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Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil. (Rutaceae) has been popularly used against abdominal pain and rheumatism. This study aimed at extracting hexane from S. odoratissima (HE-SO) leaves to identify ...

In this study, the chemical composition and in vitro antileishmanial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Protium heptaphyllum fresh young (PY-EO) and adult (PA-EO) leaves against promastigote for...

Capsicum spp. pepper has great economic and social importance in agribusiness worldwide, mainly associated with its high performance in cookery as a spice. This study aimed at determining the chemical profile of the ethanolic extract from Capsicum chinense Jacq. (EECC) ripe fruits by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and at evaluating its antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Besides, biodegradable films were prepared by incorporating EECC into arrowroot biofilms. LC-MS identified 10 phenolic compounds, a fact that corroborates its high concentration of total phenolic compounds, i. e., 277.62 ± 12.06 mg gallic acid/100g crude extract. High antioxidant activity of EECC was expressed as IC50 values for reagents DPPH (IC50 = 18.04 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 25.33 µg/mL) and FRAP (IC50 = 128.58 µg/mL). Biodegradable films incorporating different doses of EECC (250-1000 µL) were obtained by a casting technique. The higher the EECC concentration, the higher their thickness, color, variable moisture content and the lower their solubility. This study proposes a new use to the plant extract from C. chinense, a natural product that may be applied to the development of biofilms to coat food and retard its deterioration. In addition, antioxidant activity of this type of pepper is also shown.

Brazil, the world’s largest citros producer, yields around 19 million tons per year and exports most part of its production as orange juice. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves, fruit and flowers of many species of the genus Citrus have been widely used as the result of their promising bioactivities. The fungus Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.) Vuill., an agent which causes soft rot in fruit, has been considered one of the main factors that cause postharvest diseases, thus, leading to major economic losses in agribusiness. This research aimed at evaluating the chemical composition and in vitro antifungal effect of EOs from two varieties of fresh Citrus sinensis (lima orange and bahia navel orange) peel on mycelial growth of R. stolonifer. EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation, which was carried out by a Clevenger-type apparatus, while their chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Limonene was the major monoterpene identified in EOs from lima orange (95.2%) and bahia navel orange (93.2%) peel. EOs from lima orange and bahia navel orange inhibited 91.95% and 80.05% mycelial growth of R. stolonifer, respectively, at the highest dose under evaluation (100 µL). This study revealed the biotechnological potential of EOs extracted from fruit peel of two varieties of citros which may applied to biofilm preparation, so as to coat and preserve different types of fruit.

In Brazilian folk medicine, Spiranthera odoratissima has been used to treat rheumatism, infection and abdominal pain. Essential oils (EOs) are technological options that may be employed in natural foods due to their antimicrobial activities. This paper aimed to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial effects of EOs from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers against foodborne and spoilage bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of EOs were calculated by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates. Both GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed that the major components determined in EOs from S. odoratissima leaves were β-caryophyllene (23.8%), bicyclogermacrene (10.8%) and δ-cadinene (7.1%). Major constituents found in EOs from its flowers were β-caryophyllene (14.1%), spathulenol (8.1%) and γ-cadinene (7.2%). EOs from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers showed strong antibacterial activity against Yersinia enterocolitica (MIC = 0.30 mg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.12 mg/mL), Clostridium botulinum (MIC = 0.30 mg/mL), Bacillus cereus (MIC = 0.20 mg/mL) and Listeria monocytogenes (MIC = 0.25 mg/mL). These EOs could be important natural alternatives to prevent bacterial growth in food products.

Bemisia tabaci is an agricultural pest of worldwide distribution that causes serious damage to several crops. It is of crucial importance to control this pest, especially for large-scale production. Accordingly, formulations based on essential oils of pesticidal action are potentially promising in the agricultural sector. Additionally, the nanoencapsulation of these bioactive compounds promotes their protection from environmental degradation and prolongs their biological activity. Here, we develop PCL (poly-e-caprolactone) nanoparticles containing essential oils of Xylopia aromatica leaves and fruits and evaluate their insecticidal effect in B. tabaci Middle East Asia Minor 1 biotype B. The average yields of essential oils from leaves and fruits of X. aromatica were 0.05 and 0.80%, respectively. The major compounds in the essential oil of leaves were bicyclogermacrene (44.80%), α-pinene (8.23%) and β-pinene (7.75%) while in fruits were α-pinene (35.40%), β-phellandrene (31.05%) and β-pinene (22.51%). The PCL nanoparticles containing the essential oils exhibited encapsulation efficiency of 95% and particle diameter smaller than 500 nm. Biodegradable nanospheres substantially protected the essential oils from accelerated degradation caused by UV light and also prevented possible phytotoxic activity of the in natura essential oil from leaves of X. aromatica in high concentrations, probably due to the gradual release. In natura and nanoencapsulated essential oils from leaves and fruits decreased (up to 98%) the oviposition of B. tabaci in common bean leaves. Our results indicate that both in natura and nanoencapsulated oils of X. aromatica may potentially be used as alternative to the chemical control of B. tabaci.

Propolis, is a bee product collected from exudates and flower buds of several plants, has strong aroma and several biological applications. This study aimed at evaluating the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of volatile oil from Brazilian brown propolis. It was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Volatile oil from brown propolis exhibited strong antibacterial activity against H. pylori (MIC 3.25 μg/ml), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC 50 μg/ml) and M. avium (MIC 62.5 μg/ml). It was evaluated in vitro for antioxidant activity by DPPH (IC50 25.0 μg/ml) and ABTS (IC50 30.1 μg/ml) methods. Its cytotoxic property was evaluated in normal (human fibroblasts, GM07429A) and tumor (MCF-7-human breast adenocarcinoma; HeLa-human cervical adenocarcinoma and M059J-human glioblastoma) cell lines. IC50 values were 81.32 μg/ml for GM07429A and 85.00, 129.40 and 84.12 μg/ml for MCF-7, HeLa and M059J cells, respectively. Three major dereplicated components of volatile oil from brown propolis were acetophenone (15.2%), nerolidol (13.3%), and spathulenol (11.6%). Our results contribute to a better understanding of the chemical and biological properties of Brazilian brown propolis and provide evidence for its potential medicinal use. Keywords: Apis mellifera, Resin, Balsamic substances, Volatiles, Apitherapy

The use of protein hydrolysates (PHs) obtained by the enzymatic hydrolysis of underutilized proteins as active ingredients may be a promising strategy in the development of bioactive packaging. The effects of the incorporation of hydrolysed cottonseed proteins into alginate films were investigated in terms of their physical, chemical, barrier, optical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and the release of peptides in two different alginate film food simulants. PH incorporation did not affect the moisture content, biodegradability, solubility or oil barrier properties of the films but did increase the thickness and water vapor permeability. The increase in the PH concentration increased the barrier properties to visible light, and the film colour became darker, reddish and yellowish. The total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity (as tested by the DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods) also increased. The PH films showed an inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Rhizopus oligosporus but not against Escherichia coli. In migration tests in aqueous media, the active films released more than 60% of their peptides in 30 min. Meanwhile, there was a controlled and gradual diffusion of the compounds embedded in the film when fatty foods were simulated. The results showed that alginate films with PHs show promise as active packaging for the preservation of fatty foods.

