Essential Oils from Annonaceae Species from Brazil: A Systematic Review of Their Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities

Economic, nutritional, and innovative aspects of non-conventional Brazilian fruits in the international novel foods market

Recent advances in fruit research have reignited interest in the market of tropical and unconventional fruit varieties, leading to increased investment in this sector. Additionally, consumers are currently seeking healthier food options to maintain the nutritional integrity of their diets and maximize health benefits, which has driven the demand for novel fruits and a deeper understanding of existing varieties. Despite this growing interest, knowledge of the full potential and diversity of these fruits remains insufficient for key stakeholders to reconcile sustainable production with the promotion of healthier diets within the global context. In this context, many endemic fruits from countries renowned for their rich biodiversity, such as Brazil, are still not produced and consumed regularly. Focusing on nutritional value, the distinctive composition of Brazilian fruits offers numerous health benefits, including essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. This review delves into the economic implications of the Brazilian fruit industry, highlighting its capacity to penetrate the global market for novel foods. The introduction of new features, such as new flavors and textures, presents an excellent opportunity for product differentiation and market expansion. Furthermore, it discusses the importance of developing the fruit industry to promote a circular economy, reduce food insecurity, and generate income. This development can bring substantial social, economic, and environmental benefits to various regions around the globe.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities of Essential Oils from Leaves and Stems of Aeschynomene indica L

The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and evaluate the biological capabilities of the essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves and stems of wild Aeschynomene indica L. plants by the hydrodistillation method. By using GC-FID/MS, fifty-six and fifty-five compounds, representing 95.1 and 97.6% of the essential oils in the leaves and stems, respectively, were characterized. The predominant constituents of A. indica EOs were (E)-caryophyllene, linalool, viridiflorol, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, trans-verbenol, and α-guaiene. The antibacterial and synergistic activities of the EOs were assessed by microdilution and checkerboard assays. The results revealed a potent inhibition and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with MICs of 0.312-0.625 mg/mL. When combined with traditional antibiotics, the essential oils of A. indica possessed excellent synergistic effects against all tested bacteria. Additionally, the EOs of A. indica leaves showed higher antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.11 ± 0.01 µg/mL) compared to the stem oil (IC50 = 0.19 ± 0.01 µg/mL) using the ABTS radical scavenging assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity of EOs against human cancer cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, A-549, and HCT-116 was examined, and MTT assays showed that the EOs possessed a significant cytotoxic potential against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with IC50 values of 10.04 ± 1.82 and 15.89 ± 1.66 μg/mL, and a moderate cytotoxic activity against other tested cells. In conclusion, the A. indica EOs could be considered a potential source of pharmacologically active compounds.

Antitumor activity of essential oils-based nanostructured lipid carriers on prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent malignancy in men worldwide. Essential oils (EOs) are natural products which can act in cancer suppression by several mechanisms. In this work, a nanotechnological approach was used to develop and evaluate the antineoplastic effects of EOs loaded by nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). Three different NLC systems composed of cinnamon, sage or thyme EOs were optimized using factorial design (23). The optimal formulations were characterized in terms of biophysical parameters, structure, stability, in vivo safety and efficacy. All optimized NLC formulations exhibited excellent structural properties and stability over a year (25 °C). They proved to be in vitro and in vivo biocompatible on PNT2 normal prostate cells and on chicken embryos (CE), respectively. In PC3 PCa cells, optimized NLCs inhibited cell proliferation and migration and changed its morphology. In CE xenograft tumor, NLCs have inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis. The results from this work suggested that all developed EO-based NLC formulations had their stability improved while the biological activity remains unchanged.

Therapeutic Effects of Essential Oils and Their Bioactive Compounds on Prostate Cancer Treatment

Since prostate cancer (PCa) relies on limited therapies, more effective alternatives are required. Essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive compounds are natural products that have many properties including anticancer activity. This review covers studies published between 2000 and 2023 and discusses the anti-prostate cancer mechanisms of the EOs from several plant species and their main bioactive compounds. It also provides a critical perspective regarding the challenges to be overcome until they reach the market. EOs from chamomile, cinnamon, Citrus species, turmeric, Cymbopogon species, ginger, lavender, Mentha species, rosemary, Salvia species, thyme and other species have been tested in different PCa cell lines and have shown excellent results, including the inhibition of cell growth and migration, the induction of apoptosis, modulation in the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes and the suppression of angiogenesis. The most challenging aspects of EOs, which limit their clinical uses, are their highly lipophilic nature, physicochemical instability, photosensitivity, high volatility and composition variability. The processing of EO-based products in the pharmaceutical field may be an interesting alternative to circumvent EOs' limitations, resulting in several benefits in their further clinical use. Identifying their bioactive compounds, therapeutic effects and chemical structures could open new perspectives for innovative developments in the field. Moreover, this could be helpful in obtaining versatile chemical synthesis routes and/or biotechnological drug production strategies, providing an accurate, safe and sustainable source of these bioactive compounds, while looking at their use as gold-standard therapy in the close future.

