Siolmatra brasiliensis stem extract ameliorates antioxidant defenses and mitigates glycoxidative stress in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is accompanied by insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, which favor the onset of complications related to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of hydroethanolic extract from Siolmatra brasiliensis stems on insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, and oxidative stress in mice with induced obesity. METHODS: C57BL-6 J mice were fed a high-fat diet for 14 weeks and treated with 125 or 250 mg/kg S. brasiliensis extract during the last 7 weeks. The study assessed glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, biomarkers of oxidative damage), fluorescent AGEs (biomarkers of advanced glycation), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity (antioxidant enzyme). The activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver and kidneys were also investigated. RESULTS: Siolmatra brasiliensis extract had antiobesogenic effects; improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance; decreased the total plasma cholesterol levels; decreased the levels of glycoxidative stress biomarkers, including AGEs (plasma, liver, kidneys) and TBARS (liver, kidneys); and also improved endogenous antioxidant defenses by increasing the activities of PON1 (plasma), SOD (kidneys), CAT (liver, kidneys), and GSH-Px (kidneys). CONCLUSION: This study expands on our knowledge about the pharmacological properties of S. brasiliensis and substantiates the potential of this plant species to be used as a complementary therapeutic agent to alleviate the metabolic dysfunctions resulting from dyslipidemia and glycoxidative stress.

Acaricidal activity of essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Eremanthus erythropappus, major compounds and cinnamyl acetate in Rhipicephalus microplus.

This study aimed to chemically characterize the essential oils (EOs) of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) and Eremanthus erythropappus (candeia) and evaluate their acaricidal activity, together with that of their major compounds and cinnamyl acetate derivative, against Rhipicephalus microplus. Essential oil compounds were identified through gas chromatography. The larval packet test (LPT) at concentrations ranging from 0.31 to 10.0 mg/mL and the adult immersion test (AIT) at concentrations between 2.5 and 60.0 mg/mL were performed. (E)-cinnamaldehyde and α-bisabolol were the major compounds in cinnamon (86.93%) and candeia (78.41%) EOs, respectively. In the LPT, the EOs of cinnamon and candeia and the compounds (E)-cinnamaldehyde, α-bisabolol and cinnamyl acetate resulted in 100% mortality at concentrations of 2.5, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 10.0 mg/mL respectively. In the AIT, percentage control values > 95% were observed for cinnamon and candeia EOs, (E)-cinnamaldehyde and α-bisabolol at the concentrations of 5.0, 60.0, 20.0, and 20.0 mg/mL, respectively, whereas cinnamyl acetate showed low activity. We conclude that EOs and their compounds showed high acaricidal activity, whereas the acetylated derivative of (E)-cinnamaldehyde presented less acaricidal activity on R. microplus engorged females.

Antileishmanial activity of the essential oils of Myrcia ovata Cambess. and Eremanthus erythropappus (DC) McLeisch leads to parasite mitochondrial damage.

Leishmania amazonensis is a species causative of cutaneous and anergic diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis, treatment-resistant form, in the New World. Plants essential oils exhibit great potential as microbicide agents. We described the composition of the essential oils of two plants native from Brazil, Myrcia ovata, with geranial and neral as major constituents, and Eremanthus erythropappus, with α-bisabolol. In vitro effects of these essential oils on L. amazonensis promastigotes growth and ultrastructure were analysed as well as their cytotoxicity to murine macrophages. Both oils were highly active with IC50/96 h of 8.69 and 9.53 µg/mL for M. ovata and E. erythropappus against promastigotes and caused ultrastructural alterations including mitochondrial enlargement. Cytotoxicity for murine macrophages varied with the oil concentrations. The IC50 low values of both M. ovata and E. erythropappus oils against L. amazonensis and their relative low cytotoxicity to mammal host cells support their potential use against cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Acaricidal activity of essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Eremanthus erythropappus, major compounds and cinnamyl acetate in Rhipicephalus microplus / Atividade acaricida dos óleos essenciais de Cinnamomum zeylanicum e Eremanthus erythropappus, compostos majoritários e acetato de cinamila sobre Rhipicephalus microplus

