Galloylquinic acid derivatives from Copaifera langsdorffii leaves display gastroprotective activity

Insights into the anti-Candida albicans properties of natural phytochemicals: An in vitro and in vivo investigation

Invasive candidiasis, attributed to Candida albicans, has long been a formidable threat to human health. Despite the advent of effective therapeutics in recent decades, the mortality rate in affected patient populations remains discouraging. This is exacerbated by the emergence of multidrug resistance, significantly limiting the utility of conventional antifungals. Consequently, researchers are compelled to continuously explore novel solutions. Natural phytochemicals present a potential adjunct to the existing arsenal of agents. Previous studies have substantiated the efficacy of phytochemicals against C. albicans. Emerging evidence also underscores the promising application of phytochemicals in the realm of antifungal treatment. This review systematically delineates the inhibitory activity of phytochemicals, both in monotherapy and combination therapy, against C. albicans in both in vivo and in vitro settings. Moreover, it elucidates the mechanisms underpinning the antifungal properties, encompassing (i) cell wall and plasma membrane damage, (ii) inhibition of efflux pumps, (iii) induction of mitochondrial dysfunction, and (iv) inhibition of virulence factors. Subsequently, the review introduces the substantial potential of nanotechnology and photodynamic technology in enhancing the bioavailability of phytochemicals. Lastly, it discusses current limitations and outlines future research priorities, emphasizing the need for high-quality research to comprehensively establish the clinical efficacy and safety of phytochemicals in treating fungal infections. This review aims to inspire further contemplation and recommendations for the effective integration of natural phytochemicals in the development of new medicines for patients afflicted with C. albicans.

In-silico analysis reveals Quinic acid as a multitargeted inhibitor against Cervical Cancer

The cervix is the lowermost part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, and cervical cancer is a malignant cervix tumour. One of this cancer's most important risk factors is HPV infection. In the approach to finding an effective treatment for this disease, various works have been done around genomics and drug discovery. Finding the major altered genes was one of the most significant studies completed in the field of cervical cancer by TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas), and these genes are TGFBR2, MED1, ERBB3, CASP8, and HLA-A. The greatest genomic alterations were found in the PI3K/MAPK and TGF-Beta signalling pathways, suggesting that numerous therapeutic targets may come from these pathways in the future. We, therefore, conducted a combined enrichment analysis of genes gathered from various works of literature for this study. The final six key genes from the list were obtained after enrichment analysis using GO, KEGG, and Reactome methods. The six proteins against the identified genes were then subjected to a docking-based screening against a library of 6,87,843 prepared natural compounds from the ZINC15 database. The most stable compound was subsequently discovered through virtual screening to be the natural substance Quinic acid, which also had the highest binding affinity for all six proteins and a better docking score. To examine their stability, the study was extended to MM/GBSA and MD simulations on the six docked proteins, and comparative docking-based calculations led us to identify the Quinic Acid as a multitargeted compound. The overall deviation of the compound was less than 2 Å for all the complexes considered best for the biological molecules, and the simulation interaction analysis reveals a huge web of interaction during the simulation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Suppression of VEGF and inflammatory cytokines, modulation of Annexin A1 and organ functions by galloylquinic acids in breast cancer model

The ongoing development of novel drugs for breast cancer aims to improve therapeutic outcomes, reduce toxicities, and mitigate resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Doxorubicin (Dox) is known for its significant side effects caused by non-specific cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of galloylquinic acids (BF) and the beneficial role of their combination with Dox in an Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mouse model, as well as their cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells. The EAC-mice were randomized into five experimental groups: normal saline, Dox (2 mg/kg, i.p), BF (150 mg/kg, orally), Dox and BF combined mixture, and a control group. Mice were subjected to a 14-day treatment regimen. Results showed that BF compounds exerted chemopreventive effects in EAC mice group by increasing mean survival time, decreasing tumor volume, inhibiting ascites tumor cell count, modulating body weight changes, and preventing multi-organ histopathological alterations. BF suppressed the increased levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and TNF-α) and the angiogenic marker VEGF in the ascitic fluid. In addition, BF and their combination with Dox exhibited significant cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 cells by inhibiting cell viability and modulating Annexin A1 level. Moreover, BF treatments could revert oxidative stress, restore liver and kidney functions, and normalize blood cell counts.

