Apolar Compounds in Seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Northeastern Coast of Brazil)

Hyphenated techniques of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer were used to determine fatty acids in eleven species of seaweeds from Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The main compounds detected in all studied species were the alcohol phytol and the fatty acids 14 : 0; 15 : 0; 16 : 0; 18 : 0; 18 : 1 n9; 18 : 2 Δ9,12; 20 : 4; 20 : 5. These fatty acids are commonly found in seaweeds present in warm regions. Thus, we found no specificity in the presence of a particular set of fatty acids and the studied species indicating that they are not useful as taxonomic indicators. However, they could be used in a comparative study with algae found in polluted area because many of the studied seaweeds are widespread and Fernando de Noronha has low human influence

Concentration of Inorganic Elements Content in Benthic Seaweeds of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago by Synchrotron Radiation Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (SRTXRF)

SRTXRF was used to determine As, Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn in eleven seaweed species commonly found in Fernando de Noronha: Caulerpa verticillata (J. Agardh) (Chlorophyta), Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile), Dictyurus occidentalis (J. Agardh), Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J. V. Lamouroux, G. obtusata (J. Ellis & Solander) J. V. Lamouroux, G. marginata (J. Ellis & Solander) J. V. Lamouroux (Rhodophyta), Dictyota cervicornis (Kützing), Dictyopteris justii (J. V. Lamouroux), Dictyopteris plagiogramma (Montagne) Vickers, Padina gymnospora (Kützing) Sonder, and a Sargassum sp. (Phaeophyta). Data obtained were compared to those from the analysis of other parts of the world seaweeds using different analytical techniques and were found to be in general agreement in terms of major and minor elemental components. Results provide baseline information about the absorption and accumulation of these elements by macroalgae in the area

Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Oligosaccharides with Special Attention to Antiparasitic Potential

The global rise of infectious disease outbreaks and the progression of microbial resistance reinforce the importance of researching new biomolecules. Obtained from the hydrolysis of chitosan, chitooligosaccharides (COSs) have demonstrated several biological properties, including antimicrobial, and greater advantage over chitosan due to their higher solubility and lower viscosity. Despite the evidence of the biotechnological potential of COSs, their effects on trypanosomatids are still scarce. The objectives of this study were the enzymatic production, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic effects of COSs. NMR and mass spectrometry analyses indicated the presence of a mixture with 81% deacetylated COS and acetylated hexamers. COSs demonstrated no evidence of cytotoxicity upon 2 mg/mL. In addition, COSs showed interesting activity against bacteria and yeasts and a time-dependent parasitic inhibition. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated a parasite aggregation ability of COSs. Thus, the broad biological effect of COSs makes them a promising molecule for the biomedical industry.publishersversionpublishe

Erythrina velutina Willd. alkaloids: Piecing biosynthesis together from transcriptome analysis and metabolite profiling of seeds and leaves

Introduction: Natural products of pharmaceutical interest often do not reach the drug market due to the associated low yields and difficult extraction. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways is a key element in the development of biotechnological strategies for plant specialized metabolite production. The scarce studies regarding non-model plants impair advances in this field. Erythrina spp. are mainly used as central nervous system depressants in folk medicine and are important sources of bioactive tetracyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, which can act on several pathology-related biological targets. Objective: Herein the purpose is to employ combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses (seeds and leaves) of a non-model medicinal Fabaceae species grown in its unique arid natural habitat. The study tries to propose a putative biosynthetic pathway for the bioactive alkaloids by using an omic integrated approach. Methods: The Next Generation Sequencing-based transcriptome (de novo RNA sequencing) was carried out in a Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Regarding the targeted metabolite profiling, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to a micrOTOF-QII, High Resolution Mass Spectrometer, were used. Results: This detailed macro and micromolecular approach applied to seeds and leaves of E. velutina revealed 42 alkaloids by metabolome tools. Based on the combined evidence, 24 gene candidates were put together in a putative pathway leading to the singular alkaloid diversity of this species. Conclusion: These results contribute by indicating potential biotechnological targets Erythrina alkaloids biosynthesis as well as to improve molecular databases with omic data from a non-model medicinal plant. Furthermore, they reveal an interesting chemical diversity in Erythrina velutina harvested in Caatinga. Last, but not least, this data may also contribute to tap Brazilian biodiversity in a rational and sustainable fashion, promoting adequate public policies for preservation and protection of sensitive areas within the Caatinga

