Chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oils from Vitex-agnus castus, Ocimum campechianum and Ocimum carnosum.

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves of Vitex agnus-castus and Ocimum campechianum, and from fresh inflorescences of Ocimum carnosum were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The major components of V. agnus-castus essential oil were identified as 1,8-cineole (47.9%), terpinyl α-acetate (11.6%), sabinene (11.2%) and caryophyllene oxide (9.7%), while in the O. campechianum essential oil were eugenol (72.1%), ß-elemene (6.8%), (E)-caryophyllene (6.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (5.2%). Linalool (79.0%), α-epi-cadinol (5.4%), terpinen-4-ol (3.2%) and 1,8-cineole (2.8%) were the major constituents in the O. carnosum essential oil. The essential oils were subsequently evaluated for their larvicidal and cytotoxic activities. Larval bioassay against Aedes aegypti of V. agnus-castus, O. campechianum and O. carnosum essential oils showed LC50 values of 97.55 ± 0.35, 81.45 ± 0.35 and 109.49 ± 0.35 µg/mL, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the essential oils has been evaluated on breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), lung carcinoma (NCI-H292), pro-myelocytic leukemia (HL-60), and cervical adenocarcinoma (HEP-2) human cell lines, and pro-myelocytic leukemia cells lines (HL-60) were found to be the most sensitive to all the essential oils tested than the others. This is the first report on larvicidal and cytotoxic activities of these essential oils.

New flavone and other compounds from Tephrosia egregia: assessing the cytotoxic effect on human tumor cell lines

ABSTRACT The organic extracts from stems, roots and leaves of Tephrosia egregia Sandwith, Fabaceae, provided a new flavone, 5-hydroxy-8-(1",2"-epoxy-3"-hydroxy-3"-methylbutyl)-7-methoxyflavone (1), in addition to eleven known compounds: pongaflavone (2), praecansone B (3), 12a-hydroxyrotenone (4), praecansone A, 2',6'-dimethoxy-4',5'-(2",2"-dimethyl)-pyranochalcone, pongachalcone, maackiain, β-sistosterol and its glucoside, p-cumaric acid and cinnamic acid. The structures of all compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS, involving comparison with literature data. Cytotoxicity of compounds 1-4 was evaluated against AGP-01 (cancerous ascitic fluid), HCT-116 (colon adenocarcinoma), HL-60 (leukemia), PC-3 (prostate carcinoma), SF-295 (glioblastoma) and SKMEL 28 (melanoma) cell lines.

Stemodia maritima L. Extract Decreases Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Alveolar Bone Loss in an Experimental Periodontitis Rat Model.

Periodontitis is very prevalent worldwide and is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. About 80% of the worldwide population use medicinal plants for their health care. Stemodia maritima L. (S. maritima) antioxidant and antimicrobial effects in vitro as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Herein, the potential therapeutic effect of S. maritima was assessed in rats subjected to experimental periodontitis (EP). EP was induced in female Wistar rats by nylon thread ligature around 2nd upper left molars for 11 days. Animals received (per os) S. maritima (0.2; 1 or 5 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline + DMSO) 1 h before ligature and then once daily for 11 days. The naive group had no manipulation. After this time-point, the animals were terminally anesthetized, and the maxillae were removed for morphometric and histological analyzes (HE). Gingival tissues were dissected to cytokine levels detection (TNF-α, IL1-ß, CINC-1, and IL-10), enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) analysis, as well as gene expression (TNF-α, IL-1ß, RANK, and iNOS) by qRT-PCR. Systemic parameters (weight variation, plasma levels of hepatic enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, total alkaline phosphatase (TALP), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were performed. Histological analysis of the stomach, liver, kidney, and heart was also performed. S. maritima (5 mg/kg) decreased alveolar bone loss, TNF-α and CINC-1 gingival levels, oxidative stress, and transcription of TNF-α, IL1-ß, RANK, and iNOS genes. It elevated both BALP activity and IL-10 gingival levels. The animals showed no any signs of toxicity. In conclusion, S. maritima reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress, and alveolar bone loss in a pre-clinical trial of periodontitis. S. maritima is a potential tool for controlling the development of periodontitis.

