Evaluation of some Samoan and Peruvian medicinal plants by prostaglandin biosynthesis and rat ear oedema assays

Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

BACKGROUND

Traditional Polynesian medicine for children has been poorly documented, and few data are available on their efficacy and safety. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify traditional practices used for treating children and then assess the efficacy and safety of the most cited remedies by reviewing the literature.

METHODS

In 2022, a semi-structured survey was carried out on five islands from the Society archipelago (Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Raiatea, and Tahiti). A total of 86 participants were interviewed including 19 experts in herbalism. A thorough literature review was performed on the most cited plant species to gather the relevant ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and clinical data of each remedy.

RESULTS

Participants mentioned using 469 remedies to treat 69 health disorders. The most represented health categories were digestive system, skin disorders, infectious diseases, and respiratory system. A total of 67 plant species (representing 731 use-reports) were mentioned and Annona muricata, Gardenia taitensis, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were the main plants reported. Regarding the safety of cited remedies, one plant (Microsorum grossum) showed high risk of toxicity, and its use should be avoided in infants and children.

CONCLUSION

Our survey confirms the importance of traditional medical practices for children in the Society Islands. A lack of data in children for most cited remedies demonstrate the need for more pharmacological and toxicological research on Polynesian medicinal plants. Finally, the potential risk of toxicity for some cited plant species reported calls for a better information of traditional medicine users and healers.

Formulation optimization of sterilized xanthones-loaded nanoemulgels and evaluation of their wound healing activities

Xanthones (XTs) are bioactive compounds found in mangosteen trees (Garcinia mangostana Linn.). They are used as an active ingredient in various health products. However, there is a lack of data of their application in wound healing. In particular, the topical products of XTs for wound healing; they should be sterilized to minimize the risks of wound infection from contaminated microorganisms. This study thus aimed to optimize the formulation of sterilized XTs-loaded nanoemulgel (XTs-NE-G) and to investigate their wound healing activities. The XTs-NE-Gs were prepared by mixing various gels containing sodium alginate (Alg) and Pluronic F127 (F127) into a XTs-nanoemulsion (NE) concentrate according to the face-centered central composite design. The results showed that the optimized XTs-NE-G was A5-F3 containing 5% w/w Alg and 3% w/w F127. It enhanced the proliferation-, migration rates of skin fibroblasts (HFF-1 cells) with an optimal viscosity. After blending the XTs-NE concentrate and the gel that was previously sterilized by a membrane filtration and an autoclaving technique, respectively, the sterilized A5-F3 was obtained. The sterilized A5-F3 still had effective bioactivities towards the HFF-1 cells. It promoted re-epithelialization, collagen deposition and inflammation suppression in the mice' wounds. It could thus be accepted for further investigation in clinical studies.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Adenaria floribunda Stem: Economic Assessment

Adenaria floribunda is a native species found in tropical regions of South America used as a traditional medicine. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is an extraction process known to increase the extraction yield, reduce extraction times, and use low temperatures. This study aims to obtain water-based extracts from A. floribunda stems using UAE, hot water extraction (HWE), and Soxhlet extraction and perform an economic analysis. The global extraction yield (GEY) and total phenolic compounds (TPC) of extracts ranged from 5.24% to 10.48% and from 1.9 ± 0.44 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW to 6.38 ± 0.28 mg GAE g⁻¹, respectively. Gallic acid, catechin, and ferulic acid were identified in the extract using HPLC-UV. Results indicate that Soxhlet extraction has the best performance regarding GEY and TPC. However, after performing an economic assessment, the cost of manufacturing (COM) of Soxhlet extraction (US$ 5.8 flask⁻¹) was higher than the UAE (US$ 3.86 flask⁻¹) and HWE (US$ 3.92 flask⁻¹). The sensitivity results showed that obtaining extracts from A. floribunda by UAE and HWE is economically feasible when the selling price is above US$ 4 flask⁻¹. Soxhlet extraction is a feasible technique when the selling price is above US$ 7 flask⁻¹.

