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.

Characterization and identification of chemical constituents of Ocotea paranaensis Brotto, Baitello, Cervi, & E.P. Santos and their biological properties.

The growing interest in the discovery of new compounds from medicinal plants justifies the study of phytochemical components of these plants and their biological activities. The genus Ocotea exhibits a variety of pharmacological, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential and antimicrobial properties of the ethyl acetate fraction of Ocotea paranaensis leaves. Isolation and identification of the phenolic compounds from the fraction was also carried out. The isolated compounds were characterized by one and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and identified as (-) epicatechin (1), quercetin (2), kaempferol (3) and hyperin (4). The ethyl acetate fraction of Ocotea paranaensis leaves demonstrated considerable antioxidant potential. The observed minimum inhibitory concentration of 500 µg/mL was classified as a moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Findings from this study demonstrate the utility of this plant as a potential source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

Evaluation of the nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of Bjerkandera adusta

Abstract Bjerkandera adusta, a globally distributed fungus, is commonly used in the nutritional practices of the East Asian population. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional composition of the lyophilized mycelium of B. adusta as well as the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of its extracts. The mycelium exhibited moisture (7.97 %), ash (3.27 %), and fiber (5.31 %) content values similar to the established values reported in the available literature. In addition, a high protein (9.32 %) and carbohydrate (63.45 %) content was shown, with a low lipid (1.36 %) content. The energy value per 100 g sample of mycelium was 1445.85 kJ. The results obtained indicated a statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) in the phenolic composition (81.84-110.96 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g of extract), free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (IC50 29.05-340.46 µg·mL-1), phosphomolybdenum antioxidant content (34.89-55.64 %), reduction of ferricyanide ion (66.55-69.4 %), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values (44.66-133.03 %). These results are unprecedented for this species and emphasize its nutraceutical potential.

Herbal medicines from the industry in the unified health system: challenge faced by medical professionals

Abstract The World Health Organization recognized the use of herbal medicines as a therapeutic resource and its application in the primary attention to heath. The begin of this expansion was in 2006, with the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary practices of the Unified Health System (SUS). This research aimed to evaluate the questionnaires applied to doctors, who may have prescribed industrialized herbal medicines and to identify the difficulties involved with the implementation of this therapy as an integrative and complementary practice. It is a quantitative, observational and transversal study conducted in the municipality of Pinhais/Brazil. The questionnaire applied had as themes the experience of personal use of industrialized herbal medicines, improvement after their use. Forty-four individuals from four different nationalities: Brazilian (88.64%), Cuban (6.82%), Mexican (2.27%) and Argentinian (2.27%), ages between 25 and 69 years, mainly male sex (54.55%) answered the questionnaire. According to the study, the doctors consider herbal medicines an alternative to the conventional treatment and these medical professionals have already prescribed some industrialized herbal medications. Despite the difficulties faced by medical doctors with the prescription of herbs, it is possible to define strategies to assist these professionals, such as the incentive the actions by the governments.

Inhibition of α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and antioxidant property of Myrcia hatschbachii D. Legrand containing gallic and ellagic acids / Inhibición de la α-glucosidasa, la lipasa pancreática y la propiedad antioxidante de Myrcia hatschbachii D. Legrand que contiene ácidos gálico y elágico

Several species of the Myrcia genus have been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase in the crude extract (EBF) and in the ethyl acetate fraction (FFA) of Myrcia hatschbachii, as well as to identify isolated phenolic compounds and to evaluate the antioxidant property and preliminary in vitro toxicity against Artemia salina. EBF (IC50: 3.21 µg/mL) and FFA (IC50: 1.14 µg/mL) showed inhibitory activity superior to acarbose (IC50: 193.65 µg/mL). In addition, they showed inhibitory effects of pancreatic lipase (IC50: 556.58 µg/mL for EBF and 532.68 µg/mL for FFA), antioxidant potential, absence of preliminary toxicity and presence of gallic andellagic acids in FFA. The relevant results in the inhibition of α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase motivate new studies for the development of herbal medicines that assist in the treatment of diabetic patients.

Varias especies del género Myrcia se han utilizado en la medicina popular para tratar la diabetes. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la actividad inhibitoria de la α-glucosidasa y la lipasa pancreática en el extracto crudo (EBF) y en la fracción de acetato de etilo (FFA) de Myrcia hatschbachii, así como identificar compuestos fenólicos aislados y evaluar la propiedad antioxidante y toxicidad in vitro preliminar contra Artemia salina. EBF (IC50: 3.21 µg/mL) y FFA (IC50: 1.14 µg/mL) mostraron una actividad inhibitoria superior a la acarbosa (IC50: 193.65 µg/mL). Además, mostraron efectos inhibitorios de la lipasa pancreática (IC50: 556.58 µg/mL para EBF y 532.68 µg/mL para FFA), potencial antioxidante, ausencia de toxicidad preliminar y presencia de ácidos gálico y elágico en FFA. Los resultados relevantes en la inhibición de la α-glucosidasa y la lipasa pancreática motivan nuevos estudios para el desarrollo de medicamentos a base de hierbas que ayudan en el tratamiento de pacientes diabéticos.

