Phytochemical Composition, Antifungal and Antioxidant Activity of Duguetia furfuracea A. St.-Hill

In vitro antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities of polar leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina

BACKGROUND

Plants are able to deliver a huge number of differing bioactive compounds which may supplement the requirements of the human body by acting as natural antioxidants. Antioxidants are mindful for the defense component of the life form against the pathologies related to the assault of free radicals. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the qualitative phytochemical composition of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract and its antioxidant activity.

METHOD

The powdered plant sample was successively extracted with aqueous, methanol and ethanol solvents using Soxhlet apparatus. The antioxidant activities of the crude leaf extract were determined using 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical, phosphomolybdate (PM) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging assay. All the examinations were drained triplicates and average values of each test were taken.

RESULTS

Phytochemical investigation of the plant revealed that the three solvent extracts contained numerous bioactive compounds namely alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides and sugars. The result showed that, the leaf extracts of V. amygdalina obtained from methanol extract exhibit the maximum antioxidant activity compared ethanol and aqueous extracts. The IC50 values of DPPH assay for the H₂O, MeOH and EtOH extracts were 111.4, 94.92 and 94.83 μg/ml; of ABTS assay were 334.3, 179.8 and 256.9 μg/ml; of H₂O₂ assay were 141.6, 156 and 180.6 μg/ml, respectively. The maximum radical scavenging activity was obtained in DPPH assay while the lowest scavenging activity was obtained in ABTS assay method. The data obtained in the in vitro models clearly suggest that methanol extract has higher antioxidant activity due to a higher presence of phenolic constituents in the extract.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that V. amygdalina leaf has a noteworthy antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity mitigating the traditional use of the plant for different aliments.

Toxic Potential of Cerrado Plants on Different Organisms

Cerrado has many compounds that have been used as biopesticides, herbicides, medicines, and others due to their highly toxic potential. Thus, this review aims to present information about the toxicity of Cerrado plants. For this purpose, a review was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Web Of Science databases. After applying exclusion criteria, 187 articles published in the last 20 years were selected and analyzed. Detailed information about the extract preparation, part of the plant used, dose/concentration tested, model system, and employed assay was provided for different toxic activities described in the literature, namely cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, antiparasitic, and molluscicidal activities. In addition, the steps to execute research on plant toxicity and the more common methods employed were discussed. This review synthesized and organized the available research on the toxic effects of Cerrado plants, which could contribute to the future design of new environmentally safe products.

Profiling of Antifungal Activities and In Silico Studies of Natural Polyphenols from Some Plants

A worldwide increase in the incidence of fungal infections, emergence of new fungal strains, and antifungal resistance to commercially available antibiotics indicate the need to investigate new treatment options for fungal diseases. Therefore, the interest in exploring the antifungal activity of medicinal plants has now been increased to discover phyto-therapeutics in replacement to conventional antifungal drugs. The study was conducted to explore and identify the mechanism of action of antifungal agents of edible plants, including Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum tamala, Amomum subulatum, Trigonella foenumgraecum, Mentha piperita, Coriandrum sativum, Lactuca sativa, and Brassica oleraceae var. italica. The antifungal potential was assessed via the disc diffusion method and, subsequently, the extracts were assessed for phytochemicals and total antioxidant activity. Potent polyphenols were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and antifungal mechanism of action was evaluated in silico. Cinnamomum zeylanicum exhibited antifungal activity against all the tested strains while all plant extracts showed antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. Rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin were identified as common polyphenols. In silico studies showed that rutin displayed the greatest affinity with binding pocket of fungal 14-alpha demethylase and nucleoside diphosphokinase with the binding affinity (Kd, -9.4 and -8.9, respectively), as compared to terbinafine. Results indicated that Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum tamala exert their antifungal effect possibly due to kaempferol and rutin, respectively, or possibly by inhibition of nucleoside diphosphokinase (NDK) and 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51), while Amomum subulatum and Trigonella foenum graecum might exhibit antifungal potential due to quercetin. Overall, the study demonstrates that plant-derived products have a high potential to control fungal infections.

