Essential oils from Ocotea species: Chemical variety, biological activities and geographic availability.

This review describes the chemical composition and biological properties of essential oils from plants of the Ocotea genus, from different origin. This taxon belongs to the Laureaceae family, which in turn, is best known for medicinal use, often related to the essential oils. The text includes studies about Ocotea species distributed mainly on the South American continent, but also reporting species located in North America and Africa. Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador are countries with highest number of species mentioned in the review. Also, the major components of each essential oil, its chemical structures, as well as the description and extent of biological activities related to essential oils are detailed in this review. Finally, the text discusses the chemical and biological aspects of these studies in a comparatively way, also informing additional data such as yield, biome of origin and pharmacobotanical location.

Potential antioxidant effect of fruit peels for human use from northern Peru, compared by 5 different methods / Potencial efecto antioxidante de las cáscaras de frutas para uso humano del norte de Perú, comparado por 5 métodos diferentes

The objective of the work was to determine the antioxidant potential in vitro of freeze-dried peel extracts of 20 fruits from the northern region of Peru through five tests (Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH., ABTS+., FRAP and CUPRAC). According to multivariate statistical analyzes, five groups were found: (i.) peel extracts with the highest values of antioxidant capacity (AC) from custard apple, and star fruit; (ii.) rind extracts with high AC values from quince, sweet granadilla, guava, and black grape; (iii.) husk extracts with middle values of AC from passion fruit, and red mombin; (iv.) shell extracts with low AC values from tangerine, mandarine, and bitter orange; and, (v.) coating extracts with the lowest AC values from pawpaw, red pawpaw, muskmelon, dragon fruit, yellow and red indian figs, pear, apple, and green grape. To conclude, the fruit lyophilized-husk extracts of custard apple, star fruit, quince, sweet granadilla, guava, and black grape obtained the best AC.

El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar el potencial antioxidante in vitro de extractos de cáscara liofilizada de 20 frutos de la región norte del Perú mediante cinco pruebas (Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH., ABTS+., FRAP y CUPRAC). Según análisis estadísticos multivariados, se encontraron cinco grupos: (i.) Extractos de piel con los valores más altos de capacidad antioxidante (CA) de chirimoya y carambola; (ii.) extractos de cáscara con altos valores de CA de membrillo, granadilla dulce, guayaba y uva negra; (iii.) extractos de cáscara con valores medios de CA de maracuyá y mombina roja; (iv.) extractos de cáscara con valores bajos de CA de mandarina, mandarina y naranja amarga; y (v.) recubrir extractos con los valores de CA más bajos de papaya, papaya roja, melón, fruta del dragón, higos indios amarillos y rojos, pera, manzana y uva verde. Para concluir, los extractos de cáscara liofilizada de chirimoya, carambola, membrillo, granadilla dulce, guayaba y uva negra obtuvieron el mejor CA.

Sustancias bioactivas y actividad antioxidante de frutales nativos de páramos y bosques de neblina del norte peruano / Bioactive substances and antioxidant activity of native fruit trees from moorlands and cloud forests in northern Peru

Objetivos. Determinar los principales tipos de sustancias bioactivas, contenido de polifenoles y actividad antioxidante de cinco frutales nativos de paramos y bosques de neblina del norte peruano. Materiales y métodos. Cinco frutales nativos (Gaultheria reticulata «ushpa¼, Hesperomeles obtusifolia «sachón¼, Physalis peruviana «tungay¼, Rubus robustus «muyaca¼ y Symplocos nuda «chimicuno¼") fueron evaluados mediante análisis fitoquímico preliminar, contenido de polifenoles por el método de Folin-Ciocalteau y la actividad antioxidante, mediante tres métodos (DPPH, ABTS y CUPRAC) en tres sistemas de extracción (decocción, etanol 45% y etanol 96% acidulado). Resultados. Los frutales nativos «ushpa¼ y «sachón¼ de los páramos; «muyaca¼ y «chimicuno¼ de los bosques de neblina contienen de 4 a 5 tipos de sustancias bioactivas (compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides, saponinas y triterpenoides/ esteroides). Las especies contienen valores significativamente altos de polifenoles en el extracto acuoso por decocción que se encontraron entre 62,30 ± 2,49 y 5,36 ± 0,20 mg de equivalentes ácido gálico/g de fruto liofilizado. La actividad antioxidante, bajo tres sistemas de extracción y tres métodos de análisis mostró valores significativamente altos entre 1,43 ± 1,19 y 413,92 ± 4,09 mg de equivalentes de Trolox/g fruto liofilizado. Conclusiones. Las sustancias bioactivas identificadas, el contenido de polifenoles y la actividad antioxidante por DPPH, ABTS y CUPRAC, determinan las potencialidades fitoquímicas que le dan valor nutraceútico a estos frutales nativos.

