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A new isoflavone named harpalycine and quercetin were isolated from the leaves and 3-hydroxy-4-isopentenyl-8,9-methyle-nedioxypterocarpan and betulinic acid from the roots of Harpalyce brasiliana. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques of the new isoflavone. Uma nova isoflavona denominada harpalicina e quercetina foram isoladas das folhas e 3-hidroxi-4-isopentenil-8,9-metilenodioxipterocarpano e ácido betulínico das raizes de Harpalyce brasiliana. As estruturas foram elucidadas usando métodos espectrométricos, inclusive RMN bidimensional (2D) da nova isoflavona.

An oil produced from Mentha x villosa Huds. by steam distillation of plant material collected in Fortaleza was analyzed by GC/MS and retention indices. The oil was found to be rich in piperitenone oxide (55.4%) and γ-muurolene (13.1%).

The isoflavonoids 6,7-dimethoxy-3’,4’-methylenodioxy-, 4’-hydroxy-3’,6,7-trimethoxy-, 3,4,6,7-tetramethoxy-, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,4-methylenodioxy-, 2’,6,7-trimethoxy-3’,4’-methylenedioxy-, 2’,3’,4’,6,7-pentamethoxy- and 2’,4’,5,6,7-pentamethoxyisoflavone, together with the triterpenoids lupeol and betulin and 4-methoxybenzoic acid, were isolated from acetone extracts of the sapwood and heartwood of Pterodon polygalaeflorus. The structures of these natural products have been characterized by spectrometric methods, mainly extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments, which were also used for complete assignments of the chemical shifts of the hydrogen and carbon-13 atoms of isoflavonoids. Os isoflavonóides 6,7-dimetoxi-3’,4’-metilenodioxi-, 4’-hidroxi-3’,6,7-trimetoxi-, 3,4,6,7-tetrametoxi-, 7-hidroxi-6-metoxi-3,4-metilenodioxi-, 2’,6,7-trimetoxi-3’,4’-metilenodioxi-, 2’,3’,4’,7,7-pentametoxi- e 2’,4’,5,6,7-pentametoxiisoflavona, os triterpenóides lupeol e betulina e o ácido 4-metoxibenzóico foram isolados dos extratos acetônicos do alburno e do cerne de Pterodon polygalaeflorus. As estruturas destes produtos naturais foram caracterizadas por métodos espectrométricos, principalmente experiências de RMN 1D e 2D de hidrogênio e carbono-13, que foram também utilizados para a atribuição inequívoca dos deslocamentos químicos dos átomos de hidrogênio e carbono-13 dos isoflavonóides.

The Plectranthus species (Lamiaceae) have been used in traditional medicine in several places around the world, including Brazil, to treat different diseases. P. grandis and P. ornatus, growing in north-eastern Brazil, were collected at four different times of day and the essential oils from the leaves were analysed by GC–MS. The oil of P. grandis contained mainly trans-β-caryophyllene (31.3–40.2%), germacrene D (12.5–24.5%) and eugenol (15.4%) and the oil of P. ornatus contained trans-β-caryophyllene (9.6–62.4%), eugenol (38.0%) and thymol (14.1%) as the major components. The oils were submitted to DPPH antioxidant assay. The oil of P. ornatus showed a higher antioxidant activity than that of P. ornatus, probably due to its higher yield of the phenolic compounds eugenol and thymol. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of this work was to study the larvicidal activity of Lippia sidoides essential oil against Aedes aegypti larvae. The essential oil and its hydrolate (saturated solution of essential oil in water) were obtained by vapor extraction and their chemical composition determined by GL-chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy. Bioassays were run with the essential oil, pure and diluted hydrolate and with their main constituents thymol and carvacrol. The results obtained showed that L. sidoides essential oil and its hydrolate have larvicidal action against the mosquito A. aegypti, causing an almost instantaneous mortality. Thymol, an alkylated phenol derivative and one of the major components of L. sidoides essential oil, was identified as the active principle responsible for the larvicidal action, causing 100% larval mortality at the lowest tested concentration of 0.017% (w/v). These results suggest that the essential oil of L. sidoides is promising as larvicide against A. aegypti and could be useful in the search of newer, more selective, and biodegradable larvicidal natural compounds to be used in official combat programs and at home.

The essential oils of Lippia alnifolia Schau. and L. aff. gracillis H.B.K. from northeast Brazil were analyzed by GC/MS. Z. alnifolia oil was found to contain limonene (47.2%) and piperitenone oxide (44.6 %) as major components. The oil of L. aff. gracillis contained p-cymene (14.5%), γ-terpinene (10.6%) and carvacrol (38.4%) as dominant constituents.

