Essential Oil of Bursera morelensis Promotes Cell Migration on Fibroblasts: In Vitro Assays

Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of volatile natural compounds. We have extensively studied the EO of Bursera morelensis, which demonstrates antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of this EO on fibroblast migration in a three-dimensional in vitro model. For the three-dimensional in vitro model, a series of fibrin hydrogel scaffolds (FSs) were built in which fibroblasts were cultured and subsequently stimulated with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or EO. The results demonstrated that these FSs are appropriate for fibroblast culture, since no decrease in cell viability or changes in cell proliferation were found. The results also showed that this EO promotes cell migration four hours after stimulation, and the formation of cell projections (filopodia) outside the SF was observed. From these results, we confirmed that part of the mechanism of action of the essential oil of B. morelensis during the healing process is the stimulation of fibroblast migration to the wound site.

Wound Healing Activity of α-Pinene and α-Phellandrene

Bursera morelensis is used in Mexican folk medicine to treat wounds on the skin. Recently, it was shown that the essential oil (EO) of B. morelensis has wound healing activity, accelerating cutaneous wound closure and generating scars with good tensile strength. α-pinene (PIN) and α-phellandrene (FEL) are terpenes that have been found in this EO, and it has been shown in different studies that both have anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to determine the wound healing activity of these two terpenes. The results of in vitro tests demonstrate that PIN and FEL are not cytotoxic at low concentrations and that they do not stimulate fibroblast cell proliferation. In vivo tests showed that the terpenes produce stress-resistant scars and accelerate wound contraction, due to collagen deposition from the early stages, in wounds treated with both terpenes. Therefore, we conclude that both α-pinene and α-phellandrene promote the healing process; this confirms the healing activity of the EO of B. morelensis, since having these terpenes as part of its chemical composition explains part of its demonstrated activity.

Wound Healing Activity of the Essential Oil of Bursera morelensis, in Mice

Bursera morelensis is used in Mexican folk medicine to treat wounds on the skin. It is an endemic tree known as “aceitillo”, and the antibacterial and antifungal activity of its essential oil has been verified; it also acts as an anti-inflammatory. All of these reported biological activities make the essential oil of B. morelensis a candidate to accelerate the wound-healing process. The objective was to determine the wound-healing properties of B. morelensis’ essential oil on a murine model. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation, and the chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the murine model, wound-healing efficacy (WHE) and wound contraction (WC) were evaluated. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated in vitro using peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice. The results showed that 18 terpenoid-type compounds were identified in the essential oil. The essential oil had remarkable WHE regardless of the dose and accelerated WC and was not cytotoxic. In vitro tests with fibroblasts showed that cell viability was dose-dependent; by adding 1 mg/mL of essential oil (EO) to the culture medium, cell viability decreased below 80%, while, at doses of 0.1 and 0.01 mg/mL, it remained around 90%; thus, EO did not intervene in fibroblast proliferation, but it did influence fibroblast migration when wound-like was done in monolayer cultures. The results of this study demonstrated that the essential oil was a pro-wound-healing agent because it had good healing effectiveness with scars with good tensile strength and accelerated repair. The probable mechanism of action of the EO of B. morelensis, during the healing process, is the promotion of the migration of fibroblasts to the site of the wound, making them active in the production of collagen and promoting the remodeling of this collagen.

Anti-Candida Activity of Bursera morelensis Ramirez Essential Oil and Two Compounds, α-Pinene and γ-Terpinene-An In Vitro Study

The candidiasis caused by C. albicans is a public health problem. The abuse of antifungals has contributed to the development of resistance. B. morelensis has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activities. In this work the activity of the essential oil of B. morelensis was evaluated and for its two pure compounds with analysis of the different mechanisms of pathogenesis important for C. albicans. The essential oil was obtained by the hydro-distillation method and analyzed using GC–MS. The anti-Candida activity was compared between to essential oil, α-Pinene and γ-Terpinene. GC–MS of the essential oil demonstrated the presence of 13 compounds. The essential oil showed antifungal activity against four C. albicans strains. The most sensitive strain was C. albicans 14065 (MFC 2.0 mg/mL and MIC₅₀ 0.125 mg/mL) with α-Pinene and γ-Terpinene having MFCs of 4.0 and 16.0 mg/mL respectively. The essential oil inhibited the growth of the germ tube in 87.94% (8.0 mg/mL). Furthermore, it was observed that the essential oil diminishes the transcription of the gene INT1. This work provides evidence that confirms the anti-Candida activity of the B. morelensis essential oil and its effect on the growth of the germ tube and transcription of the gene INT1.

