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The hexanic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts from branches ofStenocereus stellatuswere tested in both the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – induced ear oedema model and antimicrobial activity assay. The % of oedema inhibition, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the polyphenolic and flavonoid content were determined. Also, extracts were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In TPA model, the three extracts showed moderate oedema inhibition. In the antimicrobial activity assay, methanolic extract shows better MIC against all strains. The lowest MICs were forCandida albicans(31 μg/mL) andRhizopussp.(15 μg/mL). Also, 50.78 mg eq. of gallic acid/g extract of polyphenol and 115.12 mg eq. of catequine/g extract of flavonoids content were founded in ethyl acetate extract. In the chromatographic analysis, β-sitosterol, β-amyrine, betulin and some other molecules were identified. The results show thatS. stellatuspossess antimicrobial activities against some fungus species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Calceolaria spp. is regarded both as a notorious weed and a popular ornamental garden plant and have medicinal application. Some taxa of the America distributed Calceolaria genus are toxic to insects and its effect has been associated with the presence of diterpenes, triterpenes and naphthoquinones. However, Calceolaria spp. also produces a number of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids that have been shown to possess interesting biological activities. All these aspects are considered in this review to allow an evaluation of the potential for utilization of the large biodiversity of Calceolaria available. The phytochemistry of many members of the Calceolaria genus is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth inhibitory effects of acetophenones 1-6, tremetones 7-12, and MeOH and CH(2)Cl(2) extracts from the aerial parts of Baccharis linnearis, Baccharis magellanica, and Baccharis umbelliformis collected in Chile were assayed as growth inhibitory activity in ranges of 10-500 microM and 0.1-150 ppm, respectively. The effects on seedling growth, germination, and respiration of ryegrass, lettuce, green tomato, and red clover weedy target species were measured. In addition to the inhibitory activity on bleaching of crocin induced by alkoxyl radicals, these compounds also demonstrated scavenging properties toward 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl in thin-layer chromatography autographic and spectrophotometric assays. In addition, acetophenones and tremetones also showed inhibition of H(+) uptake and oxygen uptake respiration in isolated chloroplasts and mitochondria, respectively. Our results indicate that 1, 4, 7-12, and CH(2)Cl(2) extracts interfere with the dicot preemergence properties, mainly energy metabolism of the seeds at the level of respiration. These compounds appear to have selective effects on the radicle more than shoot growth of dicot seeds. Also, the levels of radicle inhibition obtained with some compounds on Physalis ixocarpa and Trifolium pratense are totally comparable to those of ovatifolin, a known natural growth inhibitor. This behavior might be responsible for its plant growth inhibitory properties and its possible role as an allelopathic agent.