LC-MS/MS profiling of Tipuana tipu flower, HPLC-DAD quantification of its bioactive components, and interrelationships with antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity: in vitro and in silico approaches.

BACKGROUND: Fabaceae plays a crucial role in African traditional medicine as a source of large number of important folk medication, agriculture and food plants. In a search of potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory candidates derived from locally cultivated plants, the flowers of Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Lillo growing in Egypt were subjected to extensive biological and phytochemical studies. The impact of the extraction technique on the estimated biological activities was investigated. METHODS: The flowers were extracted using different solvents (aqueous, methanol, water/methanol (1:1), methanol/methylene chloride (1:1), and methylene chloride). The different extracts were subjected to antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) and anti-inflammatory (COX-2 and 5-LOX) assays. The methanol extract was assessed for its inhibitory activity against iNOS, NO production, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (NF-KB, TNF-R2, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The composition-activity relationship of the active methanol extract was further investigated using a comprehensive LC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis. The major identified phenolic compounds were further quantified using HPLC-DAD technique. The affinity of representative compounds to iNOS, COX-2, and 5-LOX target active sites was investigated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: The methanol extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging capacity and enzyme inhibitory activities against COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes with IC50 values of 10.6 ± 0.4 and 14.4 ± 1.0 µg/mL, respectively. It also inhibited iNOS enzyme activity, suppressed NO production, and decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In total, 62 compounds were identified in the extract including flavonoids, coumarins, organic, phenolic, and fatty acids. Among them 18 phenolic compounds were quantified by HPLC-DAD. The highest docking scores were achieved by kaempferol-3-glucoside and orientin. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations supported the docking findings. CONCLUSION: The flower could be considered a potentially valuable component in herbal medicines owing to its unique composition and promising bioactivities. These findings encourage increased propagation of T. tipu or even tissue culturing of its flowers for bioprospecting of novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Such applications could be adopted as future approaches that benefit the biomedical field.

[Aerobiological study in Lima, Perú. ¿Tipuana-Tipu, perhaps a new allergen?] / Estudio aerobiológico en Lima, Perú. ¿Tipuana-Tipu, tal vez un nuevo alérgeno?

OBJECTIVE: To report the Tipuana tipu pollen as a new allergen capable of triggering allergic symptoms. METHODS: The pollen counts were made according to standardized technique with a Burkard seven days following the European Aerobiology Society´s Network Group recommendations.1 The trap was installed on the roof of Clinica SANNA, El Golf, San Isidro, which is 20 m high, 12°5'54"S 77°3'6"W in the west-south of the Lima urban area. The sampling period was performed from September 2020 to October 2021. Collection of Tipuana tipu pollens and Preparation of Tipuana tipu pollen extracts 1:20 w/v was done using a previously described method.2 We carried out systematic skin prick testing with Tipuana tipu pollen extract and other aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis), molds (Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium notatum), cat and dog danders, Periplaneta americana, grass six mix, weed mix (Inmunotek, Spain) on 80 patients (18 to 50 years old) seen in our allergy center, they suffering from november to january rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis symptoms. The majority living near avenues and large green areas, where Tipuana trees grew. RESULTS: We found a total of 952 grains/m3 of Tipuana tipu pollen between November 2020 to january 2021, with the maximum concentration of 37 grains/m3 on December 10th. We also found other airborne pollen Types: Poaceae, Myrtaceae, Compositae and Betulaceae. 14/80 patients (17,5%) showed positive skin prick test only to Tipuana tipu extract. Most of the patients with positive tests to Tipuana extract presented symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis during the Tipuana pollination period. Four patients showed positive skin prick test to Tipuana tipu and grass 6 mix extracts, most of the rest of our patients were sensitized to dust mites' extracts (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). CONCLUSIONS: The west-south population of Lima urban city is exposed to Tipuana tipu pollen. We do not foud previous publications about Tipuana tipu allergy. Almost 18% of the patients tested in our sample were mono-sensitized to this pollen. The results of this study should be compared with data from the forthcoming years, to identify seasonal and annual fluctuations, extend the traps to other locations in Lima, and of course try to standardize and improve the Tipuana tipu pollen extract.