Evaluation of the medicinal properties of Cyrtocarpa procera Kunth fruit extracts

Background

The fruit of Cyrtocarpa procera is used to treat stomach diseases by people living in San Rafael, Coxcatlan, Puebla. This work investigated the antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of the fruit produced by this species.

Methods

Methanol extract was obtained by maceration. After obtaining the methanol extract (MeOH1), methanol subextract (MeOH2) and hexane (H) were obtained. The antibacterial activities of MeOH1, MeOH2 and H were evaluated through disc-diffusion. The quenching of free radicals was evaluated by decolorizing a methanolic DPPH solution. The cytotoxic activity of MeOH2 was evaluated by in vitro assay system of growth inhibition of human cervical carcinoma cell line (CasKi). The IL-1β and TNF-α were determined through ELISA in the supernatants of the macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The MeOH2 subextract was separated by column chromatography, seventy-three fractions were collected.

Results

The Gram-positive and -negative bacteria examined were sensitive to MeOH1 and MeOH2; the MeOH2 was bactericidal toward Staphyloccocus aureus (MIC = 4 mg/mL) and Vibrio cholera (MIC = 4 mg/mL). The MeOH2 inhibited the DPPH radical (SC₅₀ = 69.7 μg/mL), but a cytotoxicity assay revealed that the extract is not toxic according to the National Cancer Institute (LD₅₀ = 22.03 μg/mL). The production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL- 1β and TNF- α) by LPS- stimulated macrophages was reduced after the treatments. The methanol extract contained various organic acids, such as citric acid, palmitic acid and α- linoleic acid.

Conclusions

The fruits of Cyrtocarpa procera are employed to treat ailments such as diarrhea, in this study were demonstrated some biological activities involved in a bacterial infection. This is the first research about of the medicinal properties of C. procera fruit.

Oligomerization of 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid and methyl 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoate catalyzed by lipases

The main monomer of tomato cuticle, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (10,16-DHPA) and its methyl ester derivative (methyl-10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanote; methyl-10,16-DHHD), were used to study their oligomerization reactions catalyzed by five lipases: Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B), Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RM), Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TL), Pseudomonas cepacia lipase (PCL) and porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL). For 10,16-DHPA, optimum yields were obtained at 60 °C using toluene and 2-methyl-2-butanol (2M2B) as solvent, while for methyl-10,16-DHHD the bests yields were obtained in toluene and acetonitrile. Both reactions leaded to linear polyesters according to the NMR and FT-IR analysis, and there was no data indicating the presence of branched polymers. Using optimized conditions, poly(10,16-DHPA) and poly(methyl-10,16-DHHD) with Mw = 814 and Mn = 1,206 Da, and Mw = 982 and Mn = 860 Da, respectively, were formed according to their MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-MS data. The self-assembly of the polyesters obtained were analyzed by AFM.

14-Angeloyloxycacalohastine fromPsacalium peltatum

The title compound [systematic name: (9-meth­oxy-3,5-dimethyl-5,6-dihydro­naphtho­[2,3-b]furan-4-yl)methyl 2-meth­yl­but-2-enoate], C₂₁H₂₄O₄, was isolated from matarique, or Psacalium peltatum (Kunth). The structure is almost planar. The angelo­yloxy group makes an angle of 62.08 (2)° with the furan­oeremophilane skeleton. The carbonyl O atom is disordered between two positions with a 76:24 ratio. The mol­ecules in the crystal are joined by very weak C—H—O inter­actions in the ac plane.

Anti-inflammatory activity of cacalol and cacalone sesquiterpenes isolated from Psacalium decompositum

The hexane extract and two sesquiterpenic compounds, cacalol and cacalone, were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Psacalium decompositum. Then, their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema. Indomethacin was used as the anti-inflammatory agent of reference. In the rat paw model of inflammation, both the hexane extract and the sesquiterpenes isolated from Psacalium decompositum showed a clear dose-dependent inhibition of the carrageenan-induced edema (P < 0.05), with important differences among them during the temporal course of the inhibition. In the TPA-induced mouse ear edema all tested compounds showed anti-inflammatory activity in dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). In both models, cacalone showed the most prominent anti-inflammatory activity. We conclude that some of the beneficial effects attributed to Psacalium decompositum in traditional medicine can be related with the anti-inflammatory activity of cacalol and cacalone.

