Jatropha Elliptica Research Articles

Neuromuscular block induced by Bothrops moojeni snake venom and the effect of Jatropha elliptica starch

This research evaluated the effect of Bothrops moojeni venom on neuromuscular activity and verified the anti-phallic potential of the J. elliptica starch in this model. The venom was obtained from snakes collected in the state of Tocantins, the protein profile evaluated in electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and the activity on the phrenic-diaphragm nerve of mice determined in 50 µg/mL of venom. The JeP, obtained by hand, was sieved in a sieve for granulometric analysis and concentrations of 100 and 1000 µg/mL were tested to verify its anti-phallic potential on the action of the poison. The following models were used: pre-venom - addition of venom and after 15 min addition of JeP; post-poison - addition of JeP and after 15 min the addition of poison; and pre-incubation - for 30 min, of poison with JeP or commercial antivenom. The poison had proteins from 10 to 60 kDa, which induced 50% of neuromuscular activity block in 71.5 ± 8.9 min (T50). The pre-venom and post-venom models with JeP 100 µg/mL prolonged phrenic nerve activity time (100.9 ± 7.6 min and 97 ± 6.1 min, respectively). The results obtained for 1000 µg/mL and in the model of pre-incubation of the venom with JeP 100 (78.2 ± 9.2); 1000 µg/mL (86.5 ± 8.9) and with commercial botropic antivenom (80.2 ± 14.1), did not interfere with the activity of the venom on the phrenic nerve. Bothrops moojeni venom induces neuromuscular block and the lower concentration of the starch caused a protective effect on the junction, before and after the administration of the venom.

Chemical profile and gastroprotective effect of Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Oken roots

Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Oken (Euphorbiaceae) roots are used in folk medicine to treat gastric ulcers. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of ethanol extract (JER) and hexane fraction (ERH) of J. elliptica roots in mice, as well as to analyze the acute toxicity of the extract and identify the potential active compounds. No signs of toxicity were observed in JER. In both acidified ethanol and indometacin-induced gastric ulcer models, all doses tested of JER and ERH significantly reduced gastric lesions. Dereplication of JER was performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and resulted in the annotation of compounds fraxetin, propacin, jatrophone and jatropholones A and B. GC–MS analysis of ERH revealed the diterpenes jatrophone, jatropholone A and jatropholone B as the major components. The chemical study of this fraction has led to the isolation of these compounds, in addition to the sequiterpene cyperenoic acid and the diterpene 2β-hydroxyjatrophone, both reported for the first time in J. elliptica. The isolated compounds were tested against L929 cells and only cyperenoic acid and the mixture of jatropholones A and B did not show toxicity, being then selected as good candidates for bioassays using acidified ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. Cyperenoic acid significantly decreased gastric lesions and preserved gastric mucus layer. The mixture of jatropholones A and B caused a smaller reduction of gastric lesions, without preservation of the gastric mucus layer. The study showed that J. elliptica roots present gastroprotective activity in mice, without causing acute toxic effects. The activity is related, at least in part, to the occurrence of terpenes, mainly the sesquiterpene cyperenoic acid.

Physicochemical, structural, and thermal properties of “batata-de-teiú” starch

Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Muell Arg is a sub-shrub herbaceous plant native to the Brazilian Cerrado, and popularly known as “batata-de-teiú”. There is lack of scientific knowledge about the structural characterization, physicochemical and technological aspects of the carbohydrate content present in Jatropha elliptica roots. Thus, this work aim contributes with new data about the evaluation of chemical-structural, thermal and technological properties of starch extracted from “batata-de-teiú”. The starch presented low levels of ash, protein and total fiber and amylose content of 32.82%. The initial gelatinization temperature of “batata-de-teiú” starch was 70.1 °C, peak temperature was 73.84 °C and final 85.52 °C, and starch had low trend to retrogradation. The results of x-ray and 13C cpmass show a A-type structure with high crystallinity degree. Finally, this results suggested that the “batata-de-teiú” starch is a macromolecular structure with high branching degree, favoring intermolecular Coulomb, Van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions, which directly corroborated with the low solubility observed (maximum of 6.44 g·100 g−1 at 80 °C). The extraction of “batata-de-teiú” starch can be viable, and it has technological characteristics suitable for use in the food industry or pharmaceuticals, since “batata-de-teiú” starch has good thermal stability and low trend to retrogradation.

