Physiochemical and nutritional evaluation of whole kumquat fruits powder and its protective effect on thyroid hormones and blood sugar levels in diabetic rats / Avaliação físico-química e nutricional de frutas inteiras de kumquat em pó e seu efeito protetor sobre os hormônios da tireoide e os níveis de açúcar no sangue em ratos diabéticos

The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic effects of whole kumquat (Ku) powder in diabetic rats fed a high-fat-high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using stable 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method, 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethyl benzo thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Total phenolic content was (51.85 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content was (0.24 mg Cateachin Equivalent, CE/g). DPPH and ABTS values were 3.32 and 3.98 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g where FRAP value was 3.00 mM Fe²+/kg dry material. A total of 90 albino rats were used in the present study. Rats group were as follows: normal diet; normal treated (2, 4, and 6% Ku.), diabetic rats (non-treated), diabetic + HFHC diet (non-treated), HFHC (non-treated), Diabetic (treated), HFHC (treated) and Diabetic + HFHC (treated). The diets were followed for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Serum glucose was recorded and thyroid hormones (T4, Thyroxine and T3, Triiodothyronine) were conducted. Diet supplemented with Kumquat at different concentrations have a hypoglycemic effect and improve the thyroid hormones of both diabetic rats and HFHC diabetic rats.

O presente estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a composição química, a atividade antioxidante e os efeitos hipoglicêmicos do pó de kumquat (Ku) em ratos diabéticos alimentados com uma dieta rica em gordura e colesterol (HFHC). As atividades antioxidantes foram avaliadas usando o método de eliminação de radicais livres de 1,1-difenil 2-picrilhidrazil (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (ácido 3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-sulfônico) radical cátion (ABTS) e antioxidante redutor férrico potência (FRAP). O conteúdo fenólico total foi (51,85 mg GAE / g) e o conteúdo total de flavonoides foi (0,24 mg Cateachin Equivalent, CE / g). Os valores de DPPH e ABTS foram 3,32 e 3,98 mg equivalente de Trolox (TE) / g, em que o valor de FRAP foi de 3,00 mM Fe²+ / kg de material seco. Um total de 90 ratos albinos foi usado no presente estudo. O grupo dos ratos foi o seguinte: dieta normal: tratados normais (2, 4 e 6% Ku.), ratos diabéticos (não tratados), diabéticos + dieta HFHC (não tratados), HFHC (não tratados), diabéticos (tratados), HFHC (tratados) e diabéticos + HFHC (tratados). As dietas foram seguidas por 8 semanas. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas ao final do experimento. A glicose sérica foi registrada e os hormônios tireoidianos (T4, Tiroxina e T3, Triiodotironina) foram conduzidos. A dieta suplementada com kumquat em diferentes concentrações tem um efeito hipoglicêmico e melhora os hormônios tireoidianos tanto de ratos diabéticos quanto de ratos diabéticos com HFHC.

Three new coumarins and a new coumarin glycoside from Micromelum integerrimum / 中国天然药物

Three new coumarins, integmarins A-C (1-3), and a new coumarin glycoside, integmaside A (4) were isolated from the leaves and stems of Micromelum integerrimum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, and their absolute configurations were assigned according to the ECD data of the in situ formed transition metal complexes and comparison of experimental and calculated ECD data. Compounds 1 and 2 are two rare coumarins with butyl and propyl moieties at the C-6 position; compound 3 is a novel coumarin with a highly oxidized prenyl group, and compound 4 is a rare bisdihydrofuranocoumarin glycoside.

Antioxidant and biological activities of essential oil from Colombian Swinglea glutinosa(Blanco) Merr fruit

The objectives of this work were the study of the volatile chemical composition of essential oils (EO’s) from Swinglea glutinosa, as well as to evaluate their antioxidant, repellent and fumigant properties. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation from the peel of the fruit, gathered in the city of Cartagena, Bolívar (Colombia). The volatile composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major compounds found in S. glutinosaweregermacrene D (4.8%), limonene (5.2%),-terpineol (6.5%), -pinene (8.5%), nerolidyl acetate (9.8%), and trans-nerolidol (34.6%). S. glutinosashowed antioxidant potential (85.8%) (IC50=142.49 μg mL-1). The EO deployedrepellent activity against the Tribolium castaneumweevil at a concentration of 15.73 nL cm-1at 2 hours of exposure (72%), while the result for the commercial repellent was 50% at the same concentration. EO from S. glutinosadisplayed the best fumigant activity withLC50of 153.4 μg mL-1air. The essential oil from S. glutinosacan be considerated as a natural source of biocides and antioxidants.

Phytochemical screening of extracts from Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil. (Rutaceae) leaves and their in vitroantioxidant and anti-Listeria monocytogenes activities

Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil (Rutaceae), a shrub whose common name is manacá do Cerrado in Brazilian Portuguese, is about 1-m high and has been used by folk medicine to treat stomachache, kidney and liver infections, headache, rheumatism and as a blood purifier. This study aimed at preparing hexane, ethyl acetate, methanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts from S. odoratissima leaves, at carrying out preliminary phytochemical screening and at evaluating their in vitroantioxidant and anti-Listeria monocytogenesactivities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azinobis-3-ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. Antibacterial activity was investigated against L. monocytogenesand Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of plant extracts were calculated by the broth microdilution method with the use of 96-well plates. In aqueous, methanolic, hydroethanolic, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts from S. odoratissima leaves, the following classes of compounds were investigated: organic acids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, saponin compounds, coumarin compounds, phenolics, tannins, purine compounds, catechins, flavonol derivatives, sesquiterpene lactonesand anthraquinones. All plant extracts, except the hexane one, exhibited high antioxidant activity. Regarding antibacterial activity, the most polar extracts showed high activity against L. monocytogenes; their MIC values ranged between 12.5 and 62.5 μg mL-1, while the hexane one exhibited low activity (MIC = 1000 μgmL-1). In short, extracts from S. odoratissima leaves may be consideredpromising sources of secondary metabolites with relevant antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Volatile constituents of Atalantia roxburghiana Hook. f., Tetradium trichotorum Lour. and Macclurodendron oligophlebia (Merr.) Hartl. (Rutaceae) from Vietnam / Compuestos volátiles de Atalantia roxburghiana Hook. f., Tetradium trichotorum Lour. y Macclurodendron oligophlebia (Merr.) Hartl. (Rutaceae) provenientes de Vietnam

The chemical constituents of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves of Atalantia roxburghiana Hook. f. and Tetradium trichotomum Lour., as well as the leaves and fruits of Macclurodendron oligophlebia (Merr.) Hartl. (Rutaceae) are being reported. The essential oils were analysed by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sabinene (36.9%) was the most singly abundant compound in the leaf of A. roxburghiana. The major constituents present in the leaf oil of T. trichotorum were (E)-ß-ocimene (24.8%), α-pinene (10.4%), (Z)-ß-ocimene (9.4%) and ß-caryophyllene (8.0%). On the other hand, while α-pinene (17.5%), ß-caryophyllene (15.5%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.6%) occurred in higher proportion in the leaf of M. oligophlebia, the fruit oil was dominated by benzyl benzoate (16.8%), (E, E)-farnesol (8.3%) and ß-caryophyllene (6.0%).

Se muestran los constituyentes químicos de los aceites esenciales obtenidos, por hidrodestilación, de las hojas de Atalantia roxburghiana Hook. f. y de Tetradium trichotomum Lour., así como de las hojas y frutos de Macclurodendron oligophlebia (Merr.) Hartl. (Rutaceae). Los aceites esenciales fueron analizados por Cromatografía de Gases (CG) y por Cromatografía de Gases acoplada a Espectrometría de Masas (CG-EM). El compuesto más abundante en las hojas de A. roxburghiana es el sabineno (36.9%); mientras que los mayoritarios en el aceite de las hojas de T. trichotomum fueron (E)-ß-ocimeno (24.8%), α-pineno (10.4%), (Z)-ß-ocimeno (9.4%) y ß- cariofileno (8.0%). En las hojas de M. oligophlebia los compuestos más abundantes fueron α-pineno (17.5%), ß-cariofileno (15.5%) y óxido de cariofileno (10.6%); sin embargo, en el aceite obtenido del fruto fueron benzoato de bencilo (16.8%), (E, E)-farnesol (8.3%) y ß- cariofileno (6.0%).