Erythrina velutina Willd. alkaloids : piecing biosynthesis together from transcriptome analysis and metabolite profiling of seeds and leaves

Introduction: Natural products of pharmaceutical interest often do not reach the drug market due to the associated low yields and difficult extraction. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways is a key element in the development of biotechnological strategies for plant specialized metabolite production. Erythrina species are mainly used as central nervous system depressants in folk medicine and are important sources of bioactive tetracyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), which can act on several pathology-related biological targets. Objectives: In this sense, in an unprecedented approach used with a non-model Fabaceae species grown in its unique arid natural habitat, a combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses (seeds and leaves) is presented. Methods: The Next Generation Sequencing-based transcriptome (de novo RNA sequencing) was carried out in a NextSeq 500 platform. Regarding metabolite profiling, the High-resolution Liquid Chromatography was coupled to DAD and a micrOTOF-QII mass spectrometer by using electrospray ionization (ESI) and Time of Flight (TOF) analyzer. The tandem MS/MS data were processed and analyzed through Molecular Networking approach. Results: This detailed macro and micromolecular approach applied to seeds and leaves of E. velutina revealed 42 alkaloids, several of them unique. Based on the combined evidence, 24 gene candidates were put together in a putative pathway leading to the singular alkaloid diversity of this species. Conclusion: Overall, these results could contribute by indicating potential biotechnological targets formodulation of erythrina alkaloids biosynthesis as well as improve molecular databases with omic data from a non-model medicinal plant, and reveal an interesting chemical diversity of Erythrina BIA harvested in Caatinga

In vitro Metabolism of Grandisin, a Lignan with Anti-chagasic Activity

Tetrahydrofuran lignans represent a well-known group of phenolic compounds capable of acting as antiparasitic agents. In the search for new medicines for the treatment of Chagas disease, one promising compound is grandisin which has shown significant activity on trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In this work, the in vitro metabolism of grandisin was studied in the pig cecum model and by biomimetic phase I reactions, aiming at an ensuing a preclinical pharmacokinetic investigation. Although grandisin exhibited no metabolization by the pig microbiota, one putative metabolite was formed in a biomimetic model using Jacobsen catalyst. The putative metabolite was tested against T. cruzi revealing loss of activity in comparison to grandisin.FINEPFINEPFAPESPFAPESPCAPESCAPESCNPqCNP

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics parameters of lignan grandisin