Chemical constituents from Bauhinia acuruana and their cytotoxicity

ABSTRACT Phytochemical investigation of Bauhinia acuruana Moric., Fabaceae, resulted in the isolation of sixteen constituents, including two new compounds 2'-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxybibenzyl (1), (2R,3S)-2-(3,4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxy-6-methylchroman-3,7-diol (2), together with fourteen known ones (3-16). The structures of the compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis including HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data, followed by comparison with previously reported data from the literature. Compounds 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity, which turned out to be marginal in a panel of six human cancer cell lines.

New Cytotoxic Bibenzyl and Other Constituents from Bauhinia ungulata L. (Fabaceae).

A new bibenzyl, 2'-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-4-methylbibenzyl (1) and four known compounds identified as 2'-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybibenzyl (2), liquiritigenin (3), guibourtinidol (4) and fisetinidol (5) were isolated from the roots of Bauhinia ungulata L. Phytochemical investigations of the stems of B. ungulata led to the isolation of the known compounds identified as liquiritigenin (3), guibourtinidol (4), fisetinidol (5), taraxerol (6), betulinic acid (7), taraxerone (8), glutinol (9), a mixture of sitosterol (10) and stigmasterol (11), pacharin (12), naringenin (13) and eriodictyol (14). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data (IR, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR). The cytotoxicity of the bibenzyl 1 has been evaluated against four human cancer cell lines, showing the IC50 values of 4.3 and 6.5 µg ml-1 against pro-myelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and cervical adenocarcinoma (HEP-2) cell lines, respectively. This article also registers for the first time the 13 C-NMR data of the known bibenzyl 2.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ursolic acid and derivatives.

Ursolic acid, an important bioactive compound, was isolated from ethanol extract of aerial parts of Sambucus australis. In order to develop bioactive ursolic acid derivatives, two semi-synthetic compounds were obtained through modification at C-3. The antibacterial activity of the ursolic acid and its derivatives was investigated. The microdilution method was used for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), against twelve bacterial strains. The influence of ursolic acid and its derivatives on the susceptibility of some bacterial pathogens to the aminoglycosides antibiotics neomycin, amikacin, kanamycin and gentamicin was evaluated. The most representative synergistic effect was observed by 3ß-formyloxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid at the concentration of 64 µg/mL in combination with kanamycin against Escherichia coli (27), a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate from sputum, with reduction of MIC value from 128 µg/mL to 8 µg/mL. Ursolic acid and its derivatives were examined for their radical scavenger activity using the DPPH assay, and showed significant activity.

Larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti of essential oils from northeast Brazil.

The larvicidal activities of essential oils from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L., Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Wats. and Piper tuberculatum Jacq. were evaluated using third-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The essential oil of P. tuberculqatum had the lowest LC50 value (106.3 +/- 2.2 microg/mL), followed by that of A. vulgaris (114.1 +/- 1.7 microg/mL) and C. flexuosus (121.6 +/- 0.8 micro/mL). The results show that these essential oils may be potent sources of natural larvicides.

Effects of Myrcia ovata Cambess., essential oil on planktonic growth of gastrointestinal microorganisms and biofilm formation of Enterococcus faecalis

The essential oil from the leaves of Myrcia ovata Cambess., commonly used in Brazil for the treatment of gastric illnesses, was screened for antimicrobial activity and action in the formation of microbial biofilms by Enterococcus faecalis. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a clevenger-type system. Its chemical composition was analyzed using GC and GC-MS. Both MIC and MBC of the essential oil were determined by broth microdilution techniques and agar dilution method. The essential oil showed antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida parapsilosis. The results showed that the essential oil of M. ovata Cambess. was effective against the formation of biofilm by E. faecalis when compared with the control. Four volatile compounds, representing 92.1 percent of the oil, were identified and geranial was the major component (50.4 percent). At the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from leaves of M. ovata.

Effects of myrcia ovata cambess. Essential oil on planktonic growth of gastrointestinal microorganisms and biofilm formation of enterococcus faecalis.

