Report on the Malungo expedition to the Erepecuru river, Oriximiná, Brazil. Part I: is there a difference between black and white breu?

ABSTRACT Species belonging to Burseraceae produce an oleoresin known in the north of Brazil as breu. They comprise an essential oil with a complex composition, and are used in Amazonia for smoking the environment, to caulk boats and for medicinal purposes. Depending on its organoleptic characteristics and on the breu-producing species, they are called white or black breu. In this work, we provide data about the breu-producing species occurring in the quilombola region of the Erepecuru river, the chemical composition, and whether it is possible to differentiate them based on their chemical composition and/or botanical identification. Aerial samples from breu trees and oleoresins were collected from 10 different individuals at 6 different sites on the Erepecuru river under the guidance of the quilombolas. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC–MS. From the analysis, 126 different substances were identified, with a large quantitative and qualitative variation. To better understand the chemical variations within the samples and to sort the variation into the categories of white or black breu as identified by the quilombola, we sorted the oil samples into five different sets according to their major compounds (A: δ-3-carene; B: p-cymene; C: γ-cadinene/p-cymene; D: limonene, β-phellandrene/α-terpineol; E: α-pinene/limonene). Essential oils from samples of white breu had the highest concentration of α-pinene, while a similarity in chemical composition could not be established for the black breu samples (sets A, B and C). Furthermore, a chemical similarity between a black breu (Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand) and a white breu (Protium decandrum (Aubl.) Marchand) sample was evidenced. In conclusion, it is difficult to establish definitions for white and black breu based on chemical, botanical or regional names. This designation is more cultural and regional than scientific and is based on the oleoresin production volume, its color aspect and scent.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of efficacy and safety of photoprotective formulations containing antioxidant extracts

ABSTRACT Chronic exposure to solar radiation could contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Skin presents its own antioxidant defense, however when defenses are out of balance, reactive oxygen species could damage biological structures. In the present work, an oil-in-water photoprotective emulsion was developed and Bauhinia microstachya var. massambabensis Vaz, Fabaceae, extracts at 1% (obtained by extraction with different solvents) were added to this emulsion. In vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety of the formulations were evaluated. Spectrophotometric methods and in vivo Colipa test were performed to evaluated efficacy of the formulations, through sun protection factor (SPF) determination and UVA protection factor assessment. To the in vitro safety assessment HET-CAM, CAM-TBS and Red Blood Cell tests were performed. Results showed that both extracts contributed to a higher in vivo photoprotection (SPF 18) when compared to the formulation without extract (SPF 13), this result could be attributed to the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts that act by capturing reactive oxygen species. Concerning safety, all formulations were considered non-irritant according to in vitro tests. Formulations containing extracts could be considered efficient and safe for cosmetic use since they presented higher sun protection factor and passed the toxicity tests.

Medicinal plants traded in the open-air markets in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: an overview on their botanical diversity and toxicological potential

Medicinal plants have been used for many years and are the source of new active substances and new drugs of pharmaceutical interest. The popular knowledge contained in the open-air markets is studied through urban ethnobotany, and is a good source of information for ethnobotanical research. In this context, we surveyed the literature on works concerning open-air markets in the State of Rio de Janeiro to gather knowledge of the commercialized plants therein. A literature search resulted in ten studies with 376 listed species, distributed in 94 families and 273 genera. Asteraceae family had the greater representation, followed by Lamiaceae and Fabaceae. Solanum was the most frequent genus. Two hundred and twenty four species could be considered potentially toxic or potentially interact with other drugs/medicines. Eighteen species are referred as "not for use during pregnancy", and 3 "not for use while nursing". These results are a source of concern since in Brazil, as it is worldwide, there is the notion that plants can never be harmful. The results for the Sørensen Coefficient showed greater similarity between works performed in very close study areas. Other studies presented low similarity, mainly because of the difficulty in plant identification or a very specific focus in methodology.

Phytochemical profile and analgesic evaluation of Vitex cymosa leaf extracts

Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng., Lamiaceae, is found in Central and Amazon regions of Brazil, where it is popularly used as antirheumatic. Extracts from the leaves of V. cymosa were tested in analgesia models such as abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid and formalin to test peripheral analgesia; as well as the tail flick and hot plate models, to test spinal and supraspinal analgesia. A significant reduction was observed in the number of contortions with all extracts and in all doses. In the formalin model, a reduction in the second phase (inflammatory) was observed with all extracts, whereas only the n-butanol extract was able to act in the first, neurogenic, phase. In the tail flick model, all extracts increased latency time. Naloxone treatment reverted analgesic effect of all extracts with the exception of the dichloromethane one. All extracts developed peripheral and central analgesic activity. In the hot plate model no antinociceptive effect was observed for all tested extracts. All these results taken together suggest that V. cymosa leaf extracts were able to promote peripheral and central antinociceptive activity mediated by the opioid system.Twenty three substances were isolated and identified in the extracts and include flavonoids (C-glucosyl flavones, flavones and flavonols), triterpene acids from ursane and oleanane types, iridoids (free and glucosides), as well as simple phenols.

