Garcinia Brasiliensis Research Articles

Garcinia brasiliensis Leaves Extracts Inhibit the Development of Ascitic and Solid Ehrlich Tumors.

Background:Garcinia brasiliensis is traditionally known for its medicinal properties. Objectives: Here, we investigated the effects of crude extract (CE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) obtained from G. brasiliensis leaves on the ascitic (EA) and solid (ES) forms of Ehrlich tumors. Methods: Induced and uninduced BALB/c mice were treated intramuscularly, for 7 or 14 days, with saline solution or CE and EAF, both at a 10% concentration, based on in vitro cytotoxicity assessment. Biochemical analyses were also performed to evaluate in vivo cytotoxicity. In relation to tumor-induced animals, morphological changes, plasma enzymes, inflammatory mediators and the induction of apoptosis were analyzed, in addition to histopathological studies, to evaluate the inhibition of tumor growth. Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were regulated by CE and EAF administration. Furthermore, both treatments were effective in inhibiting tumor growth in EA and ES by modulating the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, decreasing mast cells numbers and inducing apoptosis. Conclusions: This research indicates that both CE and EAF from G. brasiliensis leaves have potential antitumor effects with low cytotoxicity.

Evaluation of Microcapsules Rich in Carotenoids Extracted from Bacupari (Garcinia Brasiliensis) Peels as a Way of Using Food Waste

Evaluation of Microcapsules Rich in Carotenoids Extracted from Bacupari (Garcinia Brasiliensis) Peels as a Way of Using Food Waste

Synergism between molecules derived from Garcinia brasiliensis and antimicrobial drugs on field isolates of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) is one of the smallest free-living bacteria found in nature; it has an extremely small genome and lacks a cell wall. It is the main etiological agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia (EP), a chronic respiratory disease with worldwide distribution that causes significant losses in swine production. Due to the great economic impact caused by EP, new strategies for treating and controlling this agent are researched. The objective of this study was to verify the anti-M. hyopneumoniae activity of compounds derived from Garcinia brasiliensis and the synergism with the main antimicrobials used in the treatment of EP; this is the first study assessing the synergism between bioactive molecules and antimicrobial compounds in vitro against isolates of M. hyopneumoniae. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the antimicrobials tiamulin, valnemulin, and enrofloxacin, as well as the bioactive compounds guttiferone-A (Gut-A), 7-epiculsone (7-Epic), copper 7-epiculsone (7-Epic-Cu), and benzophenone, were determined. Subsequently, the interactions of antibiotics with the compounds were evaluated using the checkerboard method. Three field M. hyopneumoniae isolates were used, and the J strain was used as a control. The MIC values of the antimicrobials compared to the field isolates were equal to and lower than those of the reference strain J. Among the compounds used, 7-Epic-Cu showed the lowest MIC value. Synergistic association was observed for Gut-A with tiamulin and valnemulin, whereas 7-Epic and 7-Epic-Cu showed synergistic action with enrofloxacin. No synergistic effect was observed for benzophenone. Despite being an initial study, the results suggest that these combinations hold promise for the treatment of infections caused by M. hyopneumoniae.

Plants from Brazil with Potential Photoprotective Activity: A Review

Background: Skin cancer due the solar radiation is an important public health issue in Brazil. Sunscreen formulations protect the skin from the harmful effects of solar radiation. Plants products can have photoprotective compounds that can be incorporated into sunscreen formulations which attend a demand of society for the use of natural compounds in different cosmetics. This review aims to summarize studies that evaluated the photoprotective activity of plants in Brazil in the last ten years. Materials and Methods: A search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases, using the descriptors Brazilian natural products, photoprotection, natural sunscreen, plant extract, and photoprotective activity. Results: A total of 392 manuscripts were retrieved in the databases searched. After applying the criteria of inclusion and exclusion, thirty-six papers were selected, followed by a final screen resulting in twenty-nine. Plant extracts and oils were tested in these studies. The solar photoprotector factor was determined in vitro in most studies. Only three studies were performed in tests in vivo and there were no clinical studies with an adequate sample effort. Conclusion: Several plant extracts demonstrated promising solar photoprotective activity in vitro, such as Erythrina velutina, Dalbergia monetaria, and Garcinia brasiliensis, which recommend complementary studies for use in sunscreens formulations as most of the studies with Brazilian plants were focused on preliminary analyses in the last decade.

