Cyphoedma n. gen. now described after a century of use, with the addition of a new species from Central America (Geometridae, Ennominae)

ABSTRACT Cyphoedma n. gen., is validly described following a century of use as an unpublished manuscript name. Cyphoedma mirafloresa (Dognin, 1892) rev. stat. n. comb. is elevated to full species from subspecific status with Cyphoedma transvolutata (Walker, 1860) n. comb., and a third species in the genus is described from Central America: Cyphoedma ashleyorum n. sp. The adult habitus and male and female genitalia are illustrated for each of the three species and available COI (DNA) barcode data are reviewed.

Chemical composition, larvicidal and cytotoxic activity of Annona salzmannii (Annonaceae) seed oil

The seed oil of Annona salzmannii A. DC. was analyzed by GC-MS and 1H qNMR, revealing a mixture of unsaturated (80.5%) and saturated (18.7%) fatty acids. Linoleic (45.3%) and oleic (33.5%) acid were the major unsaturated fatty acids identified, while palmitic acid (14.3%) was the major saturated fatty acid. The larvicidal effects of A. salzmannii seed oil were evaluated against third-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linn.). The oil exhibited moderate larvicidal activity, with a LC50 of 569.77 ppm (95% CI = 408.11 to 825.88 ppm). However, when the cytotoxic effects of the oil were evaluated, no expressive antiproliferative effects were observed in tumor cell lines B16-F10 (mouse melanoma), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), K562 (human chronic myelocytic leukemia), HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia), and non-tumor cell line PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), with IC50 values > 50 µg·mL-1. This is the first study to evaluate the chemical composition, larvicidal and cytotoxic activity of A. salzmannii seed oil

Interaction of Bephratelloides cubensis (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) with Annona macroprophyllata fruits in orchards of Chiapas, Mexico / Interacción de Bephratelloides cubensis (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) con frutos de Annona macroprophyllata en huertos de Chiapas, México

Introduction: Annona macroprophyllata Donn. Smith. (Annonaceae) (syn. Annona diversifolia Saff.) is a valued fruit tree species known as papausa. In Mexico and Central America, this fruit has become an important crop because of its tasty flavor and high pulp content. Its fruits are frequently damaged by the incidence of wasps of the genus Bephratelloides Girault (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), which develop inside the seeds. Objective: To report the interaction of Bephratelloides cubensis Ashmead during its life cycle in fruits of A. macroprophyllata. Methods: We periodically collected fruits in different states of growth recording a) oviposition, b) the moment of evident infection, c) the development of the wasps inside the seeds, and d) their emergence as adults. We also determined the proportion of damaged fruits and seeds. Results: The data indicate that wasps preferred to oviposit on fruits with a diameter of less than 8 cm, oviposition was more frequent between 11:00 am and 03:00 pm., and there was 26 % infestation of fruits, and 9 % of seeds. Conclusion: It is an obligatory interaction for the wasp, the highest proportion of attack on fruits was in the early stages of fruit development and control actions should focus on the protection of these early stages.

Introducción: Annona macroprophyllata Donn. Smith. (Annonaceae) es una especie de árbol frutal, conocida como papausa. En México y América Central, esta fruta se ha convertido en un cultivo importante y valorado debido a su delicioso sabor y la cremosa textura de su pulpa. Sus frutos son frecuentemente dañados por la incidencia de avispas del género Bephratelloides Girault (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), que se desarrollan dentro de las semillas. Objetivo: Describir la interacción de Bephratelloides cubensis Ashmead durante su ciclo de vida en frutos de A. macroprophyllata. Método: Recolectamos frutos en diferentes estados de crecimiento registrando a) la ovoposición, b) el momento de la infección evidente, c) el desarrollo de las avispas dentro de las semillas, y d) su emergencia como adultos. También determinamos la proporción de frutas y semillas dañadas. Resultados: Los datos indican que las avispas preferían ovipositar en frutas con un diámetro de menos de 8 cm, la oviposición era más frecuente entre las 11:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m., y que había un 26 % de la infestación en las frutas y un 9 % en semillas. Conclusión: Es una interacción obligada para la avispa y la mayor proporción de ataque a los frutos fue en las etapas tempranas de desarrollo de frutos y las acciones de control se deberían enfocar a la protección de estas etapas.

