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Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., popularly known as “juazeiro”, is a tree widely found in the northeast of Brazil. It is commonly used as an antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and analgesic agent. The stem extract exhibited, beside cytotoxic properties, substantial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Allivibrio fischeri. UHPLC-ESI-Orbitrap-HR-MS analysis of the alkaloidal fraction of the crude methanolic stem extract of this species enabled the detection and putative identification of sixteen cyclopeptide alkaloids (CPAs), including four possibly new structures. According to the MS² fragmentation analysis, from the sixteen identified CPAs, three possess a type-Ia1, one a type-Ia2, and twelve a type-Ib cyclopeptide alkaloid core. The structures of paliurine-C and -D were supported by NMR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletia paradoxa (Spreng.) Esc. (Rhamnaceae, Colletieae) is a medicinal plant, threatened with extinction in Brazil, presenting great morphological variability. Our objective is to investigate the phytochemical components, antioxidant capacity and antimycobacterial activity of different morphotypes of C. paradoxa in different environments. For this, the crude extract of the leaves and branches of the individuals sampled was used. The elimination capacity of the free radicals was determined by the DPPH method, the antimycobacterial activity by the broth microdilution method and the phenolic content by the spectrophotometric method using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and by HPLC. The extracts of C. paradoxa and its morphotypes showed significant amounts of phenolic compounds, including quercetin, quercitrin and rutin, besides considerable antioxidant and antimycobacterial activity No connection was detected between the phytochemical composition and different morphotypes of C. paradoxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The Condalia buxifolia root bark infusion is used in traditional medicine in Brazil as antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and against dysentery. This study was designed to investigate whether the methanolic extract of the root bark of Condalia buxifolia (MECb) exhibits antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice. Furthermore, also was investigated the involvement of glutamatergic and opioidergic system in the antinociceptive effect induced by MECb. Materials and methods The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of intra-gastric gavage (i.g.) administered MECb (10–300 mg/kg) were evaluated in mice subjected to chemical (formalin, acetic-acid, glutamate) or thermal (hot plate) models of pain. The involvement of opioid system in the antinociceptive effect of the MECb was investigated in formalin test. Furthermore, a nonspecific effect of MECb was evaluated by measuring locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in open field test. Finally, was performed a phytochemical analysis of MECb. Results The phytochemical analysis of MECb was performed through HPLC analysis showing that the alkaloid Condaline-A is the main constituent. The intragastric administration of MECb (100–300 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the nociception caused by acetic acid (48±2%), inflammatory phase (49±3%) and paw edema (32±6) caused by formalin, and MECb (100 mg/kg, i.g.) also inhibited nociception caused by glutamate (41±7%). In addition, MECb (100–300 mg/kg, i.g.) increased the paw withdrawal latency in hot-plate test, without affecting the locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in open field test. Finally, the antinociceptive effects of MECb (100 mg/kg, i.g.) were significantly reversed by naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) in the formalin test. Conclusion These data show, for the first time, that MECb has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, which appear to be related to the inhibition of the glutamatergic system and the activation of opioid mechanism, besides present central effects. These results support the use of Condalia buxifolia in traditional medicine and demonstrate that this plant has therapeutic potential for the development of phytomedicines with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke is a plant used in Brazilian folk medicine to both prevent malaria and act as a depurative. Aim of the study: We have investigated the effects of an ethanol crude extract of roots of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus (CEAaD), a chemically characterized saponin mixture (SAPAaD), as well as a saponin-free fraction (SAPAaD-free) obtained from CEAaD on diuresis in rats. Materials and methods: Wistar rats under ad libitum water conditions or water deprivation for 12h prior to the start of the experiment were volume-expanded with 0.9% NaCl (4% body weight, by gavage) containing either CEAaD, SAPAaD, or SAPAaD-free at the doses indicated in the text. Rats were individually housed in metabolic cages, and urine volume was measured every 30min throughout the experiment (3h). Results: CEAaD increased urine volume in rats under conditions of both free access to water and under water deprivation. In the latter condition, CEAaD (150mg/kg) increased the urine volume from zero to 0.9±0.1ml/120min, n =6). Similarly, the SAPAaD-free (50–200mg/kg) mixture also increased the urine volume. In contrast, SAPAaD (12.5–1000mg/kg) produced a significant reduction (p <0.01) in diuresis under conditions of both water deprivation and with free access to water prior to the start of the experiment. Conclusion: Our data indicate that CEAaD contains compounds that cause both diuresis and antidiuresis and that the antidiuretic effect is due mainly to the presence of saponins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ethnopharmacology Relevance: Discaria americana Gillies ex Hook (sin. Discaria febrifuga and Discaria longispina) (Rhamnaceae) is a plant native from Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil), Uruguay and Argentine, and has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine as antipyretic agent, and for stomach disorders. In Rio Grande do Sul, Uruguay and Argentine, the roots, in decoction, are used as tonic and febrifuge. Although it is a plant widely used by the population, there are no studies proving this popular use., Material and Methods: The crude neutral methanol extract, and pure isolated alkaloids, were investigated in vitro for antimicrobial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecium; and five Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa., Results: The crude neutral methanol (CME) extract of the root bark of Discaria americana showed antibacterial activity, ranging from 62.5 to 250 μg mL -1 (MIC), against the tested bacteria. From the fractions obtained from the crude extract, the basic ethereal fraction (BEF) showed to be more effective, with MICs between 31.5 and 125 μg mL -1 against the tested bacteria. The bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl ether basic fraction yielded eight cyclopeptide alkaloids: frangufoline (1), frangulanine (2), adouetine Y' (3), discarine A (4) discarine B (5), discarine C (6), discarene C (7) and discarine D (8). When evaluated against the Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecium, discarine B (5) proved to be the most active alkaloid with a MIC/MLC = 0.77/1.55 μg mL -1 , near the most active antibacterial agent levofloxacin (MIC/MLC = 0.77/0.77 μg mL -1 ). Moreover, discarine C (6) was the more active alkaloid against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, with a MIC/MLC = 3.1/6.2 μg mL -1 , the same observed for the antibacterial agent azithromycin. Kinetic measurements of the bacteriolytic activities of discarine B (5) against Enterococcus faecium (Gram-positive), and of discarine C (6) against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (Gram-negative) were determined by optical density based on real time assay, suggesting that both mode of action are partially bacteriolytic., Conclusion: In conclusion, five 14-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids isolated from Discaria americana Gillies ex Hook (Rhamnaceae) showed promising antibacterial activity, making this metabolites a class of scientific interest. The good activity presented by the extract and the alkaloids against the Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecium and against the Gram-negative bacteria Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Enterobacter. aerogenes and Escherichia coli, corroborate with the popular use of this plant for stomach disorders and as antifebrile., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)