Physical, chemical, technological and toxicological characteristics of teiu potato flour (Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Oken)

Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Oken, popularly known as teiu potato, is widely used in folk medicine as a purgative and in the treatment of snake bites. There is no scientific data on the physicochemical characterization or anti-nutritional compounds, nor are there any reports on the application of this root in the production of flours for food purposes. Thus, the objective of this work was to contribute with new knowledge concerning the production yield of teiu potato root flour, characterize its physical, chemical and technological properties, and determine its anti-nutritional and toxicological factors. The flour was obtained on three repetitions (batches) and all analyses were carried out in triplicate for each repetition. The flour production yield was 34.29%, and the product obtained was an orange powder with a carbohydrate content of 77.55 g·100 g-1, high contents of total dietary fiber (22.8 g·100 g-1), protein (8.3 g·100 g-1) and ash (3.5 g·100 g-1), and a low lipid (0.8 g·100 g-1) content. The thermogram of the flour showed three endothermic peaks: temperature of gelatinization of the flour starch (77.42 °C); glass transition (106.55 °C) and protein and lipid-amylose complexes (131.77 °C). The flour presented antioxidant potential (89.59% of DPPH discoloration), a high concentration of phenolic compounds (12.67 mg eq gallic acid·100 g-1), nitrates (4.4 g·Kg-1), tannins (5.4 g tannic acid·100 g-1) and trypsin inhibitors (4.3 UTI·mg-1). The teiu potato flour requiring further, more profound studies before being indicated for human nutrition, due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors and the toxicity presented in the test with Artemia salina.

Recognizing Antiophidian Plants Using the Neuromuscular Junction Apparatus

Here we expressed our opinion in respect to an important research area of study the neuromuscular junction which historically has been helped the pharmacology with numerous discoveries related to the mechanisms of action of several substances Venomous animals toxins plants and other bioactive compounds can be studied using neuromuscular preparations from mammalian avian and other species The kind of information which is possible to extract from the data interpretation is relevant and stickling to this field of study and the teaching of new researchers should be encouraged In the last twenty years our group has employed neuromuscular preparations for confirming the antiophidian potential of ethnobotanical plant extracts used in folk medicine which need scientific validation In this view representatives of Brazilian venomous snakes of Crotalus and Bothrops genera Crotalus durissus terrificus and Bothrops jararacussu respectively have been the protagonists for these studies Besides other studies are of notorious importance which includes those with Ophiophagus hannah King cobra and Phylodrias olfersii an opisthoglyphous colubrid Ethnobotanical plants such as Casearia sylvestris ldquo gua ccedil atonga rdquo Casearia gossypiosperma ldquo pau de espeto rdquo Curcuma zedoaroides ldquo Wan Paya Ngoo Tua Mia rdquo Camellia sinensis tea Dipteryx alata ldquo baru rdquo Hypericum brasiliense Jatropha elliptica ldquo batata de teiu rdquo Mikania laevigata ldquo guaco rdquo Plathymenia reticulata ldquo vinh aacute tico rdquo and Vellozia flavicans ldquo canela de ema rdquo had their antiophidian properties confirmed using the neuromuscular junction as biological preparations In a literatures survey the majority of studies found in on line data bank after crossing the words ldquo antiophidian plants and neuromuscular junction rdquo as themes involves the use of in vitro mouse rat phrenic nerve diaphragm PND chick biventer cervices BC or the in vivo rat external popliteal sciatic nerve tibialis anterior EPSTA preparations respectively Such biological methods were chosen probably because the robustness and sensitivity of the neuromuscular junction to the deleterious effect of snake venoms In the case of chick BC it has a unique value to the experiment because the inherent sensitivity to the exogenous application of agonists such as acetylcholine and potassium chloride which induce a contracture as a response When the potential for clinical applications are desired in vivo experiments such as those of EPSTA are relevant in respect to the involvement of the neuromuscular system in the pharmacological response In conclusion this text reflects the potential of an indispensable physiological preparation named neuromuscular junction which is outstanding to recognize and validate antiophidian ethnobotanical compounds In this context Dipteryx alata is a plant that has been studied by our group for a long time in which neuromuscular preparations were chosen as efficient biological models

Anti-Inflammatory and Antibothropic Properties of Jatropha Elliptica, a Plant from Brazilian Cerrado Biome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibothropic and anti-inflammatory properties of J. elliptica.Methods: Phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) assays were performed on J. elliptica hydroalcoholic extract (TE) in order to observe its main constituents. The antibothropic activity of TE was evaluated by the in vitro neuromuscular blockade caused by Bothrops jararacussu venom (Bjssu), in a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm model (PND). A quantitative histological study was carried out to observe a possible protection of TE against the venom myotoxicity. The anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated in two models, Bjssu-induced paw edema, and carrageenan-induced neutrophils migration in the peritoneal cavity. Results: TLC analysis revealed several compounds in TE, such as saponins, alkaloids, and phenolic constituents. TE was able to neutralize the blockade and the myotoxicity induced by venom, when it was pre-incubated for 30 min with venom. In addition, it showed anti-inflammatory activity, inducing less neutrophils migration and reducing paw edema. Conclusion:J. elliptica showed both antibothropic and anti-inflammatory properties.

