Effect of Terpenoids and Flavonoids Isolated from Baccharis conferta Kunth on TPA-Induced Ear Edema in Mice

Topical Antiedematogenic Activity of the Essential Oil of Psidium brownianum Mart. (OEPB) in Murine Ear Edema Models

Psidium brownianum Mart is reported in the literature by antinociceptive and antioxidant activities, indicating that this species' secondary metabolites might be used to control inflammatory processes. The present study aimed to characterize the topical antiedematogenic activity of the essential oil of Psidium brownianum Mart. (OEPB) in ear edema models by different inflammatory agents. Female Swiss mice (25-35 g) and Wistar albino rats (200-300 g) were used throughout tests (n=6/group) on acute or chronic edema models induced by single and multiple topical applications. The OEPB is administered topically pure or at a concentration of 100 or 200 mg/mL. The antiedematogenic mechanism of OEPB was analyzed by administering capsaicin, arachidonic acid, histamine, and phenol at the best effective dose (200 mg/mL). The results showed a significant reduction of edema-induced single (28.87 %) and multiple (50.13 %) applications of croton oil compared to the negative control group. Regarding potential mechanisms of action, OEPB (200 mg/mL) inhibited the development of edema triggered by capsaicin (29.95 %), arachidonic acid (22.66 %), phenol (23.35 %), and histamine (75.46 %), suggesting an interference with the histaminergic pathway. These results indicate that OEPB presents a topical antiedematogenic effect in acute and chronic murine models, possibly interfering with inflammatory pathways triggered by mediators such as histamine.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of diterpenoid alkaloids yields a potent anti-inflammatory agent

BACKGROUND

The diterpenoid alkaloids belong to a highly esteemed group of natural compounds, which display significant biological activities. It is a productive strategy to expand the chemical space of these intriguing natural compounds for drug discovery.

METHODS

We prepared a series of new derivatives bearing diverse skeletons and functionalities from the diterpenoid alkaloids deltaline and talatisamine based on a diversity-oriented synthesis strategy. The anti-inflammatory activity of these derivatives was initially screened and evaluated by the release of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. Futhermore, the anti-inflammatory activity of the representative derivative 31a was validated in various inflammatory animal models, including phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mice ear edema, LPS-stimulated acute kidney injury, and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

RESULTS

It was found that several derivatives were able to suppress the secretion of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Compound 31a, one of the representative derivatives named as deltanaline, demonstrated the strongest anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated macrophages and three different animal models of inflammatory diseases by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and inducing autophagy.

CONCLUSION

Deltanaline is a new structural compound derived from natural diterpenoid alkaloids, which may serve as a new lead compound for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

as Antifungal against Botrytis cinerea

Baccharis genus Asteraceae is widely used in traditional treatment against fever, headache, hepatobiliary disorders, skin ulcers, diabetes, and rheumatism, as well as an antispasmodic and diuretic. Its phytochemistry mainly shows the presence of flavonoids and terpenoids such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and triterpenes. Some of them have been evaluated for biological activities presenting allelopathic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this paper, our research group reported the isolation, characterization, and antifungal evaluation of several molecules isolated from the dichloromethane extract from Baccharis prunifolia, Baccharis trinervis, and Baccharis zumbadorensis against the phytopathogen fungus Botrytis cinerea. The isolated compounds have not previously been tested against Botrytis, revealing an important source of antifungals in the genus Baccharis. Six known flavones were isolated from B. prunifolia. The dichloromethane extracts of B. trinervis and B. zumbadorensis were subjected to a bio-guided isolation, obtaining three known flavones, an α-hydroxidihydrochalcone mixture, one labdane, one triterpene, and two norbisabolenes from the most active fractions. The compounds 4'-methoxy-α-hydroxydihydrochalcone (7A), 3β,15-dihydroxylabdan-7-en-17-al (8), and 13-nor-11,12-dihydroxybisabol-2-enone (11) are novel. The most active compounds were the Salvigenin (5) and 1,2-dihydrosenedigital-2-one (10) with an IC50 of 13.5 and 3.1 μg/mL, respectively.

