Development and evaluation of topical formulations that contain hydroethanolic extract from Schinus terebinthifolia against HSV-1 infection

Abstract The therapeutic drugs to treat Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections have toxic side effects and there has been an emergence of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, the search for new treatments for HSV infections is mounting. In the present study, semi-solid formulations containing a crude hydroethanolic extract (CHE) from Schinus terebinthifolia were developed. Skin irritation, cutaneous permeation, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy of the formulations were investigated. Treatment with the ointment formulations did not result in any signs of skin irritation while the emulsions increased the thickness of the epidermis in Swiss mice. The cutaneous permeation test indicated that the CHE incorporated in the formulations permeated through the skin layers and was present in the epidermis and dermis even 3 h after topical application. In vivo antiviral activity in BALB/c mice treated with the CHE ointments was better than those treated with the CHE emulsions and did not significantly differ from an acyclovir-treated group. Taken together, this suggests that the incorporation of CHE in the ointment may be a potential candidate for the alternative topical treatment of herpetic lesions.

Activity of Piperaceae extracts and fractions in the control of Phytomonas serpens / Atividade de extratos e frações de Piperaceae no controle de Phytomonas serpens

ABSTRACT: Protozoa of the genus Phytomonas are harmful parasites to several agricultural crops of economic importance. Due to their recognized biological activity, crude extracts of Piper aduncum, P. crassinervium, P. hispidum, and P. amalago leaves, were tested using the microdilution plate technique to assess the antiparasitic potential against Phytomonas serpens. Results showed that the ethanolic crude extract of P. crassinervium and P. amalago presented the best inhibitory concentration for 50% of the cells (IC50), 16.5 µg mL-1 in chloroform phase, and 18 µg mL-1 in aqueous phase, respectively, after 48 h treatment. Cytotoxicity analyses were performed using the colorimetric method of sulforhodamine-B in LLCMK2 mammalian cells. The chloroform phase of P. crassinervium was subjected to the fractionation process, in which the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions obtained better IC50 values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed alterations in the cell membrane of the treated parasites. The data obtained indicate a potential antiparasitic effect of the Piper species analyzed against P. serpens, being considered promising candidates for formulations of bioproducts to control the parasite.

RESUMO: Protozoários do gênero Phytomonas são parasitas prejudiciais a várias culturas agrícolas de importância econômica. Devido a sua atividade biológica reconhecida, extratos brutos de folhas de Piper aduncum, P. crassinervium, P. hispidum e P. amalago, foram testadas pela técnica de microdiluição em placa para avaliar o seu potencial antiparasitário contra Phytomonas serpens. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato bruto etanólico de P. crassinervium e P. amalago apresentaram as melhores concentrações inibitórias para 50% das células (IC50), 16,5 µg mL-1 na fase clorofórmio e 18 µg mL-1 na fase aquosa, respectivamente, após 48 h de tratamento. Análises de citotoxicidade foram realizadas através do método colorimétrico da sulforodamina-B, em células de mamíferos LLCMK2. A fase clorofórmio de P. crassinervium foi submetida ao processo de fracionamento, no qual as frações acetato de etila e diclorometano obtiveram melhores valores de IC50. Imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) mostraram alterações na membrana celular dos parasitas tratados com fase aquosa de P. amalago. Os dados obtidos indicam potencial efeito antiparasitário das espécies de Piper analisadas contra P. serpens, sendo consideradas candidatas promissoras para formulações de bioprodutos para controle do parasito.

Performance of methods for identification of yeasts isolated fromblotted water: High prevalence of Candida parapsilosis / Desempenho dos métodos de identificação de leveduras de águaengarrafada: alta prevalência deCandida parapsilosis

Yeasts of the Candida genus can colonize epithelium and mucosa of the vertebrate organisms; howeverthese can cause infection in a broad range of body sites. Candida species also can be found in drinking water and they are considered as a potential indicator of water quality. In this study were evaluated three methods to identify yeasts isolated from blotted water (seminested PCR, culture on CHROMagar Candida medium, and Candifast identification system). For this propose, we used 27 isolates fromblotted water and compared with 22 clinical isolates from vaginal fluid. Seminested PCR has shown specificity and sensitivity for identification of the Candida species. Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were the prevalent species from vaginal fluid and blotted water, respectively. Culture onCHROMagar and Candifast system had low agreement with snPCR (40.9% and 45.5%, respectively) in the yeasts identification from vaginal fluid. On the other hand, CHROMagar Candida can be used in the presumptive identification of yeasts isolated from bottled water and it had agreement’s percentage of 81.5% with snPCR method.

