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The essential oil of Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez (EOAC), an Amazon plant composed of a rare nitro compound, has shown scientific evidence of antifungal activity but is still unexplored against dermatophytes. The antifungal susceptibility of EOAC and its main compound, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP), was evaluated against dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis), evidencing antifungal activity with an inhibitory concentration lower than 256 μg/mL. The mechanism of action was also evaluated, and it is suggested that EOAC and NP have fungicidal action in the fungal membrane, since the antifungal activity occurs through a modification of the shape of the conidial structures of the fungus, showing the permeability of the intracellular content due to the visually observed plasmolysis and cytosolic extravasation through an osmotic process. These results suggest the essential oil and its main compound are promising plant-derived alternatives for treating ungual dermatophytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil of Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez (EOAC), an Amazon plant composed of a rare nitro compound, has shown scientific evidence of antifungal activity but is still unexplored against dermatophytes. The antifungal susceptibility of EOAC and its main compound, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP), was evaluated against dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis), evidencing antifungal activity with an inhibitory concentration lower than 256 μg/mL. The mechanism of action was also evaluated, and it is suggested that EOAC and NP have fungicidal action in the fungal membrane, since the antifungal activity occurs through a modification of the shape of the conidial structures of the fungus, showing the permeability of the intracellular content due to the visually observed plasmolysis and cytosolic extravasation through an osmotic process. These results suggest the essential oil and its main compound are promising plant-derived alternatives for treating ungual dermatophytosis.

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez, popularly known as “casca preciosa” (precious bark), falsa canela (cinnamon-scented) Casca-do-maranhão (bark of maranhão), and Folha-preciosa (precious leaf), is an aromatic species of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon region. In traditional medicine, it is indicated for the treatment of a great diversity of diseases, including digestive, respiratory, inflam]matory, painful, and central nervous system disorders, it is administered mainly in the form of tea or decoction orally. Its essential oil is referred to as a natural antioxidant for food preservation and disease control, showing great potential for use in the cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical products sector. The present review aimed to discuss critically and comprehensively the ethnobotanical characteristics, phytochemical constitution, and scientifically tested biological properties of A. canelilla, systematizing the knowledge about the species and proposing new perspectives for research and development. The chemical composition of A. canelilla includes 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, metyleugenol, eugenol, safrol, anabasin, anbin, tannin, α-pinene, b-pinene, b-felandren, b-caryophyllene, b-sesquifelandren, p-cymene, linalool, α-copaene, and spatulenol. Researches with ethanolic extracts, essential oils, and major constituents (1-nitro-2-phenylethane and metyleugenol) have revealed antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, cardio-modulating, hypotensive (vasorelaxant), hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticholinesterase, and antibiotic properties (trypanomicidal, leishmanicidal, and antifungal). Some of these effects are potentially beneficial for aging-related diseases treatment, such as cardio and cerebrovascular, chronic inflammatory, neurological, and degenerative diseases. However, it is necessary to advance in the research of its clinical use and development of therapeutic products.