A penta-substituted pyridine alkaloid from the rhizome of Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Muell. Arg. is active against Schistosoma mansoni and Biomphalaria glabrata

Jatropha elliptica is a shrub distributed throughout the north and west of Brazil and reputedly possesses a wide range of therapeutical properties. The roots of this plant possess molluscicidal activity and contain terpenoids, coumarin, lignoid, steroids and alkaloid. In the present study, we assessed the schistosomicidal, miracicidal and cercaricidal activities (against Schistosoma mansoni) and molluscicidal activities (against adults and egg masses of Biomphalaria glabrata) of the alkaloid diethyl 4-phenyl-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, isolated from the ethanol extract of the rhizome of J. elliptica, have been determined. The alkaloid was 100 % lethal to adult schistosomes within 4 days at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. Alterations were observed in the schistosome tegument occasioned by treatment with the alkaloid, such as formation of vesicles and vacuolisation. The extent of tegumental damage of the worm was proportional to the time of incubation and to the concentration of compound. The alkaloid also exhibited a potent cercaricidal activity (LC100 = 2 μg/mL); it was totally ineffective against miracicidal forms of the parasite. Moreover, the alkaloid presented strong activity against adult snails (LC90 = 36.43 μg/mL) but was inactive against their egg masses. It is observed then the potential of this compound for the development of new therapies for the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Levantamento etnobotânico de plantas utilizadas como anti-hiperlipidêmicas e anorexígenas pela população de Nova Xavantina-MT, Brasil

O presente trabalho verificou a utilização de plantas medicinais encontradas no Cerrado mato-grossense para o tratamento de hiperlipidemias e obesidade. Entrevistas com 180 pessoas acima de 50 anos foram realizadas em Nova Xavantina-MT. O questionário abordou nome popular, parte utilizada, forma de preparo e uso das espécies citadas, além de informações gerais sobre o uso de plantas. As dez plantas mais citadas foram coletadas, identificadas e estudadas por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica. A maioria dos entrevistados (95,6%) declarou utilizar plantas medicinais regularmente, sendo que 71,5% deles herdaram o conhecimento sobre plantas dos pais e avós e 94,20% relataram aconselhar o uso aos mais jovens. Além disso, 93,6% atestaram que as plantas são mais eficazes que os medicamentos de farmácia e 57% consideraram forte o efeito das mesmas, ou seja, sempre resolvem o problema de saúde. Quanto aos efeitos adversos, 95,9% disseram nunca ter sentido após o uso de plantas. Dos entrevistados, 56,7% conheciam ou já haviam utilizado plantas medicinais no tratamento de hiperlipidemias e obesidade, sendo citadas 54 espécies medicinais diferentes pertencentes a 53 gêneros e 38 famílias, com destaque para Fabaceae (13%). As dez plantas mais citadas foram: guatambu (Aspidosperma tomentosum Mart.), quina-do-cerrado (Strychnos pseudoquina St. Hil.), ipê-roxo [Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. Ex DC.) Standl], embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya Trec.), calunga (Simaba sp.), pata-de-vaca [Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud.], mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomez), batata-de-tiú [Jatropha elliptica (Pohl.) Muell. Arg.], folha-de-carne (Casearia sylvestris Sw.) e manacá (Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil.). A folha foi a parte mais utilizada (46%) e o preparo das plantas ocorre principalmente por meio de infusão citado por 36,5% dos entrevistados. Apesar do uso popular destas plantas no combate as hiperlipidemias e obesidade, há necessidade de estudos fitoquímicos e farmacológicos que comprovem estas atividades, com vistas ao desenvolvimento de um fitoterápico.

Quantitative Determination of Jatrophone in "Cachaca" Prepared with Jatropha elliptica

A method for sample preparation and analysis by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV) was developed for analysis of jatrophone in "cachaça" prepared with Jatropha elliptica, administered orally, employed in Brazil for the treatment of venomous snake bites. The linearity, accuracy, precision of the procedure was evaluated. Analytical curve for jatrophone was linear in the range of 16.24-81.20 microg ml(-1). The recovery of the jatrophone in the samples analyzed was 98.99-99.89%. The percent coefficient of variation for the quantitative analysis of the "cachaça" in the analyses was under 2%.

