Preliminary prospection of phytotherapic compounds from the essential oils from barks and leaves of Umburana (Commiphora Leptophloeos)

Abstract The potential of the biome caatinga (exclusive from northeastern Brazil) has been evaluated in recent research for application in the pharmaceutical industry. Among the species of medicinal plants from caatinga, one can highlight the Commiphora leptophloeos (umburana), which has been used as infusions and syrups by the regional population for inflammatory and infectious diseases. Essential oils from umburana leaves and barks were obtained in a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and total phenolic and flavonoids were determined by spectrophotometric analysis. It was observed that a large part of the major compounds present in the essential oil is described as having antitumor activity, enabling research in investigational oncology with umburana (C. leptophloeos). In addition, some little explored components have been identified, such as cadinene, alpha-selinene, and elemenone. Despite being easily found in several plants, there are no clinical trials involving their biological activity in a well-defined isolated form, which could make exploring new studies possible. Furthermore, the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids allows future studies about the potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

Investigation of ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillett (Burseraceae) in treatment of diarrhea.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillett, popularly known as "imburana", "imburana-de-cheiro" or "imburana-de-espinho", has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, such as diarrhea. The indian tribes "Kairir-Shokó and shokó use the bark to treat diarrhea. However, there is no scientific evidence to justify the therapeutic use of this species. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos, with respect to the antimicrobial, antisecretory, antimotility and antispasmodic activities of the crude ethanolic extract obtained from its leaves (CL-EtOHL) and the mechanism underlying this action in rodents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activities was determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract, against different strains of bacteria and fungi. All experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraíba (045/2016). In addition, behavioral screening and acute toxicity assessment of CL-EtOHL were performed in female mice (n = 6). In the investigation of antidiarrheal activity (n = 6), frequency of defecation and number of liquid stools, were classified during 4 h, and intestinal fluid and transit were measured. In addition, the antispasmodic effect on rat ileum (n = 5) was also investigated. RESULTS: The ethanolic extract is rich in flavonoids and the main were identified as C-glycosylated flavonoids (isoorientin, orientin, and vitexin). In the evaluation of antimicrobial and antifungal activity, the extract showed moderate efficacy only against the tested strains of Candida krusei ATCC-6258, Candida parapsilosis ATCC-22019 and Candida glabrata ATCC-90030. The extract had no toxic effect until 2000 mg/kg. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, CL-EtOHL inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, both total defecation frequency (ED50 = 380.4 ± 145.4 mg/kg) and the number of watery stools (ED50 = 151.2 ± 76.3 mg/kg). The extract showed no effect on fluid accumulation or normal intestinal transit. On the other hand, when the animals were pretreated with castor oil, the extract decreased the distance traveled by the activated charcoal (ED50 = 177.0 ± 50.3 mg/kg). In the investigation of antispasmodic effect, CL-EtOHL antagonized the contractions induced by KCl 30 mM (IC50 = 208.2 ± 25.9 µg/mL) and CCh 10-6 M (IC50 = 95. ± 22.0 µg/mL). To verify the participation of muscarinic receptors in this effect, cumulative carbachol curves were performed in the absence and presence of the extract, and a non-competitive pseudo-irreversible antagonism of these receptors was observed. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that ethanol extract obtained from the leaves of Commiphora leptophloeos has an antidiarrheal effect due to inhibition of the intestinal motility and antispasmodic effect, through the antagonism of muscarinic receptors. In addition, we suggest that flavonoids isolated from CL-EtOHL may be responsible for antidiarrheal activity of this extract. This explains its ethnomedicinal use in the treatment of diarrhea.

