Evaluation of hypoglycemic potential and pre-clinical toxicology of Morus nigra L. (Moraceae)

The hypoglycemic potential of crude ethanolic extract of leaves (CEE-Mn) of the Morus nigra L. (Moraceae) was evaluated in normoglycemic rats. CEE-Mn (200 and 400 mg/kg) and metformin (500 mg/kg) were tested on the glucose tolerance oral test. The acute toxicity of CEE-Mn was performed 2.0 g/kg intraperitoneally and 5.0 g/kg orally in Swiss mice. Blood was removed after seven days for laboratory analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters. In the glucose tolerance oral test, only metformin was able to reduce the glucose-induced hyperglycemia. Regarding acute toxicity no mortality and no toxicity signs were observed, indicating low toxicity of the extract. In the evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters no alteration was observed. In conclusion, the CEE-Mn can be considered of low toxicity but did not produce the expected hypoglycemic effect in the model used.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

A Brief Review on the Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Vitexin

The neural dysfunction is triggered by cellular and molecular events that provoke neurotoxicity and neural death. Currently, neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly common, and available treatments are focused on relieving symptoms. Based on the above, in this review we describe the participation of vitexin in the main events involved in the neurotoxicity and cell death process, as well as the use of vitexin as a therapeutic approach to suppress or attenuate neurodegenerative progress. Vitexin contributes to increasing neuroprotective factors and pathways and counteract the targets that induce neurodegeneration, such as redox imbalance, neuroinflammation, abnormal protein aggregation, and reduction of cognitive and/or motor impairment. The results obtained provide substantial evidence to support the scientific exploration of vitexin in these pathologies, since their effects are still little explored for this direction

Chemical constituents of non-polar fractions obtained from Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl (Euphorbiaceae), a Brazilian medicinal plant native to Caatinga biome Chemical constituents of non-polar fractions obtained from Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl (Euphorbiaceae), a Brazilian medicinal plant native to Caatinga biome

International audienceFerraz, C. A. A.; Oliveira, A. P.; Alencar-Filho, J. M. T.; Araújo, E. C. C.; Nunes, X. P.; Picot, L.; Lopes, N. P.; Braz-Filho, R.; Rolim, L. A.; Almeida, J. R. G. S.* Constituintes químicos de frações não-polares obtidas de Cnidoscolus quercifolius Polh (Euphorbiaceae), uma planta medicinal brasileira nativa da Caatinga Abstract: Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl is a Brazilian medicinal plant from Caatinga biome and possesses several pharmacological properties. In this paper, we describe the identification of compounds from non-polar fractions of the leaves (Hex-Le) and stem-barks (Hex-Sb) from C. quercifolius. Chemical analysis were performed by GC-MS approach. Chemical constituents were identified based on spectral data obtained and by comparison with literature data. Fragmentation profile of the main compounds was proposed and presented in this paper. Hydrocarbons (46.84%), triterpenes (32.60%) and carotenoid derivatives (0.83%) were considered the major constituent of Hex-Le. In contrast, hydrocarbons (41.89%), diterpenes (12.83%) and triterpenes (7.0%) were found in Hex-Sb. Four diterpenes (dehydroabietane, sandaracopimaradiene, kaur-16-ene and 13-methyl-17-norkaur-15-ene) and one triterpene (diploptene) are reported for the first time in Cnidoscolus. Resumo: Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl é uma planta medicinal do Brasil, nativa do bioma Caatinga, que apresenta diversas propriedades farmacológicas. Nesse estudo, nós descrevemos a identificação de compostos de frações não-polares obtidas das folhas (Hex-Le) e cascas do caule (Hex-Sb) da espécie. As análises químicas foram realizadas por CG-EM. Os constituintes químicos foram identificados com base nos dados espectrais obtidos e por comparação com os dados da literatura. O perfil de fragmentação dos principais compostos identificados também foi proposto e é igualmente apresentado nesse trabalho. Hidrocarbonetos (46,84%), triterpenos (32,60%) e derivados de carotenoides (0,83%) foram considerados os constituintes majoritários de Hex-Le. Em contraste, hidrocarbonetos (41,89%), diterpenos (12,83%) e triterpenos (7,0%) foram encontrados em Hex-Sb. Quatro diterpenos (deidroabietano, sandaracopimaradieno, caur-16-eno e 13-metil-17-norcaur-15-eno) e um triterpeno (diplopteno) são relatados pela primeira vez no gênero Cnidoscolus