Vouacapane diterpenoids isolated from Pterodon and their biological activities

Volatile compounds of hexane extract from Pterodon pubescens Benth seeds and its significant in vitro potential against different bacterial strains

Pterodon pubescens Benth is a Brazilian medicinal plant (sucupira, in Brazilian Portuguese). This paper aims to determine the volatile composition and antibacterial activities of hexane extract from P. pubescens seeds (HE-PP). Antibacterial activities were screened by the microdilution broth method in 96-well culture plates and MIC values were expressed as µg/mL. HE-PP was active against several oral bacteria whose MIC values ranged between 12.5 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL and against three mycobacterial strains (MIC = 125 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL). In addition, HE-PP was active against Xanthomonas citri strain (MIC = 100 µg/mL). Cytotoxic activity of the extract was evaluated in human tumour and non-tumour cell lines. HE-PP showed selective cytotoxicity to cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa cells - IC50 = 53.47 µg/mL). Its major constituents were identified by GC-MS and GC-FID: E-caryophyllene, vouacapane, E-geranylgeraniol and dehydroabietol. Results reinforce the biological potential of HE-PP against a broad spectrum of pathogenic and phytopathogenic bacteria.

The Potential of Vouacapanes from Pterodon emarginatus Vogel Against COVID-19 Cytokine Storm

Purpose: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the search for potential therapeutic responses for various aspects of this disease. Fruits of Pterodon emarginatus Vogel (Fabaceae), sucupira, have been used in Brazilian traditional medicine because of their anti-inflammatory properties, which have been proven in vivo, in vitro, and in silico. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate P. emarginatus oleoresin and isolated diterpenes by in vitro anti-inflammatory models. Methods: In this study, the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of P. emarginatus oleoresin and vouacapanes 6α,19β-diacetoxy-7β,14β-dihydroxyvouacapan (V1), 6α-acetoxy-7β,14β-dihydroxyvouacapan (V2), and methyl 6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate (V3) were investigated in HaCaT cells. Results: Oleoresin, V2, and V3 inhibited phospholipase A2 (30.78%, 24.96%, and 77.64%, respectively). Both vouacapanes also inhibited the expression of COX-2 (28.3% and 33.17%, respectively). The production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) was inhibited by oleoresin by 35.47%. However, oleoresin did not interfere with Nrf-2 expression or IL-8 production. Conclusion: The results support the ethnomedicinal use of P. emarginatus oleoresin as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine, and also highlight P. emarginatus oleoresin and isolated vouacapanes as an attractive therapeutic approach for COVID-19 through the reduction or chronological control of the inflammatory mediators IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phospholipase A2, and INF-y (indirectly) during the SARS-CoV-2 infection process.

Stability Studies and the In Vitro Leishmanicidal Activity of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanoemulsion Containing Pterodon pubescens Benth. Oil

The physicochemical and microbiological stability of a hyaluronic acid-based nanostructured topical delivery system containing P. pubescens fruit oil was evaluated, and the in vitro antileishmanial activity of the nanoemulsion against Leishmania amazonensis and the cytotoxicity on macrophages was investigated. The formulation stored at 5 ± 2 °C, compared with the formulation stored at 30 and 40 ± 2 °C, showed a higher chemical and physical stability during the period analyzed and in the accelerated physical stability study. The formulation stored at 40 °C presented a significant change in droplet diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, active compound, and consistency index and was considered unstable. The microbiological stability of the formulations was confirmed. The leishmanicidal activity of the selected system against intracellular amastigotes was significantly superior to that observed for the free oil. However, further research is needed to explore the use of the hyaluronic acid-based nanostructured system containing P. pubescens fruit oil for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Lecithin-based nanocapsule loading sucupira (Pterodon emarginatus) oil effects in experimental mucositis

Intestinal mucositis (IM) is a frequent adverse effect in anticancer therapy without standard treatment. The oil obtained from sucupira (Pterodon emarginatus) has anti-inflammatory properties, and the soybean lecithin reduces the intestinal toxicity of several xenobiotics. However, their water insolubility impairs the in vivo application. For this reason, we evaluated if the nanoencapsulation of sucupira oil (SO) in lecithin-based nanocapsules (SO-NC) could be a therapeutically effective system for the treatment of IM in murine cisplatin (CDDP)-induced intestinal mucositis model. SO was analyzed by LC-HRMS/MS and HPLC. SO-NC was prepared by nanoprecipitation and characterized using DLS, HPLC, and AFM. Mice body weight and food consumption were assessed daily during experimental mucositis induced by CDDP. The animals were euthanized, and intestinal permeability, inflammatory mediators, and intestinal histology were performed. SO-NC demonstrated adequate characteristics for oral administration as size under 300 nm, IP < 0.3, high EE, and spherical shape. In vitro cytotoxicity performed against RAW 264.7 cell lines resulted in cell viability above 80 % confirming the non-cytotoxic profile of SO (IC50 268 µg/mL) and SO-NC (IC50 118.5 µg/mL) up to 117.2 µg/mL. The untreated mice showed intestinal toxicity after i.p. of CDDP, principally weight loss, increased intestinal permeability, and MPO and TNF-α levels. Surprisingly, the administration of SO to CDDP-mucositis animals did not circumvent the CDDP effects and increased intestinal permeability. However, SO-NC proved efficient in mitigating the experimental intestinal mucositis by improving intestinal epithelium architecture, reducing intestinal permeability, and improving the MPO levels. In conclusion, SO-NC can positively impact intestinal mucositis by promoting mucosal recovery. This is a promising strategy for developing a new treatment for intestinal mucositis.

A review: biosynthesis of plant-derived labdane-related diterpenoids

Plant-derived labdane-related diterpenoids (LRDs) represent a large group of terpenoids. LRDs possess either a labdane-type bicyclic core structure or more complex ring systems derived from labdane-type skeletons, such as abietane, pimarane, kaurane, etc. Due to their various pharmaceutical activities and unique properties, many of LRDs have been widely used in pharmaceutical, food and perfume industries. Biosynthesis of various LRDs has been extensively studied, leading to characterization of a large number of new biosynthetic enzymes. The biosynthetic pathways of important LRDs and the relevant enzymes (especially diterpene synthases and cytochrome P450 enzymes) were summarized in this review.

Recent progress in micro and nano-encapsulation of bioactive derivatives of the Brazilian genus Pterodon

In the last few decades, utilization of medicinal plants by the pharmaceutical industry has led to the identification of many new bioactive compounds. The genus Pterodon, native of the Brazilian Flora, is known for the therapeutic properties attributed to its species, which are widely used in popular medicine for their anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, tonic, and depurative properties. The intrinsic low water solubility of the plant derivatives from the genus, including diterpenes with vouacapane skeletons that are partially associated with the pharmacological activities, impairs the bioavailability of these bioactive compounds. Recent studies have aimed to encapsulate Pterodon products to improve their water solubility, achieve stability, increase their efficacy, and allow clinical applications. The purpose of this paper is to review recent research on the use of nanotechnology for the development of new products from plant derivatives of the Pterodon genus in different types of micro- and nanocarriers. Therapeutic properties of their different products are also presented. Finally, an update about the current and future applications of encapsulated formulations is provided.

Efficacy of nanoemulsion with Pterodon emarginatus Vogel oleoresin for topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical skin disease caused by the protozoan genus Leishmania. The treatment is restricted to a handful number of drugs that exhibit toxic effects, limited efficacy, and drug resistance. Additionally, developing an effective topical treatment is still an enormous unmet medical challenge. Natural oils, e.g. the oleoresin from P. emarginatus fruits (SO), contain various bioactive molecules, especially terpenoid compounds such as diterpenes and sesquiterpenes. However, its use in topical formulations can be impaired due to the natural barrier of the skin for low water solubility compounds. Nanoemulsions (NE) are drug delivery systems able to increase penetration of lipophilic compounds throughout the skin, improving their topical effect. In this context, we propose the use of SO-containing NE (SO-NE) for CL treatment. The SO-NE was produced by a low energy method and presented suitable physicochemical characteristic: average diameter and polydispersity index lower than 180 nm and 0.2, respectively. Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice were given topical doses of SO or SO-NE. The topical use of a combination of SO-NE and intraperitoneal meglumine antimoniate reduced lesion size by 41 % and tissue regeneration was proven by histopathological analyses. In addition, a reduction in the parasitic load and decreased in the level of IFN-γ in the lesion may be associated, as well as a lower level of the cytokine IL-10 may be associated with a less intense inflammatory process. The present study suggests that SO-NE in combination meglumine antimoniate represents a promising alternative for the topical treatment of CL caused by L. (L.) amazonensis.

Electrospun PCL-based nanofibers Arrabidaea chica Verlot - Pterodon pubescens Benth loaded: synergic effect in fibroblast formation

The guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique can be applied in dentistry and other medical specializations, such as orthopedics. In modern dentistry, GTR has been used in periodontics and implantology to treat periodontal defects, to reconstruct lost, damaged and atrophied bone tissue in dental implant procedures, and to preserve alveolar bases after tooth extraction. In order to create and improve new therapies and to develop new biomaterials that restore, improve and prevent aggravation of compromised tissue function, poly (ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer membranes were obtained by the electrospinning process and were associated with two plant extracts: Pterodon pubescens Benth (P. pubescens) and Arrabidaea chica Verlot (A. chica) which are characterized by their pharmacological activities of anti-inflammatory and healing actions, respectively. Fiber morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), where fiber average diameter was measured from SEM images. Contact angle measurements were performed in order to evaluate the hydrophilicity of electrospun membranes containing vegetal extract. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to evaluate the ability to release active ingredients. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation assays were performed in vitro on NIH-3T3 cells for 1, 3 and 7 d. Electrospun PCL membranes associated with plant extracts P. pubescens and/or A. chica presented a controlled release profile of the active compounds induced fibroblast formation, suggesting that they are promising and suitable for applications in GTR.