ABSTRACT
Carnauba wax is extracted from the leaves of the Copernicia prunífera and contains approximately 80% of esters in its composition. The purpose of the present study was evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of p-methoxycinnamic diesters (PCO-C) extracted from Copernicia prunífera in a model of acute and chronic dyslipidemia in mice. The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced plasma levels in PCO-C at the dose of 100mg/kg in a model of acute and chronic dyslipidemia. Histological studies showed that PCO-C has no hepatotoxic effect and reduces hepatic steatosis in animals that consumed hyperlipidemic ration. Thus, it was concluded that PCO-C isolated from Copernicia Prunifera was effective in reducing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both dyslipidemia induction models. The finding indicates that PCO-C might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Subject(s)
Arecaceae/chemistry , Dyslipidemias/drug therapy , Esters/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Animals , Cholesterol/blood , Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Dyslipidemias/chemically induced , Esters/chemistry , Esters/pharmacology , Male , Mice , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Triglycerides/blood , Waxes/chemistry , Waxes/pharmacologyABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate in vitro the antileishmanial activity of triterpenes and sterols isolated from Musa paradisiaca (banana) fruit peel used traditionally to treat leishmaniasis. The compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the peel of the banana fruit by column chromatography. The chemical structure of compounds was determined by (1)H and (13)C - nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity was measured in RAW 264.7 cells and LLC-MK2. Leishmanicidal activity against L. infantum chagasi promastigotes was performed by the MTT colorimetric method and activity against amastigotes was assayed in mammalian cells using in situ ELISA method. Five compounds were identified, consisting of three triterpenes: cycloeucalenone, 31-norcyclolaudenone and 24-methylene-cicloartanol and a mixture of two sterols: beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. With the exception of cycloeucalenone, all compounds showed statistically similar activity against promastigote to pentamidine. While, acting against amastigotes, excluding 31-norcyclolaudenone, other compounds showed activity similar to amphotericin B. All compounds showed low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. CONCLUSION: This study partially confirms the use of Musa paradisiaca in folk medicine against leishmaniasis. Further in vivo studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy.
Subject(s)
Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology , Leishmania infantum/drug effects , Musa/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sterols/pharmacology , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Animals , Cell Line , Fruit/chemistry , Macaca mulatta , Mice , Molecular Structure , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Sterols/chemistryABSTRACT
In recent years, the search for natural plant products to fight viral diseases has been increasing. In this work, two Spondias species, namely S. mombin and S. tuberosa, found in Ceará state (Brazil), and their main phenolic components were evaluated against dengue virus. In vitro antiviral tests were performed against type-2 dengue virus by the MTT method and standard cytopathic effect reduction assay in C6/36 cells. Cytotoxicity was also evaluated by MTT. The presence of phenolic compounds quercetin, rutin, and ellagic acid in plant extracts was characterized by HPLC analysis. Both Spondias species extracts and components were nontoxic to the cells whereas rutin and quercetin displayed relevant antiviral activity with IC50 of 362.68 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively.