Anatomical aspects, chemical analysis and cytotoxic effect of the essential oil from leaves of Casearia arborea (Salicaceae) / Aspectos anatómicos, análisis químico y efecto citotóxico del aceite esencial de Casearia arborea (Salicaceae)

The genus Casearia (Salicaceae) is found in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world and comprises about 200 species. In Brazil, there are about 48 species and 12 are registered in the State of Rio de Janeiro; including Casearia arborea (Rich.) Urb. Essential oil was obtained from the fresh leaves by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The cytotoxic effect was determined by WST-1 assay. Chemical analysis of the essential oil revealed a very diversified (n = 37 compounds) volatile fraction composed mainly of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes (90.2%). These sesquiterpenes included byciclogermacrene (18.7%), germacrene D (12.1%) and α-humulene (11.5%). In addition, the essential oil demonstrated cytotoxic effects against A549 tumor cells in the concentration of 4 µg/mL (EC50) (p < 0.05).

El género Casearia (Salicáceas) se encuentra en las regiones tropicales y sub-tropicales del planeta y comprende alrededor de 200 especies. En Brasil existen 48 especies, 12 de las cuales fueron registradas en el Estado de Río de Janeiro incluyendo Casearia arborea (Rich.) Urb. El aceite esencial fue extraído de hojas frescas por hidrodestilación y analizado por GC-MS y GC-FID. El efecto citotóxico fue determinado por ensayo WST-1. Las cavidades secretorias fueron ocasionalmente encontradas tanto en la lámina foliar como en el pecíolo. El análisis químico del aceite esencial reveló una muy diversa fracción volátil (n = 37 compuestos) formada principalmente por sesquiterpenos no oxigenados (90,2%). Estos sesquiterpenos incluyen biciclogermacreno (18,7%), germacreno D (12,1%) y α-humuleno (11,5%). Además, el aceite esencial demostró efectos citotóxicos contra las células tumorales A549 en una concentración de 4µg/mL (EC50) (p < 0.05).

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of an acid fraction of the seeds of Carpotroche brasiliensis (Raddi) (Flacourtiaceae)

Carpotroche brasiliensis is a native Brazilian tree belonging to the Oncobeae tribe of Flacourtiaceae. The oil extracted from its seeds contains as major constituents the same cyclopentenyl fatty acids hydnocarpic (40.5 percent), chaulmoogric (14.0 percent) and gorlic (16.1 percent) acids found in the better known chaulmoogra oil prepared from the seeds of various species of Hydnocarpus (Flacourtiaceae). These acids are known to be related to the pharmacological activities of these plants and to their use as anti-leprotic agents. Although C. brasiliensis oil has been used in the treatment of leprosy, a disease that elicits inflammatory responses, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the oil and its constituents have never been characterized. We describe the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of C. brasiliensis seed oil in acute and chronic models of inflammation and in peripheral and central nociception. The mixture of acids from C. brasiliensis administered orally by gavage showed dose-dependent (10-500 mg/kg) anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, inhibiting both the edema by 30-40 percent and the associated hyperalgesia. The acid fraction (200 mg/kg) also showed significant antinociceptive activity in acetic acid-induced constrictions (57 percent inhibition) and formalin-induced pain (55 percent inhibition of the second phase) in Swiss mice. No effects were observed in the hot-plate (100 mg/kg; N = 10), rota-road (200 mg/kg; N = 9) or adjuvant-induced arthritis (50 mg/kg daily for 7 days; N = 5) tests, the latter a chronic model of inflammation. The acid fraction of the seeds of C. brasiliensis which contains cyclopentenyl fatty acids is now shown to have significant oral anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive effects.