Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from the aerial parts of Chuquiraga arcuataHarling grown in the highlands of Ecuador / Composición química, actividades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas del aceite esencial de las partes aéreas de Chuquiraga arcuataHarling cultivado en las tierras altas del Ecuador

Thechemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of Chuquiraga arcuataHarling grown in the Ecuadorian Andes were studied. One hundred and twenty-six compounds were identified in the essential oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (45.8%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (44.1%) had the major percentages. The most abundant compounds were camphor (21.6%), myrcene (19.5%), and 1,8-cineole (13.4%). Antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH, ABTS,and FRAP assays. The essential oil had a moderate scavenging effect and reduction of ferric ion capacity through FRAP assay. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was observed against four pathogenic bacteria and a fungus. The essential oil exhibited activity against all microorganism strains under test, particularly against Candida albicansand Staphylococcus aureuswith MICs of 2.43-12.10 µg/mL.

Se estudió la composición química, actividades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas del aceite esencial procedente de las partes aérea (hojas y flores) de Chuquiraga arcuataHarling cultivadas en los Andes ecuatorianos. Se identificaron 126 compuestos en el aceite esencial. Los hidrocarburos monoterpénicos (45,8%) y los monoterpenos oxigenados (44,1%) tuvieron el mayor porcentaje. Los compuestos más abundantes fueron alcanfor (21,6%), mirceno (19,5%) y 1,8-cineol (13,4%). La actividadantioxidante se examinó mediante ensayos DPPH, ABTS y FRAP. El aceite esencial tuvo un efecto eliminador moderado y una reducción de la capacidad de iones férricos mediante el ensayo FRAP. Se observó actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial contra cuatro bacterias y un hongo patógenos. El aceite esencial mostró actividad contra todas las cepas de microorganismos bajo prueba, particularmente contra Candida albicansy Staphylococcus aureuscon CMI de 2,43-12,10 µg/mL.

Antiviral activity of Ageratina havanensis and major chemical compounds from the most active fraction

The antiviral activity of extracts obtained from Ageratina havanensis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob., Asteraceae, against rabbit vesivirus (RaV) (Caliciviridae) and human herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) (Herpesviridae) were analyzed, and the main metabolites from the most active extract were isolated and characterized. The antiviral properties were investigated by measuring the inhibition of viral-induced cytopathic effect in Vero cells. The strongest inhibitory effects were found for ethyl acetate extract from leaves (SI=5 for RaV and SI=5.4 for HSV-1). The crude ethyl acetate extract was further fractionated by chromatographic methods and the structures of isolated compounds were established through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including IR, 2D NMR and MS. Four flavonoids were identified: 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (sakuranetin), 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (7-methoxyaromadendrin), 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5,3'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-7-methoxy-eriodictyol) and 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4'-O-β-D-glucosylsakuranetin). This is the first report on antiviral activity for Ageratina havanensis.

Estudio fitoquímico de semillas de hymenocallis arenicola, amaryllidaceae / Phytochemical study of seeds of hymenicallis arenicola: ameryllidaceae

Se realiza la determinación de alcaloides en semillas de la planta Hymenocallis arenicola, Amaryllidaceae. La extracciòn se desarrolla por el método de Boit y Döpke. Se aislaron 6 componentes por cromatografía de columna sobre silica gel y eluciòn con cloroformo/metanol. La comparaciòn de la información obtenida mediante estudios espectroscópicos con los datos de la literatura, permite identificar estas sustancias como goleptina, tazetina, haemanthidina, haemanthamina, licorina y galanthamina