RESUMO
The fixed oil from the inner mesocarp of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. is used in the Chapada do Araripe region of Brazil for the treatment of genitourinary candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, antifungal activity, reduction of fungal virulence, and the preliminary toxicity of the fixed oil from the inner mesocarp of C. coriaceum tested against three Candida yeasts. The oil was characterized by gas chromatography (GC-MS and GC-FID). Antifungal activity was assessed using the serial microdilution method. Additionally, the potential of the oil as an enhancer of fluconazole action was tested at sub-inhibitory concentrations (MIC/8). The mechanism of action of C. coriaceum fixed oil was determined by evaluating the inhibition of morphological transition in Candida spp. The chemical composition of the fixed oil of C. coriaceum comprised both unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Oleic (61 %) and palmitic (33 %) acids were the major constituents. Regarding its anti-Candida activity, the oil inhibited the growth of C. albicans (IC50 : 371â µg/mL) and C. tropicalis (IC50 : 830â µg/mL). Furthermore, the oil reversed the antifungal resistance of C. albicans and C. tropicalis, restoring the susceptibility to fluconazole and reducing their IC50 from 12.33â µg/mL and 362â µg/mL to 0.22â µg/mL and 13.93â µg/mL, respectively. The fixed oil of C. coriaceum completely inhibited the morphological transition of C. albicans and C. tropicalis at a concentration of 512â µg/mL, but exhibited limited low antifungal potential against C. krusei. The observed antifungal activity may be attributed to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the oil showed no toxic effect on the Drosophila melanogaster inâ vivo model. The fixed oil from the inner mesocarp of C. coriaceum emerge as a strong candidate for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations to treat infections caused by Candida spp.
Assuntos
Fluconazol , Malpighiales , Animais , Fluconazol/farmacologia , Candida , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/química , Drosophila melanogaster , Óleos de Plantas/farmacologia , Óleos de Plantas/química , Candida albicans , Testes de Sensibilidade MicrobianaRESUMO
Caryocar coriaceum, commonly known as 'pequi', is a medicinal species used traditionally for the herbal treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases in the Brazilian Northeast region. In this study, we investigated whether the fruits of C. coriaceum have bioactive chemical constituents against etiological agents of infectious diseases. The methanolic extract of the internal mesocarp of the fruits of C. coriaceum (MECC) was chemically analyzed and evaluated for its antimicrobial and drug-enhancing activity against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus), and Candida spp. strains. The extract had flavones, flavonols, xanthones, catechins, and flavanones as major classes. A total of 11.26 mg GAE/g of phenolics, and 5.98 mg QE/g of flavonoids were found. No intrinsic antibacterial activity was observed; however, the extract was able to intensify the action of gentamicin and erythromycin against multi-resistant strains. The anti-Candida effect observed in this study was mainly due to the formation of reactive oxygen species. The extract was capable of causing damage to the plasmatic membrane of Candida tropicalis through pores formation. Our findings partially support the ethnopharmacological uses of the fruit pulp of C. coriaceum against infectious and parasitic diseases.
Assuntos
Infecções Bacterianas , Extratos Vegetais , Extratos Vegetais/química , Frutas/química , Metanol , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Candida , Testes de Sensibilidade MicrobianaRESUMO
Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze is a species widely used traditionally in the treatment of ailments, such as stomach pain, hemorrhoids, cough, verminosis, ulcer, liver disease, fever, influenza, nasal congestion, and inflammation. This review aims to provide a survey of available information on seven international electronic databases (Google Scholar, Medline, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed) about botanical aspects, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of M. suaveolens. Mesosphaerum suaveolens is a tropical America native species, but it can be found in several parts of the world as a ruderal plant. The species is the most studied species of the genus Lamiaceae due its phytochemical aspect, especially regarding the chemical composition of its essential oil. Besides the essential oils, M. suaveolens is a source of numerous secondary compounds such as triterpenes, diterpenes, and phenolic compounds, which are related to its biological activities, such as allelopathic, antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, and larvicidal activities as described in the literature.