Research Progress on Sesquiterpene Compounds from Artabotrys Plants of Annonaceae

Artabotrys, a pivotal genus within the Annonaceae family, is renowned for its extensive biological significance and medicinal potential. The genus's sesquiterpene compounds have attracted considerable interest from the scientific community due to their structural complexity and diverse biological activities. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities, including antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory analgesic, and anti-tumor properties, positioning them as promising candidates for medical applications. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the variety, species, and structural characteristics of sesquiterpene compounds isolated from Artabotrys plants. Furthermore, it delves into their pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms, offering a comprehensive foundation for future research.

Integrative multiomics profiling of passion fruit reveals the genetic basis for fruit color and aroma

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) possesses a complex aroma and is widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas. Here, we conducted the de novo assembly, annotation, and comparison of PPF (P. edulis Sims) and YPF (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) reference genomes using PacBio, Illumina, and Hi-C technologies. Notably, we discovered evidence of recent whole-genome duplication events in P. edulis genomes. Comparative analysis revealed 7.6∼8.1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, 1 million insertions/deletions, and over 142 Mb presence/absence variations among different P. edulis genomes. During the ripening of yellow passion fruit, metabolites related to flavor, aroma, and color were substantially accumulated or changed. Through joint analysis of genomic variations, differentially expressed genes, and accumulated metabolites, we explored candidate genes associated with flavor, aroma, and color distinctions. Flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways, and related metabolites are pivotal factors affecting the coloration of passion fruit, and terpenoid metabolites accumulated more in PPF. Finally, by heterologous expression in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), we functionally characterized 12 terpene synthases. Our findings revealed that certain TPS homologs in both YPF and PPF varieties produce identical terpene products, while others yield distinct compounds or even lose their functionality. These discoveries revealed the genetic and metabolic basis of unique characteristics in aroma and flavor between the 2 passion fruit varieties. This study provides resources for better understanding the genome architecture and accelerating genetic improvement of passion fruits.

Anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory active diterpene isolated from the fruit of Xylopia benthamii R.E.Fr

Xylopia benthamii (Annonaceae) is a plant with limited phytochemical and pharmacological evidence. Thus, using LC-MS/MS, we performed exploratory analyses of the fruit extract of X. benthamii, resulting in the tentative identification of alkaloids (1-7) and diterpenes (8-13). Through the application of chromatography techniques with the extract of X. benthamii, two kaurane diterpenes were isolated, xylopinic acid (9) and ent-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (11). Their structures were established using spectroscopy (NMR 1D/2D) and mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were submitted to anti-biofilm analysis against Acinetobacter baumannii, anti-neuroinflammatory and cytotoxic activity in BV-2 cells. Compound 11 (201.75 µM) inhibited 35% of bacterial biofilm formation and high anti-inflammatory activity in BV-2 (IC50 = 0.78 µM). In conclusion, the results demonstrated that compound 11 was characterized for the first time with pharmacological potential in the development of new alternatives for studies with neuroinflammatory diseases.

Exploring the chemical composition, in vitro and in silico study of the anticandidal properties of annonaceae species essential oils from the Amazon

Chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of five Annonaceae species found in the amazon region was analyzed by Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antifungal activity of theses EOs was tested against Candida albicans, Candida auris, Candida famata, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. In addition, an in silico study of the molecular interactions was performed using molecular modeling approaches. Spathulenol (29.88%), α-pinene (15.73%), germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1-α-ol (6.65%), and caryophylene oxide (6.28%) where the major constitents from the EO of Anaxagorea dolichocarpa. The EO of Duguetia echinophora was characterized by β-phellanderene (24.55%), cryptone (12.43%), spathulenol (12.30%), and sabinene (7.54%). The major compounds of the EO of Guatteria scandens where β-pinene (46.71%), α-pinene (9.14%), bicyclogermacrene (9.33%), and E-caryophyllene (8.98%). The EO of Xylopia frutescens was characterized by α-pinene (40.12%) and β-pinene (36.46%). Spathulenol (13.8%), allo-aromadendrene epoxide (8.99%), thujopsan-2-α-ol (7.74%), and muurola-4,10(14)-dien-1-β-ol (7.14%) were the main chemical constituents reported in Xylopia emarginata EO. All EOs were active against the strains tested and the lowest inhibitory concentrations were observed for the EOs of D. echinophora, X. emarginata, and X. frutescens against C. famata the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values of 0.07, 0.019 and 0.62 μL.mL-1, respectively. The fungicidal action was based on results of minimum fungicidal concentration and showed that the EOs showed fungicide activity against C. tropicalis (2.5 μL.mL-1), C. krusei (2.5 μL.mL-1) and C. auris (5 μL.mL-1), respectively. The computer simulation results indicated that the major compounds of the EOs can interact with molecular targets of Candida spp.