Identification of bioactive compounds, morphology, and nutritional composition of bacupari (Garcinia brasiliensis (Mart)) pulp powder in two stages of maturation – A short communication

In view of the low exploitation Garcinia brasiliensis and its richness in bioactive compounds, this article is justified by the need to develop a product which adds value to this fruit. The objective was to develop bacupari pulp powder (BPP) in two stages of maturation and to evaluate its physicochemical, microstructural and bioactive properties. Data showed that BPP can be considered as a source of fiber (≅16g.100-1/ P<0.05), a result verified via scanning electron microscopy. The immature pulp can be considered as a source of protein, as it contains>6g.100-1. Regarding the antioxidant content, it was found that the ABTS method showed the best result (2449 µmolTE/100g/P>0.05) and it was the first time that the bioactive compounds folic acid, trans-ferulic acid, and sinapic acid were identified in this fruit. Therefore, the use of the BPP form is an alternative for the consumption of this underexploited fruit.

Valorization of the agro-industrial by-products of bacupari (Garcinia brasiliensis (Mart.)) through production of flour with bioactive properties

Brazil has a wide variety of fruits that remain insufficiently explored. To encourage the use of one such fruit, the bacupari ((Garcinia brasiliensis (Mart.)), the current study produced flours from its by-products (the peel and seed) at two maturation stages and subsequently evaluated their proximate composition, physical, antioxidant, bioactive, microstructural and thermal properties. The results revealed that the flours have a high in fiber content (>15%) and are a potential source of protein (>5%). Seed flour has an energy value similar to that of wheat flour and other conventional flours. Seed flour micrographs indicate the presence of starch, a fact confirmed by viscosity analysis. The flours contain phenolic compounds and exhibit antioxidant activity, especially the unripe peel flour. Among the compounds identified by chromatography, those present in the greatest concentrations were quinine (≅ 111 μg/g), p-coumaric acid (≅ 25 μg/g), m-coumaric acid (≅ 15 μg/g), and formononetin (≅ 21 μg/g), all of which are known to have several human health benefits. Seed flour crystallinity diminished as the fruit ripened. Peel flour exhibited similar thermal transitions but less thermal stability than seed flour. In summary, this study revealed that flours produced from the peel and seeds of bacupari, which are generated in large quantities as agro-industrial by-products, can be used as alternative ingredients in various sectors of the food industry.

Optimum conditions for seed propagation of Garcinia brasiliensis: mimicking natural habitats allows better results

Abstract: Garcinia brasiliensis is a tropical tree species of economic importance to local populations in the Amazon and Atlantic forests. The plant propagation of this species occurs mostly through seeds and despite that very little information about seedling emergence and growth is currently available. Here we assessed basic information on the seed and seedling ecophysiology of G. brasiliensis aiming at providing key details for seed propagation. Seeds are large and contain high levels of water when recently collected (c. 50%). Seed storage, especially under low temperature, resulted in very low seedling emergence. Fruit storage at c. 25 °C, on the other hand, was demonstrated to be the best option for maintaining seed viability in the short term. Removal of the seed coat considerably hastened and increased the percentage emergence of seedlings, despite the light condition. Similarly, a higher percentage and index of seedling emergence was observed under 35 °C over 25 °C, despite the substrate. Amongst all the substrates tested, sand resulted in lower seedling emergence. Cultivating seedlings in vermiculate and at 25 °C provided the best condition for root and shoot growth. Ideal conditions of light and temperature for seedling emergence and development mirror the environmental conditions under which plants of G. brasiliensis establish in nature.

Toxicity and mutagenic activity of benzophenone isolated from Garcinia brasiliensis fruit in healthy and Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

Abstract 7-epiclusianone (7-epi), a benzophenone isolated from fruits of Garcinia brasiliensis, presents remarkable biological activities as the schistosomicidal. However, there is a need to evaluate the toxic effects of 7-epi by analyzing liver function markers (aspartate-aminotransferase, alanine-aminotransferase, albumin, total proteins, and glucose) and a renal marker (creatinine), and beside that also comet (COM), micronucleus (MN), apoptosis (APOP), and histopathological in vivo analyzes. Although 7-epi at doses of 100.0 and 300.0 mg/kg (for five consecutive days) did not cause biochemical alterations to the male swiss mice (8 weeks old), it was not able to mitigate the damage caused by S. mansoni eggs. In the COM, MN, and APOP assays with marrow and the colon, 7-epi at doses of 10.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg/kg (for fourteen consecutive days) caused no damage to the DNA and was able to protect the cell from damage caused by doxorubicin (16.0 mg/kg) and N, N’-dimethylhydrazine (30.0 mg/kg) both by peritoneal route for fourteen days. In the histopathological exams, the liver showed no changes in the dose of 100.0 mg/kg of 7-epi, however, some changes were observed in the 300.0 mg/kg dose. The results obtained in these experiments reveal that 7-epi can be used safely for the treatment of murine experimental schistosomiasis.