Effect of the main constituents of Pistacia lentiscus leaves against the DPPH radical and xanthine oxidase: experimental and theoretical study

The aim of this work is to study the content of phenolic compounds in P lentiscus leaves and their antioxidant effect. After extracting the phenolic compounds, fractionation by liquid/liquid partition with increasing polarity gives five extracts. Three of them (ButF, AqF and ButA) were found to have good antioxidant activity. Their IC_50s for the inhibition of the free radical formation of DPPH are 1.76 µg/mL, 1.307 µg/ml, and 1.77 µg/mL, respectively. These values are very interesting, considering the effect of the powerful flavonoid quercetin, whose IC₅₀ against DPPH is 1.53 µg/mL. These extracts are also active against xanthine oxidase (XO). The IC_50s measured are 0.14 mg/mL, 0.186 mg/mL and 0.33 mg/mL for ButF, Aq F and ButAq F extract respectively, in comparison with allopurinol (0.44 mg/mL). A phytochemical analysis by LC/ESI-MS-MS was performed to explain the observed activities. The results show 22 peaks representing: flavanols, namely catechin, d-Gallocatechin, and gallocatechin gallate. The only flavone detected in the studied extracts was luteolin glucuronide and was found to be in higher amounts in butanolic extract (2,71mg/mL). The phenolic acids and derivatives were also identified in the extracts. A theoretical study was performed to deduce the specificity of the binding between the major compounds identified in the P. lentiscus extract and the xanthine oxidase enzyme using Schrödinger software. The docking procedure was validated using the extraction of ligands from the binding site. Their re-anchoring to the xanthine oxidase structure using quercetin and allopurinol was considered reference molecules. After docking, post-docking minimization was performed to achieve the best scoring poses with the MM-GBSA approach. The dGBind energy of MM-GBSA representing the binding energy of the receptor and the ligand was calculated based on molecular mechanics. Results reveal that β-Glucogallin compounds such as Digalloylquinic acid, Gallocatechin, and Myricetin-3-O rhamnoside are more active than allopurinol, with stronger Docking score (Gscore) and MM-GBSA dGBind.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Galloylquinic acid derivatives from Byrsonima fagifolia leaf extract and potential antifungal activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Byrsonima fagifolia Niedenzu (Malpighiaceae) and other Byrsonima species are popularly employed in Brazilian traditional medicine in the form of preparations as cicatrizing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To characterize the phytochemical profile of the hydromethanolic extract obtained from B. fagifolia leaves (BF extract) and to evaluate the toxicity and the antifungal activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The compounds from BF extract were isolated by HPLC and the structures were elucidated based on extensive analyses of 1D and 2D NMR spectra (HMQC, HMBC and COSY) data. The antifungal effect was determined by the broth microdilution method and the toxicity was evaluated on erythrocytes from sheep's blood and Galleria mellonella larvae.

RESULTS

Phytochemical investigation of the BF extract led to the isolation and characterization of pyrogallol, n-butyl gallate, 3,4-di-O-galloylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-galloylquinic acid, 3,4,5-tri-O-galloylquinic acid, and 1,3,4,5-tetra-O-galloylquinic acid. The BF extract showed high content of galloylquinic acid derivatives reaching more than twenty-times the quercetin derivatives content, according to the quantification by HPLC. These galloylquinic acid derivatives, obtained during this study, and quercetin derivatives, previously isolated, were submitted to the antifungal assays. The BF extract inhibited yeast growth mainly against Cryptococcus spp., at concentrations of 1-16 μg/mL, comparable to isolated compounds galloylquinic acid derivatives. However, the quercetin derivatives as well as quinic acid, gallic acid, and methyl gallate showed lower antifungal effect compared with galloylquinic derivatives. In addition, the BF extract had no hemolytic effect and no toxicity on G. mellonella.

CONCLUSION

The phytochemical analysis revealed that galloylquinic acid derivatives are the major compounds in the leaves of B. fagifolia and they are associated to anti-cryptococcal activity and presented reduced toxicity.

Exploring the Potential of Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw. (Resurrection Tree) as a Phytogenic Feed Additive in Animal Nutrition

Simple Summary

The unregulated use of in-feed antibiotic growth promoters has received widespread condemnation due to an increase in cases of antibiotic-resistant microbes. This has fueled an ever-growing demand for new sources of natural and safe alternative products with minimal impacts on the environment and human health in animal production. Myrothamnus flabellifolius, as a phytogenic feed additive, fits this description, as it is a natural plant containing high amounts of secondary metabolites necessary for cell function, regulation, and protection for improved animal growth, performance, and health. With some limitations towards its use, several processing and combination strategies are available to unlock nutrients and explore its potential in animal production, as described in this review.

