Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids of Cissampelos Sympodialis With in Vitro Antiviral Activity Against Zika Virus.

In search of new antiviral compounds against Zika virus we conducted a bioassay-guided fractionation of bisbenzyilisoquinoline alkaloids isolated from Cissampelos sympodialis (Menispermaceae), a medicinal plant species endemic to Brazil. Six subfractions were obtained from a tertiary alkaloidal fraction of the rhizomes (TAFrz) using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. All the subfractions were tested against Zika virus-infected Vero cells as the cellular model to evaluate cytotoxicity and antiviral effective concentrations. The results showed that three of the six TAFrz subfractions tested were active. The most active ones were the subfraction 6 (that consisted of the alkaloids methylwarifteine and warifteine present as a mixture at a ratio of 8.8:1.2 respectively) and the subfraction 5, that was later identified as warifteine, the major tertiary alkaloid of this species. Warifteine was able to significantly reduce virus titer in Zika virus-infected Vero cells with an IC50 of 2.2 µg/ml and this effect was selective (selectivity index, SI = 68.3). Subfraction 6 had an IC50 = 3.5 µg/ml and was more cytotoxic than pure warifteine, with SI = 6.14. Fraction 5 and fraction 6 were more potent in decreasing the viral titer of Zika virus-infected Vero cells than 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside (IC50 = 24.5 µg/ml and SI = 11.9), a mercaptopurine riboside with ZIKV antiviral activity used as a positive control. Our data demonstrate that alkaloids of the bisbenzylisoquinoline type may be explored as new antiviral agents or as an useful pharmacophore for investigating ZIKV antiviral activity.

Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Effects of a Chemically Defined Fraction of Syrah Red Wine on Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

A particularly phenolic-rich fraction extracted from red wine from the São Francisco valley (Northeastern Brazil) was chemically characterized and its hypotensive and antioxidant effects on spontaneously hypertensive rats were studied both in vitro and in vivo. The liquid-liquid pH dependent fractionation scheme afforded a fraction with high content of bioactive phenolics such as flavonols, flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids and anthocyanins, whose identities were confirmed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Pretreatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with this wine fraction at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg by gavage. for 15 days was able to decrease mean arterial pressure and heart rate as well as decrease serum lipid peroxidation. The fraction at concentrations of 0.01-1000 µg/mL induced concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated rat superior mesenteric artery rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine and this effect was not attenuated by endothelium removal. Our results demonstrate it is possible for phenolic constituents of red wine that are orally bioavailable to exert in vivo hypotensive and antioxidant effects on intact endothelial function.

Isoflavone formononetin from red propolis acts as a fungicide against Candida sp

Abstract A bioassay-guided fractionation of two samples of Brazilian red propolis (from Igarassu, PE, Brazil, hereinafter propolis 1 and 2) was conducted in order to determine the components responsible for its antimicrobial activity, especially against Candida spp. Samples of both the crude powdered resin and the crude ethanolic extract of propolis from both locations inhibited the growth of all 12 tested Candida strains, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 256 µg/mL. The hexane, acetate and methanol fractions of propolis 1 also inhibited all strains with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 128 to 512 µg/mL for the six bacteria tested and from 32 to 1024 µg/mL for the yeasts. Similarly, hexane and acetate fractions of propolis sample 2 inhibited all microorganisms tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 512 µg/mL for bacteria and 32 µg/mL for yeasts. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC and their phenolic profile allowed us to identify and quantitate one phenolic acid and seven flavonoids in the crude ethanolic extract. Formononetin and pinocembrin were the major constituents amongst the identified compounds. Formononetin was detected in all extracts and fractions tested, except for the methanolic fraction of sample 2. The isolated isoflavone formononetin inhibited the growth of all the microorganisms tested, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 200 µg/mL for the six bacteria strains tested and 25 µg/mL for the six yeasts. Formononetin also exhibited fungicidal activity against five of the six yeasts tested. Taken together our results demonstrate that the isoflavone formononetin is implicated in the reported antimicrobial activity of red propolis.

Isoflavone formononetin from red propolis acts as a fungicide against Candida sp.

A bioassay-guided fractionation of two samples of Brazilian red propolis (from Igarassu, PE, Brazil, hereinafter propolis 1 and 2) was conducted in order to determine the components responsible for its antimicrobial activity, especially against Candida spp. Samples of both the crude powdered resin and the crude ethanolic extract of propolis from both locations inhibited the growth of all 12 tested Candida strains, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 256µg/mL. The hexane, acetate and methanol fractions of propolis 1 also inhibited all strains with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 128 to 512µg/mL for the six bacteria tested and from 32 to 1024µg/mL for the yeasts. Similarly, hexane and acetate fractions of propolis sample 2 inhibited all microorganisms tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 512µg/mL for bacteria and 32µg/mL for yeasts. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC and their phenolic profile allowed us to identify and quantitate one phenolic acid and seven flavonoids in the crude ethanolic extract. Formononetin and pinocembrin were the major constituents amongst the identified compounds. Formononetin was detected in all extracts and fractions tested, except for the methanolic fraction of sample 2. The isolated isoflavone formononetin inhibited the growth of all the microorganisms tested, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 200µg/mL for the six bacteria strains tested and 25µg/mL for the six yeasts. Formononetin also exhibited fungicidal activity against five of the six yeasts tested. Taken together our results demonstrate that the isoflavone formononetin is implicated in the reported antimicrobial activity of red propolis.