Leveduras do gênero Candida podem colonizar epitélio e mucosa dos organismos vertebrados, entretanto, podem causar infecções em vários lugares do corpo. Espécies de Candida, também, podem ser encontradas em água e são consideradas um potencial indicador da qualidade de água. Neste trabalho, foram avaliados três métodos de identificação de leveduras isoladas de água engarrafada (seminestedPCR, cultura no meio CHROMagar Candida e sistema de identificação Candifast). Foram utilizados 27 isolados de água engarrafada e comparados com 22 isolados clínicos de fluido vaginal. Seminested PCR tem mostrado especificidade e sensibilidade para a identificação das espécies de Candida. Candida albicans e Candida parapsilosis foram as espécies prevalentes do fluido vaginal e da água engarrafada,respectivamente. Cultura em CHROMagar e o sistema Candifast tiveram baixa concordância com snPCR(40,9% e 45,5%, respectivamente) na identificação de leveduras de fluido vaginal. Em contrapartida, CHROMagar Candida pode ser usado em identificação presuntiva de leveduras de água engarrafada apresentando concordância de 81,5% com o método snPCR.

Antileishmanial activity of diterpene acids in copaiba oil

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease. According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 1.5-two million new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis each year worldwide. Chemotherapy against leishmaniasis is based on pentavalent antimonials, which were developed more than a century ago. The goals of this study were to investigate the antileishmanial activity of diterpene acids in copaiba oil, as well as some possible targets of their action against Leishmania amazonensis. Methyl copalate and agathic, hydroxycopalic, kaurenoic, pinifolic and polyaltic acids isolated from Copaifera officinales oleoresins were utilised. Ultrastructural changes and the specific organelle targets of diterpenes were investigated with electron microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. All compounds had some level of activity against L. amazonensis. Hydroxycopalic acid and methyl copalate demonstrated the most activity against promastigotes and had 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.5 and 6.0 µg/mL, respectively. However, pinifolic and kaurenoic acid demonstrated the most activity against axenic amastigote and had IC50 values of 3.5 and 4.0 µg/mL, respectively. Agathic, kaurenoic and pinifolic acid caused significant increases in plasma membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation of the protozoan. In conclusion, copaiba oil and its diterpene acids should be explored for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.

Antifungal activity of Piper diospyrifolium Kunth (Piperaceae) essential oil

In vitro activity of the essential oil from Piper diospyrifolium leaves was tested using disk diffusion techniques. The antifungal assay showed significant potencial antifungal activity: the oil was effective against several clinical fungal strains. The majority compounds in the essential oil were identified as sesquiterpenoids by GC-MS and GC-FID techniques.

The occurrence of Aeromonas spp. in the bottled mineral water, well water and tap water from the municipal supplies

The aim of this work was to study the occurrence of Aeromonas sp in the bottled mineral water, well water and tap water from the municipal supplies. Positive samples were found for Aeromonas spp. 12.7 percent from the mineral water, 8.3 percent from the artesian water and 6.5 percent from the tap water. The recovery of Aeromonas spp. was significantly higher in the bottled mineral and artesian water than in the tap water from municipal supplies. The occurrence of the Aeromonas spp. did not correlate significantly with the contamination indicator bacteria (i.e. total coliforms) in the artesian water samples. However, a significant correlation was found between Aeromonas spp. and total coliforms in the both mineral water and tap water samples. The presence or absence of a correlation between the indicator bacteria and Aeromonas could reflect the occasional appearance of the pathogen in the drinking water and the different rates of survival and recovery of these agents compared with those fecal indicators. The finding that 41.6, 14.8 and 9.0 percent of the artesian water, bottled mineral water and tap water, respectively, sampled in the current study failed to meet the Brazilian standard for total coliforms in the drinking water should therefore be of concern.