Artabotrys Hexapetalus (L. F.) Bhandari: A Plant With Enormous Biomedical Potential

This review is intended to investigate the published report regarding phytochemical, ethnomedicinal, and pharmacological activities and put forth the therapeutic potential of Artabotrys hexapetalus (L. f.) Bhandari. (A. hexapetalus). It belongs to the family Annonaceae, one of the therapeutically important plants, broadly distributed throughout the world. An extensive review of the literature available in various recognized databases including logical writing and scientific literature, search engines such as Springerlink, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and BioMed Central as well as relevant books, websites, scientific publications, and dissertations were utilized as a source of information that provided an up-to-date review. Phytochemical profiling of these species revealed the presence of some imperative phytochemicals alkaloids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, butyrolactones, flavonoids, neolignans, phenolic compounds, and leucoanthocyanins as the basis of its valuable therapeutic properties. The other imperative phytoconstituents which contribute to the therapeutic properties are isoamericanin A, isoamericanol, americanin, artabotricinol and artabotriol, β-unsaturated-β-butyrolactones, arapetaloside taxifolin, apigenin-7-O-apiosylglucoside, glucoluteolin, and artabotrine. The pharmacological activities exhibited by Artabotrys hexapetalus as antimicrobial, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antifungal, antifertility, and anthelmintic properties are attributed to the presence of valuable bioactive phytoconstituents. Considering these facts an effort was made to present a comprehensive review enlightening the taxonomical, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities of plant Artabotrys hexapetalus. Future research can be directed to an extensive investigation about phytochemistry, clinical trials, pharmacokinetics, and acquiring safety data to add new dimensions to the therapeutic utilization of Artabotrys hexapetalus and other Artabotrys species.

Efecto tóxico de los extractos de semillas de Annona muricata potenciados con dimetilsulfóxido sobre larvas IV y pupas de Aedes aegypti / Toxic effect of Annona muricata seed extracts potentiated with dimethyl sulfoxide on IV larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue demostrar que los principios activos de las semillas de Annona muricata combinados con el extracto etanólico y dimetilsulfóxido (EE-DMSO), incrementan la mortalidad de larvas IV y pupas de Aedes aegypti con relación a extractos acuosos (EA) y extractos etanólicos (EE). Las bioactividades se calcularon por comparación de los porcentajes de mortalidad a las 6, 12, 24 y 48 horas in vitro y campo simulado. Los resultados indicaron mortalidad progresiva dependiente de las concentraciones y tiempos de exposición en larvas y reacción knock-down en pupas. In vitro a 5 mg.L-1, EA y EE ejercieron 100% de mortalidad larvaria en 24 horas de exposición (CL50=46.16 y 19.28 mg.L-1 respectivamente), en contraste con EE-DMSO, que inició sobre 62% con 0.5 mg.L-1 a las 6 horas (CL50=20.33 mg.L-1). La acción pupicida de EA y EE reveló 100% de mortalidad desde 24 horas en todas las concentraciones, a diferencia de EE-DMSO que se alcanzó entre 6 y 12 horas. En campo simulado, EA y EE ejercieron 100% de mortalidad a las 24 horas en larvas (16.91 y 21.21 mg.L-1 ), mientras que en pupas (20.44 y 23.03 mg.L-1) ocurrió a las 12 horas, entretanto, la actividad pupicida de EE-DMSO fue 100% en 6 horas. Los efectos comparativos in vitro y campo simulado denotaron patrones similares de respuestas larvicida y pupicida, pero con mayor sensibilidad en pupas. Los principios activos de las semillas de A. muricata combinados con EE-DMSO potencian la respuesta mortal de larvas y pupas de A. aegypti in vitro y campo simulado.

