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Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, Volume: 29, Número: 5, Publicado: 2019
  • Morphological, phytochemical and anti-hyperglycemic evaluation of Brachychiton populneus Original Articles

    Ragheb, Alia Y.; Kassem, Mona E.S.; El-Sherei, Moshera M.; Marzouk, Mona M.; Mosharrafa, Salwa A.; Saleh, Nabiel A.M.

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl.) R.Br., Malvaceae, is one of five Brachychiton species cultivated in Egypt. Little information was found concerning the morphological, phytochemical and biological investigations of B. populneus. Morphological investigations of B. populneus were performed on fresh and dried leaves. Air-dried, ground leafy branches were extracted with 70% methanol/water yielding B. populneus extract. Seventeen flavonoids were isolated and identified using different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques; eleven of them were reported for the first time from this plant. Potential activity of B. populneus extract against alloxan inducing oxidative stress and diabetes in male rats was preliminary investigated (four groups of ten rats /group). B. populneus extract (500 mg/kg bw i.p.) exhibited significant acute anti-hyperglycemic activity with blood glucose levels of 227.3 and 157.6 mg/dl after 4 and 24 h, respectively, compared to alloxan and standard Diamicron (5 mg/kg bw p.o.) groups, as well as to a normoglycemic control group at p < 0.05. The extract reverted the body weight values of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats to that of control animals after 24 h. In addition, B. populneus extract counteracted the effect of the oxidative stress induced by alloxan causing significantly increase in the glutathione content level (2.35 mmol/l) and relative decrease in the malondialdehyde level (21.31 nmol/l) and nitric oxide content (1.98 µmol/l) in serum after 24 h of treatment compared to alloxan-induced diabetic rats (1.01 mmol/l, 118.9 nmol/l, 4.69 µmol/l, respectively) and to normoglycemic control at p < 0.05. These effects appear to be related to the flavonoid principles. The intergeneric relationship of the genus Brachychiton and other related genera assessed well-supported differentiation between them. Furthermore, a significant dissimilarity was observed at interspecific level.
  • RP-HPLC and LC–MS–MS determination of a bioactive artefact from Ipomoea pes-caprae extract Original Articles

    Barth, Cristiane da Silva; Souza, Hugo Guilherme Tolentino de; Rocha, Lilian W.; Madeira, Camilla Regina de Souza; Assis, Camila; Bonomini, Tiago; Malheiros, Angela; Sandjo, Louis P.; Niero, Rivaldo; Filho, Cechinel; Couto, Angelica Garcia; Santin, José Roberto; Quintão, Nara Lins Meira; Bresolin, Tania Mari Belle

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Solvents play important and critical role in natural product chemistry and could generate artefacts during the extraction and purification of metabolites from a biological matrix. This study aimed to correlate the chromatographic profile with biological activity of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br., Convolvulaceae, extracts obtained with hydroethanolic extraction. Thus, aerial parts of I. pes-caprae were extracted with different concentration of ethanol (50, 70 and 90°GL) and the obtained extracts were analysed by HPLC–UV. HPLC data were studied employing chemometrics to discriminate the samples. Moreover these samples were further characterized by using UPLC–QTOF/MS data. The extracts were also biomonitored through the paw-oedema and spontaneous nociception induced by trypsin in mice. Different chromatographic profiles were obtained and the exploratory analysis clearly revealed higher level of ethyl caffeate in extracts of lower strength of ethanol (50°GL). This compound was suggested to be an artefact formed by transesterification of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives present in the plant, once it was not observed when other solvents were employed. During the biological assay, only the extract obtained with ethanol 50°GL presented significant inhibition of inflammation (45 ± 9%) and nociception (24 ± 3%). Ethyl caffeate seems to be linked to the anti-inflammatory effect since it reduced 86 ± 5% of paw-oedema induced by trypsin. Artefacts could contribute to the biological activity of herbal preparations and consequently lead to misinterpretation of the results.
  • Chemical constituents from the fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera and their cytotoxicity activity Original Articles

    Kwak, Hee Jae; Park, SeonJu; Yoo, Guijae; Park, Jun Hyung; Oh, Youngse; Oh, Mira; Nhiem, Nguyen Xuan; Kim, Yun Na; Jeong, Eun Ju; Kim, Seung Hyun