Mass spectrometry characterization of Commiphora leptophloeos leaf extract and preclinical evaluation of toxicity and anti-inflammatory potential effect.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillett (Burseraceae) is a medicinal plant native from the brazilian northeast caatinga biome, known popularly as "imburana" or "imburana-de-cambão". The leaves of C. leptophloeos are widely used in folk medicine in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. However, there is no scientific evidence to justify their popular use. AIM OF THE STUDY: This approach aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile of hydroethanolic leaf extract, as well as evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential activity and to investigate the acute toxicity with pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo methodologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phytochemical profile was characterized by UPLC-MS and FIA-ESI-IT-MS/MS. The in vitro anti-inflammatory potential the hydroethanolic extract of C. leptophloeos (1, 10, 100 and 200 µg/mL) was investigated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide assay, in order to analyze the potential decrease of nitric oxide (NO) production. For carrageenan-induced paw edema and zymosan-induced air pouch models, the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was administrated by intragastric gavage (i.g.) route and used for evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. Related to the first animal model, the antiedematogenic activity and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels could be investigated. In addition, the zymosan-induced air pouch model allowed the analyses of leukocytes migration, total MPO, malondialdehyde (MDA) and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-10) levels. The toxicity in vitro of the extract (1, 10, 100 and 200 µg/mL) was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and acute toxicity in vivo was tested using the extract at 2000 mg/kg by i. g. route. RESULTS: The phytochemical analyses of C. leptophloeos leaf extract pointed the presence of six glycosylated flavonoids, identified as orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin, quercetrin and isoquercitrin. A decrease of NO in vitro was noticed by the use of the extract in the LPS-induced nitric oxide assay and an expressive reduction of the paw-edema followed by a decrease of myeloperoxidase activity at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. The zymosan-induced air pouch model indicated that the extract, in all doses, significantly reduced the leukocytes migration, total protein concentration, MPO and MDA levels. The levels of cytokines were verified by the administration of extract in this model, revealing a lower of TNF-α level and an increase of the IL-10 production. In the toxicity study, the MTT assay evidenced no cytotoxicity of the tested concentrations and acute toxicity in vivo test did not result in any sign of toxicity and mortality or significant changes on the biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, is possible suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity revealed in this approach can be related to the modulating the level of cytokine, decrease of TNF-α, increase of IL-10 in vivo and also the inhibition of the production of nitric oxide RAW 264.7 activated by LPS. These results demonstrate the potential anti-inflammatory effect C. leptophloeos leaf extrat in inflammatory in vivo models, supporting its use in folk medicine for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Finally, glycosylated flavonoids can be responsible, at least in part, for this effect.

Avaliação de atividades biológicas dos extratos de Commiphora leptophloeos (Imburana) (Mart.) J. B. Gillet / Evaluación de la actividad biológica de los extractos de Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet / Evaluation of the biological activity of extracts from Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet

Introdução: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet (Burseraceae) é uma espécie vegetal utilizada na medicina tradicional da região semiárida brasileira contra diversas enfermidades, dentre as quais, destacam-se as infecciosas. Objetivo: Avaliar atividades biológicas de extratos de C. leptophloeos obtidos por diversas técnicas de extração. Métodos: Os extratos foram obtidos a partir das cascas por maceração, percolação, ultrassom e turbólise e submetidos a testes fitoquímicos, testes de suscetibilidade microbiana por microdiluição e de toxicidade aguda sobre náuplios de Artemia salina. Resultados: As maiores concentrações de polifenóis e flavonoides foram encontradas nos extratos obtidos por turbólise. Os extratos de C. leptophloeos foram eficazes contra S. aureus. Os extratos apresentaram toxicidade moderada. Conclusões: A planta estudada apresenta metabólitos secundários possuidores de importantes atividades farmacológicas e exibiram potencial antimicrobiano sobre S. aureus, sendo necessários novos estudos para avaliar a viabilidade desta planta para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos(AU)

Introducción: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet (Burseraceae) es una especie usada en la medicina tradicional de la región semiárida de Brasil contra diversas enfermedades, con énfasis en las enfermedades infecciosas. Objetivo: evaluar las actividades biológicas de los extractos de C. leptophloeos obtenidos por diferentes técnicas de extracción. Métodos: los extractos de la corteza se obtuvieron por maceración, percolación, ultrasonido y turbólise. Fueron sometidos a ensayos fitoquímicos, pruebas de sensibilidad microbiana por microdilución y toxicidad aguda sobre Artemia salina. Resultados: las concentraciones más altas de polifenoles y flavonoides fueron encontrados en los extractos por turbólise. Los extractos de C. leptophloeos fueron eficaces contra S. aureus y mostraron toxicidad moderada. Conclusiones: la planta posee metabolitos secundarios con actividades farmacológicas importantes y actividad antimicrobiana frente S. aureus, otros estudios son necesarios para evaluar la viabilidad de esta planta para el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos(AU)