Optimisation of Bjerkandera adusta culture conditions for the production of α-α-trehalose.

Several factors affect the vegetative growth of fungi, such as temperature, pH, and culture medium. In addition to mycelial growth, these factors affect metabolite production. There are limited studies that have identified the metabolites produced by the fungus Bjerkandera adusta, which have potential biotechnological applications. Here, we evaluated the effects of temperature, culture medium, and incubation time on the production of mycelial mass and metabolites of B. adusta isolated from Pinus taeda. The highest mycelial mass was obtained at 24 °C, in the potato dextrose and malt extract media, upon incubation for 28 and 35 days. The disaccharide α-α-trehalose was for the first time isolated and identified by X-ray diffraction in this fungal genus.

Myrcia hatschbachii: antifungal activity and structural elucidation of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids.

Natural products, especially plants, have been investigated as sources of new substances with antimicrobial properties. In this context, the Myrcia genus is extensively researched for presenting such activities. This work aims to evaluate the antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of extracts and fractions of stems of Myrcia hatschbachii, also to characterize two phenolic compounds. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed by using the broth microdilution method. The ethyl acetate fraction (FGA) inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 15.6 µg/mL, presented 40% of phenolic compounds in its composition, obtained the most significant results in antioxidant methods (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS), besides the identification of ellagic and 3-O-methyl ellagic acids by NMR. Considering the relevant antifungal activity revealed by the fraction, new studies can be carried out to encourage the continuous search for antifungal alternatives.

Componentes químicos del aceite esencial de Ocotea paranaensis (Lauraceae) y sus propiedades antioxidantes, anticancer y antimicrobianas / Chemical constituents of Ocotea paranaensis (Lauraceae) essential oil and their antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial properties

La composición química del aceite esencial obtenido de las ramas de Ocotea paranaensis se estudió por cromatografía de gases/espectrometría de masas (CG/MS). Se identificaron veintisiete compuestos, que comprenden el 94,82% de los componentes totales. El aceite se caracterizó por una concentración relativamente alta de sesquiterpenos (62,96%), sesquiterpenos oxigenados (33,33%) y diterpeno (3,70%). En cuanto a los compuestos principales, se destacaron Z-nerolidol (19,16%), germacreno D (12,92%) y α-bulnesene (8,47%), que correspondieron al 40,55% de las sustancias encontradas. El aceite esencial analizado de Ocotea paranaensis tiene una buena acción reductora de fosfomolibdeno y es moderadamente tóxico para la Artemia salina (LC50 = 147,91 µg/mL). Mostró potencial hemolítico y actividad moderada contra Staphylococcus aureus (concentración inhibitoria mínima MIC = 250 µg/mL) y Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 500 µg/mL). No se observaron resultados satisfactorios de citotoxicidad en el linaje H460 y HeLa.

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the branches of Ocotea paranaensis was studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-seven compounds, comprising 94.82% of the total components, were identified. The oil showed relatively high concentration of sesquiterpenes (62.96%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (33.33%), and diterpene (3.70%). Regarding the major compounds, Z-nerolidol (19.16%), germacrene D (12.92%) and α-bulnesene (8.47%) could be highlighted, which corresponded to 40.55% of the substances that were found. The essential oil from Ocotea paranaensis has phosphomolybdenum reducing action and is moderately toxic to the Artemia salina (LC50 = 147.91 µg/mL). It showed haemolytic potential and moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus, (minimum inhibitory concentration MIC = 250 µg/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 500 µg/mL). No satisfactory cytotoxicity results were observed in lineage H460 and HeLa.

Antagonistic activity of Diplodia pinea against phytopathogenic fungi.

The ability of Diplodia pinea to inhibit Armillaria sp., Bjerkandera adusta, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia sp. mycelium growth was analyzed using the double-culture method. Wild-type fungal strains were incubated in a biochemical oxygen demand incubator using potato agar dextrose medium at 24 ± 2 °C for 35 days in darkness. D. pinea significantly inhibited the growth of all fungi species tested (30.75 to 98.37% inhibition) and showed moderate antagonistic activity (antagonistic index, 14.5). Chemical analysis of D. pinea culture broth extracts revealed steroids, triterpenes, and phenolic compounds. Alkaloids were qualitatively detected in the mycelium crude extract. The presence of these compounds may be related to the antagonistic activity observed. The inhibition ability of D. pinea is due to competition with the tested fungi for substrate and space.