Great efforts have been made to identify promising antigens and vaccine formulations against schistosomiasis. Among the previously described Schistosoma vaccine candidates, cyclophilins comprise an interesting antigen that could be used for vaccine formulations. Cyclophilin A is the target for the cyclosporine A, a drug with schistosomicide activity, and its orthologue from Schistosoma japonicum induces a protective immune response in mice. Although Schistosoma mansoni cyclophilin A also represents a promising target for anti-schistosome vaccines, its potential to induce protection has not been evaluated. In this study, we characterized the cyclophilin A (SmCyp), initially described as Smp17.7, analyzed its allergenic potential using in vitro functional assays, and evaluated its ability to induce protection in mice when administered as an antigen using different vaccine formulations and strategies. Results indicated that SmCyp could be successfully expressed by mammalian cells and bacteria. The recombinant protein did not promote IgE-reporter system activation in vitro, demonstrating its probable safety for use in vaccine formulations. T and B-cell epitopes were predicted in the SmCyp sequence, with two of them located within the active isomerase site. The most immunogenic antigen, SmCyp (107-121), was then used for immunization protocols. Immunization with the SmCyp gene or protein failed to reduce parasite burden but induced an immune response that modulated the granuloma area. In contrast, immunization with the synthetic peptide SmCyp (107-121) significantly reduced worm burden (48-50%) in comparison to control group, but did not regulate liver pathology. Moreover, the protection observed in mice immunized with the synthetic peptide was associated with the significant production of antibodies against the SmCyp (107-121) epitope. Therefore, in this study, we identified an epitope within the SmCyp sequence that induces a protective immune response against the parasite, thus representing a promising antigen that could be used for vaccine formulation against schistosomiasis.

Natural products are a very important source of bio-molecules for drug to treat infectious diseases. The essential oil of Eugenia dysenterica DC. dried leaves (Ed-EO), of the Myrtaceae family, was ...

The phytopathogenic fungi Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizopus stolonifer infect different crop plants. Essential oils have been used as an alternative to chemical control methods. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the essential oil chemical composition of the stem bark of Zanthoxylum riedelianum (ZREO) and evaluate its antifungal potential. The ZREO obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity. The major components identified in the chemical analysis were E-nerolidol (67.21%), α-selinene (14.94%), and β-selinene (7.41%). The antifungal potential of ZREO against S. sclerotiorum and R. stolonifer was detected at all concentrations evaluated in a dose-dependent manner. The best results were against R. stolonifer, with the concentration of 150 µLmL−1 inhibiting more than 80% of mycelial growth. On the basis of the current knowledge, this study describes for the first time the chemical composition and their antifungal activity.

Brazil has the greatest plant diversity in the world. Many species exhibit a wide range of phytochemical compounds which can be exploited in food, agronomic, pharmacological and medicinal plant industries. Therefore, the chemical composition and in vitro bioactivities of volatile oil from Psidium firmum fresh leaves (PfVO) were investigated for the first time. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed 28 compounds in PfVO. The major ones were α-selinene (20.8%), β-caryophyllene (16.5%) and nerolidol (10.4%). Results showed that PfVO affected the growth of Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms in a dose-dependent manner; its IC50 value was 14.05 µg/mL. PfVO also exhibited antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritidis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes; MIC values ranged from 25 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL. Moreover, PfVO promoted normal cell growth inhibition at 61.02 ± 1.97 µg/mL. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines; IC50 values of MCF-7 cells, HeLa cells and M059J cells were 47.91 µg/mL, 73.78 µg/mL and 41.94 µg/mL, respectively. Results provided strong evidence of the promising potential of PfVO as a nature-based antileishmanial, antibacterial and antiproliferative agent.

Starch is a promising source of biopolymers and the incorporation of essential oils (EOs) into it can improve some biological properties of films. This study aimed at developing and characterizing barrier, biodegradability and optical properties of biopolymeric films made from arrowroot starch and at incorporating EOs from Piper aduncum leaves and inflorescences in order to analyze their antifungal activity against Rhizopus microsporus and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The casting method was used for developing arrowroot starch films and incorporating EOs into them. Resulting films exhibited satisfactory barrier properties, low water vapor permeability (WVP), transparency and good barrier property against UV-vis light, besides being 100% biodegradable. In addition, films enriched with EOs at 0.75% and 1.0% revealed promising antifungal activity. Results showed, for the first time, that arrowroot starch enriched with EOs from P. aduncum can potentially be used as an active film due to its excellent physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity.

This paper aims to investigate, for the first time, in vitro antitubercular, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of essential oils (EOs) from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers - grown in midwestern Brazil - against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and human tumor cell lines. Antimycobacterial activity of EOs was evaluated in terms of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). EOs from leaves and flowers showed to be active antimicrobials against M. tuberculosis, since MIC values were 150 µg/mL and 162.5 µg/mL, respectively. Both EOs exhibited significant activity against promastigote forms of L. amazonensis; IC50 values (50% growth inhibition) were 14.36 ± 2.02 (EOs from leaves) and 19.89 ± 2.66 µg/mL (EOs from flowers). Antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumor (MCF-7, HeLa and M059J) cell lines was performed by the XTT assay; results were expressed as IC50 (50% cell growth inhibition) and the selective index was calculated. IC50 values of EOs from leaves and flowers obtained in normal cell lines for were 502.97 ± 40.33 µg/mL and 370.60 ± 2.01 µg/mL, respectively. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines, whose IC50 values were significantly lower than those obtained in normal cell lines of MCF-7 cells (367.57 ± 4.46 µg/mL-EOs from leaves and 357.70 ± 1.85 µg/mL-EOs from flowers) and M059J cells (492.53 ± 56.67 µg/mL-EOs from leaves and 324.90 ± 6.72 µg/mL-EOs from flowers), thus, indicating selectivity. These in vitro results showed that EOs from S. odoratissima may be an antimycobacterial, antiparasitic and antitumor agent. Resumo Este trabalho tem por objetivo investigar, pela primeira vez, as atividades antituberculose, antileishmania e antiproliferativa in vitro dos óleos essenciais (OEs) obtidos de folhas e flores de S. odoratissima. Avaliamos a atividade antimicobacteriana em termos da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM). Os OEs mostraram ser antimicrobianos ativos contra M. tuberculosis, com valores de CIM de 150 µg/mL (folhas) e 162,5 µg/mL (flores). Os óleos apresentam significativa atividade antiparasitária contra a forma promastigota de L. amazonensis, com valores de CI50 (50% de inibição do crescimento) de 14,36 ± 2,02 (folhas) e 19,89 ± 2,66 µg/mL (flores). A atividade antiproliferativa em linhagem celular normal (GM07492A, fibroblastos de pulmão) e tumorais (MCF-7, HeLa e M059J) foi realizada utilizando o ensaio XTT; os resultados foram expressos a partir do cálculo da Concentração Inibitória de 50% do crescimento celular (CI50) e o índice de seletividade foi calculado. OEs de folhas e flores apresentaram um CI50 de 502,97 ± 40,33 µg/mL e 370,60 ± 2,01 µg/mL para a linhagem GM07492A, respectivamente. Observou-se atividade antiproliferativa contra todas as linhagens celulares tumorais humanas, com valores de CI50 significativamente inferiores aos obtidos para a linhagem celular normal, demonstrando valores de CI50 para a linhagem MCF-7 (367,57 ± 4,46 µg/mL para OEs folhas e 357,70 ± 1,85 µg/mL para OEs flores) e M059J (492,53 ± 56,67 µg/mL para OEs folhas e 324,90 ± 6,72 µg/mL para OEs flores). Estes resultados in vitro mostraram que OEs de S. odoratissima podem ser um possível candidato que atue como agente antimicobacteriano, antiparasitário e antitumoral.

