Extratos padronizados para o tratamento de doenças crônicas: Machaerium hirtium

O uso de fitoterápicos padronizados com assegurada comprovação de eficácia e segurança tem apresentado resultados terapêuticos surpreendentes em diversos países. Contudo, no Brasil, onde há grande potencial de produção de fitoterápicos devido a sua enorme biodiversidade, há deficiências na correta caracterização química das matérias-primas e escassez de ensaios farmacológicos e toxicológicos desses materiais, etapas essenciais para assegurar eficácia e segurança dos fitoterápicos. Machaerium hirtum (Fabaceae) é utilizada popularmente para o tratamento de diarréia, tosse e câncer. Um estudo químico que identifique as substâncias presentes nesta espécie e as quantifique pode fornecer subsídios para o entendimento destas atividades. A primeira etapa consistiu no isolamento das substâncias do extrato EtOH 70% das partes aéreas de M. hirtum por meio de cromatografia de permeação em gel seguida de purificação das substâncias por HPLC-RI. A identificação das substâncias foi feita por Ressonância Magnética Nuclear e por Espectrometria de Massas. O perfil químico do extrato foi estabelecido por HPLC-PDA e a quantificação das substâncias foi feita com base em suas agliconas, pelo método da calibração externa. Foi possível identificar as flavonas saponarina (8,69 ± 0,46 mg/g de extrato), isovitexina (6,44 ± 0,45 mg/g de extrato), isoorientina, que se apresentou abaixo do limite de quantificação (LOQ) e swertisina, presente no perfil cromatográfico em co-eluição com outra substância. Tais resultados são fundamentais para a padronização do extrato EtOH 70% das folhas de Machaerium hirtumThe use of standardized phytomedicines with proven efficacy and safety has shown surprising therapeutic results in various countries. Brazil has great potential for production of herbal medicine due to its enormous biodiversity. However, there are deficiencies in the correct characterization of chemical raw materials and few reliable pharmacological and toxicological tests of these materials, essential steps to ensure efficacy and safety of herbal medicines. Machaerium hirtum (Fabaceae) is popularly used to treat diarrhea, cough and cancer. A chemical study to identify the substances present in this species may provide and quantify contributions to the understanding of these activities. The first step was the isolation of substances of 70% EtOH extract of aerial parts of M. hirtum by gel permeation chromatography followed by purification of substances by HPLC-RI. The identification of substances was performed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectrometry. The chemical profile of the extract was established by HPLC-PDA and quantification of the substances was based on their aglycones by the method of external calibration. It was possible to identify the flavones saponarin (8,69 ± 0,46 mg/g of extract), isovitexin (6,44 ± 0,45 mg/g of extract), isoorientin, which was below the limit of quantification (LOQ) and swertisin, present in the chromatographic profile in co-elution with another substance. These results are fundamental to the standardization of the crude 70% EtOH extract from the leaves of Machaerium hirtumConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Fauna acompanhante: um universo químico a ser explorado

A fauna acompanhante da pesca do camarão inclui uma série de invertebrados marinhos que são descartados por não ter valor comercial. A fim de tentar acrescentar algum valor a este material, foi analisada a composição química da estrela-do-mar Luidia senegalensis coletada na costa brasileira como consequência da aplicação da pesca de arrasto. A fim de avaliar sua composição química, foi utilizada uma combinação de extração em fase sólida (SPE) seguida de cromatografia líquida de ultra eficiência acoplada a espectrômetro de massas equipado com fonte de ionização por eletrosptray e analisador ion-trap linear (UPLCESI- IT-MSn). Luidia senegalensis contém asterosaponinas, que são esteroides glicosilados sulfatados contendo cinco e seis unidades de açúcar, além de poliidroxiesteroides. Este estudo mostrou a presença de compostos importantes e potencialmente bioativos em invertebrados associados à fauna acompanhante da pesca do camarão, usando um método rápido e eficiente. Normalmente descartada, a fauna acompanhante contém muitos invertebrados que podem hospedar uma grande variedade de gêneros de bactérias, algumas das quais com potencial de produzir produtos naturais bioativos com aplicações biotecnológicas. Assim, para utilizar um material normalmente descartado, foi explorado o potencial biotecnológico de bactérias cultiváveis de duas espécies de invertebrados abundantes na fauna acompanhante, o gastrópode Olivancillaria urceus e a estrela-do-mar Luidia senegalensis. Uma amostra de sedimento da mesma área de coleta também foi investigado. Utilizando múltiplas abordagens de isolamento 134 isolados foram obtidos a partir dos invertebrados e do sedimento. Sequenciamento parcial da subunidade de rRNA (16S) revelou que os isolados pertenciam aos filos Proteobacteria, Firmicutes e Actinobacteria, distribuídos em 28 gêneros. Vários gêneros conhecidos pela sua capacidade