Medicinal Plants from Northeastern Brazil against Alzheimer's Disease

Morphological, anatomical, and bioactive properties of Hypericum scabrum L.: effects on diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and HDFa fibroblasts and U87-MG cancer cells

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancer are multifactorial diseases with significant health consequences, and their relationship with aging makes them particularly challenging. Epidemiological data suggests that individuals with DM are more susceptible to certain cancers. This study examined the bioactive properties of Hypericum scabrum extracts, including methanol, hexane, and others, focusing on their inhibitory effects on key enzymes associated with DM and neurodegenerative diseases, such as acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. Additionally, the impact of these extracts on human fibroblast (HDFa) and glioblastoma (U87MG) cancer cells was evaluated. The methanol extract was analyzed for elemental composition using ICP-MS, secondary metabolites, and amino acids via LC-MS/MS and underwent morphological and anatomical characterization. The methanol extract demonstrated notable inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of < 1 µg/mL against α-glucosidase, surpassing acarbose in efficacy. The flower essential oil exhibited the highest inhibition (79.95%) of butyrylcholinesterase and the strongest acetylcholinesterase inhibition (21.62%). Elemental analysis revealed high concentrations of Na and K, while quinic acid and proline were identified as major metabolites, with proline concentrations reaching 494.0482 nmol/mL in the aerial part extract. The anticancer assays revealed higher cytotoxicity in U87MG glioblastoma cells compared to HDFa fibroblasts, suggesting potential applications for cancer therapy. The plant grows 20-50 cm tall, with yellow flowers and ovoid-ribbed capsules containing brown, reniform seeds. Its leaves are amphistomatic and ornamented, while stems feature striate cuticles and paracytic stomata. The pollen grains are microreticulate with syncolporate apertures. These results underscore the promising therapeutic potential of H. scabrum in managing DM, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, with its ability to inhibit key enzymes and show selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Review of Pharmacotherapeutic Targets in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Management Using Traditional Medicinal Plants

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and impaired daily functioning. While there is currently no cure for AD, several pharmacotherapeutic targets and management strategies have been explored. Additionally, traditional medicinal plants have gained attention for their potential role in AD management. Pharmacotherapeutic targets in AD include amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cholinergic dysfunction. Traditional medicinal plants, such as Ginkgo biloba, Huperzia serrata, Curcuma longa (turmeric), and Panax ginseng, have demonstrated the ability to modulate these targets through their bioactive compounds. Ginkgo biloba, for instance, contains flavonoids and terpenoids that exhibit neuroprotective effects by reducing Aβ deposition and enhancing cerebral blood flow. Huperzia serrata, a natural source of huperzine A, has acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting properties, thus improving cholinergic function. Curcuma longa, enriched with curcumin, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, potentially mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Panax ginseng's ginsenosides have shown neuroprotective and anti-amyloidogenic properties. The investigation of traditional medicinal plants as a complementary approach to AD management offers several advantages, including a lower risk of adverse effects and potential multi-target interactions. Furthermore, the cultural knowledge and utilization of these plants provide a rich source of information for the development of new therapies. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action, standardize preparations, and assess the safety and efficacy of these natural remedies. Integrating traditional medicinal-plant-based therapies with modern pharmacotherapies may hold the key to a more comprehensive and effective approach to AD treatment. This review aims to explore the pharmacotherapeutic targets in AD and assess the potential of traditional medicinal plants in its management.

Evaluation of the biological activities of Copaiba (Copaifera spp): a comprehensive review based on scientometric analysis

Copaíba oil-resin is extracted from the trunk of the Copaíba tree and has medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial properties. As a result, widespread knowledge about the use of Copaíba oil-resin has evolved, attracting the scientific community's attention. This paper aims to map the global knowledge production regarding the biological activities of Copaíba (Copaifera spp.). Bibliometric methodological instruments were used to conduct a search of the Web of Science-Core Collection database. The search resulted in 822 references. After screening titles and abstracts, 581 references did not meet the eligibility criteria, leaving 246 references for full-text examination. Subsequently, 15 studies were excluded, resulting in a final set of 232 records for the bibliometric analysis. In vitro was the most published study type, mainly from Brazil, from 2010 to 2020. Regarding the authors, Bastos, JK, and Ambrosio, SR were the ones with the most significant number of papers included. The most frequent keywords were Copaíba oil, Copaíba, and Copaifera. Our findings revealed global study trends about Copaíba, mainly related to its various effects and use over time. In general, all countries have conducted more research on antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, also exposing its antioxidant and healing properties. Copaifera reticulata was the most investigated, followed by Copaifera langsdorffi and Copaifera multijuga in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, there is a need for human reports, given the promising results that Copaíba oils have been demonstrating.

