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This work aimed to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oils from Psidium laruotteanum Cambess. (Marangaba-peluda) , Psidium salutare (Kunth) O. Berg (Marangaba-vermelha) and Psidium sobralianum Landrum & Proença (Araçá-de-veado), and to investigate their antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Twenty-six chemical compounds were identified, with a predominance of hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (38.46%). The essential oils presented different compounds, with the majorities being Viridiflorol (27.89%), α-caryophyllene (27.62%) and Isocaryophyllene (10.16%) for P. laruotteanum ; 1,8-Cineole (57.07%) and α-phellandrene (14.62%) for P. salutare and α-pinene (11.78%), Viridiflorol (11.64%), δ-amorphene (9.93%) and γ-eudesmol (9.44%) for P. sobralianum. The essential oil of P. laruotteanum showed the best antibacterial results, inhibiting the growth of E. coli at concentration 96 μg/mL, and demonstrating synergistic effect when associated with amikacin on S. aureus , with p < 0.001. The dominance of Caryophyllene derivatives may be responsible for the activity. P. salutare and P. sobralianum , were only able to inhibit bacterial growth at higher concentrations, between 341.33 μg/mL and ≥1024 μg/mL. Regarding antioxidant activity, the three species were able to inhibit DPPH in a concentration-dependent manner, with the best result for P. sobralianum oil with IC 50 of 5.99 mg/mL. [Display omitted] • Psidium laruotteanum Cambess., Psidium salutare (Kunth) O. Berg and Psidium sobralianum Landrum & Proença. • Twenty-six terpenes were identified from essential oils for Psidium species. • Antioxidant, antibacterial and modulating activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding of popular knowledge has guided the studies involving promising natural products for the development of botanical insecticides, through ethnobotanical research. The frequent records of scientific research with the genus Lippia demonstrate a high insecticidal potential for the species, with prospects of new products for the market. Therefore, it is important to recognize the contribution of traditional knowledge and use it in plant selection for in-depth research that can lead to the elaboration of a final product. Thus, the aim of this research was to analyze existing relationships between ethnobotanical studies and research related to the control of insects, mites and ticks with the genus Lippia sp., as well as to verify the difficulties and perspectives for the development of new products derived from species of this genus for the fight pests. The main indications in the ethnobiological survey were medicinal for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (34.2%), respiratory system (27.1%) and nervous system (22.18%), in addition to these, six species had indications for use as repellent. For the pesticide survey, the essential oils of the species L. alba and L. sidoides were the most investigated, being thymol and carvacrol, the most frequently identified compounds. The species L. alba was the most cited in both surveys, demonstrating an influence between the indications of traditional uses and biological investigations for the genus. [Display omitted] • The genus Lippia has a high indication as a therapeutic. • Essential oils are the most investigated as pesticides. • L. alba is widely cited in ethnobotany and also as a pesticide.. • Thymol and carvacrol are the majority in Lippia essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most of the ethnobotanical studies among species with greater versatility, the Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. stands out due to the high number of therapeutic properties attributed to the oil-resin of its trunks. This species is widely distributed occurring both in preserved and anthropogenic environments. Plants that occur in different environmental conditions present qualitative and quantitative variation of the chemical constituents responsible for the biological activity, moreover, physiological factors can alter the synthesis of these compounds. This study aims to contribute with information about the chemical profile of C. langsdorffii in two areas of cerrado (preserved and anthropic) in different phenological phases and seasons. The vegetative (leaf fall and budding) and reproductive phenophases (flowering and fruiting) were qualified as present and absent from August 2013 to July 2014. In order to obtain the essential oils, the oil-resin were subjected to hydrodistillation process in an adapted Clevenger type device. The identification of the essential oils' chemical components was performed by gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). The reproductive phase occurred only in anthropic areas. The essential oils of both areas had yields ranging from 5.1 to 28.8%; with higher yields at the end of the rainy season coincided with the fruiting phenophase in anthropic areas and the presence of only leaves in the conserved area. Total of 42 chemical constituents were identified, 27 common to the two areas. The main constituents were β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, germacrene B and caryophyllene oxide which presented changes in levels during all collections. Cluster analysis confirmed that the volatile oil of C. langsdorffii was strongly influenced in its chemical composition by the different areas (preserved and anthropic). These informations collaborate to establish the most appropriate collection period to obtain higher yields of Copaifera langsdorffii’s essential oil, as well as the desirable concentrations of the chemical compounds responsible for therapeutic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The similarity and antioxidant activity of Lippia essential oils were investigated. • Essential oils studied have no relationship between their chemical compositions. • The compounds present in L. alba showed greater antioxidant effectiveness. • L. sidoides essential