Therapeutic Potential of Leaves from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann: Botanical Aspects, Phytochemical and Biological, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Healing Action

Plants of the species Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann (Bignoniaceae), which are widely distributed in Brazil and named crajiru in the state of Amazonas, are known in folk medicine as a traditional medicine in the form of a tea for the treatment of intestinal colic, diarrhea, and anemia, among other diseases. The chemical analysis of extracts of the leaves has identified phenolic compounds, a class of secondary metabolites that provide defense for plants and benefits to the health of humans. Several studies have shown the therapeutic efficacy of F. chica extracts, with antitumor, antiviral, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities being among the therapeutic applications already proven. The healing action of F. chica leaf extract has been demonstrated in several experimental models, and shows the ability to favor the proliferation of fibroblasts, which is essential for tissue repair. The anti-inflammatory activity of F. chica has been clearly demonstrated by several authors, who suggest that it is related to the presence of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, which is capable of inhibiting pro-inflammatory pathways such as the kappa B (NF-kB) nuclear transcription factor pathway. Another important effect attributed to this species is the antioxidant effect, attributed to phenolic compounds interrupting chain reactions caused by free radicals and donating hydrogen atoms or electrons. In conclusion, the species Fridericia chica has great therapeutic potential, which is detailed in this paper with the objective of encouraging new research and promoting the sum of efforts for the inclusion of herbal medicines in health systems around the world.

Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Baccharis conferta Kunth in a kaolin/carrageenan-induced monoarthritis model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Popularly known as "escoba" (broom) or "escobilla china" (Chinese brush), Baccharis conferta Kunth (Asteraceae), is a plant widely used in Mexican folk medicine for alleviating muscular and rheumatic pain. A recent study described that dichloromethane extract as well as fractions and isolated compounds, possess anti-inflammatory activity in TPA-induced acute edema.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Based on the popular medicinal uses of B. conferta as well as previous studies on its anti-inflammatory activity, the aim of this research was to evaluate the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of dichloromethane extract, fractions, and compounds from B. conferta in a monoarthritis model induced with kaolin/carrageenan (K/C).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aerial parts of B. conferta were collected, dried, and macerated with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane extract (BcD) was separated by open column chromatography to obtain the BcD2 fraction where the diterpene kingidiol (KIN) was isolated and from the BcD3 fraction the flavonoid cirsimaritin (CIR), which are the most active compounds in the TPA model. In addition, the flavonoids acacetin, pectolinaringenin and 6-methoxykaempferide were identified and isolated from the BcD2 fraction. The content of the main compounds was estimated in BcD, BcD2 and BcD3. The anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of B. conferta were investigated by evaluating ankle joint inflammation, hyperalgesia using the hot plate test, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial capsule as well as histological changes in ankle joint tissue in a monoarthritis model induced with K/C in Balb/c mice.

RESULTS

Oral administration of BcD2 fraction (25 mg/kg) and KIN (10 mg/kg) reduced the ankle thickness induced by K/C and decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17, while BcD2 increased IL-10. In addition, BcD2 and KIN showed significant edema attenuation of the synovial membrane and decreased inflammatory infiltration and cartilage erosion compared to the VEH group. Finally, BcD (50 mg/kg), KIN (10 mg/kg) and CIR (5 mg/kg) decreased hyperalgesia.

CONCLUSIONS

B. conferta constitutes a therapeutic or preventive candidate for osteoarthritis, because of decreased articular inflammation and pain accompanied with the modulation of cytokine concentrations, which confirms the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of B. conferta and support its popular use.

Nematicidal Effect of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) Extracts Against Haemonchus contortus

During the previous decades, the indiscriminate use of anthelmintics for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes has generated anthelmintic resistance in different parts of the world. It is necessary to search for new sustainable control alternatives, such as the use of extracts from plants and edible mushrooms. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the nematicidal activity of extracts and fractions of the edible mushroom Lentinula edodes against Haemonchus contortus eggs and infective larvae. The basidiomata of L. edodes ECS-401 were provided by the Tropical Fungi Laboratory of El Colegio de la Frontera Sur and were extracted with ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. Fractionation of the most active extract was carried out by open column chromatography. The bioassays were performed in 96-well microtiter plates using 100 eggs/larvae, a final volume of 100 μL, and different concentrations of extracts/fractions (n = 4). Bioassay readings were taken at 48 h for egg hatching inhibition (EHI) and at 24, 48 and 72 h for larval mortality (LM). The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest percentage of EHI (100%). For the LM bioassay, the aqueous extract was the most active (69%), but its fractions did not show larvicidal activity. The chemical profile of the aqueous extract was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, which showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and terpenes. L. edodes extracts showed ovicidal and/or larvicidal activity.