Anti-inflammatory effects of α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene on pterygium fibroblasts.

AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the sesquiterpenes α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene on pterygium fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary cultures of pterygium fibroblasts were established. Third passage pterygium fibroblasts were exposed to α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene separately and together. The cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 12, 24, 48, and 72h after exposure. The levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 in the conditioned culture medium were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 12, 24 and 48h after exposure. Data were statistically analyzed using Friedman repeated measures analysis of variances on ranks. RESULTS: The 25 µmol/L ß-caryophyllene induced significant decrease in the IL-6 production by pterygium fibroblasts 48h after the exposure (P=0.041). The levels of IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were very low and had no statistically significant variations after exposure to α-humulene, ß-caryophyllene, or both compounds together. CONCLUSION: The exposure to 25 µmol/L of ß-caryophyllene significantly reduce the production of IL-6 by pterygium fibroblasts after 48h. This sesquiterpene may be a potential alternative adjuvant agent for the treatment of pterygium.

Variability of individuals from a population Varronia curassavica Jacq considering volatile compounds / Variabilidade de indivíduos de uma população de Varonia curassavica Jacq a partir de compostos voláteis

Varronia curassavica is a medicinal species native to Brazil; its anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene. This study to investigated the population variability of V. curassavica. Leaves were collected from 40 individuals of a natural population and transferred to glass flasks (2 mL). The volatiles were extracted and analyzed using static headspace gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). A total of 17 compounds were detected: monoterpenes (1.6% - 68%) and sesquiterpenes (25.7% - 79.0%), including α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene. Multivariate analysis was performed to estimate the dissimilarity of individuals separated the compounds into four groups. Group I was characterized by the content of α-pinene, groups II and IV by ß-caryophyllene, and group III by ß-pinene. The abundance of α-humulene showed small variations; while ß-caryophyllene showed larger variations that contributed to the population variability. This is the first report on the chemical composition analysis of volatile compounds in V. curassavica using the HS-GC-MS technique.

Varronia curassavica é uma espécie medicinal nativa no Brasil e sua propriedade anti-inflamatória é atribuída aos compostos α-humuleno e ß-cariofileno. O objetivo foi estudar a variabilidade de população de V. curassavica. Foram coletadas folhas de 40 indivíduos de população natural, sendo estas transferidas para frascos de vidro (2 mL). Os voláteis foram extraídos e analisados por headspace estático, associado à cromatografia gasosa, acoplada à espectrometria de massas (HS-CG-EM). Detectou-se 17 compostos: monoterpenos (1,6% - 68%) e sesquiterpenos (25,7% - 79,0%), incluindo o α-humuleno e o ß-cariofileno. A análise multivariada foi realizada para estimar a dissimilaridade dos indivíduos, a qual separou quatro grupos. O grupo I foi caracterizado pela presença do α-pineno, os grupos II e IV do ß-cariofileno e o grupo III do ß-pineno. O teor do α-humuleno apresentou pequenas variações, enquanto o do ß-cariofileno contribuiu mais para a variabilidade da população. É o primeiro relato de análise da composição química de compostos voláteis de V. curassavica utilizando a técnica HS-GC-MS.

Seasonal variation in the essential oil from Varronia curassavica jacq. accessions / Variación estacional en el aceite esencial de accesiones de Varronia curassavica Jacq

Varronia curassavica has anti-inflammatory properties because of the terpenes, α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene, present in the essential oil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of seasonality on the essential oil of V. curassavica accessions. Leaves from six accessions were collected from the Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Minas Gerais over 12 months. Correlations between the essential oil content and meteorological factors were determined. Gas chromatography analysis coupled with mass spectrometry was conducted to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. The content and chemical composition of the oil varied throughout the year. Relative humidity was correlated with accessions ICA-VC2 (-0.64) and ICA-VC4 (0.68). ß-bourbonene, ß-elemene, spathulenol, germacrene, caryophyllene oxide, α-humulene, and ß-caryophyllene occurred in all accessions. Accession ICA-VC3 exhibited lower variation (22.17%), higher average (0.97%) essential oil, and maintained an average abundance of α-humulene greater than 2.6%, which is the amount necessary for phytotherapeutics.