OBJETIVO: Reportar al polen de Tipuana tipu como un nuevo alérgeno capaz de desencadenar síntomas alérgicos. MÉTODOS: Los conteos de polen se realizaron según la técnica estandarizada con un equipo colector tipo Hirst, Burkard spore trap for seven days, siguiendo las recomendaciones del grupo de la Red Europea de Sociedades de Aerobiología1. El equipo se instaló en la azotea de la Clínica SANNA El Golf, San Isidro, a 20 m de altura desde el nivel del suelo, 12°5'54"S 77°3'6"O en la zona suroeste del área urbana de Lima. El periodo de captación se llevó a cabo entre septiembre de 2020 y octubre de 2021. La recolección de granos de polen de Tipuana tipu, y la preparación del extracto alergénico (peso/volumen) 1:20 p/v, se realizó usando metodología previamente descrita2. Se realizaron estudios de pruebas cutáneas (skin prick test), en 80 pacientes (entre 18 y 50 años), con sintomatología de rinoconjuntivitis; referían, además, mayor intensidad de sus síntomas entre noviembre y enero. La mayoría de pacientes dijeron vivir cerca a avenidas y parques donde había árboles de Tipuana tipu. Fueron evaluados en el servicio de Alergología de la Clínica SANNA, El Golf, San Isidro. Se aplicaron extractos de polen de Tipuana tipu, y otros aeroalérgenos como ácaros del polvo (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis), hongos ambientales (Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium notatum), epitelios de gato y perro, Periplaneta americana, mezclas de seis gramíneas, mezclas de malezas (Inmunotek, España). RESULTADOS: Encontramos un total de 952 granos/m3 de polen de Tipuana tipu entre noviembre de 2020 y enero de 2021; con la máxima concentración de 37 granos/m3 el 10 de diciembre. También identificamos otras familias polínicas: Poaceae, Myrtaceae, Compositae y Betulaceae. 14/80 pacientes (el 17,5%), resultaron positivos solo al extracto de Tipuana tipu, en el skin prick test. La mayoría de los pacientes con resultado positivo al extracto de Tipuana tipu referían síntomas de rinoconjuntivitis durante el periodo de polinización de los árboles de Tipuana. Cuatro pacientes tuvieron positividad al extracto de Tipuana tipu, y al extracto en mezcla de seis gramíneas; la mayoría del resto de pacientes mostraron sensibilidad a ácaros del polvo doméstico (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). CONCLUSIONES: Los habitantes de la zona suroeste de la ciudad urbana de Lima están expuestos al polen de Tipuana tipu. No hemos encontrado publicaciones previas sobre alergia a este tipo de polen. Casi un 18% de pacientes estudiados en nuestra muestra, estuvieron monosensibilizados al extracto del polen de Tipuana tipu. Los resultados de este estudio deberían ampliarse y ser comparados con data en los años siguientes, identificar fluctuaciones estacionales y anuales, extender los captadores a otras locaciones en Lima, y por supuesto, intentar estandarizar y mejorar el extracto del polen de Tipuana Tipu.

Predatory Arthropods Associated with the Invasive Tipu Psyllid, Platycorypha nigrivirga, in Southern Spain.

Platycorypha nigrivirga Burckhardt (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a neotropical invasive species strictly associated with the tipu tree, Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae). This psyllid has rapidly spread to several temperate areas of Spain and Portugal causing considerable problems in urban landscapes. The aim of this study was to determine the arthropod predator complex of this exotic insect and report the possibility of its biological control. Three urban green areas were surveyed in southern Spain during 2018 and 2019. Platycorypha nigrivirga populations increased during the spring months and reached a maximum level between late May and mid-June, declining greatly during the summer. A large complex of generalist predator species was found to exert a certain natural control on the pest, belonging to Anthocoridae (68.53%), Coccinellidae (18.39%), Chrysopidae (5.67%), Miridae (4.39%) and Araneae (3.02%). Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) was the most abundant predatory species, followed by Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Scymnus laetificus Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). High levels of abundance of anthocorids coincided with the highest abundance of the pest, showing a significant relationship with the psyllid density. Anthocoris nemoralis seems to be a promising candidate to control P. nigrivirga in the urban green areas of southern Spain, but more studies are needed to define the optimum management strategies.

Intra-annual oxygen isotopes in the tree rings record precipitation extremes and water reservoir levels in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, Brazil.

