Guettarda uruguensis (Rubiaceae): antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant with quercetin and esters of p-coumaric acid.

Guettarda (Rubiaceae) is a genus known for its diverse range of bioactive compounds, with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Guettarda uruguensis Cham. & Schltdl., commonly known as 'jasmim uruguaio' or 'veludinho,' is a native species of the Atlantic Forest that get interested in its potential therapeutic applications. In this study, we evaluated the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the crude ethanol extract obtained from G. uruguensis leaves (EBGF) and fractions, as well as the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and toxicity activity of the EBGF. Our findings revealed that the EBGF and its fractions contain polyphenolic compounds, including long-chain esters of p-coumaric acid and quercetin, which contribute to their potent antioxidant activity. The EBGF exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, highlighting its potential as a natural product for treating pain and inflammation. Our study supports G. uruguensis as a promising source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential.

Atividade larvicida contra aedes aegypti e toxicidade preliminar contra artemia salina l. de extratos e frações de monteverdia evonymoides (reissek) biral / Larvicidal activity against aedes aegypti and preliminary toxicity against artemia salina l. of extracts and fractions of monteverdia evonymoides (reissek) biral. / Actividad larvicida contra aedes aegypti y toxicidad preli- minar contra artemia salina l. de extractos y fracciones de monteverdia evonymoides (reissek) biral.

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) é o principal vetor das arboviroses dengue, zika, chikungunya e febre amarela. A busca por inseticidas naturais para combater o mosquito ganha destaque nos países de clima tropical. Considerando a atividade larvicida presente no gênero Monteverdia o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o potencial larvicida dos extratos e frações da espécie Monteverdia evonymoides (Reissek) Biral. O material vegetal (folhas e galhos) foi seco a temperatura ambiente, foi moído e submetido a extração em Soxhlet modificado. A toxicidade foi avaliada por meio do bioensaio com Artemia salina L. As larvas de Aedes aegypti foram expostas nas concentrações 10, 100, 500 e 1000 µg.mL⁻¹. Após 24H foi realizada a leitura da mortalidade (CL50) e submetido método estatístico Probit. As amostras não apresentaram toxicidade frente a Artemia salina L. (>1000 µg.mL⁻¹) e apresentaram potencial larvida no controle de larvas de terceiro estádio, com CL50 >200 µg.mL⁻¹. Os extratos de M. Evonymoides são seguros e apresentaram potencial larvicida contra larvas do mosquito.

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of arboviruses den- gue, zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. The search for natural insecticides to combat the mosquito is highlighted in countries with a tropical climate. Considering the larvicidal activity present in the genus Monteverdia, the objective of the study was to evaluate the larvicidal potential of extracts and fractions of the species Monteverdia evonymoides (Reissek) Biral. The plant material (leaves and branches) was dried at room temperature, ground and subjected to extraction in modified Soxhlet. Toxicity was evaluated by bio- assay with Artemia salina L. Aedes aegypti larvae were exposed to concentrations of 10, 100, 500 and 1000 µg.mL⁻¹. After 24 hours, the mortality reading (CL50) was performed and the Probit statistical method was submitted. The samples did not show toxicity against Artemia salina L. (>1000 µg.mL⁻¹) and showed potential larval life in the control of third- stage larvae, with CL50 >200 µg.mL⁻¹. M. Evonymoides extracts are safe and showed lar- vicidal potential against mosquito larvae.