Antifungal activity of liriodenine on agents of systemic mycoses, with emphasis on the genus Paracoccidioides

BACKGROUND

Endemic systemic mycoses remain a health challenge, since these opportunistic diseases are increasingly infecting immunosuppressed patients. The simultaneous use of antifungal compounds and other drugs to treat infectious or non-infectious diseases has led to several interactions and undesirable effects. Thus, new antifungal compounds should be investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the activity of liriodenine extracted from Annona macroprophyllata on agents of systemic mycoses, with emphasis on the genus Paracoccidioides.

METHODS

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined by the microdilution method. The cellular alterations caused by liriodenine on a standard P. brasiliensis (Pb18) strain were evaluated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Liriodenine was effective only in 3 of the 8 strains of the genus Paracoccidioides and in the Histoplasma capsulatum strain, in a very low concentration (MIC of 1.95 μg.mL-1); on yeasts of Candida spp. (MIC of 125 to 250 μg.mL-1), including C. krusei (250 μg.mL-1), which has intrinsic resistance to fluconazole; and in Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii (MIC of 62.5 μg.mL-1). However, liriodenine was not effective against Aspergillus fumigatus at the studied concentrations. Liriodenine exhibited fungicidal activity against all standard strains and clinical isolates that showed to be susceptible by in vitro tests. Electron microscopy revealed cytoplasmic alterations and damage to the cell wall of P. brasiliensis (Pb18).

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that liriodenine is a promising fungicidal compound that should undergo further investigation with some chemical modifications.

Mattar M, Al-Yafrasi MA, El-Ansary DO, Zin El-Abedin TK, Yessoufou K. Polyphenol Profile and Pharmaceutical Potential of Quercus spp. Bark Extracts

Targeted profiling of polyphenols in trees may reveal valuable sources of natural compounds with major applications in pharmacology and disease control. The current study targeted the profiling of polyphenols using HPLC-DAD in Quercus robur, Q. macrocarpa and Q. acutissima bark extracts. Free radical scavenging of each extract was investigated using antioxidant assays. Antimicrobial activities against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi were explored, as well as anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines. The HPLC-DAD analyses revealed the availability of several polyphenols in high amounts, including ellagic acid (in Q. robur) and caffeic acid (in Q. macrocarpa) in all three species. The bioactivity assay revealed high antioxidant activity in Q. robur compared to that of the other species, as well as phenolic standards. The three oak bark extracts showed clear antibacterial activities against most bacteria tested, with the highest antibacterial activities in the extracts of Q. robur. In addition, the three extracts showed higher antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus flavus, and Escherichia coli compared to that of other bacteria. There were strong antifungal activities against some fungi, such as Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium funiculosum, and Penicillium ochrochloron. There were also noticeable anticancer activities against MCF-7, HeLa, Jurkat, and HT-29 cell lines, with the highest anticancer activity in the extracts of Q. robur. This is the first study that reveals not only novel sources of important polyphenols (e.g., ellagic acid) in Q. robur, Q. macrocarpa and Q. acutissima bark but also their anticancer activities against diverse cancer cell lines.

Chemical composition and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Duguetia furfuracea essential oil: Effect on edema, leukocyte recruitment, tumor necrosis factor alpha production, iNOS expression, and adenosinergic and opioidergic systems

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Duguetia furfuracea (A. St. -Hil.) Saff. (Annonaceae) is commonly known in Brazil as "araticum-seco," and its root is used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory and painful disorders. However, no studies have been performed to evaluate these therapeutic activities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Investigate the chemical composition, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, and elucidate the possible antinociceptive mechanisms of action from the essential oil of D. furfuracea (EODf) underground stem bark.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The paw edema induced by LPS, formalin-induced nociception, LPS-induced thermal hyperalgesia and rota-rod tests in vivo were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in addition to the alteration on motor coordination. Histological analyses and an immunohistochemistry assay for iNOS were performed on mouse footpads of naive, control, 10 mg/kg EODf, and 10 mg/kg indomethacin (Ind) groups. The samples were removed at 1, 3, and 6 h after subplantar injection of LPS. In addition, the involvement of the adenosinergic, opioidergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic systems were investigated, in order to elucidate possible antinociceptive mechanisms.