A grandisina é uma lignana tetrahidrofurânica biologicamente ativa, sendo sua ação antiparasitária a mais abordada. A doença de Chagas é um problema endêmico do Brasil e considerado um grande problema de saúde pública no mundo. Estudos que permitam o desenvolvimento de tratamentos alternativos são necessários, uma vez que essa iniciativa costuma ficar mais restrita ao nível governamental. Nesse sentido, várias alternativas de emprego de extratos e substância de origem natural têm sido avaliadas, porém, ainda há a necessidade de um estudo mais amplo, visando compreender o real potencial terapêutico e os fenômenos envolvidos com a farmacocinética, farmacodinâmica e toxicidade. No presente trabalho foi possível verificar que o metabolismo inicial pela microbiota de ceco de porco, muito similar humana, não atuou sobre a grandisina o que sugere um possível uso por via oral. Em reações biomiméticas foi obtida como produto de oxidação majoritário a deidrograndisina, molécula esta inédita na literatura, a qual também foi observada como metabólito no modelo que empregaram microssomas hepáticos de ratos. Esses dados indicaram uma possível metabolização de fase I, o que foi confirmado posteriormente em animais. Devido a sua polaridade foi desenvolvida uma emulsão para administração da lignana a qual pode posteriormente ser utilizada no ensaio de eficácia in vivo da grandisina. O ensaio in vivo indicou que os parâmetros farmacocinéticos desta lignana foram Cp0 728,16 ng mL-1, Ke 0,023 h-1, Vd 53,0 L Kg-1, t1/2 29,8 h, ASC0®¥ 40510,65 ng mL-1 h e Clearance 1,2 L h-1 Kg-1. Portanto, o trabalho relata de forma pioneira estudos pré-clínicos com um produto natural brasileiro contribuindo e dando suporte para possíveis estudos clínicos posteriores essenciais e obrigatórios para o registro de um novo medicamento para o tratamento da doença de Chagas.Grandisin is a tetrahydrofuranic lignan for which many biological activities have been described. The antiparasitic action is the most studied biological activity. Chagas disease is endemic to Brazil and considered a big healthcare problem worldwide. Studies that allow the development of alternative treatment are necessary since research in this area is usually done by the government. Out of this reason, natural extracts and substances have been evaluated as alternative. However, a broader study still will be needed to recognize the real therapeutical potential and the phenomena related to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity. In this study, it was possible to verify that the initial metabolism of grandisin by pig ceacum microbiota, which is very similar to the human one, has not occurred what could suggest an oral use. In the biomimetic reactions, dehydrograndisin was obtained as the major oxidation product. This new compound has also been cited in literature as a metabolite produced by hepatic rat microsomes. These data suggest a possible phase I metabolism reaction, which later was confirmed in the animal model. Due to the low polarity of grandisin, an emulsion for intravenous administration was developed and may be used later in an in vivo efficacy assay. The in vivo assay has been evaluated and the lignan pharmacokinetic parameters were Cp0 728,16 ng mL-1, Ke 0,023 h-1, Vd 53,0 L Kg-1, t1/2 29,8 h, ASC0®¥ 40510,65 ng mL-1 h and Clearance 1,2 L h-1 Kg-1. Therefore, this study pioneeringly reports the pre-clinical study of a Brazilian natural product contributing to and supporting later clinical studies that are essential and mandatory for a new medicine registration for the treatment of Chagas diseas

Analysis of populational variation and characterization of secondary metabolites in the leaves of Lychnophora granmongolense (Duarte) Semir & Leitão Filho.

Uma das principais características da família Asteraceae é sua capacidade de produzir uma grande diversidade de metabólitos secundários que podem possuir efeitos terapêuticos ou tóxicos. Para verificar a existência de variações inter e intrapopulacionais na sua composição metabólica secundária de Lychnophora granmongolense (Duarte) Semir & Leitão Filho e caracterização desses metabólitos foi desenvolvida uma metodologia analítica em CLAE DAD. Essa metodologia permitiu a identificação de três compostos, vicenina-2, quercetina e pinocembrina, através da coinjeção de padrões, ou seja, pela comparação do tempo de retenção com padrões previamente isolados associados com os dados do espectro no UV. Com a utilização da técnica de espectrometria de massas, CLAE-DAD-EM e CLAE-DAD-EM/EM, foram identificadas quatro lactonas sesquiterpênicas (LST), centraterina, 4,5-di-idrocentraterina, lychnofolido e 15-desoxigoyazensolido. No estudo de variação populacional, os resultados indicaram grandes variações quantitativas e qualitativas tanto inter quanto intrapopulacionais para os metabólitos de alta e média polaridade. A análise dos metabólitos mais apolares presentes nas folhas permitiu a identificação de 8 triterpenos e 8 triterpenos acetilados. Contudo, esses metabólitos apresentam somente pequena variação que não é significativa. Assim, esse estudo contribuiu para o aumento do conhecimento sobre o ritmo metabólico dessa espécie.One of the main characteristics of plants of the Asteraceae family is their capacity to produce a huge diversity of secondary metabolites having therapeutic and toxic effects. An analytical method was developed based on HPLCDAD which was used to verify the existence of variations in Lychnophora granmongolense (Duarte) Semir & Leitão Filho secondary metabolite levels among species within populations and between distinct populations and to characterize the major secondary metabolites. Through this method three compounds, namely vicenin-2, quercetin and pinocembrin were identified by co-injection of standards. This identification was based on the comparison of retention time with isolated standards and the UV spectrum. Four sesquiterpenes lactones centratherin, 4,5-dihydrocentratherin, lycnopholide and 15-deoxygoyazensolide were identified by mass spectrometry techniques coupled with HPLC (HPLC-DAD-MS e HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). In the populational variation study, the results show large qualitative and quantitative differences among species within populations and between populations for high and medium polarity secondary metabolites. Eight triterpenes and eight acetyl triterpenes were identified by apolar compound analysis. However, small, insignificant variation was observed for these particular metabolites. Thus, this study contributed to an increase in the knowledge of the metabolic rhythm of this specie

