Brazilian Medicinal Plant Research Articles

In vitro antiviral activity of Brazilian plants (Maytenus ilicifolia and Aniba rosaeodora) against bovine herpesvirus type 5 and avian metapneumovirus

Context: Medicinal plants are well known for their use in traditional folk medicine as treatments for many diseases including infectious diseases.Objective: Six Brazilian medicinal plant species were subjected to an antiviral screening bioassay to investigate and evaluate their biological activities against five viruses: bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BHV-5), avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), murine hepatitis virus type 3, porcine parvovirus and bovine respiratory syncytial virus.Materials and methods: The antiviral activity was determined by a titration technique that depends on the ability of plant extract dilutions (25 or 2.5 µg/mL) to inhibit the viral induced cytopathic effect and the extracts’ inhibition percentage (IP).Results: Two medicinal plant species showed potential antiviral activity. The Aniba rosaeodora Ducke (Lauraceae) extract had the best results, with 90% inhibition of viral growth at 2.5 µg/mL when the extract was added during the replication period of the aMPV infection cycle. The Maytenus ilicifolia (Schrad.) Planch. (Celastraceae) extracts at a concentration of 2.5 µg/mL exhibited antiviral activity during the attachment phase of BHV-5 (IP = 100%).Discussion and conclusion: The biomonitored fractionation of the active extracts from M. ilicifolia and A. rosaeodora could be a potential tool for identifying their active compounds and determining the exact mechanism of action.

Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Some Brazilian Medicinal Plants

Plants are promising sources of new bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic potential of nine plants found in Brazil. The species studied were: Annona pickelii Diels (Annonaceae), Annona salzmannii A. DC. (Annonaceae), Guatteria blepharophylla Mart. (Annonaceae), Guatteria hispida (R. E. Fr.) Erkens & Maas (Annonaceae), Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae), Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (Clusiaceae), Lippia gracilis Schauer (Verbenaceae), and Hyptis calida Mart. Ex Benth (Lamiaceae). Different types of extractions from several parts of plants resulted in 43 extracts. Their cytotoxicity was tested against HCT-8 (colon carcinoma), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), SF-295 (glioblastoma), and HL-60 (promielocitic leukemia) human tumor cell lines, using the thiazolyl blue test (MTT) assay. The active extracts were those obtained from G. blepharophylla, G. hispida, J. curcas, K. rugosa, and L. gracilis. In addition, seven compounds isolated from the active extracts were tested; among them, β-pinene found in G. hispida and one coumarin isolated from K. rugora showed weak cytotoxic activity. In summary, this manuscript contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of Brazilian plants as sources of new anticancer drugs.

Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne: A Brazilian medicinal plant with gastric and duodenal anti-ulcer and antidiarrheal effects in experimental rodent models

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne (Fabaceae) is a medicinal species commonly found in the Brazilian savannah. The stem bark of this medicinal plant, popularly known as “jatobá-do-cerrado”, is widely used in tea form to treat gastric pain, ulcers, diarrhoea and inflammation, whereas its fruits pulp is edible. Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to investigate the antidiarrheal and anti-ulcer effects of a methanolic extract derived from the stem bark (MHs) and diet with fruit pulp of H. stigonocarpa. Materials and methodsThe antidiarrheal action of MHs was measured against the intestinal motility and diarrhoea induced by castor oil in mice. The preventive action of MHs (50, 100, 150 and 200mg/Kg, by oral route (p.o.)) against peptic ulcers was evaluated in experimental rodent models challenged with absolute ethanol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) (200mg/Kg, p.o.) and cysteamine (200mg/Kg, p.o.). The main anti-ulcer mechanisms of action of MHs were analysed as follows: evaluation of the gastric juice parameters, assessment of mucus adherence to the gastric wall, determination of the role of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl compounds (SH), glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The healing effects from MHs (200mg/Kg) and diet with fruit pulp (10%) against gastric and duodenal ulcers induced by acetic acid were also evaluated by treating rats over 7 or 14 consecutive days of treatment. ResultsThe phytochemical profile of MHs and fruit pulp indicated the presence of phenolic compounds (mainly flavonoids and condensed tannins). MHs (200mg/Kg, p.o.) displayed an antidiarrheal effect and were able to protect gastric mucosa against absolute ethanol (68% protection) and also against the injurious effect of NSAIDs (86% protection) when compared to the group treated with vehicle. These results were accompanied by the prevention of GSH depletion and an inhibition of MPO activity when compared to animals treated with vehicle (P<0.05). MHs markedly protected duodenal mucosa against injuries caused by cysteamine (98%) and also against I/R induced gastric ulceration (80%) when compared to the group treated with vehicle. Furthermore, MHs also prevented the GSH depletion of gastric mucosa relative to the control group treated with vehicle. NO appeared to be involved in this gastroprotective effect. MHs and diet with fruit pulp clearly demonstrated gastric healing actions after treatment for 7 (MHs – 53% inhibition) or 14 days (MHs – 60% inhibition and fruit pulp – 61% inhibition). Treatment with diet with fruit pulp for 7 days demonstrates a significant duodenal healing effect (71% inhibition) without any signs of toxicity. ConclusionsMHs clearly demonstrate antidiarrheal, gastroprotective and cicatrising effects in experimental gastric and duodenal ulcers, and the diet with fruit pulp displays duodenal healing effects. The observed effects may be associated with the antioxidant effect, which may be due the presence of condensed tannins and flavonoids in the bark and fruit of H. stigonocarpa.

