Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. to combat the biofilm-dependents diseases in vitro

Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most prevalent of the biofilm-dependent diseases. With numerous side effects on the use of chlorhexidine, the search for new safe therapeutic alternatives for microorganisms involved with these diseases increases every day. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of extracts made from the bark of Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. against five oral microorganisms and analyze their phytochemical and thermal degradation profile. The liquid-liquid partition was performed with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The identification and quantification of the chemical marker was done. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration. The cytotoxicity was analyzed based on the hemolysing potential of the samples. The thermal degradation profile was performed by two different methods. Gallic acid was identified as the main compound of the samples and showed the highest amount in the chloroform fraction. All samples were able to inhibit the growth of the microorganisms tested and showed no cytotoxicity. The ethanol extract absorbs less heat than the fractions. All samples exhibited exothermic peak consistent with degradation of gallic acid. Based on the results, the samples used are potential candidates for use in dental formulations for biofilm control

Traditional use, phytochemistry and biological activities of Poincianella pyramidalys (Tul.) LP Queiroz

The vegetation of Northeastern Brazil is an important source of income for the local population. Poincianella pyramidalis is a very important species in the semiarid and is inserted in various categories of ethnobotanical use, as foraging, construction and technology uses. However, the most important use is medicinal. Several preparations obtained from the root, bark, leaves and flowers of P. pyramidalis are used to treat various ailments, especially infections, pain and inflammation. This paper discusses the medical use, chemical constituents and pharmacological potential of P. pyramidalis. This revision was based on studies published in scientific journals, books, and search sites such as Science Direct, PubMed and American Chemical Society (ACS). P. pyramidalis features a wealth of secondary metabolites, belonging to the most diverse classes as flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins and others. Of these, 22 compounds were included in this review. The species showed significant ability to perform biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, radioprotective and anticancer, as well as being both a molluscicide and larvicide. On the other hand, the species showed relative toxicity. Numerous compounds in P. pyramidalis were identified with recognized action on the body, where anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were the most pronounced. All parts of the plant stem, flower, root and leaf showed pharmacological action validating many traditional uses. However, the identification of the chemical constituents or group responsible for producing these therapeutic actions, as well as carrying out of further test in vivo to determine the mechanisms of action related to biological activities is required.Key words: Poincianella pyramidalis, folk medicine, bioactive compounds, phytochemistry, biological  activities

Physicochemical characterization of a new raw material obtained from leaves of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeel (Myrtaceae)

The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of leaves of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels plant and characterize the extract of this plant by analytical techniques. Pharmacopeial methods of physicochemical analysis were used, including morphological characterization of the particle, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The plant drug was presented as a coarse powder, within the appropriate Brazilian Pharmacopoeia parameters. The X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy suggested that the extract particles are amorphous and have irregular shapes, so that clusters of different sizes and morphologies are displayed. Thermal decomposition of the organic components in the sample started in a step that occurred between 151.64 and 209.27 A degrees C with mass loss of 9.08 %, followed by another step with more significant mass loss (28.16 %). The infrared spectrum, in turn, showed many functional groups of compounds present in the lyophilized extract in different absorption bands. The results showed that the analytical techniques allowed us to characterize the physicochemical properties of the plant leaves, which may be useful in the production of new herbal medicines.The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of leaves of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels plant and characterize the extract of this plant by analytical techniques. Pharmacopeial methods of physicochemical analysis were used, including morphological characterization of the particle, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The plant drug was presented as a coarse powder, within the appropriate Brazilian Pharmacopoeia parameters. The X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy suggested that the extract particles are amorphous and have irregular shapes, so that clusters of different sizes and morphologies are displayed. Thermal decomposition of the organic components in the sample started in a step that occurred between 151.64 and 209.27 A degrees C with mass loss of 9.08 %, followed by another step with more significant mass loss (28.16 %). The infrared spectrum, in turn, showed many functional groups of compounds present in the lyophilized extract in different absorption bands. The results showed that the analytical techniques allowed us to characterize the physicochemical properties of the plant leaves, which may be useful in the production of new herbal medicines12721137114