Chemical composition, antifungal activity, antibiofilm and citotoxicity of the essential oil of Citrus deliciosa tenore.

The leaves of Citrus deliciosa Tenore were collected in southern Brazil, dried, and subjected to the hydrodistillation process to obtain the essential oil. The extraction of essential oil yielded 0.97% ± 0.04. The chromatographic profile of this compound revealed 11 substances, being methyl N-methyl-anthranilate (75.1%), γ-terpinene (13.8%), and Limonene (7%) as major substances. The essential oil shows antifungal action against all tested yeasts, with promising action against Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, and Trichosporon asahii. This compound was also able to inhibit the biofilm production of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and T. asahii. The essential oil of tangerine showed weak antioxidant action. It did not show cytotoxicity in human mononuclear cells. It is hoped that these results may guide future studies for the production of formulations that can be used in the treatment of biofilms caused by yeasts, as well as in candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and/or trichosporonosis.

Preclinical safety assessment of the crude extract from Sida rhombifolia L. aerial parts in experimental models of acute and repeated-dose 28 days toxicity in rats.

Sida rhombifolia (Malvaceae) is popularly used as a treatment for several pathological conditions; however, there is a lack of studies that identify its compounds and that evaluate comprehensively the safety of its consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determinate the phytochemical constitution of the crude extract of Sida rhombifolia (CESR), and its safety in models of acute and repeated doses (28 days) toxicity. The tested dose for the model of acute toxicity was 2000 mg/kg doses for the repeated dose model were 150, 300 e 600 mg/kg. Hematological, biochemical, histopathological and oxidative markers were investigated. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis evidenced the presence of caffeic acid, coumarin, and rutin. In the acute toxicity model the only altered parameters were tissue ROS, and AST and BUN in serum. As for the repeated dose experiment both hematological and biochemical markers remained within the values of reference for the species. Obtained results demonstrate that the CESR did not present significant toxic effects when administrated orally to male and female rats in acute and repeated doses.

Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) Prevents Oxidative and DNA Damage to Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells.

Eye diseases have a negative impact on the eyesight quality of the world population. The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) draws special attention since it is a chronic disorder characterized by oxidative and inflammatory damage to the retinal epithelial pigment, which triggers progressive vision loss. In the Brazilian Amazon, Astrocaryum aculeatum is an Amazonian fruit (Tucumã) used by riverside communities in traditional medicine to treat a number of ailments. These communities have recently shown to have increased longevity and reduced prevalence of age-related morbidity. Thus, the aim of this research was to chemically characterize and analyze the in vitro antioxidant effect and molecular damage prevention of the Tucumã ethanolic extract in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in a model for AMD. The extract was chemically characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrophotometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). In vitro protocols were performed, and the cytopreventive effect of Tucumã on RPE cells exposed to high concentrations of superoxide anion, an oxidant and genotoxic molecule, as well as the effect of Tucumã extract on oxidative and molecular makers were assessed. Biochemical and flow cytometry analyses were conducted in these protocols. The extract presents high concentrations of caffeic acid, gallic acid, catechin, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Treatment did not show cytotoxic effects in cells treated only with extract at 50 µg/mL. In fact, it improved cell viability and was able to prevent necrosis and apoptosis, and oxidative and molecular damage was significantly reduced. In summary, Tucumã is an important Amazon fruit, which seems to contribute significantly to improve human health conditions, as our findings suggest that its extract has a relevant chemical matrix rich in antioxidant molecules, and its consumption could improve eye health and contribute to prevention against oxidative stress through cytoprevention, reactive oxygen species reduction, and maintenance of DNA integrity in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.

Chaptalia nutans Polak: Root Extract Has High In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Low Cytotoxicity In Vivo.

The Asteraceae family is widely known for its therapeutic, aromatic, and nutritional properties. Chaptalia nutans (C. nutans), a member of the family, is widely used in folk medicine in southern Brazil. In this study, we aim to assess compounds present in root extracts of C. nutans, and evaluate their antioxidant capacity and toxicity. To determine the chemical composition of the extract, was performed through Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy. Antioxidant capacity, toxicity (Artemia salina biosassay), cytotoxicity, genotoxicity (Allium cepa test), and neurotoxicity (Drosophila melanogaster model) were evaluated. A large number of bioactive phytoconstituents were determined to be present, such as alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, terpenes, and especially phenolic compounds, which may explain the antioxidant capacity of the extract. Extracts had the capacity to protect cells from protein and lipid damage, and inhibit the formation of oxygen radicals. The A. salina bioassay revealed that extracts were only slightly toxic. In A. cepa, cells exposed to 1.5 mg/mL extract were protected against chromosomal damage caused by glyphosate, and had mitotic index values that were reduced by 49%. A concentration of 10 mg/mL extract did not kill flies, and when coadministered with paraquat (PQ) (52.5%) produced a mortality rate of only 18.75%. These findings indicated that the extract had the potential to protect against PQ-induced neurotoxicity. Taken together, these data reveal for the first time that the root extract of C. nutans is a rich source of natural antioxidants. The extract may be useful in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of goldenberry extracts obtained with high intensity ultrasound / Citotoxicidade e atividade antioxidante de extratos de goldenberry obtidos com ultrassom de alta intensidade

ABSTRACT: The high intensity ultrasound-assisted extraction (HIU) is one of the most simple, quick and efficient techniques for the extraction of phenolic and other antioxidant compounds from plants. This is the first application of HIU for the extraction of these compounds from goldenberry fruit. The HIU and conventional extraction techniques showed similar results regarding to phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. However, the time required for HIU extraction (5min) was 24 times lower than conventional extraction (120min). Phenolic compounds reported were chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and rutin. In vitro cytotoxicity assays were used for evaluation of extracts and the results showed that in a wide range of concentration, the extract maintains cell viability, thus indicating the possibility to use it as food with safety.

RESUMO: A extração assistida com ultrassom de alta intensidade (HIU) é uma das técnicas mais simples, rápidas e eficientes na extração de compostos fenólicos e antioxidantes de plantas. Este trabalho foi o primeiro a utilizar HIU na extração destes compostos presentes na fruta goldenberry. As técnicas HIU e extração convencional apresentaram resultados semelhantes com relação aos compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante. Entretanto, o tempo necessário na HIU (5min) foi 24 vezes menor que na extração convencional (120min). Os compostos fenólicos encontrados foram ácido clorogênico, ácido cafeico e rutina. Ensaios de citotoxicidade in vitro foram usados para avaliação dos extratos e os resultados demonstraram que, em ampla faixa de concentração, o extrato mantém a viabilidade celular, indicando assim possível segurança para utilização em alimentos.