A porcentagem de amostras positivas para Aeromonas foi de 12.7 por cento para água mineral, 8.3 por cento para água de poço artesiano e 6.5 por cento para água do sistema público de abastecimento. O isolamento de Aeromonas spp. foi significativamente maior em água mineral e água de poço artesiano do que em água do sistema público. A ocorrência de Aeromonas spp. não teve correlação significativa com os indicadores de contaminação tradicionalmente utilizados (coliformes totais) em amostras de água de poço artesiano. No entanto, esta correlação foi positiva e significativa em água mineral e água do sistema público. A presença ou ausência de correlação entre bactérias indicadoras e a presença de Aeromonas pode refletir o aparecimento ocasional de patógenos em águas para consumo humano e as diferentes taxas de sobrevivência e isolamento destes agentes comparados com os indicadores fecais de contaminação. A constatação de que 41.6 por cento, 14.8 por cento e 9.0 por cento respectivamente amostras de água de poço, água mineral e água do abastecimento público utilizadas neste estudo apresentaram índices de coliformes maiores do que os aceitáveis pela legislação brasileira é um fato preocupante. Estes números mostram a necessidade de melhoria nos sistemas de monitoramento para a indústria de águas minerais e o sistema público de abastecimento. As cepas isoladas pertencentes ao gênero Aeromonas foram identificadas ao nível de espécie como A. hydrophila e A. jandaei. A significância do grande número de isolamentos de espécies de Aeromonas em saúde pública ainda não está clara. É necessário o estudo dos efeitos de cepas específicas utilizando modelos animais de infecção. Estes resultados podem contribuir para a reavaliação dos critérios empregados para a análise da qualidade microbiológica da água e a definição de limites de densidades para o gênero Aeromonas em águas destinadas ao consumo humano.

Antimicrobial activity of Brazilian copaiba oils obtained from different species of the Copaifera genus

The antimicrobial activity of copaiba oils was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and dermatophytes. Oils obtained from Copaifera martii, Copaifera officinalis, and Copaifera reticulata (collected in the state of Acre) were active against Gram-positive species (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, and Enterococcus faecalis) with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 31.3-62.5 µg/ml. The oils showed bactericidal activity, decreasing the viability of these Gram-positive bacteria within 3 h. Moderate activity was observed against dermatophyte fungi (Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis). The oils showed no activity against Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Scannning electron microscopy of S. aureus treated with resin oil from C. martii revealed lysis of the bacteria, causing cellular agglomerates. Transmission electron microscopy revealed disruption and damage to the cell wall, resulting in the release of cytoplasmic compounds, alterations in morphology, and a decrease in cell volume, indicating that copaiba oil may affect the cell wall.

Yeasts and filamentous fungi in bottled mineral water and tap water from municipal supplies

The main objective of this study was to analyse the occurrence of yeasts and filamentous fungi in drinking water as well as to investigate their correlation with the indicator bacteria of faecal pollution. Yeasts were detected in 36.6 percent and 11.6 percent of the bottled mineral on water dispensers and tap water samples from municipal system, respectively. Twenty-one (35.0 percent) of bottled mineral water and two (3.3 percent) of tap water samples were positive for filamentous fungi. For bottled mineral water 12 (20.0 percent) of 60 samples were positive for total coliform, compared with 3(5.0 percent)out of 60 samples from tap water. The mineral water from dispensers was more contaminated than tap water. Strains belonging to the genera Candida identified to the species level were C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata and C. albicans. Thus, bottled mineral water from water dispensers and tap water could be considered a possible transmission route for filamentous fungi and yeasts, and could constitute a potential health hazard, mainly to immunocompromised indivuals.

O principal objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de leveduras e fungos filamentosos em água potável, bem como investigar suas correlações com bactérias indicadoras de contaminação fecal. Leveduras foram detectadas em 36,6 por cento e 11,6 por cento das amostras de água mineral de garrafão em dispensadores de água e água de torneira do sistema municipal, respectivamente. Vinte e uma (35,5 por cento) das amostras de água mineral de garrafão e duas (3,3 por cento) das amostras de água de torneira foram positivas para fungos filamentosos. Para água mineral de garrafão, 12 (20.0 por cento) das 60 amostras foram positivas para coliforme total, comparado com 3 (5.0 por cento) das 60 amostras de água de torneira. A água coletada de garrafões de água mineral dos dispensadores foi marcadamente mais contaminada que as amostras de água de torneira. Candida spp identificadas ao nível de espécie foram C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata e C. albicans. Como está sendo reportado, água mineral de garrafão em dispensador e água de torneira pode ser considerada como possíveis vias de transmissão de fungos filamentosos e leveduras, e podem constituir um potencial risco para a saúde, principalmente de pessoas imunocomprometidas.