Anti-bacterial activity of some Brazilian medicinal plants

Extracts from various organs of 25 plants of Brazilian traditional medicine were assayed with respect to their anti-bacterial activities against Escherichia coli, a susceptible strain of Staphylococcus aureus and two resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus harbouring the efflux pumps NorA and MsrA. Amongst the 49 extracts studied, 14 presented anti-bacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including the ethanolic extracts from the rhizome of Jatropha elliptica, from the stem barks of Schinus terebinthifolius and Erythrina mulungu, from the stems and leaves of Caesalpinia pyramidalis and Serjania lethalis, and from the stem bark and leaves of Lafoensia pacari. The classes of compounds present in the active extracts were determined as a preliminary step towards their bioactivity-guided separation. No extracts were active against Escherichia coli.

Caracterização morfológica dos frutos, das sementes e do desenvolvimento das plântulas de Jatropha elliptica Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

The aim of this work was to describe the morphology of the fruit, the seed and the development of the seedling of Jatropha elliptica Mull. Arg. The fruits were collected in September and October (2002), in the Experimental Farm at Universidade Federal Mato Grosso, in Santo Antonio de Leverger-MT. 50 fruits and 50 seeds were utilized to describe the fruit and the seed morphology. For the characterization of the germination stages, four repetitions of 20 seeds were used, sowning upon blot paper, in clear plastic boxes, moisten with giberelic acid (400 ppm), kept in a germination chamber, at 30 oC and with an eight hours photoperiod, during 45 days. The fruit of J. elliptica is dry, with three cocas, a hard endocarp, and shows an explosive dehiscence. The seed is oval, albuminous, has a smooth testa and a marmoreal color, with a caruncule in the ventral part, a visible hilum in the base and the distinct longitudinal rafe. The germination is epigeous and phanerocotyledonal. The germination average time is from 13 to 25 days. It was possible to describe and to illustrate, in a distinct form, J. elliptica fruit, seed and seedling morphologies, which behaved in a sufficiently homogeneous and trustworthy way for the identification.

Multidrug resistance reversal agent from Jatropha elliptica

As part of an ongoing project to identify plant natural products as resistance-modifying agents, bioassay-guided fractionation of an extract of Jatropha elliptica (Pohl) Muell Arg. led to the isolation of a penta-substituted pyridine, namely 2,6-dimethyl-4-phenyl-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester ( 8). The structure was established by spectroscopic methods. This known compound was assayed for in vitro antibacterial and resistance-modifying activities against strains of Staphylococcus aureus possessing the MsrA and NorA resistance efflux mechanisms. Antibiotic efflux studies indicated that ( 8) acts as an inhibitor of the NorA efflux pump and restores the level of intracellular drug concentration.

Crystal structure of diethyl 4-phenyl-2,6-dimethyl- 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, C19H21NO4, an multidrug resistance reversal agent from Jatropha elliptica

Crystal structure of diethyl 4-phenyl-2,6-dimethyl- 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, C19H21NO4, an multidrug resistance reversal agent from Jatropha elliptica

Crystal structure of diethyl 4-phenyl-2,6-dimethyl- 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, C19H21NO4, an multidrug resistance reversal agent from Jatropha elliptica

Crystal structure of diethyl 4-phenyl-2,6-dimethyl- 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, C19H21NO4, an multidrug resistance reversal agent from Jatropha elliptica

Compounds extracted from Phyllantus and Jatropha elliptica inhibit the binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GMP-PNP in rat cerebral cortex membrane.

Glutamate is to be considered a nociceptive neurotransmitter and glutamatergic antagonists present antinoceptive activity. In this study we investigated the effects of the naturally occurring antinociceptive compounds rutin, geraniin and quercetine extracted from Phyllanthus, as well as the diterpene jatrophone, extracted from Jatropha elliptica on the binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]GMP-PNP [a GTP analogue which binds to extracellular site(s), modulating the glutamatergic transmission] in rat brain membrane. Jatrophone inhibited [3H]glutamate binding and geraniin inhibited [3H]GMP-PNP binding. Quercetine inhibited the binding of both ligands. These results may indicate a neurochemical parameter possibly related to the antinoceptive activity of these natural compounds.

The molluscicidal activity of plants used in Brazilian folk medicine.

