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This work describes the chemical characterization of extracts of Jatropha gossypiifolia (from Amazonia region) concerning the presence of phenolic and triterpenic compounds using Ultra High Perfomance Liquid chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry in Tandem (UHPLC-MS/MS) methods. The studied compounds belong to the most frequently found classes in medicinal plants (triterpenes, flavonoids, flavones, hydroxycinnamic acids, coumarins, catechins and stilbenes), which have been analyzed as chemical and bioactive markers in hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts. Several polyphenolic compounds identified herein are unprecedented in the scientific literature for this species. The chemical markers identified and quantified in the studied extracts of J. gossypiifolia were gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferullic acid, rutin, quercitrin, 3-acetylcoumarin, trans-cinnamic acid, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, kaempferol, chrysin. α-amyrin, β-amyrin and lupeol. As the majority compounds, (+)-catechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteolin, α-amyrin and β-amyrin were found to be present at mg kg-1 levels. J. gossypiifolia extracts presented a high in vitro activity against different reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl, peroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals). Several polyphenolic compound data presented herein are unprecedented in the scientific literature for this plant species. As a result, this plant can be a new source of bioactive molecules for therapeutic purposes.
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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The new regulatory framework for dietary supplements in Brazil prompted this analysis of the current outlook of these products and the challenges posed by the new guidelines. METHODS We conducted a qualitative, observational and descriptive study of dietary supplements commercialized in Brazilian online stores with the help of the Google® search tool. We considered the ingredients on the labels, the effects attributed to these products and the commercial claims used as a means of promoting them to assess the necessary changes for the legal framework in the new guidelines. Finally, with the help of a database, we compared the effects declared by the manufacturers and attributed to certain ingredients with the scientific evidence described in literature. RESULTS In total, we purchased 44 dietary supplements from Brazilian online stores (n = 7). Of the samples studied, 34.2% could not be classified in the category Dietary Supplements, as recommended by the new regulation of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency due to the presence of prohibited substances; 16% of products should be commercialized as medicines. Regarding the commercial appeals, 97.7% had banned expressions. Numerous claims of effects attributed to certain products were characterized as consumer fraud because they have no scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS The necessary changes represent a major regulatory and production challenge due to the wide range of dietary supplements and markets, an effort that aims to protect the consumers' health. Some previous gaps in the regulatory framework were not fully solved.
RESUMO OBJETIVO O novo marco regulatório para os suplementos alimentares no Brasil instigou a presente análise do panorama atual desses produtos e os desafios impostos pelas novas diretrizes. MÉTODOS Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo, observacional e descritivo dos suplementos alimentares comercializados em lojas virtuais brasileiras, com o auxílio da ferramenta de busca Google®. Os ingredientes declarados nos rótulos, bem como os efeitos atribuídos a esses produtos e as alegações comerciais utilizadas como forma de promovê-los foram levados em consideração a fim de avaliarmos as mudanças necessárias para o enquadramento legal nas novas diretrizes. Por fim, com o auxílio de base de dados, foram comparados os efeitos declarados pelos fabricantes e atribuídos a determinados ingredientes com as evidências científicas descritas na literatura. RESULTADOS No total, foram adquiridos 44 suplementos alimentares provenientes de lojas virtuais brasileiras (n = 7). Das amostras estudadas, 34,2% não poderiam ser enquadradas na categoria Suplementos Alimentares, conforme preconiza a nova regulação da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, em decorrência de presença de substâncias não permitidas; 16% dos produtos deveriam ser comercializados como medicamentos. Quanto aos apelos comerciais, 97,7% apresentavam expressões não permitidas. Inúmeras alegações de efeitos atribuídos a determinados produtos, por não possuírem comprovação científica, foram caracterizadas como fraude contra o consumidor. CONCLUSÕES Dada a extensa gama de suplementos alimentares e pontos de comercialização, as mudanças necessárias representam um grande desafio regulatório e de produção, esforço este que visa a proteger a saúde dos consumidores. Algumas lacunas previamente existentes ao marco regulatório ainda não foram totalmente solucionadas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Product Labeling/legislation & jurisprudence , Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Dietary Supplements/standards , Product Labeling/standards , Brazil , Public Health , Commerce/standards , Qualitative Research , Food Ingredients/standards , Legislation, Food/standardsABSTRACT
Caffeine is present in products marketed for weight loss, with the purpose of increasing thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. The dosage declared by the product manufacturer, or even its presence, is not always correctly described on the label. This work aimed to investigate the undeclared synthetic caffeine in weight loss formulations by a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method. From one hundred products purchased through Brazilian e-commerce, seventeen contained caffeine, either naturally or synthetically added to formulation. The caffeine-containing samples were confirmed by an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method, and adulteration was clearly proven in five products. The content highest caffeine contained 448.8 mg per dose. Other irregularities were also found; nevertheless, the most serious was the addition of synthetic drugs without asking the consumers. Additional drugs expose the consumer to more possible side-effects as well as deleterious drug interactions. Intentional adulteration with any unlabeled substance is typically motivated by a desire to increase or alter the claimed effect of the marketed product to gain a commercial advantage.
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ABSTRACT The phenolic content of the medicinal species Connarus perrottetti var. angustifolius Radlk., Connaraceae, Cecropia obtuse Trécul, Cecropia palmata Willd., Urticaceae; and Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H.Gentry, Bignoniaceae, collected in three different years was evaluated. Plant infusions and hydroalcoholic, butanol and ethyl acetate extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. In order to endorse these results, analysis by electrospray mass spectrometry was also performed. Were identified: gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, quercitrin and resveratrol. C. perrottetti showed greater diversity of polyphenols. M. alliacea had the higher concentration of caffeic acid even though it was found in all species. Catechin was the major antioxidant, but was not detected in M. alliacea. However, we discuss the popular use of these species, as well as their phenolic constitution and the interannual distribution of phenolic compounds.
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The family Brassicaceae has been very studied due to the pharmacologic properties of the glucosinolates (GLS) and their hydrolysis products, which are associated with the action of an endogenous thioglucosidase myrosinase. Factors such as climate, soil, genotype, seasonal variation, processing, extraction quantification can affect the enzyme activity and stability, leading to increase or decrease the hydrolysis of GLS. Based on this aspect, the main objective of this work is present a review concerning the glucosinolate-myrosinase system, influence of climate and genotype to seasonal variation in the glucosinolate-myrosinase system, effect of thermal and high hydrostatic pressure treatments on the GLS content, as well as, the isolation and quantification of GLS from Brassica.