Toxicity and phytochemistry of eight species used in the traditional medicine of sul-mato-grossense, Brazil

Characterisation of bioactive compounds from leaves of Smilax fluminensis Steud. by gc-MS and LC-DAD-MS, and analysis of its antioxidant and ecotoxicological activities

Smilax fluminensis Steud. is distributed in Central and South America, commonly named as 'salsaparilha' or 'japicanga'. In the present work, the chemical composition was determined, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects were evaluated for the ethanol extract (EE) and fractions from leaves. Fatty acid esters and phytol were characterised in the hexane (HEX) fraction. O-glycosylated flavonols and flavones, caffeic acid derivatives, and steroidal saponins were annotated for EE, and dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (AC), and hydroethanol (HE) fractions. The samples contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds, and the AC fraction displayed the biggest concentration of these substances. Antioxidant potential was observed in all samples, being especially pronounced in the AC fraction by DPPH and FRAP assays, with IC50 values of 8.18 and 2.35 µg/mL, respectively. AC and HEX fractions showed 35% and 5% lethality at 1000 μg/mL, in the Artemia salina assay, and the other samples did not show a toxic effect.

Bioactives derived from Brazilian native flora with antimicrobial and anticancer activity

BACKGROUND

The development of new drugs that act against multidrug-resistant microorganisms and malignant tumors is necessary owing to the limited therapeutic options and high mortality rates associated with these pathologies. In this study, we evaluated the phytochemical groups present in seven plants from the Brazilian Cerrado even as their antioxidant, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities.

METHODS

The extracts were obtained by the maceration technique and secondary metabolites were determined by phytochemical analysis. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging method. The antiproliferative activity of the extracts was assessed using human breast, kidney, and liver neoplastic cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in a non-neoplastic cell line - NIH/3T3. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts against resistant bacteria and yeasts was determined using disk diffusion assays, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution technique.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and saponins in all of the extracts, with Smilax fluminensis showing the highest levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. All tested extracts exhibited antioxidant activity above 50%, notably Tapiria obtusa (82.36 ± 0.44). The T. obtusa extract showed potent antiproliferative activity against the 786-0 cell line (GI50 10.16 ± 2.33 µg/mL) and a significantly greater SI (SI = 24.61) than the control (SI = 3.23, doxorubicin), indicating its selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells and its potential as a therapeutic agent against renal cancer. No cytotoxicity was observed in non-tumor cells. Extracts of S. fluminensis leaves showed fungicidal effects on Candida glabrata (MIC = 500 µg/mL). This study is the first to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of T. obtusa leaf ethanolic extract against MRSA (MIC = 1,000 µg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

The ethanolic extract of T. obtusa demonstrated antioxidant activity, antiproliferative effects against the 786-0 cell line, and antibacterial activity against MRSA. The ethanolic extract of S. fluminensis leaves exhibited a fungicidal effect against C. glabrata. These findings may pave the way for more effective and safer treatments for managing oncological and infectious diseases.

Room temperature storage of myrtle (Eugenia gracillima Kiaersk.) tropical juice: Effects of physical and chemical preservation methods

Tropical fruit juices produced from native fruits have been widely marketed by small agribusinesses in the Brazilian semiarid region, necessitating a deeper understanding of the impact of preservation methods on quality parameters. This study aimed to prepare myrtle (Eugenia gracillima Kiaersk.) tropical juice and investigate the effects of physical preservation (90 °C for 60 s) and chemical preservation (potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate) methods. Tropical juice formulations were evaluated after preparation and every 15 days during 60 days of storage in high-density polyethylene bottles at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C). Microbiological parameters, optical microscopy, physicochemical and bioactive parameters, antioxidant capacity, and color parameters were determined. Heat-treated tropical juice showed low counts of all microbiological parameters, but optical microscopy revealed the presence of filamentous fungi after 60 days of storage. Combined use of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate effectively prevented the development of total yeasts and molds up to 28 days of storage. Bioactive compounds in myrtle pulp contribute to storage stability, mainly total phenolics, estimated at 855.86 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g-1. The results suggest that it is possible to harness the economic and agroindustrial potential of E. gracillima Kiaersk. fruits for the production of tropical juices, but it is recommended that other technologies be explored, such as aseptic processing or the combined use of physical and chemical methods.