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder & E.H. Wilson, Schisandraceae, is well known as a type of traditional medicine for the treatment of hepatitis, diarrhea and insomnia in Asia. It was also reported to have antiviral and anti-HIV activities. Using various chromatographic resins and isolation techniques, a new lignan (1), erythro-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbutan-2yl-3,4-dimethoxybenzoate, along with fifteen known compounds, were isolated from fruits of S. sphenanthera. The structures of the compounds were identified by extensive spectroscopic and spectrometric methods including 1D and 2D NMR and MS data. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activity against Hela, HepG2 and HCT-116 cells. Among them, compound schisanlactone C showed significant cytotoxicity activity.
  • Phytochemical study of Waltheria viscosissima and evaluation of its larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti Original Articles

    Ferreira, Maria Denise Leite; Fernandes, Diégina A.; Nunes, Fabíola C.; Teles, Yanna C.F.; Rolim, Yngred M.; Silva, Camila Macaúbas da; Albuquerque, Janderson B.L. de; Agra, Maria de Fátima; Souza, Maria de F.V. de

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract The species Waltheria viscosissima A.St.–Hil, Malvaceae, which is known as ‘malva-branca', is traditionally used in the Brazilian northeast for the treatment of coughs. This research looks towards reporting the isolation of phytoconstituents of W. viscosissima, as well as the quantification of its phenolics, total flavonoid content, and free radical scavenging potential, along with an evaluation of its larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae. Chromatographic techniques were used to isolate the compounds and a structural elucidation was performed by 1D and 2D NMR. The quantification of total phenolics and flavonoids and the DPPH˙ radical scavenging activity was determined through spectrophotometric methods. Consequently, the phytochemical investigation led to the identification of fourteen compounds from the aerial parts of the W. viscosissima: steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, and eight flavonoids previously reported in the literature. The quantification of compounds showed that the aerial parts extract possessed high concentration of flavonoids, while the roots extract were rich in other phenolic compounds. At the DPPH˙ free radical scavenging assay, the roots extract presented EC50 = 77.32 ± 4.37 µg/ml and the aerial parts extracts showed EC50 = 118.10 ± 1.21 µg/ml. W. viscosissima roots extract showed the most potent larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti (LC50 = 4.78 mg/ml), with the potential of being used in effective and economically viable preparations that can be catered for domestic use towards controlling the vector insect of severe diseases, such as dengue and Zika.
  • Rhus coriaria (sumac) extract reduces migration capacity of uterus cervix cancer cells Original Articles

    Abdallah, Samer; Abu-Reidah, Ibrahim; Mousa, Ahmed; Abdel-Latif, Tamara

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Uterus cervix cancer is one of the most common malignant gynecological tumors in women globally. Its standard treatment includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy are considered highly toxic, expensive and exhaustive for patients. Medicinal plants became increasingly a better and a safer alternative therapeutic approach. Rhus coriaria L., Anacardiaceae, is a medicinal plant whose anti-cancer effect has been explored in few cancer types including breast and colorectal cancer. However, its effect on uterus cervix cancer is still unknown. In this study, we showed that non-cytotoxic concentrations of R. coriaria reduces uterus cervix cell migration capacity. We have also found that R. coriaria has a growth inhibitory effect on cervical cancer cells in a time- and a concentration-dependent manner. We have carried out a phytochemical compound analysis of R. coriaria extract using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method in order to identify bioactive compounds in R. coriaria extract that could potentially induce its anti-cancer effects. Our results are promising to involve R. coriaria as a therapeutic drug candidate for uterus cervix cancer.
  • A newly validated HPLC–DAD-UV method to study the effects of medicinal plants extracts, fractions and isolate compounds on gastric emptying in rodents Original Articles

    Siqueira, Monica R.P.; Rosa, Lorenna C. da; Santos, Rafael de O.; Lopes, Marina Priscila G. da S.; Paumgartten, Francisco J.R.; Moreira, Davyson de Lima

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract In this study, we developed and validated a chromatographic method by High-performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Diode-Array Ultraviolet Detector for quantification of acetaminophen in small volumes of plasma. This analytical method is particularly suitable for studies of gastric emptying time and pharmacokinetics in small rodents. Orally administered acetaminophen is promptly and completely absorbed in the intestines, with negligible absorption from the stomach. Owing to these kinetic features, acetaminophen can be used to study gastric emptying. The newly-validated analytical method was employed to investigate whether plants used as anti-dyspeptics in the Brazilian traditional medicine affect the gastric emptying. Lyophilized aqueous extracts from leaves of Baccharis trimera (Less) DC., Asteraceae (carqueja), Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. Ex Reissek, Celastraceae (espinheira-santa) and Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson, Verbenaceae (erva-cidreira) were administered by gavage to female Wistar rats 30 min before a single oral dose of acetaminophen (50 mg/kg). L. alba extract (50 mg/kg) did not alter acetaminophen plasma concentration versus time curve an indication that it has no effect on gastric emptying. Extracts of B. trimera (50 mg/kg) and M. ilicifolia (30 and 50 mg/kg, but not 10 mg/kg), however, slightly delayed gastric emptying. M. ilicifolia given by intraperitoneal route (30 mg/kg) also retarded gastric emptying. In conclusion, the newly-validated analytical method is adequate for studying the effects of medicinal plants on gastric emptying.
  • Chemical characterization and toxicological assessment of hydroethanolic extract of Mandevilla velame xylopodium Original Articles