In a continuing search for new compounds for the control of the vectors of schistosomiasis, we have tested the activity of some Brazilian medicinal plants as sources of molluscicidal natural compounds, using two molluscicidal bioassays. Twenty-seven crude extracts, from twenty-six species belonging to nineteen families, were tested. Seven extracts showed significant molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata adults with DL50 values of less than 50 ppm, and five of them were very active in the test using egg masses. The species most active against B. glabrata adults (LD50 value = 3.65 ppm) and their egg masses (LD50 value = 0.13 ppm) was Derris sp. Annona muricata [LD50 value (adult) = 11.86 ppm and LD50 value (egg) = 49.62 ppm], Jatropha elliptica (from Goiás state) [LD50 value (adult) = 24.80 ppm and LD50 value (egg) = 3.03 ppm] and Renealmia exaltata [LD50 value (adult) = 28.03 ppm and LD50 value (egg) = 21.67 ppm], were also considered promising molluscicidal plants.

Molluscicidal activity of the diterpenoids jatrophone and jatropholones A and B isolated fromJatropha elliptica (Pohl) Muell. Arg.

In the search for new molluscicidal natural products, the activity of the crude ethanol extract of the rhizome of Jatropha elliptica (Pohl.) Muell. Arg. was tested. The LC(50) was 13.07 ppm. The fractionation and purification of the extract furnished jatrophone and a mixture of jatropholones A and B, as the main compounds. They were tested against the snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Jatrophone showed an LC(50) of 1.16 ppm as a molluscicide and an LC(50) of 1.14 ppm for the assay of egg mass, while the mixture of jatropholones A and B presented an LC(50) of 58.04 ppm as a molluscicide and was not active against the second assay at a concentration up to 100 ppm.

Jatrophone Inhibits Platelet Rich Plasma Aggregation from Man, Rat and Guinea‐pig Induced by Different Agents

The effect of jatrophone (2.5–100 μM), a diterpene isolated from Jatropha elliptica, upon the aggregation (platelet rich plasma) induced by several agents in different animal species was examined. At the same range of inhibitory concentrations (24.0–43.0 μM) previously shown to inhibit contractions triggered by different agents in isolated muscle preparations, jatrophone markedly inhibited platelet aggregation. This effect was dose-dependent and it was reversible for up to 30 min. It is concluded that this nonspecific effect could reflect an action of jatrophone either at an intracellular step in the signal transduction process, which is common to different agonists, or at the level of extracellular and/or intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Jatrophone Inhibits Platelet Rich Plasma Aggregation from Man, Rat and Guinea-pig Induced by Different Agents

The effect of jatrophone (2.5-100 μM), a diterpene isolated from Jatropha elliptica, upon the aggregation (platelet rich plasma) induced by several agents in different animal species was examined. At the same range of inhibitory concentrations (24.0-43.0 μM) previously shown to inhibit contractions triggered by different agents in isolated muscle preparations, jatrophone markedly inhibited platelet aggregation. This effect was dose-dependent and it was reversible for up to 30 min. It is concluded that this nonspecific effect could reflect an action of jatrophone either at an intracellular step in the signal transduction process, which is common to different agonists, or at the level of extracellular and/or intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization.

Evidence for the mechanism of the inhibitory action of jatrophone in the isolated rat uterine muscle

1. 1. Jatrophone (JAT), a diterpene isolated from the plant Jatropha elliptica (1–300 μM), caused a concentration-dependent relaxation effect against acetylcholine (Ach)-oxytocin (Ot)- and KCl-induced uterine sustained contraction. The relative potency order was: Ach > Ot > KCl. 2. 2. The relaxant effect of JAT was not modified by phorbol ester, forskolin, MIX, TMB-8 and W-7. The increase concentration of calcium (0.2–2 mM) in the medium did not reverse the inhibitory effect caused by JAT. 3. 3. Pre-incubation of the preparations with JAT (16–32 μM) for 20 min, caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of KCl-induced contractile response. At 30 μM, JAT inhibited in an apparently non-competitive manner CaCl 2-induced contraction in K +-depolarized preparations. High concentrations of JAT (100 μM) also caused a time-dependent relaxation in CaCl 2-induced sustained uterine contraction ( T 1 2 = approx. 15 min ). 4. 4. JAT (30 μM) inhibited the dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644-induced uterine contraction in an apparently non-competitive fashion, while verapamil (0.1 μM) caused in rightward displacement of Bay K 8644 contraction and marked inhibition of the maximal response.