Selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one and Oxidoselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one from Eugenia uniflora Leaf Essential Oil and Their Cytotoxic Effects on Human Cell Lines.

The sesquiterpenes selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one and oxidoselina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one were isolated from the essential oil of Eugenia uniflora L. leaves. The structures were elucidated using spectrometric methods (UV, GC-MS, NMR, and specific optical rotation). The relationship between antioxidant activity, as determined by DPPH assay, and the cytotoxic effect was evaluated using tumor cells, namely lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) and human hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG2), as well as a model of normal human lung fibroblast cells (IMR90). Both compounds did not show prominent free-radical scavenging activity according to DPPH assay, and did not inhibit lipid peroxidation in Wistar rat brain homogenate. The isolated compounds showed pro-oxidative effects and cytotoxicity in relation to the IMR90 cell line.

The essential oil from Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC improves gastric ulcer healing in rats through modulation of VEGF and MMP-2 activity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC known as "carqueja" in Brazil has been acknowledged as a medicinal plant in folk medicine for the treatment of stomach aches and gastrointestinal disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective and healing effects of essential oil from B. trimera (EOBT) against gastric ulcer lesions caused by absolute ethanol and acetic acid, respectively, and to identify the mechanism of action of this essential oil in male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plant material used to obtain EOBT was collected in the southern region of Brazil and was analyzed by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) demonstrate its characteristic chemical composition, with carquejyl acetate as its main component. Different doses of EOBT (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered orally in male Wistar rats as an acute treatment against absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The gastric healing effect of EOBT (100 mg/kg) was evaluated once a day after 7, 10, and 14 days of treatment. After treatment, the stomachs of rats from all groups were collected to measure the lesion area (mm2), the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the relative expression of caspases -3, -8, -9, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The zymography method was used to elucidate the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) in the healing action of EOBT. We also analyzed toxicological parameters (body weight evolution and biochemical parameters) that could result after treatment with this essential oil for 14 days. RESULTS: Pretreatment with EOBT (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased the severity of gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol and decreased MPO activity in gastric tissue. After 10 and 14 days of treatment with EOBT (100 mg/kg) once a day, the lesion area was significantly reduced by 61% and 65.5%, respectively, compared to the negative control group. The gastric healing effect of EOBT was followed by a decrease in the expression of COX-1 compared to that in the negative control group. Notably, treatment with EOBT for 14 days increased the expression of VEGF compared to that using an anti-ulcer drug (lansoprazole). Additionally, analyses of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in the gastric mucosa confirmed the accelerated gastric healing effect of EOBT, with a significant decrease in the activity of pro-MMP-2. No sign of toxicity was observed after treatment with EOBT for 14 consecutive days. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that EOBT was effective in preventing and accelerating ulcer healing by decreasing MPO activity, increasing VEGF expression, and decreasing MMP-2 activity. These actions collectively contribute to the rapid recovery of gastric mucosa following treatment with EOBT, without any observed toxicity.

Effects of Gender and Geographical Origin on the Chemical Composition and Antiradical Activity of Baccharis myriocephala and Baccharis trimera.

This study aimed to characterize and compare essential oils and ethyl acetate fractions obtained in basic and acidic conditions from both male and female Baccharis species (Baccharis myriocephala and Baccharis trimera) from two different Brazilian regions. Samples were characterized according to their chemical compositions and antiradical activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Principal component analysis (PCA) provided a clear separation regarding the chemical composition of essential oils from the samples obtained from different regions by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with flame-ionization detection (GC-MS-FID). PCA also revealed that gender and region of plant collections did not influence the chemical composition and antiradical activity of ethyl acetate fractions, which was corroborated with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) data. High performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) identified significant quantities of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the fractions obtained in basic and acidic fractions, respectively. The obtained results clearly demonstrated that the geographical region of plant collection influenced the chemical composition of essential oils from the studied Baccharis species. Moreover, the obtained fractions were constituted by several antiradical compounds, which reinforced the usage of these species in folk medicine.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils from male and female specimens of Baccharis punctulata (Asteraceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis punctulata (Asteraceae), popularly known as "Chíllka saru saru" in Bolivia, has been used by rural communities in Bustillo Province of the Potosi Department for treatment of asthma, luxations and contusions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from leaves of female (BPF) and male (BPM) specimens and evaluate their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chemical composition analyses of Baccharis punctulata essential oils isolated by hidrodistillation from leaves of male and female specimens were performed by GC-FID-MS. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the model of TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) induced ear edema, and the polymorphonuclear cell migration was evaluated by mieloperoxidase (MPO) and analyzed histologically. To measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the inflamed tissue, the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used. The chemical in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oils was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. RESULTS: The chemical analysis showed high proportion of sesquiterpenes in the volatiles samples obtained from BPM, such as δ-elemene (14.29%), germacrene D (11.29%) and bicyclogermacrene (10.90%), and in the sample from BPF, bicyclogermacrene (42.44%), germacrene D (21.18%) and ß-caryophyllene (14.06%). A statistical difference (p < 0.05) on chemical composition between both essential oils was observed. Topical administration of both BPM and BPF essential oils was able to inhibit the formation of TPA-induced edema in the treated groups. Isolated administration of TPA promoted an increase in MPO enzyme activity, and inhibition of the increase of MPO activity was observed when animals were treated with BFP at concentrations of 0.1 mg/ear (13.69 ±â€¯0.20%), 0.3 mg/ear (22.35 ±â€¯0.11%), and 1.0 mg/ear (44.98 ±â€¯0.27%). Topical treatment with BPM was able to inhibit MPO activity at 22.40 ±â€¯0.29% (0.1 mg/ear), 36.49 ±â€¯0.07% (0.3 mg/ear) and 52.19 ±â€¯0.28% (1.0 mg/ear). The positive control of dexamethasone (DEXA, 0.1 mg/ear) was able to revert the increase in the enzymatic activity of MPO caused by TPA (65.16%). Histological analysis showed that topical application of TPA promoted intense cellular infiltration. This inflammatory parameter was reduced with the topical application of the BPF and BPM oil samples as well as with DEXA. The results observed in the ROS and DPPH tests suggest that both samples were able to reduce the inflammatory cells influx and have in vitro antioxidant properties, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents, for the first time, the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from leaves of male and female specimens of Baccharis punctulata, and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The results presented by the volatile samples in our biotests support traditional uses of this plant species.

Caracterização da fauna de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae) na região de Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brasil / Characterization of the fauna of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the region of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

Apesar do incentivo e do investimento na produção de frutas no estado do Paraná, pouca informação está disponível sobre as moscas-das-frutas, uma das principais pragas da fruticultura. O presente trabalho teve os objetivos de registrar pela primeira vez a fauna de tefritídeos, na região de Ponta Grossa, e caracterizar a sua comunidade por meio de diferentes índices faunísticos. Adultos de tefritídeos foram coletados por meio de frascos caça-moscas com atrativos alimentares em quatro pomares de agosto a dezembro de 2009. Foi coletado um total de 2.428 tefritídeos distribuídos em sete espécies: Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann, Anastrepha montei Lima, Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew, Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, Rhagoletis sp. Loew e Hexachaeta sp. Loew. A. fraterculus foi a única espécie comum aos quatro pomares, ocorrendo com frequência acima de 80%. Este é o primeiro registro de A. montei no Paraná. A. fraterculus, A. sororcula e C. capitata apresentaram os maiores índices de frequência, abundância, dominância e constância, sendo, portanto, consideradas espécies predominantes. O maior índice de diversidade (H'=0,4360) ocorreu no pomar 2, diferindo significativamente dos demais pomares (teste t, P<0,05). Os valores do índice de Margalef foram baixos (próximos ou inferiores a 0,5), confirmando haver predominância de espécies. Quanto à similaridade de espécies entre os pomares, determinada pelo coeficiente de Jaccard e índice de Bray-Curtis, o pomar 4, onde ocorreram apenas duas espécies (96% de A. fraterculus e 4% de A. pseudoparallela) forma um agrupamento distinto dos demais pomares amostrados, no qual ocorreram quatro espécies de tefritídeos.