Abstract The objective of this study was to demonstrate that active ingredients of Annona muricata seeds can be enhanced as a result of mixture of both ethanolic extract of A. muricata seeds and Dimethylsulfoxide (EE-DMSO). Percentage mortalities at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours on fourth instar larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti were calculated in order to compare bioactivities of aqueous (AE), ethanolic extracts (EE) and EE-DMSO under laboratory and simulated field conditions. Results showed larval mortality concentration- and time-dependent, and knock-down responses in pupae. In laboratory, AE and EE exerted 100% larval mortality at 5 mg.L-1 after 24 hours (LC50= 46.16 and 19.28 mg.L-1). Conversely, EE-DMSO showed between 62 - 100% mortality at 0.5 mg.L-1 for over 6 hours (LC50= 20.33 mg.L-1). Pupicidal effects in AE and EE revealed 100% mortality at 24 hours employing all concentrations, except in EE-DMSO which commenced when individuals were exposed between 6 and 12 hours. In simulated field, AE and EE provoked 100% larval mortality at 24 hours (16.91 y 21.21 mg.L-1) while pupal mortality at 12 hours (20.44 y 23.03 mg.L-1). Percentage mortality of pupae was 100% using EE-DMSO even before 6 hours. Comparative toxic effects of laboratory and simulated-field systems have shown to maintain a similar pattern of larval mortality and more sensitive responses in pupae. Accordingly, larval and pupal mortality responses of A. aegypti were enhanced with the use of EE-DMSO and active ingredients of A. muricata seeds under laboratory and simulated field conditions.

Growth and physiology of annona squamosa l. under different irrigation depths and phosphate fertilization / Crescimento e fisiologia de mudas de Annona squamosa L. sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação e adubação fosfatada

This study aimed to evaluate the growth and physiology of Annona squamosa seedlings under increasing irrigation depths and phosphorus doses. The experiment was conducted in protected environment, evaluating five irrigation depths and four P2O5- doses, arranged in 5 x 4 factorial scheme, in randomized blocks, with four replicates and one plant per plot. Treatments were irrigation depths of 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140% of the real evapotranspiration of the seedlings ­ ETr and phosphorus doses of 0, 350, 700 and 1050 mg dm-3 of P2O5-. Plants were evaluated at 120 days after transplanting with respect to growth, gas exchanges, leaf water potential and total dry matter accumulation. Phosphorus dose of 350 mg dm-3 promotes satisfactory dry matter accumulation for A. squamosa seedlings, especially under 100% ETr irrigation. Leaf water potential and gas exchanges of A. squamosa are affected by water stress, through both lack and excess of water. Stomatal conductance is the variable most sensitive to the lack of water, whereas photosynthesis and water use efficiency are the most sensitive to the excess of water. Irrigation depth of 100% ETr is ideal to produce A. squamosa seedlings, but the irrigation depth of 80% ETr can be used to produce these seedlings, disregarding small losses of growth

Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento e a fisiologia de mudas de A. squamosa sob lâminas crescentes de irrigação e doses de fósforo. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido, avaliando cinco lâminas de irrigação e quatro doses P2O5, arranjados em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e uma planta por parcela. Os tratamentos das lâminas foram 60, 80, 100, 120 e 140% da evapotranspiração real das mudas ­ ETr e as quatro doses de fósforo 0, 350, 700 e 1050 mg dm-3 de P2O5. As plantas foram avaliadas aos 120 dias após o transplantio, quanto ao crescimento, trocas gasosas, potencial hídrico foliar e acúmulo de matéria seca total. A dose de fósforo de 350 mg dm-3 proporciona acúmulo de matéria seca satisfatório para as mudas de A. squamosa, principalmente sob irrigação com 100% da ETr. O potencial hídrico foliar e as trocas gasosas da A. squamosa são afetadas pelo estresse hídrico, tanto por falta como por excesso de água, sendo a condutância estomática a variável mais sensível a falta de água e a fotossíntese e eficiência do uso da água as mais sensíveis ao excesso de água. A lâmina de 100% da ETr é a ideal para a produção de mudas de A. squamosa, porém a lamina de 80% da ETr pode ser utilizada para a produção de mudas de A. squamosa, admitindo-se pequenas perdas no crescimento.

Chemical constituents from stems and leaves of Artabotrys hongkongensis / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Artabotrys hongkongensis. Methods: The chemical constituents of A. hongkongensis were separated and purified by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data. Results: A total of 16 compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of A. hongkongensis, which were identified as melilotocarpan A (1), medicarpin (2), 5,7,8-trimethoxyflarone (3), 2’-hydroxy-3’,4’,6’-trimethoxychalcone (4), piperolactam C (5), uvarilactam (6), artacinatine (7), p-coumaroyl-β-phenethylamine (8), artapilosol A (9), uvarigranol B (10), 1,6-desoxypipoxide (11), 1β,11-dihydroxy-5-eudesmen (12), loliolide (13), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehy (14), syringlaldehyde (15), and rabdosia acid A (16). Conclusion: All compounds are isolated from A. hongkongensis for the first time. In addition to compounds 2, 7, and 9, the other compounds are isolated from the genus Artabotrys for the first time.