HIV-1 Inhibition by Extracts of Clusiaceae Species from Mexico

The organic plant extracts of 21 species of Clusiaceae from Mexico were screened for anti HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity in a non-radioactive immuno colorimetric assay. The extracts of 5 species (23.8%) exhibited significant inhibition (> or =70%) of HIV-1 RT activity; of these, only 4 extracts showed reduced toxicity to human lymphocytic MT2 cells and were further tested as inhibitors of HIV-1 IIIb/LAV replication in a cellular system. The best extracts were Calophyllum brasiliense (hexane) and Clusia quadrangula (CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH) which inhibited HIV-1 RT (IC(50)=29.6 microg/ml and 42 microg/ml), and showed an EC(50)=92.5 microg/ml and 91 microg/ml, respectively, on MT2 cells. However, only Calophyllum brasiliense hexane extract showed significant inhibition on viral replication (ED(50)=37.1 microg/ml), while Clusia quadrangula was less active (ED(50)=124 microg/ml). These results support the idea that plant extracts represent a valuable source of potential anti HIV compounds.

HIV-1 Inhibitory Compounds from Calophyllum brasiliense Leaves

The hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of Calophyllum brasiliense leaves were fractionated following a three bioassay guide: high HIV-1 RT inhibition, low cytotoxicity on MT2 cells and high inhibition of HIV-1 IIIb/LAV replication. This led to the isolation of three anti HIV-1 dipyranocoumarins: calanolides A and B and soulattrolide. In contrast, other isolated compounds such as apetalic acid, isoapetalic acid, a structural isomer of isoapetalic acid, friedelin, canophyllol and amentoflavone were devoid of HIV-1 RT inhibitory activity. Calanolide C was also obtained as a natural product and showed moderate inhibitory properties.

Relaxation of uterine and aortic smooth muscle by glaucolides D and E from Vernonia liatroides

Vernonia spp. (Asteraceae) are used in herbolaria in Latin America in menstrual and stomach disorders, suggesting smooth muscle relaxing properties of some of their chemical constituents. For pharmacological support for this belief, sesquiterpene lactones glaucolides D and E were assayed on isolated rat smooth muscle. Glaucolide E proved more potent than glaucolide D to relax high KCl- or noradrenaline-induced contractions in aorta and to relax the high KCl-contraction in uterus. Hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpene lactone also was tested but displayed no effect. Relaxation of smooth muscle by structurally related sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide has been attributed mainly to the alpha-methylene gamma-lactone moiety; because glaucolides D and E lack this functional group, their relaxant properties may rely on other alkylating sites such as C10 of the germacra-1(10),4-diene-4-epoxide skeleton.

Hypoglycemic effect of extracts and fractions from Psacalium decompositum in healthy and alloxan-diabetic mice

The hypoglycemic effect of the hexane, methanol and water extracts obtained from roots of Psacalium decompositum (Asteraceae) was investigated in fasting healthy mice. Only the water extract significantly reduced blood glucose in a dose-dependent manner in normal mice after intraperitoneal administration (P<0.05). This water extract was macerated with methanol obtaining a precipitate (WMP fraction), and it was studied in healthy and alloxan-diabetic mice. The WMP fraction showed significant hypoglycemic activity in healthy and mild diabetic mice, but the administration of this fraction to animals with severe diabetes did not cause any significant decrease in blood glucose levels. Two polysaccharide components isolated from WMP fraction showed hypoglycemic effect when tested in healthy mice.

Hypoglycemic activity of root water decoction, sesquiterpenoids, and one polysaccharide fraction from Psacalium decompositum in mice

The hypoglycemic activity of Psacalium decompositum (Asteraceae) was investigated in fasting healthy mice and alloxan-diabetic mice. The freeze-dried water decoction significantly reduced the blood glucose in normal mice (from 50.9 +/- 4.7 to 32.5 +/- 3.1 mg/dl) and in mild diabetic mice (from 208.5 +/- 13.0 to 52.3 +/- 7.0 mg/dl), 240 min after intraperitoneal administration (P < 0.005). This preparation also diminished fasting glycemia in severe diabetic mice, but the effects were minor (from 394.4 +/- 9.4 to 289.3 +/- 39.5 mg/dl). The main sesquiterpenoid constituents from P. decompositum roots, cacalol, cacalone and maturin, as well as the transformation product cacalol acetate, did not show a hypoglycemic effect on healthy mice. Nevertheless, two polysaccharide fractions (F1 and F3) obtained from the freeze-dried water extract significantly reduced the fasting glycemia in healthy mice. The best results were obtained with the F1 fraction.

