Preliminary studies on the volatile constitution of Mikania species / Estudos preliminares dos constituintes voláteis de espécies de Mikania

Volatile oils obtained from the aerial parts of three Mikania species plants were analyzed by GC-MS and NMR. Forty-six terpenes among monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes were identified by this methodology. The analysis classified Mikania hookriana as diterpene producer as the majority Mikania species occurring in Brazil.

Óleos voláteis obtidos das partes aéreas de plantas de três espécies de Mikania foram analisados por CG-EM e RMN. Quarenta e seis terpenos, entre monoterpenos, sesquiterpenos e diterpenos, foram identificados. A análise classificou Mikania hookeriana como produtora de diterpenos, de acordo com a maioria das espécies de Mikania que ocorrem no Brasil.

Sesquiterpenos e hidrocarbonetos dos frutos de Xylopia emarginata (Annonaceae) / Sesquiterpenes and hydrocarbons from Xylopia emarginata (Annonaceae) fruits

O extrato hexânico dos frutos de Xylopia emarginata foi particionado entre hexano e MeOH/H2O. A fase hidroalcoólica foi submetida à separação cromatográfica fornecendo quatro sesquiterpenos: óxido de cariofileno, espatulenol, 1beta,6alfa-diidroxi-4(15)-eudesmeno e 4-hidroxi-1,15-peróxieudesmano. A fase hexânica foi fracionada através de cromatografia em coluna fornecendo dois hidrocarbonetos (nonadecano e 1-nonadeceno) e uma cetona alifática (hentriacontan-16-ona). As estruturas dos compostos isolados foram estabelecidas através de análise espectroscópica, principalmente RMN e EM.

The hexane extract from Xylopia emarginata fruits was partitioned between hexane and MeOH/H2O. The hydro-alcoholic phase was submitted to chromatographic separation to afford four sesquiterpenes: caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, 1beta,6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene and 4-hydroxy-1,15-peroxy-eudesmane. The hexane phase was fractioned in column chromatography to afford two hydrocarbons (nonadecane and 1-nonadecene) and one aliphatic ketone (hentriacontan-16-one). The structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectral data analysis, mainly NMR and MS.

Analgesic activity of a triterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis L. (vassourinha)

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of water (WE) and ethanolic (EE) extracts of Scoparia dulcis L. were investigated in rats and mice, and compared to the effects induced by Glutinol, a triterpene isolated by purification of EE. Oral adminsitration (p.o.) of either WE or EE (up to 2 g/Kg) did not alter the normal spontaneous activity of mice and rats. The sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/Kg, i.p.) was prolonged by 2 fold in mice pretreated with 0.5 g/Kg EE, p.o. Neither extract altered the tail flick response of mice in immersion test, but previous administration of EE (0.5 g/Kg, p.o.) reduced writhings induced by 0.8% acetic acid (0.1 ml/10 g, i.p.) in mice by 47% EE (0.5 and 1 g/Kg, p.o.) inhibited the paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats by respectively 46% and 58% after 2 h, being ineffective on the paw edema induced by dextran. No significant analgesic or anti-edema effects were detected in animals pretreated with WE (1 g/Kg, p.o.). Administration of Glutinol (30 mg/Kg, p.o.) reduced writhing induced by acetic acid in mice by 40% and the carrageenan induced paw edema in rats by 73%. The results indicate that the analgesic activity of S dulcis L. may be explained by explained by an anti-inflammatory activity probably related to the triterpene Glutinol.