Phytochemistry, allelopathy and anticancer potentiality of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae)

Abstract Withania somnifera is a wild plant that shows great activity and safety against several human diseases. The current research explored the plant's chemical composition and allelopathic effects on Rumex dentatus (recipient plant). Moreover, anticancer activity is also tested against four types of human cancer cell lines. Chemical analysis of W. somnifera showed a high percentage of saponins and tannins, while glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids occurred in the second order. Results of the allelopathic experiments revealed significant inhibition of the R. dentatus plumule and radicle lengths as well as their relative dry weights. In addition, significant reductions in some primary metabolites of R. dentatus, like non-reducing and total sugar as well as soluble proteins, were determined. Cytotoxic potentiality of W. somnifera was also proved against four different cancer lines, namely; human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (A549), human breast cancer cell line (MCF7), and colon cancer cell line (CaCo2) with IC50 value of about 38, 19, 27, and 24 ��g/ml, respectively.

Toxicological effects of aqueous extract of Genipa americana L. leaves on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Chemical profile, histopathological effects and lack of genotoxicity

Genipa americana is a native plant of Brazil with potential applications in folk medicine. Whereas most of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies on this plant have focused on its fruits, the crude extracts of its leaves contain chemical metabolites that may have toxicity to organisms, which have yet to be investigated. This study aimed to determine the main groups of secondary metabolites in the aqueous extract of the leaves of G. americana by phytochemistry and qualitative HPLC, and to evaluate the possible toxicological effects and histopathological changes caused by this extract in zebrafish (Danio rerio) adults, through micronucleus test, nuclear abnormalities and histopathological analyses of gills and liver. While three metabolites of high intensity (phenolic compounds, flavonoids and triterpenes) were found in the phytochemical evaluation, the HPLC showed results compatible with flavonoids and iridoids, all belonging to common classes for this species and the Rubiaceae family. The acute toxicity test did not induce mortality or genotoxicity in zebrafish, but after exposure for 96 h, it was possible to observe injuries to the fish gill tissue, such as lamellar fusion, vasodilation and telangiectasia; in the liver, necrosis was visualized at 40 mg/L, and at higher concentrations (80 and 100 mg/L) induced sinusoidal widening was identified. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the toxic potential of this plant for aquatic species.

New Therapeutic Strategies for Obesity and Its Metabolic Sequelae: Brazilian Cerrado as a Unique Biome

Brazil has several important biomes holding impressive fauna and flora biodiversity. Cerrado being one of the richest ones and a significant area in the search for new plant-based products, such as foods, cosmetics, and medicines. The therapeutic potential of Cerrado plants has been described by several studies associating ethnopharmacological knowledge with phytochemical compounds and therapeutic effects. Based on this wide range of options, the Brazilian population has been using these medicinal plants (MP) for centuries for the treatment of various health conditions. Among these, we highlight metabolic diseases, namely obesity and its metabolic alterations from metabolic syndrome to later stages such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Several studies have shown that adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction leads to proinflammatory cytokine secretion and impaired free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation and oxidative status, creating the basis for insulin resistance and glucose dysmetabolism. In this scenario, the great Brazilian biodiversity and a wide variety of phytochemical compounds make it an important candidate for the identification of pharmacological strategies for the treatment of these conditions. This review aimed to analyze and summarize the current literature on plants from the Brazilian Cerrado that have therapeutic activity against obesity and its metabolic conditions, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Bioactive Natural Products for Chemical Control of Microorganisms: Scientific Prospecting (2001–2021) and Systematic Review

The inappropriate use of synthetic antibiotics has become a global public health problem. Therefore, the study of new alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases is relevant and natural bioactive products are on the rise. This study conducted a scientific prospection of bioactive natural products with promising applications in the chemical control of microorganisms. A systematic review of the most recent articles was performed according to the following three steps: (i) eligibility assessment, (ii) screening, and (iii) inclusion of articles and information extraction. There has been an increase in the number of scientific publications on bioactive natural products for microbial control in the CAPES and SciELO databases (2001–2021). Seventeen relevant articles were included, most of which focused on extracts. Ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid, chrysin, and quercetin were the most cited compounds. Natural products were shown to be effective in inhibiting more than 30 microorganisms. A discussion was presented on the research trends.