Variation in the Chemical Composition of Endemic Specimens of Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig from the Amazon and In Silico Investigation of the ADME/Tox Properties of the Major Compounds

Four species of the genus Hedychium can be found in Brazil. Hedychium coronarium is a species endemic to India and Brazil. In this paper, we collected six specimens of H. coronarium for evaluation of their volatile chemical profiles. For this, the essential oils of these specimens were extracted using hydrodistillation from plant samples collected in the state of Pará, Brazil, belonging to the Amazon region in the north of the country. Substance compounds were identified with GC/MS. The most abundant constituent identified in the rhizome and root oils was 1,8-cineole (rhizome: 35.0-66.1%; root: 19.6-20.8%). Leaf blade oil was rich in β-pinene (31.6%) and (E)-caryophyllene (31.6%). The results from this paper allow for greater knowledge about the volatile chemical profile of H. coronarium specimens, in addition to disseminating knowledge about the volatile compounds present in plant species in the Amazon region.

Actinomycetes as Producers of Biologically Active Terpenoids: Current Trends and Patents

Terpenes and their derivatives (terpenoids and meroterpenoids, in particular) constitute the largest class of natural compounds, which have valuable biological activities and are promising therapeutic agents. The present review assesses the biosynthetic capabilities of actinomycetes to produce various terpene derivatives; reports the main methodological approaches to searching for new terpenes and their derivatives; identifies the most active terpene producers among actinomycetes; and describes the chemical diversity and biological properties of the obtained compounds. Among terpene derivatives isolated from actinomycetes, compounds with pronounced antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and other effects were determined. Actinomycete-produced terpenoids and meroterpenoids with high antimicrobial activity are of interest as a source of novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Most of the discovered terpene derivatives are produced by the genus Streptomyces; however, recent publications have reported terpene biosynthesis by members of the genera Actinomadura, Allokutzneria, Amycolatopsis, Kitasatosporia, Micromonospora, Nocardiopsis, Salinispora, Verrucosispora, etc. It should be noted that the use of genetically modified actinomycetes is an effective tool for studying and regulating terpenes, as well as increasing productivity of terpene biosynthesis in comparison with native producers. The review includes research articles on terpene biosynthesis by Actinomycetes between 2000 and 2022, and a patent analysis in this area shows current trends and actual research directions in this field.

Health Properties of Plant Bioactive Compounds: Immune, Antioxidant, and Metabolic Effects

In recent decades, people in the industrialized world have increased the demand for meat-free foods motivated by health, environmental, and animal welfare reasons [...].

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity Effects of Extracts of Piper nigrum L. and Piperine

P. nigrum L. extracts and the piperine alkaloid have important antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of P. nigrum L. extracts and piperine, a compound isolated from the extracts of P. nigrum L. Extracts obtained via maceration, soxhlet, and purification steps, in addition to isolated piperine, were used in this study. Spectroscopic methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry, were used to characterize piperine. In the microbiological analyses, the extract obtained via maceration-derived sample showed high efficiency in inhibiting Salmonella spp. (MIC < 100 μg/mL). The extract obtained via a soxhlet-derived sample showed promising inhibitory activity against almost all microorganisms, with negligible inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Favorable inhibition coefficients were also observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. (MIC < 100 μg/mL) for the extract obtained via purification of the steps-derived sample. Piperine showed an excellent inhibition coefficient against most microorganisms, with inactivity only observed against P. aeruginosa. Cytotoxicity evaluation assays in cancer cell lines revealed that piperine exhibited inhibitory potential on all tested tumor cell lines, causing a decrease in cell viability and achieving an IC50 of less than 30 μg/mL. The analyzed extracts from P. nigrum L. seeds showed cytotoxic activity against tumor and non-tumor cell lines.