Varronia curassavica tiene propiedades antiinflamatorias debido a los terpenos, α-humuleno y ß-cariofileno, presentes en el aceite esencial. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la influencia de la estacionalidad en el aceite esencial de las accesiones de V. curassavica. Se recolectaron hojas de seis accesiones del Banco de Germoplasma de la Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais durante 12 meses. Se determinaron las correlaciones entre el contenido de aceite esencial y los factores meteorológicos. Se realizó un análisis de cromatografía de gases junto con espectrometría de masas para determinar la composición química del aceite esencial. El contenido y la composición química del aceite varió a lo largo del año. La humedad relativa se correlacionó con las accesiones ICA-VC2 (-0,64) e ICA-VC4 (0,68). En todas las accesiones aparecieron ß-bourboneno, ß-elemeno, espatulenol, germacreno, óxido de cariofileno, α-humuleno y ß-cariofileno. La accesión ICA-VC3 mostró una menor variación (22,17%), un promedio más alto (0,97%) de aceite esencial y mantuvo una abundancia media de α-humuleno superior al 2,6%, que es la cantidad necesaria para los fitoterápicos.

Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Essential Oil from Artemisia vulgaris L. Cultivated in Brazil.

Essential oil from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L. (Compositae) cultivated in Brazil was investigated for its chemical composition and biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic. The constituents of essential oils isolated by hydro-distillation were examined by GC-MS and a total of 18 components were identified. The essential oil was dominated by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (44.4%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (33.3%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (16.6%). Caryophyllene (37.45%), germacrene D (16.17%), and humulene (13.66%) were the major components. The essential oils from A. vulgaris showed bactericidal and fungicidal properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. Anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus was absent in this essential oil. Altogether above results indicate that essential oils from A. vulgaris can be used for various medicinal purposes.

Development and validation of a quantification method for α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene in Cordia verbenacea by high performance liquid chromatography

ABSTRACT Acheflan® herbal medicine is the first medicine developed and produced in Brazil using Cordia verbenacea DC., Boraginaceae, essential oil as a constituent. C. verbenacea has anti-inflammatory properties, which have been directly related to α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene. Currently, the quantification of α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene in C. verbenacea has only been described by GC-MS. Although this technique is widely used it cannot be directly applied to finished medicinal products since they contain aqueous constituents. In this context, the objective of this work was to develop a methodology for quantifying C. verbenacea in raw materials and in pharmaceutical formulations using liquid chromatography. The Box-Behnken experimental design was used successfully to optimize the analytical method. The method developed in this study was validated and proven to be effective in the proper separation of α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene. In addition, the developed method was applied to commercial formulations (cream and aerosol) containing C. verbenacea essential oil, which resulted in very satisfactory separation without interference from excipients. C. verbenacea oil contains four times higher concentrations of trans-caryophyllene than α-humulene. Therefore, we propose that trans-caryophyllene can be used as a marker of C. verbenacea essential oil. Evaluation of trans-caryophyllene content would be especially valuable for applications where the concentrations are very low such as in permeation and release studies of dermatological formulations.

Cytotoxic effects of the essential oil from leaves of Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae) and its nanoemulsion on A549 tumor cell line / Efectos citotóxicos del aceite esencial de las hojas de Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae) y su nanoemulsión sobre líneas celulares tumorales A549

Extracts from leaves of C. sylvestris have cytotoxic effect in different tumor cell lines, possibly due to clerodane type diterpenes (casearins). On the other hand, there are few studies related to the antitumor activity of the essential oils from this species. This work evaluated for the first time the cytotoxicity effects of the pure essential oil and its nanoemulsion against A549 tumor cell line (human lung carcinoma). The essential oil was obtained from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS and GC/FID. Cytotoxicity evaluation was performed using the WST-1 test. The chemical analysis of the essential oil revealed a volatile fraction composed mainly of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes (72.1%). The essential oil and its nanoemulsion exhibited cytotoxic activity against A549 tumor cells with EC50 of 4.0 µg/mL and EC50 of 1.0 µg/mL, respectively. Both samples displayed a dose dependent pattern (r = -0.79, p = 0.03) as determined by linear regression test.