Repellent activity of Glycosmis plant extracts against two stored product insects / Actividad repelente de extractos de plantas Glycosmis contra dos insectos de productos almacenados

In the present study, the repellent activities of the leaf and/or stem crude extracts of Glycosmis lucida Wall. ex Huang, G. craibii var. glabra, G. craibii Tanaka, G. oligantha Huang, G. pentaphylla (Retz) Correa. and G. esquirolii (Levl.) Tanaka were analyzed by using assays on petri dishes against Tribolium castaneum and Liposcelis bostrychophila. The leaf and stem extracts of G. lucida, G. craibii var. glabra, G. craibii Tanaka, G. oligantha and G. esquirolii possessed significant repellent activities against T. castaneum, the same level repellent with the positive control, DEET. However, the extracts of G. pentaphylla, no repellency but some insect attractant was observed. Moreover, they also showed repellent activities against L. bostrychophila. These results indicate that extracts from G. lucida and G. oligantha leaf could be a source of novel repellent against insects.

En el presente estudio, las actividades repelentes de la hoja y/o tronco de los extractos crudos de Glycosmis lucida Wall. ex Huang, G. craibii var. glabra, G. craibii Tanaka, G. oligantha Huang, G. pentaphylla (Retz) Correa y G. esquirolii (Levl.) Tanaka se analizaron mediante el uso de ensayos en placas de Petri contra Tribolium castaneum y Liposcelis bostrychophila. Los extractos de las hojas y tallo de G. lucida, G. craibii var. glabra, G. craibii Tanaka, G. oligantha y G. esquirolii poseían actividades repelentes significativas contra T. castaneum, el mismo nivel repelente del control positivo, el DEET. Sin embargo, los extractos de G. pentaphylla, no se observó la repelencia pero sí actividad atrayente de insectos. Por otra parte, también se mostraron las actividades repelentes contra L. bostrychophila. Estos resultados indican que los extractos de hojas de G. lucida y G. oligantha podrían ser una fuente de repelente contra los insectos.

Chemical constituents from Zanthoxylum setulosum (Rutaceae) / Costituyentes químicos de Zanthoxylum setulosum (Rutaceae)

Following our phytochemical studies of Costa Rican plants, in this work we report the isolation and identification of eight compounds from aerial parts of Zanthoxylum setulosum (Rutaceae). They were identified as the alkaloid skimmianine, the lignans savinin, kusunokinin, sesamin, syringaresinol and the isopentenyl ether of pluviatol, the amide aurantiamide acetate, and the triterpen lupeol. This is the first report of isolation of skimmianine from the leaves of Z. setulosum and its presence confirm that quinoline and benzophenanthridine alkaloids, can be considered as chemotaxonomic markers of this genus. All the isolated compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods (including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, , HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) and comparison with the literature data.

Continuando con el estudio fitoquímico de plantas de Costa Rica, en este trabajo informamos el aislamiento e identificación de ocho compuestos de las partes aéreas de Zanthoxylum setulosum (Rutaceae). Los compuestos fueron identificados como el alcaloide skimmianina, los lignanos savinina, kusunokinina, sesamina, siringaresinol y el éter isopentílico del pluviatol, la amida conocida como acetato de aurantiamida, y el triterpeno lupeol. Este es el primer informe del aislamiento de skimmianina en las hojas de Z. setulosum, lo cual confirma que alcaloides quinolínicos y benzofenantridinicos pueden ser considerados marcadores quimiotaxonómicos en éste género. La estructura de los compuestos aislados fue caracterizada por métodos espectroscópicos (incluyendo 1HNMR, 13C-NMR, HMQC, HMBC y NOESY) y comparación con datos de la literatura.

Standardization of Feronia limonia L. leaves by HPLC, HPTLC, physico-chemical and histological parameters / Estandarización de hojas de Feronia limonia L. por HPLC, HPTLC, parámetros fisicoquímicos e histológicos

Feronia limonia (Family Rutaceae, subfamily Aurantioideae), commonly known as kaitha or wood apple, is widely used as an ethnomedicine in India. Its leaves are prescribed for a wide variety of ailments like diarrhoea, urinary disorders, treatment of piles or haemorrhoids, acidity, ulcers, ringworm and other chronic skin infections. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material and to ascertain its quality and purity. In the present communication, a qualitative fingerprinting of Feronia limonia (FL), extracts have been performed by HPTLC and HPLC methods, which provide qualitative insights into the bioactive constituents present in the extracts. Also, morphological anatomical and physico-chemical characters, along with phytochemical screening and fluorescence analysis of powdered crude drug were carried out for systemic identification and authentification of leaves. This study provides referential information for identification and characterization of FL leaf and its extracts.