The study investigated the anti-urease and cytotoxic activities of two major essential oil compounds; 1-Nitro-2-phenylehtane (NPE) and Nerolidol, isolated from the acetone extract of Dennettia tripetala (Pepper Fruit) seeds. Structural characterization of these compounds was performed by NMR, E1MS, and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Anti-urease activity of the compounds on Jack bean Urease was accessed by the indophenol method; molecular docking analysis using MOE 2015.010 program was performed to explain the possible mechanism of interaction between the compounds and urease enzyme. Cytotoxic activities of the compounds were also assayed on brine shrimp (Artemia salina L.) nauplii and 3T3 (mouse fibroblast cells). NPE and Nerolidol displayed significant inhibitory activities on Jack Bean urease with percentage inhibition of 82.4% and 78.6% and IC50 ± SD of 27.4 ± 1.80 and 34.9 ± 3.57 µM respectively. Molecular docking analysis of the interactions between these compounds and active site of the PDB of the enzyme displayed favorable conformational binding with docking scores of −5.3716 and −7.3547 and ligand efficiencies of −0.4883 and −0.4597 for NPE and Nerolidol, respectively. Both interactions were characterized by hydrogen bonding; NPE also displayed π-stacking and hydrophobic interactions. Cytotoxic activity evaluation of both compounds on brine shrimp and mouse fibroblasts revealed no toxicity for both compounds. Conclusively, NPE and Nerolidol could be employed in the treatment of infections engendered by ureolytic activity and could serve as templates in the rational design of functional derivatives that possess higher potencies than the isolated compounds with minimal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez, popularly known as "casca preciosa" (precious bark), falsa canela (cinnamon-scented) Casca-do-maranhão (bark of maranhão), and Folha-preciosa (precious leaf), is an aromatic species of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon region. In traditional medicine, it is indicated for the treatment of a great diversity of diseases, including digestive, respiratory, inflam]matory, painful, and central nervous system disorders, it is administered mainly in the form of tea or decoction orally. Its essential oil is referred to as a natural antioxidant for food preservation and disease control, showing great potential for use in the cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical products sector. The present review aimed to discuss critically and comprehensively the ethnobotanical characteristics, phytochemical constitution, and scientifically tested biological properties of A. canelilla , systematizing the knowledge about the species and proposing new perspectives for research and development. The chemical composition of A. canelilla includes 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, metyleugenol, eugenol, safrol, anabasin, anbin, tannin, α-pinene, b-pinene, b-felandren, b-caryophyllene, b-sesquifelandren, p-cymene, linalool, α-copaene, and spatulenol. Researches with ethanolic extracts, essential oils, and major constituents (1-nitro-2-phenylethane and metyleugenol) have revealed antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, cardio-modulating, hypotensive (vasorelaxant), hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticholinesterase, and antibiotic properties (trypanomicidal, leishmanicidal, and antifungal). Some of these effects are potentially beneficial for aging-related diseases treatment, such as cardio and cerebrovascular, chronic inflammatory, neurological, and degenerative diseases. However, it is necessary to advance in the research of its clinical use and development of therapeutic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez is an aromatic tree from Amazon region whose essential oil presents 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP) and methyleugenol (ME) as major compounds. Several properties are attributed to Aniba canelilla essential oil (ACEO), such as antifungal. Onychomycoses are fungal nail infections that require novel therapeutic alternatives, especially topical ones. However, to ensure the success of topical therapy, the active compound should be able to penetrate/permeate the nail plate, which is challenging due to the highly keratinized composition of this structure. Thus, the aims of this article were to develop, validate and apply a high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC-UV) to quantify NP and ME in porcine hoof extract (PHE) and receptor fluid (RF) during in vitro permeation/retention studies in nail model, for which porcine hoof membranes were used. For method development, two Designs of Experiment (DoE) were adopted: 23 Full Factorial and Box-Behnken. Retention times of 5.65 and 7.49 min were achieved for NP and ME, respectively. The method was full validated for NP and ME quantification in receptor fluid, in accordance with the recommended parameters by ICH Q2(R1) Guideline. In addition, the method was full validated for NP and ME quantification in porcine hoof extract, considering the parameters and criteria of ICH M10 Guideline. In vitro permeation/retention studies were carried out in nail model, and promising results were obtained. NP reached the receptor fluid in the order of 441.1 ± 92.1 µg/cm2 at 72 