Introduction: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet (Burseraceae) is a species used in traditional medicine in the semiarid region of Brazil to treat a variety of conditions, particularly infectious diseases. Objective: Evaluate the biological activities of C. leptophloeos extracts obtained by various extraction techniques. Methods: The stem extracts were obtained by maceration, percolation, ultrasound and turbolise, and subjected to phytochemical analysis, microbial sensitivity testing by microdilution and acute toxicity testing against Artemia salina. Results: The highest polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations were found in the extracts obtained by turbolise. C. leptophloeos extracts were effective against S. aureus and showed moderate toxicity. Conclusions: The plant contains secondary metabolites with important pharmacological activities and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Further studies are required to evaluate the viability of this plant for the development of new drugs(AU)

Avaliação de atividades biológicas dos extratos de Commiphora leptophloeos (Imburana) (Mart.) J. B. Gillet / Evaluation of the biological activity of extracts from Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet

Introdução: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet (Burseraceae) é uma espécie vegetal utilizada na medicina tradicional da região semiárida brasileira contra diversas enfermidades, dentre as quais, destacam-se as infecciosas. Objetivo: Avaliar atividades biológicas de extratos de C. leptophloeos obtidos por diversas técnicas de extração. Métodos: Os extratos foram obtidos a partir das cascas por maceração, percolação, ultrassom e turbólise e submetidos a testes fitoquímicos, testes de suscetibilidade microbiana por microdiluição e de toxicidade aguda sobre náuplios de Artemia salina. Resultados: As maiores concentrações de polifenóis e flavonoides foram encontradas nos extratos obtidos por turbólise. Os extratos de C. leptophloeos foram eficazes contra S. aureus. Os extratos apresentaram toxicidade moderada. Conclusões: A planta estudada apresenta metabólitos secundários possuidores de importantes atividades farmacológicas e exibiram potencial antimicrobiano sobre S. aureus, sendo necessários novos estudos para avaliar a viabilidade desta planta para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos(AU)

Introducción: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet (Burseraceae) es una especie usada en la medicina tradicional de la región semiárida de Brasil contra diversas enfermedades, con énfasis en las enfermedades infecciosas. Objetivo: evaluar las actividades biológicas de los extractos de C. leptophloeos obtenidos por diferentes técnicas de extracción. Métodos: los extractos de la corteza se obtuvieron por maceración, percolación, ultrasonido y turbólise. Fueron sometidos a ensayos fitoquímicos, pruebas de sensibilidad microbiana por microdilución y toxicidad aguda sobre Artemia salina. Resultados: las concentraciones más altas de polifenoles y flavonoides fueron encontrados en los extractos por turbólise. Los extractos de C. leptophloeos fueron eficaces contra S. aureus y mostraron toxicidad moderada. Conclusiones: la planta posee metabolitos secundarios con actividades farmacológicas importantes y actividad antimicrobiana frente S. aureus, otros estudios son necesarios para evaluar la viabilidad de esta planta para el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos(AU)

Introduction: Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillet (Burseraceae) is a species used in traditional medicine in the semiarid region of Brazil to treat a variety of conditions, particularly infectious diseases. Objective: Evaluate the biological activities of C. leptophloeos extracts obtained by various extraction techniques. Methods: The stem extracts were obtained by maceration, percolation, ultrasound and turbolise, and subjected to phytochemical analysis, microbial sensitivity testing by microdilution and acute toxicity testing against Artemia salina. Results: The highest polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations were found in the extracts obtained by turbolise. C. leptophloeos extracts were effective against S. aureus and showed moderate toxicity. Conclusions: The plant contains secondary metabolites with important pharmacological activities and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Further studies are required to evaluate the viability of this plant for the development of new drugs(AU)