In spite of encouragement and investment in fruit production in the state of Paraná, little information is available on the fruit flies, a major pest in fruit growing. The present study had the objective of recording for the first time the tephritid fauna in the region of Ponta Grossa, and characterize the insect community through different faunal indices. Adult tephritids were collected by means of flapper bottles with food baits in four orchards from August to December 2009. A total of 2,428 tephritids distributed in seven species were collected: Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann, Anastrepha montei Lima, Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew, Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, Rhagoletis sp. Loew and Hexachaeta sp. Loew. A. A. fraterculus was the only species common to the four orchards, occurring in a frequency higher than 80%. This is the first record of A. montei in the state of Paraná. A. fraterculus, A. sororcula and C. capitata had the highest frequency, abundance, dominance and constancy, and are therefore considered predominant species. The highest diversity index (H'=0.4360) occurred in the orchard 2, differing significantly from all orchards (t test, P<0.05). The Margalef index values were low (close to or below 0.5) confirming that there are predominant species. Regarding the similarity of species between the orchards, that was determined by the coefficient of Jaccard and the Bray-Curtius index, the orchard 4, where occurred only two species (96% of A. fraterculus and 4% of A. pseudoparallela), forms a distinct group from other orchard sampled, where there were four species of Tephritidae.

Involvement of glutathione, sulfhydryl compounds, nitric oxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and heat-shock protein-70 in the gastroprotective mechanism of Croton cajucara Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) essential oil.

This study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective mechanism of action of the essential oil of Croton cajucara Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark in ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and its in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. The involvement of heat-shock protein-70, vasoactive intestinal peptide, glutathione, nitric oxide, and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds in the gastroprotective effect was determined in male Wistar rats. The minimum inhibitory concentration against H. pylori was determined in vitro. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by the Dunnett test, and a P value less than 0.05 was considered to represent a statistically significant difference. C. cajucara decreased ethanol-induced ulcer area in 100% of ulcers and decreased the histologic lesions. In the C. cajucara group, the area marked by heat-shock protein-70 was significantly higher than the area in the control group; this finding was not seen for vasoactive intestinal peptide. C. cajucara could not maintain glutathione levels close to those in the sham group. The gastric ulcer area of rats treated with the sulfhydryl compound blocker was decreased, but the ulcer area of rats treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor showed no alteration. The minimum inhibitory concentration obtained for C. cajucara was 125 µg/mL. These findings suggest that sulfhydryl compounds and heat-shock protein-70, but not nitric oxide, glutathione, or vasoactive intestinal peptide, are involved in the C. cajucara gastroprotective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers.

Inhaled linalool-induced sedation in mice.

Linalool is a monoterpene often found as a major component of essential oils obtained from aromatic plant species, many of which are used in traditional medical systems as hypno-sedatives. Psychopharmacological evaluations of linalool (i.p. and i.c.v.) revealed marked sedative and anticonvulsant central effects in various mouse models. Considering this profile and alleged effects of inhaled lavender essential oil, the purpose of this study was to examine the sedative effects of inhaled linalool in mice. Mice were placed in an inhalation chamber during 60 min, in an atmosphere saturated with 1% or 3% linalool. Immediately after inhalation, animals were evaluated regarding locomotion, barbiturate-induced sleeping time, body temperature and motor coordination (rota-rod test). The 1% and 3% linalool increased (p<0.01) pentobarbital sleeping time and reduced (p<0.01) body temperature. The 3% linalool decreased (p<0.01) locomotion. Motor coordination was not affected. Hence, linalool inhaled for 1h seems to induce sedation without significant impairment in motor abilities, a side effect shared by most psycholeptic drugs.