Validation of a method for determination of ampicillin in human plasma using LC-DAD.

We describe the validation data of a simple but selective chromatographic method for determination of ampicillin in human plasma using liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Blank plasma free of drugs was transferred to eppendorf's tubes and spiked with ampicillin stock solution to obtain quality control samples at 1.00, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 microg/mL. Extraction of ampicillin and cephalexin (internal standard) from plasma samples (250 microL) was investigated using three different methods: precipitation with perchloric acid, ultra-filtration and solid-phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Shimpak C(18) column (300 mm x 4.6 mm i.d.; 5 microm), and detection was done at 215 nm with a diode array UV-Vis detector. The mobile phase consisted of dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.5)-acetonitrile (87.5:12.5, v/v) delivered at a flow rate of 1.00 mL/min. Selectivity was evaluated with different pools of human plasma. Perchloric acid precipitation showed an excellent selectivity for normal plasma. The precipitation method presented recoveries above 84.0 +/- 3.3% and 82.0 +/- 1.6%, (n = 3) for ampicillin and cephalexin, respectively. The method has a limit of detection of 0.15 microg/mL and is linear in the range of 0.30 to 100.00 microg/mL. Standardized residue analysis demonstrated normality and homocedasticity. Inter-day precision was 4.5%, and accuracy was 11.1% (n = 9). Stability studies demonstrated instability of b-lactamics in human plasma at 20 and 2 degrees C after 6 and 360 h of storage, respectively.

Development and validation of a new method for the quantification of norfloxacin by HPLC-UV and its application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers

The development and validation of a simple and accurate method based on HPLC with ultraviolet detection for the quantification of norfloxacin (NFX) in human plasma and its application to a bioequivalence study between two norfloxacin formulations is described. NFX and the internal standard (cyprofloxacin) were extracted from plasma using liquid-liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation of norfloxacin, cyprofloxacin and plasma interferents was achieved with a C-18 column and a mobile phase consisting of 20 mM sodium hydrogen phosphate buffer pH 3.0 and acetonitrile (88:12, v/v) and quantitation was done at 280 nm. The method was linear from 25 to 3000 ng mL-1 (r² > 0.997578), and norfloxacin and cyprofloxacin had an average recovery from plasma of 93.9 percent and 91.2 percent respectively. The RSD of inter-day quality control samples at the lower limit of quantification was less than 15 percent. After a single oral dose (400 mg) of norfloxacin administered to healthy human volunteers using a randomized 2x2 crossover design, pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-t, AUC0-00, Cmax, t1/2) were derived from the plasma concentration curves for both formulations. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data showed that the two formulations were bioequivalent, while no adverse reactions to the drug were observed.

O desenvolvimento e validação de um método simples e preciso por CLAE-UV para quantificação de norfloxacino (NFX) em plasma humano e a sua aplicação a um estudo de bioequivalência entre duas formulações são descritos. NFX e o padrão interno (ciprofloxacino, PI) foram extraídos do plasma através de extração líquido-líquido. A separação cromatográfica do NFX, do PI e dos interferentes do plasma foi realizada com uma coluna C-18 e fase móvel composta de tampão fosfato de sódio 20 mM pH 3,0 e acetonitrila (88/12, v/v) e quantificado em 280 nm. A resposta do detector aos analitos mostrou-se linear entre 25 a 3000 ng mL-1 (r² > 0,997578) e a recuperação média de NFX e PI foi de 93,9 por cento e 91,2 por cento respectivamente. O desvio padrão relativo de amostras analisadas ao nível do limite inferior de quantificação foi menor que 15 por cento. Foi administrada uma dose de NFX (400 mg) por via oral a voluntários humanos em um estudo aberto, aleatório e cruzado 2x2 entre duas formulações. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos (AUC0-t, AUC0-00, Cmáx, T1/2) foram observados a partir da curva de concentração versus tempo. A análise farmacocinética mostrou que as duas formulações são bioequivalentes entre si. Nenhum efeito adverso foi observado.

Simultaneous determination of ranitidine and metronidazole in human plasma using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection.

The development and validation of a simple method for the simultaneous determination of ranitidine and metronidazole in human plasma is described. Plasma samples (250 microL) were deproteinized by precipitation with 60% perchloric acid, centrifuged and the supernatant directly injected into the HPLC. Separation was achieved in isocratic mode with a Shimpak C(18) column and a mobile phase consisting of 10mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate pH 3.5:acetonitrile (90:10, v/v) with UV detection at 315 nm. The method showed good selectivity and sensitivity. Good and consistent recovery for metronidazole and ranitidine was obtained: 96.22+/-3.52 and 95.00+/-4.50% for ranitidine (25-1000 ng/mL) and metronidazole (60-10,000 ng/mL), respectively (n=3). With this one-step sample preparation method, both ranitidine and metronidazole could be quantified simultaneously in human plasma with good precision (R.S.D.<15%) and accuracy (bias values below 15%). The limit of quantification for ranitidine and metronidazole were 20 and 40 ng/mL plasma, respectively.