Feronia limonia (Familia Rutaceae, subfamilia Aurantioideae), comúnmente conocida como kaitha o manzana de madera, y es extensamente usada como una ethnomedicina en India. Sus hojas son indicadas para una amplia variedad de dolencias como diarrea, desórdenes urinarios, el tratamiento de hemorroides, acidez, úlceras, tiña y otras infecciones crónicas de la piel. Sin embargo, la información científica detallada no está disponible para identificar el material de la especie y averiguar su calidad y pureza. En la presente comunicación, un análisis cualitativo de extractos de Feronia limonia (FL), se realizó por HPTLC y HPLC, lo que proporcionó información cualitativa de los componentes bioactivos presentes en los extractos. También, los caracteres anatómicos, fisico-químicos y morfológicos, junto con un examen fitoquímico y análisis de fluorescencia de la planta en polvo fueron realizados para la identificación sistémica y autentificación de las hojas. Este estudio proporciona la información de referencia para identificación y caracterización de las hojas de FL y sus extractos.

Cuatro compuestos nuevos del extracto no polar de la planta Amyris brenesii (Rutaceae) de Costa Rica

Four new compounds from the non-polar extract of the plant Amyris brenesii (Rutaceae) from Costa Rica. Fractionation of a non polar extract of the aerial parts of Amyris brenesii collected in Río Cuarto, Grecia, Costa Rica has resulted in the isolation of four new compounds, 6-hidroxy-6-O-(3-hidroxymethyl-3methylalyl)-angelicin 1, 6-(N-acetyl-2-etanamin)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-cromen 2, the lignan 2,5-dehidrohinokinin 3 and N-acetyl-O-(geranyl)-tiramine 4. In addition, we isolated six previously known compounds: the lignans hinokinin 5 and Justicidin E 6, the coumarins scopoletin 7 and marmesin 8, 24-moretenoic acid 9, and the nitrogen compound O-(3,3-dimethylalyl)-halfordinol 10. All the separations were done with chromatographic techniques and the structures were elucidated by using 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1043-1052. Epub 2008 September 30.

El estudio fitoquímico de las partes aéreas de Amyris brenesii (Rutaceae) recolectadas en Río Cuarto, Grecia, Alajuela (Costa Rica) mostró la presencia de cuatro nuevos compuestos: la 6-hidroxi-6-O-(3-hidroximetil-3-metilalil)angelicina 1, el 6-(N-acetil-2-etanamin)-2,2-dimetil-2Hcromeno 2, el lignano 2,5-deshidrohinokinina 3 y la N-acetil-O-(geranil)-tiramina 4. Adicionalmente se aislaron los lignanos hinokinina 5, y justicidina E 6, las cumarinas escopoletina 7 y marmesina 8, el ácido 24-moretenoico 9 y el O-(3,3-dimetilalil)-halfordinol 10. Las separaciones se llevaron a cabo mediante la aplicación de técnicas cromatográficas y la elucidación de las estructuras se realizó con la ayuda de técnicas espectroscópicas de Resonancia Magnética Nuclear (RMN) de una y dos dimensiones.

Actividad antifúngica de extractos orgánicos del árbol Fagara monophylla (Rutaceae) en Venezuela

Anti-fungi activity of organic extracts from the tree Fagara monophylla (Rutaceae) in Venezuela. The tree Fagara monophylla ranges throughout Tropical America. The genus Fagara has a diversity of alkaloid compounds with antibiotic properties; nevertheless, there are few reports antifungal activity of its organic compounds. Organic extracts from Venezuelan F. monophylla were tested for antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus terreus, A. flavus, Penicillium digitatum, P. funiculosum, P. citrinum, Paecilomyces and Candida albicans. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined. The susceptibility trials of organic fractions (Hex., CH2Cl2 and MeOH) showed that the highest inhibition was presented by MeOH against A. flavus (55 mm), P. digitatum (60 mm), P. funiculosum (56 mm) and C. albicans (26 mm). The activities of MeOH/EtOAc fractions 1 and 2 suggest a combined effect against A. flavus, P. digitatum and P. funiculosum. The MIC of 1 MeOH/ EtOAc subfraction activity was lower against C. albicans (32 µg/ml) and moderate (128 µg/ml) against P. digitatum. This organic extract has a great antifungal potential. The phytochemical proves and TLC testing on the organic extract, and the MeOH/EtOAc subfraction, respectively, indicated the presence of alkaloid compounds. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (3-4): 767-775. Epub 2007 December, 28.