Essential oils, which may be extracted from several parts of plants, have different biological activities. The Brazilian Cerrado has a large variety of plants that yield essential oils, even though many have not been studied yet. Taking into account the biodiversity of this biome, this study aimed at evaluating the antiproliferative activity of essential oils extracted from three species of plants of the Cerrado in Goiás state: Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg, Protium ovatum (Engl. in Mart.) and Cardiopetalum calophyllum (Schltdl.). Essential oils were extracted from both C. adamantium and C. calophyllum leaves and from P. ovatum leaves and green fruits by hydrodistillation carried out by a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The following major chemical constituents were identified in the essential oils under investigation: β-myrcene (62.00%), spathulenol (28.78%), germacrene-B (18.27%), β-caryophyllene oxide (16.40%), β-caryophyllene (14.00%), α-pinene (11.30%), viridiflorol (9.99%), limonene (7.30%) and (Z,E)-pharnesol (6.51%). The antiproliferative activity was evaluated in different human tumor cell lines: breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and glioblastoma (M059J). A normal human cell line was included (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts). Results showed that essential oils from C. adamantium leaves got the lowest values of IC50 in all strains of tumor cells under evaluation. They were significantly lower than the ones of the normal cell line, an evidence of selectivity. It is worth mentioning that this is the first report of the antiproliferative activity of essential oils from C. adamantium , P. ovatum and C. calophyllum against human tumor cells. Resumo Os óleos essenciais podem ser extraídos de várias partes das plantas e apresentam diversas atividades biológicas. O Cerrado brasileiro possui uma grande variedade de plantas produtoras de óleos essenciais muitas delas ainda não estudadas. Levando-se em consideração a biodiversidade desse bioma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antiproliferativa dos óleos essenciais extraídos de três espécies de plantas ocorrentes no Cerrado do estado de Goiás: Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg, Protium ovatum (Engl. in Mart.) e Cardiopetalum calophyllum (Schltdl.). Os óleos essenciais foram obtidos das folhas de C. adamantium e C. calophyllum e das folhas e frutos verdes de P. ovatum por hidrodestilação, usando o aparelho do tipo Clevenger. A composição química dos óleos essenciais foi determinada pelo método de Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas (CG-EM). Os constituintes químicos majoritários identificados nos óleos essenciais estudados foram: β-mirceno (62,00%), espatulenol (28,78%), germacreno-B (18,27%), óxido de β-cariofileno (16,40%), β-cariofileno (14,00%), α-pineno (11,30%), viridiflorol (9,99%), limoneno (7,30%) e (Z,E)-farnesol (6,51%). A atividade antiproliferativa foi avaliada em diferentes linhagens de células tumorais humanas: adenocarcinoma de mama (MCF-7), adenocarcinoma cervical (HeLa) e gliobastoma (M059J), além de, uma linhagem celular humana normal (GM07492A, fibroblastos pulmonares). O óleo essencial das folhas de C. adamantium exibiu menores valores de CI50 em todas as linhagens celulares tumorais avaliadas, sendo menores que aquele obtido na linhagem celular normal, indicando seletividade. Este é o primeiro relato da atividade antiproliferativa dos óleos essenciais de C. adamantium , P. ovatum e C. calophyllum contra células tumorais humanas.

Endodontic infections result from oral pathogenic bacteria which reach and infect dental pulp, as well as surrounding tissues, through cracks, unrepaired caries and failed caries restorations. This study aims to determine the chemical composition of essential oil from Psidium cattleianum leaves (PC-EO) and to assess its antibacterial activity against endodontic bacteria. Antibacterial activity of PC-EO was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates. Bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (MIC = 20 µg/mL), Prevotella nigrescens (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL), Fusobacterium nucleatum (MIC = 12.5 µg/mL), Actinomyces naeslundii (MIC = 50 µg/mL), Bacteroides fragilis (MIC = 12.5 µg/mL), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (MIC = 6.25 µg/mL) and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) were evaluated and compared to chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (CDH), the positive control. PC-EO was obtained by hydrodistillation with the use of a Clevenger-type apparatus whereas its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Viridiflorol (17.9%), β-caryophyllene (11.8%), 1,8-cineole (10.8%) and β-selinene (8.6%) were the major constituents found in PC-EO, which exhibited high antibacterial activity against all endodontic pathogens under investigation. Therefore, PC-EO, a promising source of bioactive compounds, may provide therapeutic solutions for the field of endodontics.

Spiranthera odoratissima A. St. Hil. (Rutaceae), a plant grown in midwestern Brazil, has been used for treating rheumatism, infection and abdominal pain. This research aims to investigate chemical constituents of essential oils from S. odoratissima A. St. Hil. leaves and flowers. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and fully characterized by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results of the essential oil from S. odoratissima A. St. Hil. leaves showed that it has 28 volatile compounds which represent 93.8% of the oil. Its major compounds were b-caryophyllene (23.8%), bicyclogermacrene (10.8%), δ-cadinene (7.1%), germacrene D (5.9%), a-copaene (5.5%) and b-elemene (5.3%). Results of the essential oil from S. odoratissima A. St. Hil. flowers showed that it has 29 volatile compounds which represent 94.4% of the oil. Its main constituents were b-caryophyllene (14.1%), spathulenol (8.1%), g-cadinene (7.2%), α-cadinol (6.6%), a-copaene (6.4%), τ-muurolol (6.3%), δ-cadinene (5.8%), b-elemene (5.4%) and alloaromadendrene (5.2%). In this research, chemical constituents of the essential oil from S. odoratissima A. St. Hil. flowers were investigated for the first time.

The essential oils of Eugenia uniflora L. (EuEO), Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) (PcEO) and Syzygium cumini (L.) (ScEO), of the Myrtaceae family, were analyzed in gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in order to identify their volatile components, as well as their in vitro leishmanicidal, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. A total of 34 compounds were identified from EuEO. The major compounds found in EuEO were germacrone (8.52%), spathulenol (8.20%), α-selinene (7.50%) and (Z)-β-elemenone (4.88%). PcEO contained 52 compounds, with the major compounds being (E)-cariophene (14.69%), β-bisabolene (9.36%), (E, E)-α-farnecene (8.07%) and globulol (7.86%). ScEO contained 38 compounds, with the major compounds being α-pinene (21.20%), globulol (15.30%), eugenol (11.20%), and α-terpineol (8.88%). Our results demonstrated that EuEO, PcEO and ScEO, tested against Leishmania amazonensis, affected promastigote growth in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 of EuEO, PcEO and ScEO were 0.99, 0.46 and 8.78 μg/mL, respectively, while the IC50 of Amphotericin B was 0.60 μg/mL. All the EO of the species evaluated presented moderate inhibitory activity, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) variation of 100 to 400 μg/mL for the following bacteria tested: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces naeslundii, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Prevotella nigrescens and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Our results showed that the IC50 values for the treated tumor cell lines ranged from 76.5 to 106.2 μg/mL for EuEO and 76.6 to 116.2 μg/mL for PcEO. ScEO was not tested on the tumor cell lines because it presented an IC50 > 400 μg/mL on normal cell lines. These results highlight the variability of the chemical composition of essential oils and the high potential of their bactericidal and leishmanicidal activities.

In this study, the chemical composition and antibacterial and antiproliferative potential of the essential oil obtained from fresh leaves of Psidium myrtoides (PM-EO) against oral pathogens and hum...

Leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are globally widespread parasitic diseases which have been responsible for high mortality rates. Since drugs available for their treatment are highly hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and cardiotoxic, adherence to therapy has been affected. Thus, the search for new, more effective and safer drugs for the treatment of these diseases is necessary. Natural products have stood out as an alternative to searching for new bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential. In this study, the chemical composition and antiparasitic activity of the essential oil from Protium ovatum leaves against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi and the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis were evaluated. The essential oil was promising against trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi (IC50= 28.55 μg.mL-1) and L. amazonensis promastigotes (IC50 = 2.28 μg.mL-1). Eighteen chemical constituents were identified by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) in the essential oil, whose major constituents were spathulenol (17.6 %), caryophyllene oxide (16.4 %), β-caryophyllene (14.0 %) and myrcene (8.4 %). In addition, the essential oil from P. ovatum leaves had moderate cytotoxicity against LLCMK2 adherent epithelial cell at the concentration range under analysis (CC50 = 150.9 μg.mL-1). It should be highlighted that this is the first report of the chemical composition and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and anti-Leishmania amazonensis activities of the essential oil from Protium ovatum leaves.

Many essential oils (EOs) of different plant species possess interesting antimicrobial effects on buccal bacteria and antioxidant properties. Eugenia klotzschiana Berg (pêra-do-cerrado, in Portuguese) is a species of Myrtaceae with restricted distribution in the Cerrado. The essential oils were extracted through the hydrodistillation technique using a modified Clevenger apparatus (2 hours) and chemically characterized by GC-MS. The major compounds were α-copaene (10.6 %) found in oil from leaves in natura, β-bisabolene (17.4 %) in the essential oil from dry leaves and α-(E)-bergamotene (29.9 %) in oil from flowers. The antioxidant activity of essential oils showed similarities in both methods under analysis (DPPH and ABTS˙+) and the results suggested moderate to high antioxidant activity. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), using the microdilution method. MIC values below 400 µg/mL were obtained against Streptococcus salivarius (200 µg/mL), S. mutans (50 µg/mL), S. mitis (200 µg/mL) and Prevotella nigrescens (50 µg/mL). This is the first report of the chemical composition and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of E. klotzschiana. These results suggest that E. klotzschiana, a Brazilian plant, provide initial evidence of a new and alternative source of substances with medicinal interest.

This study aims to investigate chemical composition of essential oils from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) ripe and unripe fruits and determine their in vitro antibacterial activity. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack ripe and unripe fruits collected in the Cerrado, in Rio Verde, southwestern Goiás, Brazil. They were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sesquiterpenes, which represent the most abundant class of compounds in oils, predominated in both ripe and unripe fruits. Major constituents of essential oils extracted from ripe fruits (RF-EO) were (-caryophyllene (21.3%), (-ylangene (13.3%), germacrene-D (10.9%) and (-zingiberene (9.7%) whereas the ones of unripe fruits (UF-EO) were sesquithujene (25.0%), (-zingiberene (18.2%), germacrene-D (13.1%) and (-copaene (12.7%). In vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. Both essential oils under investigation showed moderate anti-streptococcal activity against the following bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus and S. salivarius. MIC values ranged between 100 and 400 µg/mL. Regarding the antimycobacterial activity, essential oils from M. paniculata (L.) Jack unripe and ripe fruits were active against Mycobacterium kansasii (MIC = 250 µg/mL), moderately active against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 500 µg/mL) and inactive against M. avium (MIC = 2000 µg/mL). This study was pioneer in revealing similar chemical profiles of both essential oils extracted from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack unripe and ripe fruits, besides describing their in vitro anti-streptococcal and antimycobacterial activities.

Propolis is a resinous substance collected and processed by Apis mellifera from parts of plants, buds and exudates. In Minas Gerais (MG) state, Brazil, green propolis is produced from the collection of resinous substance found in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia. This paper aims to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, anti-Helicobacter pylori, antimycobacterial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil (EO) from Brazilian green propolis (BGP-EO). The oil showed high antibacterial activity against H. pylori (MIC = 6.25 µg/mL), Mycobacterium avium (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) and M. tuberculosis (MIC = 64 µg/mL). Its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro by both DPPH (IC50 = 23.48 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 32.18 µg/mL) methods. The antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumor cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa and M059J) was analyzed by the XTT assay. BGP-EO showed inhibition of normal cell growth at 68.93 ± 2.56 µg/mL. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines, whose IC50 values were 56.17, 66.43 and -65.83 µg/mL for MCF-7, HeLa and M059J cells, respectively. Its major constituents, which were determined by GC-FID and GC-MS, were carvacrol (20.7 %), acetophenone (13.5 %), spathulenol (11.0 %), (E)-nerolidol (9.7 %) and β-caryophyllene (6.2 %). These results showed the effectiveness of BGP-EO as a natural product which has promising biological activities.

In Brazilian folk medicine, Murraya paniculata has been used for treating intestine disorders, rheumatism and cough. This paper aims to investigate the in vitro antileishmanial and antioxidant activities of essential oils (EO) from M. paniculata leaves and fruits (ripe and unripe ones). Natural antioxidants may be very beneficial to improve quality of life, since they are capable of protecting the body against damage caused by free radicals and, consequently, either preventing or postponing many diseases from starting their cycles. One of the techniques which has been widely used for detecting antioxidant compounds is the method based on the elimination of the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•). It has been considered easy, precise, fast, simple, economical and appropriate to determine antioxidant activity of pure substances and complex mixtures, such as EO. Thus, antioxidant potential of EO was evaluated by using the method of the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•). EO from M. paniculata leaves and fruits exhibited weak potential, since EC50 values were above 700 µg/mL. Several reports have stated that volatile oils from plants show promising leishmanicidal activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis; in relation to this activity, leaf oil was highly active (IC50 = 7.33±2.07 µg/mL) while ripe and unripe fruit oils were active, with values of IC50 = 30.77±2.07 µg/mL and 13.04±1.64 µg/mL, respectively. Both GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed that the major components determined in EO from M. paniculata were sesquithujene (25.0%), trans-β-caryophyllene (23.8%), α-zingiberene (21.0%), α-ylangene (13.3%), germacrene D (13.1%), α-copaene (12.7%), and β-cubebene (10.2%). In vitro antileishmanial and antioxidant activities of EO from M. paniculata have also been described for the first time.

Studies have reported that flavonoids inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) activity; however, poor solubility and stability in lipophilic media limit their bioavailability and applications. This study evaluated the kinetic parameters of XO inhibition and partition coefficients of flavonoid esters biosynthesised from hesperidin, naringin, and rutin via enzymatic acylation with hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic, lauric, and oleic acids catalysed by Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB). Quantitative determination by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) showed higher conversion yields (%) for naringin and rutin esters using acyl donors with 8C and 10C. Rutin decanoate had higher partition coefficients (0.95), and naringin octanoate and naringin decanoate showed greater inhibitory effects on XO (IC50 of 110.35 and 117.51 μM, respectively). Kinetic analysis showed significant differences (p

Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil (Rutaceae), a shrub whose common name is manacá do Cerrado in Brazilian Portuguese, is about 1-m high and has been used by folk medicine to treat stomachache, kidney and liver infections, headache, rheumatism and as a blood purifier. This study aimed at preparing hexane, ethyl acetate, methanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts from S. odoratissima leaves, at carrying out preliminary phytochemical screening and at evaluating their in vitro antioxidant and anti-Listeria monocytogenes activities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azinobis-3-ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. Antibacterial activity was investigated against L. monocytogenes and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of plant extracts were calculated by the broth microdilution method with the use of 96-well plates. In aqueous, methanolic, hydroethanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts from S. odoratissima leaves, the following classes of compounds were investigated: organic acids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, saponin compounds, coumarin compounds, phenolics, tannins, purine compounds, catechins, flavonol derivatives, sesquiterpene lactones and anthraquinones. All plant extracts, except the hexane one, exhibited high antioxidant activity. Regarding antibacterial activity, the most polar extracts showed high activity against L. monocytogenes; their MIC values ranged between 12.5 and 62.5 µg mL-1, while the hexane one exhibited low activity (MIC = 1000 µg mL-1). In short, extracts from S. odoratissima leaves may be considered promising sources of secondary metabolites with relevant antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil (Rutaceae), a shrub whose common name is manacá do Cerrado in Brazilian Portuguese, is about 1-m high and has been used by folk medicine to treat stomachache, kidney and liver infections, headache, rheumatism and as a blood purifier. This study aimed at preparing hexane, ethyl acetate, methanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts from S. odoratissima leaves, at carrying out preliminary phytochemical screening and at evaluating their in vitro antioxidant and anti-Listeria monocytogenes activities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azinobis-3-ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. Antibacterial activity was investigated against L. monocytogenes and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of plant extracts were calculated by the broth microdilution method with the use of 96-well plates. In aqueous, methanolic, hydroethanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts from S. odoratissima leaves, the following classes of compounds were investigated: organic acids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, saponin compounds, coumarin compounds, phenolics, tannins, purine compounds, catechins, flavonol derivatives, sesquiterpene lactones and anthraquinones. All plant extracts, except the hexane one, exhibited high antioxidant activity. Regarding antibacterial activity, the most polar extracts showed high activity against L. monocytogenes; their MIC values ranged between 12.5 and 62.5 µg mL-1, while the hexane one exhibited low activity (MIC = 1000 µg mL-1). In short, extracts from S. odoratissima leaves may be considered promising sources of secondary metabolites with relevant antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

The propolis produced by stingless bees of the tribe Meliponini is a viscous product that contains the resin collected from buds, leaves and plant exudates, mixed with salivary secretions, wax and soil. The species Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Latreille, 1807), (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae) popularly known as “tubi” in Maranhão State, Brazil, does not mix soil to produce its propolis. The propolis from S. postica harvested in Barra do Corda, Maranhão State, is popularly used in the treatment of wounds and respiratory illnesses. The hydroalcoholic extract of this propolis, rich in flavone-6,8-di-C-glycosides (vicenin-2 and schaftoside), pyrrolizidine alkaloids derived from retronecine, catechin and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives exhibited antiviral activity against the herpes simplex and rubella viruses. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about the chemical composition of the S. postica propolis by analyzing non-polar extracts obtained using hexane and chloroform as the solvents, by GC-EI-MS. A total of 15 constituents were identified comparing their respective mass spectral data with those available in the NIST data bases and those reported in the literature. The main constituents detected were the phenolic lipids, known as cardanols, 3-(4,7-heptadecadienyl) phenol (5), 3-(10-heptadecenyl) phenol (7), 3-heptadecylphenol (9) and 3-pentadecyl phenol or hydrocardanol (13), which predominated in the hexane extract, while the predominant constituents in the chloroform extract were 3-pentadecyl phenol or hydrocardanol (13) and 3-(8-pentadecenyl) phenol (12). The antioxidant, antitumoral, antifeedant, cytotoxic, anticarcinogenic, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antileishmanial and larvicidal activities of the cardanols have been demonstrated in many studies. Resumo A própolis elaborada pelas abelhas sem ferrão (Apidae, Meliponini) é um material resinoso extraído de brotos, folhas e exsudatos de plantas, que são misturados com secreções salivares, cera e solo. A espécie Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Latreille, 1807), (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini), popularmente conhecida como “tubi”, no estado do Maranhão, não mistura solo na produção da própolis. A própolis de S. postica coletada no município de Barra do Corda, estado do Maranhão, é usada popularmente no tratamento de feridas e doenças respiratórias. O extrato hidroalcoólico desta própolis é rico em flavonas-6,8- C -glicosídeos (vicenina e schaftosídeo), alcaloides pirrolizidínicos, catequinas e ácidos cafeoilquínicos, e mostrou atividade antiviral contra os vírus do herpes e da rubéola. O objetivo deste estudo foi ampliar o conhecimento sobre a composição química da própolis de S. postica, analisando os extratos apolares obtidos usando hexano e clorofórmio como solventes, por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas. Os 15 constituintes detectados foram identificados comparando os seus respectivos espectros de massas com espectros de massas compilados nas bases de dados NIST e reportados na literatura. Os principais constituintes encontrados foram os lipídios fenólicos, conhecidos como cardanóis, 3-(4,7-heptadecadienil) fenol (5), 3-(10-heptadecenil) fenol (7), 3-heptadecilfenol (9) e 3-pentadecilfenol ou hidrocarbônico (13), que predominaram no extrato hexânico, enquanto que, no extrato clorofórmico, os constituintes predominantes foram 3-pentadecilfenol ou hidrocarbônico (13) e 3-(8-pentadecenil) fenol (12). As atividades antioxidante, antitumoral, citotóxica, antiproliferativa e larvicida dos cardanóis foram demonstradas através de vários estudos.

Nectandra megapotamica is a tree species that naturally occurs in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. This paper aims to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil from N. megapotamica leaves (NM-EO). It displayed high antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus, Prevotella nigrescens and Bacteroides fragilis. NM-EO also exhibited high antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Its antiproliferative activity was evaluated against the following cells: GM07429A (normal cell), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma) and M059J (human glioblastoma). Its major components, which were determined by GC-FID and GC-MS, were α-bisabolol (13.7%), bicyclogermacrene (10.9%), (E,E)-farnesene (10.6%), Z-caryophyllene (9.5%) and (E)-β-farnesene (7.0%). These results suggest that N. megapotamica, a Brazilian plant, shows initial evidence of a new and alternative source of substances of medicinal interest.

This study evaluated the antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of the essential oil of Psidium guajava leaves (PG-EO), traditionally used in folk medicine. The essential oil was obtained from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation, using a modified Clevenger apparatus. The major PG-EO chemical constituents were identified by GC-MS and GC-FID as being β-caryophyllene (16.1%), α-humulene (11.9%), aromadendrene oxide (14.7%), δ-selinene (13.6%), and selin-11-en-4α-ol (12.5%). The antibacterial activity of the essential oil of P. guajava leaves was determined in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. PG-EO had moderate activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 200 µg/mL), S. mitis (MIC = 200 µg/mL), S. sanguinis (MIC = 400 µg/mL), S. sobrinus (MIC = 100 µg/mL), and S. salivarius (MIC = 200 µg/mL). The antiproliferative activity was evaluated against different tumor cell lines: breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and human gliobastoma (M059J). A normal human cell line (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) was included. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated using the XTT assay and the results were expressed as IC50. The essential oil showed significantly lower IC50 values against MCF-7 and M059J lines than that obtained for the normal line, showing selectivity. Our results suggest that the essential oil of Psidium guajava L. has promising biological activities and can be considered a new source of bioactive compounds. Resumo Este estudo avaliou as atividades antibacteriana e antiproliferativa do óleo essencial das folhas frescas de Psidium guajava (PG-OE), tradicionalmente utilizadas na medicina popular. O óleo essencial foi obtido por hidrodestilação das folhas frescas, utilizando aparelho do tipo Clevenger. Os principais constituintes químicos de PG-OE identificados por CG-EM e CG-DIC foram: β-cariofileno (16,1%), α-humuleno (11,9%), óxido de aromadendreno (14,7%), δ-selineno (13,6%) e selin-11-en-4α-ol (12,5%). A atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial das folhas de P. guajava foi determinada em termo de sua concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) utilizando o método de microdiluição de caldo em microplacas de 96 poços. PG-OE apresentou moderada atividade contra Streptococcus mutans (CIM = 200 μg/mL), S. mitis (CIM = 200 μg/mL), S. sanguinis (CIM = 400 μg/mL), S. sobrinus (CIM = 100 μg/mL) e S. salivarius (CIM = 200 μg/mL). A atividade antiproliferativa foi avaliada frente a diferentes linhagens de células tumorais como: adenocarcinoma de mama (MCF-7), adenocarcinoma cervical humano (HeLa) e gliobastoma humano (M059J). Foi incluída uma linhagem celular humana normal (GM07492A, fibroblastos pulmonares). A atividade antiproliferativa foi avaliada utilizando o ensaio XTT e os resultados foram expressos como CI50. As linhagens MCF-7 e M059J mostraram valores significativamente mais baixos de CI50 do que os obtidos para a linhagem normal, mostrando seletividade. Nossos resultados sugerem que o óleo essencial das folhas frescas de Psidium guajava L. possui atividades biológicas promissoras e pode ser considerado como uma nova fonte de compostos bioativos.