The genus Alphitonia Reissek ex Endl. (Rhamnaceae): A review of its customary uses, phytochemistry and biological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alphitonia Reissek ex Endl. is a relatively small genus of the family Rhamnaceae. Plants of this genus are found predominantly in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific, with some species being widely distributed and others endemic to a region. Almost half of the species of the Alphitonia genus have been reported for their customary (traditional and contemporary) medicinal uses. This includes for the treatment of skin conditions, headache, stomachache, inflammation, and body pain such as joint pain and childbirth.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide the first comprehensive account on the customary uses including ethnomedicinal uses, and phytochemistry and biological activities of the Alphitonia genus, and to identify gaps in current knowledge and scope for future research of plants of this genus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information relevant to the genus Alphitonia was collected by searching the scientific databases (SciFinder, Google Scholar, ACS publications, PubMed, Wiley Online Library and International Plant name Index). Species names were validated using the World Flora Online database (www.worldfloraonline.org).

RESULTS

Eight plants from the Alphitonia genus have been reported to be used as customary medicines, i.e. A. excelsa, A. ferruginea, A. franguloides, A. incana, A. neocaledonica, A. petriei, A. philippinensis and A. zizyphoides. A. excelsa, A. petriei, A. philippinensis and A. zizyphoides, have been shown to have biological activities that align with their customary uses, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Only five Alphitonia species reported for their medicinal customary uses have been explored for their phytochemistry, i.e. A. excelsa, A. neocaledonica, A. petriei, A. philippinensis and A. zizyphoides. Compounds identified from these plants include those that are well known for their medicinal importance. A. macrocarpa, A. whitei and A. xerocarpus have also been examined for their phytochemistry and have been found to have the same or similar bioactive compounds to those found in customarily used Alphitonia species. No biological activities or phytochemistry studies have been reported for the known customarily used medicinal plants A. ferruginea, A. franguloides and A. incana.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the customary uses, biological activities and phytochemistry of plants of the Alphitonia Reissek ex Endl. genus and highlights the significance of the knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples. Of the plants that have been researched for their biological activities and phytochemistry, there is good correlation with these properties and their customary medicinal uses. However, over half of the plants of the Alphitonia genus, including those that are already reported in the public domain for their customary medicinal uses, have had none or limited biological activities or phytochemistry studies conducted. While only eight species of the Alphitonia genus have been reported as customary medicines, other Alphitonia species also possess medicinally important compounds, and it is possible that they are customary medicines but their uses have not been shared publicly by the Indigenous knowledge custodians. There is clearly much scope for further investigation of this genus with regards to their ethnomedicinal uses and therapeutic potential.

Antimicrobial Properties of Compounds Isolated from Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. and L.M. Perry and Medicinal Plants Used in French Polynesia

A preliminary ethnopharmacological survey, achieved in French Polynesia, led to the collection of the most cited plants among 63 species used to treat “infectious” diseases, with a description of their medicinal uses. Bibliographical investigations and antimicrobial screening permitted the selection of the botanical species Syzygium malaccense (Myrtaceae) for phytochemical analysis. Leaves of Syzygium malaccense were usually used in mixture with rhizomes of Curcuma longa to treat infectious diseases such as cystitis. The methanolic plant extracts were tested in vitro with an agar microdilution method on 33 bacteria strains and 1 yeast to obtain their Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells were evaluated. Antimicrobial synergistic effects of methanolic plant extracts from leaves of Syzygium malaccense and rhizomes from Curcuma longa were also evaluated. The bio-guided isolation of leaf extract from Syzygium malaccense led to the identification of seven alkyl-salicylic acids (anacardic acids or ginkgolic acids C15:0, C15:1, C17:0, C17:1, C17:2, C17:3 and C19:1) described for the first time in this species. All compounds were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (18.75 < MIC < 75.0 µg/mL), Streptococcus pyogenes (2.34 < MIC < 18.75 µg/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 150 µg/mL), and their structure−activity relationships were discussed. The methanolic extract and salicylic derivatives from S. malaccense showed an interesting antimicrobial activity against Gram+ bacteria, without toxicity on hepG2 cells at 400 μg/mL. Moreover, these antibacterial compounds have already been studied for their anti-inflammatory activity, which supports the therapeutic interest of S. malaccense against infectious diseases.