Comprometimento da tradução de Systema Materiae Medicae Vegetabilis Brasiliensis de Martius

A viagem de Martius e Spix pelo território brasileiro no século XIX gerou diversas obras, entre elas uma publicada em latim por Martius sobre plantas medicinais aqui então utilizadas. No trabalho datado de 1843, Martius lista mais de 800 espécies, ordenando-as em um sistema de classes de substâncias. Esta importante fonte de informações sobre plantas medicinais e para estudos em etnobotânica histórica foi traduzida para o português por Henrique Velloso d'Oliveira em 1854, com o intuito de torná-la mais acessível aos leitores em geral. A tradução apresenta graves inconsistências com o comprometimento da citação das espécies, incluindo criação de nomes botânicos a partir de comentários taxonômicos do autor original, omissões e adições de usos, propriedades, preparos, indicações, comparações, interpretações, além de outras questões botânicas. Alguns erros de tradução sugerem o desconhecimento de questões taxonômicas e morfológicas, contribuindo ainda mais para a descaracterização do original. A tradução altera o original a tal ponto que deve ser desconsiderada para fins de estudos sobre as plantas medicinais no Brasil. O texto original no entanto continua sendo uma rica fonte de informações sobre este tema.

The diversity, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of endophytic fungi associated with the medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) from the Brazilian savannah

The diversity and biological activities of the endophytic fungi associated with the Brazilian medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens were studied. A total of 320 fungal isolates were obtained, and 66 phylotypes comprising 25 genera were identified. The fungal community of S. adstringens displayed high richness, diversity and low dominance indices. The most abundant phylotypes were closely related to Diaporthe phaseolorum, Guignardia camelliae, and Preussia pseudominima. Sixteen fungal extracts displayed biological activities when screened against bacteria, fungi, cancer cell lines, and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The extract of phylotype Nigrospora cf. oryzae exhibited a selective antifungal activity and inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The extracts of Diaporthe cf. phaseolorum and Xylaria sp. phylotypes displayed anticancer activities. Our results indicate that the endophytes associate with this medicinal plant may be a source for novel drugs.

Activity of compounds isolated fromBaccharis dracunculifolia D.C. (Asteraceae)against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America which requires prolonged treatment with highly toxic antifungals. Baccharis dracunculifolia is a medicinal plant in Brazil that is a candidate in the search for new drugs. Fractions of the hexanic extracts were obtained using chromatographic procedures and assessed using an antifungal assay with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb18), tumor cell lines and amastigote forms of Leishmania, L. amazonensis. Four compounds were isolated, i.e., ursolic acid (1), methyl linolenate (2), caryophyllene oxide (3), and trans-nerolidol (4). Compounds 2, 3 and 4 displayed antifungal activity against four isolates of Paracocci dioides with MIC values ranging from 3.9-250 μg/ml. Only caryophyllene oxide showed differences in the MIC values against Pb18 when the medium was supplemented with ergosterol, which suggested that the compound interacts with ergosterol. Ursolic acid was active in the cytotoxic assays and showed leishmanicidal activity. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that compounds 2, 3 and 4 decreased the cell size and produced an irregular cell wall surface on P. brasiliensis cells. The present results showed the biological activities of the isolated compounds and revealed that these compounds may affect the cell surface and growth of P. brasiliensis isolates.

