Antimicrobial Activity on Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis of Cyperus articulatus Ethanolic Extracts.

Oral diseases are one of the biggest public health problems worldwide, caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis. Cyperus articulatus (priprioca) is a plant conventionally used in traditional medicine in the Amazon region. However, little is known about the possible dentistry-related uses of extracts from the rhizomes and solid waste generated by the extraction of essential oils from this vegetable. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of volatile compounds and antimicrobial activity through the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration test (MIC and assessment of the toxicity by Hens Egg Test-Chorion Allantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) of the ethanolic extracts from Cyperus articulatus intact rhizomes and solid waste. We identified sesquiterpenes as the main constituents, strong antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract of intact rhizomes against S. mutans (MIC = 0.29 mg/mL), moderate antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis of the extract obtained from the solid waste (MIC = 1.17 mg/mL), and absence of toxicity for both tested extracts. The absence of irritation and the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract from C. articulatus rhizomes and solid waste reveal its potential for use in the alternative control of bacteria that cause oral infections and may present economic viability as a raw material for dental products.

Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract from Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) Pods.

Malaria is an infectious and parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, which affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical areas. Recently, there have been multiple reports of drug resistance in Plasmodium populations, leading to the search for potential new active compounds against the parasite. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) in serial concentrations. Jucá was used in the form of a freeze-dried hydroalcoholic extract. For the cytotoxicity assay, the(3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method with the WI-26VA4 human cell line was used. For the antiplasmodial activity, Plasmodium falciparum synchronized cultures were treated with serial concentrations (0.2 to 50 µg/mL) of the Jucá extract. In terms of the chemical composition of the Jucá extract, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry measurements revealed the main compounds as ellagic acid, valoneic acid dilactone, gallotannin, and gallic acid. The Jucá hydroalcoholic extract did not show cytotoxic activity per MTT, with an IC50 value greater than 100 µg/mL. Regarding the antiplasmodial activity, the Jucá extract presented an IC50 of 11.10 µg/mL with a selective index of nine. Because of its antiplasmodial activity at the tested concentrations and low toxicity, the Jucá extract is presented as a candidate for herbal medicine in the treatment of malaria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antiplasmodial activity in Jucá.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Oleoresin from the Amazonian Tree Copaifera reticulata with an Unusual Chemical Composition in Rats.

Copaifera reticulata Ducke is a popularly known species known as copaíba that is widely spread throughout the Amazon region. The tree yields an oleoresin which is extensively used in local traditional medicine mainly as an anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive agent. The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of this oleoresin obtained from a national forest in the central Amazon which presented an unusual chemical composition. The chemical composition of volatile compounds of oleoresin was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The acute toxicity assay was performed with a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema and air pouch assays using four different C. reticulata oleoresin concentrations (10, 100, and 400 mg/kg). The exudate was evaluated for nitrite concentration through the colorimetric method and for TNF-α, IL-1ß, and PGE2 by ELISA. C. reticulata oleoresin collected in the Amazonian summer contained six major sesquiterpene compounds (ß-bisabolene, cis-eudesma-6,11-diene, trans-α-bergamotene, ß-selinene, α-selinene, and ß-elemene) and was nontoxic at a dose of 2000 mg/kg, showing low acute toxicity. Different from oleoresin obtained from other sites of the Brazilian Amazon, the major volatile compound found was ß-Bisabolene with 25.15%. This ß-Bisabolene-rich oleoresin reduced the formation of paw edema induced by carrageenan and reduced the global number of cells in the air pouch assay, as well as exudate volume and nitrite, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and prostaglandin E2 levels (p < 0.05). C. reticulata oleoresin with a high ß-Bisabolene concentration showed anti-inflammatory activity, reducing vascular permeability and consequently edema formation, and thus reducing cell migration and the production of inflammatory cytokine, confirming its traditional use by local Amazonian communities.

Chemical Composition and Antiproliferative Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Cyperus articulatus L. (Cyperaceae).