h. The amount of NP and ME retained into porcine hoof membrane was 1272.6 ± 225.7 µg/cm2 and 84.7 ± 20.4 µg/cm2, respectively, at 72 h. Our findings open perspective to develop topical formulations containing ACEO as active compound aiming the management of onychomycosis. [Display omitted] • A fast HPLC-UV method to simultaneous quantify NP and ME was developed by DoE. • The method was validated for NP and ME quantification in receptor fluid. • The method was validated for NP and ME quantification in porcine hoof extract. • NP and ME penetrated porcine hoof membrane and NP permeated to receptor fluid. • ACEO is a potential compound to for the management of onychomycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez is an aromatic plant from the Amazon region whose essential oil has 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP) and methyleugenol (ME) as major compounds. Despite of the scientifically proven antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities for these compounds, there is no report up to date about the topical permeation or quantification of NP and ME on skin samples. The aim of this study was the validation of an optimized bioanalytical method by solid-phase microextraction in headspace mode in gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (HS-SPME-GC-FID) for the determination of NP and ME from the oil in different samples from permeation study, such as porcine ear skin (PES) layers (stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis) and receptor fluid (RF). For this propose polydimethylsiloxane fibers (100 μm) were used and HS-SPME extraction condition consisted of 53 °C, 21 min, and 5% w.v −1 NaCl addition. The wide range of the calibration curve (2.08–207.87 μg mL −1 for NP and 0.40–40.41 μg mL −1 for ME), the presence of matrix interferences and the intrinsic characteristics of HS-SPME required a data linearization using Log 10 . Thereby, data and the gained results presented homoscedasticity, normalization of residues and adequate linearity (r 2  > 0.99) and accuracy for both compounds. In order to verify the applicability of the validated method, the HS-SPME-GC-FID procedure was performed to determine the amount of NP and ME permeated and retained in samples after Franz diffusion cell study from different dosages (20, 100 and 200 μL) of A. canelilla oil. Compounds permeation showed a progressive increase and penetration dependence based on the dosage applied. Furthermore, retention was in order receptor fluid >> dermis >> epidermis >> stratum corneum for both compounds, suggesting NP and ME could penetrate deep tissue, probably due to the partition coefficient, mass, size, and solubility of these compounds. In conclusion, the proposed method by HS-SPME-GC-FID to quantify 1-nitro-2-phenylethane and methyleugenol from Aniba canelilla essential oil was able to determine selectively, precisely and accurately these main compounds in skin permeation samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniba canelilla, distributed in the Amazon region, stands out for its diverse economic and medicinal applications. Studies of the A. canelilla essential oil and its primary constituent, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, have confirmed its anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anti-hypertensive potential, and anticholinesterase, among other therapeutic activities. Aim of the study : In addition, the present work aims to evaluate the potential of oil and NPE in the learning and memory of rodents. The oil was hydrodistilled and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The learning and memory action in mice was evaluated through the scopolamine-induced cognitive deficit model, followed by behavioral analysis using Morris's water maze paradigm. Oil provided a yield of 0.5%, and in its chemical composition, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NPE) (76.2%) and methyleugenol (19.6%) were identified as primary constituents. Oil fractionation furnished NPE with 99.4%, which was used to evaluate its effects in animal models. Wistar rats were submitted to the mnemonic impairment-scopolamine-induced protocol for 7 days. The oil, NPE, and the positive control donepezil were administered from the 8th to 12th days. Morris water maze results demonstrated that oil and NPE reversed spatial learning and long-term memory similarly induced by muscarinic antagonist scopolamine to donepezil, the positive control. These beneficial effects have led the work to further investigations of the oil and NPE to elucidate their pharmacological mechanism, focusing on the cholinergic pathway of the central nervous system and opening up to the knowledge of other adjacent mechanisms, whose results are still under analysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez, popularly known as “ casca-preciosa ” (precious bark), is a plant of the Lauraceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon region. Its major constituent is 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, a rare molecule in plants which is responsible for this plant's cinnamon scent. The present study aimed to report the chemical characterization of the oil extracted from Aniba canelilla using gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry and to assess its in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma evansi , a prevalent haemoflagellate parasite that affects a broad range of mammal species in Africa, Asia and South America. The oil presented 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (83.68%) and methyleugenol (14.83%) as the two major components. The essential oil as well as both major compounds were shown to exert trypanocidal effect. Methyleugenol was slightly more active than 1-nitro-2-phenylethane. In vitro studies showed that the oil extracted from the stems of A. canelilla may be regarded as a potential natural treatment for trypanosomosis, once proven their in vivo action, may be an interesting alternative in the treatment of infected animals with T. evansi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The odoriferous principle of Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez is due 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, the main constituent of its essential oil and also responsible for the plant's cinnamon scent. This nitroderivative was previously reported by their antioxidant, antinociception, cardiovascular, and vasorelaxant properties, and now it was tested as the inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase using bioautography on TLC plates. The oil and a purified fraction containing 1-nitro-2-phenylethane were analyzed by GC and GC- MS. The percentage content of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane in the oil and after fractionation was 70.2% and 98.0%, respectively. The results showed that the oil and 1-nitro-2-phenylethane are strong acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with the detection limit of 0.01 ng, equivalent to physostigmine used as the positive control. A molecular docking study was used to determine the position and conformation of the 1-nitro-2-phenylethane inhibitor in the receptor-binding pocket of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The nitrogroup of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane was positioned near of the catalytic serine residue of acetylcholinesterase, forming strong hydrogen bond with its hydroxyl group. Therefore, the electronegative character of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane may explain the interaction that occurs with the catalytic serine residue and its significant inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the hypnotic, anti-convulsant and anxiolytic effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (BPNE) obtained from the oil of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) and established its mechanism of action. The essential oil (EO) from the leaf, fruit and seed was obtained by hydrodistillation, followed by isolation of BPNE purified to 99.2% by accelerated gradient chromatography on silica, and identified by NMR and GC–MS. The pure BPNE and EO of the dried seed (93.6%) were comparatively evaluated for hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects in mice. The acute toxicity of BPNE was determined and the LD50 was 490mg/kg, intrapritonealy. The hypnotic activities of the EO and BPNE (50–400mg/kg, i.p.) were assessed by loss of righting reflex, while sodium pentobarbitone (PBS) and diazepam (DZM) were used as positive controls. The anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of the EO and BPNE were evaluated in mice. Both BPNE and EO at doses ≥100mg/kg induced spontaneous hypnosis with loss of righting reflex, significantly decreased sleep latency (SL) and also increased total sleeping time (TST) dose-dependently. They had comparable activity with NAP in TST. The BPNE exhibited higher hypnotic potency than EO at the same dose levels. The EO and BPNE offered comparable dose-related protections against PTZ- and strychnine-induced convulsions. Flumazenil (2mg/kg) blocked the hypnotic and anticonvulsant (PTZ-convulsions) effects of both EO and BPNE. The essential oil at 5–20mg/kg dose levels significantly (p <0.05) increased the percentage time spent and number of entries into the open arms. While at the same dose range BPNE significantly (p <0.05) increased the percentage time spent and the number of entries into the open arms respectively. The study concluded that 1-nitro-2-phenylethane exhibited dose dependent significant hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects and it is the compound largely responsible for the neuropharmacological effects of the oil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study investigated the mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effects of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla (EOAC) and its main constituent 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP) in isolated superior mesenteric artery from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). At 0.1–1000μg/mL, EOAC and NP relaxed SMA preparations pre-contracted with 75mMKCl with IC50 (geometric mean [95% confidence interval]) values of 294.19 [158.20–94.64] and 501.27 [378.60–624.00] μg/mL, respectively); or with phenylephrine (PHE) (IC50s=11.07 [6.40–15.68] and 7.91 [4.08–11.74) μg/mL, respectively). All these effects were reversible and remained unaltered by vascular endothelium removal. In preparations maintained under Ca2+-free conditions, EOAC and NP (both at 600μg/mL) reduced the PHE-, but not the caffeine-induced contraction. In Ca2+-free and high