Banisteriopsis Species: A Source of Bioactive of Potential Medical Application

In recent years, interest in further development of herbal or botanical drug products derived from traditional preparations has been increasing steadily. Plants have been used for thousands of years to treat health disorders and to prevent diseases including epidemics. Several research works have been developed to search for new natural products to be used in pharmaceutical products. Active compounds produced during secondary metabolism are responsible for the biological properties of the plant species and may be used to most diverse purposes, including treatment of several diseases. Banisteriopsis species has been described showing interesting activities by its use in popular medicine. The mainly use was described to production of the Ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychotropic plant tea obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains  betacarboline alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine. Other species of Banisteriopsis genus have been described with biological metabolites as antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, antianxiety and others. These biological activities were described chiefly by the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins. Thus, to stimulate the study into the Banisteriopsis genus, the purpose of the present review is to gather information on the use of the extracts and metabolites of Banisteriopsis species (Malpighiaceae) as a resource to diseases treatment or to pharmaceutical purposes

Biotransformation of clovane derivatives. Whole cell fungi mediated domino synthesis of rumphellclovane A

Here we describe the biotransformation of clovane derivatives by filamentary fungi Pestalotiopsis palustris and Penicillium minioluteum, and the application of the latter to the synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of rumphellclovane A (2). Methoxyclovanol (1), a growth inhibitor of the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea, is metabolised by P. palustris to yield rumphellclovane A (2), a natural compound recently isolated from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies, two new compounds, (1R,2S,5S,8R,9S,10R)-2-methoxyclovane-9,10-diol (5) and (1S,2S,5S,7R,8R,9R)-2-methoxyclovane-7,9- diol (6), hydroxylated in positions not easily accessed by classic synthetic chemistry, and clovanodiols 3 and 4. P. minioluteum is able to selectively transform methoxyclovanol (1) into clovanodiols 3 and 4 and, in turn, lactone 8, the putative intermediate in the above mentioned synthesis of rumphellclovane A (2), into compound 2 via a domino process. The ability of P. minioluteum to carry out the cleavage of ethers on clovane derivatives is also evaluated

Phytotoxic Activity and Metabolism of Botrytis cinerea and Structure−Activity Relationships of Isocaryolane Derivatives

Research has been conducted on the biotransformation of (8S,9R)-isocaryolan- 9-ol (4a) and (1S,2S,5R,8S)-8 methylene-1,4,4-trimethyltricyclo[6.2.1.02,5]undecan-12-ol (5a) by the fungal phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. The biotransformation of compound 4a yielded compounds 6−9, while the biotransformation of compound 5a yielded compounds 10−13. The activity of compounds 4a and 5a against B. cinerea has been evaluated. (8R,9R)- Isocaryolane-8,9-diol (6), a major metabolite of compound 4a, shows activity compared to its parent compound 4a, which is inactive. The effect of isocaryolanes 3, 4a, and 5a, together with their biotransformation products 6−8, 10, and 14−17, on the germination and radicle and shoot growth of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) has also been determined. Compounds 7−13 are described for the first time

