TOCSY, hydrogen decoupling and computational calculations to an unequivocal structural elucidation of a new sesquiterpene derivative and identification of other constituents from Praxelis sanctopaulensis.

INTRODUCTION: Praxelis genus comprises 24 species, however, only two species of this genus have been chemically investigated. Here we investigated Praxelis sanctopaulensis, a native plant from Brazil, that occurs mainly in Cerrado regions. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to identify the specialised metabolites from P. sanctopaulensis, and compare with those described from Praxelis and Chromolaena species. METHODS: The phytochemical study of P. sanctopaulensis was performed through different chromatography techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). The structures of the compounds were established based on spectroscopic analysis, total correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY), hydrogen decoupling and computational calculations was used to an unequivocal structural elucidation of a new sesquiterpene. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and antimicrobial assay was performed by the microdilution method. Comparison of the flavonoids described P. sanctopaulensis was carried out using principal component analysis. RESULTS: The phytochemical investigation of P. sanctopaulensis led to the isolation of a pair of diastereomers, praxilone A and praxilone B. Seven known compounds were isolated from this species, another 14 fatty acids were detected in hexane fraction, and 26 compounds were identified from ethyl acetate fraction. All these compounds are being described for the first time in this species, with the exception of viridifloric acid. The ethyl acetate fraction showed potent antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: Forty-seven compounds are described from P. sanctopaulensis. The combination of different techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and computational calculations allowed the unequivocal structure elucidation of a new cadinene. The clustering analysis showed similarities between the flavonoids identified in P. sanctopaulensis and in Chromolaena species.

Chemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana (Melastomataceae) fruits extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana has been widely used in Brazilian popular medicine for the treatment of several diseases. Aerial parts are used as an infusion to treat arthrosis and arthritis, to relieve rheumatic and stomach pains, and intestinal disorders due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic anti-nociceptive, digestive and hepatoprotective properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to characterize the of M. albicans (Sw.) Triana fruits extract (MAFRE) chemical profile and to evaluate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities, as well as its toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maceration with methanol as liquid extractor was used to prepare MAFRE. M. albicans (Sw.) Triana fruits chemical composition was characterized by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and GC-FID (fatty acid methyl esters composition from lyophilized fruits). MAFRE antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro using a combination of assays: Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity, DPPH• and ABTS radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In vitro antiproliferative activity was investigated in four human tumor cell lines (U251, 786-0, HT29 and MDA-MB-231) while the effect on the non-tumor cell viability was assessed in the VERO cell line using the on-step MTT assay. In addition, in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice followed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity evaluation. RESULTS: Thirty-five compounds were identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Among it flavonoids derived from quercetin (8), myricetin (1), kaempferol (2), terpenoids (6) and other compounds (18). GC-FID analysis identified and quantified nine fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, elaidic, oleic, eicosenoic, and linoleic acids. The most abundant fatty acids were polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.33 ± 0.17 mg g-1), followed by saturated fatty acids (2.38 ± 0.07 mg g-1) and monounsaturated fatty acids (1.74 ± 0.09 mg g-1). The extract revealed high content of phenolic compounds (43.68 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g of extract), potent antioxidant, and ferrous chelating capacities. Morever, it proved to be non-toxic to the VERO cells, not affecting cells viability (95% of viable cells). No antiproliferative effect against human tumor cell lines were found. Furthermore, MAFRE significantly (p<0.05) reduced ear edema (≈35%) and MPO activity (84.5%) having a statistical effect similar to traditional steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results evidenced that M. albicans fruit extract has antioxidant properties, a higher concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, fatty acids, and also topical anti-inflammatory activity with low toxicity of extract on VERO cells. Through the ethnomedicinal study, these findings supporting the popular use of M. albicans, but also highlight that not only aerial parts and leaves deserve attention, but the fruits also have anti-inflammatory proprieties and can be a source of phenolic compounds and other substances with potential health benefices.

Representações sociais da cura divina no contexto neopentecostal / Social representations of divine healing on the neopentecostal context / Representaciones sociales de la cura divina en el contexto neopentecostal

Considerando o crescimento vertiginoso do neopentecostalismo no Brasil nas últimas décadas e seu consequente impacto sociocultural, este estudo buscou investigar os bens simbólicos produzidos no contexto religioso com base na análise das representações sociais da doença e da cura divina, compartilhadas por membros da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD). Foram realizadas cinco entrevistas semidirigidas com membros da IURD que relataram ter vivenciado a cura divina. A análise, desenvolvida mediante a utilização do método da hermenêutica de profundidade, revelou a presença de princípios da teologia da prosperidade permeando as representações sociais de cura bem como diferenças importantes entre o discurso oficial da igreja e o reproduzido pelos fiéis. Essa pesquisa evidencia a complexidade e as contradições que caracterizam o processo da cura divina, o que justifica a necessidade de realização de novos estudos nesse campo.

In the light of the rapid growth of neo-Pentecostalism in Brazil in recent decades and its consequent social-cultural impact, the present study sought to investigate relevant aspects of the symbolic effects brought about in a religious context by investigating the social representations of disease and divine healing shared by members of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG). Five UCKG members who reported divine healing experiences were interviewed. The analysis used the methodology of depth hermeneutics and revealed the presence of elements of prosperity theology throughout the social representations of healing, as well as a significant difference between official church discourse and the one portrayed by the churchgoers. This research shows the complexity and contradictions present in the divine healing process, justifying the need for further studies in this field.

Teniendo en cuenta el rápido crecimiento del neopentecostalismo en Brasil en las últimas décadas y su consiguiente impacto sociocultural, este estudio buscó investigar los aspectos relevantes de los bienes simbólicos producidos en el contexto religioso basándose en el análisis de las representaciones sociales de la enfermedad y la curación divina, compartidas por los miembros de la Iglesia Universal del Reino de Dios (IURD). Se realizaron cinco entrevistas semidirigidas con miembros de la IURD que relataron haber vivido la experiencia de curación divina. El análisis realizado con la utilización del método de la hermenéutica de profundidad reveló la presencia de los principios de la teología de la prosperidad que impregnan las representaciones sociales de curación, así como diferencias importantes entre el discurso de la iglesia oficial y el reproducido por los fieles. Esta investigación evidencia la complejidad y las contradicciones que caracterizan el proceso de curación divina, lo que justifica la necesidad de realizar nuevos estudios en este campo.