Effects of copal resin extraction on the diversity and composition of species in tropical deciduous forests.

Composition and floristic diversity of ecosystems subject to overexploitation, such as tropical deciduous forests where copal resin (Bursera bipinnata, Bursera copallifera) is extracted, are of great importance for understanding the ecological functioning of these ecosystems. This study analyzed the species composition and diversity in a natural population subject to copal extraction in San Juan Raboso Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico. A total of 54 sampling units were established, and the number of individuals and crown diameter for each tree species were recorded. For shrubs, succulents, acaulescent rosetophytes and climbers, the number of individuals and the area of cover were quantified. Based on the parameters of abundance, frequency, and relative dominance, the importance value index (IVI) was calculated. Diversity was evaluated using the Shannon index [Formula: see text]. In total, 29 species were identified, distributed across 11 botanical families and 21 genera. The Fabaceae family was the richest, followed by the Burseraceae family, which includes the species that extract copal, but Opuntia streptacantha was the species with the most ecological weight. In this study, the Shannon index [Formula: see text] averaged 1.45, which indicates that the community was mildly diverse.

Evaluation of Virola oleifera activity in musculoskeletal pathologies: Inhibition of human multiple myeloma cells proliferation and combination therapy with dexamethasone or bortezomib.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Virola oleifera (Schott) A.C. Smith, Myristicaceae, has been widely used in traditional medicine in Brazil to treat rheumatic pain, joint tumours, skin diseases, halitosis, bronchial asthma, haemorrhoids, and intestinal worms. Recently, research data showed the antioxidant properties in several oxidative stress-related models. However, there is no experimental evidence supporting its potential use in managing rheumatic diseases and bone malignancies. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the resin from Virola oleifera in joint and bone diseases, namely arthritis, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and multiple myeloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine Virola oleifera resin (VO) effects on arthritis-associated inflammation and cartilage degradation, the LPS-induced NO production, and mRNA and protein expression of ADAMTS5, MMP13, COL2, and ACAN, were evaluated in chondrocytes (ATDC5 and TC28 cell lines). The cytotoxic effects of VO (0.05-50 µg/ml) on multiple myeloma (ARH-77), osteosarcoma (SAOS-2), and chondrosarcoma (SW-1353) cell lines were analysed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The VO effects, combined with dexamethasone or bortezomib, were evaluated in a multiple myeloma cell line. The mechanisms of VO, alone or in combination with bortezomib, were determined by cell cycle analysis through flow cytometry, while expression levels of p-Akt/Akt, p-ERK/ERK, p-p38/p38 MAPK, Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3 proteins by Western blot. RESULTS: VO had no significant effect on LPS-induced NO production in chondrocytes at non-cytotoxic concentrations. VO treatment diminished the mRNA levels of metalloproteinases and ECM components; however, any significant effect was observed on the protein expression levels. The cell viability of a multiple myeloma cell line was strongly reduced by VO treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma cell lines viability was significantly affected only by the highest dose assessed. In multiple myeloma cells, VO leads to G2/M cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, it synergizes with dexamethasone by increasing cell toxicity. Finally, VO reverts bortezomib activity by counteracting ERK1/2, Bax, and caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: The current work supports the ethnopharmacological use of Virola oleifera (Schott) A.C. Smith in bone and joint diseases, but there is no evidence for the amelioration of arthritis-associated inflammatory or catabolic processes. Our data also supports the potential use of Virola oleifera as adjuvant therapy to optimize the pharmacologic effects of current chemotherapeutic drugs. However, possible herb-drug interactions should be considered before clinical application.

Activity of Adesmia boronioides resinous exudate against phytopathogenic bacteria.

Resinous exudate obtained from the aerial parts of Adesmia boronioides Hook.f. were evaluated to determine anti-phytopathogenic effects. Briefly, resinous exudate was obtained by dipping fresh plant material in dichloromethane; chemical composition was determined by GC-MS; and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated against four phytopathogenic bacteria. Resinous exudate yield was 8.5% (resin/fresh plant), of which esquel-6-en-9-one (14.25%), esquel-7-en-9-one (5.86%), and veratric acid (2.59%) were the effective antibacterial compounds. Tested against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovora, Erwinia amylovora, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas syringae, MICs and MBCs ranged from 16 to 128 µg/mL and 32-256 µg/mL, respectively. These results provide initial evidence that resinous bush A. boronioides is a new and alternative source of substances with agricultural interest.