Metabolism and pharmacokinetics parameters of lignan grandisin

A grandisina é uma lignana tetrahidrofurânica biologicamente ativa, sendo sua ação antiparasitária a mais abordada. A doença de Chagas é um problema endêmico do Brasil e considerado um grande problema de saúde pública no mundo. Estudos que permitam o desenvolvimento de tratamentos alternativos são necessários, uma vez que essa iniciativa costuma ficar mais restrita ao nível governamental. Nesse sentido, várias alternativas de emprego de extratos e substância de origem natural têm sido avaliadas, porém, ainda há a necessidade de um estudo mais amplo, visando compreender o real potencial terapêutico e os fenômenos envolvidos com a farmacocinética, farmacodinâmica e toxicidade. No presente trabalho foi possível verificar que o metabolismo inicial pela microbiota de ceco de porco, muito similar humana, não atuou sobre a grandisina o que sugere um possível uso por via oral. Em reações biomiméticas foi obtida como produto de oxidação majoritário a deidrograndisina, molécula esta inédita na literatura, a qual também foi observada como metabólito no modelo que empregaram microssomas hepáticos de ratos. Esses dados indicaram uma possível metabolização de fase I, o que foi confirmado posteriormente em animais. Devido a sua polaridade foi desenvolvida uma emulsão para administração da lignana a qual pode posteriormente ser utilizada no ensaio de eficácia in vivo da grandisina. O ensaio in vivo indicou que os parâmetros farmacocinéticos desta lignana foram Cp0 728,16 ng mL-1, Ke 0,023 h-1, Vd 53,0 L Kg-1, t1/2 29,8 h, ASC0®¥ 40510,65 ng mL-1 h e Clearance 1,2 L h-1 Kg-1. Portanto, o trabalho relata de forma pioneira estudos pré-clínicos com um produto natural brasileiro contribuindo e dando suporte para possíveis estudos clínicos posteriores essenciais e obrigatórios para o registro de um novo medicamento para o tratamento da doença de Chagas.Grandisin is a tetrahydrofuranic lignan for which many biological activities have been described. The antiparasitic action is the most studied biological activity. Chagas disease is endemic to Brazil and considered a big healthcare problem worldwide. Studies that allow the development of alternative treatment are necessary since research in this area is usually done by the government. Out of this reason, natural extracts and substances have been evaluated as alternative. However, a broader study still will be needed to recognize the real therapeutical potential and the phenomena related to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity. In this study, it was possible to verify that the initial metabolism of grandisin by pig ceacum microbiota, which is very similar to the human one, has not occurred what could suggest an oral use. In the biomimetic reactions, dehydrograndisin was obtained as the major oxidation product. This new compound has also been cited in literature as a metabolite produced by hepatic rat microsomes. These data suggest a possible phase I metabolism reaction, which later was confirmed in the animal model. Due to the low polarity of grandisin, an emulsion for intravenous administration was developed and may be used later in an in vivo efficacy assay. The in vivo assay has been evaluated and the lignan pharmacokinetic parameters were Cp0 728,16 ng mL-1, Ke 0,023 h-1, Vd 53,0 L Kg-1, t1/2 29,8 h, ASC0®¥ 40510,65 ng mL-1 h and Clearance 1,2 L h-1 Kg-1. Therefore, this study pioneeringly reports the pre-clinical study of a Brazilian natural product contributing to and supporting later clinical studies that are essential and mandatory for a new medicine registration for the treatment of Chagas diseas