Immunological Modulation and Control of Parasitaemia by Ayahuasca Compounds: Therapeutic Potential for Chagas's Disease.

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive and psychedelic decoct composed mainly of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis plant species. The beverage is rich in alkaloids and it is ritualistically used by several indigenous communities of South America as a natural medicine. There are also reports in the literature indicating the prophylaxis potential of Ayahuasca alkaloids against internal parasites. In the present study, Ayahuasca exhibited moderate in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes (IC50 95.78 µg/mL) compared to the reference drug benznidazole (IC50 2.03 µg/mL). The ß-carboline alkaloid harmine (HRE), isolated from B. caapi, was considered active against the trypomastigotes forms (IC50 6.37), and the tryptamine N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), isolated from P. viridis was also moderately active with IC50 of 21.02 µg/mL. Regarding the in vivo evaluations, no collateral effects were observed. The HRE alone demonstrated the highest trypanocidal activity in a dose-responsive manner (10 and 100 mg/kg). The Ayahuasca and the association between HRE and DMT worsened the parasitaemia, suggesting a modulation of the immunological response during the T. cruzi infection, especially by increasing total Immunoglobulin (IgG) and IgG1 antibody levels. The in silico molecular docking revealed HRE binding with low energy at two sites of the Trypanothione reductase enzyme (TR), which are absent in humans, and thus considered a promissory target for drug discovery. In conclusion, Ayahuasca compounds seem to not be toxic at the concentrations of the in vivo evaluations and can promote trypanocidal effect in multi targets, including control of parasitaemia, immunological modulation and TR enzymatic inhibition, which might benefit the treatments of patients with Chagas' disease. Moreover, the present study also provides scientific information to support the prophylactic potential of Ayahuasca against internal parasites.

Optimization of (-)-cubebin biotransformation to (-)-hinokinin by the marine fungus Absidia coerulea 3A9.

The genus Absidia is widely used in the biotransformation of different classes of natural products. This study evaluates the ability of the Absidia coerulea 3A9 marine derived strain isolated from the ascidian Distaplia stilyfera to perform biotransformations by conducting assays with (-)-cubebin, as substrate. The experiment was optimized using the experimental design proposed by Plackett-Burman for seven factors and eight experiments, to establish the biotransformation conditions that would allow maximum production of biotransformed dibenzylbutyrolactone (-)-hinokinin. An analytical method based on Reverse-Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) was developed to quantify the fungal biotransformation product. The factor that influenced the (-)-hinokinin peak area the most positively was the percentage of seawater (%seawater) given that its %relative standard deviation (%RSD) showed a 32.92% deviation from the real value.

Isolation of diterpenes from Araucaria sp Brazilian brown propolis and development of a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method for its analysis.

Propolis comprises a complex resinous product composed of plant's parts or exudates, pollen, bee wax, and enzymes. Brazilian brown propolis from Araucaria sp displays several biological activities. Considering the lack of validated analytical methods for its analysis, we are reporting the development of a validated high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector method to analyze Araucaria brown propolis. The crude propolis were extracted and chromatographed, furnishing six main diterpenes. The isolated standards were used to draw the analytical curves, allowing the studies of selectivity, precision, accuracy, recovery, robustness, the determination of limits of detection and limits of quantification. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% acetic acid in water and acetonitrile, using an octadecylsilane column, 1 mL/min flow rate and detection at 200 or 241 nm. Relative standard deviation values obtained for intra-day and inter-day precision were lower than 4% for all diterpenes. From the five parameters for robustness, wavelength detection and flow rate were the critical ones. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.808 to 10.359 µg/mL and from 2.448 to 31.392 µg/mL, respectively. The recoveries were between 105.03 and 108.13%, with relative standard deviation values around 5.0%. The developed method is precise, sensitive, and reliable for analyzing Araucaria brown propolis.