In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, and in vitro antioxidant, antiglycant and anti-neuroinflammatory actions of Syzygium malaccense

Syzygium malaccense is popularly used to treat inflammation and pain-related ailments. The species was assessed regarding its antioxidant, antiglycant, anti-inflammatory, including anti-neuroinflammatory, and antinociceptive activities. Different models were employed to measure S. malaccense extract (ESM) antioxidant activity. The antiglycant activity was determined using the glucose-induced protein glycation model. LPS-induced neuroinflammation on murine BV-2 microglial cell line was used for anti-neuroinflammatory activity evaluation. The croton oil-induced ear edema test was accomplished to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Acetic acid-induced writhing together with formalin-induced paw licking assays were performed to evaluate the antinociceptive potential. Finally, the chemical characterization was accomplished by a UHPLC-MS analysis. ESM presented relevant antioxidant and antiglycant activity. NO production by BV-2 cells was reduced, indicating the relevant neuroprotective activity. ESM significantly decreased the mice ear edema induced by croton oil and the nociceptive stimulus induced by acetic acid and formalin by central and peripheral mechanisms. The flavonoids myricitrin, myricetin and quercetin were identified and, as far as we know, the alkaloid reserpine was reported in the species for the first time. The antioxidant and antiglycant potential of ESM, may be related to the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, and to the in vitro neuroinflammation inhibition.

Functional genomics and metabolomics advance the ethnobotany of the Samoan traditional medicine "matalafi"

The leaf homogenate of Psychotria insularum is widely used in Samoan traditional medicine to treat inflammation associated with fever, body aches, swellings, wounds, elephantiasis, incontinence, skin infections, vomiting, respiratory infections, and abdominal distress. However, the bioactive components and underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. We used chemical genomic analyses in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) to identify and characterize an iron homeostasis mechanism of action in the traditional medicine as an unfractionated entity to emulate its traditional use. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the homogenate identified two flavonol glycosides, rutin and nicotiflorin, each binding iron in an ion-dependent molecular networking metabolomics analysis. Translating results to mammalian immune cells and traditional application, the iron chelator activity of the P. insularum homogenate or rutin decreased proinflammatory and enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokine responses in immune cells. Together, the synergistic power of combining traditional knowledge with chemical genomics, metabolomics, and bioassay-guided fractionation provided molecular insight into a relatively understudied Samoan traditional medicine and developed methodology to advance ethnobotany.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Bischofia javanica (Blume) Leaf Methanol Extracts through the Regulation of Nrf2 and TAK1

Bischofia javanica (Blume) has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases such as tonsillitis and ulcers throughout Asia, including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines: however, the molecular mechanisms by which B. javanica exerts its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties remain largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of methanol extracts of B. javanica leaves (MBJ) in vitro and in vivo. MBJ decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The observed suppression of inflammatory responses by MBJ was correlated with an inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Additionally, MBJ induced nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that upregulates the expression of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant genes. Furthermore, MBJ exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in an acute hepatitis mouse model. In conclusion, our results confirm the medicinal properties of B. javanica, and therefore MBJ could be applied to improve inflammatory and redox imbalances in different types of pathologies.