Biotechnological potential of Hancornia speciosa whole tree: A narrative review from composition to health applicability

Mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa) is a Brazilian tree and a socioeconomic key due to the commercialization of its food products and tree parts to treat health conditions empirically. This review gathers the main chemical, and microbiological characteristics of the mangabeira tree parts (leaves, fruits, tree bark, latex, and seeds), emphasizing its applicability in food science and focusing on its bioapplicability in health conditions. Leaves, fruits, and tree bark can be used to develop functional foods, and phytochemical products; the tree latex have great potential in the bioengineering material field; and the seeds in sustainable energy production. Leaves and fruits were the main samples bioapplied in health conditions in vitro (oxidative stress and chemopreventive effect) and in vivo (gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effect), whereas tree bark and latex also exhibited health effects and seeds showed low cytotoxicity. All parts of the mangabeira tree can be explored by extractivist families and industries from a sustainable point of view.

Mangifera indica ‘Namdokmai’ Prevents Neuronal Cells from Amyloid Peptide Toxicity and Inhibits BACE-1 Activities in a Drosophila Model of Alzheimer’s Amyloidosis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological illness with few effective treatments. Thus, ameliorating the effects of AD using natural products has attracted global attention with promising efficacy and safety. In this study, ten tropical fruits including Ananas comosus ‘Phulae’, Ananas comosus ‘Pattavia’, Carica papaya ‘Khaekdum’, Carica papaya ‘Khaeknuan’, Durio zibethinus ‘Monthong’, Durio zibethinus ‘Chanee’, Psidium guajava ‘Kimju’, Psidium guajava ‘Keenok’, Mangifera indica ‘Kaew’ and Mangifera indica ‘Namdokmai’ were screened for their inhibitory activities against the key enzymes, cholinesterases and β-secretase (BACE-1), involved in AD pathogenesis. The top three fruit extracts with promising in vitro anti-AD activities were further investigated using rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 neuronal cell line and Drosophila AD model. Data showed that M. indica ‘Kaew’, M. indica ‘Namdokmai’ and P. guajava ‘Kimju’ reduced Aβ1–42-mediated neurotoxicity by promoting glutathione-dependent enzymes, while M. indica ‘Namdokmai’ limited Aβ1–42 peptide formation via BACE-1 inhibition and amended locomotory behavior of the Drosophila AD model. Results indicated the potential anti-AD properties of tropical fruits, particularly M. indica ‘Namdokmai’ in the prevention of Aβ1–42-mediated neurotoxicity and as a BACE-1 blocker.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and development of a facial serum formulation from the extract of Hancornia speciosa

The goal of this work was to chemically characterise Hancornia speciosa extracts to develop an antioxidant serum formulation. Stem and bark extracts were prepared using 70% hydroethanol solution by Sohxlet and ultrasound assisted extraction. The content of total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were evaluated, and chemical characterization was performed by HPLC -detector UV-VIS (SPD - 10 A). The formulation was developed with stem extract (0.250 mg/g) in hydroxyethylcellulose fluid gel. Stem extracts had higher total phenols and flavonoids, and higher antioxidant activity than bark extracts. The formulation presented low viscosity, a yellowish colour, 81.28% ± 0.14 of antioxidant activity. In the stability test, the physicochemical characteristics showed small variations, remaining more stable at a temperature of 5 °C, with an antioxidant activity of 64.81% ± 0.75. Therefore, the stem of H. speciosa has the potential to be used in antioxidant formulations.

Microscopic Analysis Applied to the Quality Control of Hancornia speciosa Gomes

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is popularly known as mangabeira and occurs throughout Brazil. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is very important for its food and medicinal uses. The objective of this study was to perform the anatomical and histochemical characterization of the leaves of H. speciosa. Microscope slides were made containing cross sections of petiole and leaf blade, as well as paradermic sections of the leaf blade. The analyses were performed under light and polarized microscopy. For the histochemical analysis, different reagents were used, according to the targeted metabolite. Through microscopic analysis, it was possible to identify the anatomical structures that provide the detailed diagnosis of the studied species. Through histochemistry, the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids, triterpenes and steroids, lipophilic compounds, lignin, starch, and calcium oxalate crystals was evidenced in the leaf blade. Thus, the results presented contribute to the quality control of H. speciosa, as well as to bring unpublished data about the species and to increase knowledge about the Apocynaceae family.