K+ (75mM) medium, the contractions produced by CaCl2 or BaCl2 were reduced or even abolished by EOAC and NP at 100 and 600μg/mL, respectively. EOAC and NP (both at 10–1000μg/mL) also relaxed the contraction evoked by phorbol dibutyrate (IC50 =52.66 [10.82–94.64] and 39.13 [31.55–46.72] μg/mL, respectively). It is concluded that NP has a myogenic endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects and appears to be the active principle of the EOAC. Vasorelaxant effect induced by both EOAC and NP is preferential to receptor-activated pathways and it appears to occur intracellularly more than a superficial action restricted to the membrane environment such as a simple blocking activity on a given receptor or ion channel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previously, it was shown that intravenous (i.v.) treatment with the essential oil of Aniba canelilla (EOAC) elicited a hypotensive response that is due to active vascular relaxation rather than to the withdrawal of sympathetic tone. The present study investigated mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular responses to 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, the main constituent of the EOAC. In pentobarbital-anesthetized normotensive rats, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (1–10mg/kg, i.v.) elicited dose-dependent hypotensive and bradycardiac effects which were characterized in two periods (phases 1 and 2). The first rapid component (phase 1) evoked by 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (10mg/kg) was fully abolished by bilateral vagotomy, perineural treatment of both cervical vagus nerves with capsaicin (250µg/ml) and was absent after left ventricle injection. However, pretreatment with capsazepine (1mg/kg, i.v.) or ondansetron (30µg/kg, i.v.) did not alter phase 1 of the cardiovascular responses to 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (10mg/kg, i.v.). In conscious rats, 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (1–10mg/kg, i.v.) evoked rapid hypotensive and bradycardiac (phase 1) effects that were fully abolished by methylatropine (1mg/kg, i.v.). It is concluded that 1-nitro-2-phenylethane induces a vago-vagal bradycardiac and depressor reflex (phase 1) that apparently results from the stimulation of vagal pulmonary rather than cardiac C-fiber afferents. The transduction mechanism of the 1-nitro-2-phenylethane excitation of C-fiber endings is not fully understood and does not appear to involve activation of either Vanilloid TPRV1 or 5-HT3 receptors. The phase 2 hypotensive response to 1-nitro-2-phenylethane seems to result, at least in part, from a direct vasodilatory effect since 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (1–300µg/ml) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of phenylephrine-induced contraction in rat endothelium-containing aorta preparations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to its therapeutic action, the phytochemical study of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla H.B.K Mez. (Lauraceae) and its toxicological preclinical trial were evaluated. The essential oil extracted from the bark (OEAC) yielded 1.0% and the major constituents were 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (52.9%) and methyl eugenol (38.7%), both identified by GC/MS and GC-FID. The observed LD50 (oral) was 720 ± 66.4 mg/kg. The doses used in the subacute toxicity study (1/10 and 1/20 of the LD50) were administered in rats for 30 days, and the biochemical (glucose, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) and hematological (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets counts, blood hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) parameters were observed. The results suggested that the A. canellila oil presented low toxicity in rats, according to the used dosages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez is a medicinal plant used in the Amazon folk therapeutic as antispasmodic, antidiarreic, carminative, tonic agent and a stimulant of the digestive and central nervous system. Our preliminary studies showed that the plant essential oil has analgesic activity in mice. Now, we are reporting the antinociceptive effect of the compound 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (97.5%), the main component of the essential oil of Aniba canelilla, which was obtained by column chromatographic purification. In the writhing test this compound was dosed at 15, 25 and 50mg/kg reducing the abdominal writhes in a significant manner; in the hot plate test it was assayed at 50, 100 and 200mg/kg producing no alterations in the latency time when compared to the control; and in the formalin test the 1-nitro-2-phenylethane was tested at 50 and 25mg/kg decreasing significantly the second phase of the algic stimulous. The study suggests that the 1-nitro-2-phenylethane has analgesic activity, probably of peripheral origin. The mechanism involved is not completely understood, however, the results suggest that the opiod receptors are involved in the antinociceptive action observed to 1-nitro-phenylethane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The essential oils of leaves, stem bark and trunk wood of Aniba canelilla, collected in the rainy and dry season from different soil types, were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC/MS. It