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Lipoxygenases (LOX) are enzymes that catalyze polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation and have a non-heme iron atom located in their active site. They are implicated in the arachidonic acid pathway and involved in inflammation, fever, pain production, and in the origins of several diseases such as cancer, asthma, and psoriasis. The search for inhibitors of these enzymes has emerged in the last years, and isoflavonoids have a broad spectrum of biological activity with low cytotoxicity. Our previous results have shown that isoflavonoids inhibited different LOX isoforms in vitro. For this reason, we studied the most important interactions that govern the potency and selectivity of some isoflavones and isoflavans toward different LOX isoforms using computational methods. The docking results have shown that all the molecules can be located in different zones in the LOX active site. Steered molecular dynamics indicated that selectivity was present at the cavity entry, but not at its exit. We also observed the correlation between the potential mean force and the best (HIR-303) and worst inhibitors (IR-213) in 5-LOX. Finally, structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies showed a good correlation between theoretical IC50 values and experimental data for 5-LOX and 12-LOX with 96 and 95%, respectively, and a lower correlation for 15-LOX (79%). Conclusively, pharmacophore analysis showed that our proposed molecules should possess a donor-acceptor and aromatic centers to encourage interactions in the active site.

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ABSTRACT The secondary metabolites of the aerial parts of Zornia brasiliensis Vogel, Fabaceae, and the biological activity of one of these secondary metabolites were characterized in this study. A phytochemical investigation was performed using chromatographic techniques including analytical and preparative reverse-phase HPLC column sequences, which resulted in the isolation of fourteen compounds: one previously undescribed C-glycosylated dihydrochalcone (zornioside), one cyclitol (D-pinitol), one glycosylated megastigmane (roseoside) and eleven phenolic compounds: 7-methoxyflavanone, 7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone, medicarpin, 2'-4'-dihydroxychalcone, onionin, isoorientin-3'-O-methyl ether, isovitexin, glycosylated (Z)-O-coumaric acid, glycosylated (E)-O-coumaric acid, dihydromelilotoside, and isoorientin. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on 1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, IR and CD spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxic activity of zornoside was assessed against tumor cell lines (MCF-7, HCC1954, T-47D, 4T1, HL60), and a non-tumor cell line (RAW264.7) using MTT assay. The compound zornioside was selectively cytotoxic for HL60 leukemia cells (IC50: 37.26 µM).

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Plant domestication can modify and weaken defensive chemical traits, reducing chemical defenses in plants and consequently their resistance against pests. We characterized and quantified the major defensive flavonols and isoflavonoids present in both wild and cultivated murtilla plants (Ugni molinae Turcz), established in a common garden. We examined their effects on the larvae of Chilesia rudis (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Insect community and diversity indices were also evaluated. We hypothesized that domestication reduces flavonoid contents and modifies C. rudis preference, the insect community, and diversity. Methanolic extracts were obtained from leaves of U. molinae plants and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Results showed higher insect numbers (86.48%) and damage index (1.72 ± 0.16) in cultivated plants. Four new first records of insects were found associated with U. molinae. Diversity indices, such as Simpson, Shannon, and Margalef, were higher in cultivated plants than in wild plants. Furthermore, eight isoflavonoids were identified in U. molinae leaves for the first time. The five flavonols showed higher concentrations in wild U. molinae leaves (89.8 µg/g) than in cultivated plants (75.2 µg/g); however, no differences were found in isoflavonoids between wild and cultivated plants. The larvae of C. rudis consumed more leaf material of cultivated plants than wild plants in choice (3.8 vs. 0.8 mm2) and no-choice (7.5 vs. 3.0 mm2) assays. Our study demonstrates that domestication in U. molinae reduces the amount of flavonoids in leaves, increasing the preference of C. rudis and the insect community.

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ABSTRACT A new isoflavonoid glycoside, iridin A (9), along with eight known isoflavonoids: irilone 4'-methyl ether (1), irilone (2), irisolidone (3), irigenin S (4), irigenin (5), irilone 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), iridin S (7), and iridin (8) were separated from Iris × germanica L., Iridaceae, rhizomes. The structural elucidation of these flavonoids was achieved with the aid of extensive spectroscopic techniques and comparing with the published data. They were estimated for their α-amylase and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl inhibitory capacities. Compounds 3, 5, and 9 showed α-amylase inhibitory activities with % inhibition 70.8, 67.5, and 70.5, respectively compared to acarbose (a reference α-amylase inhibitor). Moreover, 9 exhibited moderate antioxidant activity with IC50 8.91 µM.