Abstract This study aimed to chemically characterize the essential oils (EOs) of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) and Eremanthus erythropappus (candeia) and evaluate their acaricidal activity, together with that of their major compounds and cinnamyl acetate derivative, against Rhipicephalus microplus. Essential oil compounds were identified through gas chromatography. The larval packet test (LPT) at concentrations ranging from 0.31 to 10.0 mg/mL and the adult immersion test (AIT) at concentrations between 2.5 and 60.0 mg/mL were performed. (E)-cinnamaldehyde and α-bisabolol were the major compounds in cinnamon (86.93%) and candeia (78.41%) EOs, respectively. In the LPT, the EOs of cinnamon and candeia and the compounds (E)-cinnamaldehyde, α-bisabolol and cinnamyl acetate resulted in 100% mortality at concentrations of 2.5, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 10.0 mg/mL respectively. In the AIT, percentage control values > 95% were observed for cinnamon and candeia EOs, (E)-cinnamaldehyde and α-bisabolol at the concentrations of 5.0, 60.0, 20.0, and 20.0 mg/mL, respectively, whereas cinnamyl acetate showed low activity. We conclude that EOs and their compounds showed high acaricidal activity, whereas the acetylated derivative of (E)-cinnamaldehyde presented less acaricidal activity on R. microplus engorged females.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar quimicamente os óleos essenciais (OE) de Cinnamomum zeylanicum (canela) e Eremanthus erythropappus (candeia) e avaliar sua atividade acaricida, juntamente com a de seus principais compostos e do derivado de acetato de cinamila, sobre Rhipicephalus microplus. Os compostos do óleo essencial foram identificados por cromatografia gasosa. Foram realizados o Teste de Pacote de Larvas (TPL), em concentrações variando de 0,31 a 10,0 mg/mL, e o Teste de Imersão de Adultos (TIA), em concentrações entre 2,5 e 60,0 mg/mL. (E)-cinnamaldeído e α-bisabolol foram os principais compostos nos OE da canela (86,93%) e da candeia (78,41%), respectivamente. No TPL, os OEs de canela e candeia, e os compostos (E)-cinnamaldeído, α-bisabolol e acetato de cinamila resultaram em 100% de mortalidade nas concentrações de 2,5, 2,5, 5,0, 10,0 e 10,0 mg/mL, respectivamente. No TIA, valores percentuais de controle >95% foram observados para OE de canela e candeia, (E)-cinnamaldeído e α-bisabolol nas concentrações de 5,0, 60,0, 20,0 e 20,0 mg/mL, respectivamente, enquanto o acetato de cinamila apresentou baixa atividade. Conclui-se que os OEs e seus compostos apresentaram alta atividade acaricida, enquanto o derivado acetilado do (E)-cinnamaldeído apresentou menor atividade acaricida em fêmeas ingurgitadas de R. microplus.

Acaricidal activity of Acmella oleracea (Asteraceae) extract against Rhipicephalus microplus: What is the influence of spilanthol?

The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the acaricidal activity of different fractions of Acmella oleracea methanolic extract, containing 0.0 % (F1), 24.5 % (F2), 48.0 % (F3) and 100 % (F4) of spilanthol, on unfed larvae and engorged females from the same Rhipicephalus microplus population. To obtain these fractions, the crude extract was subjected to different extraction procedures using increasingly polarized solvents to isolate the spilanthol compound. The Larval Packet Test was used to evaluate acaricidal activity in unfed larvae at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 25.0 mg/mL, while for engorged females, the Adult Immersion Test was performed at concentrations from 3.1 to 25.0 mg/mL. The F1 fraction showed no activity on unfed larvae, while a control percentage of 44.6 % was observed at a concentration of 25.0 mg/mL for engorged females. For unfed larvae, the F2 fraction resulted in 95.7 % mortality at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL, with a control percentage of 92.7 % for engorged females at a concentration of 12.5 mg/mL. Fractions F3 and F4 had similar activity against unfed larvae, with mortality >84.0 % from the concentration of 0.8 mg/mL. This similarity between the fractions was also observed for engorged females from a concentration of 12.5 mg/mL, resulting a control percentage >94.0 %. These results demonstrate that the presence of spilanthol is an important factor for the acaricidal activity of A. oleracea extract. Fraction extracts with 24.5, 48 and 100 % of spilanthol have similar acaricidal activity on R. microplus.

Study on the Antinociceptive Activity and Mechanism of Action of Isolated Saponins from Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill.

Infusions of roots of Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill, ("taiuiá", "cipó-tauá") are used for toothache pain and ulcers. We aimed to study the antinociceptive effects and identify the possible mechanism of action of this plant and its isolated substances (cayaponoside A1, cayaponoside B4, cayaponoside D, and siolmatroside I). Hydroethanol extract (HE), ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc), and isolated saponins were evaluated in chemical and thermal models of pain in mice. Animals were orally pretreated and evaluated in the capsaicin- or glutamate-induced licking and in the hot plate tests. The antinociceptive mechanism of action was evaluated using the hot plate test with the following pretreatments: Atropine (cholinergic antagonist), naloxone (opioid antagonist), or L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor). All extracts and isolated saponins increased the area under the curve in the hot plate test. Tested substances induced a higher effect than the morphine-treated group. Our data suggest that stems of S. brasiliensis and their isolated substances present antinociceptive effects. Cholinergic and opioidergic pathways seem to be involved in their mechanism of action. Taken together our data corroborate the traditional use of the plant and expands the information regarding its use.

