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Arévalo-Hernández CO, Arévalo-Gardini E, Correa V JA, Souza Júnior JO, Neves JCL. Soil characteristics and allometric models for biometric characteristics and nutrient amounts for high yielding "Bolaina" (Guazuma crinita) trees. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2444. [PMID: 38286795 PMCID: PMC10825134 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52790-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The Peruvian amazon is very diverse in native forestry species, the Guazuma crinita "Bolaina" being one of the most planted species in the country; however, little or no information about soil requirements and nutrient demands is known. The objective of this work was to assess the general conditions of soil fertility, biomass and macro- and micronutrient amounts in high-productivity Guazuma crinita plantations. Fields of high yielding Bolaina of different ages (1-10 years) were sampled in two regions. Soil and plant samples were collected in each field and biometric measurements of fresh weight, diameter at breast height and height were performed. For soil and plant analysis, both macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and micronutrients (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) were determined. Finally, allometric equations were constructed for biometric and nutrient amounts. This study is the first to assess and model macro- and micronutrient amounts in the productive cycle in this species, which grows in fertile soils. In the case of biometric equations, the logarithmic and logistic models performed better. For nutrient amounts, this species followed a pattern of Ca > N > K > P > S > Mg for macronutrients and Fe > B > Mn > Zn > Cu for micronutrients. The best prediction models for nutrients were the square root and logistic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- C O Arévalo-Hernández
- Department of Soils, Instituto de Cultivos Tropicales (ICT), Tarapoto, Peru.
- Professional School of Agronomic Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Alto Amazonas (UNAAA), Yurimaguas, Peru.
- Department of Soils, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, Brazil.
| | - E Arévalo-Gardini
- Department of Soils, Instituto de Cultivos Tropicales (ICT), Tarapoto, Peru
- Professional School of Agronomic Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Alto Amazonas (UNAAA), Yurimaguas, Peru
| | - J A Correa V
- Department of Soils, Instituto de Cultivos Tropicales (ICT), Tarapoto, Peru
| | - J O Souza Júnior
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - J C L Neves
- Department of Soils, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, Brazil
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Novais JS, Mota MRL, Kffuri CW, Lauer-Leite ID. Discourse of the collective subject of river dwellers in the Brazilian Amazon regarding the transmission of knowledge about medicinal plants. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20220832. [PMID: 37909563 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320220832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper investigates the perception of river dwellers in the Brazilian Amazon region about factors that influence the transmission of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) regarding medicinal plants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 43 residents of Vila Franca community (Pará, Brazil). The data were analyzed using the methodological strategy of the Discourse of the Collective Subject. The determining factors in the transmission of TEK were found to be: illness, family coexistence, and necessity, which were represented in the discourses as the most important factors for the acquisition of TEK. In the community context, the locally developed Natural Remedies Project, the beneficial effects of natural remedies, and the lack of resources to purchase allopathic medicines were cited as collaborative factors in the maintenance of TEK. Finally, the most significant determining factors in the decrease or loss of transmission of TEK found in the interviews were: lack of commitment, disbelief, and the valorization of allopathic medicines. A complex network of interactions between the villagers and their natural environment affects the transmission of TEK about medicinal plants. However, we found that the perpetuation of TEK is being threatened by various socio-economic and cultural factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaílson S Novais
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Tecnologias Ambientais (UFSB/IFBA), Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Rod. Porto Seguro - Eunápolis, BR 367, Km 10, 45810-000 Porto Seguro, BA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociedade, Ambiente e Qualidade de Vida, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, (Unidade Tapajós), Salé, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, (Unidade Tapajós), Salé, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Markos Rogério L Mota
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, (Unidade Tapajós), Salé, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Carolina W Kffuri
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Tecnologias Ambientais (UFSB/IFBA), Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, Rod. Porto Seguro - Eunápolis, BR 367, Km 10, 45810-000 Porto Seguro, BA, Brazil
| | - Iani D Lauer-Leite
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociedade, Ambiente e Qualidade de Vida, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, (Unidade Tapajós), Salé, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
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3
