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Wigandia ecuadoriensis , a member of the Namaceae family, is a source of metabolites and has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory. This work aimed to determine the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant effect, inhibition of α-glucosidase and cholinesterase enzymes (AChE, BChE), and antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract (ME) and subfractions of Wigandia ecuadoriensis. The findings revealed that ME and its subfractions exhibited significant antioxidant capacity, with the ethyl acetate fraction being the most active, displaying an IC50 of 17.66 µg/mL against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 10.31 µg/mL against 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS). This activity was attributed to its high total phenolic content (357.47 mg GAE/g). Furthermore, W. ecuadoriensis fractions showed marked antimicrobial properties against human pathogen strains with Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values ​​of 1.56–6.25 mg/mL for S. aureus , E. faecalis and E. coli. Furthermore, aqueous fraction exhibited slight inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 915.98 µg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 380.42 µg/mL). Interestingly, EF showed the greatest inhibitory effect of α-glucosidase (IC50: 38.44 µg/mL) which is more potent than the control used, acarbose (IC50: 179.07 µg/mL). UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis identified forty compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, and fatty acyls. As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the chemical composition and biological potential of W. ecuadoriensis. Our results provide the first evidence to the chemical knowledge of the species W. ecuadoriensis and demonstrate its bioactive potential as an interesting source of secondary metabolites with possible beneficial properties for health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pintoa chilensis is a shrub with yellow flowers that reach up to two meters high, endemic of the Atacama Region in Chile. This species grows under special environmental conditions such as low altitude, arid areas, and directly sun-exposed habitats. In the present study, ethanolic extract was obtained from fruits of P. chilensis, and then partitioned in solvents of increasing polarity to obtain five fractions: hexane (HF), dichloromethane (DF), ethyl acetate (AF), and the residual water fraction (QF). The antioxidant activity of extracts was evaluated by using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The results show that the antioxidant capacity of P. chilensis is higher than that reported for other plants growing in similar environments. This effect is attributed to the highest content of flavonoids and total phenols found in P. chilensis. On the other hand, the cell viability of a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and a non-tumor cell line (MCF-10A) was assessed in the presence of different extract fractions. The results indicate that the hexane fraction (HF) exhibits the highest cytotoxicity on both cell lines (IC50 values equal to 35 and 45 µg/mL), whereas the dichloromethane fraction (DF) is the most selective one. The GC–MS analysis of the dichloromethane fraction (DF) shows the presence of fatty acids, sugars, and polyols as major components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folk medicine uses decoctions of Vernonanthura patens (Kunth) H. Rob. leaves for healing wounds, and moderate pains. In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of decocted aqueous extract and its fractions is discussed. The fractions were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction in a separating funnel with solvents of increasing polarity: hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Antioxidant capacity, COX1, and COX2 cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of aqueous extract (A1), aqueous (A2), and ethyl acetate (A3) fractions were assessed. A3 revealed the highest flavonoid content, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity. Nevertheless, no significance differences were observed between IC50 values of A1 and A2, and A1 showed anti-inflammatory activity with potential selectivity against COX2 enzyme, but intermediate COX1 inhibition. Further experiments are required to complement the remarkable anti-inflammatory effect of assessed aqueous extract. These results support the medicinal use of this plant species and indicate that A1 can be used as raw material for prospective nutraceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucryphia cordifolia is a native and dominant species from the Temperate Forest in the southern region of Chile. It is a crucial melliferous species producing unifloral honey with outstanding antibacterial properties with great commercial value at international markets. A phytochemical screening was developed by colorimetric and gravimetric methods. Antioxidant activities were assessed by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was the method used to determine the antibacterial activity. The results revealed the highest antioxidant activity for the methanolic extracts of branches (IC50 35.7 µg/mL for DPPH, IC50 11.0 µg/mL for ABTS, and 4.6 mM FeSO4·7H2O/g in FRAP), attributed to its high content of total phenols (332.8 mg GAE/g). The quantification of the MBC led to values in the range of 0.78–12.5 mg/mL for S. aureus and S. pyogenes, and 6.25–50 mg/mL for E. coli and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The presented work provides valuable first in vitro evidence regarding the potential application of E. cordifolia extracts as antioxidants and antibacterial agents in the nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2014, Ecuador generated 141,000 MT of cocoa sweatings equivalent to 12,320 MT of reducing sugars that through fermentation can become Bioetanol. Cocoa sweatings was characterized to determinate its potential as biofuel. Methodologies described by AOAC 2005 standards were used. Values of 10.6 Brix; pH 3.58; density 1.10 g/ml, total sugars 12,33% reducing sugars 6.39% were observed. Chemical groups such as alkaloids, reducing sugars, and coumarins triterpenoid were identified by phytochemical screeninng. 20 chemical compounds were detected using by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS): 3 carboxilic acids, 4 sugar acids, 3 sugar alcohols, 2 amino acids, 1 furan, 2 lactones, 1 monosaccharides, 2 disaccharides and 2 glycosides. They represent the 11.08% of total compounds separated, and Sucrose (2.15%), glucose (2.13%) and fructose (4.42%) were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The study showed that for each kilogram of dry cocoa produced 0.59 kg of mucilage are obtained and its sugars are an interesting source of raw material for the production of second generation bioethanol, results that contribute to reducing the environmental impact that generate these waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulmo honey is known for its antibacterial characteristics. However, the importance of the content from Eucryphia cordifolia in the honey regarding its non-peroxidic antibacterial capacity is unknown. The present work evaluated the antibacterial activity of Ulmo honey with various percentages of pollen from E. cordifolia against various bacteria, determine the non-peroxidic capacity of Ulmo honey and, finally, compare that capacity with Manuka and Jarrah honeys. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar diffusion test and the non-peroxide capacity was evaluated by the reactivity with the catalase enzyme. The tests were carried out against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The results showed a relationship between the percentage of floral pollen from E. cordifolia and the antibacterial activity of Ulmo honey. It was also observed than the antibacterial activity of Ulmo honey can have values similar to Manuka and Jarrah honeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]