Characterization of a Urochloa humidicola methanol extract as a phytogenic additive for ruminants / Caracterização do extrato metanólico de Urochloa humidicola como aditivo fitogênico para ruminantes

This survey aimed to characterize a Urochloa humidicola methanol extract regarding the presence of secondary metabolites classes and to determine its bromatological composition. U. humidicola samples were dried under shade, milled on a 2-mm sieve by a Willey mill. The solution obtained was filtered using filter paper and concentrated in a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure; the concentrated residue was then placed in an open vessel to complete solvent removal using continuous air flow dryers. Phytochemical prospection tests and bromatological composition analyses were performed on the dry methanol extract, and the results were compared to in natura U. humidicola. The methanol extract had 10.2% CP and 35% EE and in natura U. humidicola had 5.17% CP and 1.57% EE, with a difference (P < 0.05) of 5% by Fisher's test. In natura U. humidicola had 75.59% NDF, 40.77% ADF, 38.82% HEM, 29.93% CEL, and 7.19% LIG. Methanol extraction by cold maceration reduced the LIG (0.17%) and CEL (0.21%) contents as only soluble constituents were extracted. A phytochemical assay was positive for the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, non-protein amino acids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, steroids, tripernoids, catechins, and saccharides and was negative for the presence of flavonoids and purines. The U. humidicola methanol extract possesses traits that allow its use as a phytogenic and natural additive.

Objetivou-se neste estudo caracterizar o extrato metanólico de Urochloa humidicola, quanto à presença de classes de metabólitos secundários presentes bem como determinar a sua composição bromatológica. Para isto, amostras da parte aérea de U. humidicola foram secas à sombra, moídas em moinho tipo Willey em partículas de 2 mm, submetidas à extração por maceração a frio com metanol, a solução obtida foi concentrada em rotaevaporador e posto para termina a secagem sob fluxo de ar contínuo. O extrato metanólico seco foi submetido aos testes de prospecção fitoquímica e análises de composição bromatológica comparado com a U. humidicola in natura. O extrato apresentou 10,2% de PB e 35% de EE e U. humidicola in natura apresentou 5,17 % de PB e 1,57% de EE, diferindo entre si (P<0,05) pelo teste de Fisher a 5% de significância. A U. humidicola in natura apresentou teores de FDN (75,59%), FDA (40,77%), hemicelulose (38,82%), celulose (29,93%) e lignina (7,19%). O método de extração por maceração a frio com metanol contribuiu para a diminuição dos teores de lignina (0,17%) e celulose (0,21%), por extrair somente os constituintes solúveis. O ensaio fitoquímico apresentou presença positiva para saponina, tanino, alcaloides, aminoácidos não proteicos, carboidratos, glicosídeos cardioativos, esteroides e tripernoides, catequinas e sacarídeos, e negativa para a presença de flavonoides e purinas. O extrato metanólico de Urochloa humidicola apresenta características que permitem seu uso como aditivo natural ou fitogênico.

Length-scale Specific Crystalline Structural Changes Induced by Molecular Randomization of Pequi Oil.

Pequi fruit (Caryocar brasiliense Camb) is considered important since its pulp has a high content of oil and carotenoids. The oil's triacylglycerols (TAGs) contain mainly oleic (~57%) and palmitic (~36%) fatty acids, distributed primarily among POO, POP/PPO, and OOO TAGs. It displays a tendency to fractionate upon storage and has a relatively low melting temperature (SFC of 4% at 25°C). Pequi oil was modified through chemical interesterification, which increased the PPP content to ~6%. This caused a flattening in the SFC-temperature profile, raising the end of melt temperature significantly (SFC of 4% at 39°C). The interesterified oil does not fractionate and is thermally stable up to 40°C, with an SFC-temperature profile resembling that of roll-in shortening (SFC of 31% at 16°C) despite containing high amounts of oleic acid. Crystallization and melting behavior changed. Crystal packing became more disorganized as evidenced by a significant decrease in crystalline domain size in the [001] direction from 42.3 nm to 32.1 nm. Polymorphism remained of the triclinic (ß) subcell type but polytypism changed from the 3L to the 2L type. Polarized light microscopy demonstrated that interesterification dramatically decreased crystal size, consistent with a higher rate of nucleation in the material. Moreover, the dramatic improvement in physical stability and functionality was not accompanied by a significant decrease in total carotenoid content (~390 mg/kg).