First Report on the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Preliminary Toxicity to Artemia salina L. of Croton campinarensis Secco, A. Rosário & PE Berry (Euphorbiaceae) Essential Oil, and In Silico Study

Croton campinarensis Secco, A. Rosário & PE Berry is an aromatic species recently discovered in the Amazon region. This study first reports the chemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and preliminary toxicity to A. salina Leach of the essential oil (EO) of this species. The phytochemical profile of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC/MS) and (GC-FID). The antioxidant capacity of the EO was measured by its inhibition of ABTS^•+ and DPPH^• radicals. Molecular modeling was used to evaluate the mode of interaction of the major compounds with acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The results indicate that the EO yield was 0.24%, and germacrene D (26.95%), bicyclogermacrene (17.08%), (E)-caryophyllene (17.06%), and δ-elemene (7.59%) were the major compounds of the EO sample. The EO showed a TEAC of 0.55 ± 0.04 mM·L^-1 for the reduction of the ABTS^•+ radical and 1.88 ± 0.08 mM·L^-1 for the reduction of the DPPH^• radical. Regarding preliminary toxicity, the EO was classified as toxic in the bioassay with A. salina (LC₅₀ = 20.84 ± 4.84 µg·mL^-1). Through molecular docking, it was found that the majority of the EO components were able to interact with the binding pocket of AChE, a molecular target related to toxicity evaluated in A. salina models; the main interactions were van der Waals and π-alkyl interactions.

Chemical composition of essential oil from female cones of Cupressus arizonica Greene

The hydrodistilled volatile essential oils extracted from the female cones of Cupressus arizonica Greene that harvested in winter and spring seasons were analysed for their chemical composition by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-four and seventeen components were identified, accounting for winter (95.5%) and spring (96.9%) of the total oils volume, respectively. Monoterpenoids (winter 93.7% and spring 95.0%) dominated the identified components in the essential oils, followed by a small portion of sesquiterpenoids (winter 1.8% and spring 1.9%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons (MH) (winter 90.9% and spring 94.9%) were the principal subclasses of components with α-pinene (winter 42% and spring 72%), β-myrcene (winter 18.5% and spring 7.7%), δ-3-carene (winter 11.3% and spring 5.1%), limonene (9.4% for winter), and β-pinene (5.3% for spring) as main constituents. Limonene (9.4%), camphor (0.2%), exo-methylcamphenilol (0.2%), terpinene-4-ol (0.6%), β-citronellol (0.9%), and bornyl acetate (0.3%) were representative of the monoterpene hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing monoterpenoids (OM) in winter essential oil.

Understanding the Antilymphoma Activity of Annona macroprophyllata Donn and Its Acyclic Terpenoids: In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Studies

Annona macroprophyllata Donn (A. macroprophyllata) is used in traditional Mexican medicine for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and pain. In this work, we evaluated the antitumor activity of three acyclic terpenoids obtained from A. macroprophyllata to assess their potential as antilymphoma agents. We identified the terpenoids farnesyl acetate (FA), phytol (PT) and geranylgeraniol (Gg) using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and spectroscopic (1H, and 13C NMR) methods applied to petroleum ether extract of leaves from A. macroprophyllata (PEAm). We investigated antitumor potential in Balb/c mice inoculated with U-937 cells by assessing brine shrimp lethality (BSL), and cytotoxic activity in these cells. In addition, to assess the potential toxicity of PEAm, FA, PT and Gg in humans, we tested their acute oral toxicity in mice. Our results showed that the three terpenoids exhibited considerable antilymphoma and cytotoxic activity. In terms of lethality, we determined a median lethal dose (LD50) for thirteen isolated products of PEAm. Gg, PT and AF all exhibited a higher lethality with values of 1.41 ± 0.42, 3.03 ± 0.33 and 5.82 ± 0.58 µg mL-1, respectively. To assess cytotoxic activity against U-937 cells, we calculated the mean cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and found that FA and PT were closer in respect to the control drug methotrexate (MTX, 0.243 ± 0.007 µM). In terms of antilymphoma activity, we found that FA, PT and Gg considerably inhibited lymph node growth, with median effective doses (ED50) of 5.89 ± 0.39, 6.71 ± 0.31 and 7.22 ± 0.51 mg kg-1 in females and 5.09 ± 0.66, 5.83 ± 0.50 and 6.98 ± 0.57mg kg -1 in males, respectively. Regarding acute oral toxicity, we classified all three terpenoids as category IV, indicating a high safety margin for human administration. Finally, in a molecular docking study of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, we found binding of terpenoids to some amino acids of the catalytic site, suggesting an effect upon activity with a resulting decrease in the synthesis of intermediates involved in the prenylation of proteins involved in cancer progression. Our findings suggest that the acyclic terpenoids FA, PT, and Gg may serve as scaffolds for the development of new treatments for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Phytochemical Profile, Preliminary Toxicity, and Antioxidant Capacity of the Essential Oils of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg. and Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey) DC. (Myrtaceae)