A new fatty acid methyl ester from Fissistigma oldhamii inhibiting proliferation of synoviocytes / 中国中药杂志

A new fatty acid methyl ester (1) was isolated from an EtOH extract of Fissistigma oldhamii. It structures was elucidated by a combination of HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopic data. The inhibitory effect of compound 1 on the proliferation of primary synovial cells was evaluated. As a result, it showed inhibitory effect on the proliferation of synoviocytes, with IC₅₀ value of 38.6 μmol·L⁻¹.

Melhoramento do processo de extração de polpa de cherimóia (Annona cherimola) a nível industrial e o impacto sob sua qualidade microbiológica e sensorial / Improvement of the process of extraction of cherimoya pulp (Annona cherimola) at industrial level and the impact under its microbiological and sensorial quality

Atualmente no Peru, o processamento para obter a polpa de cherimoia é muito delicado e complexo devido ao fato deste fruto precisar de condições específicas para evitar a sua deterioração durante a fabricação, pois a carga de micro-organismos não pode ser reduzida pela pasteurização por causar sérios problemas nas características sensoriais da polpa. Este trabalho apresenta e avalia oito novos tratamentos para o processo de polpa de cherimoia, com trocas focadas na etapa de descascamento termoquímico, a fim de melhorar sua qualidade microbiológica e manter suas características sensoriais. Os resultados mostraram que todos os tratamentos influenciaram na redução da carga dos micro-organismos indicadores de alteração, enquanto que coliformes totais, E. coli e Salmonella spp. não foram detectados nas amostras avaliadas, assegurando sua inocuidade. Nenhum dos tratamentos influenciou negativamente as características sensoriais, ficando conformes segundo as provas realizadas por um painel treinado e qualificado. Em relação aos processos com pasteurização, que geram alterações indesejáveis do sabor, cor e aroma na polpa de cherimoia, os novos processos com descascamento termoquímico apresentados nesta pesquisa conservaram a qualidade sensorial enquanto que melhoraram a qualidade microbiológica, representado assim boas alternativas na produção deste fruto a nível industrial.(AU)

Preliminary analysis of Brazilian Amazonian plant extracts using bench-top assays in a through-put basis aiming the identification of potential antioxidant natural product

Plants are a source of compounds that are used for the treatment of human and veterinary diseases. Brazil is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. The present study evaluated extracts using thin-layer chromatography to identify antioxidant activity and determine the presence of groups of compounds, in a large-scale basis. A total of 1,260 aqueous and organic extracts were obtained from plants that were collected in the Amazon and Atlantic rain forests. Thin-layer chromatography was performed to evaluate the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardioactive glicosides, terpenes, and phenolics and determine antioxidant and radical scavenging activity using the following reagents: Dragendorff's reagent, KOH, Kedde's reagent, sulphuric acid, NP reagent, ß-carotene, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Of the 1,260 extracts, 837 (66.43%) presented a ß-carotene/bleaching response, and 1,205 (95.63%) presented a radical scavenging response. Alkaloids were found in 203 extracts (16.11%). Anthraquinones were found in 14 extracts (1.11%), cardenolides were found in eight extracts (0.63%). The present findings shows the importance of the Brazilian Amazon plants as sources of antioxidant and radical scavenging active compounds.(AU)

DRIS standard and normal ranges of foliar nutrients for the culture of ‘Thompson’ atemoya / Norma DRIS e faixas normais de nutrientes foliares para a cultura da atemoia ‘Thompson’

ABSTRACT: Atemoya, an interspecific hybrid belonging to Annonaceae family, is the outcome of a cross between cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) and Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.). In light of the current shortage of scientific data on the nutritional management techniques for this fruit, the need to develop and apply a specific methodology becomes crucial. From the variety of plant diagnostic tools available, the DRIS method was selected, for use in the commercial cultivation of the ‘Thompson’ cultivar of atemoya located in the São Paulo State, municipalities of Itapetininga, Piedade, Pilar do Sul and Salto de Pirapora. Normal nutrient ranges were determined to interpret the levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in the culture through statistical regression analysis and samples of leaf dry matter, with their respective DRIS indices. Although the general index of the nutritional balance of DRIS disallowed establishing a link with productivity, this study achieved it based on the standard of determining normal ranges for cognate macronutrients to the ones cited in the literature.