Estudo etnofarmacognóstico da saracuramirá (Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke), uma planta medicinal usada por comunidades quilombolas do Município de Oriximiná-PA, Brasil / Ethnopharmacology Study of Saracuramirá (Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke) in the "Quilombola" communities of Oriximiná, Pará State, Brazil

Um levantamento etnobotânico realizado em comunidades quilombolas de Oriximiná, Pará, destacou a saracuramirá (SAR), Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke, com vasto uso popular no tratamento da malária, como tônica e depurativa. Por este motivo, o presente trabalho objetivou realizar um estudo etnofarmacognóstico da SAR nas respectivas comunidades. Por meio de uma análise etnobotânica quantitativa, foi verificado que SAR apresentou-se dentre as 10 espécies mais versáteis pela elevada importância relativa (1,3), dentre as cinco espécies com maior importância cultural pelo elevado índice de saliência (0,311) e a espécie com maior concordância de uso principal para malária (85,7 por cento). Uma análise do índice de espuma e do índice de hemólise para SAR demonstra a presença de saponinas com elevado índice de espuma (833) e uma baixa atividade hemolítica (CH50 2,6 mg mL-1). Para realizar uma análise das agliconas das saponinas de SAR, a bebida preparada pelo método tradicional quilombola (BMT) foi hidrolisada e, após reação com diazometano, foi analisada por cromatografia gasosa. Dois sinais majoritários foram caracterizados por espectrometria de massas, um referente a um triterpeno de esqueleto damarânico, característico das saponinas da SAR, e outro referente ao éster metílico do ácido betulínico. Partindo das informações de uso popular da SAR, foi avaliada in vitro a atividade inibidora da acetilcolinesterase. Apesar de BMT não ter mostrado atividade neste ensaio, é possível supor que as indicações de uso desta planta pelos quilombolas como fortificante e contra malária podem estar relacionadas a uma possível atividade adaptógena e imunoestimulante, dada à presença das saponinas e do ácido betulínico em BMT.

In an ethnobotanical survey conducted within "Quilombola" communities of Oriximiná, Pará State, "saracuramirá" (SAR), Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke, stood out as one of the most cited species with wide popular use, especially for malaria, as tonic and depurative. The aim of this paper was to carry out an ethnopharmacognostic study of SAR in these communities. Quantitative ethnobotanical analysis of the data showed that SAR stands out as one of the 10 most versatile species with a high relative importance (1,3); it remains among the five species with the greatest cultural importance, demonstrated by the high salience index (0,311), being the species with the highest major use agreement to malaria (85,7 percent). Analysis of the foam and hemolysis indexes of SAR shows the presence of saponins with high foam index (833) and low hemolytic activity (HD50 2,6 mg mL-1). In order to analyze SAR saponin aglycones, the drink was prepared by the traditional quilombola method (BMT), was hydrolyzed, and analyzed by gas chromatography after reaction with diazomethane. Two major peaks were characterized by mass spectrometry, one referring to a dammarane triterpene skeleton, characteristic from the SAR saponins, and the other identified as the methyl ester of betulinic acid. Owing to the popular usage of SAR, its in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was evaluated, but with negative results. However, it is possible to suggest that the indications of this plant as a tonic and for treating malaria may be related to an adaptogen and immunostimulant effect due to the presence of saponins and betulinic acid in BMT.

Investigation of the antimycobacterial activity of 36 plant extracts from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest / Análise da atividade antimicobacteriana de 36 extratos vegetais da Mata Atlântica brasileira

Thirty-six plant extracts from the brazilian Atlantic Forest were tested for their antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and M. kansasii, using the method REMA in seriate concentrations of 100 to 0.20 µg/mL. Among the thirty six extracts tested, five were active against M. tuberculosis, and three of these extracts also showed activity against M. kansasii. Cytotoxicity test with VERO cells was performed with the five extracts active against M. tuberculosis. Only the extract of Peschiera affinis was identified as non-toxic in the concentration of 100µg/mL.