Evaluating four modes of extraction to analyze bioactive compounds in Garcinia brasiliensis (bacupari) by high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD)

The prior study of the extraction path is fundamental to optimize the required time and to define the most suitable solvent to extract and determine an analyte of interest in a complex sample. This study aimed to evaluate four extraction modes; solvent sequence in Soxhlet equipment (SES), and by maceration (SEM), direct extraction with ethanol by maceration (EEM), and in Soxhlet equipment (EES), and determine Garcinia brasiliensis bioactive compounds using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) method. Fukugetin, fukugetina-7’’-O-β-D-glucoside, norathyriol, guttiferone A, and 7-epiclusianone were identified and quantified with authentic standards. Among all four modes applied to extract the main bioactive. From HPLC profile, it was observed that the highest levels of 7-epiclusianone (344.1 mg/g) and guttiferone A (142.8 mg/g) were found in the N-hexane fraction using SEM mode, whereas the highest levels of fukugetin (44.95 mg/g) and norathyriol (3.95 mg/g dry weight) in the ethyl acetate fraction using SES mode.

Bacupari (Garcinia brasiliensis) extract modulates intestinal microbiota and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in obese rats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an ethanolic extract of the bark of bacupari (Garcinia brasiliensis - EEB) on the abundance of intestinal microbiota, concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), oxidative stress, and inflammation in obese rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: an HFD-fed obese control group, a group fed HFD plus EEB (BHFD) at a dose of 300 mg per animal per day (42 mg 7-epiclusianone and 10.76 mg morelloflavone), and a lean control group fed an AIN-93 M diet for 8 weeks. EEB decreased (p < 0.05) the abundance of organisms belonging to the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, and increased (p < 0.05) the concentration of propionic acid. Liver concentrations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, resistin, and p65 nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB) decreased (p < 0.05), while the expression of heat shock protein (HSP)72 and catalase increased (p < 0.05) with the consumption of EEB. Moreover, computational molecular modeling studies involving molecular docking between the main constituents of EEB, 7-epiclusianone and morelloflavone, and NF-κB suggested its inhibitory activity, thus corroborating the experimental results. The consumption of EEB may therefore be a promising strategy for the beneficial dietary modulation of the intestinal ecosystem, thereby countering oxidative stress and inflammation in obese rats. This activity is attributable to the presence of bioactive compounds that act individually or synergistically in the scavenging of free radicals or in the inflammatory process.

Effect of Salicylic Acid, 2,4-D and 2i-P on the Production of Secondary Metabolites in Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. Callus

Abstract The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Salicylic acid, 2,4-D and 2-iP on the production of total phenolic and flavonoids as well in the levels of fukugetin and 7-epiclusianone in callus of Garcinia brasiliensis zygotic embryos. For this, Bacupari callus were exposed to different concentrations (0.0; 0.1; 1; 10; 100 µM) of Salicylic acid (SA) in the presence or in the absence of 72 μM 2-iP and 28.73 μM 2,4-D. The highest concentration of total phenolic occurred in the treatment with 100 μM SA in callus subcultured in the absence of 2,4-D and 2-iP, and with 10 μM SA in callus subcultured in the presence of these regulators. Concerning flavonoids, 2,4-D and 2-iP supplementation without the presence of the SA was sufficient for the highest levels. Additionally, it was possible to identify the fukugetin and 7-epiclusianone. However, the variation in the levels was very high, especially for the fukugetin. Therefore, in most treatments, there was no statistically difference. Except for the treatment with 10 μM SA + 2,4-D and 2-iP, where there was a significant increase in 7-epiclusianone.

A stability-indicating method by LC-UV for analysis of 7-epi-clusianone extracted fromGarcinia brasiliensisfruits and a novel prenylated benzophenone from the oxidation of this molecular marker

The potential of 7-epi-clusianone (7-EPI), a natural prenylated benzophenone extracted from fruits ofGarcinia brasiliensis, as a drug candidate with antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and anti-inflammatory activities has been reported.