Even though essential oils from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) have different biological activities, little is known about their application to agricultural areas. White mold is a plant disease caused by the phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which needs to be controlled by alternative measures. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of essential oils from P. aduncum leaves (PL-EO) and inflorescences (PI-EO) on the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum. Essential oils from P. aduncum were obtained by hydrodistillation by a Clevenger-type apparatus while their chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Piperitone (23.4 %), myristicin (12.4 %), terpinen-4-ol (12.3 %), β-caryophyllene (7.2 %), α-humulene (6.9 %), germacrene-D (6.9 %) and dillapiol (6.3 %) were the main constituents found in oils from P. aduncum. The in vitro antifungal activity showed that PI-EO dose above 30 µL inhibited mycelial growth in 100 %, whereas PL-EO at 50 µL inhibited it in 98.74 %. This is the first report of the chemical composition of PI-EO and results suggest that the essential oils under evaluation have high potential to control the phytopathogenic fungus S. sclerotiorum.

Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which affects around two million people worldwide. One major drawback in the treatment of leishmaniasis is the emergence of resistance to current chemotherapeutics. Medicinal and aromatic plants constitute a major source of natural organic compounds. In this study, the leaf essential oil of Cryptocarya aschersoniana was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The essential oil of these species was predominantly constituted by monoterpene hydrocarbons (48.8%). Limonene (42.3%), linalool (9.7%) and nerolidol (8.6%) were the main constituents in the oil of C. aschersoniana. The in vitro activity of the oil was evaluated against the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The essential oil of C. aschersoniana showed high activity against L. amazonensis promastigote forms (IC50 = 4.46 µg/mL), however, it also demonstrated a relatively high cytotoxicity on mouse peritoneal macrophages (CC50 = 7.71 µg/mL). This is the first report of the chemical composition and the leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities of the leaf essential oil of C. aschersoniana.

Chagas disease is a major neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It has been treated with the antiparasitic drugs nifurtimox and benzonidazole, which cause several side effects. The market for natural products has considerably grown lately and the use of plants has become an alternative to the development of novel drugs to cure the disease. Therefore, this study aimed at describing the chemical analysis of the essential oil from green fruits of Protium ovatum and evaluating their trypanocidal and cytotoxic potential. The essential oil was obtained by Clevenger hydrodistillation whereas its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major compounds found in the essential oil from green fruits of P. ovatum were ß-myrcene (62.0 %), a-pinene (11.3 %) and limonene (7.3 %). To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that the chemical composition of the essential oil from green fruits of P. ovatum was described. Results showed that the essential oil had strong trypanocidal activity against trypomastigote forms of theY strain of Trypanosoma cruzi (IC50 = 1.2 µg/mL). In addition, the essential oil from green fruits of P. ovatum did not display cytotoxicity against LLCMK2 adherent epithelial cell at the concentration range under analysis (CC50 = 550.3 µg/mL). As a result, it is an excellent option for the development of novel antiparasitic drugs. Resumo A doença de Chagas é uma das principais doenças tropicais negligenciadas causadas pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, e em seu tratamento utilizam-se medicamentos como o nifurtimox e o benzonidazol, que causam vários efeitos colaterais. O mercado de produtos naturais tem aumentado consideravelmente nos últimos anos, e o uso das plantas continua sendo uma alternativa para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos para cura de doenças. Portanto, este estudo aborda a composição química do óleo essencial dos frutos verdes de Protium ovatum e a avaliação de seus potenciais tripanocida e citotóxico. O óleo essencial foi obtido por hidrodestilação, utilizando o aparato do tipo Clevenger. A composição química foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada ao espectrômetro de massas (CG-EM). Os principais compostos encontrados no óleo essencial dos frutos verdes de P. ovatum foram: ß-mirceno (62,0 %), a-pineno (11,3 %) e limoneno (7,3 %). Este é o primeiro relato da composição química do óleo essencial obtido a partir de frutos verdes de P. ovatum. Os resultados mostraram que o óleo essencial analisado apresenta forte atividade tripanocida contra as formas tripomastigota da cepa Y do Trypanosoma cruzi (IC50 = 1,2 µg/mL). O óleo essencial exibiu ainda moderada citotoxidade frente à linhagem LLCMK2 na concentração avaliada (CC50 = 550,3 µg/mL). Em suma, o óleo essencial dos frutos verdes de P. ovatum pode ser considerado uma fonte alternativa para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos antiparasitários.

The Annonaceae family consists of ~135 genera with diverse species and a large number of chemical compounds arising from the secondary metabolism. However, the chemical composition of the essential oil of several species of the family such as Cardiopetalum calophyllum has not been completely determined. The leaves of Cardiopetalum calophyllum (Annonaceae) were collected during different months of the year, between 5:00 and 8:00 h in the morning, to determine the chemical composition of essential oils. In this study, the essential oils extracted from the leaves of C. calophyllum , collected in typical areas of the Cerrado of Goias, were characterized. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation for 4 h using a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical analysis was carried out by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the constituents were identified by comparing the spectra and retention index obtained with those available in the literature. The chemical analyses showed high concentrations of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities of the essential oil of C. calophyllum are described for the first time in this work .

Garcinia species have been reported to possess compounds with antibacterial, antioxidant, apoptotic, hepatoprotective and others biological effects. The Garcinia xanthochymus Hook. f. (Clusiaceae) is a native plant from some Asian countries and is the most cultivated species in Brazil. Also, has been described to possess some in vitro anti carcinogenic compounds. Because of these characteristics, in the present study it was assessed the ability of extracts, fractions and a biflavonoidmorelloflavone, obtained by bio guided assay from G. xanthochymus, in their chemo-preventive role by quinona reductase 1 (QR1) induction and genotoxic/antigenotoxic damage. To evaluate the chemo-preventive profile of compounds extracted from G. xanthochymus, the quinone reductase assay and Comet assay were performed. It was observed a doubling of the quinone reductase enzyme activity by ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions, and morelloflavone (p < 0.001). However, by the Comet assay was observed the genotoxicity of morellofavone, ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions. Regarding anti-genotoxicity, the same fractions and morelloflavone caused DNA damage in post-treatment. Our results suggest that although there is induction of quinone reductase enzyme from morelloflavone, ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions isolated from G. xanthochymus, these have genotoxic profile in some concentrations, showing that the widespread use of the plant could bring harm. Additional tests are needed to evaluate the toxicity power of the G.