Chemical and biological evaluation of rejects from the wood industry

This study aimed chemical characterization and microbiological evaluation of extracts obtained from the waste of woods marketed in Paraná State: Peroba-Rosa (Aspidosperma sp.), Roxinho (Peltogyne sp.), Jatobá(Hymenaea sp.), Curupixá (Micropholis sp.), Itaúba (Mezilaurus sp.), Cedrilho (Erisma sp.) and Imbúia (Licaria sp.), whose botanical identifications were based on anatomical studies. The extracts were prepared with different solvents, analyzed by TLC and UV/VIS techniques, and tested against: Proteus mirabilis ATCC15290, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC13048, Micrococcus luteus ATCC9341, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC13883, Pseudomonas aeroginosa ATCC27853, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Bacillus cereus isolated from the clinic. The ethanol extract from Peroba-rosa containing alkaloids showed activity against P. mirabilis. Itaúba, Jatobá and Imbúia methanol extracts containing phenolics, and the Roxinho ethyl acetate extract containing terpenoids and phenolics were active against K. pneumoniae, M. luteus, E. coli, S. aureus and P. mirabilis. P. aeroginosa, S. mutans and E. aerogenes were resistant to the extracts.

Ptychopetalum olacoides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve tonic", possesses anticholinesterase activity.

The cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) has provided the rationale for the current pharmacotherapy of this disease, in an attempt to downgrade the cognitive decline caused by cholinergic deficits. Nevertheless, the search for potent and long-acting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors that exert minimal side effects to AD patients is still an ongoing effort. Amazonian communities use traditional remedies prepared with Ptychopetalum olacoides (PO, Olacaceae) roots for treating various central nervous system conditions, including those associated with aging. The fact that PO ethanol extract (POEE) has been found to facilitate memory retrieval in the step down procedure in young and aged mice prompt us to evaluate its effects on AChE activity in memory relevant brain areas. POEE significantly inhibited AChE activity in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner in rat frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum; a significant inhibition was also found in these same brain areas of aged (14 months) mice after acute administration of POEE (100 mg/kg ip). We propose that such AChE inhibitory activity is a neurochemical correlate of a number of therapeutic properties traditionally claimed for P. olacoides, particularly those associated with cognition.

Sensitivity to beta-adrenoceptor agonists of adipocytes from rats treated with an aqueous extract of Croton cajucara Benth.

Aqueous extracts of Croton cajucara bark are used in folk medicine to treat hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders and as a coadjuvant in weight-loss programs. We examined the effect of treating rats for 15 days with a 5% aqueous extract of C. cajucara on body weight and food intake. The epididymal adipose pads were removed and the lipolytic responses of isolated adipocytes to isoprenaline, noradrenaline (norepinephrine), BRL37344 and adrenaline (epinephrine) were analysed in the absence or presence of metoprolol or ICI118,551. Treated rats had a significantly lower weight gain than control rats, with no difference in food and liquid intake, epididymal fat-pad weight or basal glycerol release. The sensitivity of the lipolytic response to isoprenaline and adrenaline was significantly higher in adipocytes from treated rats. The sensitivity to noradrenaline or BRL37344 was unaltered. Metoprolol shifted the dose-response curves to noradrenaline to the right in adipocytes from control and treated rats; the dose-response curve to isoprenaline in adipocytes from control rats was also shifted to the right. In adipocytes from treated rats, the dose-response curve to isoprenaline was unaltered by metoprolol but was shifted to the right by ICI118,551, a beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist. We conclude that in adipocytes from treated rats there is an increase in the lipolytic response to non-selective agonists (isoprenaline and adrenaline) mediated by beta(2)-adrenoceptors, with no alteration in the responses mediated by beta(1)-adrenoceptors (noradrenaline) or beta(3)-adrenoceptors (BRL37344). This effect could increase the role of adrenaline as an endogenous stimulator of lipolysis.