Fagara monophylla está distribuida en América Tropical. El género Fagara tiene diversidad de compuestos alcaloides con propiedades antibacterianas; sin embargo existe escasa información acerca de su actividad antifúngica. Evaluamos extractos de F. monophylla in vitro con los hongos Aspergillus terreus, A. flavus, Penicillium digitatum, P. citrinum, P. funiculosum, Paecilomyces y Candida albicans determinando la Concentración Mínima Inhibitoria (CMI). Hicimos pruebas de susceptibilidad con las fracciones Hex., CH2Cl2 y la MeOH. La mayor inhibición la presentó la fracción MeOH frente a A. flavus (55 mm), P. digitatum (60 mm), P. funiculosum (56 mm) y C. albicans (26 mm). Las actividades mostradas por las fracciones 1 y 2 de MeOH/EtOAc sugieren la acción de un efecto combinado frente a A flavus, P, digitatum y P. funiculosum. La CMI de la subfracción 1 MeOH/EtOAc frente a Candida albicans fue baja (32 µg/ml), y para P. digitatum la CMI fue moderada (128 µg/ml). Este extracto orgánico posee gran potencial de actividad antifúngica. Las pruebas fitoquímicas y los ensayos realizados por TLC al extracto orgánico y a la subfracción 1 MeOH/EtOAc, respectivamente, mostraron la presencia de alcaloides.

Anatomy of the developing fruit of Metrodorea nigra a. st.-hil. (rutaceae)

El pericarpio y la semilla en desarrollo de Metrodorea nigra fueron examinados estructuralmente. Flores y frutos enetapas diferentes de maduración se fijaron en FAA 50 y se seccionaron transversal y longitudinalmente, según técnicas usuales en estudios anatómicos. El epicarpio diferenciado está representado por la peridermis de origen subepidérmico. El mesocarpio es parenquimatoso. El endocarpio es esclerenquimatoso y se origina de la acción meristemática de la epidermis del ovario. La semilla es endotestal y se origina del óvulo anátropo, crasinucelado y con dos tegumentos. La nucela y endospermo aparecen en pequeña cantidad en la semilla madura. El embrión es recto y posee cotiledones de reserva. La semilla y el endocarpio son eyectados en el proceso autócoro que ocurre en la especie. El fruto es capsular, tipo coccarium.

Pericarp and seed in development of Metrodorea nigra are investigated structurally. Flowers and fruits in different stages of maturation were fixed in FAA 50 and cross- and longitudinally sectioned, according to usual techniques. The differentiated epicarp is represented by the periderm of subepidermal origin. The mesocarp is parenchymatous. The endocarp is sclerenchymatous and originates from the meristematic action of the inner epidermis of the ovary. The seed is endotestal and originates from an anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate ovule. The nucellus and the endosperm occur in small quantity in the mature seed. The embryo is straight with thick cotyledons. The seed and the endocarp are ejected in the autochory process. The fruit is capsular and coccarium(.

Investigation on the gastroprotective and antidiarrhoeal properties of Aegle marmelos unripe fruit extract.

The Study was designed to verify the gastroprotective and antidiarrhoeal effects of unripe fruit extract of Aegle marmelos Corr. The gastroprotective function of this extract was evaluated in rats against gastric mucosal damage induced by hypothermic restraint stress, absolute ethanol, and indomethacin, whereas the antidiarrhoeal activity was investigated by studying the influence on gastrointestinal transit as measured by a charcoal marker and on castor oil-induced accumulation of intestinal fluid in mice and also on contractile responses evoked by acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, and barium chloride in isolated guinea-pig ileum, the results demonstrated that pretreatment of animals with unripe fruit extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) produces a significant inhibition of gastric lesion induced by ethanol but not those induced by restraint stress or indomethacin and suggest a probable involvement of a prostaglandin-independent mechanism of gastroprotection. At similar doses, both the intestinal transit as well as the accumulation of intestinal fluids induced by castor oil in mice were significantly inhibited by raw fruit extract. Furthermore, the extract antagonized the contractile responses evoked by different agonists on guinea-pig ileum in vitro and its inhibitory potential for the drugs are in the order of acetylcholine > histamine > serotonin > barium chloride. Taken together, these results point out a possible antidiarrhoeal effect of unripe fruit extract of A. marmelos Corr., since inhibition of intestinal motility and secretion can control clinical diarrhoea.