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play an important role on nutrient supply to plants, specially P. However, the availability of inoculants for large-scale usage in agriculture is still limited because these organisms are obligatory symbionts. The use of symbiosis stimulants such as flavonoids can be an alternative to improve the beneficial effects of mycorrhiza for plant nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the isoflavonoid biostimulant formononetin (7-hydroxy, 4'-methoxy isoflavone) in combination with three levels of phosphorus fertilization on mycorrhizal colonization, nodulation, and productivity of soybean, under field conditions. A 3 x 4 factorial scheme (levels of P: 0, 60 and 120 kg ha-1 P2O5 and doses of formononetin: 0, 25, 50 and 100 g ha-1) was used with five replicates. The following parameters were quantified at full bloom: plant height, shoot dry weight, nodule number, nodule dry weight, mycorrhizal colonization, and shoot N and P concentrations. Productivity was also evaluated at the end of the crop cycle. Formononetin stimulated mycorrhizal colonization at lower levels of P (0 and 60 kg ha-1), with colonization increasing from 56 to 64%. When applied with 60 kg ha-1 P2O5, formononetin increased soybean productivity to values similar to those observed when 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5, was applied. At doses above 50 g ha-1, formononetin applied to the seeds can reduce the need of P fertilization by 50%.

Os Fungos micorrízicos arbusculares desempenham papel importante no fornecimento de nutrientes para as plantas, especialmente P. No entanto, a disponibilidade de inoculantes com esses fungos, para o uso em larga escala na agricultura é ainda limitada, porque estes organismos são simbiontes obrigatórios. O uso de estimulantes simbióticos, como os flavonóides, podem ser uma alternativa para melhorar os efeitos benéficos da micorrrização na nutrição das plantas. O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do isoflavonóide bioestimulante formononetina (7-hidroxi, 4'-metoxi isoflavona) em combinação com três níveis de adubação fosfatada sobre a colonização micorrízica, a nodulação e a produtividade da soja, em condições de campo. Um esquema fatorial 3 x 4 (níveis de P: 0, 60 e 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e doses de formononetina: 0, 25, 50 e 100 g ha-1) foi utilizado, com cinco repetições. Os seguintes parâmetros foram quantificados em plena floração: altura da planta, matéria seca da parte aérea, número e matéria seca de nódulos, colonização micorrízica, e concentrações de N e P na parte aérea das plantas. A produtividade também foi avaliada no final do ciclo da cultura. A Formononetina estimulou a colonização micorrízica em níveis mais baixos de P (0 e 60 kg ha- 1), com aumentos de 56-64%. Quando aplicado com 60 kg ha-1 de P2O5, a formononetina aumentou a produtividade da soja, alcançando valores semelhantes aos observados quando foi aplicado 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5. Em doses acima de 50 g ha- 1, a formononetina aplicada na semente pode reduzir a necessidade de fertilização fosfatada em 50%.

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Variations in the estrogenic activity of the phytoestrogen-rich plant, Pueraria mirifica, were determined with yeast estrogen screen (YES) consisting of human estrogen receptors (hER) hERá and hERâ and human transcriptional intermediary factor 2 (hTIF2) or human steroid receptor coactivator 1 (hSRC1), respectively, together with the â-galactosidase expression cassette. Relative estrogenic potency was expressed by determining the â-galactosidase activity (EC50) of the tuber extracts in relation to 17â-estradiol. Twenty-four and 22 of the plant tuber ethanolic extracts interacted with hERá and hERâ, respectively, with a higher relative estrogenic potency with hERâ than with hERá. Antiestrogenic activity of the plant extracts was also determined by incubation of plant extracts with 17â-estradiol prior to YES assay. The plant extracts tested exhibited antiestrogenic activity. Both the estrogenic and the antiestrogenic activity of the tuber extracts were metabolically activated with the rat liver S9-fraction prior to the assay indicating the positive influence of liver enzymes. Correlation analysis between estrogenic potency and the five major isoflavonoid contents within the previously HPLC-analyzed tuberous samples namely puerarin, daidzin, genistin, daidzein, and genistein revealed a negative result.

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Calli cultures were established from leaves and stem of B. coccinea plantlet produced in vitro and analysed for isoflavonoid content. The quantification of 6,9,11-trihydroxy-6a,12a-dehydrorotenoid isolated from the roots of Boerhaavia coccinea P. Miller collected from its natural environment, and the same metabolite produced in callus tissue culture of the same plant are described in this paper. The rotinary quantitative HPLC analysis indicated that callus culture produced the same isoflavonoid compound found in the roots of intact wild growing plant. The amount of the secondary metabolite produced in vitro was 955.35 µg/g of dry cell weight, 2.5 times more than the highest amount concentration produced by the wild growing plant in its natural environment.

Cultura de calos foram estabelecidos de folhas e galhos finos de plântula de B. coccinea produzida in vitro e analisada para isoflavonóide. A quantificação do 6,9,11-triidroxi-6a,12a-desidro-rotenóide isolado das raízes de B. coccinea P Miller, coletada em seu habitat natural, e do mesmo rotenóide produzido na cultura de células estão descritos neste artigo. A análise rotineira em CLAE mostrou que a cultura de calos produziu o mesmo isoflavonóide encontrado nas raízes da planta do campo. A quantidade do metabólito secundário produzido in vitro foi de 955.35 µg/g de massa seca de callus, atingindo uma concentração de 2,5 vezes maior do que a quantidade do metabólito produzido pela planta em seu meio ambiente natural.

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