The essential oil from the leaves of Myrcia ovata Cambess., commonly used in Brazil for the treatment of gastric illnesses, was screened for antimicrobial activity and action in the formation of microbial biofilms by Enterococcus faecalis. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a clevenger-type system. Its chemical composition was analyzed using GC and GC-MS. Both MIC and MBC of the essential oil were determined by broth microdilution techniques and agar dilution method. The essential oil showed antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida parapsilosis. The results showed that the essential oil of M. ovata Cambess. was effective against the formation of biofilm by E. faecalis when compared with the control. Four volatile compounds, representing 92.1 % of the oil, were identified and geranial was the major component (50.4 %). At the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from leaves of M. ovata.

Chemical constituents and larvicidal activity of Hymenaea courbaril fruit peel.

The chemical compositions of the essential oils from the peel of ripe and unripe fruits of Hymenaea courbaril L., obtained by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The main constituents of the essential oil from the peel of the ripe fruits were the sesquiterpenes alpha-copaene (11.1%), spathulenol (10.1%) and beta-selinene (8.2%), while germacrene-D (31.9%), beta-caryophyllene (27.1%) and bicyclogermacrene (6.5%) were the major compounds in the oil from unripe fruits. The essential oils were tested against Aedes aegypti larvae and showed LC50 values of 14.8 +/- 0.4 microg/mL and 28.4 +/- 0.3 microg/mL for the ripe and unripe fruit peel oils, respectively. From the peel of the ripe fruits, the diterpenes zanzibaric acid and isoozic acid were isolated, along with the sesquiterpene caryolane-1,9beta-diol. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this sesquiterpene in the genus. The structures of all compounds isolated were identified on the basis of their spectral data (IR, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR) and by comparison with literature spectral data.

Antioxidant and larvicidal activities of Tephrosia egregia Sandw against Aedes aegypti.

The antioxidant and larvicidal activities of Tephrosia egregia extracts and its major component, dehydrorotenone, were studied. High antioxidant activity was found for dehydrorotenone and methanol and ethyl acetate extracts from roots and stems, respectively. Among the tested extracts, the hexane extract from stems showed potent larvicidal activity (LC50 12.88 +/- 0.64) while low activity was found for dehydrorotenone.

Estudo fitoquímico e avaliação da atividade larvicida de Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth (Leguminosae) sobre Aedes aegypti / Phytotochemical study and evaluation of larvicidal activity of Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth (Leguminosae) against Aedes aegypti

Estudo fitoquímico dos extratos hexânico e metanólico dos frutos de Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth forneceu três diterpenos furânicos: 6-alfa-acetoxivouacapano, 6-alfa-hidroxivouacapano e vouacapano, sendo este ultimo relatado pela primeira vez como produto natural. Avaliação da atividade sobre larvas de estágio 3 de Aedes aegypti de 6-alfa-acetoxivouacapano, dos extratos hexânico e metanólico dos frutos de P. polygalaeflorus e de seu óleo essencial também é relatada. Apenas o extrato hexânico mostrou boa atividade com CL50 23,99 ± 0,75 µg/mL, podendo ser considerado um potencial agente larvicida.

Chemical investigation of the hexane and methanol extracts of the fruits of Pterodon polygalaeflorus (Leguminosae) resulted in the isolation and identification of furanic diterpenes: 6-alpha-acetoxivouacapane, 6-alpha-hidroxyvouacapane and vouacapane, which is related by the first time as a natural product. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR experiments. The 6-alpha-acetoxivouacapane, the hexane and methanol extracts, and the essential oil were evaluated on 3rd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and only the hexane extract showed good larvicidal activity with LC50 23.99 ± 0.75 µg/mL.

Chemical constituents of Simarouba versicolor

From the roots, stems and fruits of Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) were isolated quassinoids (3, 5-7), triterpenoids (8-14), a mixture of steroids (15-17), the flavonoid kaempferol (18) and the squalene derivative 11,14-diacetoxy-7,10; 15,18-diepoxy-6,19-dihidroxy-6,7,10,11,14,15,18,19-octahydrosqualene (19). Spectral data were used for structural characterization