Natural trans-crotonin: the antiulcerogenic effect of another diterpene isolated from the bark of Croton cajucara Benth.

The nor-clerodane diterpene trans-crotonin isolated from the bark of Croton cajucara BENTH. was investigated for its ability to prevent the formation of gastric-mucosa ulceration in different experimental models in mice. The results obtained from crotonin were compared with those obtained with another diterpene, DHC (trans-dehydrocrotonin) in the same models. When previously administered (p.o.) at the dose of 100 mg/kg, crotonin, as well as DHC, significantly reduced (p<0.05) gastric injury induced by stress (72, 67%), indomethacin/bethanechol (78, 29%) and pylorus ligature (35, 30%). In the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model, at oral doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg, crotonin significantly prevented (p<0.05) the formation of gastric lesions by 51 and 56%, respectively, when compared to the control group. Gastric injury was also of significantly less magnitude in the DHC treatment group (p<0.05). In the pylorus-ligature model, crotonin (p.o.), like cimetidine, increased the volume of gastric juice when compared to the control group (p<0.05). No significant modifications where found in gastric parameters such as pH or total acid content after oral crotonin treatment. However, systemic alterations were observed when crotonin (100 mg/kg) was previously administered intraduodenally to mice. We observed significant changes (p<0.001) in gastric-juice parameters such as an increase in volume and a decrease in gastric acidity. Those pre-treated with crotonin as well as with DHC did not increase free mucus production (p>0.05). The results suggest that crotonin presents a significant anti-ulcer effect when assessed in these ulcer-induced models. As with DHC, the antiulcerogenic effects of crotonin are probably related to anti-secretory or/and gastroprotective properties of this substance. In light of results obtained with DHC and natural trans-crotonin in the present study, we concluded that the A-ring of both diterpenes is not directly involved in the antiulcerogenic activity.

Manifestações cardiovasculares no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / Cardiovascular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus

Lúpus eritematosos sistêmico (LES) é uma doença auto-imune que pode cursar com divesas e frequentes alterações cardiovasculares. Embora rara como manifestação inicial dessa doença, o envolvimento cardíaco tem sido relatado em mais de 50 por cento desses pacientes, com significante morbidade e mortalidade. São descritos pericardite com ou sem derrame, endocardite, miocardite, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, hipertensão arterial pulmonar e doença coronariana isquêmica. A pericardite é considerada a manifestação cardíaca mais comum, podendo ser observada no início da doença e na exarcebação do LES. A endocardite de Libman-Sacks era encontrada em aproximadamente 40 por cento dos casos de LES em estudos de autópsias, mas esta frequência tem diminuído nos últimos 30 anos. As causas das lesões valvulares são múltiplas, como a endocardite bacteriana, valvulite, fibrose e degeneração mucóide das valvas. Classicamente, a miocardite lúpica tem sido diagnosticada com maior frequência em estudos de autópsias, porém, nas últimas décadas, a introdução do ecocardiograma bidimensional tem demonstrado alta frequência de doença miocárdica assintomática ou subclínica. A doença cardíaca isquêmica, que possui patogênese multifatorial, é considerada a mais importante causa de mortalidade em pacientes com LES de longa evolução. Recentemente, foi relatado que infarto agudo do miocárdio é de 52 vezes mais frequente em lúpicas jovens quando comparadas com controles pareadas por sexo e idade. O desenvolvimento de técnicas sensíveis de imagem cardíaca não invasivas tem aumentado os conhecimentos de muitas formas de doença cardíaca subclínica, não descritas em estudos clássicos. Neste artigo os autores fazem uma revisão de importantes manifestações cardiovasculares em pacientes com LES.