Ethanol leaf extract of Psychotria microphylla rich in quercetin restores heavy metal induced redox imbalance in rats

Psychotria microphylla is a plant found in Africa and many parts of the world where the leaves are locally used in folk medicine for the treatment of toxicity related liver diseases. We investigated the antioxidant potentials of ethanol leaf extract of Psychotria microphylla (ELE-PM) in restoring hepatic redox dysregulations in rats exposed to heavy metals. HPLC was used in quantifying the bioactive compounds in ELE-PM. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl), FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) and NO (Nitric Oxide) assays were used for in vitro studies. The in vivo studies involved 30 rats randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6). Group 1 received normal saline (2 mg/kg), group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received a combined solution of Pb(NO3)2 (11.25 mg/kg) and HgCl2 (0.4 mg/kg) respectively. After 7 days of heavy metal exposure, groups 3, 4 and 5 received a daily bolus administration of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of EE-PM respectively through oral intubation for 28 days. HPLC quantification revealed a high amount of quercetin (27.43 ± 0.04 mg/100g), lower amounts of gallic acid (7.60 ± 0.06 mg/100g) and rutin (0.38 ± 0.009 mg/100g). Additionally, ELE-PM demonstrated strong inhibitory potentials against free radical scavenging activity generated in vitro. More interestingly, administration of ELE-PM significantly ameliorated hepatic redox dysregulations elicited by the exposure of the rats to heavy metals in a dose dependent pattern. ELE-PM is highly rich in flavonoid compound quercetin and perhaps this may be responsible for the strong antioxidant potentials exhibited in this investigation.

Application of film-forming solution as a transdermal delivery system of piperine-rich herbal mixture extract for anti-inflammation

Piperine-rich herbal mixture (PHM) used in this study is a traditional Thai medicine that contains 21 oriental herbs. It is called "Sahastara remedy" and is officially included in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine since A.D. 2011. PHM has been used orally to relieve muscle and bone pains. It contains Piper nigrum fruits as a major constituent and also Piper retrofractum fruits, PHM thus has anti-inflammatory activities that mostly come from the bioactivities of piperine consisting of these pepper fruits. Unfortunately, PHM usually causes gastrointestinal side effects. Consequently, a topical product containing an alcoholic extract of PHM (PHM-E), i.e., film-forming solution (FFS) was developed to overcome this drawback. The aims of this study were to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of PHM-E, to evaluate physicochemical properties and the anti-inflammatory activity of FFS containing PHM-E (PHM-E FFS). Anti-inflammatory activities of PHM-E were investigated in the RAW 264.7 cells. Physicochemical properties, in vitro toxicities and anti-inflammatory activities of PHM-E FFS including its dry film (PHM-E film) were determined. PHM-E showed anti-inflammatory activities with dose dependent manners via inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ production by the RAW 264.7 cells and promotion of the cell phenotype polarization from M1 to M2. PHM-E FFS had low viscosity and exhibited the Newtonian behavior. It provided elastic PHM-E film with low tensile strength. The release profile of piperine from PHM-E film followed a zero-kinetic model. PHM-E FFS demonstrated compatibility with the skin cells, minimal ocular irritant when accidentally splashing into the eye and moderate-to-high potency for inhibition of inflammatory symptoms in the rats. PHM-E FFS thus had potential for use in the further clinical study to investigate its efficacy and safety in patients.

Mineral Composition of <I>Connarus (Connarus perrottetii var. angustifolius)</i> and <i>Mansoa (Mansoa alliacea)</I> Species

Background:

This paper provides an overview of mineral composition of the medicinal species Connarus perrottetii var. angustifolius and Mansoa alliacea collected in 2012, 2013 and 2014, using atomic absorption spectrometry as analytical technique.

Methods:

Statistical tests were performed aiming to identify the similarities and the differences between the different sampling years.

Result:

It was found a variation in the content of the elements for the three years of sampling, but with no uniform behavior.

Conclusion:

Connarus perrottetii var. angustifolius and Mansoa alliacea showed low concentrations of metals that may be toxic above specific concentrations (Cr, Ni, As, Pb, Cd and Hg). Accordingly, a regular consumption of these species cannot cause intoxication. On the other hand, we should consider the mineral contribution of other foods on the daily diet.