Even though the rationale behind the use of medicinal plants in Brazil and China is different, twenty four species are used in both countries. Scientific name, vulgar name and uses in both countries along with their chemical constituents are listed.

From the ethanolic extract of the heartwood of Cedrela odorata were isolated gedunin, 3β- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-24-methyllenecholesterol, oleanonic acid, sitosterol, n -octacosanol and a new triterpene threo -23,24,25-trihydroxytirucall-7-en-3-one. Structural determinations of these compounds were made by spectrometric data. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil identified the sesquiterpenoids α-copaene, β-elemene, α-muurolene, calamenene, guayazulene, dihydroguayazulene, torreyol, γ-muurolene and α-cubebene.

Lippia sidoides Cham, and L. gracillis H.B.K. (Verbenaceae) are wild aromatic small trees or shrubs of Northeast Brazil vegetation. Chemical analysis of the oils obtained from the two plants by GC/MS revealed that L. sidoides contained thymol (73.1%), while L. gracillis contained carvacrol (47.7%) and p-cymene (19.2%) as main components.

The essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Zanthoxylum sincarpum was analyzed using GC (retention indices) and GC/MS. The major components found in the oil were (E)-β-farnesene (29.6%) and β-elemene (14.4%).

Ocimum tenuiflorum L.f. (syn O. sanctum L.) (Labiatae) is an ayurvedic medicinal plant from India that was introduced in Northeastern Brazil in 1970. Oils produced by steam distillation and microwave distillation from leaves and inflorescences were analyzed by GC/MS and retention indices. The leaf oil contained eugenol (79.0–82.7%) and β-caryophyllene (7.9–9.8%) as major constituents, whereas the inflorescence oil was rich in eugenol (17.6–60.0%), β-caryophyllene (24.5–40.7%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.9–18.5%).

Variation of chemical composition of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum eugenol type was studied for 11 h during the daytime. Microwave oven technique was used for the serial extraction and the obtained oils were analysed by GC/MS. A considerable variation was observed in the eugenol yield, 98% at 12.00 am. to 11% at 05.00 p.m. These results show the influence of the solar light on eugenol production and can be useful to indicate the optimal time for collection of the plant.

The north-eastern region of Brazil comprises about one third of the country's territory. It is a semi-arid region with a flora rich in aromatic, toxic and medicinal plants. Screening of aromatic plants led to the investigation of about 2000 samples of essential oil from plants from the region and from abroad. Studies done by the Universidade Federal do Ceara and other research groups in the region discovered several new substances with distinct pharmacological activities. Recent examples are: schultezin, hydroxy-bisabolol, trans-annonene, (-)-hardwickic acid, trans-cascarillone, nor-cucurbitacins, oleanolic saponin and chalcone dimer. A social programme called the Living Pharmacy was created to teach poor people how to cultivate and use medicinal plants correctly. A project to develop interaction between the university and industry also arose from these studies.

The essential oil of Siparuna guianensis Aublet leaves collected during different months of the year were analyzed by GC/MS. (E)-Nerolidol was the major component of the oil of S. guianensis, collected in June during flowering. A large seasonal variation in the nerolidol content (0-99–3%) of S. guianensis oil was observed.

Essential oils from the leaves and inflorescences of Ocimum basilicum L. var purpurascens Benth, were obtained by steam distillation and using microwave distillation. Oils were investigated by GC and GC/MS. The main constituent in the leaf oils and inflorescence oil was linalool (39.3–79.6% and 81.5%).

The leaf oil of Eugenia uniflora L. [syn. Stenocalyx michelii (Berg.) Legrand] was investigated by GC/MS, retention data, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The main constituents were selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one (48.52%) and oxidoselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one (17.33%).

The leaf oils of Turnera calyptrocarpa Urban and Turnera caerulea DC were characterized by GC/MS, Kovats indices and 13C-NMR analysis. Seventeen constituents were identified in the oil of T. calyptrocarpa, β-elemene (17.1%), β-caryophyllene (17.1%), γ-cadinene (13.2%) and curzerene (12.5%) being the major constituents. The main constituents found in the oil of T. caerulea were γ-cadinene (47.2%) and β-caryophyllene (32.1%).