Los extractos de las hojas de Casearia sylvestris tienen efectos citotóxicos en diferentes líneas celulares tumorales, posiblemente debido a los diterpenos tipo clerodane (casearinas). Por otra parte, hay muy pocos estudios relacionados con la actividad antitumoral del aceite esencial de estas especies. Este trabajo evalúa por primera vez el efecto citotóxico del aceite esencial puro y su nanoemulsión contra la línea de células tumorales A549 (carcinoma humano de pulmón). El aceite esencial fue obtenido de hojas frescas por hidrodestilación en un aparato tipo Clevenger y analizado por GC/MS y GC/FID. La evaluación de citotoxicidad fue realizada usando la prueba WST-1. El análisis químico del aceite esencial reveló una fracción volátil compuesta principalmente por sesquiterpenos no oxigenados (72,1%). El aceite esencial y su nanoemulsiónexhibió actividad citotóxica contra las células tumorales A549 con una EC50 de 4,0 µg/mL y una EC50 de 1,0 µg/mL, respectivamente. Ambas muestras exhibieron un patrón dosis-dependiente (r = -0,79, p = 0,03) determinado por análisis de regresión lineal.

Harvest time on the content and chemical composition of essential oil from leaves of guava / Horário de coleta sobre o teor e a composição química do óleo essencial das folhas de goiabeira

ABSTRACT: The essential oil plants contents can be affected by several factors. For example, in certain plants, collection time has been observed to affect the content and chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the plant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of collection time on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil from guava ( Psidium guajava L.) leaves. Leaves were collected at different times of the day and the content and chemical composition of their essential oil was determined. Collection time did not qualitatively affect the chemical composition of the essential oil. However, concentration of certain substances in the oil, such as α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene, did significantly vary at different collection times. The main constituents of the essential oil of Psidium guajava are limonene (2.2-4.4%), trans-caryophyllene (18.1-17.1%), α-humulene (26.3-20.4%), aromadendrene (7.6-12.2%), α-selinene (7.3-11.3%), caryophyllene oxide (3.7-3.3%), humulene epoxide II (4.1-1.9%), and selin-11-en-4α-ol (7.2-11.1%). Leaves collected at 7:00 AM had higher essential oil production, with a content of 0.38% (d.b.), whereas leaves collected at 7:00 PM had lower essential oil production, 0.24% (d.b.). Chemical analysis showed that sesquiterpene compounds represented the highest concentration (62.0%), and monoterpenoids and monoterpenes represented the lowest concentrations (1.1 and 2.2%, respectively). Chemical classes that underwent major changes with respect to collection time were monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpenoids (2.2-4.4%, 63.8-61.7%, and 15.9-13.2%, respectively).

RESUMO: Existem fatores que podem afetar o conteúdo de óleo essencial das plantas, sendo o horário de coleta um deles. Assim, observa-se que o teor e a composição química de óleo essencial podem variar em certas plantas de acordo com horário de coleta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do horário de coleta sobre o conteúdo e a composição química do óleo essencial das folhas de goiabeira ( Psidium guajava ). Folhas de Psidium guajava foram coletadas em diferentes horários do dia para determinar teor e composição química de seu óleo essencial. O óleo essencial não apresentou variação qualitativa da composição química em relação ao horário de coleta das folhas de Psidium guajava , mas alterou a concentração das substâncias, entre elas o α-humuleno e o trans-cariofileno. Os constituintes principais do óleo essencial das folhas de Psidium guajava são o limoneno (2,2-4,4%), trans-cariofileno (18,1-17,1%), α-humuleno (26,3-20,4%), aromadendreno (7,6-12,2%), α-selineno (7,3-11,3%), óxido de cariofileno (3,7-3,3%) epóxido de humuleno II (4,1-1,9%) e o selin-11-en-4α-ol (7,2-11,1%). No entanto, a maior produção de óleo essencial, foi obtida com as folhas coletadas às 19h, apresentando conteúdo de 0,38% (b.s.) e a mais baixa produção às 07h, apresentando conteúdo de 0,24% (b.s.). Através da análise química, identificou-se que compostos sesquiterpênicos apresentaram uma maior concentração (62,0%) e os monoterpenos e monoterpenoides foram os que apresentaram menor concentração (2,2 e 1,1%, respectivamente). As classes que sofreram maiores mudanças em relação ao horário de coleta foram os monoterpenos (2,2-4,4%) e os sesquiterpenos e os sesquiterpenoides (63,8-61,7% e 15,9-13,2%, respectivamente).