The Use of a Germination Bioassay as a Toxicological Screening System to Study the Potential Drug–Drug Interactions of (S)-Naproxen and (S)-Ibuprofen and their corresponding Oxidation State Analogues, (S)-Naproxol and (S)-Ibuprofen Alcohol

A germination bioassay employing radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) seeds was used for the identification and quantification of the synergistic or antagonistic effects of equimolar binary mixtures formed by the combination of (S)-naproxen, (S)-ibuprofen, (S)-naproxol and (S)-ibuprofen alcohol, by using an approach based on experiments with mixtures. Synergistic effects were found to be statistically significant for the radicle growth of the binary mixtures formed by the combination of (S)-naproxol with (S)-naproxen, and (S)-naproxol with (S)-ibuprofen alcohol. These findings might indicate the existence of the corresponding potential drug–drug interactions. However, due to the complexity of the biological processes in humans and the fact that the correlation between this bioassay and human biological activity has not yet been established, further studies with other organisms or test systems are necessary to confirm the existence of these drug–drug interactions.

A Germination Bioassay as a Toxicological Screening System for Studying the Effects of Potential Prodrugs of Naproxen

A germination bioassay with radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds was developed as a toxicological screening system for assessing the effects of new potential prodrugs of naproxen, as an alternative to animals and animal cell toxicity screens. Both enantiomers of naproxen (6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid) and naproxol (6-methoxy-β-2-naphthaleneethanol), and their racemic mixtures, inhibited the radicle growth of R. sativus at a concentration of 1mM, while only ( R)-(+)-naproxol and racemic naproxol inhibited the hypocotyl growth of R. sativus at the same concentration. Four novel combinatorial esters, naproxen naproxyl esters (6-methoxy-β-methyl-2-naphthaleneethyl 6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthale-neacetate), resulting from the combinatorial chemistry of the esterification reaction between naproxen and naproxol, were synthesised and then tested in the germination bioassay, at a concentration of 0.5mM. It was found that they did not inhibit either the radicle or the hypocotyl growth of R. sativus.

A germination bioassay as a toxicological screening system for studying the effects of potential prodrugs of naproxen

A germination bioassay with radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds was developed as a toxicological screening system for assessing the effects of new potential prodrugs of naproxen, as an alternative to animals and animal cell toxicity screens. Both enantiomers of naproxen (6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid) and naproxol (6-methoxy-β-2-naphthaleneethanol), and their racemic mixtures, inhibited the radicle growth of R. sativus at a concentration of 1mM, while only (R)-(+ )-naproxol and racemic naproxol inhibited the hypocotyl growth of R. sativus at the same concentration. Four novel combinatorial esters, naproxen naproxyl esters (6-methoxy-β-methyl-2-naphthaleneethyl 6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetate), resulting from the combinatorial chemistry of the esterification reaction between naproxen and naproxol, were synthesised and then tested in the germination bioassay, at a concentration of 0.5mM. It was found that they did not inhibit either the radicle or the hypocotyl growth of R. sativus.

Effects of three Mexican medicinal plants (Asteraceae) on blood glucose levels in healthy mice and rabbits

The effects of Psacalium decompositum, Psacalium peltatum and Acourtia thurberi (Asteraceae) on blood glucose levels were investigated in fasting mice and temporally hyperglycemic rabbits. The root decoction of P. decompositum reduced the blood glucose of normal mice from 49.1 +/- 3.8 to 35.7 +/- 2.0 mg/dl after intraperitoneal administration (P < or = 0.005) and significantly lowered the hyperglycemic peak (17.1%) in rabbits with temporal hyperglycemia. P. peltatum and A. thurberi decoctions also diminished fasting glycemia in mice and hyperglycemia in rabbits, but the effects were minor. A preliminary phytochemical study using thin layer chromatography showed that water decoctions of the three roots contained alkaloids and sugars. P. decompositum and P. peltatum showed the presence of maturine. However, other furoeremophylanes, such as cacalol and cacalone were only present in P. decompositum. A. thurberi root water decoction showed the presence of the benzoquinone perezone, and its derivative pipitzol.