Twenty-seven compounds have been characterized by GC/MS and Kovats indices in the essential oil of Tagetes erecta L. (Compositae). The major compounds are terpinolene (12.4%), (E)-β-ocimene (13.1%), piperitone (20.0%) and limonene (11.0%). The presence of indole among the minor compounds is somewhat surprising, since it was not reported before in this genus.

The essential oils obtained from the leaves of Wedelia paludosa DC. and Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitch., were analyzed by GC/MS. α-Pinene was the chief constituent found in all samples of both oils in a yield above 30%. W. paludosa oil was also rich in β-pinene (10.3%), limonene (21.3%) and γ-muurolene (11.8%), while α-phellandrene (17.4%) and limonene (16.3%) were the other major components of W. trilobata oil.

The constituents of the essential oil obtained from flowerheads of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch. plants growing around Medianeira city, in Parana State, Brazil, were analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents identified in the oil were similar to those found in oils from other parts of the world. The Brazilian oil contained the following major components: bisabolol oxide B (23%), bisabolol oxide A (17%), (Z)-β-farnesene (16%), α-bisabolol (13%), chamazulene (8%) and chamo-spiroether (5%).

The neoflavonoids 7-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydrocumarin (1), 5-hydroxy-7-methyl-4-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydrocoumarin (2), 5-methyl-7-O-coumaroyl-4-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydrocoumarin (3), 5-hydroxy-4-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-a-pirano-(6",5":7,8)-3,4-dihydrocoumarin (7), and 7-pentadecyl-4-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-3,4- dihydrocoumarin (8) were synthesized via the AlCl3-catalyzed condensation of 4-methoxycinnamic acid chloride with orcinol, 5,7-dihydroxycoumarin and hydrogenated cardanol. The compounds were characterized on the basis of their ¹H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopic properties, including nOe difference spectroscopy. Os neoflavonóides 7-hidroxi-5-metil-4-(4’-metoxifenil)-3,4-diidrocumarina (1), 5-hidroxi-7-metil-4-(4’-metoxifenil)-3,4-diidrocumarina (2), 5-metil-7-O-cumaroil-4-(4’-metoxifenil)-3,4-diidrocumarina (3), 5-hidroxi-4-(4’-metoxifenil)-a-pirano-(6",5":7,8)-3,4- diidrocumarina (7) e 7-pentadecil-4-(4’-metoxifenil)-3,4-diidrocumarina (8) foram sintetizados por condensação, catalisada pelo tricloreto de alumínio, entre o cloreto do ácido 4-metoxicinâmico com orcinol, 5,7-dihidroxicumarina e cardanol hidrogenado. Os produtos das reações foram caracterizados com base nos dados espectrais de RMN ¹H e 13C, usando-se principalmente a técnica de espectroscopia nOe diferencial.

Ocimum basilicum L. occurs everywhere in several forms, varieties and chemotypes whose essential oils presents marked variation on chemical composition. A new analysis of O. basilicum, O. basilicum var. minimum L. and O. basilicum var. purpuracens Benth. growing in north-eastern Brazil showed that O. basilicum var. minimum represented a true estragole chemotype, while the other two species analysed may be considered linalool chemotypes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Essential oils from leaves, stems and roots of Plectranthus barbatus Andr.(Labiatae) were analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents found were α-pinene (22.2%) in the leaves, β-phellandrene (26.1%) in the stems, and (Z)-β-ocimene (37.6%) in the roots. Although diterpenes were reported previously in this species, this is the first time that manool (1.0%) and abietatriene (0.7%) have been found in the leaf, and roots oils, respectively.

Essential oils from the leaves, fruit and resin of Protium heptaphyllum were analyzed by GC/MS from a sample collected in Crato-Ceara, Brazil. The major constituents identified in the leaves were mono and sesquiterpenes such as myrcene (18.6%), β-caryophyllene (18.5%) whereas oils from resin and fruit contained mainly monoterpenes such as α-pinene (10.5%), limonene (16.9%), α-phellandrene (16.7%), and terpinolene (28.5%) in the resin oil, and α-pinene (71.2%) in the fruit oil

Marsypianthes chamaedrys (Vahl) Kuntze (Labiatae) named by local people “Paracari,” “Boia-caa” and “Hortela do mato” is an aromatic herb from Northeast Brazilian region. An oil produced from the flowering plants was anlyzed by GC/MS. The main constituents were found to be germacrene D (35.6%), β-caryophyllene(l5.1%)bicyclogermacrene (7.2%) and α-copaene (5.3%).