RESUMO: A atemoia é um híbrido interespecífico, da família da Annonaceae, obtido pelo cruzamento da cherimoia (Annona cherimola Mill.) e a fruta-pinha (Annona squamosa L.). Devido a falta de informações científicas disponíveis para a fruta sobre os procedimentos de manejo nutricional, o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de uma metodologia específica são de grande importância. Dentre as ferramentas disponíveis para a realização da diagnose de plantas temos o método DRIS. Este foi empregado em talhões comerciais de atemoia do cultivar ‘Thompson’ nos municípios do estado de São Paulo: Itapetininga, Piedade, Pilar do Sul e Salto de Pirapora. A determinação das faixas normais de nutrientes para a interpretação dos níveis de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn na cultura foram obtidas pela análise estatística de regressão relacionando os seus teores, presentes nas matérias secas das amostras foliares com seus respectivos índices DRIS. Embora o índice geral de balanço nutricional do DRIS não tenha permitido estabelecer uma relação com a produtividade, foi possível, com base na norma, determinar faixas normais para macronutrientes semelhantes aos encontrados na literatura.

Sesquiterpenes from Artabotrys hongkongensis / 中国中药杂志

The chemical consituents from Artabotrys hongkongensis were separated and purified by column chromatographies with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and RP-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. As a result, 16 sesquiterpenes were isolated and elucidated as blumenol A (1), 4, 5-dihydroblumenol A (2), (6R, 9S)-3-oxo-a-ionol (3), 3-hydroxy-β-ionone (4), dehydrovomifoliol (5), (3R, 6R, 7E) -3-hydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-9-one (6), sarmentol F (7), 10-oxo-isodauc-3-en-15-oic acid (8), fukinone (9), petasitolone (10), β-eudesmol (11), trans-3β-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)- 8aβ-methyl-5-methylenedecalin-2-one (12), 10-hydroxyaristolan-9-one (13), aristol-8-en-1-one (14), aristolan-9-en-1-one (15), and aristolan-1, 9-diene (16). This is the first study on the chemical consituents of A. hongkongensis, and all compounds were isolated from the genus Artabotrys for the first time.

Two new annonaceous acetogenins from seeds of Annona squamosa / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the seeds of Annona squamosa. Methods: Modern methods such as silica gel column and preparation liquid phase were used to isolate and purify the components of annonaceous acetogenins from the seeds of A. squamosa. The structures of the compounds were identified by their physico-chemical properties, UV, NMR and mass spectrometry data. Results: Ten adjacent bistetrahydrofuran annonaceous acetogenins were isolated from CO2 supercritical extract of the seeds from A. squamosa. They were 3-((13R)-13-((2R,2'R,5R,5'R)-5'-((1S)-1,5-dihydroxynonyl) octahydro-[2,2'-bifuran]-5-yl)-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5-methylfuran-2 (5H)-one (1), 3-((2R,9R)-2,9-dihydroxy-9-((2R,2'R,5R,5'R)-5'-((S)-1-hydroxypentadecyl) octahydro-[2,2'-bifuran]-5-yl) nonyl)-5-methylfuran-2 (5H)-one (2), 6-hydroxy-desacetyl-uvaricin (3), 6-hydroxy-4-deoxy-squamotacin (4), bullanin (5), 10-hydroxy-asimicin (6), folianin A (7), annosquacin I (8), annosquacin C (9), and squamocin I (10). Conclusion: Compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds named as 28-hydroxy-squamocin L (1) and 4-hydroxy-squamocin Y (2), respectively. Compounds 3-7 are isolated from A. squamosa for the first time.