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) es el principal vector de los arbovirus dengue, zika, chikungunya y fiebre amarilla. Se destaca la búsqueda de insecticidas natu- rales para combatir el mosquito en países con clima tropical. Considerando la actividad larvicida presente en el género Monteverdia, el objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el poten- cial larvicida de extractos y fracciones de la especie Monteverdia evonymoides (Reissek) Biral. El material vegetal (hojas y ramas) fue secado a temperatura ambiente, molido y sometido a extracción en Soxhlet modificado. La toxicidad se evaluó mediante el bioen- sayo con Artemia salina L. Se expusieron larvas de Aedes aegypti a concentraciones de 10, 100, 500 y 1000 µg.mL⁻¹. A las 24 horas se realizó la lectura de mortalidad (CL50) y se sometió al método estadístico Probit. Las muestras no presentaron toxicidad contra Artemia salina L. (>1000 µg.mL⁻¹) y mostraron potencial de vida larvaria en el control de larvas de tercer estadio, con CL50 >200 µg.mL⁻¹. Los extractos de M. Evonymoides son seguros y mostraron potencial larvicida contra las larvas de mosquitos.

Metabólitos bioativos e atividades biológicas, tóxicas e farmacológicas de plantas ornamentais: uma revisão das espécies hydrangea macrophylla, euphorbia milii, dieffenbachia seguine e dracaena trifasciata / Bioactive metabolites and biological, toxic and pharmacological activities of ornamental plants: a review of the species hydrangea macrophylla, euphorbia milii, dieffenbachia seguine and dracaena trifasciata / Metabolitos bioactivos y actividades biológicas, tóxicas y farmacológicas de plantas ornamentales: una revisión de las especies hydrangea macrophylla, euphorbia milii, dieffenbachia seguine y dracaena trifasciata

As plantas ornamentais foram selecionadas pelo homem a partir de caracteres atraentes e começaram a ser cultivadas por sua beleza. São utilizadas frequentemente em arquitetura e paisagismo de espaços externos, porém, pode possuir princípios ativos que as tornam tóxicas e que podem causar danos a saúde como irritações na pele e mucosas. No Brasil há descritas diversas plantas de uso ornamental e que são consideradas tóxicas, dentre elas podemos destacar popularmente hortênsia, comigo-ninguém-pode, espada-de- são-jorge e a coroa-de-cristo e na literatura o envenenamento humano por essas plantas tóxicas quase não é documentado o que despertou interesse nessa revisão. Logo, esse estudo possui objetivo de revisar as bases de dados em busca de informações de atividades biológicas, tóxicas, farmacológicas e de metabólitos bioativos das espécies Hydrangea macrophylla, Euphorbia milii, Dieffenbachia seguine e Dracaena trifasciata. Para o compilado de dados deste artigo de revisão, foram utilizados 51 artigos que reuniram as condições de elegibilidade buscadas. Os artigos foram lidos na integra e os dados agregados em tabela ou texto. Esta revisão observou que a maioria dos ensaios aplicados nessas espécies foram de caráter toxicológico e objetivavam a busca de veículos para controle de doenças ocasionadas por vetores. Os ensaios demonstraram potencial tóxico preliminar, justificando os efeitos relacionados à intoxicação ou aos danos á saúde como irritações na pele e mucosas.

Ornamental plants were selected by man from attractive characters and began to be cultivated for their beauty. They are often used in architecture and landscaping of outdoor spaces; however, they may have active ingredients that make them toxic and that can cause health damage such as skin and mucous membrane irritations. In Brazil there are described several plants of ornamental use and that are considered toxic, among them we can highlight hortênsia, comigo-ninguém-pode, espada-de-são-jorge e a coroa-de- cristo, and in the literature the human poisoning by these toxic plants is hardly documented which aroused interest in this review. Therefore, this study aims to review the databases in search of information on biological, toxic, pharmacological activities and bioactive metabolites of the species Hydrangea macrophylla, Euphorbia milii, Dieffenbachia seguine and Dracaena trifasciata. To compile data from this review article, 51 articles were used that met the sought eligibility conditions. The articles were read in full and the data aggregated in a table or text. This review noted that most of the tests applied to these species were toxicological in nature and aimed to search for vehicles to control diseases caused by vectors. The trials demonstrated preliminary toxic potential, justifying the effects related to intoxication or damage to health such as skin and mucous membrane irritations.