The essential oils obtained by steam distillation of roots and leaves of Zanthoxylum rugosum St. Hill were analyzed using GC (retention indices) and GC/MS. The major components found in the root oil were γ-muurolene (18,5%) and β-gurjunene (10.3%). The leaf oil showed as main constituents epi-α-bisabolol (37.7%) and (E)-nerolidol (25.4%).

The essential oil from roots of Simaba moiana Casar (Simaroubaceae) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents found were precocene I (38.5%), β-caryophyllene (13.2%) and geranial (12.4%).

The essential oil from inflorescence, fruit, bark and leaves of Croton lanjouwensis Jablonski was analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents found in the leaf oil α-pinene (26.6%) and α-phellandrene (8.5%); in the fruit oil linalool (14.5%) and β-caryophyllene (190%); in the inflorescence oil α-pinene (28.4%) and linalool (26.7%) and in the bark oil α-pinene (72.2%).

The chemical composition of steam distilled oil of Erichtites hieracifolia was examined by GC/MS. The main compounds were found to be α-phellandrene (41.2%), p-cymene (22.1%), β-caryophyllene (7.%), camphor (5.4%), cis-ascaridole (10.0%) and α-phellandrene epoxide (1.0%).

The oil from roots of Bowdichia virgilioides (Leguminosae) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents found were 2-tridecanone (54.6%), 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (11.0%) and 2-pentadecanone (9.9%).

The leaf and inflorescence oils of Ocimum micranthum Willd. were investigated by GC (retention time data), GC/MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The main constituents in the leaves were eugenol (44.8%) and β-caryophyllene (14.7%), whereas in the inflorescence elemicin (32.9%) and eugenol (14.0%) were the major compounds

The oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Casearia grandiflora was analyzed by a combination of GC/MS, retention indices and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The major components found in the oil were β-caryophyllene (24.6%), γ-muurolene (22.89%), β-elemene (14.2%) and bicyclogermacrene (14.7%).

The oil from leaves of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents found were precocene I (56.0%), β-caryophyllene (13.7%) and (2Z,6E)-farnesol (6.6%).

The oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Acanthospermum australie DC was analyzed by a combination of GC/MS, retention indices and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The major components found in the oil were β-caryophyllene (16.0%), β-elemene (14.4%), γ-cadinene (13.0%), germacrene A (10.1%) and δ-cadinene (5.5%).

The essential oil from fruit shell of Passiflora edulis Sims, was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents found were 2-tridecanone (62.1%), (9Z)-octadecenoic acid (16.6 %), 2-pentadecanone (6.2%), hexadecanoic acid (3.2%), 2-tridecanol (2.1%), octadecanoic acid (2.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (2.0%).

The essential oil from roots of Annona squamosa L. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents found were β-caryophyllene (40.03%), α-pinene (8.07%), α-humulene (7.77%) and α-gurjunene (7.64%).

Essential oils produced from leaves of Astronium fraxinifolium Schott. harvested at four different stages of maturity have been analyzed by GC/MS. Z-Limonene (57.4%) was the principal component of young leaves of young plants and (E)-β-ocimene (94.8%) was the major constituent in mature leaves from young plants. In the adult plant, the principal constituent was also (E)-β-ocimene in both young leaves and in mature leaves in 63.2% and 81.6%, respectively.

The essential oil from fruits of Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents found were β-caryophyllene (32.1%), γ-muurolene (21.0%), β-elemene (10.9%) and γ-elemene (8.3%)

The chemical composition of the essential oil from flower heads of Egletes viscosa Less. (Compositae) was analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents found were trans-pinocarvyl acetate (49.0%) β-pinene (26.8%) and myrtenyl acetate (6.5%).

Steam distillation of leaves of the Brazilian shrub Zanthoxylum gardneri Engl, gave an essential oil in 0.3% yield. GC/MS of the oil revealed the presence of (E)-nerolidol (81.5%) as the major component. Six other sesquiterpenoid constituents were also identified in the oil.

From the root bark of Guettarda angelica were isolated 3- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-quinovic acid and its aglycone. The root wood gave the same glucoside, rotundic acid, hederagenin and 3β,23-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid.