Avaliação da atividade anti-Leishmania e anti-Trypanosoma do extrato etanólico das folhas de Annona squamosa L / Evaluation of the anti-leishmania and anti-trypanosoma activity of ethanolic extract from the leaves of Annona squamosa L

As doenças parasitárias, também chamadas de “doenças negligenciadas”, continuam sendo uma grande dificuldade para o desenvolvimento social e econômico dos países mais pobres. Podemos citar como exemplo dessas doenças, a leishmaniose e a doença de Chagas. A leishmaniose é causada por parasitas do gênero Leishmania e afeta cerca de 12 milhões de pessoas. A doença de Chagas, causada pelo protozoário Trypanosoma cruzi, causa aproximadamente 50.000 mortes por ano. Os fármacos disponíveis para o tratamento dessas doenças são altamente tóxicos, sendo este um dos motivos que leva à busca por drogas eficazes e seguras para seus tratamentos. As folhas da Annona squamosa, espécie da família Annonaceae, já foram descritas na literatura por suas atividades hepatoprotetora, antiparasitária, pesticida e antimicrobiana. Nesse estudo avaliamos a atividade anti-leishmania e tripanocida do extrato etanólico das folhas de Annona squamosa L. (EEAS) em formas promastigota do parasita Leishmania braziliensis e Leishmania infantum e epimastigota de Trypanosoma cruzi, além de avaliar a atividade citotóxica em fibroblasto. Os resultados demonstram que o extrato apresentou uma melhor atividade contra Leishmania infantum e Leishmania brasiliensis quando comparados com Trypanosoma cruzi; e que apresentou uma maior toxicidade nas concentrações de 500 e 1000 μg/ml, com mortalidade dos fibroblastos de aproximadamente 85% e 100%, respectivamente. Esse estudo aponta para uma perspectiva terapêutica alternativa que se mostrou eficaz frente aos parasitas aqui estudados, exceto a forma epimastigota de Trypanosoma cruzi. Com relação aos testes de citotoxicidade fazem-se necessários novos testes, uma vez que apresentou um alto nível de toxicidade, viabilizando assim futuros ensaios in vivo.

The parasitic diseases, also calls by “neglected diseases”, continue being a major difficulty for the social and economic development of the poorest countries. We can cite as an example of these diseases, the leishmaniasis and the Chagas disease. Leishmaniasis is caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and affects about 12 million people. The Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, causes approximately 50,000 deaths per year. The drugs available for the treatment of these diseases are highly toxic, being this one of the reasons that leads to the search for effective and safe drugs for their treatments. The leaves of the Annona squamosa, species of the family Annonaceae, have already been described in the literature by their hepatoprotective activities, antiparasitic, pesticide and antimicrobial. In this study we assessed the activity tripanocidal and antileishmania of ethanolic extract from the leaves of Annona squamosa L. (EEAS) in promastigota forms of the parasite Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum and epimastigota of Trypanosoma cruzi, in addition to evaluating the cytotoxic activity in fibroblasts. The results demonstrate that the extract presented a better activity against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania brasiliensis when compared with Trypanosoma cruzi; and which presented a greater toxicity at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/ml, with mortality of fibroblasts of approximately 85% and 100%, respectively. This study points to an alternative therapeutic perspective that showed effective against the parasites here studied, except the epimastigota form of Trypanosoma cruzi. With relation to cytotoxicity tests are required new tests, once presented a high level of toxicity, thus enabling future in vivo assays.

Chemical composition of the volatile oil of Cardiopetalum calophyllum collected in the Cerrado area / Composição química do óleo volátil de Cardiopetalum calophyllum coletada em área de Cerrado

ABSTRACT: The Annonaceae family consists of ~135 genera with diverse species and a large number of chemical compounds arising from the secondary metabolism. However, the chemical composition of the essential oil of several species of the family such as Cardiopetalum calophyllum has not been completely determined. In this study, the essential oils extracted from the leaves, flowers, and fruits of C. calophyllum, collected in typical areas of the Cerrado of Goiás, were characterized. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation for 4h using a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical analysis was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the constituents were identified by comparing the spectra and retention index obtained with those available in the literature. Twenty three compounds were identified in the essential oil of leaves; the oxygenated sesquiterpene, spathulenol (28.78%), was the major compound. Twenty five compounds were identified in the flowers, mainly comprising sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, germacrene-D (37.03%) and germacrene-B (13.72%). Seventeen compounds were reported in fruits, mainly comprising sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, germacrene-D (28.19%) and germacrene-B (20.90%), and an oxygenated sesquiterpene, spathulenol (11.53%). This is the first report on the chemical composition of the essential oils from leaves, flowers, and fruits of C. calophyllum.