has been observed that methyleugenol is also an important volatile constituent in the essential oil of A. canelilla, as well as 1-nitro-2-phenylethane. The percentage content of these two compounds was depending on the season time. In the rainy period the 1-nitro-2-phenylethane reach values near 95%, while methyleugenol remain below 18%. By contrast, in the dry period 1-nitro-2-phenylethane decrease to 39%, while methyleugenol reach 45%. The leaf oils produced from specimens collected at different soil types in the dry season presented the lower percentage contents to 1-nitro-2-phenylethane and methyleugenol. In contrast, the mono- and sesquiterpenes compounds present in the same oils showed the higher percentage contents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • A nanoemulsion with Aniba canelilla essential oil was developed and characterized. • The nanoemulsification process conferred photo and thermal stability to the oil. • The oil, its main compounds and loaded-nanoemulsion have antichemotactic activity. • The oil-loaded nanoemulsion was the most effective in reducing chemotactic potential. • The developed nanosystem is promising for the treatment of topical inflammation. The essential oil extracted from Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez, an aromatic plant from the Amazon region, has 1-nitro-2-phenylethane and methyleugenol as major compounds and although presents historical evidence of treating topical disorders its incorporation in a formulation aiming topical administration was yet unexplored. In this sense, nanoemulsion containing essential oil of A. canelilla was produced by high pressure homogenization and characterized in terms of physicochemical parameters, morphology and thermo and photo (UVA and UVC) stabilities. In addition, in vitro antichemotactic activity was evaluated to the essential oil, isolated compounds and loaded nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsion showed nanometric droplet size with spherical shape, adequate size dispersion and negative charge. The nanoemulsion successfully protected the main compounds of A. canelilla essential oil from thermal degradation and volatilization, also protecting or delaying degradation against UVA and UVC light. The essential oil of A. canelilla , 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, methyleugenol and the nanoemulsion containing A. canelilla essential oil presented antichemotactic activity with reduction of polymorphonuclear neutrophils migration in the range of 24.1–100 %, suggesting an anti-inflammatory potential for these substances, mainly for the loaded nanoemulsion. These promising results revealed that the nanoemulsification of A. canelilla essential oil brought benefits as it maintained stability with an improvement of antichemotactic activity, suggesting it is an interesting strategy for topical delivery of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane and methyleugenol to treat inflamed skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil of the leaves and fine stems of Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez collected in the city of Manaus, AM, Brazil, were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Forty-two components were identified, of which 1-nitro-2-phenylethane, as expected, was the major (71.2%-68.2%).Os óleos essenciais das folhas e dos galhos finos de Aniba canelilla (Kunth) Mez coletada na cidade de Manaus, AM, Brasil, foram obtidos por hidrodestilação e analisados por CG-EM. Quarenta e dois componentes foram identificados, dos quais 1-nitro-2-feniletano, como esperado, foi o que apresentou maior porcentagem (71,2%-68,2%).

We examined the effects of treatment with 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NP), a novel soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH in rats. At day 0, male adult rats were injected with a single subcutaneous (s.c.) dose of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). Control (CNT) rats received an equal volume of monocrotaline's vehicle only (s.c.). Four weeks later, MCT-treated rats were treated orally for 14 days with NP (50 mg/kg/day) (MCT-NP group) or its vehicle (Tween 2%) (MCT-V group). At the end of the treatment period and before invasive hemodynamic study, rats of all experimental groups were examined by echocardiography. With respect to CNT rats, MCT-V rats showed significant; (1) increases in pulmonary artery (PA) diameter, RV free wall thickness and end-diastolic RV area, and increase of Fulton index; (2) decreases in maximum pulmonary flow velocity, PA acceleration time (PAAT), PAAT/time of ejection ratio, and velocity-time integral; (3) increases in estimated mean pulmonary arterial pressure; (4) reduction of maximal relaxation to acetylcholine in aortic rings, and (5) increases in wall thickness of pulmonary arterioles. All these measured parameters were significantly reduced or even abolished by oral treatment with NP. NP reversed endothelial dysfunction and pulmonary vascular remodeling, which in turn reduced ventricular hypertrophy. NP reduced pulmonary artery stiffness, normalized the pulmonary artery diameter and alleviated RV enlargement. Thus, NP may represent a new therapeutic or a complementary approach to treatment of PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]