Psychotria viridis: Chemical constituents from leaves and biological properties

The phytochemical study of hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts from leaves of Psychotria viridis resulted in the identification of: the pentacyclic triterpenes, ursolic and oleanolic acid; the steroids, 24-methylene-cycloartanol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol; the glycosylated steroids 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-β-sitosterol and 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-stigmasterol; a polyunsaturated triterpene, squalene; the esters of glycerol, 1-palmitoylglycerol and triacylglycerol; a mixture of long chain hydrocarbons; the aldehyde nonacosanal; the long chain fat acids hentriacontanoic, hexadecanoic and heptadenoic acid; the ester methyl heptadecanoate; the 4-methyl-epi-quinate and two indole alkaloids, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and N-methyltryptamine. The chemical structures were determined by means of spectroscopic (IR, 1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and spectrometric (CG-MS and LCMS-ESI-ITTOF) methods. The study of biologic properties of P. viridis consisted in the evaluation of the acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cytotoxic activities. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, the substances 24-methylene-cycloartanol, DMT and a mixture of 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-β-sitosterol and 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-stigmasterol showed cholinesterase inhibiting activity. This activity induced by chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts was higher than 90%. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts inhibit the growth and/or induce the death of the tumor cells strains B16F10 and 4T1, without damaging the integrity of the normal cells BHK and CHO. DMT also demonstrated a marked activity against tumor cell strains B16F10 and 4T1.

Antileishmanial activity of some Brazilian plants, with particular reference to Casearia sylvestris

Leishmaniasis is a complex of diseases caused by Leishmania protozoa which treatment is restricted to a limited number of drugs that exhibit high toxicity, collateral effects and are often costly. There are a variety of tropical plants distributed in Brazil, and for many poor people the therapy for several diseases is based mainly on the use of traditional herbal remedies. In this work, the cytotoxic activity of 17 plant methanol extracts was evaluated on several Leishmania species and murine macrophages. Among them, the extract of Casearia sylvestris, Piptocarpha macropoda, Trembleya parviflora, Samanea tubulosa and Plectranthus neochilus showed a promissing leishmanicidal activity, exhibiting IC50 values below of 20 µg/mL against at least one species of Leishmania. Casearia sylvestris showed the most expressive activity against all promastigote forms of Leishmania species (IC50 values of 5.4 µg/mL, 5.0 µg/mL, 8.5 µg/mL and 7.7 µg/mL for L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis, L. chagasi and L. major, respectively), being more effective than the reference drug miltefosine. In spite of the cytotoxic effect on macrophages (CC50 value of 5.2 µg/mL), C. sylvestris exhibited a strong inhibition against intracellular amastigotes of L. braziliensis (IC50 value of 1.3 µg/mL). Further studies, including bio-guided fractionation will be conducted to identify the active compounds.

Plant use in the medicinal practices known as "strict diets" in Chazuta valley (Peruvian Amazon)

AIM OF THE STUDY

Strict diets are traditional medicinal practices where plant remedies are consumed with nearly fasting and with some sort of social seclusion. The aim of this work was to describe these practices of Chazuta and the use of plants within, as well as to analyse the possible functions of the last.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The information was obtained through interviews to the 6.3% of the district rural adult population (140 individuals, 75% of which was considered Quechua).

RESULTS

In total, 122 strict diets were recorded and 106 different plant species were reported to be used. Strict diets present a characteristic structure and plant use. The main effects reported in strict diets were antinflammatory, antiinfective, brain function alteration and depuration.

CONCLUSIONS

Strict diets are well structured traditional medicinal practices, also with a symbolic significance in the life cycle of chazutian men. Plants used in strict diets can contribute to the main effects through antinflammation, antiinfective actions, psychoactivity and depurative related activities. The correlation between literature evidence of activity of most used plants and effects reported for the correspondent diet (i.e. in which the plant was used) are 36% for antinflammatory activity, 29% for antimicrobial activity, 18% for psychoactivity and 5% for depurative related activities. The percentages go to 77%, 64%, 73% and 32%, respectively, when literature evidences on related taxa are also considered.