RESULTS

Twenty-four volatile constituents were detected and identified. (E)-asarone (21.9%), bicyclogermacrene (16.7%), 2,4,5-trimethoxystyrene (16.1%), α-gurjunene (15%), cyperene (7.8%), and (E)-caryophyllene (4.6%) were major compounds found in EODf. Oral treatment (p.o.) with EODf (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the paw edema induced by LPS. At 10 mg/kg EODf promoted inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production, recruitment of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in paw tissue. EODf (10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) also reduced licking time in both phases of the formalin test and it had a significant effect on the LPS-induced thermal hyperalgesia model. The administration of caffeine (Caf) and naloxone (Nal) reversed the antinociceptive activity of EODf, in the first phase of the formalin test and in the LPS-induced thermal hyperalgesia model. Moreover, Nal was also able to abolish the antinociception caused by EODf, in the second phase of formalin test. In the rota-rod test, EODf-treated animals did not show any alteration of motor coordination.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that EODf underground stem bark produces anti-inflammatory and both central and peripheral antinociceptive effects. Furthermore, the antinociceptive activity of EODf underground stem bark is possibly mediated by adenosinergic and opioidergic pathways, and its properties do not induce effects on motor coordination. These results support the use of the folk medicine, D. furfuracea root, to treat inflammation and painful conditions.

Tiger nut and walnut extracts modulate extracellular metabolism of ATP and adenosine through the NOS/cGMP/PKG signalling pathway in kidney slices

BACKGROUND

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) and walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum Müll. Arg.) have been reportedly used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, prevent heart attack and improve blood circulation, reduce serum cholesterol level as well as inhibit oxidation reactions.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effect of tiger nut and walnut hydro-alcoholic extracts on extracellular metabolism of ATP through the NOS/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway induced by Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) in kidney slices.

METHODS

The plants were extracted for 24 h in 10 ml of 70% ethanol and 30% distilled water per gram milled material on a mechanical shaker and filtered using Whatman filter paper. The effect of the extracts on ecto-nucleotidases (NTPDase and 5' nucleotidase) and adenosine deaminase activities, nitrites and nitrates levels (NO, markers of NO production) as well as lipid and protein oxidation reactions in kidney slices were evaluated. Also, the phenolic components of the nut samples were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

The results revealed a protective effect of tiger nut and walnut on co-incubation with L-NAME of the enzyme activities, increased NO significantly (P < 0.05) when compared to the vehicle. L-NAME also increased the thiobabituric reactive substances but co-incubation with the extracts caused a significant reduction while protein oxidation across groups showed no significant difference when compared to the vehicle group. HPLC finger printing revealed the presence of quercetin and kaempferol as the most abundant phenolic compounds in tiger nut and walnut respectively.

CONCLUSION

Tiger nut and walnut extracts showed a protective effect on L-NAME induced kidney slices by reducing the activities of NTPDase (ATP as substrate) and adenosine deaminase, increased NO levels as well as prevent oxidative damage. The effect observed may be attributed to the phenolic compounds present in both nuts as depicted by HPLC finger printing.

Antioxidant, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory investigation of extract and dicentrinone from Duguetia furfuracea (A. St.-Hil.) Benth. & Hook. f

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The preparations of teas and syrups using Duguetia furfuracea have been used in folk medicine to treat rheumatism and back pain. Several rheumatic diseases are anti-inflammatory and are treated with several anti-inflammatories.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this work were to evaluate the chemical investigation of methanolic extract obtained from leaves of D. furfuracea (MEDF) and test the MEDF, such as chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and hydromethanol (HMF) fractions and the alkaloid dicentrinone (DF-1) in vitro antioxidant effects and in vivo models of inflammation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MEDF and CF were analyzed by LC-PDA and the results revealed the presence of alkaloid aporphine and oxoaporphine. The concentrations of total phenols, flavonoids and flavonols were determined. Additionally, MEDF, fractions and dicentrinone were evaluated free radical scavenging activity 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and peroxidation β-carotene/linoleic acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. The anti-inflammatory effects of MEDF, fractions and dicentrinone were studied in carrageenan-induced paw edema. The anti-rheumatic potential was studied in air pouch model and zymosan-induced arthritis.