    Ribeiro, Reginaldo Vicente; Mariano, Daniel Botelho; Arunachalam, Karuppusamy; Soares, Ilsamar Mendes; Aguiar, Raimundo Wagner de Souza; Ascêncio, Sérgio Donizeti; Marlon, Ribeiro; Colodel, Edson Moleta; Martins, Domingos Tabajara de Oliveira

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract The present study was aimed to characterize the chemical profile and evaluate the cytotoxicity and sub-chronic toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium Mandevilla velame (A.St.-Hil.) Pichon, Apocynaceae. Chemical profile was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Cytotoxic potential of hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame was evaluated using Chinese hamster ovary cells. The sub-chronic assessment was done on rats with hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame (50, 200 and 800 mg/kg) was orally administered daily for 30 consecutive days. High performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed the presence of gallic acid, ellagic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, naringin, myricetin, quercetin and naringenin. hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame tested concentrations did not alter the viability of Chinese hamster ovary cells. In the sub-chronic test, 50 and 200 mg/kg were safe, but there were significant changes in relation to weight gain and water consumption by animals that received 800 mg/kg of hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame. Among the haematological and biochemical parameters evaluated, only the number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and creatinine concentration were changed at 800 mg/kg. Phytochemical profile of hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame revealed the presence of phenolics and flavonoid compounds. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay result demonstrated that hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame had no cytotoxic effects in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In the in vivo models, hydroethanolic extract of the xylopodium M. velame was shown to be relatively safe after sub-acute administration in rats which is relation to that the population daily takes a total dose of the plant xylopodium decoction or infusion about 23.29 times lower than the no-observed-adverse effect level dose in rats.
  • Anxiolytic-like and proneurogenic effects of Trichilia catigua ethyl-acetate fraction in mice with cerebral ischemia Original Articles

    Soares, Lígia Mendes; Ferreira, João Paulo Colhado; Milani, Humberto; Longhini, Renata; Mello, João Carlos P.; Nakamura, Celso Vataru; Oliveira, Rúbia Maria Weffort de

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Trichilia catigua A. Juss., Meliaceae, known as "catuaba" in Brazil, has been popularly used as a tonic for fatigue, impotence and memory deficits. Previously, we have demonstrated that T. catigua ethyl-acetate fraction exerted antidepressive-like effects in mice. Affective-like symptoms are also well recognized outcome of cerebral ischemia in clinical and preclinical settings. Therefore, here we evaluated the effects of ethyl-acetate fraction on the emotional outcomes and its relation with hippocampal neurogenesis in ischemic mice. Male Swiss mice were subject to the bilateral common carotid occlusion during 20 min. The animals received ethyl-acetate fraction (400 mg/kg, orally) 30 min before and once per day during 7 days after reperfusion. Emotional outcomes were assessed using the open field test, elevated zero maze, and the tail suspension test. After the behavioral testing, the animals were sacrificed and their brains were processed to immunohistochemistry and Nissl staining. Ischemic mice exhibited anxiogenic-like behaviors in the elevated zero maze, hippocampal neurodegeneration and decreased hippocampal neurogenesis. The anxiogenic-like effect was counteracted by ethyl-acetate fraction administration. Furthermore, ethyl-acetate fraction restored the number of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus of ischemic mice. In conclusion, T. catigua ethyl-acetate fraction promoted functional recovery and restored hippocampal neurogenesis in ischemic mice.
  • Phytochemical screening and anti-implantation activity of Asparagus africanus root extract in female Sprague–Dawley rats Original Articles