Trinta e seis extratos vegetais originários da Mata Atlântica foram testados quanto à sua atividade antimicobacteriana frente ao M. tuberculosis H37Rv e M. kansasii, utilizando o método REMA em concentrações seriadas de 100 a 0,20 µg/mL. Dentre os trinta e seis extratos testados, cinco mostraram atividade frente ao M. tuberculosis, e destes apenas, três mostraram atividade ao M. kansasii, que apresentou susceptibilidade a outros dez. O teste de citotoxicidade com células VERO foi realizado com os cinco extratos ativos frente ao M. tuberculosis em que identificou-se a não toxicidade em apenas um extrato (Peschiera affinis) na concentração de 100 µg/mL.

Effect of different extracts from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest on the Pdr5p ATPase activity / Efeito de extratos de plantas da Floresta Atlântica Brasileira sobre a atividade da Pdr5p ATPase

In the current study, we tested the effect of 27 plant extracts and fractions from different botanical families on the activity of Pdr5p from yeast plasma membrane, responsible for the multidrug resistance phenotype in yeast cells. Some of the extracts were able to produce a good inhibition in the fixed concentration (200 µg/mL) and were selected for a deeper investigation. Dose-response curves were obtained for the crude ethanol extracts of Bathysa australis (A. St.-Hill.) Benth. & Hook f., Mabea fistulifera Mart. and Virola oleifera (Schott) A. C. Sm. with concentrations ranging up to 400 µg/mL. The lower IC50 value was obtained for Virola oleifera, 22.8 µg/mL, followed by Bathysa australis, 35.3 µg/mL, and Mabea fistulifera, 42.5 µg/mL. After fractionation of the crude extracts by liquid-liquid partition with different organic solvents and each fraction was tested again, only some of the fractions retained the ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity. When analyzed by HPLC/DAD, the active fractions showed the presence of flavonoid derivatives, already reported for their ability to inhibit Pdr5p ATPase activity, as well as other classes of secondary metabolites such as lignans and alkaloids.

No presente estudo, testamos o efeito de 27 extratos e frações de plantas de diferentes famílias botânicas sobre a atividade da proteína Pdr5p de membranas plasmáticas de leveduras, responsável pelo fenótipo de resistência a múltiplas drogas em leveduras. Alguns dos extratos foram capazes de produzir uma boa inibição na concentração fixa de 200 µg/mL e foram selecionados para uma investigação mais aprofundada. Curvas de dose-resposta foram obtidas para os extratos brutos etanólicos de Bathysa australis (A. St.-Hill.) Benth. & Hook f., Mabea fistulifera Mart. e Virola oleifera (Schott) A. C. Sm., com concentrações até 400 µg/mL. O menor valor de IC50 foi obtido para Virola oleifera, 22,8 µg/mL, seguido por Bathysa australis, 35,3 µg/mL e Mabea fistulifera, 42,5 µg/mL. Após o fracionamento dos extratos brutos por partição líquido-líquido com diferentes solventes orgânicos, cada fração foi novamente testada, sendo que apenas algumas das frações mantiveram a habilidade de inibir a atividade enzimática. Quando analisadas por HPLC/DAD, as frações ativas demonstraram a presença de derivados de flavonóides, que já demonstraram ter a habilidade de inibir a atividade ATPasica da Pdr5p, assim como outras classes de metabólitos secundários, tais como lignanas e alcalóides.

Substâncias fenólicas com atividade antioxidante de Pseudopiptadenia contorta (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

O extrato bruto em acetona/ água das folhas de Pseudopiptadenia contorta foi purificado rendendo frações e substâncias puras. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada para o extrato e frações, empregando-se o teste químico do DPPH. As frações contendo taninos condensados e substâncias fenólicas de baixo peso molecular mostraram ser as responsáveis pela atividade antioxidante do extrato bruto das folhas de P. contorta.

Lactaçäo em ratas tratadas com extrato etanólico de Vitex Polygama: observaçöes preliminares / Lactation in female rats treated with an ethanolic extract of Vitex Polygama: preliminary observations

Vitex Polygama (Verbenacea) pertence ao mesmo gênero do Vitex Agnus Castus (Verbenacea), cujo extrato etanólico tem sido indicado para o tratamento de mastodinia, havendo estudos que lhe imputam efeito sobre a lactaçäo. Este trabalho verifica o efeito do extrato etanólico de V. Polygama na lactaçäo de ratas...