Database survey of anti-inflammatory plants in South America: a review

Inflammation is a complex event linked to tissue damage whether by bacteria, physical trauma, chemical, heat or any other phenomenon. This physiological response is coordinated largely by a variety of chemical mediators that are released from the epithelium, the immunocytes and nerves of the lamina propria. However, if the factor that triggers the inflammation persists, the inflammation can become relentless, leading to an intensification of the lesion. The present work is a literature survey of plant extracts from the South American continent that have been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity. This review refers to 63 bacterial families of which the following stood out: Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae and Celastraceae, with their countries, parts used, types of extract used, model bioassays, organisms tested and their activity.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Alchornea triplinervia ethyl acetate fraction: inhibition of H₂O₂, NO and TNF-α

CONTEXT

Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a tree widespread in many Brazilian states. This plant naturally occurs in different ecosystems including tropical Atlantic forest, Amazon rain forest, moist tropical mixed forest, savanna forest, among others. Local populations traditionally use it in tea form to treat gastric disturbances.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to evaluate the plant A. triplinervia as a potential inhibitor of some macrophage functions involved in the inflammatory process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of Alchornea triplinervia ethyl acetate fraction (AtF) on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in peritoneal macrophages were investigated using phenol red, Griess reagent and a sandwich immunoassay, respectively.

RESULTS

AtF chromatographic analyses indicate the presence of flavonoids as majority compounds. The fraction also showed an intense inhibition of H₂O₂ and NO production. The inhibitory effects of the fraction in H₂O₂ and NO production ranged from 72.25 ± 4.68 to 69.64 ± 4.21 and from 47.8 ± 8.96 to 76.77 ± 8.11%, respectively in the two tested concentrations, 15.62 and 62.5 μg/mL. TNF-α production was partially inhibited in the tested concentrations and the inhibitory rate was around 18%.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

It is supposed that the elevated biological potential of A. triplinervia is related to the presence of phenolic compounds in the plant leaves. According to the results observed in this study, it is suggested that AtF presents anti-inflammatory activity, supporting the traditional use of A. triplinervia in Brazilian folk medicine.

Bioactive Alkaloids from South American Psychotria and Related Species

Many important molecules have been discovered from tropical and sub-tropical plant biodiversity. However, the largest part of the chemical profile of such biodiversity remains unknown. Combining ethnopharmacological and chemotaxonomical investigation can be a good strategy in bioactive compound discovery. South American Psychotria species studied by this approach proved to be a rich source of new bioactive alkaloids, some of which bear unique chemical skeletons.

Quantitative analysis of antiradical phenolic constituents from fourteen edible Myrtaceae fruits

Many species of Myrtaceae are cultivated in home gardens throughout the tropics for their edible fruit, and have been used in traditional medicine to treat several inflammatory conditions. Fruit phenolics are important dietary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents. We have investigated the antiradical activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC) of 14 underutilized Myrtaceae fruits, namely Eugenia aggregata, E. brasiliensis, E. luschnathiana, E. reinwardtiana, Myrciaria cauliflora, M. dubia, M. vexator, Syzygium cumini, S. curranii, S. jambos, S. javanicum, S. malaccense, S. samarangense, and S. samarangense var. Taiwan pink. An HPLC-PDA method was developed to quantify the amounts of cyanidin 3-glucoside (1), delphinidin 3-glucoside (2), ellagic acid (3), kaempferol (4), myricetin (5), quercetin (6), quercitrin (7), and rutin (8) present in MeOH extracts of the fruit. TPC ranged from 3.57 to 101 mg/g, TAC ranged from undetectable to 12.1 mg/g, and antiradical activity, measured as DPPH˙ IC(50), ranged from very active (19.4 μg/ml) to inactive (389 μg/ml).

Bioprospecting Rumphius's Ambonese Herbal: Volume I

Collaborating with traditional healers remains a valid method for the identification of potential lead compounds for novel pharmaceuticals. However, the knowledge of these traditional healers is rapidly being lost. Historic herbal texts provide a unique window to identify plants whose specific uses are no longer known. We have identified nine plants in the 17th century Ambonese Herbal: Volume I which were documented as having medicinal properties but which have not been examined in the current literature. We demonstrate that by evaluating plant and herb efficacy reports from historic texts, in the context of comprehensive modern databases such as NAPRALERT, we can ultimately identify candidate specimens deserving further pharmacological study.