The essential oils (EOs) of Myrciaria floribunda (Mflo) and Myrcia sylvatica (Msyl) (Myrtaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation. The analysis of volatile constituents was performed by GC/MS. Preliminary toxicity was assessed on Artemia salina Leach. The antioxidant capacity was measured by the ABTS•+ and DPPH• radical inhibitory activities. The results indicate that the Mflo EO had the highest yield (1.02%), and its chemical profile was characterized by high levels of hydrocarbon (65.83%) and oxygenated (25.74%) monoterpenes, especially 1,8-cineole (23.30%), terpinolene (22.23%) and α-phellandrene (22.19%). Regarding the Msyl EO, only hydrocarbon (51.60%) and oxygenated (46.52%) sesquiterpenes were identified in the sample, with (Z)-α-trans-bergamotene (24.57%), α-sinensal (13.44%), and (Z)-α-bisabolene (8.33%) at higher levels. The EO of Mflo exhibited moderate toxicity against A. salina (LC50 = 82.96 ± 5.20 µg.mL−1), while the EO of Msyl was classified as highly toxic (LC50 = 2.74 ± 0.50 µg.mL−1). In addition, relative to Trolox, the EOs of Mflo and Msyl showed significant inhibitory effects (p < 0.0001) against the DPPH• radical. This study contributes to the expansion of chemical and biological knowledge on the EOs of Myrtaceae species from the Amazon region.

Studies on the Phytochemical Profile of Ocimum basilicum var. minimum (L.) Alef. Essential Oil, Its Larvicidal Activity and In Silico Interaction with Acetylcholinesterase against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is an important transmitter of diseases in tropical countries and controlling the larvae of this mosquito helps to reduce cases of diseases such as dengue, zika and chikungunya. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal potential of the essential oil (EO) of Ocimum basilicum var. minimum (L.) Alef. The EO was extracted by stem distillation and the chemical composition was characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS and GC-FID). The larvicidal activity of EO was evaluated against third instar Ae. aegypti following World Health Organization (WHO) standard protocol and the interaction of the major compounds with the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was evaluated by molecular docking. The predominant class was oxygenated monoterpenes with a concentration of 81.69% and the major compounds were limonene (9.5%), 1,8-cineole (14.23%), linalool (24.51%) and methyl chavicol (37.41%). The O. basilicum var. minimum EO showed unprecedented activity against third instar Ae. aegypti larvae at a dose-dependent relationship with LC50 of 69.91 (µg/mL) and LC90 of 200.62 (µg/mL), and the major compounds were able to interact with AChE in the Molecular Docking assay, indicating an ecological alternative for mosquito larvae control.

Clinical comprehensive and experimental assessment of the radioprotective effect of Annona muricata leaf extract to prevent cellular damage in the ileum tissue

We report the radioprotective attitude of Annona muricata (AM) leaf extract as antioxidant material to prevent cellular damage in the ileum tissue. The protective effects of an ethyl acetate extract of AM leaves are comprehensively investigated against radiation-induced ileal damage in numerous rats. Thirty-two adult female rats were separated into 4 groups (3 intervention groups and 1 control) as follows: controls received 0.01 mL/kg distilled water, the AM group received 300 mg/kg AM leaf extract, the ionizing radiation (IR) group received a single dose of whole body radiation (8.3 Gy) after 0.01 mL/kg saline treatment, and the AM + IR group received 300 mg/kg AM leaf extract treatment and were subjected to whole body radiation (8.3 Gy) 1 h after the last gavage. All treatments are administered by oral gavage once a day for 9 days. At the end of the experiment, biochemical total oxidant status (TOS, interleukin-6, and caspase) and histological examinations are performed on blood samples as well as ileum tissue. TOS levels are found to be significantly high in rats, which received irradiation, and those in the AM group when compared to controls. These findings suggest that AM has radioprotective effects on ileum tissue, likely because of its antioxidative properties. The findings of this research may contribute to the minimizing of major side effects induced by excessive radiation exposure in patients undergoing radiotherapy and may serve as a significant impetus for further assessments. However, future studies are highly recommended to confirm safety and to determine extraction technique and dosage before human use can be considered.

Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants in Kastamonu province (Türkiye)

This study is aimed at determining some of the plants traditionally used in the treatment of diseases by the local people living in Kastamonu province center and surrounding villages. A face-to-face questionnaire was applied and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 informants, 34 women and 18 men. Identification of 92 plants belonging to 41 families has been confirmed and their medicinal uses have been recorded. The most used families were Rosaceae (13 taxa), Asteraceae (11), and Lamiaceae (11). The most preferred folk recipes of medicinal plants was decoction (55 taxa) and in preparations and applications, the most used were the leaves (45 taxa). According to the International Classification of Primary Care categories, plants were the most used for digestive disorders (37 taxa), respiratory disorders (27 taxa), and urological disorders (24 taxa). The highest use-value was recorded for Urtica dioica (0.519), and highest relative frequency citation was recorded for Tilia rubra subsp. caucasica (0.231). Male genital diseases had the highest informant consensus factor value (0.83). New areas of use were also determined for Pilosella leucopsilon subsp. pilisquama, Galium palustre, and Astragalus nitens. With this study, new information for folkloric medicines is presented and the usage of herbal drugs in the study area are enhanced.

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Potential and Toxicity Evaluation of the Essential Oils from Duguetia and Xylopia Species (Annonaceae) from the Brazilian Amazon

The essential oils (EOs) of Duguetia echinophora, D. riparia, Xylopia emarginata and X. frutescens (Annonaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS. An antioxidant assay using the ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging method and cytotoxic assays against Artemia salina were also performed. We evaluated the interaction of the major compounds of the most toxic EO (X. emarginata) with the binding pocket of the enzyme Acetylcholinesterase, a molecular target related to toxicity in models of Artemia salina. The chemical composition of the EO of D. echinophora was characterized by β-phellandrene (39.12%), sabinene (17.08%) and terpinolene (11.17%). Spathulenol (22.22%), caryophyllene oxide (12.21%), humulene epoxide II (11.86%) and allo-aromadendrene epoxide (10.20%) were the major constituents of the EO from D. riparia. Spathulenol (5.65%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.63%) were the major compounds of the EO from X. emarginata. The EO of X. frutescens was characterized by α-pinene (20.84%) and byciclogermacrene (7.85%). The results of the radical scavenger DPPH assays ranged from 15.87 to 69.38% and the highest percentage of inhibition was observed for the EO of X. emarginata, while for ABTS radical scavenging, the antioxidant capacity of EOs varied from 14.61 to 63.67%, and the highest percentage of inhibition was observed for the EO of X. frutescens. The EOs obtained from D. echinophora, X. emarginata and X. frutescens showed high toxicity, while the EO of D. riparia was non-toxic. Because the EO of X. emarginata is the most toxic, we evaluated how its major constituents were able to interact with the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The docking results show that the compounds are able to bind to the binding pocket through non-covalent interactions with the residues of the binding pocket. The species X. emarginata and X. frutescens are the most promising sources of antioxidant compounds; in addition, the results obtained for preliminary cytotoxicity of the EOs of these species may also indicate a potential biological activity.

Myrcia paivae O.Berg (Myrtaceae) Essential Oil, First Study of the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Potential

The Myrtaceae family is one of the most representative in the Amazon. Several species have high added-value pharmacological potential. In order to contribute to the knowledge of the aromatic profile of Myrtaceae species from the Amazon, the present study presents the first report on the productivity, chemical composition, and antioxidant profile of the essential oil (EO) of Myrcia paivae. Dry leaves of the species were submitted to hydrodistillation to obtain their EO. The EO performance was calculated on a moisture-free basis and the analysis of the chemical profile was carried out by GC/MS. The determination of the antioxidant capacity was assessed by means of the antioxidant capacity equivalent to the inhibition Trolox of the ABTS•+ and DPPH• radicals. The results indicate that EO performance was equivalent to 1.69%. As for the chemical composition, hydrocarbon monoterpenes were predominant in the sample (>77%); terpinolene (14.70%), α-phellandrene (14.69%), γ-terpinene (9.64%), sylvestrene (7.62%), α-thujene (6.46%), and α-pinene (6.39%) were the constituents with higher content. Regarding the antioxidant capacity, the results show that the EO presented good results in the inhibition of ABTS•+ (0.886 ± 0.226 mM L−1) and DPPH• (2.90 ± 0.083 mM L−1), which can be attributed to the high monoterpene content in the sample.