Abstract

Myrothamnus flabellifolius (Welw.) is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of depression and mental disorder, asthma, infectious diseases, respiratory, inflammation, epilepsy, heart, wound, backaches, diabetes, kidney ailments, hypertension, hemorrhoids, gingivitis, shingles, stroke, and skins conditions. The effectiveness of M. flabellifolius is due to the presence of several secondary metabolites that have demonstrated efficacy in other cell and animal models. These metabolites are key in cell regulation and function and have potential use in animal production due to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, for an improvement in growth performance, feed quality and palatability, gut microbial environment, function, and animal health. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed account on the potential use of M. flabellifolius in animal nutrition. Limitations towards the use of this plant in animal nutrition, including toxicity, economic, and financial issues are discussed. Finally, novel strategies and technologies, e.g., microencapsulation, microbial fermentation, and essential oil extraction, used to unlock and improve nutrient bioaccessibility and bioavailability are clearly discussed towards the potential use of M. flabellifolius as a phytogenic additive in animal diets.

Novel antitumor activity of the combined treatment of galloylquinic acids from Copaifera lucens and doxorubicin in solid Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice via the modulation of the Notch signaling pathway

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the potential synergistic effect of the combined treatment of galloylquinic acids compounds from Copaifera lucens with doxorubicin via the modulation of the Notch pathway in Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice model.

MAIN METHODS

The solid tumor model was induced in mice by s.c. injection of Ehrlich cancerous cells in the right hind limb. Sixty mice were allocated into five different groups which included treated groups with galloylquinic acids compounds, doxorubicin and their combination. Normal and tumor control groups were also used. Different biological samples were collected to measure the levels of Notch1, Hes1, Jagged1, TNF-α, IL-6, and VEGF. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of tumor tissues using specific anti-NF-kβ and anti-cyclin D1 antibodies were also performed.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results showed that the combined treatment of galloylquinic acids compounds with doxorubicin significantly inhibited Notch1, Hes1, Jagged1, TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF, NF-kβ, and cyclin D1 activities.

SIGNIFICANCE

Galloylquinic acids compounds exhibited promising synergistic chemotherapeutic and oncostatic effects and promoted the chemosensitivity of doxorubicin, mainly by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and its downstream effectors. These compounds may be considered in cancer therapy exhibiting improved efficacy and reduced side effects of chemotherapeutic agents.

Comparative Study of Metabolomic Profile and Antioxidant Content of Adult and In Vitro Leaves of Aristotelia chilensis

This work aimed to identify the bioactive compounds present in adult maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) leaves from different stages of development and seasons of the year and compare them with leaves obtained from maqui plants grown in vitro. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of maqui leaf extracts by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn showed the presence of different polyphenolic compounds classified into galloyl and caffeoyl quinic acids, ellagitannins and ellagic acid- and flavonoid-derivatives. In general, the total phenolic content of the in vitro samples was higher than that of ex vitro samples, whereas the total flavonoid content was higher in winter basal leaves. Additionally, the analysis by HPLC-MS showed that the extract from spring basal leaves was enriched in quercetin, catechin, kaempferol and 3-caffeoyl quinic acids, while in the in vitro leaves extract, quercetin was not present. As regards lipophilic compounds identified by GC/MS, the samples of in vitro leaves showed a high presence of α-tocopherol and β-sitosterol. In contrast, the samples of adult leaves presented a hight level of linolenic and linoleic acids. These results suggest that maqui leaves could be an excellent source of antioxidants and lipophilic compounds for many industries, such as the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Application of the metabolomics approach to the discovery of active compounds from Brazilian trees against resistant human melanoma cells