Promoting fruit seedling growth by encapsulated microorganisms

Abstract The use of microorganisms capable of promoting plant growth has been accepted as an alternative to reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inoculation of plant growth promoting microorganisms in seedlings of fruit species, verifying the interaction of the inoculums with encapsulating agents such as clay and alginate. Microbial inoculums contained the following species: Azospirillum brasilense, Burkolderia cepacia, Bacillus thuringienses, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus cereus,Bacillus subtilis, Tricoderma spp. and isolate 411. The fruit species evaluated were: Myrciaria cauliflora (DC.) O. Berg; Myrciaria glazioviana (Kiaersk.) G. Barros &amp;Sobral; Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc Vaugh; Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.; Diospyroskaki L.; Garcinia brasiliensis Mart.; Annona muricata L.; Duguetia lanceolata A. St.-Hil.; Chrysophyllum cainito L.; Anacardium occidentale L.; Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. and Litchi chinensis Sonn. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial scheme 3 (control, sodium alginate and clay) x 2 (presence and absence of microbial inoculum) with five replicates (one seedling per replicate). Seedlings were maintained in 50% of illumination at an average temperature of 22.5 °C for ninety days, and plant height, diameter, root and shoot dry mass were evaluated. Plant growth promoting microorganisms, regardless of encapsulation used, promote higher development of C. cainito and L. chinensis seedlings.

Evaluation of anxiolytic-like effect of 7-epiclusianone isolated from Garcinia brasiliensis in mice

Garcinia brasiliensis Mart., Clusiaceae, species became the target of studies for some years because it has several compounds including polyprenylated benzophenones, as 7-epiclusianone. This benzophenone has several properties, such as leishmanicidal, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, however still did not be studied anxiolytic activity. For this, the open field and elevated plus maze tests were used in order to evaluate the effect of administration of 7-epiclusianone (isolated from G. brasiliensis) on behavioral performance. Swiss male mice (n = 10 per group) were pre-treated with vegetable oil (10 ml/kg; i.p.) or 7-epiclusianone (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) or diazepam (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.). After 1 h, the animals were submitted to the open field and elevated plus maze tests. The administration of 7-epiclusianone exerted a possible anxiolytic effect in the open field, increased the number of central crossings and anti-tigmotactic effect. In pre-treated group with 7-epiclusianone (10 mg/kg) was also possible to determine a possible anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus maze due to increased permanence of animals in the open arms. The results suggest a possible anxiolytic-like effect presented by the 7-epiclusianone and suggest its potential for the treatment of anxiety.

Bioactive properties and phytochemical assessment of Bacupari-anão (Garcinia brasiliensis Mart.) leaves native to Rondônia, Brazil.

Leaf fractions of Garcinia brasiliensis were evaluated concerning their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties, and the most active fraction was then fully characterized regarding its phenolic composition using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. The ethyl acetate fraction from partitioning of the methanolic leaf extract revealed a strong antioxidant activity that was comparable to Trolox, the positive control. This fraction was also able to show a significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans. However, the dichloromethane fraction was found to present the highest anti-inflammatory (83 ± 9 μg mL-1) and cytotoxic activities, thus presenting slight toxicity using a non-tumor cell line. Regarding the phenolic profile, the ethyl acetate fraction presented twelve flavonoids, with morelloflavone-7''-O-glucoside (52.1 ± 0.4 mg g-1) and gardinia biflavonoid 2a glucoside (27.5 ± 0.2 mg g-1) being the major compounds identified. These results indicate that leaves of G. brasiliensis might be a potential source of natural biomolecules for pharmaceutical and medicinal applications.

Bacupari peel extracts (Garcinia brasiliensis) reduce high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol extract of bacupari peel (EEB) on the adiposity and inflammation modulation in obese Wistar rats. The group treated with high fat diet plus EEB (BHFD) presented weight gain, visceral fat, and lee, and an adiposity index similar to the negative control group (AIN-93M). Also, the BHFD group showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, increase of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression, and decreasing expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), and reduced the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), blood levels of glucose, alanine aminotransferase, and adipocyte hypertrophy. The molecular docking showed that morelloflavone and 7-epiclusianone compounds from bacupari extract interacted with PPAR-γ receptor, hydrophobic interaction, indicating an agonist activity of these compounds. Thus, we demonstrated that extract of bacupari presented anti-obesity activities.