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Sayers CJ, Evers DC, Ruiz-Gutierrez V, Adams E, Vega CM, Pisconte JN, Tejeda V, Regan K, Lane OP, Ash AA, Cal R, Reneau S, Martínez W, Welch G, Hartwell K, Teul M, Tzul D, Arendt WJ, Tórrez MA, Watsa M, Erkenswick G, Moore CE, Gerson J, Sánchez V, Purizaca RP, Yurek H, Burton MEH, Shrum PL, Tabares-Segovia S, Vargas K, Fogarty FF, Charette MR, Martínez AE, Bernhardt ES, Taylor RJ, Tear TH, Fernandez LE. Mercury in Neotropical birds: a synthesis and prospectus on 13 years of exposure data. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:1096-1123. [PMID: 37907784 PMCID: PMC10622370 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02706-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental mercury (Hg) contamination of the global tropics outpaces our understanding of its consequences for biodiversity. Knowledge gaps of pollution exposure could obscure conservation threats in the Neotropics: a region that supports over half of the world's species, but faces ongoing land-use change and Hg emission via artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Due to their global distribution and sensitivity to pollution, birds provide a valuable opportunity as bioindicators to assess how accelerating Hg emissions impact an ecosystem's ability to support biodiversity, and ultimately, global health. We present the largest database on Neotropical bird Hg concentrations (n = 2316) and establish exposure baselines for 322 bird species spanning nine countries across Central America, South America, and the West Indies. Patterns of avian Hg exposure in the Neotropics broadly align with those in temperate regions: consistent bioaccumulation across functional groups and high spatiotemporal variation. Bird species occupying higher trophic positions and aquatic habitats exhibited elevated Hg concentrations that have been previously associated with reductions in reproductive success. Notably, bird Hg concentrations were over four times higher at sites impacted by ASGM activities and differed by season for certain trophic niches. We developed this synthesis via a collaborative research network, the Tropical Research for Avian Conservation and Ecotoxicology (TRACE) Initiative, which exemplifies inclusive, equitable, and international data-sharing. While our findings signal an urgent need to assess sampling biases, mechanisms, and consequences of Hg exposure to tropical avian communities, the TRACE Initiative provides a meaningful framework to achieve such goals. Ultimately, our collective efforts support and inform local, scientific, and government entities, including Parties of the United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury, as we continue working together to understand how Hg pollution impacts biodiversity conservation, ecosystem function, and public health in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Sayers
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA.
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru.
| | - David C Evers
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | | | - Evan Adams
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Claudia M Vega
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
- Department of Biology, Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USA
| | - Jessica N Pisconte
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
| | - Vania Tejeda
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
| | - Kevin Regan
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Oksana P Lane
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Abidas A Ash
- Environmental Research Institute, University of Belize, Price Center Road, P.O. Box 340, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize
| | - Reynold Cal
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Stevan Reneau
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Wilber Martínez
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Gilroy Welch
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Kayla Hartwell
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Mario Teul
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - David Tzul
- Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Tropical Education Center, 28 George Price Highway, P.O. Box 368, La Democracia, Belize District, Belize
| | - Wayne J Arendt
- International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, 1201 Calle Ceiba, Jardín Botánico Sur, San Juan, 00926-1119, Puerto Rico
| | - Marvin A Tórrez
- Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Centroamericana, Managua, Nicaragua
| | - Mrinalini Watsa
- Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA, 92112, USA
- Field Projects International, Escondido, CA, 92029, USA
| | | | - Caroline E Moore
- Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA, 92112, USA
| | - Jacqueline Gerson
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Victor Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigación en Ecología y Conservación, Trujillo, Peru
| | - Raúl Pérez Purizaca
- Universidad Nacional de Piura, Urb. Miraflores S/N, Castilla, 20002, Piura, Peru
| | - Helen Yurek
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Mark E H Burton
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Peggy L Shrum
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | | | - Korik Vargas
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Finola F Fogarty
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society, 27.5 Miles Hummingbird Hwy, Stann Creek, Belize
| | - Mathieu R Charette
- Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society, 27.5 Miles Hummingbird Hwy, Stann Creek, Belize
| | - Ari E Martínez
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | | | - Robert J Taylor
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Timothy H Tear
- Center for Mercury Studies, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17000, Peru
- Department of Biology, Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, USA