INTRODUCTION

The chemical diversity of plants plays an essential role in the development of new drugs. However, new bioactive compound identification and isolation are challenging due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of the traditional process. Recently, alternative strategies have become popular, such as the statistical approach to correlate compounds with biological activities, overcoming bottlenecks in bioactive natural product research.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine bioactive compounds against resistant human melanoma cells from leaves of Aspidosperma subincanum, Copaifera langsdorffii, Coussarea hydrangeifolia, Guarea guidonea and Tapirira guianensis, using a metabolomics approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The extracts and fractions were obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and tested against resistant melanoma cells SK-MEL-28 and SK-MEL-103. Chemical analysis was performed by high-performance diode array detector tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). Chemical and biological data were analysed through univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The species present high chemical diversity, including indole alkaloids, glycosylated flavonoids, galloylquinic acid derivatives, cinnamic acid derivatives, and terpenes. The ASE fractionation separated the compounds according to the physicochemical properties; only C. langsdorffii and T. guianensis extracts were active. Both results from the chemical profile and the biological assay were treated using a metabolomics approach to identify the contribution of different classes of secondary metabolites in the viability of human melanoma cells. The analyses showed the metabolites from C. langsdorffii and T. guianensis, such as polyphenols and terpenes, were the main compounds correlated with the biological response.

CONCLUSION

These findings afford alternative pathways that are trustworthy and less time-consuming to identify new bioactive compounds against multidrug-resistant human melanoma cells.

Preventive activity of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. leaves extract and its major compounds, afzelin and quercitrin, on DNA damage in in vitro and in vivo models

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. is a plant found in South America, especially in Brazil. Oleoresin and the leaves of this plant is used as a popular medicinal agent. However, few studies on the chemical composition of aerial parts and related biological activities are known. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic potential of C. langsdorffii aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract (CLE) and two of its major compounds afzelin and quercitrin. The cytotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of CLE was determined as follows: 1) against genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DXR) or methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in V79 cells; 2) by direct and indirect-acting mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium strains; and 3) by MMS in male Swiss mice. The protective effects of afzelin and quercitrin against DXR or MMS were also evaluated in V79 and HepG2 cells. CLE was cytotoxic as evidenced by clonogenic efficiency assay. Further, CLE did not induce a significant change in frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei; as well as number of revertants in the Ames test demonstrating absence of genotoxicity. In contrast, CLE was found to be antigenotoxic in mammalian cells. The results also showed that CLE exerted inhibitory effect against indirect-acting mutagens in the Ames test. Afzelin and quercitrin did not reduce genotoxicity induced by DXR or MMS in V79 cells. However, treatments using afzelin and quercitrin decreased MMS-induced genotoxicity in HepG2 cells. The antigenotoxic effect of CLE observed in this study may be partially attributed to the antioxidant activity of the combination of major components afzelin and quercitrin.

UHPLC-HRMS/MS on untargeted metabolomics: a case study with Copaifera (Fabaceae)

Untargeted metabolomics is a powerful tool in chemical fingerprinting. It can be applied in phytochemistry to aid species identification, systematic studies and quality control of bioproducts. This approach aims to produce as much chemical information as possible, without focusing on any specific chemical class, thus, requiring extensive chemometric effort. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibly of an untargeted metabolomics method in phytochemistry by a study case of the Copaifera genus (Fabaceae). This genus contains significant medicinal species used worldwidely. Copaifera exploitation issues include a lack of chemical data, ambiguous species identification methods and absence of quality control for its bioproducts. Different organs of five Copaifera species were analysed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS, GNPS platform and chemometric tools. Untargeted metabolomics enabled the identification of 19 chemical markers and 29 metabolites, distinguishing each sample by species, plant organs, and biome type. Chemical markers were classified as flavonoids, terpenoids and condensed tannins. The applied method provided reliable information about species chemodiversity using fast workflow with little sampling size. The untargeted approach by UHPLC-HRMS/MS proved to be a promising tool for species identification, pharmacological prospecting and in the future for the quality control of extracts used in the manufacture of bioproducts.

Brazilian Copaifera Species: Antifungal Activity against Clinically Relevant Candida Species, Cellular Target, and In Vivo Toxicity

Plants belonging to the genus Copaifera are widely used in Brazil due to their antimicrobial properties, among others. The re-emergence of classic fungal diseases as a consequence of antifungal resistance to available drugs has stimulated the search for plant-based compounds with antifungal activity, especially against Candida. The Candida-infected Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to evaluate the in vitro antifungal potential of Copaifera leaf extracts and trunk oleoresins against Candida species. The Copaifera leaf extracts exhibited good antifungal activity against all Candida species, with MIC values ranging from 5.86 to 93.75 µg/mL. Both the Copaifera paupera and Copaifera reticulata leaf extracts at 46.87 µg/mL inhibited Candida glabrata biofilm formation and showed no toxicity to C. elegans. The survival of C. glabrata-infected nematodes increased at all the tested extract concentrations. Exposure to Copaifera leaf extracts markedly increased C. glabrata cell vacuolization and cell membrane damage. Therefore, Copaifera leaf extracts are potential candidates for the development of new and safe antifungal agents.

