Cyclopropane- and spirolimonoids and related compounds from Hortia oreadica.

The dichloromethane extract from taproots of Hortia oreadica afforded six limonoids, these are 9,11-dehydro-12α-acetoxyhortiolide A, hortiolide C, 11α-acetoxy-15-deoxy-6-hydroxyhortiolide C, hortiolide D, hortiolide E, 12ß-hydroxyhortiolide E, in addition to the known limonoid, guyanin. The dichloromethane extract from stems of H. oreadica also afforded two limonoids 9,11-dehydro-12α-hydroxyhortiolide A and 6-hydroxyhortiolide C. As a result of this study and literature data, Hortia has been shown to produce highly specialized limonoids that are similar to those from the Flindersia (Flindersioideae). The taxonomy of Hortia has been debatable, with most authors placing it in the Toddalioideae. Considering the complexity of the isolated limonoids, Hortia does not show any close affinity to the genera of Toddalioideae. That is, the limonoids appear to be of little value in resolving the taxonomic situation of Hortia.

Effects of limonoids from Cipadessa fruticosa on fall armyworm.

Six mexicanolide limonoids isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the fruits of Cipadessa fruticosa Blume (Meliaceae) were evaluated against Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Gedunin was used as a positive control. When incorporated into an artificial diet of neonates at 50.0 mg kg(-1), febrifugin A showed 73.3% mortality. All the compounds showed moderate insecticidal activity, except for ruageanin A, when compared with the control. Febrifugin also showed growth inhibition and antifeedant activities (at 100.0 mg kg(-1)). The correlation between the insecticidal activity of the isolated compounds and their chemical structure was discussed.

Enzymatic inhibitory activity and trypanocidal effects of extracts and compounds from Siphoneugena densiflora O. Berg and Vitex polygama Cham.

Hexanic, methanolic, and hydroalcoholic extracts, and 34 isolated compounds from Vitex polygama Cham. (Lamiaceae, formely Verbenaceae) and Siphoneugena densiflora O. Berg (Myrtaceae) were screened for their trypanocidal effects on bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma cruzi and T brucei, as well as for their enzymatic inhibitory activities on glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) and trypanothione reductase (TR) enzymes from T cruzi and adeninephosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) enzyme from Leishmania tarentolae. In general, polar extracts displayed strong effects and some of the tested compounds have shown good results in comparison to positive controls of the bioassays.

Compounds from Vitex polygama active against kidney diseases.

Vitex polygama Cham. (Lamiaceae, formerly Verbenaceae) is a familiar Brazilian species popularly known as Tarumã whose leaf tea has been used by population to treat kidney diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves in order to isolate the active compounds. Hydroalcoholic extract of leaves was obtained by stirring the previous hexane and methanol extracted leaves residue with 50% aqueous MeOH solution by ultra-sonic mixing. The obtained extract was partitioned with n-butanol. The yielded fraction was subsequently submitted to several chromatographic procedures to lead to the isolation of O-glycosidicflavones orientin and isoorientin as well as C-glycosylflavones schaftoside and carlinoside along with their isomers, known as potent anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant agents, then identified as the active constituents, justifying the folk use of the plant to combat and prevent kidney stone and inflammation.