Biological effects of extracts obtained from Stryphnodendron adstringens on Herpetomonas samuelpessoai

We report the effect of Stryphnodendron adstringens on the trypanosomatid Herpetomonas samuelpessoai. The parasites were grown at 28ºC in a chemically defined medium containing crude extract and fractions at concentrations from 100 to 5000 µg/ml obtained from S. adstringens. Concentrations of 500, 1000, 2500, and 5000 µg/ml both crude extract and semi-purified fraction progressively inhibited the protozoans' growth. At a concentration of 100 µg/ml, crude extract or a semi-purified (F3) fraction did not affect the growth of the protozoans. The F3-9 - F3-12 sub-fractions, at a concentration of 1000 µg/ml, also showed increased inhibitory activity on H. samuelpessoai. The IC50 of the crude extract and the F3 fraction were 538 and 634 µg/ml, respectively. Ultrastructural and enzymatic alterations in the trypanosomatids were also evaluated. H. samuelpessoai cultivated in the presence of IC50 crude extract showed considerable ultrastructural alterations, such as marked mitochondrial swelling with a large number of cristae and evident Golgi complex vesiculation, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cells exposed to 538 µg/ml of crude extract at 28ºC for 72 h, showed decreased activity of the enzyme succinate cytochrome c reductase, a typical mitochondrion marker, as compared to untreated cells.

An evaluation of antibacterial activities of Psidium guajava (L)

O presente estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a atividade antibacteriana dos extratos etanol:água e aquoso das folhas, raízes e casca do caule de Psidium guajava L. As atividades antibacterianas dos extratos contra as bactérias foram testados usando o ensaio de microdiluição em caldo. O extrato aquoso das folhas, raízes e casca do caule de P. guajava foram ativos contra as bactérias Gram-positivas Staphylococcus aureus (CIMs=500, 125 e 250 µg/ml, respectivamente) e Bacillus subtilis (CIMs=500 µg/ml), e foram inativas contras as bactérias Gram-negativas Escherichia coli e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CIMs >1000 µg/ml). Os extratos etanol:água apresentaram maior atividade quando comparados com os extratos aquosos. Com base nestes resultados, o extrato de folhas de P. guajava foi fracionado em cromatografia em coluna de sílica gel em um bioensaio de fracionamento direcionado, produzindo uma mistura de flavonoides, uma mistura de a e b-amirina e b-sitosterol. A mistura de flavonoides mostrou boa atividade sobre S. aureus com CIM de 25 µg/ml. O b-sitosterol foi inativo para todas as bactérias testadas.

Effects of medicinal plant extracts on growth of Leishmania (L) amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi

Este estudo descreve a triagem de extratos obtidos de 19 espécies de plantas usadas na medicina tradicional brasileira para o tratamento de várias doenças. Os extratos foram testados contra formas amastigota axênica e promastigota de Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, e formas epimastigota de Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro na concentração de 100 mg/ml. Baccharis trimera, Cymbopogon citratus, Matricaria chamomilla, Mikania glomerata, Ocimum gratissimum, Piper regnellii, Prunus domestica, Psidium guajava, Sambucus canadensis, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Tanacetum parthenium, e Tanacetum vulgare apresentaram efeito significante contra um ou ambos parasitas, com a porcentagem de inibição de crescimento entre 49,5 e 99%. Os extratos não mostraram efeito citotóxico em hemácias de carneiro. Essas plantas medicinais podem ser fontes alternativas de novos compostos clinicamente ativos contra L. amazonensis e T. cruzi.

Antioxidant and antifungal activities of extracts and condensed tannins from Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth

Atividade antioxidante de extrato, frações, subfrações e substâncias isoladas das cascas de Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth. foi avaliada através da redução do radical 1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazila (método DDPH·) em cromatografia em camada delgada. O extrato bruto (CE, acetona:água), as frações acetato de etila (EtOAc) e aquosa (FW), as subfrações (F1-F12) e as substâncias isoladas I, II e III apresentaram a capacidade de reduzir o radical DDPH·. A atividade antifúngica foi determinada pela concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração fungicida mínima (CFM) frente às amostras de leveduras Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei e Candida tropicalis. O extrato bruto (CE), as frações (EtOAC e FW), e os compostos isolados I, II e III, como também as subfrações cromatográficas (F1-F12) foram inativos frente a todas as leveduras testadas. Por outro lado, as subfrações cromatográficas F13-15 e F20 apresentaram atividade antifúngica moderada. Já as subfrações F16-19 e F21-22 mostraram boa atividade antifúngica frente às cepas de C. albicans e C. parapsilosis. As substâncias I, II, e III, isoladas da fração EtOAc por cromatografia e recromatografia em coluna de Sephadex® LH-20, foram identificadas como sendo os monômeros de flavan-3-ol, epigalocatequina e galocatequina, e um dímero, epigalocatequina-(4b®8)-galocatequina, respectivamente.