Green and Red Brazilian Propolis: Antimicrobial Potential and Anti-Virulence against ATCC and Clinically Isolated Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

Brazilian green and red propolis stand out as commercial products for different medical applications. In this article, we report the antimicrobial activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts of green (EGP) and red (ERP) propolis, as well as guttiferone E plus xanthochymol (8) and oblongifolin B (9) from red propolis, against multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). We undertook the minimal inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations, inhibition of biofilm formation (MICB50 ), catalase, coagulase, DNase, lipase, and hemolysin assays, along with molecular docking simulations. ERP was more effective by displaying MIC and MBC values <100 µg mL-1 . Compounds 8 and 9 displayed the lowest MIC values (0.98 to 31.25 µg mL-1 ) against all tested Gram-positive MDRB. They also inhibited the biofilm formation of S. aureus (ATCC 43300 and clinical isolate) and S. epidermidis (ATCC 14990 and clinical isolate), with MICB50 values between 1.56 and 6.25 µg mL-1 . The molecular docking results indicated that 8 and 9 might interact with the catalase's amino acids. Compounds 8 and 9 have great antimicrobial potential.

Fungicide potential of citronella and tea tree essential oils against tomato cultivation's phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and analysis of their chemical composition by GC/MS.

Tomato is one of the most produced and consumed fruits in the world. However, it is a crop that faces several phytosanitary problems, such as fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate citronella and melaleuca essential oils in vitro potential in the fungus F. oxysporum management. The chemical identification of the components in the essential oils was performed by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometer detectors. The IC50 and IC90 were determined by linear regression and the percentage of inhibition of the fungus by analysis of variance. The major compounds in citronella essential oil were citronellal, Geraniol, and citronellol; in melaleuca (tea tree) oil were terpinen-4-ol and α-terpinene. Both oils promoted more significant inhibition at concentrations of 1.5 and 2.5 µL/mL, besides not presenting significant differences with commercial fungicides, confirming the high potential for using this control method in agriculture.

Management potentiality of emulsions based on essential oil of Piper macedoi and Piper arboreum for spider mite: a possible alternative for agroecological control.

Tetranychus urticae, popularly known as spider mite, is a pest that causes several economic losses to crops. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of essential oils from the leaves of Piper macedoi and Piper arboreum on managing T. urticae. The chemical compounds present in essential oils were identified by gas chromatography. Tests were carried out to evaluate the acaricidal activity by fumigation effect and direct contact with T. urticae. The results showed that LC50 values for the essential oils of P. macedoi and P. arboreum in the fumigation effect were 16.15 and 50.53 µL L-1 air, respectively. Using the contact application route, the LC50 values for the essential oil of P. macedoi was 17.16 µL mL-1, and for P arboreum, it was 15.17 µL mL-1. So, this work showed that essential oils of Piper macedoi and Piper arboreum could be used as possible alternative to managing T. urticae.

Aphid Cerosipha forbesi control using Piper macedoi Yunck essential oil in strawberry crop.

Strawberry is a food rich in bioactive compounds with great antioxidant potential. However, due to the high incidence of pests that affect crop cultivation, phytosanitary management still lacks control methods for agroecological cultivation. Thus, the present research aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and the potential of the essential oil of the leaves of Piper macedoi in the control of Cerosipha forbesi in laboratory and semi-field conditions. The concentration of essential oil in the leaves of P. macedoi that showed the highest mortality was 2.0 ml/L of oil, with a mortality above 91% under laboratory conditions. A mortality rate of 80% for all concentrations tested was observed after 24 h in all conditions tested. Thus, using essential oil from the leaf of P. macedoi can be a highly viable strategy in managing the aphid C. forbesi since it showed high mortality rates with small doses of oil.

Efficacy and safety of guttiferone E in melanoma-bearing mice.