The grain production potential of crambe reported in literature may vary from 1000 to 1500 kg ha-1, but there are not yet any recommendations regarding specific nitrogen (N) fertilization for this crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of base saturation and the addition of N doses on plant development and productivity of crambe. This study was developed at the Sao Tomaz Jatoba farm in the municipality of Rio Verde, GO in a Distroferric Red Latosol. The experiment consisted of a factorial (4×3) design with four repetitions totaling 48 plots distributed in random blocks. Four levels of base saturation (V%) were evaluated as follows: 34 (natural soil), 40, 50 and 60. Moreover, the following three N doses were evaluated: Control (without application de N), 40 kg ha-1 N and 80 kg ha-1 N. The experimental plots were rectangular and measured 9 m2 with five planted lines and a spacing of 0.45 m between rows. Planting was performed on March 8th, 2011 using the FMS Brilhante cultivar. The following variables were evaluated: Root dry mass and shoot dry mass in three distinct periods (35, 45 and 55 days after emergence); grain yield; and oil content. The addition of the N doses increased the root dry masses, shoot dry masses and yield, but N addition did not influence oil content. In general, the best N dose was 40 kg ha-1. Base saturation linearly or quadratically influenced all parameters evaluated, and the best base saturation observed in this study was 50%. Key words: FMS Brilhante cultivar, nitrogen fertilization, productivity, oil content, Brazil.

Campomanesia adamantium is a native fruit species of the Cerrado and is used in food and medicines and as bee pasture. The chemical composition of essential oils obtained from plants of the same species have varying constituent proportions due to the influence of extractive factors, environmental, genetic and ontogenetic. This study aimed to identify the influence of hydrodistillation time on the content and chemical composition of essential oil extracted from the leaves of C. adamantium . Treatments consisted of five extraction times (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5h) using Clevenger with five replications in a completely randomized design. It was observed that after two hours of hydrodistillation, the essential oil content remains constant. Regarding the chemical constituents of essential oil, variation of the proportions of the compounds tested occurred at all hydrodistillation times. The compounds spathulenol oxygenated sesquiterpenes and caryophyllene oxide were the majority in the five hydrodistillation times. RESUMO: A Campomanesia adamantium é uma espécie frutífera nativa do Cerrado que se destaca pela utilização na alimentação, na medicina e como pasto apícola. A composição química dos óleos essenciais obtidos de plantas de uma mesma espécie pode sofrer variação de seus constituintes por influência de vários fatores incluindo o método de extração do óleo essencial, fatores ambientais, genéticos e ontogenéticos. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar a influencia do tempo de hidrodestilação sobre o teor e a composição química do óleo essencial das folhas de C. adamantium . Os tratamentos constituíram-se de cinco tempos de extração (1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 horas) utilizando aparelho Clevenger com cinco repetições, sendo o delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Foi observado que após duas horas de hidrodestilação o teor de óleo essencial permanece constante. Em relação aos constituintes químicos do óleo essencial ocorreu variação das proporções dos compostos em todos os tempos de hidrodestilação testados, os compostos sesquiterpenos oxigenados espatulenol e óxido cariofileno foram majoritários nos cinco tempos de hidrodestilação.

The present study used regression models to evaluate the existence of factors that may influence the numerical parasite dominance with an epidemiological approximation. A database including 3,746 fish specimens and their respective parasites were used to evaluate the relationship between parasite dominance and biotic characteristics inherent to the studied hosts and the parasite taxa. Multivariate, classical, and mixed effects linear regression models were fitted. The calculations were performed using R software (95% CI). In the fitting of the classical multiple linear regression model, freshwater and planktivorous fish species and body length, as well as the species of the taxa Trematoda, Monogenea, and Hirudinea, were associated with parasite dominance. However, the fitting of the mixed effects model showed that the body length of the host and the species of the taxa Nematoda, Trematoda, Monogenea, Hirudinea, and Crustacea were significantly associated with parasite dominance. Studies that consider specific biological aspects of the hosts and parasites should expand the knowledge regarding factors that influence the numerical dominance of fish in Brazil. The use of a mixed model shows, once again, the importance of the appropriate use of a model correlated with the characteristics of the data to obtain consistent results.

Crambe has been studied as an option in crop rotation systems in order to provide raw material for biodiesel production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of raising soil base saturation and addition of phosphorus (P) on the vegetative development, grain yield and oil content of crambe. The experiment was carried out in a Oxisol, arranged in factorial scheme (4 x 3), with 4 replicates (48 plots), in completely randomized blocks. Four base saturation levels (34 - natural of the soil, 40, 50 and 60%) and three P doses (0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1 of P2O5) were evaluated. The experimental plots formed a 9 m2 rectangle with 5 plant rows, spaced by 0.45 m, using the cultivar "Brilliant FMS". The evaluated variables were: dry matter of roots and shoots at three different times (35, 45 and 55 days after emergence), grain yield and oil content. Base saturation favored crambe root and shoot development, yield and oil content, with the best results for base saturation of 47-48%. The addition of P doses also favored the increase of the analyzed variables. RESUMO A cultura do crambe é uma opção nos sistemas de rotação de culturas com potencial de matéria-prima para a produção de biodiesel; este estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da elevação da saturação por bases do solo e a adição de doses de fósforo na produção de massa seca, produtividade de grãos e no teor de óleo do crambe em condições de Cerrado Goiano. O experimento foi desenvolvido em um Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico, delineado em esquema fatorial (4 x 3) com 4 repetições (48 parcelas) em blocos inteiramente casualizados. Foram avaliados 4 níveis de saturação por bases: 34 - natural do solo, 40, 50 e 60% e três doses de fósforo: 0, 40 e 80 kg ha-1 de P2O5. As parcelas experimentais formavam um retângulo de 9 m2 com 5 linhas de plantio espaçadas 0,45 m. Foi utilizada a cultivar "FMS Brilhante"; as variáveis avaliadas foram: massa seca de raiz e parte aérea, no tempo (35, 45 e 55 dias após a emergência), produtividade de grãos e teor de óleo. A saturação por bases favoreceu o desenvolvimento da raiz e da parte aérea, a produtividade e o teor de óleo do crambe, com melhores resultados para saturação por bases entre 47-48%. A adição das doses de fósforo também favoreceu o aumento das variáveis analisadas.

The waste from shrimp processing contains various compounds such as proteins, lipids, chitin, carotenoids, minerals and aromatic compounds, whose percentages vary according to species, constituent parts, fishing site and season. Studies on the use of this byproduct by the food sector have been conducted, such as those regarding the flour of shrimp waste, preparation of flavored products, preparation of flavoring powder and even the recovery of the protein fraction of chitin and astaxanthin by enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, we investigate the characteristics of an extract rich in carotenoids obtained with pressurized carbon dioxide and ethanol as a co-solvent from the cephalothorax of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp. The operating conditions of the extraction involved two temperatures (40 and 50 °C) and two levels of solvent quality (CO2 with and without ethanol). The pressure was gradually increased during each extract collection in 30-min starting at 150 bar and ending at 300 bar in increments of 50 bar. We observed that the productivity was higher in the presence of ethanol acting as a co-solvent at both temperature levels and was more pronounced at 50 °C; it was also observed that astaxanthin always appeared in greater amounts with respect to β-carotene for all experimental conditions evaluated in this study.

The association between paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) and AIDS is relatively rare in contrast to the higher incidence of other systemic mycosis. The explanation may be that AIDS is still predominantly an urban disease, and the PCM is endemic in Latin American rural areas. The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection in HIV-positive patients at an endemic area of paracoccidioidomycosis in Brazil. Skin test with purified 43 kD glycoprotein (gp43) was performed in 90 HIV/AIDS patients. The prevalence found was 12.2% and it may be even greater, considering that HIV/AIDS patients may not respond to the intradermal test, which depends on cellular immunity for its positivity.