RESULTS

CF fractionation resulted in the isolation of the oxaporphine alkaloid dicentrinone (DF-1). The highest phenols (624.37mg GAE/g extract), flavonoids (580.51mg QE/g extract) and flavonols (254.44mg QE/g extract), concentration was found in extract. In antioxidant tests, MEDF exhibited the highest scavenging activity and lipoperoxidation. The extract (30-300mg/kg) and all tested fractions inhibited the edema induced by carrageenan. The oral administration of DF-1 inhibited both edema associated with carrageenan-induced inflammation in mice. In air pouch model of inflammation, MEDF (30-300mg/kg) and DF-1 (100mg/kg) inhibited leukocyte migration and plasmatic leakage induced by carrageenan in mice. Finally, MEDF (100mg/kg) did not alter zymozan-induced arthritis in mice.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that D. furfuracea exhibits antioxidant, anti-rheumatic potential and anti-inflammatory activity. The presence of the alkaloid dicentrinone in extract and CF fraction could be responsible, at least in part, for the observed effects.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Ribeirinhos in the North Araguaia microregion, Mato Grosso, Brazil

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Currently, in many traditional communities, such as the riverine community in the North Araguaia microregion (Mato Grosso, Brazil), plant knowledge and use represent the main, if not the only, therapeutic resource for the maintenance of health and/or treatment of diseases. This study aimed to identify and document species of medicinal plants used by local experts from riverine communities in the North Araguaia microregion in Mato Grosso State, and to further chemical and pharmacological studies on species selected based on searches in the relevant literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional ethnobotanical study, with non-probabilistic sampling (n =60), that applied the snowball method to select local riverine experts who understand medicinal plant use. Socio-demographic, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data (vernacular name, uses, geographical origin, habit, method of preparation and part used) on medicinal plants were collected during semi-structured interviews. The results were analyzed by descriptive and quantitative means: indices of use-report (UR) were used to select plant species with therapeutic potential.

RESULTS

In total, 309 plant species belonging to 86 botanical families were cited; 73% were native to Brazil, and Fabaceae was the most representative family (11.3%). Arboreal was the predominant life form (37.2%). The leaf was the most used part (28.9%). Infusion was the most commonly reported method of preparation (31.3%). The plants reported in the survey were indicated for 18 of the 22 ICD-10 disease categories. The disease categories most commonly cited were the infectious and parasitic diseases (IPD, 718 UR), digestive system diseases (DSD, 565 UR) and respiratory system diseases (RSD, 504 UR), representing 16.6%, 13.1% and 11.7%, respectively of the total UR. Dysphania ambrosioides L. was the most sighted in the IPD category 50 UR. Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (133), Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. (131), and Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (126) were the species with the highest UR. Bidens pilosa L., Vernonia ferruginea Less, and L. pacari, respectively, were the most cited native plants used to treat such diseases. Of the 8 investigated native plants, C. langsdorffii, and Brosimum gaudichaudii are the most prominent: in addition to having been widely studied, in terms of phytochemical and pharmacological, these species have been marketed as pharmaceutical products, with associated patent deposits.

CONCLUSIONS

Local riverine experts from the North Araguaia microregion use a wide variety of medicinal plants in self-care health, especially those species used to treat IPD. The therapeutic potential of some of these plants has been scientifically validated; however, there are other species whose pharmacological effects and safety remain to be properly investigated. Thus, the present study, aside from being a basis for future chemical, pharmacological and agronomic bioprospecting studies, may contribute to the development of the management, conservation and sustainable use of medicinal flora in the microregion studied.