Casearia Essential Oil: An Updated Review on the Chemistry and Pharmacological Activities.

Casearia species are found in the America, Africa, Asia, and Australia and present pharmacological activities, besides their traditional uses. Here, we reviewed the chemical composition, content, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of the essential oils (EOs) from Casearia species. The EO physical parameters and leaf botanical characteristics were also described. The bioactivities of the EOs from the leaves and their components include cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antifungal, and antiviral activities. The main components associated with these activities are the α-zingiberene, (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol, α-humulene, ß-acoradiene, and δ-cadinene. Data on the toxicity of these EOs are scarce in the literature. Casearia sylvestris Sw. is the most studied species, presenting more significant pharmacological potential. The chemical variability of EOs components was also investigated for this species. Caseria EOs have relevant pharmacological potential and must be further investigated and exploited.

How Does Brazilian Green Propolis Act in Normal and Tumor Cells? Identification of Compounds in or out Monocytes or HEp-2 Cells.

The aim of this study was to identify propolis compounds after incubation of normal and tumor cells (monocytes and HEp-2 cells, respectively) with Brazilian green propolis, in the lysate and supernatant of cell cultures and within these cells by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Cinnamic acid derivatives were generally localized in the lysate of both cell lines after incubation, suggesting these compounds are actively transported across the membrane into the cytoplasm. Terpenes were also found in the lysate. Artepillin C, in contrast, was localised only in the supernatant. Some constituents were unobservable after incubation, especially in monocytes, suggesting the compounds had been degraded. Our findings shed light on the possible sites of action (intracellular or via a cell membrane protein) and the bioavailability of various constituents of propolis, as well as possible modes of delivery of bioactive constituents.

Identification of azaphilone derivatives of Monascus colorants from Talaromyces amestolkiae and their halochromic properties.

Currently, the ability to produce several kinds of water-soluble red natural colorants makes the genus Talaromyces particularly important to the dye industry, which can be an alternative to the use of harmful synthetic colorants. In this study, colored compounds produced by Talaromyces amestolkiae were extracted, characterized chemically and the color stability of the fermented broth without any extraction procedure was further evaluated over pH variation. Five azaphilones compounds were detected by Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry system, all being complexes of the fatty acid amino-hexanedioic acid and azaphilone Monascus colorants. The color of the fermented broth was stable at a wide range of pH (3-9). Furthermore, T. amestolkiae colorants precipitated through hydrolysis of key chemical groups at extremely acidic (pH 1) and lose red color in extremely basic (pH 13) medium, showing negative halochromism. Nevertheless, these findings enhance the industrial relevance of azaphilone colorants produced by biotechnological process.