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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Dutra RP, de Sousa MM, Mignoni MSPM, de Oliveira KGM, Pereira EB, Figueredo AS, da Costa AAC, Dias TG, Vasconcelos CC, Silva LA, Reis AS, Lopes AJO. Brazilian Amazon Red Propolis: Leishmanicidal Activity and Chemical Composition of a New Variety of Red Propolis. Metabolites 2023; 13:1027. [PMID: 37755307 PMCID: PMC10535413 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13091027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania, and its treatment is highly toxic, leading to treatment discontinuation and the emergence of resistant strains. In this study, we assessed the leishmanicidal activity and chemical composition of red propolis collected from the Amazon-dominated region of northern Tocantins State, Brazil. The MTT assay was employed to determine the samples' activity against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and their cytotoxicity against RAW macrophages. Spectrophotometric assays were utilised to measure the concentrations of total phenolics and flavonoids, while high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine the chemical composition. An in silico study was conducted to evaluate which compounds from Brazilian Amazon red propolis may correlate with this biological activity. Brazilian Amazon red propolis exhibited a high concentration of phenolic compounds and an inhibitory activity against L. amazonensis, with an IC50 ranging from 23.37 to 36.10 µg/mL. Moreover, fractionation of the propolis yielded a fraction with enhanced bioactivity (16.11 µg/mL). Interestingly, neither the propolis nor its most active fraction showed cytotoxicity towards macrophages at concentrations up to 200 µg/mL. The red colour and the presence of isoflavonoid components (isoflavones, isoflavans, and pterocarpans) confirm that the substance is Brazilian red propolis. However, the absence of polyprenylated benzophenones suggests that this is a new variety of Brazilian red propolis. The in silico study performed with two of the main leishmanicidal drug targets using all compounds identified in Amazon red propolis reported that liquiritigenin was the compound that exhibited the best electronic interaction parameters, which was confirmed in an assay with promastigotes using a standard. The findings indicate that Amazon red propolis possesses leishmanicidal activity, low toxicity, and significant biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Pereira Dutra
- Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
- Program in Health and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
| | - Marcos Marinho de Sousa
- Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
- Program in Health and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
| | - Maria Simone Pereira Maciel Mignoni
- Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
- Program in Health and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
| | | | - Euzineti Borges Pereira
- Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
| | - Aline Santana Figueredo
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunoparasitology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, São Luís 65085–580, Brazil
| | - Arthur André Castro da Costa
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunoparasitology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, São Luís 65085–580, Brazil
| | - Tatielle Gomes Dias
- Program in Health and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
| | - Cleydlenne Costa Vasconcelos
- Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, São Luís 65085–580, Brazil
| | - Lucilene Amorim Silva
- Laboratory of Pathology and Immunoparasitology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
- Biological and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, São Luís 65085–580, Brazil
| | - Aramys Silva Reis
- Program in Health and Technology, Federal University of Maranhão, Imperatriz 65915-240, Brazil
| | - Alberto Jorge Oliveira Lopes
- Chemistry Postgraduate Program, Federal Institute of Science Education and Technology of Maranhão, São Luís 65030-005, Brazil
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Business, biodiversity, and innovation in Brazil. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
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Elisabetsky E, Che CT. Editorial: Natural products as sources of innovative approaches in psychiatry. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:929139. [PMID: 35958641 PMCID: PMC9360791 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.929139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Elisabetsky
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Chun-Tao Che
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Castro Braga F. Brazilian traditional medicine: Historical basis, features and potentialities for pharmaceutical development. JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcms.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Paving New Roads Towards Biodiversity-Based Drug Development in Brazil: Lessons from the Past and Future Perspectives. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 31:505-518. [PMID: 34548709 PMCID: PMC8447804 DOI: 10.1007/s43450-021-00181-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although Brazil gathers two fundamental features to occupy a leading position on the development of biodiversity-based medicines, the largest flora on earth and a broad tradition on the use of medicinal plants, the number of products derived from the national genetic heritage is so far modest, either as single drugs or as herbal medicines. This article highlights some aspects that may have contributed to the low rates of success and proposes new insights for innovation. We initially approach the use of medicinal plants in Brazil, molded by its ethnic diversity, and the development of the local pharmaceutical industry. A discussion of some governmental initiatives to support plant-based drug development is then presented. Employing the economic concept of “middle-income trap,” we further propose that Brazil is stuck in a “middle-level science trap,” since the increase in the number of scientific publications that launched the country to an intermediate publishing position has not been translated into drug development. Two new approaches to escape from this trap are presented, which may result in innovative drug development. The first is based on the exploitation of the antifragility properties of herbal products aiming to investigate non-canonical pharmacodynamics mechanisms of action, aligned with the concepts of system biology. The second is the manufacture of herbal products based on the circular economy principles, including the use of byproducts for the development of new therapeutical agents. The adoption of these strategies may result in innovative phytomedicines, with global competitiveness.