The impacts of climate change on precipitation and the growing demand for water have increased the water risks worldwide. Water scarcity is one of the main challenges of the 21st century, and the assessment of water risks is only possible from spatially distributed records of historical climate and levels of water reservoirs. One potential method to assess water supply is the reconstruction of oxygen isotopes in rainfall. We here investigated the use of tree-ring stable isotopes in urban trees to assess spatial/temporal variation in precipitation and level of water reservoirs. We analyzed the intra-annual variation of δ13C and δ18O in the tree rings of Tipuana tipu trees from northern and southern Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP), Brazil. While variation in δ13C indicates low leaf-level enrichments from evapotranspiration, δ18O variation clearly reflects precipitation extremes. Tree-ring δ18O was highest during the 2014 drought, associated with the lowest historical reservoir levels in the city. The δ18O values from the middle of the tree rings have a strong association with the mid-summer precipitation (r = -0.71), similar to the association between the volume of precipitation and its δ18O signature (r = -0.76). These consistent results allowed us to test the association between tree-ring δ18O and water-level of the main reservoirs that supply the MASP. We observed a strong association between intra-annual tree-ring δ18O and the water-level of reservoirs in the northern and southern MASP (r = -0.94, r = -0.90, respectively). These results point to the potential use of high-resolution tree-ring stable isotopes to put precipitation extremes, and water supply, in a historical perspective assisting public policies related to water risks and climate change. The ability to record precipitation extremes, and previously reported capacity to record air pollution, place Tipuana tipu in a prominent position as a reliable environmental monitor for urban locations.

Tree rings reveal the reduction of Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb pollution in the central region of São Paulo, Brazil.

The concern about environmental pollution has risen in the last decades because of its effects on human's health. However, evaluation of the exposure to certain pollutants is currently hampered by the availability of past environmental data. Tree rings are an alternative to reconstruct environmental variability of pre-instrumental periods. Nevertheless, this approach has some reported limitations including migration of chemical elements in the tree rings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Cd, Cu, Hg, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn in the tree rings of Tipuana tipu (Fabaceae) to aid the reconstruction of past environmental pollution. We sampled trees in the central region of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and scanned their tree rings using LA-ICP-MS. We used these data to evaluate the temporal trends of chemical elements under investigation. Results show a non-random distribution of these chemical elements within the tree rings, with higher content in the cell-walls of vessels and lower content in the fibers. Sodium was the only element intimately related to the axial parenchyma cells. Due to differences in elemental composition of xylem cells, temporal trends where evaluated using distinct quartiles of data distribution in each tree ring. The first quartile represents the lower content found in fibers and parenchyma, while the third quartile corresponds to the higher content found in vessels. Data from vessels better represent the decreasing trend of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni in the last three decades. This reduction is less significant for Na and Zn. Our results highlight the potential to improve the records of environmental pollution using data from different cells. Pronounced reduction in Pb may be attributed to the lead phase-out in gasoline, while the decreasing trend of Cd, Cu, Ni pollution is probably related to increasing efficiency of vehicles and the deindustrialization of São Paulo. Chemical elements are non-randomly distributed in tree rings. Chemical content of vessels cell-walls is a reliable record of metal pollution, which is decreasing in São Paulo.

Chemical Composition and Allelopathic Potential of Essential Oils from Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze Cultivated in Tunisia.

In Tunisia, Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze is an exotic tree, which was introduced many years ago and planted as ornamental street, garden, and park tree. The present work reported, for the first time, the chemical composition and evaluates the allelopathic effect of the hydrodistilled essential oils of the different parts of this tree, viz., roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and pods gathered in the area of Sousse, a coastal region, in the East of Tunisia. In total, 86 compounds representing 89.9 - 94.9% of the whole oil composition, were identified in these oils by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. The root essential oil was clearly distinguished for its high content in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (ß-caryophyllene, 1 (44); 24.1% and germacrene D, 2 (53); 20.0%), while those obtained from pods, leaves, stems, and flowers were dominated by non-terpene hydrocarbons. The most important ones were n-tetradecane (41, 16.3%, pod oil), 1,7-dimethylnaphthalene (43, 15.6%, leaf oil), and n-octadecane (77, 13.1%, stem oil). The leaf oil was rich in the apocarotene (E)-ß-ionone (4 (54); 33.8%), and the oil obtained from flowers was characterized by hexahydrofarnesylacetone (5 (81); 19.9%) and methyl hexadecanoate (83, 10.2%). Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses separated the five essential oils into three groups and two subgroups, each characterized by the major oil constituents. Contact tests showed that the germination of lettuce seeds was totally inhibited by the root essential oil tested at 1 mg/ml. The inhibitory effect on the shoot and root elongation varied from -1.6% to -32.4%, and from -2.5% to -64.4%, respectively.

A new acylated flavonoid tetraglycoside with anti-inflammatory activity from Tipuana tipu leaves.

A new acylated kaempferol glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)-O-[ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-4-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)]-ß-d-galactopyranoside, has been isolated from the leaves of Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Lillo growing in Egypt, along with three known flavonol glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (rutin) and kaempferol 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)]-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2]-ß-d-glucopyranoside. Structure elucidation was achieved through different spectroscopic methods. Structure relationship with anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema model is discussed.