Screening of Brazilian medicinal plants for antiviral activity against rotavirus

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBrazilian medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhoea were investigated for their in vitro antiviral activity against the simian rotavirus SA11. Materials and methodsThe ethanolic crude extracts of plants collected in the cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil were submitted to phytochemical screening. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was inferred by cellular morphologic alterations. Antiviral activity was assessed by the ability of the extracts to inhibit the cytopathic effect (CPE) of rotavirus on the treated cells. RT-PCR was performed to confirm and/or confront antiviral assay data. ResultsThe maximum non-toxic concentration ranged from 50 to 500μg/mL. All extracts were toxic at a concentration of 5000μg/mL but no extract showed cytotoxicity at 50μg/mL. The species Byrsonima verbascifolia, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Eugenia dysenterica and Hymenaea courbaril exhibited the strongest in vitro activity against rotavirus. Their extracts prevented the formation of CPE, and RT-PCR analysis detected no amplification of genetic material from rotavirus. Tannins, flavonoids, saponins, coumarins and terpenes were the major classes of natural products found in the leaf extracts that showed antiviral activity. ConclusionAmong the species studied, Byrsonima verbascifolia, Eugenia dysenterica, Hymenaea courbaril and Myracrodruon urundeuva showed potential activity against rotavirus and are worthy of further study. The present study corroborates ethnopharmacological data as a valuable source in the selection of plants with antiviral activity and to some extent validates their traditional uses.

An ethnomedicinal survey on phytotherapy with professionals and patients from Basic Care Units in the Brazilian Unified Health System

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn this study, an ethnomedicinal survey was conducted in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, with professionals and patients in the Unified Health System (SUS). With the approval of the National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines, and with the adoption of a National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices in the SUS in Brazil, there is growing concern regarding Brazilian medicinal plants and their proper use in medicine. The expansion of the therapeutic options offered to the users of the SUS includes access to medicinal plants and herbal drugs, as well as related services, such as phytotherapy. For improving health and for the social inclusion of phytotherapies, safety, efficacy, and quality are important strategies. Materials and methodsInterviews of both professionals and patients were conducted at five Basic Care Units, and a sample size of 393 was obtained. ResultsOf the patients attending the Basic Care Units, 91.6% had experienced the use of medicinal plants at least once to treat certain diseases. Of the professionals, 65% had used medicinal plants but only 10% prescribed phytotherapeutics to their patients. Generally, the users were homemakers (26%) of the female gender (71.5%) who were older than 60 years (26%) and had a family income between 1 and 2 Brazilian minimal salaries. The professionals were predominantly female (80%), and a high proportion (80%) believed in the positive effects of phytotherapy (80%), even though these professionals had not been taught phytotherapy as undergraduate students (75%) and had not discussed the topic with their teachers (85%). Patients (81.5%) and professionals (45%) reported that their knowledge of medicinal plants came from their parents or grandparents. From a total of 66 different herbs used by the subjects, mauve (24%) was the most commonly used, often to treat toothaches (24.2%). ConclusionIt is concluded that a high proportion of users and professionals made use of medicinal plants, and of the large number of plants mentioned in the questionnaire, mauve was the most commonly used, mainly for the treatment of toothaches. The major source of the transmission of knowledge concerning herbal medicine was parents or grandparents.

Anthropometric measures and vagal indexes of heart rate variability in a population with a high prevalence of Chagas disease—differences according to obesity status

The diversity and biological activities of the endophytic fungi associated with the Brazilian medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens were studied. A total of 320 fungal isolates were obtained, and 66 phylotypes comprising 25 genera were identified. The fungal community of S. adstringens displayed high richness, diversity and low dominance indices. The most abundant phylotypes were closely related to Diaporthe phaseolorum, Guignardia camelliae, and Preussia pseudominima. Sixteen fungal extracts displayed biological activities when screened against bacteria, fungi, cancer cell lines, and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The extract of phylotype Nigrospora cf. oryzae exhibited a selective antifungal activity and inhibited the growth of Candida albicans and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The extracts of Diaporthe cf. phaseolorum and Xylaria sp. phylotypes displayed anticancer activities. Our results indicate that the endophytes associate with this medicinal plant may be a source for novel drugs.