Comparative Analysis of the Antibacterial Activity and HPLC Phytochemical Screening of the Brazilian Red Propolis and the Resin of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of red propolis and resin and their association with standard antibiotics to evaluate possible differences of activity. We also submitted red propolis and the resin to a HPLC analysis to confirm the botanical origin. The extracts were tested against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus alone and in association with gentamicin and imipenem. The HPLC analysis identified seven compounds with six of them present in both substances. The lowest MIC values obtained in this study were observed against S. aureus. In general, MIC values showed to be lower for red propolis against all species tested in comparison to resin. Despite the synergistic behavior to be similar for both substances, we observed that inhibitory concentrations of drugs were lower when associated with red propolis in comparison to resin.

Resin Glycosides from the Roots of Operculina macrocarpa (Brazilian Jalap) with Purgative Activity.

Analysis of the methanol-soluble resin glycosides from the roots of Operculina macrocarpa was assessed by generating NMR profiles of five glycosidic acids obtained through saponification, acetylation, and recycling HPLC purification. Operculinic acid H (1), two novel hexasaccharides, operculinic acids I (2) and J (3), the known purgic acid A (4), and a quinovopyranoside of (-)-(7 R)-hydroxydecanoic acid, operculinic acid K (5), were isolated. Three intact resin glycosides related to 1, the novel macrocarposidic acids A (6) and B (7), in addition to the previously known macrocarposidic acid C (8), were also purified with isovaleroyl, tigloyl, and exogonoyl [(3 S,9 R)-3,6:6,9-diepoxydecanoyl] groups as esterifying residues. A selective intramolecular lactonization was produced to generate a macrocyclic artifact (17) during acetylation of 1, resembling the distinctive structure of the Convolvulaceous resin glycosides.

Chemical profile and pharmacological effects of the resin and essential oil from Bursera slechtendalii: A medicinal "copal tree" of southern Mexico.

This study reports on the volatile profile and pharmacological activities of the essential oil and resin from Bursera slechtendalii, an aromatic medicinal tree commercialized in southern Mexico. The essential oil contained 25 volatiles including p-cymen-8-ol (25.4-35.7%), n-hexyl hexanoate (6.8-17.6%) and n-octyl hexanoate (7.6-14.8%), whereas the crystallized resin contained 14 volatiles, including n-octyl acetate (29.6-34.2%), limonene (15.8-18.7%) and n-octyl butyrate (12.6-17-6%). The inhalation of vapors from the resin and essential oil caused a significant anxiolytic-like effect (p < .01) in ICR mice after 20 min of exposure at a dose of 50-150 mg L-1. The prolonged inhalation of the essential oil (for 40 days, for 15 min, twice a day) produced a significant decrease (p < .01) in total cholesterol and LDL-c content as well as an increase of HDL-c levels in the same murine model. Interestingly, levels of hepatic lipid hydroperoxide decreased, whereas the hepatic activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was significantly enhanced (P < .05). The detection of p-cymen-8-ol and n-octyl acetate in the plasma of mice strongly suggests their bioavailability and possible role in the biological activities described herein. Also, both the resin and essential oil from B. slechtendalii, as well as their main volatiles, showed a potent repellence activity against Aedes aegypti (p < .01).

Evidence of traditionality of Brazilian medicinal plants: The case studies of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (barbatimão) barks and Copaifera spp. (copaíba) oleoresin in wound healing.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the potential of plants used in secular traditional medicine and considers this an important source of evidence to assess their effectiveness and safety. Brazil is rich in biodiversity and traditional uses based on the Amerindian culture. However, many processes started with the arrival of the Portuguese in the year 1500. The successive economic cycles, for example, led to destruction of native vegetation and an intense cultural erosion. As a consequence, the information about the use of plants in the past centuries are dispersed and without interpretation. In this study a methodology to evidence the traditionality of Brazilian plants was demonstrated using data about barbatimão barks (Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville - Fabaceae) and Copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera spp. - Fabaceae) in wound healing, was established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data about use of the plants were recovered from bibliography published between 1576 and 2011. The books (101) were classified using weights, considering the date of publication and the source of Information. Older books that describe primary information received weight 10, while books written more recently and with secondary information received weight 0.4. A score for each category of medicinal use was calculated based on the books weights and the frequency of citation. A review about the current use of both plants was also performed from ethnobotanical studies published in journals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The traditional secular use of barks of barbatimão and oleoresin of copaiba to treat wounds was confirmed based on the historic bibliographic research. The most frequent use of barbatimão in a timeline of 500 years of Brazil's history, was as astringent, whereas for copaíba was as healing of skin and mucosal lesions. The continuous and current use of these plants to treat wounds, confirmed by recent ethnobotanical studies, is an indicative of the resilience of these remedies and their effectiveness. CONCLUSION: The use of preparations containing barbatimão barks and copaiba oleoresin can be considered effective in the treatment of wounds. Nonetheless, it is necessary to improve the quality of the formulas as established by WHO.