oil had the lowest IC 50 in different antioxidant mechanisms. Due to the importance of diseases associated with oxidative stress, the search for natural antioxidants proves to be essential. This work aimed to compare the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of essential oils from the genus Lippia L. through chemometric analysis. The essential oils were characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Antioxidant potentials were determined by DPPH, ABTS, Deoxyribose and β -carotene protection, Iron chelation and reduction methods. All data were related by multivariate analyzes. Essential oils showed low similar chemical compositions and no statistically significant relationship. These showed relevant antioxidant activity, especially for L. sidoides that obtained IC 50 of 5.22 ± 0.08 µg/mL in ABTS capture. Multivariate analyzes showed the effectiveness of L. alba compounds to DPPH scavenging, Fe3+ reduction and β -carotene protection, and L. gracilis components to deoxyribose protect. Thus, studies proving the antioxidant potential of Lippia compounds against oxidative stress and their use in food conservation are fundamental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluated the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of a hydroethanolic extract from the leaves of Annona coriacea (EHFAC) and caffeic acid (CA). Mice were intraperitoneally treated with saline, EHFAC (1, 10, 20 mg/kg) or CA (0.15 mg/kg) and subject to the elevated plus-maze, open field, rota-rod, forced swimming and reserpine-induced akinesia tests. Pro-convulsant and anticholinergic effects were also evaluated. EHFAC presented anxiolytic-like effect on the elevated plus-maze, which was partially reversed by flumazenil. A similar effect was observed with CA. In the forced swimming test, EHFAC and CA reduced the immobility time of mice; such effect was potentiated when EHFAC or CA were associated with imipramine, bupropion and fluoxetine. The antidepressant-like effect was reinforced as EHFAC partially reversed the reserpine-induced akinesia. In addition, a pre-treatment with EHFAC and CA did not decrease the latency to 1st seizure of animals that received a sub-convulsive dose of PTZ, nor reduced the intensity of oxotremorine-induced tremors. Taken together, the results indicate that EHFAC and CA have anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, which involve important neurotransmitter systems, such as GABAergic and monoaminergic ones, being devoid of side effects, commonly associated with classical psychotropic drugs. • Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects are reported. • Possible involvement of the GABAergic and monoaminergic systems. • Devoid of side effects commonly associated with classical psychotropic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain management has several adverse effects and research looking for new and effective pain management drugs posing lower undesirable effects is necessary. Given the above, the pharmacological investigation of medicinal plants significantly contributes to the dissemination of plant-derived therapeutics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the Psidium brownianum Mart ex DC. leaf essential oil (PBEO) and the participation of the opioid pathway in this effect in mice. Swiss Mus musculus male mice were tested using acute nociception models (acetic acid induced abdominal contortions, formalin, capsaicin and hot plate tests). The possible myorelaxant action of the PBEO was tested using the rotarod test. The essential oil reduced animal nociception in chemical and heat models, with this action being devoid of a myorelaxant effect. Naloxone (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally – i.p.) partially antagonized the PBEO activity, possibly acting via opioid receptors. The results obtained provide evidence that the traditional Psidium brownianum use may be effective for pain treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to characterize the central effects of the Hyptis martiusii leaf essential oil (OEHM) and 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) using behavioral animal models. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to characterize the chemical compounds present in the OEHM. For the behavioral tests, female Swiss mice treated with the OEHM (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and 1,8-cineole (50 mg/kg, i.p.) were used and subjected to the following tests: open field, elevated cross maze, rotarod, sodium pentobarbital- or ethyl ether-induced sleep time, pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions, haloperidol-induced catalepsy, and ketamine-induced hyperkinesia. GC/MS analysis identified 20 constituents with the majority of them being monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, with eucalyptol (1,8-cineol), the major sample compound (25.93%), standing out. The results showed the OEHM (25, 50 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and its major compound (50 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced animal motility in the open field test, increased pentobarbital- and ethyl ether-induced sleep time, as well as death latency in the pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion model. However, the tested compounds were devoid of anxiolytic-like and myorelaxant activity. In addition, the OEHM (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and 1,8-cineole (50 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy and reduced ketamine-induced hyperkinesia. Taken together, the results suggest the OEHM has important hypnotic-sedative and antipsychotic-like effects, which appear to be due to the monoterpene 1,8-cineole, the major compound identified in the essential oil. • Hyptis martiusii essential oil presented no signs of toxicity/mortality. • The essential oil presented important effects on the CNS. • Such effects seems to depend upon the presence of 1,8-cineole in the essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]