In vitro activity of Schinus terebinthifolius extract and fractions against Sporothrix brasiliensis

BACKGROUND Sporothrix brasiliensis is the causative agent of zoonotic cases of sporotrichosis in Brazil and is associated with atypical and severe presentations in cats, dogs, and humans. Sporotrichosis treatment is usually time- and cost-consuming, sometimes with poor response and host toxicity. Schinus terebinthifolius has proven efficacy against bacteria and fungi of clinical interest. OBJECTIVE To determine the in vitro activity of S. terebinthifolius against S. brasiliensis. METHODS Five S. brasiliensis isolates and three reference strains were subjected to a hydroethanol extract derived from the leaves of S. terebinthifolius and its fractions. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution method according to the M38-A2 CLSI guidelines. Also, the fungicidal/fungistatic activity of the extract and fractions was studied. FINDINGS The crude extract of S. terebinthifolius inhibited the growth of S. brasiliensis (MIC: 0.5-1.0 µg/mL), while the partitioned extracts dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol demonstrated growth inhibition at 8 µg/mL due to a fungistatic activity. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Due to its in vitro efficacy against S. brasiliensis and its known pharmacological safety, S. terebinthifolius is a candidate to be tested using in vivo models of sporotrichosis.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of Rheedia longifolia Planch & Triana

Rheedia longifolia Planch et Triana belongs to the Clusiaceae family. This plant is widely distributed in Brazil, but its chemical and pharmacological properties have not yet been studied. We report here that leaves aqueous extract of R. longifolia (LAE) shows analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Oral or intraperitoneal administration of this extract dose-dependently inhibited the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid in mice. The analgesic effect and the duration of action were similar to those observed with sodium diclofenac, a classical non-steroidal analgesic. In addition to the effect seen in the abdominal constriction model, LAE was also able to inhibit the hyperalgesia induced by lipopolysaccharide from gram-negative bacteria (LPS) in rats. We also found that R. longifolia LAE inhibited an inflammatory reaction induced by LPS in the pleural cavity of mice. Acute toxicity was evaluated in mice treated with the extract for seven days with 50 mg/kg/day. Neither death, nor alterations in weight, blood leukocyte counts or hematocrit were noted. Our results suggest that aqueous extract from R. longifolia leaves has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity with minimal toxicity and are therefore endowed with a potential for pharmacological control of pain and inflammation.