Flourensia fiebrigii S.F. blake: A medicinal plant from the Argentinean highlands with potential use as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flourensia fiebrigii is a plant used in traditional medicine in the Argentine Calchaquí Valley as purgative, expectorant, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to analyze the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of F. fiebrigii leaf and stem, the phytochemical composition of leaves ethanolic extracts and to validate its traditional use as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The macroscopic and microscopic description of F. fiebrigii leaf and stem was carried out. Two extracts (immersions and tinctures) from leaves were obtained. The phytochemical analysis and UHPLC-OT-MS metabolome fingerprinting of both extracts were performed. The anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory activities of both extracts were determined using enzymatic inhibition assays of xanthine-oxidase (XOD), secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and lipoxygenase (LOX). RESULTS: The macroscopic and micrographic characters of F. fiebrigii were described to allow the botanical characterization of the plant species. The leaves extracts showed a high level of phenolic compounds with similar chromatographic patterns. Forty-five compounds were identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including several sesquiterpenes, chalcones, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, a lignan and phenylpropanoids phenolic acids that have been identified for the first time in this plant species. F. fiebrigii extracts were able to inhibit the XOD activity and, consequently, the formation of uric acid and reactive oxygen species, primary cause of diseases, such as gouty arthritis (IC50 values of 1.10-2.12 µg/mL). Pro-inflammatory enzymes like sPLA2 and LOX were also inhibited by F. fiebrigii extracts (IC50 values of 22.00-2.20 µg/mL) decreasing the production of inflammation mediators. CONCLUSIONS: The present work validates the traditional medicinal use of F. fiebrigii as anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory through the use of enzymatic assays. The presence of several chemical compounds with demonstrated anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties also supports the bioactivity of the F. fiebrigii.

In vitro screening for growth inhibition activity on cancer cell lines of northern Chile highlands shrubs / Triagem in vitro da atividade de inibição do crescimento em linhagens celulares de câncer em arbustos das montanhas do norte do Chile

ABSTRACT: Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many chemotherapeutics from plants have been tested in cancer, such as vinblastine and paclitaxel. The north of Chile, Arica & Parinacota region, is characterized by its vegetal biodiversity due to its unique geographical and climatological conditions, offering an unexplored and unique source of naturally-derived compounds. The present research has considered a screening of 26 highland herbs using an in vitro growth inhibition model in a panel of six cancer cell lines from different tissues. 5 of the 26 studied ethanolic extracts shows strong activity at least in one cell line when tested at 10 µg mL-1. We present a group of plants worthy to be evaluated as promissory extracts. This work is part of the systematic attempt to find new candidates to be used in cancer therapies.

RESUMO: O câncer ainda é uma das principais causas de morte no mundo. Muitos quimioterápicos de plantas foram testados em câncer, como vinblastina e paclitaxel. O norte do Chile, região de Arica e Parinacota, caracteriza-se por sua biodiversidade vegetal devido às suas condições geográficas e climatológicas únicas, oferecendo uma fonte inexplorada e única de compostos de origem natural. A presente pesquisa considerou uma triagem de 26 ervas das terras altas usando um modelo de inibição de crescimento in vitro em um painel de seis linhas celulares de câncer de diferentes tecidos. Cinco, dos 26 extratos etanólicos estudados, mostram forte atividade pelo menos em uma linhagem celular quando testados a 10 µg mL-1. Apresentamos um grupo de plantas dignas de serem avaliadas como extratos promissórios. Este trabalho faz parte da tentativa sistemática de encontrar novos candidatos para serem usados ​​em terapias contra o câncer.

Antifungal activity of phytotherapeutic preparation of Baccharis species from argentine Puna against clinically relevant fungi.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: B. boliviensis and B. tola are used in traditional medicine in the Argentine Puna to treat skin and soft tissue infections and inflammatory processes in humans and animals. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the potential of phytotherapeutic preparations of Baccharis species as antifungal agents against clinically relevant fungi and to determine the chemical composition of the extracts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phytotherapeutic preparations of B. boliviensis and B. tola collected in Argentine Puna were evaluated as an antifungal agent against clinically relevant fungi (yeast, non-dermatophytes, and dermatophytes) isolated of patients from a local Hospital, and reference strains, using macrodilution and microdilution assays. The bioactivity was supported by UHPLC-OT-MS metabolome fingerprinting. RESULTS: The results revealed that the plant preparations were active against most of evaluated fungal strains; B. boliviensis was more active than B. tola. Dermatophyte fungi strains were the most sensitive isolates. The phytotherapeutic preparation showed Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 25 and 400 µg GAE/mL and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values between 50 and 400 µg GAE/mL. Regarding the phytochemical analysis, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of hydroalcoholic preparation of B. boliviensis were greater than those of the B. tola extract. Both Baccharis species showed similar chromatographic patterns, fifty-two compounds were identified based on UHPLC-OT-MS including several terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids that have been identified in this two endemic South American Baccharis species for the first time. Several identified compounds present antifungal properties, the presence of these compounds support the bioactivity of the Baccharis extracts. CONCLUSIONS: In this work the traditional use of both Baccharis species as an antimicrobial against commercial products resistant fungal strains was validate, principally against dermatophytes fungi such as T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, M. canis, and M. gypseum. These results indicate that the hydroalcoholic preparations could be used for the treatment of fungal infectious.

Potential of Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walpan (Chilka) from northern Chile used as a medicinal infusion / Potencial de Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walpan (Chilka) do norte do Chile usado como infusão medicinal

ABSTRACT: Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walp. is a native and medicinal, Chilean Altiplano herb that is used as a poultice and also consumed as an infusion to relieve inflammation. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic effect of the ethanolic extract of B. alnifolia and their infusion. It was reported that the ethanol extract contains 4.42 mg GAE/g of dry weight and the infusion contains 35.86 mg GAE/L of total polyphenols. Also, it determined the antioxidant capacity using Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay. Moreover, seven metabolites including between phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified for the first time in both extracts of the medicinal plant Baccharis alnifolia. The UHPLC-DAD chromatograms revealed the majority presence of ferulic acid and luteolin, both could be responsible for the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, we realized a preliminary screening of cytotoxicity in different tumor cell lines, finding that these extracts have cytotoxic potential on kidney cells.

RESUMO: Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walp. é uma erva altiplana nativa e medicinal, chilena que é usada como cataplasma e também consumida como uma infusão para aliviar a inflamação. Este estudo avaliou o efeito antioxidante e citotóxico do extrato etanólico de B. alnifolia e sua infusão. Verificou-se que o extrato etanólico contém 4,42 mg GAE / g de peso seco e a infusão contém 35,86 mg GAE / L de polifenóis totais. Além disso, determinou a capacidade antioxidante utilizando o poder antioxidante redutor de Fração (FRAP), Capacidade de Absorção Radical de Oxigênio (ORAC) e capacidade antioxidante equivalente de Trolox (TEAC). Além disso, sete metabólitos, entre ácidos fenólicos e flavonóides, foram identificados pela primeira vez em ambos os extratos da planta medicinal Baccharis alnifolia. Os cromatogramas UHPLC-DAD revelaram a presença majoritária de ácido ferúlico e luteolina, ambos podendo ser responsáveis pela atividade antioxidante e citotóxica. Além disso, realizamos uma triagem preliminar da citotoxicidade em diferentes linhagens de células tumorais, descobrindo que esses extratos têm potencial citotóxico nas células renais.