Determination of phenolic and triterpenic compounds in Jatropha gossypiifolia L by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC-MS/MS)

This work describes the chemical characterization of extracts of Jatropha gossypiifolia (from Amazonia region) concerning the presence of phenolic and triterpenic compounds using Ultra High Perfomance Liquid chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry in Tandem (UHPLC-MS/MS) methods. The studied compounds belong to the most frequently found classes in medicinal plants (triterpenes, flavonoids, flavones, hydroxycinnamic acids, coumarins, catechins and stilbenes), which have been analyzed as chemical and bioactive markers in hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts. Several polyphenolic compounds identified herein are unprecedented in the scientific literature for this species. The chemical markers identified and quantified in the studied extracts of J. gossypiifolia were gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferullic acid, rutin, quercitrin, 3-acetylcoumarin, trans-cinnamic acid, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, kaempferol, chrysin. α-amyrin, β-amyrin and lupeol. As the majority compounds, (+)-catechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteolin, α-amyrin and β-amyrin were found to be present at mg kg-1 levels. J. gossypiifolia extracts presented a high in vitro activity against different reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl, peroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals). Several polyphenolic compound data presented herein are unprecedented in the scientific literature for this plant species. As a result, this plant can be a new source of bioactive molecules for therapeutic purposes.

Regulatory framework for dietary supplements and the public health challenge.

OBJECTIVE: The new regulatory framework for dietary supplements in Brazil prompted this analysis of the current outlook of these products and the challenges posed by the new guidelines. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative, observational and descriptive study of dietary supplements commercialized in Brazilian online stores with the help of the Google® search tool. We considered the ingredients on the labels, the effects attributed to these products and the commercial claims used as a means of promoting them to assess the necessary changes for the legal framework in the new guidelines. Finally, with the help of a database, we compared the effects declared by the manufacturers and attributed to certain ingredients with the scientific evidence described in literature. RESULTS: In total, we purchased 44 dietary supplements from Brazilian online stores (n = 7). Of the samples studied, 34.2% could not be classified in the category Dietary Supplements, as recommended by the new regulation of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency due to the presence of prohibited substances; 16% of products should be commercialized as medicines. Regarding the commercial appeals, 97.7% had banned expressions. Numerous claims of effects attributed to certain products were characterized as consumer fraud because they have no scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The necessary changes represent a major regulatory and production challenge due to the wide range of dietary supplements and markets, an effort that aims to protect the consumers' health. Some previous gaps in the regulatory framework were not fully solved.

Regulatory framework for dietary supplements and the public health challenge / Marco regulatório dos suplementos alimentares e o desafio à saúde pública

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The new regulatory framework for dietary supplements in Brazil prompted this analysis of the current outlook of these products and the challenges posed by the new guidelines. METHODS We conducted a qualitative, observational and descriptive study of dietary supplements commercialized in Brazilian online stores with the help of the Google® search tool. We considered the ingredients on the labels, the effects attributed to these products and the commercial claims used as a means of promoting them to assess the necessary changes for the legal framework in the new guidelines. Finally, with the help of a database, we compared the effects declared by the manufacturers and attributed to certain ingredients with the scientific evidence described in literature. RESULTS In total, we purchased 44 dietary supplements from Brazilian online stores (n = 7). Of the samples studied, 34.2% could not be classified in the category Dietary Supplements, as recommended by the new regulation of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency due to the presence of prohibited substances; 16% of products should be commercialized as medicines. Regarding the commercial appeals, 97.7% had banned expressions. Numerous claims of effects attributed to certain products were characterized as consumer fraud because they have no scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS The necessary changes represent a major regulatory and production challenge due to the wide range of dietary supplements and markets, an effort that aims to protect the consumers' health. Some previous gaps in the regulatory framework were not fully solved.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O novo marco regulatório para os suplementos alimentares no Brasil instigou a presente análise do panorama atual desses produtos e os desafios impostos pelas novas diretrizes. MÉTODOS Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo, observacional e descritivo dos suplementos alimentares comercializados em lojas virtuais brasileiras, com o auxílio da ferramenta de busca Google®. Os ingredientes declarados nos rótulos, bem como os efeitos atribuídos a esses produtos e as alegações comerciais utilizadas como forma de promovê-los foram levados em consideração a fim de avaliarmos as mudanças necessárias para o enquadramento legal nas novas diretrizes. Por fim, com o auxílio de base de dados, foram comparados os efeitos declarados pelos fabricantes e atribuídos a determinados ingredientes com as evidências científicas descritas na literatura. RESULTADOS No total, foram adquiridos 44 suplementos alimentares provenientes de lojas virtuais brasileiras (n = 7). Das amostras estudadas, 34,2% não poderiam ser enquadradas na categoria Suplementos Alimentares, conforme preconiza a nova regulação da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, em decorrência de presença de substâncias não permitidas; 16% dos produtos deveriam ser comercializados como medicamentos. Quanto aos apelos comerciais, 97,7% apresentavam expressões não permitidas. Inúmeras alegações de efeitos atribuídos a determinados produtos, por não possuírem comprovação científica, foram caracterizadas como fraude contra o consumidor. CONCLUSÕES Dada a extensa gama de suplementos alimentares e pontos de comercialização, as mudanças necessárias representam um grande desafio regulatório e de produção, esforço este que visa a proteger a saúde dos consumidores. Algumas lacunas previamente existentes ao marco regulatório ainda não foram totalmente solucionadas.

Antifungal activity of extracts from Piper aduncum leaves prepared by different solvents and extraction techniques against dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale

The effects of different solvents and extraction techniques upon the phytochemical profile and anti-Trichophyton activity of extracts from Piper aduncum leaves were evaluated. Extract done by maceration method with ethanol has higher content of sesquiterpenes and antifungal activity. This extract may be useful as an alternative treatment for dermatophytosis.

Parâmetros climáticos e variação de compostos fenólicos em cevada / Climatic parameters and variation of phenolic compounds in barley

Objetivou-se quantificar os compostos fenólicos em extrato hidroetanólico de grãos das cultivares de cevada ('BRS Lagoa' e 'MN 743') em dois anos consecutivos de cultivo (2005 e 2006), avaliando a influência dos fatores climáticos nesse conteúdo. Os compostos fenólicos totais foram quantificados pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteau e os teores de rutina e ácidos cafeico e ferúlico por CLAE em fase reversa. O conteúdo de compostos fenólicos totais variou de 0,97 a 1,59 mg AG g-1 de cevada e os fatores climáticos durante o período de plantio e colheita influenciaram no conteúdo. Foram identificados e quantificados nessas cultivares rutina, ácido cafeico e ácido ferúlico. A avaliação dos fatores climáticos no conteúdo de compostos fenólicos em cevada é de grande interesse, visando a sua importância nutricional e recomendação de cultivares com conteúdos expressivos de compostos bioativos.

This study aimed to quantify the phenolic compounds in hydroethanolic extract of cultivar seeds ('BRS Lagoa' and 'MN 743') in two consecutive years of cultivation (2005 and 2006) evaluating the influence of climatic factors in such content. The total phenolic compounds were quantified by Folin-Ciocalteau's method and the levels of rutin and caffeic and ferulic acids by HPLC in the reversed-phase. The concentration of total phenolic compounds ranged from 0.97 to 1.59 mg GA g-1 of barley and the climatic factors during the planting and harvesting influenced the barley content. Caffeic, rutin and ferulic acid were identified and quantified in these cultivars. Assessment of climatic factors on the content of phenolic compounds in barley is of great interest aiming for their nutritional importance and recommendations of cultivars with significant content of bioactive compounds.