Antibacterial activity of extracts and neolignans from Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) Yunck

The evaluation of the activity of the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Piper regnellii was tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The aqueous extractdisplayed a weak activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1000 æg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract presented a good activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC and MBC at 15.62 æg/ml. In contrast to the relative low MICs for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited by the extracts at concentrations < 1000 mg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on silica gel into nine fractions. The hexane and chloroform fractions were active against S. aureus (MIC at 3.9 æg/ml) and B. subtilis (MIC at 3.9 and 7.8 æg/ml, respectively). Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, the hexane fraction was rechromatographed to yield the antimicrobial compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6identified as eupomatenoid-6, eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-3, and conocarpan, respectively. The pure compounds 1 and 2 showed a good activity against S. aureus with MIC of 1.56 æg/ml and 3.12 æg/ml, respectively. Both compounds presented MIC of 3.12 æg/ml against B. subtilis. The pure compound 6 named as conocarpan was quite active against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC of 6.25 æg/ml. The antibacterial properties of P. regnellii justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, contaminated through bacteria infections.

Antibacterial xanthones from Kielmeyera variabilis mart. (Clusiaceae)

The bioassay-guided fractionation of stems from Kielmeyera variabilis, traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine, yielded assiguxanthone-B (1), kielcorin (4), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3), and a mixture of xanthones containing assiguxanthone-B (1) and 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-2-prenylxanthone (2) (1:1 w/w). The xanthone mixture inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of 6.25 µg/ml. When tested alone, the minimal inhibitory concentration of assiguxanthone-B was 25 µg/ml against B. subtilis. Kielcorin and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid were inactive against both strains. None of the fractions was active against Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Viable cells of S. aureus were reduced by a 1-3 log CFU/ml within 12 h after exposure of one to eight times the MIC of the xanthone mixture. It is not known whether the tetrahydroxy-2-prenylxanthone or other components of the xanthone mixture are responsible for the main antibacterial activity or whether additive or synergistic action is involved

In vitro antibacterial activity of a 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-nutanocoumarin from Chaptalia nutans (Asteraceae)

Ethanolic crude extracts from the roots of Chaptalia nutans, traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine, were screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using the disk diffusion test technique. S. aureus with 14 mm inhibition zone was considered susceptible. E. coli and P. aeruginosa without such a zone were considered resistant. As a result of this finding, the ethanolic crude extract was fractionated on silica gel column chromatography into five fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction was active against S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Further column chromatography separation of the ethyl acetate fraction afforded 30 fractions, which were assayed against S. aureus. Fractions 16 and 17 showed inhibition zones with S. aureus, indicating the presence of active compounds, and were subjected to purification by repeated preparative thin layer chromatography. The pure compound 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-nutanocoumarin inhibited B. subtilis and S. aureus at concentrations of 62.5 æg/ml and 125 æg/ml, respectively. The antibacterial property of C. nutans appears to have justified its use for the treatment of wounds, which are contaminated through bacterial infections

Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases

Extracts of 13 Brazilian medicinal plants were screened for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts. Of these, 10 plant extracts showed varied levels of antibacterial activity. Piper regnellii presented a good activity against Staphylococus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, a moderate activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a weak activity against Escherichia coli. Punica granatum showed good activity on S. aureus and was inactive against the other standard strains. Eugenia uniflora presented moderate activity on both S. aureus and E. coli. Psidium guajava,Tanacetum vulgare, Arctium lappa, Mikania glomerata, Sambucus canadensis, Plantago major and Erythrina speciosa presented some degree of antibacterial activity. Spilanthes acmella, Lippia alba, and Achillea millefolium were considered inactive. Five of the plant extracts presented compounds with Rf values similar to the antibacterial compounds visible on bioautogram. Of these, three plants belong to the Asteraceae family. This may mean that the same compounds are responsible for the antibacterial activity in these plants. Anticandidal activity was detected in nine plant extracts (P. guajava, E. uniflora, P. granatum, A. lappa, T. vulgare, M. glomerata, L. alba, P. regnellii, and P. major). The results might explain the ethnobotanical use of the studied species for the treatment of various infectious diseases