Objectives. To determine the main types of bioactive substances, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of five native fruit trees of Paramos and Cloud Forests of Northern Peru. Materials and methods. Five native fruit trees (Gaultheria reticulata "ushpa", Hesperomeles obtusifolia "sachón", Physalis peruviana "tungay", Rubus robustus "muyaca" and Symplocos nuda "chimicuno") were evaluated by preliminary phytochemical analysis, polyphenol content by Folin-Ciocalteau method and antioxidant activity by three methods (DPPH, ABTS and CUPRAC) in three extraction systems (decoction, ethanol 45% and ethanol 96% acid). Results. The native fruit trees "ushpa" and "sachon" of the Paramos; "muyaca" and "chimicuno" from Cloud Forests contain 4 to 5 bioactive substances (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids/steroids). The species contain significantly high values of polyphenols in the aqueous extract by decoction that were found between 62.30 ± 2.49 and 5.36 ± 0.20 mg Gallic Acid equivalents/g of lyophilized fruit. The antioxidant activity, under three extraction systems and three analysis methods, showed significantly high values between 1.43 ± 1.19 and 413.92 ± 4.09 mg of Trolox equivalents/g lyophilized fruit. Conclusions. The bioactive substances identified, the polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and CUPRAC, determines the phytochemical potentialities that give nutraceutical value to these native fruit trees.

Estabilidad de cremas fotoprotectoras a base de Myrcianthes rhopaloides «lanche colorado¼ de los páramos de Piura / Stability of photoprotective creams based on Myrcianthes rhopaloides "lanche colorado" from the moors of Piura

Objetivos. Determinar la estabilidad de cremas fotoprotectoras a base de Myrcianthes rhopaloides «lanche colorado¼ de los páramos de Piura. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron tres extractos hidroetanólicos y dos acuosos que fueron purificados con Amberlite® XAD7HP. Se formularon cremas fotoprotectoras con los purificados para la realización de la prueba de shock térmico, la evaluación de los parámetros organolépticos y fisicoquímicos, antes y después del almacenamiento. Se escogieron las mejores formulaciones para la realización de la prueba de estabilidad acelerada. Resultados. No se evidenciaron cambios organolépticos y fisicoquímicos entre las formulaciones. Se optó por escoger la crema a base de purificado de 45%, a la cual se realizó la prueba de estabilidad acelerada; mostrando cambios organolépticos a los siete días, y cambios fisicoquímicos durante todo el tiempo de almacenamiento. Conclusiones. Se determinó que los parámetros físicos y químicos de la crema fotoprotectora a base de extracto purificado de 45% presenta moderada estabilidad.

Objectives. To determine the stability of photoprotective creams based on Myrcianthes rhopaloides "lanche colorado" from the paramos of Piura. Materials and methods. Three hydroethanolic and two aqueous extracts were evaluated that were purified with Amberlite® XAD7HP. Photoprotective creams were formulated with the purified ones for the thermal shock test, the evaluation of the organoleptic and physicochemical parameters, before and after storage. The best formulations were chosen to perform the accelerated stability test. Results. There were no organoleptic and physicochemical changes between the formulations. It was decided to choose the cream based on purification of 45%, to which the accelerated stability test was carried out; showing organoleptic changes at 7 days and physicochemical changes throughout the storage time. Conclusions. It was determined that the physical and chemical parameters of the photoprotective cream based on 45% purified extract presents moderate stability.

Antioxidant effect and chemical composition of Ananas comosus [L.] Merr. peels from Peruvian northern / Efecto antioxidante y composición química de las cascaras de Ananas comosus [L.] Merr. del norte peruano

Pineapple peels has several beneficial properties including antioxidant activity. We investigated the antioxidant effect of five different peels of pineapple lyophilized extracts, not adsorbed and adsorbed onto Amberlite. They were examined using total phenolic contents (TPC), antioxidant effect by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, we analyzed the chemical composition by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. The main constituents of pineapple peels were tentatively identified as quercetin glycosides and N,N'-diferuloylspermidine. We conclude that the antioxidant activity in pineapple peels from District of Poroto, Province of Trujillo, Region of La Libertad, can be associated with the presence of flavonoid and spermidines.

Las cáscaras de piña tienen varias propiedades beneficiosas, incluida la actividad antioxidante. Investigamos el efecto antioxidante de cinco exfoliaciones diferentes de extracto liofilizado de piña, no adsorbidas y adsorbidas en Amberlita. Se examinaron utilizando los contenidos fenólicos totales (TPC), el efecto antioxidante mediante la eliminación del radical 1,1-difenil-2-picril-hidrazilo (DPPH) y el poder férrico antioxidante reductor (FRAP). Además, analizamos la composición química por HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Los principales constituyentes de las cáscaras de piña se identificaron tentativamente como glucósidos de quercetina y N,N'- diferuloylspermidina. Concluimos que la actividad antioxidante en las cáscaras de piña del Distrito de Poroto, Provincia de Trujillo, Región de La Libertad, puede estar asociada con la presencia de flavonoides y espermidinas.