Evaluation of the schistosomicidal activity of the steroidal alkaloids from Solanum lycocarpum fruits

Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae), a Brazilian medicinal plant known as "wolf fruit," contains about 1.5% of glycoalkaloids in its dried fruits, consisting mainly of solamargine and solasonine. The present work reports the obtainment of the alkaloidic extract of the S. lycocarpum fruit by acid-base extraction and the isolation of the major alkaloid heterosides by chromatographic means, as well as the evaluation of their in vitro schistosomicidal activities. The in vitro schistosomicidal activities of the alkaloidic extract of S. lycocarpum fruits and its isolated steroidal alkaloids were undertaken against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The alkaloidic extract (20, 32, and 50 μg mL(-1)), solasonine (50 μM), solamargine (32 and 50 μM), and equimolar mixture of glycoalkaloids (20, 32, and 50 μM) lead to the separation of all couple worms and extensive disruption on their teguments, such as sloughing, as well as their deaths within 24 h of incubation. In addition, the alkaloidic extract (10 and 15 μg mL(-1)), solasonine (50 μM), solamargine (10, 15, and 20 μM), and equimolar mixtures of glycoalkaloids (10 and 15 μM) reduced the development of eggs produced by the adult worms. Solamargine, containing the sugar chain moiety chacotriose, was more active than the solasonine, which contains solatriose sugar chain moiety. A synergistic effect was also observed for a mixture of solamargine and solasonine. Therefore, the alkaloidic extract of S. lycocarpum, and its major components, solamargine and solasonine, showed promising schistosomicidal activity.

Comercialização de plantas medicinais no contexto da cadeia produtiva em Minas Gerais

A Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) contribuiu para o incremento do uso e conhecimento das plantas medicinais brasileiras, incentivando e respaldando o cultivo por agricultores familiares e a inserção no mercado. O Programa de Desenvolvimento de Plantas Medicinais prioriza ações em toda a cadeia produtiva do cultivo à distribuição. O conhecimento da demanda e dos padrões de qualidade adequados permite que distribuidores e consumidores possam tomar decisões sobre a aquisição e oferta dos produtos medicinais. Entretanto, há carência de informações e tecnologias na cadeia produtiva, o que desfavorece o seu pleno desenvolvimento, condizente com o potencial de geração de renda e promoção da saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e analisar o padrão atual de obtenção e comercialização de plantas medicinais no Mercado Central de Belo Horizonte. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com amostra representativa de 9 comerciantes das 23 lojas de plantas medicinais do Mercado Central, de acordo com o critério de acessibilidade descrito por Berquó. Os resultados demonstraram a precariedade desse setor quanto à obtenção das plantas medicinais, principalmente pela falta de conhecimento e informações na aquisição e venda dos produtos pelos consumidores e vendedores, respectivamente.

Diversity and antimicrobial activities of the fungal endophyte community associated with the traditional Brazilian medicinal plant Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae)

The diversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi associated with the Brazilian medicinal plant Solanum cernuum Vell. were studied during summer and winter seasons. A total of 246 fungal isolates were obtained, including 225 filamentous fungi and 21 yeasts. They were identified by morphological, physiological, and molecular methods. Fifty-five different taxa represented by the phyla Ascomycota (33 taxa), Basidiomycota (21 taxa), and Zygomycota (one taxon) were identified. The most abundant taxa were closely related to Arthrobotrys foliicola , Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , Coprinellus radians , Glomerella acutata , Diatrypella frostii , Phoma glomerata , Mucor sp., Phlebia subserialis , Phoma moricola , Phanerochaete sordida , and Colletotrichum sp. A total of 265 fungal extracts were screened and 64 (26.01%) displayed antimicrobial activities. Among these extracts, 18 (28.12%) presented antibacterial and antifungal activities, 42 (65.62%) displayed selective antibacterial activity, and four (6.25%) exhibited only antifungal activity. The best values of minimum inhibitory concentration were obtained from extracts of Cryptococcus rajasthanensis , Glomerella acutata, Leptosphaeria sp., and Phoma glomerata ranging from 7.8 to 15.62µg/mL. This study is the first survey of the endophytic fungi community associated with S. cernuum, and our results show that they can represent a promising source of bioactive compounds.