RESUMO
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhynchospora nervosa (Vahl) Boeckeler (Cyperaceae), popularly known as "capim-estrela", is a native species widely distributed in Brazil. The whole plant has been used in local traditional medicine in the form of teas or syrups to treat inflammation, flu, nasal congestion, fever, swelling, and venereal disease. This is the first study to investigate the pharmacological properties of this species. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive potential of the lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract of R. nervosa in heterogenic Swiss mice. In addition to pharmacological studies, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated through carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis models. For the antinociceptive assay, the number of acetic acid-induced writhing responses in the animals was counted. Antipyretic activity was tested by yeast-induced pyrexia in mice and evaluated for 4 h. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration and leukocyte migration in the peritoneal fluid were quantified. The acute toxicity of the extract was also calculated. Quantitative analyses of total phenols and flavonoids in the extract were performed by spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: In short, the lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract of R. nervosa showed low acute toxicity in the preclinical tests (LD50 = 3807 mg/kg). A significant anti-inflammatory effect was observed, with an average reduction of carrageenan-induced paw edema of 96.37%. Comparatively, indomethacin inhibited the development of the carrageenin paw edema by 97.52%. In the peritonitis test, a significant reduction in NO levels was recorded. A reduction in the number of white cells, notably monocytes, was also observed, confirming the anti-inflammatory effect. Writhing was reduced by 86.53%, which indicates antinociceptive activity. As for antipyretic activity, no positive effects of the extract were observed. The lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract of R. nervosa presented a high content of phenolic compounds (322.47 µg GAE/mg) and total flavonoids (440.50 µg QE/mg). CONCLUSION: The lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract of R. nervosa showed significant in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity in mice. These preliminary findings support the indication of the use of this species in folk medicine in Brazil for the treatment of inflammation.
Assuntos
Analgésicos/farmacologia , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Antipiréticos/farmacologia , Cyperaceae/química , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Analgésicos/administração & dosagem , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/administração & dosagem , Antipiréticos/administração & dosagem , Carragenina/toxicidade , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Edema/induzido quimicamente , Edema/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos , Peritonite/induzido quimicamente , Peritonite/tratamento farmacológico , Componentes Aéreos da Planta , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/toxicidade , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
This research was designed to evaluate the influence of the irradiation process of the leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea (Leguminosae) on the production of secondary chemical compounds, including their biological activity. Leaves were collected and prepared to obtain the crude extract, which was then aliquoted and separately exposed to a Co-60 source with different doses, namely: 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kGy. From irradiated and control samples, tests of toxicity were carried out with the microcrustacea Artemia salina Leach at three moments: 24 h, 60 and 180 days after the irradiation of the samples. Bioassays showed an increase in the toxicity of the irradiated extracts, correlated with the dose. The toxicity level did not change with the storage time, indicating the excellent stability of the samples. To assess the phytochemical profile of the crude and irradiated extracts, three techniques were employed: thin-layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The phytochemical results emphasized the presence of phenols, tannins, and triterpenes. The analytical tests confirmed the role of ionizing radiation in breaking down macromolecules into simpler chemical species responsible for increasing chemical activity of the extract. This report presents and discusses ionizing radiation as an outstanding tool for enhancing active chemical compounds in leaf extracts of Libidibia ferrea, which reflects on their biochemical properties.
Assuntos
Fabaceae/química , Fabaceae/efeitos da radiação , Animais , Artemia/efeitos dos fármacos , Produtos Biológicos/química , Produtos Biológicos/efeitos da radiação , Produtos Biológicos/toxicidade , Brasil , Raios gama , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Humanos , Medicina Tradicional , Compostos Fitoquímicos/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/efeitos da radiação , Compostos Fitoquímicos/toxicidade , Extratos Vegetais/química , Extratos Vegetais/efeitos da radiação , Extratos Vegetais/toxicidade , Folhas de Planta/química , Folhas de Planta/efeitos da radiação , Plantas MedicinaisRESUMO
CONTEXT: Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott. (Araceae) and Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew (Urticaceae) are two medicinal species used as food and to prevent and treat bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, in traditional Brazilian medicine. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the free calcium concentration and further support the traditional use of these species as medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: L. aestuans and X. sagittifolium leaves were dehydrated and cooked to evaluate the presence of free calcium. The total oxalate content was determined by heat digestion in H(2)SO(4), oxalate precipitation with CaCl(2) and permanganate titration. RESULTS: The calcium content found in L. aestuans was quite significant (638.00 mg/100 g), whereas the fresh and cooked leaves of X. sagittifolium demonstrated a low content of calcium, at 273.17 and 369.81 mg/100 g, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The use of this species for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases is in agreement with the results of the free calcium (Ca(++)) analyses. Our data show that each species may be used as a health supplement in poor communities, provided that studies validate their safe use.