Resin glycosides evoke the Gaba release by sodium- and/or calcium-dependent mechanism.

Ipomoea tyrianthina Lindley (syn. I. orizabensis Pelletan, Lebed. ex Steud., Convolvulaceae) is known as a purgative, but it has been also used in Mexican traditional medicine in the treatment of seizures and pain for their anticonvulsive, hypnotic and sedative properties. Some glycolipids isolated from this plant have shown significant effects on Central Nervous System, modifying inhibitory or excitatory processes. The mechanism for such activity it is not clear; studies with these metabolites have suggested that a pore-forming mechanism is involved in their activity. Therefore, the present work explores a possible not pore-forming mechanism related to the effect of four resin glycosides, Scammonin 1 (S-1), tyrianthin C (T-C), tyrianthin A (T-A) and tyrianthinic acid VI (TA-VI), isolated from Ipomoea tyrianthina root on GABAergic transmission system in cerebral cortex slices of mouse brain in an in vitro model. The results obtained show that all glycolipids tested evoked endogenous GABA release and increased its concentration within the incubation medium compared with controls; T-C demonstrated a dose-dependent effect. Sodium absence and guvacine presence did not affect significantly the activity of S-1 and T-C in contrast to T-A and TA-VI. S-1 and T-C effects were calcium-dependent, where GABA concentrations were considerably reduced. These results suggest that the increase of endogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) released evoked by these glycolipids is possibly done through a Na+- and/or Ca2+-dependent mechanisms, discarding a pore-forming mechanism.

Immunostimulatory activity in mammalian cells of 3, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone ((-)-alpinone) isolated from Heliotropium huascoense resinous exudate / Actividad inmunoestimulante en células de mamífero de 3, 5-dihidroxi-7-metoxiflavanona ((-)-alpinona) aislada del exudado resinoso de Heliotropium huascoense

The flavonoid 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone ((-)-alpinone) isolated from sticky resinous exudate of Heliotropium huascoense was evaluated as immunostimulatory in mammalian cells . Preliminary observations had showed that (-)-alpinone had increased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine transcripts in salmonid. Due to high morbidity and mortality that infectious diseases cause in humans, we evaluate the effect of (-)-alpinone as an immunostimulant in mammalian cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by macrophages activators for the destruction of pathogens; we evaluated (-)-alpinone effect in ROS generation and the proliferation of macrophages. The results showed that proliferation in Raw 264.7 cells treated with 10 and 25 µg/mL of (-)-alpinone had a significant increase in macrophage proliferation. In relation to ROS formation, cells treated with 1 and 5 µg/mL of (-)-alpinone, induce ROS formation in macrophages.

El flavonoide 3,5-dihidroxi-7-metoxiflavanona ((-)-alpinona) aislado del exudado resinoso de Heliotropium huascoense se evaluó como inmunoestimulador en células de mamíferos. Resultados preliminares habían demostrado que (-)-alpinona aumentaba los niveles de expresión de transcritos de citoquinas proinflamatorias en salmónidos. Debido a la alta morbilidad y mortalidad que causan las enfermedades infecciosas en los humanos, evaluamos el efecto de (-)-alpinona como inmunoestimulante en células de mamíferos. Dado que las especies de oxígeno reactivo (ROS) son producidas por macrófagos activados para la destrucción de patógenos, se evaluó el efecto de (- )-alpinona en la generación de ROS y la proliferación de macrófagos. Los resultados mostraron que la proliferación en células Raw264.7 tratadas con 10 y 25 µg / mL del flavonoíde tuvo un aumento significativo en la proliferación de macrófagos. En relación con la formación de ROS, las células tratadas con 1 y 5 µg/mL de (-)-alpinona, inducen la formación de ROS en los macrófagos.