Chemical composition by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS: Estrogenic and antioxidant effects of Mangifera indica L. cv. "Kent" leave extracts on ovariectomized rats / Composición química por HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS: efectos estrogénicos y antioxidantes de extractos de Mangifera indica L. cv. "Kent" en ratas ovariectomizadas

The chemical composition of Mangifera indica L. cv. "Kent" leaves was determined by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Polyphenolic compounds characterized as benzophenone derivatives were the main components found in extracts (1, maclurin 3-C-(2-O-galloyl)-D- glucoside isomer; 2, maclurin 3-C---D-glucoside; 3, iriflophenone 3-C---D-glucoside; 5, maclurin 3-C-(2,3-di-O-galloyl)---D-glucoside; 6, iriflophenone 3-C-(2-O-galloyl)---D-glucoside; 7, methyl-iriflophenone 3-C-(2,6-di-O-galloyl)---D-glucoside) and xanthones (4, mangiferin and 8, 6-O-galloyl-mangiferin). The estrogenic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extracts from Mangifera indica L. cv. "Kent" leaves on ovariectomized rats were determined by uterotrophic assay and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in erythrocytes, bone, liver, and stomach. We conclude that the polyphenolic compounds from extracts act as exogenous antioxidant agents against oxidative damage in ovariectomized rats.

La composición química de las hojas de Mangifera indica L. cv. "Kent" se determinó por HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Compuestos polifenólicos caracterizados como derivados de benzofenona fueron los componentes principales encontrados en los extractos (1, isómero de la maclurina 3-C-(2-O-galoyil)-D-glucósido; 2, maclurina 3-C-ß-D-glucósido; 3, iriflofenona 3-C-ß-D-glucósido; 5, maclurina 3-C-(2,3-di-O-galloíl)-ß-D-glucósido; 6, iriflofenona 3-C-(2-O-galloil)-ß-D-glucósido; 7, metil-iriflofenona 3-C-(2,6-di-O- galloyl)-ß-D-glucósido) y xantonas (4, mangiferina y 8, 6-O-galoyil-mangiferina). Los efectos estrogénicos y antioxidantes de los extractos acuosos de hojas de Mangifera indica L. cv. "Kent" en ratas ovariectomizadas se determinaron mediante ensayo uterotrófico y la medición de los niveles de malondialdehído (MDA) en eritrocitos, huesos, hígado y estómago. Concluimos que los compuestos polifenólicos de los extractos actúan como agentes antioxidantes exógenos contra el daño oxidativo en ratas ovariectomizadas.

Biosynthetic Basis for Structural Diversity of Aminophenylpyrrole-Derived Alkaloids.

Bacterial aminophenylpyrrole-derived alkaloids (APPAs) represent high value lead compounds. Pyrrolnitrin, which was developed into globally important fungicides, is the only reported APPA produced by Proteobacteria. Recently, various APPAs showing diverse bioactivities were discovered from Bacteroidetes. Here, a bioinformatics and phylogenetic approach enabled the elucidation of the biosynthesis of the highly diverse APPAs in Cytophagales bacteria and their chemical diversification strategy. The biosynthetic gene clusters were identified in producer strains, and the biosynthesis was experimentally validated by heterologous expression experiments in E. coli. First, one enzyme-dependent biosynthetic step yields the tryptophan-derived precursor 3-(2'-aminophenyl)-pyrrole. Second, a spontaneous Pictet-Spengler-like coupling reaction enables the bacterial producer strains to create a library of tricyclic alkaloids, since several aldehydes can be applied as substrates. The diversity of this natural products class is further enlarged by the catalytic action of a methyltransferase, which adds one or more methyl groups to the aminophenyl intermediate.

Polifenoles, capacidad antioxidante y factor de protección solar de Borago officinalis L. "borraja" dispensada en las farmacias naturales de EsSalud / Polyphenols, antioxidant capacity and sun protection factor of Borago officinalis L. "borraja" dispensed in the Natural Pharmacies of EsSalud