Effectiveness of Vernonia scorpioides ethanolic extract against skin inflammatory processes

Ethnopharmacological relevanceVernonia scorpioides (Asteraceae) is a native Brazilian medicinal plant that is commonly used to treat skin disorders. Considering the traditional use of Vernonia scorpioides and the lack of information about its pharmacological properties, we investigated the topical anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract of Vernonia scorpioides (EEVS) on acute and chronic cutaneous inflammation models in mouse. Materials and methodsThe topical anti-inflammatory effect of EEVS was evaluated against acute models (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced mouse ear oedema) and chronic models (multiple applications of croton oil). ResultsThe EEVS caused a dose-related inhibition of oedema in both the TPA- and AA-induced acute models (DI50=0.24 and 0.68mg/ear with an inhibition of 80±5% and 65±5%, respectively, for 1mg/ear). In addition, the TPA-induced increase in myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) in the ear was reduced (77±8%) by the topical application of EEVS. In the chronic model, the EEVS reduced all parameters evaluated: oedema formation (31±2%), epidermal hyperproliferation (histology) and MPO (25±10%). However, the topical treatment of EEVS had no effect on N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase activity. The EEVS effectively interfered in the ear oedema on the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by oxazolone. The topical treatment with EEVS performed on both phases or only on the elicitation phase caused the inhibition of the ear oedema-induced by oxazolone in 42.9% and 63.4%, respectively, when compared to control animals (sensitized and challenged). ConclusionsThe results suggest that EEVS is effective as a topical anti-inflammatory agent in acute and chronic inflammatory processes and that its action is markedly influenced by the inhibition of neutrophil migration into inflamed tissue as well as by epidermal hyperproliferation.

Relative antioxidant activity of Brazilian medicinal plants for gastrointestinal diseases

The free radical scavenging capacity of Brazilian medicinal plants and some of their constituents was examined in vitro using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) quantitative assay. Twelve medicinal plants, used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (Alchornea glandulosa, Alchornea triplinervia, Anacardium humile, Byrsonima crassa,Byrsonima cinera, Byrsonima intermedia, Davilla elliptica, Davilla nitida, Mouriri pusa,Qualea grandiflora, Qualea parviflora and Qualea multiflora), were selected because they showed antiulcerogenic activity in previous studies. The radical scavenging methanolic extracts activity demonstrated to be dose-dependent. The efficient concentration, which represents the amount of the antioxidant able of decrease the initial DPPH radical by 50%, vary from < 5 to 17.2 µg/ml. The lowest efficient concentration values among the analyzed plant were shown by A. humile, B. crassa and Q. parviflora. Purified phenolic compounds (amentoflavone, (+)-catechin, methyl gallate, quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside) were also tested and the greatest antioxidant activities were obtained with (+)-catechin and methyl gallate, similar to quercetin, a phenolic compound used as standard. Key words: Brazilian medicinal plants, antioxidant activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), gastric ulcers.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition by somes promising Brazilian medicinal plants

A microplate assay and a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) "in situ" assay based on the Ellman assay was used to screen for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Brazilian medicinal plants of families that, according to the literature, have traditional uses that might be connected with acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Eighteen species belonging to Convolvulaceae, Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Moraceae, Nyctaginaceae and Rutaceae families were tested. The most active plants were Ipomoea asarifolia (IC50 = 0.12 mg/mL), Jatropha curcas (IC50 = 0.25 mg/mL), Jatropha gossypiifolia (IC50 = 0.05 mg/mL), Kalanchoe brasiliensis (IC50 = 0.16 mg/mL) and Senna alata (IC50 = 0.08 mg/mL). The most promising extracts were the Jatropha gossypiifolia and Senna alata species assuming there were compounds with a similar activity to galanthamine, which should contain about 1% of an active compound, or if present at lower levels even more active compounds than galanthamine (IC50 = 0.37 x 10-3 mg/mL) should be present.

NMR based Metabolomic Investigation of the Brazilian Medicinal Plant Carqueja: Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC

In 2010 the ANVISA (the Brazilian Agency equivalent to the FDA in the USA) recognized 66 species of plants as medicinal plants and regulated its use [1]. Of most of these species only limited phytochemical information is available and doubts exist about the active components. On several species we iniciated research with the objective to obtain the phytochemical fingerprints and relate them to the pharmacological activities.