Globally, the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is considered as one of the most important phytopathogens, since it affects the production of several economically important crops. Further, it is difficult to control, thus increasing the use of pesticides. Therefore, the search for new substances, especially those extracted from plants, has received special attention to control this plant pathogen. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the yield and chemical composition of the essential oil extracted from the fresh leaves of guava collected during the rainy and dry seasons, and also to evaluate its toxicity against S. sclerotiorum. The experiment was a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation of the leaves and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main compounds identified in the essential oil were trans-caryophyllene and ?-humulene. The essential oil at a concentration of 300 ?L exhibited 90% inhibition of the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum. This confirmed the antifungal potential of the essential oil of the guava leaves during both the sampling seasons.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:48:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-40422008000400018.pdf: 90150 bytes, checksum: 0daaae30b6df26d3fc4686cc085ff844 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:48:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-40422008000400018.pdf: 90150 bytes, checksum: 0daaae30b6df26d3fc4686cc085ff844 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:10:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-40422008000400018.pdf: 90150 bytes, checksum: 0daaae30b6df26d3fc4686cc085ff844 (MD5) S0100-40422008000400018.pdf.txt: 29996 bytes, checksum: d412d2959ed4f2a8a1278aa561dd25d3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T14:21:20Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-40422008000400018.pdf: 90150 bytes, checksum: 0daaae30b6df26d3fc4686cc085ff844 (MD5) S0100-40422008000400018.pdf.txt: 29996 bytes, checksum: d412d2959ed4f2a8a1278aa561dd25d3 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T14:21:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-40422008000400018.pdf: 90150 bytes, checksum: 0daaae30b6df26d3fc4686cc085ff844 (MD5) S0100-40422008000400018.pdf.txt: 29996 bytes, checksum: d412d2959ed4f2a8a1278aa561dd25d3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) The phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Pterogyne nitens (Caesalpinioideae) resulted in the isolation and identification of nine phenolic derivatives, quercetin 3-O-sophoroside, taxifolin, astilbin, ourateacatechin, caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, chlorogenic and gallic acid, besides two guanidine alkaloids, pterogynine, pterogynidine. This is the first time these compounds have been reported in P. nitens flowers. As this is a monospecific genus, these secondary metabolites may have taxonomical significance. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional NMR techniques. Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Química Departamento de Química Orgânica Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Faculdade de Farmácia Centro de Ciências da Saúde Instituto de Botânica Seção de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Plantas Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Química Departamento de Química Orgânica

The vast Amazon region has considerable territorial peculiarities and plant species diversity, sometimes from the same botanical family, which can exhibit significant differences in physicochemical properties. From this diversity, two species stand out – Amazonas tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer) and Pará tucumã (Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.). The research focus is to analyze, comparatively, these oleaginous fruits, their similarities, particularities and potentials regarding the oil quality extracted from two tucumã varieties from the states of Amazonas and Pará, obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide, under different extraction parameters. The results demonstrate the biometric particularities of each species, highlighting the Amazon fruit, which also showed higher oil yield using supercritical CO2 extraction. The fatty acid quality and profile aspects of the oils show their unsaturated predominance, considering carotenoid content and how the extraction temperature can influence the nutritional quality of the oils. The statistical analyses indicated that the Amazon tucumã oil is superior to the Pará tucumã oil. However, in terms of added value both oils have potential applications in various industrial segments.

The Annonaceae family consists of ~135 genera with diverse species and a large number of chemical compounds arising from the secondary metabolism. However, the chemical composition of the essential oil of several species of the family such as Cardiopetalum calophyllum has not been completely determined. In this study, the essential oils extracted from the leaves, flowers, and fruits of C. calophyllum , collected in typical areas of the Cerrado of Goiás, were characterized. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation for 4h using a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical analysis was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the constituents were identified by comparing the spectra and retention index obtained with those available in the literature. Twenty three compounds were identified in the essential oil of leaves; the oxygenated sesquiterpene, spathulenol (28.78%), was the major compound. Twenty five compounds were identified in the flowers, mainly comprising sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, germacrene-D (37.03%) and germacrene-B (13.72%). Seventeen compounds were reported in fruits, mainly comprising sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, germacrene-D (28.19%) and germacrene-B (20.90%), and an oxygenated sesquiterpene, spathulenol (11.53%). This is the first report on the chemical composition of the essential oils from leaves, flowers, and fruits of C. calophyllum.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the fungus agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a chronic systemic disease prevalent in Latin America. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the protection elicited by the immunization of BALB/c mice with radioattenuated yeast cells of P. brasiliensis. The immunization promoted a long lasting protection against highly infective yeast forms of P. brasiliensis. A 99.5% decrease in CFUs recovery was verified 90 days post challenge. At the same time the levels of IgG2a and IFN-gamma were high while a very low production of IL-10 and IL-5 was verified, suggesting that a Th1 pattern was dominant. This work shows the potential of radioattenuated yeast cells for the development of vaccines against fungi infections.

Background Because to date there is no available study on STAT3 polymorphism and gastric cancer in Western populations and taking into account that Helicobacter pylori CagA EPIYA-C segment deregulates SHP-2/ERK-JAK/STAT3 pathways, we evaluated whether the two variables are independently associated with gastric cancer. Methods We included 1048 subjects: H. pylori-positive patients with gastric carcinoma (n = 232) and with gastritis (n = 275) and 541 blood donors. Data were analyzed using logistic regression model. Results The rs744166 polymorphic G allele (p = 0.01; OR = 1.76; 95 % CI = 1.44-2.70), and CagA-positive (OR = 12.80; 95 % CI = 5.58-19.86) status were independently associated with gastric cancer in comparison with blood donors. The rs744166 polymorphism (p = 0.001; OR = 1.64; 95 % CI = 1.16-2.31) and infection with H. pylori CagA-positive strains possessing higher number of EPIYA-C segments (p = 0.001; OR = 2.28; 95 % CI = 1.41-3.68) were independently associated with gastric cancer in comparison with gastritis. The association was stronger when host and bacterium genotypes were combined (p

The degree of parasite aggregation is determined by a number of factors that are not well understood. In total, 3,746 fish from 73 species and their parasites were analyzed to determine associations between the degree of aggregation by taxon and specific characteristics of the fish. A multiple linear regression (95% confidence interval - CI) was used to show that in most taxa, the degree of parasite aggregation was significantly higher in freshwater fish and schooling fish but varied according to taxon in relation to gender, habitat and feeding habits. Parasite aggregations were also significantly increased in fish with a large number of parasitic larvae and greater body length in all evaluated taxa. Because the coefficients of determination of the models were lower than 60% for all taxa, other factors may be involved in parasite aggregation. Conversely, marked significance was observed for the tested variables in relation to taxon dependence, which indicates that additional studies should be performed for these factors using comprehensive databases with larger samples per parasite species. O nível de agregação parasitária é determinado por um conjunto de fatores não muito bem elucidados. Foram analisados 3.746 peixes pertencentes a 73 espécies e seus respectivos parasitos, com o objetivo de verificar a associação entre o nível de agregação por táxon e algumas características dos peixes. Por meio da técnica de regressão linear múltipla (IC 95%), observou-se que o nível de agregação de parasitos foi significativamente maior em peixes dulcícolas e formadores de cardume, na maioria dos táxons, mas variou conforme o táxon em relação ao sexo, o hábitat e o hábito alimentar. A agregação parasitária também aumentou significativamente em peixes com maior proporção de larvas parasitas e com maior comprimento do corpo em todos os táxons avaliados. Tendo em vista que os coeficientes de determinação dos modelos para todos os táxons foram inferiores a 60%, outros fatores podem estar envolvidos na agregação de parasitos. Por outro lado, as variáveis testadas assumem importância diferenciada na dependência do táxon, sinalizando para a necessidade de se continuar pesquisando esses fatores em bancos de dados mais abrangentes e com amostras maiores por espécies de parasitos.