Effect of plant extracts used in folk medicine on cell growth and differentiation of Herpetomonas samuelpessoai (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) cultivated in defined medium

Neste trabalho, verificou-se o efeito de 15 plantas medicinais no crescimento e diferenciação celular de Herpetomonas samuelpessoai, um tripanosomatídeo não patogênico utilizado como modelo biológico, que apresenta antígenos semelhantes aos do Trypanosoma cruzi. Extratos brutos (1.000 mg/ml) ou óleo essencial (250 mg/ml) foram adicionados ao meio definido. O crescimento celular foi determinado pela contagem em câmara de Newbauer e a diferenciação celular examinada por microscopia ótica. Ocimum gratissimum, Lippia alba, Piper regnellii, Stryphnodendron adstringens, e Tanacetum vulgare mostraram atividade antiprotozoário, Psidium guajava e Punica granatum menor atividade e Achillea millefolium, Eugenia uniflora, Mikania glomerata, Plantago major, e Spilanthes acmella não apresentaram atividade. Por outro lado, Arctium lappa, Erythrina speciosa, e Sambucus canadensis estimularam o crescimento de H. samuelpessoai e L. alba e S. acmella a diferenciação celular deste flagelado. Estes resultados indicam que plantas medicinais possuem princípios ativos contra H. samuelpessoai, o qual parece ser útil como modelo para seleção de plantas que contém drogas tripanomicidas

Evaluation of the Antidiabetic and antibacterial activity of Cissus sicyoides

No presente trabalho foram investigados os efeitos antibacteriano e antidiabético da planta Cissus sicyoides (CS) coletada no Brasil. Ratos diabéticos receberam água (grupo A) ou extratos da parte aérea da planta (grupo CS) durante 4 semanas. Após este período, os níveis séricos de glicose, colesterol e triglicerídeos dos ratos foram determinados. A glicemia näo foi afetada pelo tratamento com CS. Entretanto, houve aumento nos níveis de colesterol e triglicerídeos nos ratos do grupo CS. Em adiçäo, fracionamento biomonitorado foi realizado para o isolamento de compostos com atividade antibacteriana. á-sITOSTEROL E SITOSTEROL á-D-glucopiranosídeo isolados mostram atividade antibacteriana contra Bacillus subtilis com concentrações mínimas inibitórias MICs de 50 ug/ml e 100 ug/ml, respectivamente. Apesar da crença popular, CS näo mostrou atividade antidiabética. Entretanto, dois compostos isolados da parte aérea da planta (á-sitosterol e sitosterol á-D-flucopiranosídeo) apresentaram fraca atividade antibacteriana

Antibacterial activity of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil

The essential oil (EO) of Ocimum gratissimum inhibited Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 0.75 mg/ml. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for Shigella flexineri, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., and Proteus mirabilis were at concentrations ranging from 3 to 12mg/ml. The endpoint was not reached for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (>=24 mg/ml). The MICs of the reference drugs used in this study were similar to those presented in other reports. The minimum bactericidal concentration of EO was within a twofold dilution of the MIC for this organism. The compound that showed antibacterial activity in the EO of O. gratissimum was identified as eugenol and structural findings were further supported by gas chromatography/mass spectra retention time data. The structure was supported by spectroscopic methods.

Fatty Acid and Sterol Composition of Three Phytomonas Species

Fatty acid and sterol analysis were performed on Phytomonas serpens and Phytomonas sp. grown in chemically defined and complex medium, and P. françai cultivated in complex medium. The three species of the genus Phytomonas had qualitatively identical fatty acid patterns. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic were the major unsaturated fatty acids. Miristic and stearic were the major saturated fatty acids. Ergosterol was the only sterol isolated from Phytmonas sp. and P. serpens grown in a sterol-free medium, indicating that it was synthesized de novo. When P. françai that does not grow in defined medium was cultivated in a complex medium, cholesterol was the only sterol detected. The fatty acids and sterol isolated from Phytomonas sp. and P. serpens grown in a chemically defined lipid-free medium indicated that they were able to biosynthesize fatty acids and ergosterol from acetate or from acetate precursors such as glucose or threonine