Inhibition of Hydrogen Peroxide, Nitric Oxide and TNF-.ALPHA. Production in Peritoneal Macrophages by Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Alchornea glandulosa

The effects of Alchornea glandulosa ethyl acetate fraction (AGF) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in peritoneal macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were investigated. Analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) of AGF showed several constituents, including flavonoids, which may have anti-inflammatory activity. Inhibitory effects of the fraction in H2O2 and NO production ranged from 8.59+/-7.84% to 70.56+/-4.16% and from 16.06+/-3.65% to 38.73+/-3.90%, respectively. The TNF-alpha production was only partially inhibited in the tested concentrations (12.21+/-6.23% - 15.16+/-0.96%). According to these results, it is suggested that AGF has anti-inflammatory activity. This medicinal plant may have therapeutic potential in the control of inflammatory disorders.

A new isoflavone glycoside from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertner

From the 80% EtOH extract of the bark of Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertner, a new isoflavone glycoside was isolated along with known isoflavones, vavain and vavain glucoside. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis as 5-hydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone 3'-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Alphitol, a phenolic substance from Alphitonia zizyphoides which inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis in vitro

The new phenolic compound, 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxy phenethyl alcohol, named alphitol, and betulinic acid were from the bark of Alphitonia zizyphoides. The chemical structure of alphitol was determined by mass spectrometry in combination with one and two dimensional NMR, including HMBC. Both compounds inhibited prostaglandin biosynthesis in vitro, alphitol with an IC50 value of 0.66mM, which is of the same magnitude as acetyl salicylic acid.

Two new isoflavones from Ceiba pentandra and their effect on cyclooxygenase-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis

The new isoflavone glucoside vavain 3'-O-beta-d-glucoside (1) and its aglycon, vavain (2), were isolated from the bark of Ceiba pentandra, together with the known flavan-3-ol, (+)-catechin, These novel structures were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments and by MS, IR, and UV spectroscopy as 5-hydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone 3'-O-beta-D-glucoside (1) and 5,3'-dihydroxy-7,4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), respectively. The compounds were isolated following bioactivity-directed fractionation, using a cyclooxygenase-1-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis assay in vitro, in which compounds 1 and 2 and (+)-catechin exhibited IC50 values of 381, 97, and 80 microM, respectively (standard: indomethacin, IC50 1,1 microM). When further tested for their inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-2-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis, 1 and 2 were found to be inactive (IC50 > 1200 and > 900 microM, respectively).

Development of a radiochemical cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in vitro assay for identification of natural products as inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis

A radiochemical enzyme assay for studying cyclooxygenase (COX)-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis in vitro was optimized with respect to both COX-1 and COX-2 activity. The assay can be used to assess the relative selectivity of plant-derived inhibitors on COX-1 and COX-2 Assay conditions were optimized for both enzymes with respect to concentration of cofactors (l-epinephrine, reduced glutathione, and hematin), activation time (enzyme and cofactors), reaction time, and pH. Moreover, the kinetic parameters, Km and Kcat, of both enzymes were estimated. Five COX inhibitors were used to validate the assay, indomethacin, aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, and the arylsulfonamide NS-398, all with different COX selectivity and time dependency. Time-dependent inhibition was determined by comparing the inhibition, with and without preincubation of enzyme and inhibitor. Two flavonoids, (+)-catechin and quercitrin, were examined with respect to inhibition of COX-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis. (+)-Catechin showed equal inhibitory effects on the two enzymes. Quercitrin was found to be inactive toward both COX-1- and COX-2-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis. The optimization procedure resulted in a considerable reduction of the amount of enzyme required for adequate prostglandin biosynthesis and a reliable method suited to evaluate natural products on inhibition of COX-2-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis, as well as on COX-1.