ABSTRACT
The genus Drimys presents the widest geographical distribution of the Winteraceae family, which comprises seven genera and about 120 species. In Brazil, the genus is found from Bahia to Rio Grande do Sul and occur in two species, Drimys angustifolia Miers, and D. brasiliensis Miers, Winteraceae, popularly known as "casca-de-anta", characterized by the presence of flavonoids and essential oils. It is used in folk medicine as an antiscorbutic, stimulant, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheal, antipyretic, antibacterial, and against asthma and bronchitis, besides having insecticidal properties. In addition to the known biological activities, it is very important to explore new applications in the treatment of physiological disorders or diseases caused by parasites. Based on this information, in this study we propose to evaluate volatile oils of the species D. brasiliensis and D. angustifolia, as an antioxidant, using the model of the DPPH radical as an antiviral against human herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) and acute toxicity in vivo. The two species were not able to reduce the DPPH radical and showed interesting antiviral activity, significantly reducing the virus titers in vitro assays. Regarding the in vivo toxicity in female Wistar rats, treatment with the two species showed interesting signs in animals such as salivation, ptosis, tremor, decreased motor activity. In addition the oils of D. brasiliensis to other signs, some animals showed increased urination and diarrhea.
ABSTRACT
Jodina rhombifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Reissek (Santalaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used as an anti-ulcer medicine. The plant native from Southern Brazil was chemically investigated and tested for its in vivo gastric anti-ulcer property by chloride acid/ethanol model. The chromatographic analysis of the hydroethanol extract of its leaves revealed the presence of C-glycosylflavonoids. From the n-butanol fraction of the hydroethanol extract of its aerial parts, vicenin-2 was isolated as the main component and identified by spectroscopic methods; and, a direct comparison with authentic samples was made. This fraction afforded three other C-glycosylflavonoids: vitexin, orientin and swertisin; all of them identified by direct comparison with authentic samples. We found that the oral administration of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts led to a significant decrease in the ulcer index.
Jodina rhombifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Reissek (Santalaceae) é uma espécie vegetal nativa do Sul do Brasil e usada externamente na medicina popular para o tratamento de úlcera na pele. Neste trabalho foi estudada a atividade antiúlcera gástrica em ratos usando como indutor ácido clorídrico/etanol. Os extratos hidroetanólico e aquoso apresentaram atividade antiúlcera no modelo utilizado. A análise cromatográfica do extrato hidroetanólico das folhas indicou a presença de C-glicosilflavonóides. Da fração n-butanólica obtida por extração seqüencial do extrato hidroetanólico foi isolada e identificada por métodos espectroscópicos a vicenina-2 como substância majoritária. Desta fração também foram identificados por CCD bidimensional, com auxílio de substâncias de referência, outros três C-glicosídeos: vitexina, orientina e swertisina.
ABSTRACT
Ilex paraguariensis is widely used in South Brazil, Argentinna, Paraguay and Uruguay as a beverage (maté) and also as a traditional medicinal plant. During the past ten years, we have systematically studied the saponins of the leaves of genuine maté (Ilex paraguariensis) and the other Ilex species reported as adulterants, searching for chemical differences. Here we give a brief account of the elucidated saponin structures. Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex dumosa can be considered as saponin rich species, containing between 5-10 per cent of crude saponins in the leaves, in opposition to other species that showed a lower saponin content. All the saponins from Ilex paraguariensis leaves identified up to now are glycosides of ursolic or oleanolic acid. From Ilex dumosa, the most frequently quoted maté adulterant, we have isolated and elucidated the structures of ten saponins, almost all of them being glycosides of oleanolic acid and one of 29-hydroxyoleanolic acid. In comparison, the saponin pattern for the other South American Ilex species investigated up to now is different. The saponins from I. pseudobuxus, I. argentina, I. taubertiana and I. theezans all have the aglycones derived from the 19alpha-hydroxyursolic acid. Saponins containing this type of aglycone were not found in the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex dumosa. These are important features, that may have taxonomical significance. Furthermore, this knowledge is necessary to develop methodologies for quality control of maté products and to identify the compounds involved in the tast, flavor and pharmacological properties.