From branches of Bursera leptophloeos five flavonoids were isolated: 8-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methylbutyl)-5,7,4′-trihydroxydihydroflavonol, 6″,6″-dimethyldihydropyran (2″,3″:7,8)-5,4′-dihydroxydihydroflavonol, 8-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methylbutyl)-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavonol, 6″,6″-dimethyldihydropyran (2″,3″:7,8)-5,4′-dihydroxyflavonol, 8-(γ,γ-di-methylallyl)-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavonol, and two new related compounds 8-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)-5,7,4′-trihydroxydihy-droflavonol and 5″-isopropenyldihydrofuran-(2″,3″:7,8)-5,4′-dihydroxydihydroflavonol.

The essential oils obtained by steam distillation from the roots, stems, leaves and fruits of Ocotea duckei had their composition analyzed by GC-MS. The pharmacological activity of these oils was also evaluated showing significant cardiovascular effects. Forty-nine substances were identified, consisting of a complex mixture of monoterpenes (45%) and sesquiterpenes (55%). The fruits yielded (1.9%) more essential oil than the stems (1.0%), roots (0.8%) and leaves (0.7%). The main component in the oil of the leaves was trans-caryophyllene (60.54%), in the stem bark beta-eudesmol (27.51%) and in the fruits, dl-limonene (30.12%). The predominant essential oil component in the roots was elemol (24.31%). In non-anaesthetized normotensive rats, the essential oils from different parts of Ocotea duckei (leaves, fruits, stem and roots) induced significant (p < 0.05) hypotension followed by bradycardia. O óleo essencial obtido da destilação por vapor de água das folhas, caule, raíz e frutos de Ocotea duckei teve sua composição química analisada através de CG-EM. A atividade farmacológica desses óleos também foi avaliada, mostrando significantes efeitos cardiovasculares. Quarenta e nove substâncias foram identificadas, constituída por uma mistura complexa de monoterpenos (45%) e sesquiterpenos (55%). Os frutos forneceram (1,9%) mais óleo essencial do que os caules (1,0%), raízes (0,8%) e folhas (0,7%). O principal componente encontrado nas folhas foi o trans-cariofileno (60,54%), nas cascas do caule, beta-eudesmol (27,51%) e nos frutos, dl-limoneno (30,12%). O componente predominante do óleo essencial das raízes foi elemol (24,31%). Em ratos normotensos, não anestesiados, o óleo essencial de diferentes partes de Ocotea duckei (folhas, frutos, caule e raiz) induziu significante (p < 0,05) hipotensão seguido de bradicardia.

Os trabalhos de fitoquímica envolvendo a determinação estrutural começaram a ser divulgados em 1967 e conduziram a 212 trabalhos até o ano de 1984, distribuídos entre comunicações, reuniões científicas e publicações em períodicos. Na compilação apresentada, além da lista de trabalhos classificados por autores cronologicamente, são apresentadas também a relação das 172 espécies vegetais e dos 29 tipos de substâncias químicas isoladas, desde simples ácidos orgânicos até xantonas. As listagens foram elaboradas com auxílio do programa DBASE 11 da Ashton-Tate, em microcomputador CP 500 adaptado com placa para Sistema Operacional SOL/M Versão 10 da Microsol Ltda. de Fortaleza, CE. The first paper reporting a natural products strutural determination done, at Universidade, federal do Ceará was published in 1967. Since then to the 1984, the total has risen to 212. This compilation is a list of references, a list the species of, and of plants studied, and a list of the 29 types of natural products isolated from these plants. The three, lists were made by using a DBASE 11 program from Ashton-Tate for microcomputers.

The essential oils from Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker grown in Brazil were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. β-Caryophyllene accounted for 23 percent of the oil extracted from the leaves, α-bisabolol for 70 percent of the oil extracted from the bark after steam distillation and more than 95 percent of the oil extracted from wood with hexane. Twelve more compounds were identified in the former oil and 11 more constituents were identified in the oil extracted from barks.

Centratherumpunrtatum Cass., which is known locally as perpetua roxa, is a member ofthe Compositae family commonly found throughout Northeartern Brazil. The oil of C. pwnctatum, which was analyzed by a combination of gc/ms, was found to contain: a-pinene (1.8%) a-humulene (2.4%) sabinene (2.2%) caryophyllene (11.1%) P-pinene (9.1%) y-cadinene (8.6%) p-cymene (0.8%) y-muurolene (1.7%) limonene (1.4%) 6-cadinene (17.9%) P-cubebene (2.6%) germacrene D (5.7%) a-copaene (5.6%) 6-cadinol (1.1%) fenc hone (1.7%) Previously ( l ) , a-hurnulene, caryophyllene, gerrnacrene D, and bicyclogermacrene had been identified as components of this above-ground plant