In Silico Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Thymol-Major Compounds in the Essential Oil of Lippia thymoides Mart. & Schauer (Verbenaceae)

In this paper, we evaluated the drug-receptor interactions responsible for the antimicrobial activity of thymol, the major compound present in the essential oil (EO) of Lippia thymoides (L. thymoides) Mart. & Schauer (Verbenaceae). It was previously reported that this EO exhibits antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore, we used molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and free energy calculations to investigate the interaction of thymol with pharmacological receptors of interest to combat these pathogens. We found that thymol interacted favorably with the active sites of the microorganisms’ molecular targets. MolDock Score results for systems formed with CYP51 (C. albicans), Dihydrofolate reductase (S. aureus), and Dihydropteroate synthase (E. coli) were −77.85, −67.53, and −60.88, respectively. Throughout the duration of the MD simulations, thymol continued interacting with the binding pocket of the molecular target of each microorganism. The van der Waals (ΔE_vdW = −24.88, −26.44, −21.71 kcal/mol, respectively) and electrostatic interaction energies (ΔE_ele = −3.94, −11.07, −12.43 kcal/mol, respectively) and the nonpolar solvation energies (ΔG_NP = −3.37, −3.25, −2.93 kcal/mol, respectively) were mainly responsible for the formation of complexes with CYP51 (C. albicans), Dihydrofolate reductase (S. aureus), and Dihydropteroate synthase (E. coli).

Phytochemical Profile and Herbicidal (Phytotoxic), Antioxidants Potential of Essential Oils from Calycolpus goetheanus (Myrtaceae) Specimens, and in Silico Study

The essential oil (EO) of Calycolpus goetheanus (Myrtaceae) specimens (A, B, and C) were obtained through hydrodistillation. The analysis of the chemical composition of the EOs was by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry CG-MS, and gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector CG-FID. The phytotoxic activity of those EOs was evaluated against two weed species from common pasture areas in the Amazon region: Mimosa pudica L. and Senna obtusifolia (L.) The antioxidant capacity of the EOs was determined by (DPPH•) and (ABTS•+). Using molecular docking, we evaluated the interaction mode of the major EO compounds with the molecular binding protein 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). The EO of specimen A was characterized by β-eudesmol (22.83%), (E)-caryophyllene (14.61%), and γ-eudesmol (13.87%), while compounds 1,8-cineole (8.64%), (E)-caryophyllene (5.86%), δ-cadinene (5.78%), and palustrol (4.97%) characterize the chemical profile of specimen B’s EOs, and specimen C had α-cadinol (9.03%), δ-cadinene (8.01%), and (E)-caryophyllene (6.74%) as the majority. The phytotoxic potential of the EOs was observed in the receptor species M. pudica with percentages of inhibition of 30%, and 33.33% for specimens B and C, respectively. The EOs’ antioxidant in DPPH• was 0.79 ± 0.08 and 0.83 ± 0.02 mM for specimens A and B, respectively. In the TEAC, was 0.07 ± 0.02 mM for specimen A and 0.12 ± 0.06 mM for specimen B. In the results of the in silico study, we observed that the van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions of the alkyl and pi-alkyl types were the main interactions responsible for the formation of the receptor–ligand complex.

Antitumor Effect of Guatteria olivacea R. E. Fr. (Annonaceae) Leaf Essential Oil in Liver Cancer

Guatteria olivacea R. E. Fries (synonym Guatteria punctata (Aubl.) R.A. Howard) is a tree of 10–27 m tall popularly known as “envira-bobó”, “envira-fofa”, “envireira”, “embira”, “embira-branca”, “embira-preta”, envira-branca”, and “envira-preta”, which can be found in the Brazilian Amazon biome. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of the essential oil (EO) obtained from the leaves of G. olivacea against liver cancer using HepG2 cells as a model. EO was obtained using a hydrodistillation Clevenger-type apparatus and was qualitatively and quantitatively characterized using GC–MS and GC–FID, respectively. The alamar blue assay was used to assess the cytotoxic potential of EO in a panel of human cancer cell lines and human non-cancerous cells. In HepG2 cells treated with EO, YO-PRO-1/propidium iodide staining, cell cycle distribution, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined. In C.B-17 SCID mice with HepG2 cell xenografts, the efficacy of the EO (20 and 40 mg/kg) was tested in vivo. GC–MS and GC–FID analyses showed germacrene D (17.65%), 1-epi-cubenol (13.21%), caryophyllene oxide (12.03%), spathulenol (11.26%), (E)-caryophyllene (7.26%), bicyclogermacrene (5.87%), and δ-elemene (4.95%) as the major constituents of G. olivacea leaf EO. In vitro cytotoxicity of EO was observed, including anti-liver cancer action with an IC₅₀ value of 30.82 μg/mL for HepG2 cells. In HepG2 cells, EO treatment increased apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation, without changes in ROS levels. Furthermore, the EO inhibited tumor mass in vivo by 32.8–57.9%. These findings suggest that G. olivacea leaf EO has anti-liver cancer potential.

Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic complication that affects people of all ages. The increased prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to the development of several synthetic drugs to tackle this health problem. Such drugs, although effective as antihyperglycemic agents, are accompanied by various side effects, costly, and inaccessible to the majority of people living in underdeveloped countries. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally throughout the ages to treat various ailments due to their availability and safe nature. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemicals that possess several health benefits. As diabetes continues to become prevalent, health care practitioners are considering plant-based medicines as a potential source of antidiabetic drugs due to their high potency and fewer side effects. To better understand the mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their active phytoconstituents are being isolated and investigated thoroughly. In this review article, we have focused on pharmacologically active phytomolecules isolated from medicinal plants presenting antidiabetic activity and the role they play in the treatment and management of diabetes. These natural compounds may represent as good candidates for a novel therapeutic approach and/or effective and alternative therapies for diabetes.

The Angelica dahurica: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Angelica dahurica (A. dahurica) root is a famous edible medicinal herb that has been used in China for thousands of years. To date, more than 300 chemical constituents have been discovered from A. dahurica. Among these ingredients, coumarins and volatile oils are the major active compounds. Moreover, a few other compounds have also been isolated from the root of A. dahurica, such as alkaloids, phenols, sterols, benzofurans, polyacetylenes and polysaccharides. Modern pharmacological studies demonstrated that the root of A. dahurica and its active components displayed various bioactivities such as anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, analgesic activity, antiviral and anti-microbial effects, effects on the cardiovascular system, neuroprotective function, hepatoprotective activity, effects on skin diseases and so on. Based on these studies, this review focused on the research publications of A. dahurica and aimed to summarize the advances in the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology which will provide reference for the further studies and applications of A. dahurica.

Molecular Modeling Approaches Can Reveal the Molecular Interactions Established between a Biofilm and the Bioactive Compounds of the Essential Oil of Piper divaricatum

Molecular modeling approaches are used in a versatile way to investigate the properties of diverse organic and inorganic structures such as proteins, biomolecules, nanomaterials, functionalized nanoparticles, and membranes. However, more detailed studies are needed to understand the molecular nature of interactions established in gelatin biofilms impregnated with bioactive compounds. Because of this, we used computational methods to evaluate how the major compounds of Piper divaricatum essential oil can interact with the gelatin biofilm structure. For this, we used as inspiration the paper published, where various properties of the essential oil impregnated gelatin biofilm P. divaricatum are reported. After our computer simulations, we related our molecular observations to biofilm’s structural and mechanical properties. Our results suggest that the major compounds of the essential oil were able to interrupt intermolecular interactions between the chains of the biofilm matrix. However, the compounds also established interactions with the amino acid residues of these chains. Our molecular analyses also explain changes in the structural and mechanical properties of the essential oil-impregnated biofilm. These results can support the planning of functional packaging impregnated with bioactive compounds that can protect food against microorganisms harmful to human health.

Essential Oils of Duguetia Species A. St. Hill (Annonaceae): Chemical Diversity and Pharmacological Potential

Duguetia A. St. Hill (Annonaceae) is recognized as one of the major genera with approximately 100 species, 67 of which are found in Brazil (29 of those are endemic). They are arboreal species with edible fruits known as “pindaíba”, “pindaíva” “pinha”, and “envira” in Brazil. Many Duguetia species, in particular, have been used in traditional medicine to treat renal colic, stomachache, rheumatism, cough, toothache, muscle pain, fever, gastrointestinal pain, and breathing difficulties. In this study, we reviewed the chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of essential oils (EOs) from Duguetia species. A total of 12 species were found, along with their EO chemical constituents and bioactivities. Bicyclogermacrene, humulene epoxide II, spathulenol, germacrene D, caryophyllene oxide, viridiflorene, α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, and β-pinene were the main chemical constituents reported. The pharmacological effects of Duguetia species EOs included anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-trypanosoma, cytotoxic and antitumor properties. This information adds to our understanding of the potential of the EOs of Duguetia species.

Triterpenoids as Reactive Oxygen Species Modulators of Cell Fate

The triterpenoid natural products have played an important role in understanding mechanistic models of human diseases. These natural products are diverse, but many have been characterized as reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulators. ROS can regulate cell survival and function, which ultimately affects biological processes leading to disease. The triterpenoids offer an untapped source of creativity to generate tool compounds with high selectivity to regulate ROS. This brief Review highlights the diverse complexity by which these secondary metabolites induce many cell death modalities (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, etc.) that can affect various complex cell signaling pathways through ROS and ultimately lead to evading or accelerating cell death.