Harvest time on the content and chemical composition of essential oil from leaves of guava / Horário de coleta sobre o teor e a composição química do óleo essencial das folhas de goiabeira

The essential oil plants contents can be affected by several factors. For example, in certain plants, collection time has been observed to affect the content and chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the plant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of collection time on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil from guava ( Psidium guajava L.) leaves. Leaves were collected at different times of the day and the content and chemical composition of their essential oil was determined. Collection time did not qualitatively affect the chemical composition of the essential oil. However, concentration of certain substances in the oil, such as alpha-humulene and trans-caryophyllene, did significantly vary at different collection times. The main constituents of the essential oil of Psidium guajava are limonene (2.2-4.4%), trans-caryophyllene (18.1-17.1%), alpha-humulene (26.3-20.4%), aromadendrene (7.6-12.2%), alpha-selinene (7.3-11.3%), caryophyllene oxide (3.7-3.3%), humulene epoxide II (4.1-1.9%), and selin-11-en-4-ol (7.2-11.1%). Leaves collected at 7:00 AM had higher essential oil production, with a content of 0.38% (d.b.), whereas leaves collected at 7:00 PM had lower essential oil production, 0.24% (d.b.). Chemical analysis showed that sesquiterpene compounds represented the highest concentration (62.0%), and monoterpenoids and monoterpenes represented the lowest concentrations (1.1 and 2.2%, respectively). Chemical classes that underwent major changes with respect to collection time were monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpenoids (2.2-4.4%, 63.8-61.7%, and 15.9-13.2%, respectively).(AU)

Existem fatores que podem afetar o conteúdo de óleo essencial das plantas, sendo o horário de coleta um deles. Assim, observa-se que o teor e a composição química de óleo essencial podem variar em certas plantas de acordo com horário de coleta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do horário de coleta sobre o conteúdo e a composição química do óleo essencial das folhas de goiabeira ( Psidium guajava ). Folhas de Psidium guajava foram coletadas em diferentes horários do dia para determinar teor e composição química de seu óleo essencial. O óleo essencial não apresentou variação qualitativa da composição química em relação ao horário de coleta das folhas de Psidium guajava , mas alterou a concentração das substâncias, entre elas o alfa-humuleno e o trans-cariofileno. Os constituintes principais do óleo essencial das folhas de Psidium guajava são o limoneno (2,2-4,4%), trans-cariofileno (18,1-17,1%), alfa-humuleno (26,3-20,4%), aromadendreno (7,6-12,2%), alfa-selineno (7,3-11,3%), óxido de cariofileno (3,7-3,3%) epóxido de humuleno II (4,1-1,9%) e o selin-11-en-4-ol (7,2-11,1%). No entanto, a maior produção de óleo essencial, foi obtida com as folhas coletadas às 19h, apresentando conteúdo de 0,38% (b.s.) e a mais baixa produção às 07h, apresentando conteúdo de 0,24% (b.s.). Através da análise química, identificou-se que compostos sesquiterpênicos apresentaram uma maior concentração (62,0%) e os monoterpenos e monoterpenoides foram os que apresentaram menor concentração (2,2 e 1,1%, respectivamente). As classes que sofreram maiores mudanças em relação ao horário de coleta foram os monoterpenos (2,2-4,4%) e os sesquiterpenos e os sesquiterpenoides (63,8-61,7% e 15,9-13,2%, respectivamente).(AU)

Teor e composição química do óleo essencial de erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica Jaqc. ) em função dos horários de coleta / T: Content and chemical composition of the essential oil of 'erva-baleeira' (Varronia curassavica Jaqc. ) as a function of harvesting times

RESUMO A erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica Jaqc.) é uma importante planta medicinal, com ocorrências em vários biomas brasileiros, dela é possível extrair óleo essencial utilizado na produção de fitoterápicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito do horário de coleta das folhas sobre o teor e os constituintes químicos do óleo essencial da V. curassavica. As folhas foram obtidas da coleção do germoplasma do Horto Medicinal do Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG). Os tratamentos constaram de cinco horários de coleta (6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 e 18:00 horas) e três repetições, utilizando o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. O óleo essencial foi extraído pelo método de hidrodestilação, utilizando-se o sistema Clevenger e a constituição química determinada por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM). O teor do óleo essencial não sofreu influencia do horário de coleta. Entretanto, o horário de coleta influenciou a composição química do óleo essencial de erva-baleeira. Os compostos majoritários em todos os horários de coleta foram β-cariofileno (22,6 a 27,4%), elixeno (14,9 a 17,2%) e γ-muuroleno (9,1 a 9,8%). Já o composto de menor abundância relativa, sabineno (1,1 %), apresentou ocorrência apenas as 6 h da manhã.

