Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. to combat the biofilm-dependents diseases in vitro.

Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most prevalent of the biofilm-dependent diseases. With numerous side effects on the use of chlorhexidine, the search for new safe therapeutic alternatives for microorganisms involved with these diseases increases every day. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of extracts made from the bark of Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. against five oral microorganisms and analyze their phytochemical and thermal degradation profile. The liquid-liquid partition was performed with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The identification and quantification of the chemical marker was done. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration. The cytotoxicity was analyzed based on the hemolysing potential of the samples. The thermal degradation profile was performed by two different methods. Gallic acid was identified as the main compound of the samples and showed the highest amount in the chloroform fraction. All samples were able to inhibit the growth of the microorganisms tested and showed no cytotoxicity. The ethanol extract absorbs less heat than the fractions. All samples exhibited exothermic peak consistent with degradation of gallic acid. Based on the results, the samples used are potential candidates for use in dental formulations for biofilm control.

Phytochemical characterization and mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and modulatory activities of Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz.

In this study, the chemical composition, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antibacterial-modulating activities of the P. pyramidalis (NPpE) extract was evaluated. The fingerprint chromatogram was determined using HPLC-DAD. The NPpE Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as that of antimicrobial drugs in the presence and absence of the extract, were evaluated using the microdilution method against Gram positive bacteria. In vivo assays with mice were used for the determination of the extract's genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. The presence of the polyphenol catechin was confirmed in the extract. The extract showed significant antimicrobial activity (MIC ≤ 1000 µg mL-1) against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus oralis and S. mutans. When the NPpE was associated with several antimicrobials, the MIC of most of these were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) demonstrating good prospective usage in antimicrobial therapy. The extract has mutagenic and cytotoxic potential, however, further studies should be performed to confirm their toxicity.

Dissolution and uniformity of content of tablets developed with extract of Ximenia americana L.

Herbal medicines currently represent an important part of the world pharmaceutical market, which shows growing interest in the use of herbal medicines. However, the production of such medicines involves a complex series of steps, which determine the production viability and the quality of the final product. Ximenia americana L. is a plant occurring in several regions of the world, with well-known and applied medicinal properties. Thus, the aim of this work was to develop and evaluate the physical and physical-chemical quality of tablets produced with X. americana L. extract. The extract was spray-dried from a hydroethanolic extractive solution and characterized as to its phytochemical composition. The chemical marker was determined and quantified using validated chromatographic methods. These methods indicated the presence of gallic acid at a concentration of 1.61 mg g(-1). Formulations were proposed and analyzed for their flow and compaction properties. The best formulation was used to obtain a batch of tablets, which was evaluated for its quality characteristics and showed to be within the pharmacopoeial specifications for average weight, hardness, friability, and disintegration time. The dissolution profile of the tablets produced was obtained, showing the release of about 70% of the vegetable extract content within 30 minutes. Results showed that it was possible to obtain herbal tablets containing a high content of vegetal extract by direct compression, developing a rapid process of formulation and production and guaranteeing the quality characteristics of the final product.

Evaluation of the Interaction between the Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz Extract and Antimicrobials Using Biological and Analytical Models.

Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree of northeastern Brazil, occurring mainly in the Caatinga. Its medicinal use is widespread and is an important therapeutic option against diarrhea, dysentery, and respiratory and urinary infections, among other diseases. In this study we determined the chemical marker and evaluated the interaction between P. pyramidalis extract and a commercial antimicrobial through the use of biological and analytical models. To obtain the extract, an ethanol-water mixture (50:50 v/v) was used as solvent. It was nebulized in a spray dryer using colloidal silicon dioxide as a drying adjuvant. The extract (ENPp) was subjected to HPLC analysis to verify the presence of certain secondary metabolites. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract against Gram-negative bacteria was determined by broth microdilution and the MIC of synthetic antimicrobial drugs in the presence and absence of the extract. The antioxidant activity of ENPp was evaluated by the DPPH method. The compatibility between the antimicrobial and the extract was evaluated by thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated in vivo in rodents. The results indicate significant additive action of the extract on synthetic antibiotics, considerable antioxidant activity and absence of toxicity. This extract shows high potential for the development of formulations for antimicrobial therapy when used with a vegetable-active ingredient.

Development of a rapid and simple HPLC-UV method for determination of gallic acid in Schinopsis brasiliensis

AbstractThe aim of this work was to develop and validate an analytical method for the identification of the chemical marker of Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl., Anacardiaceae. It would determine the total polyphenols and flavonoid content by spectrophotometric methodology in the dried extract of plant. The chromatographic profiles of S. brasiliensis were determined using HPLC-UV. The liquid chromatography method was conducted on a Phenomenex Gemini NX C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of 0.05% orthophosphoric acid: methanol. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and effluents were monitored at 271 nm. The retention time for gallic acid was 8.5 min. The described method has the advantage of being both rapid and easy. Hence it can be applied for routine quality control analysis of herbal preparation containing S. brasiliensis.