Gastroprotective activity of the resin from Virola oleifera.

CONTEXT: The resin from the trunk wood of Virola oleifera (Schott) A. C. Smith (Myristicaceae) is used in folk medicine to hasten wound repair and to treat pain and inflammatory conditions, and our previous report indicated the anti-oxidative properties in other oxidative stress model. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of resin from V. oleifera in two experimental models of gastric ulcer oxidative-stress dependent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant material was collected and the resin was subjected to partitioning with organic solvents. The buthanol fraction was subjected to chromatographic and spectrometric methods for isolation and structural elucidation. The resin was quantified for polyphenols and flavonoids by colorimetric methods. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of resin was determined by three different methods. The ulcers were induced acutely in Swiss male mice with ethanol/HCl and indomethacin using single-doses of 10 and 100 mg/kg. The gastroprotection of the experimental groups was comparable to reference control lansoprazole (3 mg/kg). RESULTS: The high content of polyphenols (∼82%) and the presence of epicatechin and eriodictyol were determined. The LD50 was estimated at 2500 mg/kg. At minimum (10 mg/kg) and maximum (100 mg/kg) dosage of resin, both in ethanol/HCl as indomethacin ulcer induction models demonstrate reduction of lesions (minimum: ∼97% and ∼66%; maximum: ∼95% and ∼59%). DISCUSSION: The gastroprotection might be related to tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids present in the resin by antioxidant properties. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that this resin has gastroprotective activity probably associated with the presence of phenolic antioxidant substances.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of six pentacyclic triterpenes isolated from the Mexican copal resin of Bursera copallifera.

BACKGROUND: Bursera copallifera (Burseraceae) releases a resin known as "copal ancho" which has been used, since pre-Colombian times, as ceremonially burned incense and to treat tooth ache, tumors, arthritis, cold, cough, and various inflammatory conditions; however, its anti-inflammatory potential is poorly studied. The aim of the present study was to isolate, quantify, and to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of triterpene compounds isolated from the copal resin of B. copallifera. METHODS: The constituents present in the total resin of B. copallifera were obtained by successive chromatographic procedures, and quantitative analysis was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated triterpenes were investigated to determine their inhibitory effects on phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced edema in mice, viability and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2 and secretory Phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activities in vitro. RESULTS: Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the copal resin showed the presence of six pentacyclic triterpenes of which, 3-epilupeol (59.75 % yield) and α-amyrin (21.1 % yield) are the most abundant. Among the isolated triterpenes, 3-epilupeol formiate (Inhibitory Concentration 50 % (IC50) = 0.96 µmol), α.amyrin acetate (IC50 = 1.17 µmol), lupenone (IC50 = 1.05 µmol), and 3-epilupeol (IC50 = 0.83 µmol) showed marked inhibition of the edema induced by TPA in mice. α-amyrin acetate and 3-epilupeol acetate, at 70 µM, also inhibited the activity of COX-2 by 62.85 and 73.28 % respectively, while α-amyrin and 3-epilupeol were the best inhibitors of the production of NO in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values of 15.5 and 8.98 µM respectively, and did not affected its viability. All compounds moderately inhibited the activity of PLA2. CONCLUSIONS: This work supports the folk use of B. copallifera and provides the basis for future investigations about the therapeutic use of this resin in treating inflammation.

Resin glycosides from Ipomoea wolcottiana as modulators of the multidrug resistance phenotype in vitro.

Recycling liquid chromatography was used for the isolation and purification of resin glycosides from the CHCl3-soluble extracts prepared using flowers of Ipomoea wolcottiana Rose var. wolcottiana. Bioassay-guided fractionation, using modulation of both antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant strains of Gram-negative bacteria and vinblastine susceptibility in breast carcinoma cells, was used to isolate the active glycolipids as modulators of the multidrug resistance phenotype. An ester-type dimer, wolcottine I, one tetra- and three pentasaccharides, wolcottinosides I-IV, in addition to the known intrapilosin VII, were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. In vitro assays established that none of these metabolites displayed antibacterial activity (MIC>512 µg/mL) against multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, and two nosocomial pathogens: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Shigella flexneri; however, when tested (25 µg/mL) in combination with tetracycline, kanamycin or chloramphenicol, they exerted a potentiation effect of the antibiotic susceptibility up to eightfold (64 µg/mL from 512 µg/mL). It was also determined that these non-cytotoxic (CI50>8.68 µM) agents modulated vinblastine susceptibility at 25 µg/mL in MFC-7/Vin(+) cells with a reversal factor (RFMCF-7/Vin(+)) of 2-130 fold.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Fragrant Mexican Copal (Bursera spp.).