RESUMO: A família Annonaceae é constituída por cerca de 135 gêneros, com uma diversidade extensa de espécies com grande quantidade de compostos químicos diversificados, advindos do metabolismo secundário. Entretanto, as informações sobre a composição química de óleo essencial de várias espécies da família ainda são incipientes, como é o caso da Cardiopetalum calophyllum. O trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar quimicamente o óleo essencial extraído de folhas, flores e frutos da C. calophyllum, coletadas em áreas típicas do Cerrado goiano. A extração do óleo essencial se deu pelo método de hidrodestilação em aparelho de clevenger por um período de 4 horas. A análise química do óleo essencial foi realizada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-MS) e a identificação dos constituintes pela comparação dos espectros obtidos com os espectros disponíveis na literatura e pelo cálculo do índice de retenção (IR). Foram identificados 23 compostos no óleo essencial das folhas, em que o composto majoritário foi o sesquiterpeno oxigenado espatulenol (28,78%); nas flores, foram identificados 31 compostos com predominância dos sesquiterpenos hidrocarbonados germacreno-D (37,03%) e germacreno-B (13,72%); e, nos frutos, 17 compostos com predominância dos sesquiterpenos hidrocarbonados germareno-D (28,19%) e germacreno-B (20,90%) e do sesquiterpeno oxigenado espatulenol (11,53%). Este trabalho descreve pela primeira vez a composição química do óleo essencial das folhas, flores e frutos da C. calophyllum, contribuindo significativamente para o conhecimento químico da espécie.

Studies on alkaloids from Fissistigma oldhamii / 中国中药杂志

14 alkaloids were obtained from stems and leaves of Fissistigma oldhamii, by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies, and semi-preparative HPLC. Using physicochemical and spectral methods, the isolated alkaloids were identified as norcepharadione B(1), asimilobine(2), lanuginosine(3), laurotanine(4), isocorydine(5), anolobine(6), xylopine(7), N-methylbuxifoline(8), aristolactam AIIIa(9), piperumbellactam A(10), goniopedaline(11), aristololactam BIII(12), liriodenine(13), and salutaridine(14), respectively. Compounds 3-5, 8, 10, 11 and 14 were isolated from the genus Fissistigma for the first time.

Antimicrobial activity of Anonna mucosa (Jacq.) grown in vivo and obtained by in vitroculture

Brazilian flora includes numerous species of medicinal importance that can be used to develop new drugs. Plant tissue culture offers strategies for conservation and use of these species allowing continuous production of plants and bioactive substances. Annona mucosa has produced substances such as acetogenins and alkaloids that exhibit antimicrobial activities. The widespread use of antibiotics has led to an increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria, which represents a serious risk of infection. In view of this problem, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial potential of extracts of A. mucosa obtained by in vitro techniques and also cultured under in vivo conditions. Segments from seedlings were inoculated onto different culture media containing the auxin picloram and the cytokinin kinetin at different concentrations. The calluses obtained were used to produce cell suspension cultures. The materials were subjected to methanol extraction and subsequent fractionation in hexane and dichloromethane. The antimicrobial activity against 20 strains of clinical relevance was evaluated by the macrodilution method at minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations. The extracts showed selective antimicrobial activity, inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacillus thuringiensis at different concentrations. The plant tissue culture methods produced plant materials with antibacterial properties, as well as in vivo grown plants. The antibacterial activity of material obtained through biotechnological procedures of A. mucosa is reported here for the first time.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic acetogenin from Polyalthia debilis.

The objective of the study was to isolate bioactive acetogenin compound and to investigate antimicrobial, antioxidant as well as cytotoxic activities of the isolate, fractions and extracts of Polyalthia debilis. The P. debilis (roots) extracts and isolated compound were tested for their antimicrobial (agar dilution method) against twentyseven strains of microorganisms (gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and diploid fungus), antioxidant (DPPH assay) and cytotoxic activities. The plant extracts were isolated by column chromatography and structure of compound was confirmed by spectral data. The plant extracts and isolated fractions exhibited antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The isolated acetogenin 1 (debilisone E) displayed antimicrobial activity against Morexella catarrhalis with the MIC of 64 g/mL, Corynebacterium diphtheriae NCTC 10356 and Streptococcus pyogenes with partial inhibition (50-75%) at 128 g/mL. The compound 1 exerted cytotoxic activity against 5 cancer cells (HepG2, A549, HCC-S102,HL-60 and P388) with IC50 values 18.4 - 40.3g/mL. The results demonstrate novel bioactivities of P. debilis as antimicrobials and anticancer agents.