13C-NMR Spectral Data of Alkaloids Isolated from Psychotria Species (Rubiaceae).

The genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) comprises more than 2000 species, mainly found in tropical and subtropical forests. Several studies have been conducted concerning their chemical compositions, showing that this genus is a potential source of alkaloids. At least 70 indole alkaloids have been identified from this genus so far. This review aimed to compile 13C-NMR data of alkaloids isolated from the genus Psychotria as well as describe the main spectral features of different skeletons.

A new dammarane saponin and other triterpenoids from Siolmatra brasiliensis and evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of its extract.

Context Siolmatra brasiliensis (Cogn.) Baill (Cucurbitaceae) is a climbing plant widely used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus symptoms. Objective This work evaluates the antidiabetic activity of an extract of S. brasiliensis in streptozotocin-diabetic rats and promotes the phytochemical investigation to isolate the major compounds of the same extract. Materials and methods Male Wistar rats were divided into normal (N) and diabetic rats (DC) treated with water; diabetic rats treated with 3U insulin (DI) or with 250 (DSb250) or 500 mg/kg (DSb500) of hydroalcoholic extract of the stalks of S. brasiliensis, via oral gavage, for 21 days. Physiological and biochemical parameters classically altered in diabetes were monitored. The triterpenoids were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction under silica gel column chromatography and Sephadex-LH20 methods and their structures were determined by NMR, HR-ESI-MS and DC analysis. Results When compared with DC, DSb250 rats showed a reduction in the hyperglycemia (DC: 26.46 ± 0.69 versus DSb250: 19.67 ± 1.06 mmol/L) and glycosuria (DC: 43.02 ± 3.19 versus DSb250: 28.46 ± 2.14 mmol/24 h) and increase in hepatic glycogen (DC: 14.44 ± 1.26 versus DSb250: 22.08 ± 4.26 mg/g). Three known cucurbitacins were isolated from a hydroalcoholic extract of S. brasiliensis, i.e., cayaponosides A1, B4, D, and a new dammarane saponin 3-O-ß-d-gentiobiosyl-26-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-20-hydroxydammar-24-ene. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectral data analysis of the natural products and their acetyl derivatives. Discussion and conclusion The known cucurbitacins and/or the new identified saponin may be related with the antidiabetic activity of S. brasiliensis.

Acaricidal activity of essential oil from Lippia sidoides on unengorged larvae and nymphs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) and Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae).

The aims of this work were to identify the compounds and to investigate the acaricidal activity of the essential oil of Lippia sidoides for unengorged larvae and nymphs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma cajennense. The oil was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In total, 22 compounds comprising 98.5% of the total peak area were identified. The major constituent of the essential oil was thymol (69.9%). The acaricidal activity against larvae and nymphs was assessed using a modified larval packet test. In all experiments, oils were tested at concentrations of 2.35, 4.70, 9.40 14.10 and 18.80 mg/mL. The mortalities of larvae and nymphs of R. sanguineus were 20.6, 47.8, 73.6, 99.5 and 99.0% and 12.0, 50.0, 76.3, 96.0 and 96.1%, respectively. For larvae and nymphs of A. cajennense the rates of mortality were 41.9, 63.3, 77.8, 82.5 and 100.0% and 0.0, 32.8, 64.8, 71.1 and 94.0%, respectively. The LC 90 values of the L. sidoides oil were 11.56 and 12.97 mg/mL for larvae and nymphs of R. sanguineus and 15.70 and 18.52 mg/mL for larvae and nymphs of A. cajennense, respectively. The essential oil from L. sidoides has acaricidal activity on unengorged larvae and nymphs of R. sanguineus and A. cajennense.

Atividade inseticida de extratos diclorometano e metanólico de Azadirachta indica (A. JUSS), Melia azedarach (L.) e Carapa guianenses (AUBL.) (Meliaceae) sobre cupim subterrâneo Coptotermes gestroi (WASMANN) (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) / Insecticidal activity of dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica (A. JUSS), Melia azedarach (L.) AND Carapa guianenses (AUBL.) (Meliaceae) on the subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (WASMANN) (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)