ABSTRACT The erva-baleeira (Varronia curassavica Jacq.) is an important medicinal plant which occurs in several Brazilian biomes, from which it is possible to extract essential oil used in the production of herbal medicines. The objective of this study was to observe the effect of the collection schedule for the leaves on the content and the chemical constituents of the essential oil of V. curassavica. The leaves were obtained from the germplasm collection of the Medicinal Garden of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (ICA/UFMG). The treatments consisted of five collection schedules (6:00 and 9:00 AM, and 12:00, 3:00, and 6:00 PM) and three replications, using a completely randomized design. The essential oil was extracted by the hydrodistillation method, using the Clevenger system, and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The harvest time did not influence the content of the essential oil. However, the collection schedule did influence the chemical composition of the essential oil of erva-baleeira. The major compounds at all collection times were β-caryophyllene (22.6 to 27.4%), xylene (14.9 to 17.2%) and γ-muurolene (9.1 to 9.8%). The compound of lowest relative abundance, sabinene (1.1%), was found only at 6 AM.

Chemical analysis and in vitro antiviral and antifungal activities of essential oils from Glechon spathulata and Glechon marifolia.

CONTEXT: Glechon spathulata Benth. and Glechon marifolia Benth. (Lamiaceae, Mentheae) are aromatic plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of viral infections. OBJECTIVE: The chemical composition and antiviral and antifungal activities of Glechon spathulata and Glechon marifolia essential oils were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Anti-herpes virus (HSV-1) activity was examined in Vero cells by yield reduction assay, in doses of 0.0095% v/v and 0.039% v/v, for G. spathulata and G. marifolia oil, respectively. Antifungal activity was carried by the broth microdilution method, in oil concentrations that ranged from 5.2 to 500 µg/mL. RESULTS: ß-Caryophyllene (14.2% and 32.2% for G. spathulata and G. marifolia, respectively) and bicyclogermacrene (17.1% and 16.5%, respectively) were the major components of both oils. At noncytotoxic concentrations of the essential oils, the viral titer was reduced by up to 2 log10 for KOS and VR-733 strains. The antifungal activity was observed against Trichophyton rubrum (MIC 10-83 µg/mL) and Epidermophyton floccosum (MIC 83-500 µg/mL). The oil of G. spathulata exhibited activity against the three strains tested (KOS, VR733, and 29-R), whereas G. marifolia oil was active against two strains, KOS and VR733. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The chemical composition for G. spathulata and G. marifolia essential oils is very similar. The oil of G. spathulata can be promising as a new antifungal agent against dermatophytes. The findings add important information to the biological activity of Glechon species essential oils, specifically its antiviral and antidermatophytic properties.

Development of a high performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of isomers ß-caryophyllene and α-humulene in copaiba oleoresin using the Box-Behnken design.

The sesquiterpene isomers, ß-Cariofileno (CAR) and α-Humuleno (HUM) are the primary constituents of the copaiba oleoresin species. These natural products are primarily used by the Amazonian population and marketed as phytotherapies and cosmetics. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method that simultaneously assays the isomers present in copaiba oleoresins by high performance liquid chromatography using the Box-Behnken design. After preliminary studies, the reverse phase chromatographic system was selected using a cyano column and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer. The Box-Behnken design was applied at three levels and with four independent variables: flow rate (X1), gradient slope time (X2), proportion of organic compounds at the end of the gradient (X3) and at the beginning of the gradient (X4). Also, the responses of the dependent variables: CAR retention time (Y1) and the resolution between the CAR and HUM peaks (Y2) was assessed. The mathematical model obtained from the regression results was satisfactory (R(2)>0.98, n=27) and showed a quadratic relationship where the effects of interactions between the variables, was observed by response surface graphs. The simultaneous optimization method was used to establish the best compromise of the resolution between the CAR and HUM isomers while adjusting the retention time of CAR. This method was successfully optimized by BBD obtaining chromatographic peaks with good symmetry, resolution and separation efficiency. The validation of the developed method confirmed its specificity, precision, accuracy and linearity in the range of 5.0-11.0 and 0.4-1.0µg/mL for CAR and HUM, respectively, and is considered suitable for routine applications which assure quality control.