Melanoma, an aggressive and potentially fatal skin cancer, is constrained by immunosuppression, resistance, and high toxicity in its treatment. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative antineoplastic agents. Therefore, this study investigated the antimelanoma potential of guttiferone E (GE). In an allogeneic murine B16 melanoma model, GE was administered subcutaneously and intraperitoneally. Antitumor evaluation included tumor volume/weight measurements and histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, the toxicity of the treatments was evaluated through body/organ weights, biochemical parameters, and genotoxicity. Subcutaneous administration of 20 mg/kg of GE resulted in a significant reduction in both tumor volume and weight, effectively suppressing melanoma cell proliferation as evidenced by a decrease in mitotic figures. The tumor growth inhibition rate was equivalent to 54%. This treatment upregulated cleaved caspase-3, indicating apoptosis induction. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of GE showed no antimelanoma effect. Remarkably, GE treatments exhibited no toxicity, evidenced by non-significant differences in body weight gain, as well as organ weight, biochemical parameters of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, and genotoxic damage. This study revealed, for the first time, the efficacy of subcutaneous administration of GE in reducing melanoma, in the absence of toxicity. Furthermore, it was observed that the apoptotic signaling pathway is involved in the antimelanoma property of GE. These findings offer valuable insights for further exploring GE's therapeutic applications in melanoma treatment.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Araucaria sp. brown propolis alleviates ulcerative colitis induced by TNBS in rats by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and oxidative damage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Araucaria sp. brown propolis (ABP) against trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. METHODS: Animals received vehicle (1% DMSO, 1 ml/kg) or hydroalcoholic extract of ABP (hydroalcoholic extract of Araucaria sp. brown propolis (HEABP), 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) orally, or dexamethasone (25 mg/kg, s.c.) for 5 days. On day 4, the animals received intracolonic TNBS (150 mg/kg), on day 6 they were euthanized. The weight of the animals, the macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured in colon homogenate. The action of HEABP and two isolated compounds in neutrophil migration was recorded. KEY FINDINGS: HEABP (100 and 300 mg/kg), but not dexamethasone, decreased colonic lesion, and increased colonic mucin staining. In parallel, HEABP decreased MDA and restored GSH levels and the activity of SOD, CAT, and GST in the colon. A dose-dependent inhibition of MPO activity was observed (LogIC50 = 1.9). Moreover, HEBPA and the junicedric and abietic acids inhibited the neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro and HEBPA reduced neutrophil migration in vivo. CONCLUSION: HEABP may be promising in the therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases, reducing oxidative and inflammatory damage, especially mediated by neutrophils.

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of BACCHARIN from BRAZILIAN green PROPOLIS.

Baccharin is one of the major compounds found in Brazilian green propolis and its botanical source, Baccharis dracunculifolia. Considering the biological effects of propolis and B. dracunculifolia, this study aims to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of baccharin. The neurodepressor potential was performed by the open field test, analgesia by mechanical stimulation with Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer, and by thermal stimulation with Hargreaves apparatus. In addition, the anti-inflammatory potential was achieved by the paw edema assay, histopathological evaluation, and NF-kB expression. Doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of baccharin were evaluated. After euthanasia, plantar tissue was collected and prepared for histology. As a result, analgesic activity was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg of baccharin in thermal stimulation under an inflammatory process and anti-inflammatory potential at a dose of 5 mg/kg of baccharin from the second hour in the paw edema test. A decrease in cellular infiltrate and down-modulation of NF-kB, besides the reduction of edema in the histopathology was observed. There was no evidence of kidney and liver toxicity and neurodepressive potential at the doses tested. Thus, baccharin has a promising anti-inflammatory effect possibly associated with antiedematogenic activity by inhibiting mediators such as prostaglandins, inhibiting the migration of polymorphonuclear cells, and modulating NF-kB expression.

A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of Brazilian green propolis main compounds.

Brazilian green propolis is used in folk medicine because of its various biological properties. The hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis is characteristic for possessing several pharmacological properties. Phytochemical investigations have attributed some of these properties to the presence of compounds, which were chosen as analytical markers. This paper reports the development and analytical validation using UPLC-MS/MS in MRM mode. Veratraldehyde was used as an internal standard in qualitative and quantitative analyses of the extracts. Relative standard deviation values obtained for intra-day and inter-day precision were lower than 4%. Of the five parameters for robustness, wavelength detection and flow rate were the critical ones. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.300 to 39.500 ng.mL-1 and from 1.400 to 85.00 ng.mL-1, respectively. The recoveries were between 94.00 and 119.00%, with relative standard deviation values around 5.0%. The developed method is precise, sensitive, and reliable for analysing Brazilian green propolis.

In vitro effect of alpha-bisabolol and its synthetic derivatives on macrophages, promastigotes, and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania infantum.

Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis are public health problems in Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. The treatment has a high cost and toxicity. Thus, this work aims to evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of alpha-bisabolol and its three synthetic derivatives, P1, P2, and P3, on the promastigotes and amastigotes Leishmania infantum and L. amazonensis forms. Alpha-bisabolol showed the lowest IC50 with 3.43 for L. amazonensis promastigotes, while P1 was the most toxic for L. infantum with an IC50 of 9.10. The derivative P3 was better for the amastigote form, with an IC50 of 3.39 for L. amazonensis. All the compounds effectively decreased the intracellular load of amastigote and its ability to turn promastigote again. Thus, alpha-bisabolol and its three synthetic derivatives were effective in their leishmanicidal activity. Therefore, it can be an option for developing new treatments against leishmaniasis.

Chemical annotation of the infusion of Jungia floribunda Less and its inhibitory potential on the elastase enzyme.

Jungia floribunda Less. is a shrub belonging to the Asteraceae. The infusion of its leaves has been used, in folk medicine of several South American countries, as anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic agent. In the present study, the infusion of leaves from J. floribunda was obtained and its chemical composition was determined by UHPLC-MS associated with molecular network allowing the annotation of flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, coumarins, and chlorogenic acid derivatives. Besides, in vitro elastase activity assay was carried out with the infusion. As observed, elastase was inhibited at concentrations ranging from 15 to 240 µg/mL, reaching to 71% of inhibition at the maximum of evaluated concentration. Given that species of plants are promising sources for the discovery of new drugs, these results corroborate the infusion of J. floribunda as a potential source of bioactive compounds for the discovery of new inhibitors for elastase, besides its ethnopharmacological aspects.

Leishmanial activity of Brazilian brown propolis and its diterpenes.

Propolis is a natural product widely used in folk medicine. Among its various applications, its antiparasitic properties stand out. Due to its great biodiversity, Brazil is a major producer of several types of propolis. This study proposes to evaluate the leishmanicidal properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of propolis collected in the southern region of Brazil (Brown propolis - HEBP) and its main isolated compounds: abietic acid (1), 13-epi-cupressic acid (2), 13-epi-torulosol (3), dehydroabietic acid (4), cis-communic acid (5) and ent-agatic acid (6). In general, the diterpenes did not show activity against the promastigotes of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis at the evaluated concentrations. However, the HEBP was very active with an inhibition concentration of 50% at 8.32 µg/mL. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assays showed morphological and structural alterations in promastigote forms of L. (L.) amazonensis when incubated with HEBP.

Potential anti-inflammatory biomarkers from Myrtaceae essential oils revealed by untargeted metabolomics.

Many species from Myrtaceae have traditionally been used in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antioxidant and antirheumatic, besides in blood cholesterol reduction. In the present work, the anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from eighteen Myrtaceae spp. were evaluated according to their ex-vivo anti-inflammatory activity in human blood, and the corresponding biomarkers were determined using untargeted metabolomics data and multivariate data analysis. From these studied species, six displayed anti-inflammatory activity with percentage rates of inhibition of PGE2 release above 70%. Caryophyllene oxide (1), humulene epoxide II (2), ß-selinene (3), α-amorphene (4), α-selinene (5), germacrene A (6), ß-bisabolene (7), α-muurolene (8), α-humulene (9), ß-gurjunene (10), myrcene (11), ß-elemene (12), α-cadinol (13), α-copaene (14), E-nerolidol (15) and ledol (16) were annotated as potential anti-inflammatory biomarkers. The results obtained in this study point to essential oils from species of the Myrtaceae family as a rich source of anti-inflammatory agents.

Hypoglycemic effect of rosmarinic acid-rich infusion (RosCE) from Origanum vulgare in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Origanum vulgare, known for its medicinal value, is officially accepted in many countries. The flowers and leaves are used globally in homeopathy. In Brazilian folk medicine, O. vulgare has been used to treat diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the hypoglycemic activity of an infusion extract (RosCE) of commercially available O. vulgare leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of RosCE resulted in the reduction of blood glucose levels after the first day of treatment, compared to the diabetic control group. These results showed that RosCE displays hypoglycemic activity, which may be due to the combined effect of rosmarinic acid, and other minor compounds. Reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection was used to identify and quantify the major constituents of RosCE. This study presents evidence that supports the folkloric use of O. vulgare for the treatment of hyperglycemia, confirming the use of its infusion as an antidiabetic herbal medicine.