Copal is the Spanish word used to describe aromatic resins from several genera of plants. Mexican copal derives from several Bursera spp., Protium copal, some Pinus spp. (e.g., P. pseudostrobus) and a few Fabaceae spp. It has been used for centuries as incense for religious ceremonies, as a food preservative, and as a treatment for several illnesses. The aim of this review is to analyze the chemical composition and biological activity of commercial Mexican Bursera copal.

Resin from Virola oleifera Protects Against Radiocontrast-Induced Nephropathy in Mice.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an iatrogenic medical event for which there is not yet a successful therapy. Increasing evidence in rodents has suggested that this disease is associated with renal tubular and vascular injury that is triggered directly by oxidative stress. In the present study, we evaluated whether the antioxidant resin from Virola oleifera (RV) could attenuate renal damage in an experimental mouse model of CIN. Adult male Swiss mice were divided into six groups and pre-treated orally with RV (10, 100 and 300 mg/kg), N-acetylcysteine (200 mg/kg) or vehicle for 5 days before the induction of CIN and Control group. Renal function was assessed by measuring plasma creatinine and urea levels. Additionally, renal oxidative stress and apoptosis/cell viability were determined with flow cytometry. Finally, kidney tissues were sectioned for histopathological examination. In this CIN model, pre-treatment with RV improved renal function, lowered the mortality rate, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in both the medulla and cortex renal cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the RV treatment had beneficial effects on kidney histopathology that were superior to the standard treatment with N-acetylcysteine. These data suggest that because of its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects and its ability to preserve renal function, resin from Virola oleifera may have potential as a new therapeutic approach for preventing CIN.

The oil-resin of the tropical rainforest tree Copaifera langsdorffii reduces cell viability, changes cell morphology and induces cell death in human endometriotic stromal cultures.

OBJECTIVES: The hormonal treatment for endometriosis frequently fails to completely eradicate endometriotic implants. A new therapeutic treatment is needed. This study investigates the in-vitro effect of Copaifera langsdorffii oil-resin on human eutopic and ectopic endometrium stromal cell cultures (EuESCs and EctESCs). METHODS: A nanocomposite system containing the copaiba oil-resin (NanoCOR) was developed and acute toxicity test was performed. Endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from non-endometriotics controls (CESCs), EuESCs and EctESCs were isolated and treated with different concentrations of NanoCOR, at different time intervals to evaluate its effect on cell morphology, proliferation, viability, necrosis and apoptosis induction. KEY FINDINGS: When treated with 50 µg/ml of NanoCOR, the morphology of EctESCs changed, as the actin microfilaments were disorganized, disassembled or disrupted. Moreover, at 24 h of treatment with NanoCOR, the EctESCs viability was inhibited, and a significant number of these cells underwent apoptosis. In EuESCs, these effects were observed only at 48 h. Finally, the treatment of EctESCs with NanoCOR increased the lactate dehydrogenase release into the extracellular medium more than in EuESCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that NanoCOR has a greater impact on the behaviour of human endometriotic stromal cells than on the eutopic endometrium stromal cells, supporting the idea that NanoCOR should be further investigated as a novel and valuable alternative to treat endometriosis.

Psoralea glandulosa as a potential source of anticancer agents for melanoma treatment.

With the aim of identifying novel agents with antigrowth and pro-apoptotic activity on melanoma cancer, the present study was undertaken to investigate the biological activity of the resinous exudate of aerial parts from Psoralea glandulosa, and its active components (bakuchiol (1), 3-hydroxy-bakuchiol (2) and 12-hydroxy-iso-bakuchiol (3)) against melanoma cells (A2058). In addition, the effect in cancer cells of bakuchiol acetate (4), a semi-synthetic derivative of bakuchiol, was examined. The results obtained show that the resinous exudate inhibited the growth of cancer cells with IC50 value of 10.5 µg/mL after 48 h of treatment, while, for pure compounds, the most active was the semi-synthetic compound 4. Our data also demonstrate that resin is able to induce apoptotic cell death, which could be related to an overall action of the meroterpenes present. In addition, our data seem to indicate that the apoptosis correlated to the tested products appears, at least in part, to be associated with an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In summary, our study provides the first evidence that P. glandulosa may be considered a source of useful molecules in the development of analogues with more potent efficacy against melanoma cells.