Las plantas ornamentales fueron seleccionadas por el hombre a partir de caracteres atractivos y empezaron a cultivarse por su belleza. A menudo se utilizan en la arquitectura y el paisajismo de espacios exteriores; sin embargo, pueden tener principios activos que las hacen tóxicas y que pueden causar daños a la salud, como irritaciones de la piel y de las mucosas. En Brasil están descritas varias plantas de uso ornamental y que son consideradas tóxicas, entre ellas se destacan hortênsia, comigo-ninguém-pode, espada-de-são-jorge e a coroa-de- cristo, y en la literatura el envenenamiento humano por estas plantas tóxicas está poco documentado lo que despertó el interés en esta revisión. Por lo tanto, este estudio tiene como objetivo revisar las bases de datos en busca de información sobre las actividades biológicas, tóxicas, farmacológicas y metabolitos bioactivos de las especies Hydrangea macrophylla, Euphorbia milii, Dieffenbachia seguine y Dracaena trifasciata. Para recopilar los datos de este artículo de revisión, se utilizaron 51 artículos que cumplían las condiciones de elegibilidad buscadas. Los artículos se leyeron en su totalidad y los datos se agregaron en una tabla o texto. En esta revisión se observó que la mayoría de los ensayos aplicados a estas especies eran de naturaleza toxicológica y tenían como objetivo la búsqueda de vehículos para el control de enfermedades causadas por vectores. Los ensayos demostraron potencial tóxico preliminar, justificando los efectos relacionados con intoxicación o daños a la salud, como irritaciones de piel y mucosas.

Effect of Donepezil, Tacrine, Galantamine and Rivastigmine on Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition in Dugesia tigrina.

Dugesia tigrina is a non-parasitic platyhelminth, which has been recently utilized in pharmacological models, regarding the nervous system, as it presents a wide sensitivity to drugs. Our trials aimed to propose a model for an in vivo screening of substances with inhibitory activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Trials were performed with four drugs commercialized in Brazil: donepezil, tacrine, galantamine and rivastigmine, utilized in the control of Alzheimer's disease, to inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase. We tested five concentrations of the drugs, with an exposure of 24 h, and the mortality and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase planarian seizure-like activity (pSLA) and planarian locomotor velocity (pLMV) were measured. Galantamine showed high anticholinesterasic activity when compared to the other drugs, with a reduction of 0.05 µmol·min(-1) and 63% of convulsant activity, presenting screw-like movement and hypokinesia, with pLMV of 65 crossed lines during 5 min. Our results showed for the first time the anticholinesterasic and convulsant effect, in addition to the decrease in locomotion induced by those drugs in a model of invertebrates. The experimental model proposed is simple and low cost and could be utilized in the screening of substances with anticholinesterasic action.

Croton argenteus preparation inhibits initial growth, mitochondrial respiration and increase the oxidative stress from Senna occidentalis seedlings.

Senna ocidentalis is a weed, native to Brazil, considered to infest crops and plantations, and is responsible for yield losses of several crops, particularly soybean. The aim of this work was to evaluate if the Croton argenteus extract and fractions possess phytotoxic activity on S. ocidentalis. The crude ethanolic extract (CEE) and its hexanic (HF), chloroformic (CLF) and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions were tested in germination, growth, oxidative stress increase, Adenosine triphosphate, L-malate and succinate synthesis. The crude extract and its fractions slowed down the germination of S. ocidentalis and decreased the final percentage of germination. Oxidative stress was also increased in the seedlings, by an increase of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and lipid peroxidation; and it became clear that the ethyl acetate fraction was more phytotoxic. The results indicate that the crude extract and fractions of C. argenteus compromise the mitochondrial energy metabolism, by the inhibition of mitochondrial ATP production, with a decrease in the production of L-malate and succinate. The ethyl acetate fraction of C. argenteus showed high activity on germination and growth, and these effects take place by means of mitochondrial metabolism alterations and increase the oxidative stress, leading the seedling death.