Quantitative analysis of phenolic metabolites in Copaifera langsdorffii leaves from plants of different geographic origins cultivated under the same environmental conditions

INTRODUCTION

Galloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids are the main phenolic metabolites found in Copaifera langsdorffii leaves (Leguminosae, Detarioideae), a medicinal plant with potential therapeutic application in the treatment of kidney stones. The factors that affect metabolite production in this plant species are not well understood but may include environmental and genetic factors.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the variation in metabolite production over a 12-month period for 10 groups of C. langsdorffii cultivated under the same environmental conditions.

METHODS

Copaifera langsdorffii seeds were collected from 10 different regions in southeast, Brazil and grown in the same field. HPLC-UV was used to quantify nine galloylquinic acid derivatives and two flavonoids in leaf samples from mature trees. Climate data for humidity, radiation, precipitation and temperature were provided by the National Institute of Meteorology, Brazil. Multivariate analyses were performed to correlate chemical and environmental variables.

RESULTS

The overall effect of environmental factors on the production of phenolic metabolites was uniform among C. langsdorffii groups. Chemical variation between groups was present, but small, and probably due to differences in their genetics and physiology. Seasonal changes influenced the production of the major phenolic metabolites, with increases in temperature and radiation levels favouring metabolite production.

CONCLUSION

When C. langsdorffii trees are cultivated in the same environment, the production of the major secondary metabolites found in their leaves is very similar quantitatively, varying based on geographic location of original population and seasonal changes. This favours the standardisation of plant raw material for the production of a phytomedicine.

Effects of copaiba oil on dermonecrosis induced by Loxosceles intermedia venom

Background:

Accidents caused by spiders of the genus Loxosceles constitute an important public health problem in Brazil. The venom of Loxosceles sp induces dermonecrosis at the bite site and systemic disease in severe cases. Traditional medicine based on plant-derived products has been proven to reduce the local effects of envenomation. The present study verified the healing effects of copaiba oil on lesions induced by the venom of L. intermedia.

Methods:

Cutaneous lesions were induced on the backs of rabbits by intradermal injection of L. intermedia venom. Copaiba oil was applied topically 6 hours after injection; the treatment was repeated for 30 days, after which animal skins were removed and processed for histopathological analysis. Blood samples were also collected before and 24 hours after venom inoculation to measure the hematological parameters.

Results:

Compared to the control group, the platelet count was reduced significantly in all groups inoculated with venom, accompanied by a decreased number of heterophils in the blood. The minimum necrotic dose (MND) was defined as 2.4 μg/kg. Topical treatment with copaiba oil demonstrated a differentiated healing profile: large skin lesions were observed 10 days after venom inoculation, whereas formation of a thick crust, without scarring was observed 30 days after venom inoculation. Histopathological analysis showed no significant difference after treatment. Nevertheless, the copaiba oil treatment induced a collagen distribution similar to control skin, in marked contrast to the group that received only the spider venom injection.

Conclusions:

We conclude that copaiba oil may interfere in the healing process and thus propose it as a possible topical treatment for cutaneous lesions induced by L. intermedia venom.

Antiurolithic activity and biotransformation of galloylquinic acids by Aspergillus alliaceus ATCC10060, Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404, and Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 10028b

Copaifera lucens n-butanolic fraction (BF) was used as a source of galloylquinic acids, and aerobically incubated with Aspergillus alliaceus ATCC10060, Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 16404, and Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 10028b cultures for 60 and 120 h. Out of the three studied filamentous fungi, A. alliaceus ATCC10060 was able to degrade galloylquinic acids into one major metabolite, 3-O-methylgallic acid (M1). The product was identified by ¹H-NMR, UPLC-MS/MS and its potential effect on calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystal binding to Madin-Darby canine kidney cells type I surface was studied. Renal cells pretreatment with BF and M1 for 3 h significantly decreased calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal-adherence at 50 μg/mL and 5 μM, respectively. Both M1 and BF significantly reduced surface expression of COM-binding proteins annexin A1 and heat shock protein 90, respectively as evidenced by Western blot analysis of membrane, cytosolic, and whole cell lysate fractions. The compounds also showed antioxidant activities in DPPH assay.

