assay. The C. oblongifolia oleoresin gave promising MIC and MBC values, which ranged from 25 to 200 µg/mL. Analysis of the MBIC50values of the oleoresin revealed it displayed biofilm inhibitory activity against all the assayed bacteria. Analysis of the bactericidal kinetics showed different behaviors of the oleoresin against the tested bacteria at the different time intervals and concentrations assayed in this study. An additive effect of the oleoresin with chlorhexidine dihydrochloride occurred only for S. mitis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. The C. oblongifolia oleoresin showed cytotoxic activity at concentrations ≥ 625 µg/mL.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria/drug effects , Biofilms/drug effects , Fabaceae/physiology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage , Chlorhexidine/pharmacology , Dental Caries/microbiology , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Mouth Diseases/microbiology , Mouth Diseases/prevention & control , Mouthwashes/administration & dosage , Mouthwashes/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Polyalthic acid is a naturally occurring diterpene found in copaiba oil, one of the most popular natural medicines in the Amazon. Based on the reported antileishmanial activity of copaiba oil, a series of amides and diols derivatives of polyalthic acid were synthesized and tested against Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei. Polyalthic acid was active in both assays with IC50 ranging from 3.87 to 8.68 µg/mL. The compound with best antileishmanial activity was 2 h (IC50=3.84 µg/mL) and compound 2c showed the best antitrypanosomal activity with an IC50 of 2.54 µg/mL.
Subject(s)
Diterpenes/chemical synthesis , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Leishmania donovani/drug effects , Trypanosoma brucei brucei/drug effects , Antiparasitic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antiparasitic Agents/chemistry , Antiparasitic Agents/pharmacology , Diterpenes/chemistry , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Molecular Structure , Neglected Diseases/drug therapy , Trypanocidal Agents/chemical synthesis , Trypanocidal Agents/chemistry , Trypanocidal Agents/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Pimaradienoic acid (1) is a pimarane diterpene (ent-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid) extracted at high amounts from various plants including Vigueira arenaria Baker. Compound 1 inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, which are its only known anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it is important to further investigate the analgesic effects of 1. Oral administration of 1 (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing. This was also observed at 10 mg/kg via sc and ip routes. Both phases of the formalin- and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced paw flinch and time spent licking the paw were inhibited by 1. Compound 1 inhibited carrageenan-, CFA-, and PGE2-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. Treatment with 1 inhibited carrageenan-induced production of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-33, and IL-10 and nuclear factor κB activation. Pharmacological inhibitors also demonstrated that the analgesic effects of 1 depend on activation of the NO-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G-ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway. Compound 1 did not alter plasma levels of AST, ALT, or myeloperoxidase activity in the stomach. These results demonstrate that 1 causes analgesic effects associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activation, reduction of cytokine production, and activation of the NO-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G-ATP-sensitive potassium channel signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Acetic Acid/pharmacology , Analgesics/pharmacology , Carrageenan/pharmacology , Cyclic GMP/metabolism , Diterpenes/chemistry , Edema/chemically induced , Freund's Adjuvant/pharmacology , Hyperalgesia/drug therapy , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , KATP Channels/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Pain/drug therapy , Potassium Channels/drug effects , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Natural compounds represent a rich and promising source of novel, biologically active chemical entities for treating leishmaniasis. Sesquiterpene lactones are a recognized class of terpenoids with a wide spectrum of biological activities, including activity against Leishmania spp. In this work, a sesquiterpene lactone-rich preparation-a leaf rinse extract (LRE) from Tithonia diversifolia-was tested against promastigote forms of L. braziliensis. The results revealed that the LRE is a rich source of potent leishmanicidal compounds, with an LD50 value 1.5 ± 0.50 µg·mL-1. Therefore, eight sesquiterpene lactones from the LRE were initially investigated against promastigote forms of L. braziliensis. One of them did not present any significant leishmanicidal effect (LD50 > 50 µg·mL-1). Another had a cytotoxic effect against macrophages (4.5 µg·mL-1). The five leishmanicidal compounds with the highest level of selectivity were further evaluated against intracellular parasites (amastigotes) using peritoneal macrophages. Tirotundin 3-O-methyl ether, tagitinin F, and a guaianolide reduced the internalization of parasites after 48 h, in comparison with the negative control. This is the first report on sesquiterpene lactones that have potent leishmanicidal effects on both developmental stages of L. braziliensis.