Objetivos. Cuantificar los polifenoles, la capacidad antioxidante y el factor de protección solar de las hojas y flores de Borago officinalis L. dispensadas en las farmacias naturales de EsSalud. Materiales y métodos. Se prepararon tres extractos fluidos en etanol (96%, 70% y 40%) y dos extractos acuosos (decocto e infuso), se concentraron bajo vacío hasta obtener extractos secos (ES). Los polifenoles fueron cuantificados utilizando el método analítico de Folin-Ciocalteu, dichos valores fueron expresados como equivalentes de ácido gálico (EAG), la capacidad antioxidante fue determinada por el método de DPPH (1,1-difenil-2- picrilhidracilo), expresada en equivalentes de ácido ascórbico (EAA), del mismo modo como equivalentes de butilhidroxitolueno (EBHT). El factor de protección solar (FPS) se evaluó por el método espectrofotométrico en el rango de 290 a 320 nm. Resultados. Se cuantificaron polifenoles en el rango de 157,487 ± 3,628 y 66,777 ± 0,734 mg EAG/g ES del extracto fluido de 70 y 96%, respectivamente; la capacidad antioxidante entre 198,631 ± 5,636 y 73,699 ± 5,946 mg EAA/g ES del infuso y decocto, respectivamente, así como 388,694 ± 10,591 y 153,919 ± 11,174 mg EBHT/g ES del infuso y decocto; el FPS en el rango de 8,91 ± 0,07 y 5,53 ± 0,02 para el extracto fluido de 40% e infuso, respectivamente. Conclusiones. El infuso de Borago officinalis L. dispensada en las farmacias naturales de EsSalud, reportó polifenoles con la mayor capacidad antioxidante, y el extracto fluido de 40% presentó el mayor valor de FPS.

Objectives. Quantitation of polyphenols, antioxidant capacity and the sun protection factor of the leaves and flowers of Borago officinalis L. dispensed in Natural Pharmacies of EsSalud. Materials and methods. Three extracts were prepared with ethanol (96%, 70% and 40%) and two aqueous extracts (decoction and infusion), were removed volatile solvents under vacuum until obtaining dry extract (DE). Polyphenols were quantified by using analytic method referred as Folin-Ciocalteu, such values were expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). On the other hand, the antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydracil) method, as well as values expressed in ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) and butylated hydroxytoluene equivalents (BHTE). The sun protection factor values (SPF) were evaluated by using spectrophotometric method which values were in the range 290 to 320 nm. Results. Polyphenols were quantified in the range of 157.487 ± 3.628 and 66.777 ± 0.734 mg GAE/g DE of the redissolved and dilute extract of 70% and 96%, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was found between 198.631 ± 5.636 and 73.699 ± 5.946 mg AAE/g DE of the infusion and decoction, respectively, as well as 388.694 ± 10.591 and 153.919 ± 11.174 mg BHTE/g DE of the infusion and decoction; the SPF in the range 8.91 ± 0.07 and 5.53 ± 0.02 for the fluid extract of 40% and infusion, respectively. Conclusions. Infusion extract of Borago officinalis L. dispensed at the Natural Pharmacies of EsSalud, reported high concentration of polyphenols with the highest antioxidant activity. And the 40% redissolved and dilute extract was found a high SPF value.

Diversity and Antimicrobial Potential of Predatory Bacteria from the Peruvian Coastline.

The microbiome of three different sites at the Peruvian Pacific coast was analyzed, revealing a lower bacterial biodiversity at Isla Foca than at Paracas and Manglares, with 89 bacterial genera identified, as compared to 195 and 173 genera, respectively. Only 47 of the bacterial genera identified were common to all three sites. In order to obtain promising strains for the putative production of novel antimicrobials, predatory bacteria were isolated from these sampling sites, using two different bait organisms. Even though the proportion of predatory bacteria was only around 0.5% in the here investigated environmental microbiomes, by this approach in total 138 bacterial strains were isolated as axenic culture. 25% of strains showed antibacterial activity, thereby nine revealed activity against clinically relevant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and three against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains. Phylogeny and physiological characteristics of the active strains were investigated. First insights into the chemical basis of the antibacterial activity indicated the biosynthetic production of the known compounds ariakemicin, kocurin, naphthyridinomycin, pumilacidins, resistomycin, and surfactin. However, most compounds remained elusive until now. Hence, the obtained results implicate that the microbiome present at the various habitats at the Peruvian coastline is a promising source for heterotrophic bacterial strains showing high potential for the biotechnological production of antibiotics.

Identification and heterologous expression of the kocurin biosynthetic gene cluster.

The antibiotically bioactive thiopeptide compound kocurin was identified in extracts from a newly isolated Kocuria rosea strain. The axenic strain was retrieved from a soil sample of the intertidal area at the Paracas National Park, Peru. The genetic basis of this promising natural product with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains was revealed by comparative genome analysis of this new isolate and other reported thiopeptide producer strains. The functionality of the predicted gene locus was experimentally proven by heterologous expression in Streptomyces coelicolor M1146. Expression of the gene cluster under the control of a constitutive promoter enabled the transgenic strain to produce kocurin in selected media. The kocurin biosynthetic gene cluster comprises nine open reading frames and spans around 12 kbp of the genome.