The contribution of phenolics to the anti-inflammatory potential of the extract from Bolivian coriander (Porophyllum ruderale subsp. ruderale)

Porophyllum ruderale subsp. ruderale is a food product used for seasoning in Central and Southern America. The present research aimed to investigate the chemical composition of an extract prepared from aerial parts of P. ruderale using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS, to isolate and identify major natural products present in the extract, and to furtherly investigate their anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. Twenty-five compounds were detected and characterized using UV-Vis and MS data. All characterized compounds were quantified. Ten major phenolics were isolated and identified by NMR. One previously undescribed natural product was isolated and established as 1-O-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy)benzoyl-6-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (12). Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated based on the influence of the extract and isolated compounds on the TLR4-dependent secretion of IL-8 and TNF-α by human primary neutrophils in vitro. Phenolic acids, and caffeic acid derivatives in particular, contributed to the extract's bioactivity.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC. Stapf) essential oil microparticles: Development, characterization, and antioxidant potential

Maltodextrin (DE 20) and gelatin (4:1, w/w, respectively) were investigated as encapsulant materials for lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC. Stapf) essential oil microencapsulation by freeze-drying. Three formulations were prepared: M₁ (5% essential oil), M₂ (10% essential oil), and M₃ (15% essential oil), all in w/w. Microparticles were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, water activity measurement, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and antioxidant activity analysis. Yield and microencapsulation efficiency were also determined. The results showed the promising potential of maltodextrin and gelatin as encapsulants and confirmed the feasibility of preparing C. citratus essential oil microparticles by freeze-drying. Microencapsulation improved the oil's thermal and oxidative stability, providing protection from volatilization and environmental conditions. Scanning electron microscopic examination of M₁ revealed a closed, pore-free surface. M₁ had higher yield and microencapsulation efficiency, showing great commercial potential for its reduced storage, transport, and distribution costs.

Phytochemical characterization, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the hydroethanolic extract of Anadenanthera peregrina stem bark

The Brazilian Cerrado biome consists of a great variety of endemic species with several bioactive compounds, and Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Speg is a promising species. In this study, we aimed to perform phytochemical characterization and evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of the hydroethanolic extract of A. peregrina stem bark. The barks were collected in the Botanical Garden of Goiânia, Brazil. The hydroethanolic extract was obtained by percolation and subjected to physicochemical screening, total phenolic content estimation, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting, and antioxidant (IC50 values were calculated for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay - DPPH) and antibacterial activity determination. The pH of the extract was 5.21 and density was 0.956 g/cm3. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of cardiac glycosides, organic acids, reducing sugars, hemolytic saponins, phenols, coumarins, condensed tannins, flavonoids, catechins, depsides, and depsidones derived from benzoquinones. The extract showed intense hemolytic activity. The total phenolic content was 6.40 g GAE 100 g-1. The HPLC fingerprinting analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin. We confirmed the antioxidant activity of the extract. Furthermore, the extract did not inhibit the growth of E. coli colonies at any volume tested, but there were halos around S. aureus colonies at all three volumes tested. These results contribute to a better understanding of the chemical composition of A. peregrina stem bark and further support the medicinal applications of this species.

The Use of Medicinal Plants in Maceió, Northeastern Brazil: An Ethnobotanical Survey

Background: The purpose of this study was to record and analyze the knowledge of medicinal plant use in the community in urban areas of Maceió city, Brazil. Methods: A total of 113 patients from the basic healthcare unit were assessed. Results: Approximately 95% of the interviewed stated that the plants were used for medicinal purposes. The majority of respondents were women (94.7%) who were between 51-60 years of age. Forty-eight plant species belonging to 28 families were cited as useful for medicinal purposes. The main families encountered were Lamiaceae (16.6%), Asteraceae (8.3%), Myrtaceae (6.2%), Fabaceae (6.2%), Annonaceae (4.1%), Laureaceae (4.1%), Rutaceae (4.1%), and Zingiberaceae (4.1%). These plants were used to treat a wide range of disturbances, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases. The majority of the respondents used decoctions of leaves that were cultivated in house (58.4%) to make their herbal preparations. The respondents revealed that medicinal plant preparations were safe and unaware of that are risks associated with their use. Conclusions: Medicinal plants still play an important role in the medical practices of the urban population from Maceió, Brazil. Our results highlight the importance of these plants for local people and indicate the need for further scientific investigations to validate their use as a complementary therapy for disease control.