Subject(s)
Lactones/administration & dosage , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Sesquiterpenes/administration & dosage , Animals , Asteraceae/chemistry , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Lactones/isolation & purification , Leishmania braziliensis/drug effects , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/parasitology , Parasitic Sensitivity Tests , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
We evaluated the antibacterial activity of three diterpenes isolated from natural sources against a panel of microorganisms responsible for bovine mastitis. ent-Copalic acid (CA) was the most active metabolite, with promising MIC values (from 1.56 to 6.25 µg mL-1) against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC and clinical isolate), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus dysgalactiae. We conducted time-kill assays of CA against S. aureus, a commensal organism considered to be a ubiquitous etiological agent of bovine mastitis in dairy farms worldwide. In the first 12 h, CA only inhibited the growth of the inoculums (bacteriostatic effect), but its bactericidal effect was clearly noted thereafter (between 12 and 24 h). In conclusion, CA should be considered for the control of several Gram-positive bacteria related to bovine mastitis.
Subject(s)
Diterpenes/pharmacology , Mastitis, Bovine/drug therapy , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Cattle , Diterpenes/chemistry , Female , Mastitis, Bovine/microbiology , Mikania/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicityABSTRACT
Fractionation of extracts from the fermentation broth of the endophytic fungus Arthrinium state of Apiospora montagnei resulted in the isolation of the major secondary metabolites, R-(-)-mellein (1) and cis-(3R,4R)-4-hydroxymellein (2). The chemical structures of compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were tested in vitro to determine their activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. Compounds 1 and 2 caused death of 100% of parasites at 200 and 50 µg mL(-1), respectively. Ultrastructural analysis suggested that the tegument can be a target of compound 1.
Subject(s)
Ascomycota/metabolism , Isocoumarins/pharmacology , Schistosoma mansoni/drug effects , Animals , Culture Media , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Female , Fermentation , Isocoumarins/chemistry , Isocoumarins/metabolism , MaleABSTRACT
The present study describes the antimicrobial activity of five pimarane-type diterpenes obtained by fungal biotransformation against several nosocomial multidrug-resistant bacteria. Among the investigated metabolites, ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3ß-ol was the most active compound, with very promising minimal inhibitory concentration values (between 8.0 and 25.0 µg mL(-1)). Time-kill assays using this metabolite against Staphylococcus aureus (HCRP180) revealed that this compound exerted its bactericidal effect within 24 h at all the evaluated concentrations (8.0, 16.0, and 24.0 µg mL(-1)). When this metabolite was associated with vancomycin at their minimal bactericidal concentration values, the resulting combination was able to drastically reduce the number of viable strains of S. aureus within the first 6 h, compared with these chemicals alone. The checkerboard assays conducted against this microorganism did not evidence any synergistic effects when this same combination was employed. In conclusion, our results point out that ent-8(14),15-pimaradien-3ß-ol is an important metabolite in the search for new effective antimicrobial agents.
Subject(s)
Abietanes/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Abietanes/chemistry , Abietanes/isolation & purification , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification , Aspergillus ochraceus/metabolism , Asteraceae/chemistry , Biotransformation , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Plant Roots/chemistry , Vancomycin/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The schistosomicidal effects of pimaradienoic acid (PA) and two derivatives, obtained by fungal transformation in the presence of Aspergillus ochraceus, were investigated. PA was the only compound with antischistosomal activity among the three diterpenes studied, with the ability to significantly reduce the viability of the parasites at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 µM. PA also promoted morphological alterations of the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni, separated all the worm couples, and affected the production and development of eggs. Moreover, this compound was devoid of toxicity toward human fibroblasts. In a preliminary in vivo experiment, PA at a dose of 100 mg/kg significantly diminished the number of parasites in infected Balb/c mice. Taken together, these results show that PA may be potentially employed in the discovery of novel schistosomicidal agents, and that diterpenes are an important class of natural compounds for the investigation of agents capable of fighting the parasite responsible for human schistosomiasis.