New Host Records forCeratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae) in the State of Pará, Brazil

Summary Natural infestation of fruits of Garcinia acuminata Planch. & Triana and Garcinia brasiliensis C. Martius (Malpighiales: Clusiaceae) by Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is reported for the first time in the state of Para, Brazil. Garcinia acuminata is reported as a fruit fly host for the first time in Brazil.

Anticancer activity of 7-epiclusianone, a benzophenone from Garcinia brasiliensis, in glioblastoma.

BackgroundGlioblastoma is the most common tumor of the central nervous system and one of the hardest tumors to treat. Consequently, the search for novel therapeutic options is imperative. 7-epiclusianone, a tetraprenylated benzophenone isolated from the epicarp of the native plant Garcinia brasiliensis, exhibits a range of biological activities but its prospect anticancer activity is underexplored. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of 7-epiclusianone on proliferation, clonogenic capacity, cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis in two glioblastoma cell lines (U251MG and U138MG).MethodsCell viability was measured by the MTS assay; for the clonogenic assay, colonies were stained with Giemsa and counted by direct visual inspection; For cell cycle analysis, cells were stained with propidium iodide and analyzed by cytometry; Cyclin A expression was determined by immunoblotting; Apoptotic cell death was determined by annexin V fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling and Caspase-3 activity in living cells.ResultsViability of both cell lines was drastically inhibited; moreover, the colony formation capacity was significantly reduced, demonstrating long-term effects even after removal of the drug. 7-epiclusianone treatment at low concentrations also altered cell cycle progression, decreased the S and G2/M populations and at higher concentrations increased the number of cells at sub-G1, in concordance with the increase of apoptotic cells.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates for the first time the anticancer potential of 7-epiclusianone against glioblastoma cells, thus meriting its further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent.

7-Epiclusianone, a Benzophenone Extracted from Garcinia brasiliensis (Clusiaceae), Induces Cell Cycle Arrest in G1/S Transition in A549 Cells.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Disease stage is the most relevant factor influencing mortality. Unfortunately, most patients are still diagnosed at an advanced stage and their five-year survival rate is only 4%. Thus, it is relevant to identify novel drugs that can improve the treatment options for lung cancer. Natural products have been an important source for the discovery of new compounds with pharmacological potential including antineoplastic agents. We have previously isolated a prenylated benzophenone (7-epiclusianone) from Garcinia brasiliensis (Clusiaceae) that has several biological properties including antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines. In continuation with our studies, the present work aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved with antiproliferative activity of 7-epiclusianone in A549 cells. Our data showed that 7-epiclusianone reduced the viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 of 16.13 ± 1.12 μM). Cells were arrested in G1/S transition and apoptosis was induced. In addition, we observed morphological changes with cytoskeleton disorganization in consequence of the treatment. Taken together, the results showed that cell cycle arrest in G1/S transition is the main mechanism involved with antiproliferative activity of 7-epiclusianone. Our results are promising and open up the prospect of using this compound in further anticancer in vivo studies.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of isolated compounds from Garcinia brasiliensis

Garcinia brasiliensis, a plant native to the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation of the urinary tract, peptic ulcers, arthritis and others. The purposes of this study were to analyze the chemical constituents of branches and leaves from G. brasiliensis and to evaluate the potential of isolated compounds to act as inhibitors of both the oxidative burst of stimulated neutrophils and oxidative damage in human erythrocyte membranes. The biflavonoids procianidine, fukugetine, amentoflavone and podocarpus flavone isolated from G. brasiliensis had potent inhibitory effect on the oxidative burst of neutrophils, reaching 50% inhibition at 1µmol L-1 on total reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NADPH enzyme. These biflavonoids were also potent inhibitors of hemolysis and lipid peroxidation of human erythrocytes, reaching the malondialdehyde level (a biomarker of oxidative stress) of 8.5 ± 0.3 nmol/mg Hb at 50µmol L-1 for procianidine. These findings indicate that these biflavonoids modulate the oxidative stress, suggesting the use of G. brasiliensis extract as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Acknowledgements: FAPESP (grants #2010/52327 – 5, #2011/03017 – 6 and #2013/07600 – 3), CNPq and CAPES.