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Santana K, do Nascimento LD, Lima e Lima A, Damasceno V, Nahum C, Braga RC, Lameira J. Applications of Virtual Screening in Bioprospecting: Facts, Shifts, and Perspectives to Explore the Chemo-Structural Diversity of Natural Products. Front Chem 2021; 9:662688. [PMID: 33996755 PMCID: PMC8117418 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.662688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products are continually explored in the development of new bioactive compounds with industrial applications, attracting the attention of scientific research efforts due to their pharmacophore-like structures, pharmacokinetic properties, and unique chemical space. The systematic search for natural sources to obtain valuable molecules to develop products with commercial value and industrial purposes remains the most challenging task in bioprospecting. Virtual screening strategies have innovated the discovery of novel bioactive molecules assessing in silico large compound libraries, favoring the analysis of their chemical space, pharmacodynamics, and their pharmacokinetic properties, thus leading to the reduction of financial efforts, infrastructure, and time involved in the process of discovering new chemical entities. Herein, we discuss the computational approaches and methods developed to explore the chemo-structural diversity of natural products, focusing on the main paradigms involved in the discovery and screening of bioactive compounds from natural sources, placing particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, cheminformatics methods, and big data analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kauê Santana
- Instituto de Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, Brazil
| | | | - Anderson Lima e Lima
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Damasceno
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Claudio Nahum
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Jerônimo Lameira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
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Salem MA, Perez de Souza L, Serag A, Fernie AR, Farag MA, Ezzat SM, Alseekh S. Metabolomics in the Context of Plant Natural Products Research: From Sample Preparation to Metabolite Analysis. Metabolites 2020; 10:E37. [PMID: 31952212 PMCID: PMC7023240 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived natural products have long been considered a valuable source of lead compounds for drug development. Natural extracts are usually composed of hundreds to thousands of metabolites, whereby the bioactivity of natural extracts can be represented by synergism between several metabolites. However, isolating every single compound from a natural extract is not always possible due to the complex chemistry and presence of most secondary metabolites at very low levels. Metabolomics has emerged in recent years as an indispensable tool for the analysis of thousands of metabolites from crude natural extracts, leading to a paradigm shift in natural products drug research. Analytical methods such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) are used to comprehensively annotate the constituents of plant natural products for screening, drug discovery as well as for quality control purposes such as those required for phytomedicine. In this review, the current advancements in plant sample preparation, sample measurements, and data analysis are presented alongside a few case studies of the successful applications of these processes in plant natural product drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Salem
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Gamal Abd El Nasr st., Shibin Elkom, Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Leonardo Perez de Souza
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany; (L.P.d.S.); (A.R.F.)
| | - Ahmed Serag
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11751, Egypt;
| | - Alisdair R. Fernie
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany; (L.P.d.S.); (A.R.F.)
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB), Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria
| | - Mohamed A. Farag
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (M.A.F.); (S.M.E.)
- Chemistry Department, School of Sciences & Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Shahira M. Ezzat
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (M.A.F.); (S.M.E.)
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), Giza 11787, Egypt
| | - Saleh Alseekh
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany; (L.P.d.S.); (A.R.F.)
