Chemical constituents and allelopathic activity of the essential oil from leaves of Eremanthus erythropappus.

The essential oil from leaves of Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish (Asteraceae) collected in South-eastern Brazil was extracted using a combination of water and steam distillation and investigated by chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were predominant (46.6%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (29.3%) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (18.8%). The major compounds were (?)-caryophyllene (29.3%), caryophyllene oxide (22.1%) and ?-pinene (12.8%). The allelopathic activity of E. erythropappus essential oil on the seed germination and radicle length of seedlings was evaluated in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) and in two field weeds (field mustard ? Brassica rapa L. and hairy beggarticks ? Bidens pilosa L.). Among the weed species tested, the most significant inhibition of seed germination was observed in field mustard, as measured by the half?minimal inhibitory concentration, IC50 (IC50?=?26.5??L mL?1), and the most significant inhibitory effect on radicle length of seedlings was observed in seedlings of hairy beggarticks (IC50?=?16.3??L mL?1). In contrast, the lowest allelopathic effects of E. erythropappus essential oil on seed germination and radicle length of seedlings were observed in tomato (IC50?=?>200??L mL?1 and 130.1??L mL?1 respectively) and lettuce (IC50?=?97.1??L mL?1 and 35.1??L mL?1 respectively). These results revealed significant allelopathic potential of E. erythropappus essential oil against weeds, but minimal effect on lettuce and tomato germination, and thus suggests it is feasible to use E. erythropappus sustainability as an eco-friendly bioherbicide in cropping settings

In vitro activity evaluation of seven Brazilian Asteraceae against cancer cells and Leishmania amazonensis.

Natural products are a very productive leading source of compounds for the development of medicines. The aim of this research was to investigate the in vitro antiproliferative and antileishmanial activities of 21 extracts from 7 Asteraceae species. Dried aerial parts of Asteraceae plant species were extracted using organic solvents in order of increasing polarities. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, and nine extracts (43%) displayed moderate to high in vitro antiproliferative activity against human cancer cell lines HCT-116, OVCAR-8 and SF-295. Two crude extracts displaying antiproliferative activity were fractionated and yielded a fraction rich in lupeol acetate, a fraction rich in lupeol and 5,7,3?,4?-tetrahydroxyflavone-7-O-?-D-glucopyranoside. The antileishmanial activity was evaluated by amastigotes growth inhibition test in Leishmania amazonensis, and three extracts showed promising activity. Phytochemical screening of all plant extracts was also made for terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins

Photoprotective activity and increase of SPF in sunscreen formulation using lyophilized red propolis extracts from Alagoas.

The excessive sun exposure, coupled with lack of sun protection represents one of the biggest risks to the occurrence of skin cancer and photoaging. Recent strategies for photoprotection have included the incorporation of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, into sunscreens, and the oral administration of natural antioxidant extracts. In this work, we use Brazilian red propolis extract because its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the sun protection factor and antioxidant activity of different hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis (70% and 75%) prepared from lyophilized red propolis at room and high temperatures. The sun protection factor in vitro was determined by a spectrophotometric method developed by Mansur. The hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis incorporated with Filter UVA-UVB 5% Gel Permulem TR-1 presented absorption in the UVB region. Also, the in vitro capacity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis to increase photoprotective activity of Filter UVA-UVB 5% Gel was evaluated. The hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis incorporated presented higher values of sun protection factor and showed synergism in the photoprotective activity of Filter UVA-UVB 5% Gel Permulem TR-1. The antioxidant activity and sun protection factor are correlated with total phenolics content of the extracts and the hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis 75% at room temperature was choosen. The formulation developed with Filter UVA-UVB 5% Gel Permulem TR-1 with this hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis showed safe to be applied on the skin according HET-CAM test. Suggests indication of hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis (75% ? room temperature) associated to photoprotective formulations for use in photoprotective products