    El-Ishaq, Abubakar; Alshawsh, Mohammed A.; Mun, Kein-Seong; Chik, Zamri

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Asparagus africanus Lam., Asparagaceae, is used traditionally as medicinal plant for treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders and for birth related applications. This study aimed to evaluate anti-implantation potential, screening for bioactive phytochemicals and to determine its toxicity. Thirty healthy rats were distributed into five groups (n = 6). Pregnant rats were orally administered vehicle and aqueous extract A. africanus at three different doses thrice daily for seven days. Misoprostol 300 µg/kg bw was used as positive control. All rats were laparotomized 24 h after the last dose and number of live fetuses, implantations and resorption sites were enumerated, and ovaries were harvested for histopathology. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using LC/MS. Acute toxicity was investigated, the animals were randomly grouped into five groups (n = 3); control, four different doses of aqueous extract A. africanus at a single dose treatment and rats were observed for 14 days. Prenatal study demonstrated that 300 mg/kg bw of extract and misoprostol were significantly increased the percentage of anti-implantation as compared to untreated rats. Histopathology of ovaries showed a dose dependent toxicity. LC/MS revealed the presence of steroidal saponins; asparasaponin II, sarsasapogenin, spirostans, and stigmasterol. The mean weight gain of rats treated with 2000 mg/kg bw of aqueous extract was significantly reduced (p = 0.032) compared to control group. In conclusion, the aqueous extract A. africanus has anti-implantation effect in female rats and is safe up to 2000 mg/kg bw. In addition, it contains some potential steroidal saponins, which could be used to explain its anti-implantation activity, however this finding needs further pharmacological studies to confirm the antifertility activities.
  • Trapa natans pericarp extract ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in type 2 diabetic mice Original Articles

    Lü, Han; Jian, Tun-yu; Ding, Xiao-qin; Zuo, Yuan-yuan; Chen, Jian; Li, Wei-lin; Li, Xiang; Chen, Jian-wei

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract The pericarp of Trapa natans L., an annual aquatic floating herb belonging to Lythraceae family, is used as a folk medicine in China. In this study, extracts of Trapa natans pericarp were tested both in vitro and in vivo through a high-fat diet with a single medium dosage streptozotocin injection induced type 2 diabetic mice. Different solvent extracts of Trapa natans pericarp showed α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. After four weeks administration, the ethyl acetate extract of Trapa natans pericarp (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) reduced fasting blood glucose level, ameliorated oral glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, improved serum lipids alterations in type 2 diabetic mice as well. Additionally, ethyl acetate extract significantly elevated the insulin receptor substrate 1 and Akt serine/threonine kinase phosphorylation compared to diabetic group. HPLC-MS and HPLC-DAD analysis showed that the ethyl acetate extract was rich in hydrolysable tannins. Results support the notion that Trapa natans pericarp extract has a potential hypoglycemic activity.
  • Protective effect of kinsenoside on acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice Original Articles

    Zou, Shupeng; Wang, Yafen; Zhou, Qun; Lu, Yuanyuan; Zhang, Yonghui; Zhang, Jinwen

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl., Orchidaceae, is a Chinese medicinal plant which can be effective for some diseases such as hepatitis, nephritis, pneumonia. Its active ingredient is kinsenoside. The mechanisms of kinsenoside on the liver-protective effect have not been fully explored until today. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of kinsenoside on acute alcoholic liver injury. The protected activity of kinsenoside (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were investigated on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed with non-fat feed for 30 days and oral administrated 14 ml/kg bw of ethanol (50%) on the 31st day. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alanine aminotransferase, triacylglyceride and very low density lipoprotein were determined in serum. The hepatic levels of oxidative stress as glutathione, malondialdehyde were measured in liver homogenates. The levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) were measured by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, histopathological observations were carried out on the separated livers of mice. It was suggested that the trends of acute hepatic injury and fatty degeneration induced by alcohol were reduced in the ethanol group after kinsenoside treatment. Compared to ethanol groups, triacylglyceride, malondialdehyde, very low density lipoprotein, reduced glutathione, serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase levels of kinsenoside (20, 40 mg/kg) groups were decreased (p < 0.05). Meanwhile kinsenoside significantly decreased the level of protein CYP2E1. In conclusion, kinsenoside enhances antioxidant capacity of mice and antagonizes alcohol-induced lipid metabolism disorders. Besides, kinsenoside inhibits alcohol-caused hepatocyte apoptosis, reduces oxidative stress, and relieves hepatocyte death, which may be a mechanism of kinsenoside in the treatment of alcoholic liver.
  • Children's versus adult's knowledge of medicinal plants: an ethnobotanical study in Tremezzina (Como, Lombardy, Italy) Original Articles