Occurrence, chemical composition, biological activities and analytical methods on Copaifera genus-A review

Copaifera is a genus of large trees found in Brazil, mainly in Amazon forest, but also in Atlantic forest and cerrado biomes. It has also been found in other countries in South America. In Africa, it is found mainly in Congo, Cameroon, Guinea and Angola. Its oleoresin has been used in folk medicine in the treatment of numerous healthy disorders, such as urinary, respiratory, skin and inflammatory diseases, for which there are several studies corroborating its ethnopharmacological uses. It is also extensively employed in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in the development of ointments, pills, soaps, perfumes, among others. Copaifera oleoresin contains mainly diterpenes, such as: kaurenoic acid, kaurenol, copalic acid, agathic acid, hardwiickic acid, polyalthic acid, and sesquiterpenes, comprising β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, α-copaene, α-humulene, γ-muurolene and β-bisabolol, among other compounds. On the other hand, Copaifera leaves contain mainly phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and methylated galloylquinic acid derivatives. Therefore, considering the economic importance of Copaifera oleoresin, its ethnopharmacological uses, the need to develop new pharmaceuticals for the treatment of many diseases, as well as the pharmacological potential of the compounds found in Copaifera spp., it was undertaken a review covering mostly the last two decades on the distribution, chemistry, pharmacology, quality control and safety of Copaifera species.

Assessment of genotoxic activity of oleoresins and leaves extracts of six Copaifera species for prediction of potential human risks

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Copaifera species are used in folk medicine for a wide variety of pharmacological properties. This paper reports the cytotoxic and genotoxic analyses of oleoresins and leaves extracts of Copaifera species: C. duckei, C. multijuga, C. paupera, C. pubiflora, C. reticulata and C. trapezifolia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro assays were performed using Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells). The clonogenic efficiency and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays were employed for the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assessment, respectively. The mouse bone marrow micronucleus test was used for in vivo studies.

RESULTS

The cytotoxicity results using the clonogenic efficiency assay showed IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.8 to 99.2 µg/mL for oleoresins and 66.4-721.5 for leaves extracts. However, no cytotoxic effect was observed in the in vivo studies. Additionally, the treatments with oleoresins and leaves extracts did not significantly increase the frequency of micronuclei in both in vitro and in vivo mammalian cells. The UPLC-MS/MS and CG/MS analyses of Copaifera oleoresins allowed the identification of 10 acid diterpenes and 11 major volatile sesquiterpenes. Leaves are rich in phenolic compounds including two flavonoid heterosides and 16 galloylquinic acid derivatives.

CONCLUSIONS

The oleoresins and leaves extracts of studied Copaifera species were not cytotoxic in vivo, as well as not genotoxic in both in vitro and vivo assays, under the experimental conditions used. Therefore, the obtained results should be sufficient to demonstrate the absence of significant genotoxic risk of these Copaifera products for human use in the evaluated concentrations range.

Skin Wound Healing Potential and Mechanisms of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves and Oleoresin of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. Kuntze in Rats

The wound healing is a complex process which, sometimes, can be a problem in public health because of the possibility of physical disability or even death. Due to the lack of a gold standard drug in skin wound treatment and aiming at the discovery of new treatments in skin repair and the mechanisms involved in the process, we used oleoresin (OR) from Copaifera langsdorffii and hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves (EH) to treat rat skin wounds. For that, male Wistar rats were divided into groups (n = 8): Lanette, Collagenase, 10% EH, or 10% OR and, after anesthesia, one wound of 2 cm was made in the back of animals. The wounds were treated once a day for 3, 7, or 14 days and the wound areas were measured. The rats were euthanized and skin samples destined to biochemical, molecular, and immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed a macroscopic retraction of the wounds of 10% EH and 10% OR creams and both treatments showed anti-inflammatory activity. Molecular and immunohistochemical results demonstrated the activity of Copaifera langsdorffii creams in angiogenesis, reepithelialization, wound retraction, and remodeling mechanisms.