The inhibitory effects of phenolic and terpenoid compounds from Baccharis trimera in Siha cells: differences in their activity and mechanism of action.

Baccharis trimera is used in folk medicine as a tea for digestive and liver diseases. It possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are related to the presence of phenolic compounds. The aim of this work was to investigate the anti-proliferative properties of phenolic (PHE) and terpenoid (SAP) compounds from B. trimera on human cervical cancer. The treatment of SiHa cells with PHE for 24 h suppressed colony formation in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited proliferation and inhibited cell motility. Although SAP inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells in a dose-dependent manner, it increased colony formation and did not inhibit cell motility. PHE and SAP also promoted a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase levels in the culture medium in a dose-dependent manner, indicating a loss of cell membrane integrity. Moreover, PHE promoted necrotic cell death, whereas SAP induced apoptosis. These compounds are new anticancer prototypes due their significant anticancer activity demonstrated herein.

Toxicological effects of a mixture used in weight loss products: p-synephrine associated with ephedrine, salicin, and caffeine.

p-Synephrine is an adrenergic amine found in Citrus aurantium L. fruits and has been used for weight loss in dietary supplements. There are commercial products containing this substance associated to caffeine, salicin, and ephedrine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of this mixture in mice of both sexes. The significative results observed after acute oral administration to male and female mice of 300, 350, and 400 mg/kg total of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin, plus caffeine in a 10:4:6:80 w/w ratio included a reduction in locomotor activity and ptosis in all treated groups for both sexes. Seizures were also observed in male (400 mg/kg) and female groups (350 and 400 mg/kg). Gasping and tearing were observed in males. Salivation (400 mg/kg), agitation (350 and 400 mg/kg), and piloerection (all treated groups) were significantly observed only in females. Deaths occurred in males at 350 and 400 mg/kg treated groups and the necropsy showed cardiopulmonary hemorrhage. A reduction in locomotor activity was confirmed through the spontaneous locomotor activity test, in which the number of crossings considerably decreased (P < .01) in all treated groups. The rotarod test showed a decrease in motor coordination at 400 mg/kg. Body temperature decreased significantly (P < .01) in all treated groups compared to controls. The results suggested clear signs of toxicity of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin, and caffeine association; this toxicity augments the attentiveness on commercial products containing this mixture, given the expressive number of adverse events related to its utilization.