Análise da rotulagem de bebidas mistas de frutas e vegetais denominadas detox

Introduction:Labels provide information to guide consumers about the most appropriate food choices for their needs, being an important channel of communication between the consumer and the food producer. To fulfill this role, it is essential that these are correct and meet the established legal parameters. Objective:To evaluate the conformity of labels of industrialized mixed drinks based on fruits and vegetables that had the name “detox juice”, in products marketed in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, between the years 2017 and 2019. Method:23 mixed drinks were initially selected and after evaluating the exclusion criteria, seven samples of different brands were included in this study. The analysis of the labeling was carried out according to the current regulation for food in Brazilian legislation, using a checklist with the following mandatory items: product name; list of ingredients; liquid content; origin identification; batch identification; expiration date; conservation care; use of phrases and images that may cause errors or mistakes to the consumer; nutritional labeling; warning about gluten and the registration number of beverages at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Supply (MAPA). Results:In 100% (n = 7) of the samples, irregularity in the use of the term “detox” on the labels and absence of registration with MAPA were observed. In 70% (n = 5) they had errors in the list of ingredients and nutritional information and in 57% (n = 4) the information on the liquid content was not correct. Conclusions: The results showed the presence of non-conformities in all the analyzed products. The irregularities in relation to the sales denomination and the absence of registration were highlighted. In view of this, it is emphasized the need for companies to adapt to the regulation of food labeling and the importance of promoting actions that allow consumers access to reliable information about these foods. Introdução:Os rótulos fornecem informações para a orientação do consumidor sobre as escolhas alimentares mais adequadas às suas necessidades, sendo um importante canal de comunicação entre o consumidor e o produtor de alimentos. Para cumprir esse papel, é fundamental que essas estejam corretas e atendam aos parâmetros legais estabelecidos. Objetivo:Avaliar a conformidade dos rótulos das bebidas mistas industrializadas à base de frutas e vegetais que apresentavam a denominação suco detox, comercializadas em Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil, entre os anos de 2017 e 2019. Método:Foram selecionadas inicialmente 23 bebidas mistas e, após a avaliação dos critérios de exclusão, sete amostras de diferentes marcas foram selecionadas para o estudo. A análise da rotulagem foi realizada conforme a regulamentação vigente para alimentos na legislação brasileira, utilizando um checklist com os seguintes itens obrigatórios: denominação do produto; lista de ingredientes; conteúdo líquido; identificação de origem; identificação de lote; prazo de validade; cuidados de conservação; uso de frases e imagens que podem causar erro ou engano ao consumidor; rotulagem nutricional; advertência sobre o glúten e o número do registro das bebidas no Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA). Resultados:Em 100% (n = 7) das amostras foi observada a irregularidade do uso do termo detoxnos rótulos e ausência do registro junto ao MAPA. Setenta por cento (n = 5) apresentavam erros na lista de ingredientes e informação nutricional e em 57% (n = 4) não estava correta a informação do conteúdo líquido. Conclusões:Os resultados evidenciaram a presença de não conformidades em todos os produtos analisados. Destacaram-se as irregularidades em relação à denominação de venda e a ausência de registro. Diante disso, enfatiza-se a necessidade de adequação das empresas frente à regulação da rotulagem dos alimentos e a importância de se promover ações que permitam aos consumidores acesso a informações confiáveis sobre esses alimentos

Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase and Fatty Acid Composition in Theobroma grandiflorum Seeds

Theobroma grandiflorum is an important fruit tree from Sterculiaceae family, native to the Brazilian Amazon, known in the region as cupuaçu. The seeds have a high fat content (24%) with characteristics that resemble those of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) butter with potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. The main objective of this work was to explore the seed fats from T. grandiflorum that were analyzed for fatty acid composition by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and to analyze their activity for acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Chromatographic analysis provided detection of nine fatty acids. The major fatty acids found in the species were oleic (40.0%), stearic (32.7%), arachidic (10.4%) and palmitic (8.0%). The acetylcholinesterase inhibition by fats from seeds was over 40.48%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v0i0.89

Synthesis, Fungitoxic Activity against Botrytis cinerea and Phytotoxicity of Alkoxyclovanols and Alkoxyisocaryolanols

Clovane and isocaryolane derivatives have been proven to show several levels of activity against the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Both classes of sesquiterpenes are reminiscent of biosynthetic intermediates of botrydial, a virulence factor of B. cinerea. Further development of both classes of antifungal agent requires exploration of the structure-activity relationships for the antifungal effects on B. cinerea and phytotoxic effects on a model crop. In this paper, we report on the preparation of a series of alkoxy-clovane and -isocaryolane derivatives, some of them described here for the first time (2b, 2d, 2f-2h, and 4c-4e); the evaluation of their antifungal properties against B. cinerea, and their phytotoxic activites on the germination of seeds and the growth of radicles and shoots of Lactuca sativa (lettuce). Both classes of compound show a correlation of antifungal activity with the nature of side chains, with the best activity against B. cinerea for 2d, 2h, 4c and 4d. In general terms, while 2-alkoxyclovan-9-ols (2a-2e) exert a general phytotoxic effect, this is not the case for 2-arylalkoxyclovan-9-ols (2f-2i) and 8-alkoxyisocaryolan-9-ols (4a-4d), where stimulating effects would make them suitable candidates for application to plants.This research was supported by a grant from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (RTI2018-097356-B-C21, MCIU/AEI/FEDER, EU). A.d.A.P.B., G.G.d.S. and J.A.T. thank Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de nivel superior (CAPES, Brazil) for research fellowships (CAPES-DGU 197/09)

Oil in Inajá Pulp (Maximiliana maripa): Fatty Acid Profile and Anti-acetylcholinesterase Activity

