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Objectives: Araca-verdadeiro is the popular name of Psidium guineense (Myrtaceae), whose fruits and leaves are used in Brazilian folk medicine for treatment of inflammation and pain. The focus of t...

Ethnopharmacological relevance Psidium guineense, popularly known as “araca-do-campo”, is used in popular medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Our research group studied an essential oil obtained from its leaves and reported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, to date, the anti-inflammatory actions of the leaf extract have not been evaluated although the traditional folk use of this plant has these indications. Aim of study The current study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and toxicity of the hydromethanolic extract of the leaves from P. guineense (HME-PG), as well as to investigate the chemical composition. Materials and methods HME-PG was chemically investigated by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The antioxidant activity was evaluated with 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Swiss mice were orally (p.o.) pretreated with HME-PG (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg), and after 1 h received carrageenan via paw injection (edema, cold sensitivity and mechanical hyperalgesia were analyzed) or pleural injection (leukocyte migration was analyzed after 4 h) and for nociception using the formalin model. Acute (14 days) and subacute (28 days) toxicity was assessed with female Wistar rats orally treated with 500 and 2000 mg/kg HME-PG. Results HME-PG showed high levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Six compounds were identified based on UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, including gallic acid, quercetin, 3′-formyl-2′,4′,6′-trihydroxy-5′-methyldihydrochalcone, vanillic acid, ursolic acid and corilagin. HME-PG exhibited an IC50 of 48.14 μg/mL in the MDA assay and an IC50 of 45.15 μg/mL in the DPPH test. The treatment with HME-PG (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly inhibited edema at all time points evaluated, mechanical hyperalgesia after 4 h and the response to cold 3 and 4 h after carrageenan injection and anti-nociceptive effects in both phases of formalin nociception. All oral HME-PG treatments significantly inhibited leukocyte migration and plasma extravasation in the pleurisy model. Toxicity tests did not cause signs of toxicity in the treated animals. Conclusions The present study showed that HME-PG has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and no toxicity was detected after acute or subacute treatment with HME-PG, showing the possibility for the safe traditional use of P. guineense.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Leaves from Psidium guineense Sw. are used in popular medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disease. However, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating this activity. Aim of the study To evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antimycobacterial activities of the essential oil of P. guineense and spathulenol (a major constituent). The study was conducted in part to provide evidence supporting the ethnobotanical use of the leaves of this species. Material and methods The essential oil (EOPG) was extracted from the leaves of P. guineense by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The major compound, spathulenol (PG-1), was isolated in a chromatographic column and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). EOPG and PG-1 were evaluated in vitro for antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and MDA methods; anti-inflammatory potential was assessed using two models, including pleurisy and edema, in mice. The impact of EOPG and PG-1 on cell proliferation was determined via spectrophotometric quantification of the cellular protein content using a sulforhodamine B assay, and anti- Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity was determined using the REMA method. Results A total of 38 components were identified from the EOPG, with the sesquiterpenic alcohol spathulenol (PG-1) (80.7%) being the major constituent. EOPG and PG-1 exhibited the highest antioxidant activities in the DPPH and MDA system compared with reference standard, with IC 50 values ranging from 26.13–85.60 μg/mL. Oral administration of EOPG and PG-1 showed significant inhibition in the Cg-induced mice paw oedema and pleurisy model. The EOPG (GI 50 = 0.89 μg/mL) and PG-1 (GI 50 = 49.30 μg/mL) were particularly effective against the ovarian cancer cell line. Both showed moderate antimycobacterial activity. Conclusion For the first time, this study demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antimycobacterial properties of the essential oil of P. guineense (leaves were collected in Dourados-MS) and spathulenol, collaborating the etnhopharmacologycal use of this plant due to its an anti-inflammatory effect.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The leaves of Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae) are traditionally used as a natural anti-inflammatory agent; however, there are no scientific studies demonstrating its activity essential oil. The content of essential oil in A. edulis may be the chemical basis to explain its ethnobotanical uses, since infusions of this plant are used to treat inflammation in the traditional medicine in Brazil. Aim of the study This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-mycobacterial activities of the essential oil (EOAE) and viridiflorol, its main compound. Material and methods Essential oil from fresh leaves of A. edulis (EOAE) was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. Forty-one compounds, accounting for 99.10% of the oil, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The major constituent of the oil was viridiflorol (30.88%). Additionally, the essential oil and viridiflorol were evaluated using an in vitro test against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Both EOAE (30 and 100 mg/kg) and viridiflorol (3 and 30 mg/kg) by oral administration were assayed in carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema and pleurisy using subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) as the positive control. Results EOAE and viridiflorol displayed moderate in vitro activity in the M. tuberculosis assay. In all tests, EOAE and viridiflorol showed moderate antioxidant activity compared with reference standards. Both EOAE and viridiflorol showed significant inhibition in the carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema via oral administration of the oil (30 and 100 mg/kg), compound (3 and 30 mg/kg), and subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, reference drug). Also EOAE and viridiflorol significantly inhibited carrageenan (Cg) induced pleurisy, reducing the migration of total leucocytes in mice by 62±5% (30 mg/kg of oil), 35±8% (100 mg/kg of oil), 71±5% (3 mg/kg of viridiflorol) and 57±3% (30 mg/kg of viridiflorol). Conclusion For the first time, the results from this work corroborate the literature, showing that A. edulis can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, both EOAE and viridiflorol exhibited biological activities, such as anti-mycobacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Research on pharmacology and phytochemistry originating from medicinal plants has resulted in various publications highlighting the Cerrado in central-western Brazil, which has a remarkable diversity of plant species. The reserve area selected was the Cerrado stricto sensu settlement “17 April”, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. However, no ethnopharmacological review focusing on the plants present in the reserve area exists, even though the consumption of medicinal plants is a widespread practice. The aims of this study were to 1) survey and document the medicinal plants present in the reserve area; 2) provide an overview of recent ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of these species; and 3) provide insight for future studies. A literature search was conducted, and relevant information was collected from authentic resources using databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus, as well as peer reviewed articles, books and theses. Eighty-nine species belonging to 39 different families were found; the most abundant were Fabaceae (n = 13), Myrtaceae (n = 7), Rubiaceae (n = 7) and Bignoniaceae (n = 5). In terms of it empirical use, the most utilized parts were leaves (41%), bark (22%) and roots (15%). The most widespread traditional use, according to the literature review of the following plants involves the treatment of gastro-intestinal system diseases (41 spp). Chemical studies reported a high presence of terpene, phenol, and alkaloid classes. Only three are listed in the RENISUS: Casearia sylvestris, Copaifera langsdorffii and Stryphnodendron adstringens. This study demonstrated a large number of medicinal plants in an area of the Cerrado in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Noting the importance of biodiversity for the development of new pharmacological approaches, many studies prove the empirical use of medicinal plants.