Cyperus articulatus L. (Priprioca) is a plant of the Cyperaceae family traditionally used in traditional medicine in the Amazon region. Studies of the essential oil of this species have identified many terpene compounds. However, little is known about the possible uses of solid waste generated by the extraction of essential oils. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of volatile compounds and to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of the ethanolic extract of solid residues generated by the extraction of the essential oil of C. articulatus L. rizhomes in experimental models in vitro using peritoneal macrophages of mice and human tumor cell lines. The analysis of the chemical composition of volatile compounds indicated the presence of sesquiterpenes and particularly sequiterpenic ketones as main constituents. The results showed that the treatment with ethanolic extract of C. articulatus L. reduced the activity of the enzyme arginase and proliferation of cancer cells (p < 0.0001). The extract also showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages in concentrations between 12.5; 25 and 50 mg/mL (p < 0.0001). The results indicated that the extract of C. articulatus L. exerts antiproliferative activity (p < 0.0001) with low toxicity on healthy cells in experimental models in vitro.

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Cyperus articulatus var. nodosus Residue.

Cyperus articulatus L. is popularly known as priprioca. Its rhizomes are used as a medicine in the treatment of malaria in traditional medicine. Since priprioca oil is extracted for commercial purpose, we evaluated if the components from the priprioca residue can be a source of antiplasmodial active molecules. This study aimed to determine the in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of the ethanolic extract of C. articulatus as an in vitro antiplasmodial agent. From the solid residue of the plant rhizomes, 40 g samples were removed and subjected to hot extraction using a Soxhlet extractor. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was determined using the W2 and 3D7 strains of P. falciparum. The phytochemical study identified the following main compounds: corymbolone (14.25%), cyclocolorenone (9.75%), and cadalene (8.36%). The extract exhibited moderate IC50 (inhibitory concentration) against the two strains of P. falciparum: 1.21 ± 0.01 against the W2 strain and 1.10 ± 0.06 µg/mL against the 3D7 strain. Our results show the therapeutic potential of priprioca residue as a low-cost antiplasmodial agent.

Avaliação da transmissibilidade ultrassônica do gel fitoterápico de Copaifera duckei Dwyer / Evaluation of ultrasonic transmission of Copaifera duckei Dwyer herbal gel

Esse estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o potencial de transmissibilidade ultrassônica de um gel fitoterápico de copaíba da espécie Copaifera duckei Dwyer na concentração de 10%. A pesquisa foi registrada junto ao Sistema Brasileiro de Biodiversidade. O gel fitoterápico de Copaifera duckei 10% foi manipulado de acordo diretrizes da Farmacopéia Brasileira e testado em um aparelho de Ultrassom (US) operado na faixa de 1 MHz. Como grupos controle foram selecionados a água destilada e o gel hidroalcoólico. A análise ocorreu de forma qualitativa e quantitativa através do modelo proposto na literatura. O US foi programado para modos de corrente pulsado/contínuo e testados nas intensidades (0,2/0,4/0,6/0,8/1,0W/cm2), em 1mim/cm2. Os dados receberam tratamento estatístico pelo software BioEstat 5.3 e foi admitido um nível de significância de ≥0,05. No modo contínuo e na intensidade de 0.2W/cm2 o gel foi considerado "Bom transmissor", na intensidade de 0.4 W/cm2 e 0.6W/cm2 um "Transmissor moderado" e nas intensidades de 0.8W/cm2 e 1.0W/cm2 um "Transmissor pobre". Concluiu-se que o gel de C. duckei 10% não atenuou as ondas de US em nenhum modo ou intensidade testado. E pode assim ser adicionado a esse para tratamentos sendo considerado transmissor bom ou moderado de acordo com a intensidade do US.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of transmissibility of an herbal gel of Copaifera duckei Dwyer at a concentration of 10%. The research was registered with the Brazilian Biodiversity System. The gel of Copaifera duckei 10% was guidelined by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and tested on an Ultrasound device (US) operated in the range of 1 MHz. The control groups were selected distilled water and hydro alcoholic gel. The analysis was qualitatively and quantitatively using the model proposed in the literature. The US was scheduled to current modes pulsed/continuous and tested in the intensities (0.2/0.4/0.6/0.8/1.0W/cm2) in 1mim/cm2. The data received statistical treatment by BioEstat software 5.3 and was admitted to a significance level of ≥0.05. In continuous mode and intensity of 0.2W/cm2 gel was considered "good transmitter" at the intensity of 0.4W/cm2 and 0.6W/cm2 a "moderate Transmitter" and the intensity of 0.8W/cm2 and 1.0W/cm2 a "poor transmitter". It was concluded that the 10% gel C. duckei US did not attenuate US waves in any form or intensity tested; it can thus be used for this treatment being considered a good or moderate transmitter according to the intensity of US.(AU)