The inajá (Maximiliana maripa) is a palm from Arecaceae family. The inajá distribution occurs from Amazon to the west-central of South America. The inajá has edible parts: the palm heart and oils obtained from pulp and seed. The aims of this study were to verify the fatty acid profile from pulp oil by GC-FID and analyzing acetylcholinesterase inhibition by inajá pulp oil. Chromatographic analysis provided eleven fatty acids. The major unsaturated fatty acids are oleic (22.32%), linoleic (4.72%) and linolenic acids (3.95%). The major saturated fatty acids are palmitic (20.76%), myristic (20.48%) and lauric acids (17.42%). The acetylcholinesterase inhibition by inajá oil pulp was over 63.76%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v7i4.76

Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations. METHODS The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 cause-of-death analysis estimated mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) from 288 causes of death by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2021. The analysis used 56 604 data sources, including data from vital registration and verbal autopsy as well as surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. As with previous GBD rounds, cause-specific death rates for most causes were estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model-a modelling tool developed for GBD to assess the out-of-sample predictive validity of different statistical models and covariate permutations and combine those results to produce cause-specific mortality estimates-with alternative strategies adapted to model causes with insufficient data, substantial changes in reporting over the study period, or unusual epidemiology. YLLs were computed as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution for each metric. We decomposed life expectancy by cause of death, location, and year to show cause-specific effects on life expectancy from 1990 to 2021. We also used the coefficient of variation and the fraction of population affected by 90% of deaths to highlight concentrations of mortality. Findings are reported in counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2021 include the expansion of under-5-years age group to include four new age groups, enhanced methods to account for stochastic variation of sparse data, and the inclusion of COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality-which includes excess mortality associated with the pandemic, excluding COVID-19, lower respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and pertussis. For this analysis, 199 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 5 country-years of surveillance data, 21 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 94 country-years of other data types were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS The leading causes of age-standardised deaths globally were the same in 2019 as they were in 1990; in descending order, these were, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections. In 2021, however, COVID-19 replaced stroke as the second-leading age-standardised cause of death, with 94·0 deaths (95% UI 89·2-100·0) per 100 000 population. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the rankings of the leading five causes, lowering stroke to the third-leading and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the fourth-leading position. In 2021, the highest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (271·0 deaths [250·1-290·7] per 100 000 population) and Latin America and the Caribbean (195·4 deaths [182·1-211·4] per 100 000 population). The lowest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 were in the high-income super-region (48·1 deaths [47·4-48·8] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (23·2 deaths [16·3-37·2] per 100 000 population). Globally, life expectancy steadily improved between 1990 and 2019 for 18 of the 22 investigated causes. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the positive effect that reductions in deaths from enteric infections, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and neonatal deaths, among others have contributed to improved survival over the study period. However, a net reduction of 1·6 years occurred in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to increased death rates from COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality. Life expectancy was highly variable between super-regions over the study period, with southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania gaining 8·3 years (6·7-9·9) overall, while having the smallest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 (0·4 years). The largest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (3·6 years). Additionally, 53 of the 288 causes of death were highly concentrated in locations with less than 50% of the global population as of 2021, and these causes of death became progressively more concentrated since 1990, when only 44 causes showed this pattern. The concentration phenomenon is discussed heuristically with respect to enteric and lower respiratory infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and measles. INTERPRETATION Long-standing gains in life expectancy and reductions in many of the leading causes of death have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects of which were spread unevenly among populations. Despite the pandemic, there has been continued progress in combatting several notable causes of death, leading to improved global life expectancy over the study period. Each of the seven GBD super-regions showed an overall improvement from 1990 and 2021, obscuring the negative effect in the years of the pandemic. Additionally, our findings regarding regional variation in causes of death driving increases in life expectancy hold clear policy utility. Analyses of shifting mortality trends reveal that several causes, once widespread globally, are now increasingly concentrated geographically. These changes in mortality concentration, alongside further investigation of changing risks, interventions, and relevant policy, present an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of mortality-reduction strategies. Examining patterns in mortality concentration might reveal areas where successful public health interventions have been implemented. Translating these successes to locations where certain causes of death remain entrenched can inform policies that work to improve life expectancy for people everywhere. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Ocorrência e diversidade estrutural de metabólitos fúngicos com atividade antibiótica Occurrence and structural diversity of fungal metabolites with antibiotic activity

<abstract language="eng">Several reasons motivated the development of new generations of antibiotics, such as their high ability to develop resistance to virtually all kinds of anti-infective agents and the crescent market demand for new drugs to treat special demanding patients. After penicillin discovery, several antibiotics were developed from fungal metabolites, since antibacterial secondary metabolites consists on a fungal endogenous protective mechanism against natural competitors. The aim of this review is to present the structural diversity of antibacterial and antifungal metabolites produced by fungi, mentioning sources of fungal isolates, cultivation process and details on the scope of their antibiotic activity