    Bruschi, Piero; Sugni, Mara; Moretti, Arianna; Signorini, Maria Adele; Fico, Gelsomina

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract The study was developed in order to collect information about knowledge on medicinal plant uses by students from some primary school classes located in a small community on the western shore of Lake Como (northern Italy). This information was compared with the one collected from the students' relatives and from other people they were in contact with, in order to evaluate differences and similarities between the children's and the adults' knowledge. Two workshops were led in each of the classes taking part in the project. The first one was performed to introduce our research and the topic of healing plants to the students. During the second workshop we asked the students to fill a survey focusing on which plant remedies they would use as medicines. In another phase of the project each child was given a new survey to be filled in at home while conducting the interviews with their relatives or other adults. Tremezzina children reported the use of 24 medicinal species; 78% of students listed at least one species but only 9% showed to know more than three species and uses. In total, adults reported 85 species in eighteen categories of use. Children listed eight species and eleven uses that were not reported by the adults, suggesting that some of the Tremezzina children's knowledge of the medicinal plants are specific to them. Both children and adults learned about the use of the medicinal plants mainly from their family; however, other sources of knowledge were also reported. Differences related to age and gender in both the informants' groups were also discussed. Our results provide valuable qualitative and quantitative data on the plants used for the medicinal purpose within the studied community.
  • Petiveria alliacea, a plant used in Afro-Brazilian smoke rituals, triggers pulmonary inflammation in rats Original Articles

    Alves, Thiago Cagliumi; Rodrigues, Eliana; Lago, João H.G.; Prado, Carla M.; Girardi, Carlos Eduardo N.; Hipólide, Debora C.

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract Petiveria alliacea L., Phytolaccaceae, a plant used in Afro-Brazilian religious smoke rituals is reported to have "harmonic properties" (anxiolytic effect) by ethnobotanical survey. In the present work, we analyzed the chemical composition of volatiles produced by leaves of P. alliacea, using headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and its potential anxiolytic and toxic effects in smoke-exposed rats. Locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior were allocated into groups, according to substance administration: acute (locomotor activity) or chronic (anxiety-like behavior) burning charcoal or to smoke from P. alliacea. Inflammatory cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage and morphometric analysis in airway were assessed. Animals exposed to P. alliacea smoke had no locomotor activity or elevated plus maze open arm exploration impairment, while lungs had lower number of macrophages in bronchoalveolar fluid and an increased number of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells in the peribronchovascular region. Chemical analysis of plant material allowed the identification of dimethylsulfide (18.7%), diethylsulfide (33.4%) and nerolidol (25.8%) as main volatile compounds. Taken together, prolonged exposure to P. alliacea smoke does not induce anxiolytic effects, but histological analyses indicate a possible pulmonary inflammatory response.
  • Quantitative ethnopharmacological profiling of medicinal shrubs used by indigenous communities of Rawalakot, District Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Original Articles

    Hussain, Sajjad; Hamid, Abdul; Ahmad, Khawaja Shafique; Mehmood, Ansar; Nawaz, Fahim; Ahmed, Haroon

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract This paper presents the first comprehensive report on traditional uses of medicinal shrubs of Rawalakot city, district Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Ethobotanical data obtained from 120 informants were analyzed by relative frequency citation, use value, family use value, informant consensus factor, fidelity level and Jaccard index. In total, 41 shrubs belonging to 24 families and 34 genera were documented. Rosaceae was reported the most dominant family in the area (six species) and Berberidaceae showed maximum family use value (0.68). Leaves (35%) and fruits (33%) were the most commonly used plant parts and most of the medicines were prepared in the form of decoction. The high informant consensus factor value (0.94) was recorded for diabetic disease category. Medicinal plants with high fidelity level values (100% each) were Berberis lycium, Cydonia oblanga, Ricinus communis, Ziziphus jujuba and Nerium oleander. Berberis lycium was the most significant shrub in the area with highest use value (0.68). Relative frequency citation value was maximum for Rubus ellipticus (0.30), Nerium oleander and Indigofera heterantha (0.10 each). Percentage of similar plant uses ranged from 21.05 to 0.62% and dissimilarity percentage ranged from 32.50 to 0.66%. Out of the 41 shrub species, six were reported with new therapeutic uses and may represent new bioresources. These were Debregeasia salicifolia (diabetes), Desmodium elegans (anti-cancerous), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (jaundice), Hypericum oblongifolium (arthritis), Sarcococca saligna (tuberculosis), Rubus niveus (chronic cough) and Otostegia limbata (renal disorders). We suggest that species reported with high use value should be involved in cultivation and agricultural practices for their sustainable use and those reported with new therapeutic uses should be employed in further biotechnological, pharmacological and clinical studies in order to validate their traditional uses.
  • Obtaining and characterization of anthocyanins from Euterpe oleracea (açaí) dry extract for nutraceutical and food preparations Original Articles