Cupins de hábito subterrâneo e os agroquímicos usados para controlá-los causam significativos prejuízos no meio ambiente urbano. Em virtude disso elaborou-se o presente trabalho, cujo o objetivo foi avaliar o efeito de extratos diclorometano e metanólico de três espécies da família Meliaceae, Azadirachta indica (A. JUSS), Melia azedarach (L.) e Carapa guianenses (AUBL.) sobre Coptotermes gestroi (WASMANN). Para tanto foram realizados dois experimentos em condições laboratoriais. O primeiro avaliou a sobrevivência dos insetos frente a condições ótimas (presença de umidade e alimento) e adversas (ausência de umidade ou alimento, ou de ambos os elementos). A umidade demonstrou ser o fator limitante, reduzindo de forma significativa a sobrevivência dos insetos (P < 0,05), seguida da ausência de alimento. O segundo experimento avaliou o efeito de extratos orgânicos das três plantas sobre C. gestroi. O experimento contou com seis tratamentos, e três grupos testemunhas (diclorometano, metanol e água). Os extratos que mais afetaram os insetos foram os de A. indica. AIDic que reduziu em 17 dias o tempo de sobrevivência, apresentando mortalidade superior a 70% a partir do sétimo dia, AIMet apresentou resultados semelhantes. Os extratos de M. azedarach (MADic) também reduziram significativamente a sobrevivência dos insetos (P < 0,05). Observou-se um claro efeito residual do solvente extrator, principalmente do metanol.

Subterranean termites and pesticides used to control them cause significant losses in the urban environment.Because of this the present work was elaborated; whose the objective was to evaluate the dichloromethane and methanol extracts effects of three species of the Meliaceae family, Azadirachta indica (A. JUSS), Melia azedarach (L.) and Carapa guianenses (AUBL.) on Coptotermes gestroi (WASMANN). For this purpose two experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions. The first one evaluated the survival of the insects front the excellent conditions (presence of humidity and food) and adverse (absence of humidity or food, or the both elements). The humidity demonstrated to be the limitant factor, by significant reduction of insects survival (P < 0,05), followed by the food lack. The second experiment evaluated the effect of organic extracts of three plants on C. gestroi. The experiment had six treatments, most controls: dichloromethane, methanol and water, with 10 repetitions each. The extracts that had more affected on the insects survival time was A. indica. AIDic (A. indica dichloro extract) reduced in 17 days the survival time, with 70% superior mortality from the seventh day, AIMet (A. indica methanolic extract) presented similar result. The dichloromethane extract of M. azedarach (MADic) also reduced significantly the insects survival (P < 0,05). A residual effect of the solvent extractor, mainly of methanol was observed clearly.

Prospecção fitoquímica do arilo de sementes de maracujá amarelo e influência em germinação de sementes / Phytochemical screening of the arils of yellow passion fruits seeds and influence on the seed germination

O maracujazeiro amarelo é propagado por sementes que apresentam problemas na sua germinação devido à presença do arilo que pode conter substâncias inibidoras. O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de identificar as classes de metabolitos especiais contidas no arilo das sementes de maracujá amarelo. Para isso, após a extração do arilo das sementes de maracujá amarelo, foram obtidos os extratos de diclorometano e metanol. As classes foram identificadas por meio de prospecção fitoquímica aliada à análise de espectros de infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (RMN 1H) de frações dos extratos obtidas com fracionamento em coluna de gel de sílica. Para avaliação da sensibilidade das sementes a essas substâncias, foram instalados testes de germinação com sementes de alface. No extrato de arilo obtido com diclorometano, identificaram-se esteróides e triterpenóides, verificou-se inibição da germinação das sementes. No extrato metanólico, identificaram-se açúcares redutores e verificou-se redução da germinação das sementes.

The passion fruit is propagated by seeds that have problems in their germination due to the presence of aryl which may contain inhibitory substances. The aim of this research was to identify the metabolites classes contained on the aril of yellow passion fruit. For this, after arils extraction, dichlorometane and methanol extracts were obtained. The Classes of metabolites were identified by phytochemical screening coupled with infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and extract fractions were obtained by fractionation on a column of silica gel. To evaluate the sensitivity of seeds to these substances, germination tests with lettuce seeds were installed. In aril extract obtained with dichloromethane, steroids and triterpenoids were identified and inhibition of seeds germination observed. In the methanol extract, reducing sugars were found and it was verified reduction of seeds germination.

Constituintes químicos do extrato acetato de etila das partes aéreas de Solanum paludosum Moric

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of S. paludosum afforded 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl gossypetinr, 3,7- dimethyl kaempferol, 3-methyl kaempferol, 3-methyl apigenin, and 3-methyl quercetin ethers, besides N-p-transcoumaroyltiramine, and protocatecuid acid. The structures were established from spectral data of the natural substances and the permethyl and acetyl derivatives of tetramethyl gossypetin.