Feature-Based Molecular Network-Guided Dereplication of Natural Bioactive Products from Leaves of Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum (Willd.) Hochr

Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum is a species known to have a high content of tannins. Accordingly, its preparations are used in southern Pará, Brazil, for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, but so far, its chemical profile composition remains essentially unknown. We herein describe the compounds present in a hydro-acetonic extract from S. pulcherrimum leaves as revealed by dereplication via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. The data were combined with spectral organization, spectral matching through the Global Natural Products Social platform, in silico annotation and taxonomical ponderation. Several types of phenolic compounds were identified such as gallic acids, flavan-3-ols and flavone-like compounds. From these, 5 have been recently reported by our group, whereas 44 are reported here for the first time in this tree species, and 41 (out of 49) for this genus. The results highlight the possible role of Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum as a renewable source for natural bioactive products with potential pharmaceutical applications.

Taxonomic Distribution of Medicinal Plants for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cue to Novel Drugs

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder manifested by decline in memory and mild cognitive impairment leading to dementia. Despite global occurrence of AD, the severity and hence onset of dementia vary among different regions, which was correlated with the customary use of medicinal herbs and exposure level to the causatives. In spite of execution of versatile therapeutic strategies to combat AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, success is only limited to symptomatic treatment. The role of natural remedies remained primitive and irreplaceable in all ages. In some examples, the extracted drugs failed to show comparable results due to lack of micro ingredients. Micro ingredients impart a peerless value to natural remedies which are difficult to isolate and/or determine their precise role during treatment. A variety of plants have been used for memory enhancement and other dementia-related complications since ages. Acetyl choline esterase inhibition, antioxidant potential, neuroprotection, mitochondrial energy restoration, and/or precipitated protein clearance put a vast taxonomic variety into a single group of anti-AD plants. Secondary metabolites derived from these medicinal plants have the potential to treat AD and other brain diseases of common pathology. This review summarizes the potential of taxonomically diverse medicinal plants in the treatment of AD serving as a guide to further exploration.

Development of Caco-2 cells-based gene reporter assays and evaluation of herb-drug interactions involving CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 gene expression

The indiscriminate use of medicinal plants and herbal medicinal products concomitantly with conventional drugs may result in herb-drug interactions that may lead to fluctuations in drug bioavailability, therapeutic failure, and/or toxic effects. CYP450 enzymes play an important role in drug biotransformation and herb-drug interactions. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and apply Caco-2 cells-based gene reporter assays to study in vitro the potential occurrence of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 gene expression modulation by standardized extracts of selected medicinal plants. Reporter cell lines developed showed a significant increase in CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 reporter fluorescent emission, 4 and 16-fold respectively, when compared to the controls. The standardized extracts of Cecropia glaziovii, Bauhinia forficata and Echinacea sp. significantly increased CYP3A4 reporter fluorescence, and those of Ilex paraguariensis, Bauhinia forficata and Echinacea sp. significantly decreased CYP2D6 reporter fluorescence in Caco-2 cells-based gene reporter assays. The data obtained suggest that CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 gene expression seem to be modulated by the extracts tested. In addition, the reporter cell lines developed are functional assays that could be used to study drug-drug and herb-drug interactions during the research and development of new drugs.

Physicochemical Characterization, Microbiological Quality and Safety, and Pharmacological Potential of Hancornia speciosa Gomes

Hancornia speciosa Gomes is a fruit tree, commonly known as the mangaba tree, which is widespread throughout Brazil. The leaves of this plant are used in traditional medicine for medicinal purposes. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform a physicochemical characterization, identify the lipophilic antioxidants and fatty acids, and determine the microbiological quality and safety of H. speciosa leaves. In addition, the antioxidant, antimutagenic, and inhibitory activities of the ethanolic extract of H. speciosa leaves (EEHS) against enzymes related to neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, obesity, and diabetes were investigated. Furthermore, this study aimed at assessing the in vivo effects of the EEHS on the glycemia of normoglycemic and diabetic Wistar rats. Physicochemical characterization was performed by colorimetry and gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The total number of colonies of aerobic mesophiles, molds, and yeasts was determined. The total coliforms and Escherichia coli were counted using the SimPlates kit, and sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores were quantified using the sulphite-polymyxin-sulfadiazine agar method. Salmonella spp. were detected using the 1-2 Test. The antioxidant activity of the EEHS was measured by its inhibition of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride- (AAPH-) induced oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes. The antimutagenic activity was determined using the Ames test. The acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, lipase, α-amylase, and α-glycosidase enzyme-inhibiting activities were assessed and compared with commercial controls. The in vivo effects of the EEHS were assessed using the oral glucose tolerance test in normoglycemic Wistar rats and measuring the blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The results demonstrated physical-chemical parameters of microbiological quality and safety in the leaves of H. speciosa, as well as antioxidant and antimutagenic activities and inhibition of enzymes related to neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, obesity, and diabetes. In in vivo assays, it was shown that the normoglycemic rats challenged with glucose overload show significantly decreased blood glucose levels when treated with the EEHS. Taken together, the results ensure the microbiological quality and safety as well as showing the contents of carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids of H. speciosa leaves. Additionally, the antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer's disease, anti-Parkinson's disease, antiobesity, and antihyperglycemic activities of the EEHS were demonstrated.

