Chemotaxonomy of the Ericales

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidative activities of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC leaves essential oil

Monotheca buxifolia (Sapotaceae) is used against different heath aliments due to auspicious biological properties. Essential oil was extracted from leaves of M. buxifolia through steam distillation. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed presence of 34 compounds. Geranyl acetone (12.6%), nonanal (9.0%) and champhor (8.0%) were abundant while (E)-β-ionone, cis-carvone oxide and caryophyllene oxide were also found. The oil presented 50.2% free radical scavenging activity while total antioxidant potential and total reducing power potential were 40.0 µg AAE/mL and 38.7 µg AAE/mL, respectively. The extracted oil presented moderate activity against Escherichia coli (14 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (11 mm). The study concludes that the essential oil of M. buxifolia leaves has diverse chemical composition and biological activities therefore can be explored for therapeutic potential.

Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Norantea brasiliensis Choisy on Dengue Virus-2

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Severe dengue fever is a result of exacerbated immune responses and no specific treatments are available. We evaluated the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of Norantea brasiliensis Choisy.

METHODS

Human adherent monocytes infected in vitro with dengue virus (DENV)-2 were incubated with the crude ethanol extract from leaves (NB1) or 3 derived fractions: dichloromethane (NB3), ethyl acetate (NB5), and butanolic (NB6) partitions. The antiviral and immunomodulatory activities were determined by intracellular detection of DENV antigen within monocytes and by secreted NS1 viral protein and cytokines.

RESULTS

The crude extract alone exhibited both antiviral activities (intracellular and secreted antigens) and all fractions derived from this extract modulated NS1 production. Regarding the immunomodulatory effect, among the secreted factors, TNF-α was inhibited by NB3 and NB6; IL-6 was inhibited by NB1, NB3, and NB6; IL-10 by NB1 and NB3; and IFN-α by NB6. The crude extract (NB1) presented the best antiviral effect, whereas the dichloromethane fraction (NB3) presented an immunomodulatory effect in the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSION

During in vitro DENV infection, N. brasiliensis Choisy exerts both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects that are likely associated, considering that less viral load may lead to less immunostimulation.