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB), Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria
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11
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Souza ENF, Williamson EM, Hawkins JA. Which Plants Used in Ethnomedicine Are Characterized? Phylogenetic Patterns in Traditional Use Related to Research Effort. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:834. [PMID: 29973942 PMCID: PMC6019821 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plants are important resources in healthcare and for producing pharmaceutical drugs. Pharmacological and phytochemical characterization contributes to both the safe use of herbal medicines and the identification of leads for drug development. However, there is no recent assessment of the proportion of plants used in ethnomedicine that are characterized in this way. Further, although it is increasingly apparent that plants used in ethnomedicine belong to preferred phylogenetic lineages, it is not known how this relates to the focusing of research effort. Here we identify species and lineages rich in ethnomedicinal use and develop methods to describe how well they are known pharmacologically and/or phytochemically. We find 50% of plant species of the family Leguminosae used in ethnomedicine in Brazil, a geographical area where plants are an important part of healthcare, have been the focus of either phytochemical screening or testing for biological activity. Plant species which have more use reports are studied significantly more often (p < 0.05). Considering the taxonomic distribution of use, 70% of genera that include species with ethnomedicinal use have been studied, compared to 19% of genera with no reported use. Using a novel phylogenetic framework, we show that lineages with significantly greater numbers of ethnomedicinal species are phylogenetically over-dispersed within the family, highlighting the diversity of species used. "Hotnode clades" contain 16% of species but 46% of ethnomedicinally-used species. The ethnomedicinal species in hotnode clades have more use reports per species (p < 0.05), suggesting they are more frequently used. They are also more likely to be characterized pharmacologically and/or phytochemically. Research focus has followed traditional use by these measures, at least for these Brazilian plants, yet ethnomedicinal species yielding candidate drugs, raising public health concerns and more intensively studied lie outside of the hotnode clades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estevão N. F. Souza
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julie A. Hawkins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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Guzzetti L, Galimberti A, Bruni I, Magoni C, Ferri M, Tassoni A, Sangiovanni E, Dell'Agli M, Labra M. Bioprospecting on invasive plant species to prevent seed dispersal. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13799. [PMID: 29062114 PMCID: PMC5653781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14183-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The most anthropized regions of the world are characterized by an impressive abundance of invasive plants, which alter local biodiversity and ecosystem services. An alternative strategy to manage these species could be based on the exploitation of their fruits in a framework of bioprospecting to obtain high-added value compounds or phytocomplexes that are useful for humans. Here we tested this hypothesis on three invasive plants (Lonicera japonica Thunb., Phytolacca americana L., and Prunus serotina Ehrh.) in the Po plain (northern Italy) which bear fruits that are highly consumed by frugivorous birds and therefore dispersed over large distances. Our biochemical analyses revealed that unripe fruit shows high antioxidant properties due to the presence of several classes of polyphenols, which have a high benchmark value on the market. Fruit collection for phytochemical extraction could really prevent seed dispersal mediated by frugivorous animals and produce economic gains to support local management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Guzzetti
- Zooplantlab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Galimberti
- Zooplantlab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bruni
- Zooplantlab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Magoni
- Zooplantlab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Maura Ferri
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, via Terracini 28, 40131, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tassoni
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Sangiovanni
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Dell'Agli
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Labra
- Zooplantlab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milano, Italy.
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Colodel C, Bagatin RMDG, Tavares TM, Petkowicz CLDO. Cell wall polysaccharides from pulp and peel of cubiu: A pectin-rich fruit. Carbohydr Polym 2017; 174:226-234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Singh BN, Upreti DK, Gupta VK, Dai XF, Jiang Y. Endolichenic Fungi: A Hidden Reservoir of Next Generation Biopharmaceuticals. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:808-813. [PMID: 28363407 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Endolichenic fungi (ELF) offer an opportunity to discover emerging natural drugs. ELF are promising bioresources given their ability to produce bioactive metabolites that represent unique and diverse structural classes. Here, we assess the potential of recent technologies to provide insight into the chemical diversity of ELF for biopharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahma N Singh
- Herbal Nanobiotechnology Lab, Pharmacognosy & Ethnopharmacology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India.
| | - Dalip K Upreti
- Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India
| | - Vijai K Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, ERA Chair of Green Chemistry, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, 12618, Estonia.
| | - Xiao-Feng Dai
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yueming Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
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Garnatje T, Peñuelas J, Vallès J. Ethnobotany, Phylogeny, and 'Omics' for Human Health and Food Security. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 22:187-191. [PMID: 28209326 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Here, we propose a new term, 'ethnobotanical convergence', to refer to the similar uses for plants included in the same node of a phylogeny. This phylogenetic approach, together with the 'omics' revolution, shows how combining modern technologies with traditional ethnobotanical knowledge could be used to identify potential new applications of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Garnatje
- Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC-ICUB), Passeig del Migdia s.n., Parc de Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Catalonia, Spain; CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joan Vallès
- Laboratori de Botànica (UB), Unitat associada al CSIC, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s.n., 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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