Bioactivity and Toxicity of Senna cana and Senna pendula Extracts

This work investigated the content of total polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids as well as their toxicity and larvicidal and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The antioxidant activities of two medicinal Senna species extracts (Senna cana and Senna pendula) were also investigated. The ethanol extract of the leaves of S. cana and the ethanol extract of the branches of S. pendula presented the best performance in the DPPH/FRAP and ABTS/ORAC assays, respectively. For the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, the hexane extract of the flowers of S. pendula presented the lowest IC₅₀ value among the ethanol extracts of the leaves of S. cana and showed the best performance in some assays. The hexane extract of the leaves of S. pendula and the hexane extract of the branches of S. cana were moderate to Artemia salina Leach. In the quantification of phenols and flavonoids, the ethanol extract of the leaves of S. cana presented the best results. The ethanol extracts of the leaves of S. cana were found to be rich in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. These results indicate the antioxidant potential of the extracts of Senna species and can be responsible for some of the therapeutic uses of these plants.

Antimicrobial Activity of Cultivable Endophytic Fungi Associated with Hancornia Speciosa Gomes Bark

Introduction:

In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of cultivable endophytic fungi associated with Hancornia speciosa Gomes stem bark.

Methods and Materials:

Plant samples were collected in rainy (July 2010) and dry (January 2011) seasons. In total, 116 endophytic fungi strains were isolated from 90 fragments (64.4% frequency of colonization). Higher fungi frequency was observed in the rainy season (84.4%). The strains were grouped into 14 species; the most frequent were Phoma cava (13.8%), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (12.1%), and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (11.2%). Fungal diversity was similar in both the seasons. Among the 116 strains, 39 (33.6%) showed antimicrobial activity in preliminary screening. The ten most active isolates were subjected to semi-solid fermentation using rice or corn as substrates. Methanolic extracts were obtained from each fermentation medium and the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum microbicide concentrations (MMC) were determined.

Results:

The best antimicrobial results (MIC < 100 µg/mL) were observed for fungi strains grown in rice medium: Aspergillus niger FHS061 against Proteus mirabilis (MIC = 19 µg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 39 µg/mL). These strains also showed good results when cultivated in corn medium against P. mirabilis (MIC = 78 µg/mL).

Conclusion:

Thus, the stem bark of H. speciosa harbors diverse endophytic fungi with antimicrobial potential.

Flavonoid Composition and Biological Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm., a Native Plant from Caatinga Biome

Caryocar coriaceum fruits, found in Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga, are commonly used as food and in folk medicine, as anti-inflammatory, bactericide, fungicide, leishmanicide, and nematicide. Due to the biological potential of this plant, this study focuses on the evaluation of antifungal and antileishmanial activities, including anticholinesterase and antioxidant tests, correlating with total phenols and flavonoids content. Peel extracts contain higher yield of phenols and flavonoids as analyzed by spectrophotometric methods. HPLC analysis of flavonoids revealed that isoquercitrin is the main flavonoid in both parts of the fruit, and peel extract showed the best antioxidant activity. In the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase assay, both extracts demonstrate action comparable to physostigmine. The antimicrobial activity of extracts was evaluated against strains of Malassezia sp. and Microsporum canis, using the broth microdilution technique, in which the extracts showed similar MIC and MFC. The extracts present antileishmanial activity and low toxicity on murine macrophages and erythrocytes. Therefore, these results suggest a potential for the application of C. coriaceum fruit's ethanol extracts in the treatment against dermatophyte fungi and leishmaniasis, probably due to the presence of active flavonoids. Further in vivo studies are recommended aiming at the development of possible new pharmaceutical compounds.