Study of the chemical composition of the resinous exudate isolated from Psoralea glandulosa and evaluation of the antioxidant properties of the terpenoids and the resin / Estudio de la composición química del exudado resinoso aislado de Psoralea glandulosa y la evaluación de las propiedades antioxidantes de la resina y sus terpenoides

Otholobium glandulosum (L.) J.W. Grimes (= Psoralea glandulosa L.) (Fabaceae) is a resinous bush that grows in Chile. The chemical composition of its resinous exudate was determined for the first time. Three meroterpenic: bakuchiol (8), 3-hydroxybakuchiol (11), 12-hydroxyisobakuchiol (12) and a new compound kuchiol (13) were isolated and their structures were determined. The antioxidant activity of the terpenic compounds and resin was evaluated using the bleaching of DPPH radical, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Total Reactive Antioxidant Properties (TRAP) assays.

Otholobium glandulosum (L.) J.W. Grimes (= Psoralea glandulosa L.) (Fabaceae) es un arbusto resinoso que crece en Chile. La composición química de su exudado resinoso fue determinada por primera vez. Tres meroterpenos: bakuchiol (8), 3-hidroxibakuchiol (11), 12-hidroxiisobakuchiol (12) y un nuevo compuesto kuchiol (13) fueron aislados y sus estructuras fueron determinadas espectroscópicamente. La actividad antioxidante de los compuestos terpénicos y la resina se evaluó mediante tres métodos antioxidantes DPPH, Poder Reductor de Hierro III (FRAP) y Capacidad Antioxidante Total (TRAP).

Antifungal study of the resinous exudate and of meroterpenoids isolated from Psoralea glandulosa (Fabaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Psoralea glandulosa L. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal resinous shrub used in Chilean folk medicine as antiseptic in treatment of infections and skin diseases caused by bacteria and fungus. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of the resin and the active components from P. glandulosa against clinical yeast isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Active compounds were obtained of the resinous exudate from aerial parts of P. glandulosa. Eight species of yeast were exposed to the resin and two major compounds. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC(80)) was determined according to the standard broth microdilution method. RESULTS: Bakuchiol and 3-hydroxy-bakuchiol demonstrated potent activity with the MIC(80) ranging from 4 to >16 and 0.125 to 16 µg/mL, respectively. The resin had some degree of antifungal activity. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results provided important information for the potential application of the 3-hydroxy-bakuchiol from P. glandulosa in the therapy of serious infection and skin diseases caused by clinical yeast.

Morning glory resin glycosides as modulators of antibiotic activity in multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Twenty-six microbiologically inactive (MIC > 512 µg/mL) convolvulaceous resin glycosides ( 1- 26) were tested for resistance modulatory activity in vitro against Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami and two nosocomial pathogens, Salmonella typhi and Shigella flexneri. These compounds exerted a potentiation effect of the clinically useful antibiotics tetracycline, kanamycin, and chloramphenicol against the tested gram-negative bacteria by increasing antibiotic susceptibility up to 32-fold at concentrations of 25 µg/mL. Therefore, the oligosaccharides from the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) represent metabolites that reverse microbial resistance mechanisms, favoring an increase in the strength and effectiveness of current antibiotics that are not effective in the treatment of refractive infections caused by multidrug-resistant strains.

Chios mastic gum extracts as a potent antitumor agent that inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of oral cancer cells.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to investigate Chios mastic gum (CMG) extract as an potential anti-tumor agent for oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro. METHODS: We designed a study to examine the effects of CMG extracts on growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, YD-10B and to determine whether the extracts could induce apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3, using the common chemotherapeutic agent Paclitaxel (Taxol, Bristol-Myers Squibb) as a control. RESULTS: MTT assay suggested that both CMG and Taxol inhibited the proliferation of YD-10B cells in a time and dose dependent manner. Moreover, 10 µg/mL of CMG and 50 µg/mL of Taxol caused fragmentation of the genomic DNA at 24 hour. Finally, 10 µg/mL of CMG and 50 µg/mL of Taxol caused cleavage of procaspase-3 in western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest CMG's potential as an anti-tumor agent.