    Silva, Heitor Ribeiro da; Assis, Daniele da Cruz de; Prada, Ariadna Lafourcade; Silva, José Otávio Carrera; Sousa, Mayara Brito de; Ferreira, Adriana Maciel; Amado, Jesus Rafael Rodríguez; Carvalho, Helison de Oliveira; Santos, Abrahão Victor Tavares de Lima Teixeira dos; Carvalho, José Carlos Tavares

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract The main constituents of the Euterpe oleracea Mart., Arecaceae, fruits (açaí) are anthocyanins. This paper aimed to standardize the extraction process and characterize an anthocyanin-rich dry extract obtained from this fruit. A 23 full factorial design was used. The volumes of ethanol 92% and acetic acid and the extraction time were used as factors. Total solids and anthocyanins content were used as feedback. The dry extract was obtained by freeze-drying. The content of anthocyanins was determined spectrophotometrically. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Thermogravimetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry were used for characterizingthe dry extract. The DPPH method was used for evaluating radical scavenging activity. The extraction conditions were established. The most influent factor was the volume of acetic acid. The dry extract moisture content was equal to 1.39 ± 0.25%, the evaporation residue 97.25 ± 1.28%, total ashes 0.62 ± 0.12%, and the anthocyanin content was 61.75 ± 3.28%. The elemental composition shows the presence of manganese 4.85 ppm, iron 1.62 ppm, zinc 0.05, copper 1.38 ppm, calcium 1.01 ppm, cadmium 0.003 ppm, nickel 0.37 ppm, and lead 0.38 ppm. The dried extract IC50 estimated by the radical scavenging assay with DPPH was 31.25 ± 2.31 ppm. The optimal extraction conditions were: the volume of ethanol 92%: 400 ml; volume of acetic acid: 75 ml; an extraction time: 4 h.
  • Evaluation of Argentinean medicinal plants and isolation of their bioactive compounds as an alternative for the control of postharvest fruits phytopathogenic fungi Short Communications

    Liberto, Melina G. Di; Stegmayer, María Inés; Svetaz, Laura A.; Derita, Marcos G.

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract One of the main problems that fruit health goes through in recent years is the difficult eradication of their fungal pathogens after harvesting. This concern to the whole world because it represents huge losses of production, fruit export restrictions and consumers distrust. One of the alternatives to solve this problem could be the exploration of plants and their active compounds, which have proven to be antifungal against human pathogens, but now applied to the treatment of fruits health. In this work, eighteen plant species that grow in Argentina were evaluated against four phytopathogenic fungi that greatly affect the postharvest stage of fruits commercially important to our country. All the species studied were at least active against one fungus of the panel, while three of them displayed high antifungal properties inhibiting the growth of selected pathogens. In addition, bio-guided fractionation of these most active extracts, led to the isolation of some compounds which proved to be responsible for their antifungal activity. Although they are known compounds and were previously isolated from other natural sources, this is the first time that they are evaluated for their phytopathogenic activities against this panel of fungi.
  • Validation of an HPLC-DAD method for the determination of plant phenolics Short Communications

    González-González, Rosa M.; Barragán-Mendoza, Lina; Peraza-Campos, Ana L.; Muñiz-Valencia, Roberto; Ceballos-Magaña, Silvia G.; Parra-Delgado, Hortensia

    Resumo em Inglês:

    Abstract A selective, sensitive and precise reversed phase HPLC-DAD method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of six phenolic acids in the aqueous extract and their hydrolyzed forms prepared from Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., Solanaceae, Ampelocissus acapulcensis (Kunth) Planch., Vitaceae, or Brosimum alicastrum Sw., Moraceae. The new method showed good linearity (r > 0.999) in a relatively wide concentration range (0.5–100 mg/l). The limits of detection and quantification for the compounds were in the range of 0.097–0.467 mg/l and 0.097–0.496 mg/l, respectively. The recoveries of compounds were calculated in three different concentrations in the range of 88.07–109.17% and matrix effect was less than 5% for all phenolic acids. Finally, our developed HPLC method is simple, reliable and successfully applied to identify and quantify the phenolic acids in complex aqueous extracts from medicinal species, that can be useful for the analysis of infusions that people consume in folk medicine.
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