Confirmation of ethnopharmacological anti-inflammatory properties of Ocotea odorifera and determination of its main active compounds.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ocotea odorifera (Vell.) Rohwer has been used in traditional medicine in the south of Brazil for the treatment of inflammatory-related conditions, such as rheumatism. However, there is not any scientific evidence for popular use. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To investigate the O. odorifera anti-inflammatory potential and identification of the main active compounds through metabolomic approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to in vivo evaluate the inhibition of the main inflammatory pathways, the leaf decoction, leaf extract, its fractions and the essential oils from leaves and branches were submitted to the ear oedema and the neutrophils recruitment assays. The samples were chemically investigated by UHPLC-HRMS or GC-MS. The multivariate statistical analysis (PLS-DA) was used to determine the substances correlated with the anti-inflammatory properties. RESULTS: The in vivo studies indicated a promissory anti-inflammatory effect on both oedema and neutrophil recruitment for some samples including the decoction; hydroethanolic, ethyl acetate, and chloroform fractions; and the essential oils. According to the PLS-DA, the S-(+)-reticuline was evidenced as one of the three compounds of the plant most correlated with both anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Thus, S-(+)-reticuline was isolated and the anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed. Moreover, for the first time, the dual inhibition of oedema and neutrophil recruitment was uncovered and reported. Another compound positively correlated with the anti-inflammatory activity is likely to be a new compound since zero hit on the comprehensive mass database were encountered. The compounds found in the essential oils also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, and thus indeed the plant has different classes of active substances. CONCLUSIONS: The decoction of O. odorifera and different fractions from its ethanolic extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity through dual inhibition of oedema and neutrophil recruitment. Thus, corroborating the popular medicinal use of the decoction of leaves from O. odorifera as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Besides, reticuline, one of the main active compounds, was isolated and proved to display the dual mechanism of action, indicating the O. odorifera as a promising source of active compounds for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum (White Mold): Cytotoxic, Mutagenic, and Antimalarial Effects In Vivo and In Vitro.

This work aimed includes performing the sclerotia chemical profile and evaluates their biological effects on mutagenesis, oxidative stress, cancer, and malaria. A chemical profile was determined by ultraperformance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) analysis dereplicating norditerpenoid dilactone, sclerolide, and other compounds. The GI50 values to cancer cells (19.8 to 277.6 µg/mL) were higher than normal (16.05 µg/mL), meaning high cytotoxicity. Regarding the oxidative stress, the results showed that the all AcOET fraction concentrations tested on IMR90 noncancer cell increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in more intense way (by fivefold) than in tested cancer cells. The in vivo study showed an increase of the following biomarkers (by 296.00%): % DNA in comet tail in peripheral blood and liver cells; micronucleated erythrocytes and colon cells and lipid serum peroxidation. These results indicate the sclerotia as genotoxic and mutagenic agent and its contamination may lead to fungal toxic effects with a risk to human health.

Diosmetin as a novel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonist with antinociceptive activity in mice.

Diosmetin is an O­methylated flavone found naturally in citrus fruit, and it was identified in Amphilophium crucigerum (L.), a plant popularly used as an analgesic. This compound had different pharmacological effects and presented a chemical structure like the flavonoid eriodyctiol that exhibited antinociceptive effects by TRPV1 antagonism. However, the possible antinociceptive effect of this compound was not well documented. Thus, the goal of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of diosmetin and its mechanism of action. The diosmetin effect on different pain models and its possible adverse effects were assessed on adult Swiss male mice (25-30 g). Mice spinal cord samples were used on calcium influx and binding assays using TRPV1 agonists. First, it was observed that the diosmetin reduced calcium influx mediated by capsaicin in synaptosomes and displace the specific binding to [3H]-resiniferatoxin in membrane fractions from the spinal cord of mice. Diosmetin (0.15 to 1.5 mg/kg, intragastric, i.g.) presented antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effect in the capsaicin intraplantar test and induced antinociception in a noxious heat test (48 °C). Also, treatment with diosmetin reduced mechanical and heat hypersensitivity observed in a model of inflammatory or neuropathic pain. Acute diosmetin administration in mice did not induce locomotor or body temperature changes, or cause liver enzyme abnormalities or alter renal function. Moreover, there were no observed changes in gastrointestinal transit or induction of ulcerogenic activity after diosmetin administration. In conclusion, our results support the antinociceptive properties of diosmetin which seems to occur via TRPV1 antagonist in mice.