Cytotoxic evaluation of essential oil from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. leaves

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam is a plant popularly used as antimicrobial, for malaria and inflammatory treatment. The essential oil of Z. rhoifolium was extracted and its cytotoxic effects against HeLa (human cervical carcinoma), A-549 (human lung carcinoma), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), Vero (monkey kidney) cell lines and mice macrophages were evaluated. Some of the terpenes of its essential oil (ß-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, alpha -pinene, myrcene and linalool) were also tested to verify their possible influence in the oil cytotoxic activity. The results obtained permitted to confirm that the essential oil is cytotoxic against tumoral cells (CD50 = 82.3, 90.7 and 113.6 μ/ml for A-549, HeLa e HT-29 cell lines, respectively), while it did not show cytotoxicity against non-tumoral cells (Vero and mice macrophages). Thus, the essential oil from Z. rhoifolium leaves seems to present a possible therapeuthic role due to its selective cytotoxic activity against tumoral cell lines.

O Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. é uma planta popularmente utilizada como antimicrobianos, no tratamento da malária e de inflamações. O óleo volátil do Z. rhoifolium foi extraído e posteriormente foi avaliada a sua citotoxicidade contra células HeLa (carcinoma cervical humano), A-549 (carcinoma de pulmão humano), HT-29 (adenocarcinoma de cólon humano), Vero (rim de macaco) e macrófagos de camundongos. Alguns terpenos constituintes do óleo volátil (beta-cariofileno, alfa -humuleno, alfa -pineno, mirceno e linalool) também foram testados para verificar as possíveis influências sobre a citotoxicidade do óleo. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar que o óleo volátil é citotóxico contra células as tumorais (CD50 = 82.3, 90.7 e 113.6 μg/ml para A-549, HeLa e HT-29 cell lines, respectivamente), mas não apresenta citotoxicidade contra as células não tumorais (Vero e macrófagos de camundongos). Desta forma o óleo volátil das folhas do Z. rhoifolium demonstra possuir uma possível ação terapêutica em função de sua citotoxicidade contra células tumorais.

Cytotoxic evaluation of essential oil from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. leaves

Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam is a plant popularly used as antimicrobial, for malaria and inflammatory treatment. The essential oil of Z. rhoifolium was extracted and its cytotoxic effects against HeLa (human cervical carcinoma), A-549 (human lung carcinoma), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), Vero (monkey kidney) cell lines and mice macrophages were evaluated. Some of the terpenes of its essential oil (ß-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, alpha -pinene, myrcene and linalool) were also tested to verify their possible influence in the oil cytotoxic activity. The results obtained permitted to confirm that the essential oil is cytotoxic against tumoral cells (CD50 = 82.3, 90.7 and 113.6 µg/ml for A-549, HeLa e HT-29 cell lines, respectively), while it did not show cytotoxicity against non-tumoral cells (Vero and mice macrophages). Thus, the essential oil from Z. rhoifolium leaves seems to present a possible therapeuthic role due to its selective cytotoxic activity against tumoral cell lines.

O Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. é uma planta popularmente utilizada como antimicrobianos, no tratamento da malária e de inflamações. O óleo volátil do Z. rhoifolium foi extraído e posteriormente foi avaliada a sua citotoxicidade contra células HeLa (carcinoma cervical humano), A-549 (carcinoma de pulmão humano), HT-29 (adenocarcinoma de cólon humano), Vero (rim de macaco) e macrófagos de camundongos. Alguns terpenos constituintes do óleo volátil (beta-cariofileno, alfa -humuleno, alfa -pineno, mirceno e linalool) também foram testados para verificar as possíveis influências sobre a citotoxicidade do óleo. Os resultados obtidos permitiram verificar que o óleo volátil é citotóxico contra células as tumorais (CD50 = 82.3, 90.7 e 113.6 µg/ml para A-549, HeLa e HT-29 cell lines, respectivamente), mas não apresenta citotoxicidade contra as células não tumorais (Vero e macrófagos de camundongos). Desta forma o óleo volátil das folhas do Z. rhoifolium demonstra possuir uma possível ação terapêutica em função de sua citotoxicidade contra células tumorais.