Plants from Solanaceae family with possible anxiolytic effect reported on 19th century's Brazilian medical journal

In the beginning of the 19th century, the first Brazilian scientific knowledge journal on medicinal plants the Gazetas Médicas was launch reporting Brazilian medicinal plants belonging to several botanical families. The aim of this study was research the Solanaceae species that were described as anxiolytics in the 19th century's Brazilian Medical Gazettes and to make a revision about these species in literature. A taxonomic update, together a careful research about ethnopharmacological, pharmacological and phytochemical, patent process and reports of phytomedicines, was carried out for these Solanaceae species. In this research were found thirteen plants, but the taxonomic update reduced this number to six species. Among them, Physalis angulata L. and Solanum nigrum L. were studied and showed depressor activity on central nervous system (CNS) as described in Gazetas Médicas. This research showed that Solanaceae species reported in this study has potential as anxiolytic drugs and should be investigated more deeply.

Jacaranda cuspidifoliaMart. (Bignoniaceae) as an Antibacterial Agent

This study evaluated, in vitro, the antimicrobial activity of the hexane extract (JCHE), methanol extract (JCME), and chloroform fraction (JCCF) of bark from Jacaranda cuspidifolia Mart. (Family Bignoniaceae), a Brazilian medicinal plant, traditionally used as anti-syphilis and anti-gonorrhea treatment. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method followed by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. JCHE was not active against the bacteria evaluated. JCME presented antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae with MIC values of 16.3 mg/mL, 9.1 mg/mL, and 25.2 mg/mL, respectively. JCCF was active against Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, S. pyogenes, Enterobacter aerogenes, and N. gonorrhoeae with MIC values of 18.3 mg/mL, 9.3 mg/mL, 6.3 mg/mL, 6.1 mg/mL, 9.2 mg/mL, 6.2 mg/mL, and 25.2 mg/mL, respectively. Phytochemical analysis of JCME and JCCF gave positive results for saponins, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, quinones, alkaloids, triterpenes, and steroids. Verbascoside was isolated and identified as a major peak in JCME and JCCF high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints and might contribute to the observed antimicrobial activity.

Implementation of the Three Rs in the Human Hazard Assessment of Brazilian Medicinal Plants: An Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Potentials of Dipteryx alata Vogel

In Brazil, medicinal plants are widely used by the indigenous people, which leads to a constant requirement for toxicity tests to be performed on the plant extracts. Although the current Brazilian Directive 90/2004 on the preclinical toxicity testing of phytotherapeutics recommends only in vivo tests, some Brazilian researchers would like to change this situation by implementing the Three Rs in the toxicological testing of medicinal plants. The present study evaluated the cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials of bark extracts from Dipteryx alata Vogel, a medicinal plant of the Brazilian cerrado, by using CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary) cells. An IC50 value was obtained, which corresponded to 0.16mg/ml of plant extract, and from this the equivalent LD50 was determined as 705mg/kg. In order to determine the genotoxic potential of the sample, the frequency of micronucleus formation was assessed. CHO-K1 cells were exposed, during targeted mitosis, to different concentrations of plant extract and cytochalasin B, in the presence and absence of an appropriate metabolic activation system (an S9 mix). The results obtained indicated that it might be possible to implement the Three Rs in assessing the potential human hazard of medicinal plants. The publication of such data can increase awareness of the Three Rs by showing how to optimise the management of animal use, if in vivo toxicological experiments are required.

Eight New Clerodane Diterpenoids from the Bark of Ptychopetalum olacoides

Eight new clerodane type diterpenoids, named 7-oxo-kolavelool (1), 7alpha-hydroxykolavelool (2), 6alpha,7alpha-dihydroxykolavenol (3), 12-oxo-hardwickiic acid (4), ptycholide I (5), ptycholide II (6), ptycholide III (7), and ptycholide IV (8) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the bark of a Brazilian medicinal plant, Ptychopetalum olacoides. The structures of 1-8 were elucidated by analyzing spectroscopic data and by comparing their NMR data with those of the previously reported compounds kolavelool (la), kolavenol (3a), hardwickiic acid (4a), and ptychonolide (5a). Compounds 5 and 6 existed as a 1:1 mixture of inseparable epimers at C-15.