In vitro evaluation of the antitumoral and antiangiogenic effects of extracts from Spondias mombin L. leaves

Urtica dioica Aqueous Leaf Extract: Chemical Composition and In Vitro Evaluation of Biological Activities

Urtica dioica L. has been used as a natural remedy due to its healing properties for over 2000 years. The aim of this study is to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumor properties in vitro of the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaves (AEUD). The chemical composition was assessed by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a benchtop QExactive high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry operating in a data-dependent acquisition mode as a non-target approach. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disc diffusion were used to assess the antibacterial efficacy against nine bacterial strains. The antioxidant impact was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ferrous ion-chelating ability assays. By using the MTT method, the cytotoxicity effect of AEUD on colon cancer cell HCT-116 was evaluated. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. Finally, the anti-migration and anti-invasion properties of AEUD on HCT-116 cells were estimated using the wound healing test and Transwell assays. AEUD is a rich source of phenolic compounds. The results of disc diffusion and MIC showed that the AEUD is more active against Gram-positive bacteria than against Gram-negative bacteria. MTT assay confirmed that the AEUD inhibited HCT-116 colon cancer cell proliferation. Findings of flow cytometry confirmed that cell cycle arrest occurred at the G2 phase. Additionally, AEUD had anti-migration and anti-invasion effects. This study shows that Urtica dioica aqueous leaf extract exhibits potential antibacterial, antioxidant, and antitumoral activities on HCT-116 colon cancer cells.

Nature's arsenal unleashed: Senegalia modesta derived thymol halts cancer progression by suppressing proangiogenic genes

Inhibiting angiogenesis with plant-derived bioactive compounds can inhibit tumour progression. Antiangiogenic potential of Senegalia modesta was analysed by preparing and analysing ethanolic extracts of S.modesta by GC-MS and HPLC to identify bioactive components. In-vivo blood vessel formation assays in mice and chorioallantoic membrane assays (CAM) in eggs were employed to assess the antiangiogenic effects. qPCR was performed to elucidate mRNA expression of proangiogenic genes in MDA-MB-231 cells after exposure to S.modesta and thymol. Molecular docking analysis highlighted the interaction of thymol with VEGF receptors. S.modesta treatment significantly delayed wound healing in mice compared to control group. GC-MS and HPLC analyses thymol as a bioactive compound in S.modesta extract. CAM assay indicated reduced angiogenesis in thymol-treated groups, further confirmed by downregulation of proangiogenic genes. Molecular docking of thymol with VEGFR1/VEGFR2 revealed strong binding affinity, suggesting thymol-mediated receptor blocking. Thymol exhibits antiangiogenic potential and may serve as a promising therapeutic agent against cancer.

Botanical, nutritional, phytochemical characteristics, and potential health benefits of murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and taperebá (Spondias mombin): insights from animal and cell culture models

Brazil has great biodiversity, and the Amazon biome stands out for a variety of native fruits with high economic and nutritional potential. Murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and taperebá (Spondias mombin) are sources of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals with potential health benefits. Because of the bioactive potential of these Brazilian fruits, this review aims to gather the most current existing knowledge about their botanical, nutritional, and phytochemical properties, because the presence of several bioactive compounds may bring promising strategies to the prevention and treatment of several diseases. The search was conducted of the LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Science Direct databases, considering articles published between 2010 and 2023. The compiled results showed that these fruits, their leaves, and seeds have great antioxidant activity and are a good source of phytochemicals, especially phenolic compounds. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that these bioactive compounds have several health benefits related to the prevention or treatment of diseases, including antioxidant effects; anti-inflammatory effects; and antidiabetic, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antiproliferative, anticancer, hypolipemic, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects, and they are particularly related to the reduction of damage from oxidative stress. This review highlights the potential of these fruits as functional foods and for therapeutic purposes. However, it is recommended to conduct more studies on the identification and quantification of phytochemicals present in these fruits and studies in humans to better understand the mechanisms of action related to their effects and to understand the interaction of these compounds with the human body, as well as to prove the safety and efficacy of these compounds on health.

Phenolic Compound Profile by UPLC-MS/MS and Encapsulation with Chitosan of Spondias mombin L. Fruit Peel Extract from Cerrado Hotspot-Brazil

Taperebá (Spondias mombin L.) is a native species of the Brazilian Cerrado that has shown important characteristics such as a significant phenolic compound content and biological activities. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic compound profile and antioxidant activity in taperebá peel extract, as well as microencapsulating the extract with chitosan and evaluating the stability of the microparticles. The evaluation of the profile of phenolic compounds was carried out by UPLC-MS/MS. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS methods. The microparticles were obtained by spray drying and were submitted to a stability study under different temperatures. In general, the results showed a significant content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The results of UPLC-MS/MS demonstrated a significant content of polyphenols in taperebá peel, highlighting the high content of ellagic acid and quercetin compounds. There was significant retention of phenolic compounds when microencapsulated, demonstrating high retention at all evaluated temperatures. This study is the first to microencapsulate the extract of taperebá peel, in addition to identifying and quantifying some compounds in this fruit.

HPLC-DAD analysis and antimicrobial activities of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae)

Spondias mombin is used in the folk medicine for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery, indicating that extracts obtained from this species may present pharmacological activities against pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of this work was to investigate the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of extracts obtained from the leaves (aqueous) and bark (hydroethanolic) of S. mombin both as single treatments and in combination with conventional drugs. Following a qualitative chemical prospection, the extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated by microdilution. The combined activity of drugs and extracts was verified by adding a subinhibitory concentration of the extract in the presence of variable drug concentrations. The Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was determined by a subculture of the microdilution test, while the effect of the in vitro treatments on morphological transition was analyzed by subculture in moist chambers. While the qualitative analysis detected the presence of phenols and flavonoids, the HPLC analysis identified quercetin, caffeic acid, and catechin as major components in the leaf extract, whereas kaempferol and quercetin were found as major compounds in the bark extract. The extracts showed effective antibacterial activities only against the Gram-negative strains. With regard to the combined activity, the leaf extract potentiated the action of gentamicin and imipenem (against Staphylococcus aureus), while the bark extract potentiated the effect of norfloxacin (against S. aureus), imipenem (against Escherichia coli), and norfloxacin (against Pseudomonas aeruginosa). A more significant antifungal (fungistatic) effect was achieved with the bark extract (even though at high concentrations), which further enhanced the activity of fluconazole. The extracts also inhibited the emission of filaments by Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Together, these findings suggest that that the extract constituents may act by favoring the permeability of microbial cells to conventional drugs, as well as by affecting virulence mechanisms in Candida strains.