Anthelminthic Activity of Annona reticulata Seed Extracts.

Aims: To evaluate the anthelminthic activity of Annona reticulata seeds extracts against Pheretima posthuma. Study Design: Helminth infections have tormented humans and animals for thousands of years. The indiscriminate uses of the anthelminthic drugs have lead to the emergence of resistant helminths against many anthelminthic agents. Thus the need for the treatment of helminthic infections and the prevention of the emergence of resistant strains has led to the screening medicinal plants for their anthelminthic activity. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biotechnology, The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, between January 2012 and March 2012. Methodology: The main aim of the present exploratory study is to evaluate the anthelminthic activity of A. reticulata seeds extracts. The in vitro studies revealed that the anthelminthic effects of crude chloroform and ethanolic extracts of A. reticulata on Pheretima posthuma was evident from induction of paralysis and mortality. Piperazine citrate was used as the standard reference drug and normal saline as a control group. Results: Among all the concentrations of chloroform and ethanolic extracts tested, 12.5 mg/ml showed significant (p<0.01) anthelminthic activity. The results indicated that the ethanolic extract of A. reticulata is a more potent anthelminthic agent against Pheretima posthuma when compared with chloroform extract but less potent when compared with the standard drug. Conclusions: The results of this investigation justifies the use of the seed extracts of A. reticulata in traditional medical practice for the treatment of helminth infections.

Caracterização física e físico-química de frutos de araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart. ) / Physical and physical and chemical characterization of araticum fruits (Annona crassiflora Mart. )

Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar física e quimicamente frutos de araticum coletados de populações naturais de plantas localizadas em cinco áreas de Cerrado do estado de Goiás. O trabalho foi realizado na Escola de Agronomia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade Federal de Goiás. Os frutos maduros foram avaliados individualmente, por área e por planta. Determinaram-se: massas do fruto, da polpa e da casca, diâmetro e altura do fruto, número total de sementes e de sementes defeituosas por fruto, massa das sementes, cores do fruto, da casca e da polpa, textura da casca e teor de sólidos solúveis totais. As características físicas mostraram variação significativa entre frutos de plantas das diferentes áreas. A massa média do fruto foi de 872,06 g. A polpa, parte de importância econômica, representou cerca de 47% dessa massa, cuja variação por região foi de 44% a 49%. O número de sementes foi elevado, em média 108, representando 15,8% da massa do fruto. Há tendência para a cor marrom da casca, assim como para a cor amarelada ou creme da polpa. Observou-se uma variação de textura da casca, desde lisa até rugosa. Do total de 219 frutos avaliados, 15,5% apresentaram o orifício de saída de Bephratelloides pomorum. Houve diferenças significativas entre áreas e entre plantas dentro de áreas para todas as variáveis físicas. A massa média dos frutos de araticum foi de 872,06 g com rendimento médio de polpa, casca e sementes de: 46,8%, 37,4% e 15,8%, respectivamente.

This work objectified to characterize physics chemically and collected fruits of araticum of natural populations of plants located in five areas of Cerrado of the state of Goiás. The work was carried through in the "Escola de Agronomia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Goiás". The mature fruits had been evaluated individually, for area and plant. They had been determined: masses of the fruit, the pulp and the rind, diameter and height of the fruit, total number of seeds and defective seeds for fruit, mass of the seeds, colors of the fruit, the rind and the pulp, texture of the rind and total soluble solids. The physical characteristics had shown significant variation between fruits of plants of the different areas. The average mass of the fruit was of 872,06 g. The pulp, part of economic importance, represented about 47% of this mass, whose variation for region was of 44% 49%. The number of seeds was raised, on average 108, representing 15.8% of the mass of the fruit. It has trend for the brown color of the rind, as well as for the yellowish color or cream of the pulp. A variation of texture of the rind was observed, since smooth until rough. Of the total 219 of evaluated fruits, 15.5% had presented the orifice of exit of Bephratelloides pomorum. It inside had significant differences between areas and plants of areas for all the variable physicist. The mass average of the 872,06 fruits of araticum was of g with average income of pulp, rind and seeds of: 46.8%, 37.4% and 15.8%, respectively.