de produzir produtos naturais bioativos (Micromonospora, Streptomyces, Serinicoccus e Verrucosispora) foram obtidos a partir das amostras estudadas. Para avaliar as bactérias isoladas quanto à sua capacidade para produzir metabólitos bioativos todas as cepas foram fermentadas e os extratos de fermentação analisados por LC-HRMS e testados em ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana. Quatro cepas apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) e Staphylococcus warneri. A produção de metabólitos secundários por bactérias isoladas da fauna acompanhante também foi avaliada por uma abordagem metabolômica utilizando LC-HRMS, onde foi avaliado como as diferenças na composição dos meios de cultura podem alterar a produção de substâncias. Utilizou-se a metabolômica como uma ferramenta para investigar a produção de abyssomicinas, um agente anticâncer, e outros metabólitos secundários em três cepas do actinomiceto raro Verrucosispora maris, isoladas a partir de uma amostra de sedimento e associadas à estrela-do-mar Luidia senegalensis de Ubatuba - SP, Brasil. Nove composições diferentes de meios de cultura foram avaliadas e verificou-se que, dentre todas as cepas, somente RKMT_111 foi capaz de produzir abyssomicinas. O estudo da composição do meio de cultura revelou que a produção de abyssomicinas só foi possível em BFM-11m. Embora as três cepas pertençam à mesma espécie e são provenientes da mesma localização, é notável que cada isolado apresentou diferente capacidade de produção de metabólitos secundários. Os produtos de fermentação de Erythrobacter vulgaris foram avaliados utilizando técnicas de HPLC preparativo, LC-HRMS e RMN. A cepa foi isolada pelo método dry-stamp de uma amostra de sedimento marinho da costa de Ubatuba-SP, Brasil. Depois de sequenciamento completo do rRNA (16S) e identificação, o isolado foi fermentado em larga escala, seu caldo de fermentação extraído por solvente e os compostos purificados por HPLCMS. Análise de LC-HRMS e RMN dos compostos isolados levou à identificação de dois novos derivados do ácido cólico, ácido 3-acetil-glicocólico e o ácido 3-acetilglicodesoxicólico. As substâncias obtidas podem ter sido produzidas por biotransformação do ácido glicocólico e ácido desoxicólico, respectivamente, já presentes no meio de cultivo. Este é o primeiro relato de tais compostos e também a primeira observação de uma acilação realizada por um isolado marinho de Erythrobacter vulgaris.The by-catch fauna of the shrimp fishery includes a number of marine invertebrates that are discarded because they do not have commercial value. In order to try to add some value to these materials, we analyzed the chemical composition of the starfish Luidia senegalensis collected in the Brazilian coast as a consequence of the trawling fishery method. In order to access their chemical composition, we used a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-IT-MSn). Luidia senegalensis contains asterosaponins, which are sulphated glycosilated steroids, containing five and six sugar moieties, in addition to polyhydroxysteroids. This study helped us to support the presence of important and potentially bioactive compounds in invertebrates associated to the by-catch fauna of the shrimp fishery, using a fast and efficient method. Typically discarded, by-catch contains many invertebrates that may host a great variety of bacterial genera, some of which may produce bioactive natural products with biotechnological applications. Therefore, to utilize by-catch that is usually discarded we explored the biotechnological potential of culturable bacteria of two abundant by-catch invertebrate species, the snail Olivancillaria urceus and the sea star Luidia senegalensis. Sediment from the collection area was also investigated. Utilizing multiple isolation approaches 134 isolates were obtained from the invertebrates and sediment. Small subunit rRNA (16S) gene sequencing revealed that the isolates belonged to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla and were distributed among 28 genera. Several genera known for their capacity to produce bioactive natural products (Micromonospora, Streptomyces, Serinicoccus and Verrucosispora) were retrieved from the invertebrate samples. To query the bacterial isolates for their ability to produce bioactive metabolites all strains were fermented and fermentation extracts profiled by LC-HRMS and tested for antimicrobial activity. Four strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus warneri. The production of secondary metabolites was assessed using a LC-HRMS-based metabolomics approach, where it was evaluated how differences in media composition can alter the production of chemical compounds. We used metabolomics as a tool to investigate the production of abyssomicins, an anticancer agent, and other secondary metabolites in three strains of the rare actinomycete Verrucosispora maris, all marine isolates from a sediment sample and associated to a starfish from the species Luidia senegalensis of Ubatuba – SP, Brazil. Nine different media compositions were evaluated and it was found that, among all strains, only RKMT_111 was capable of producing abyssomicins. The media composition study revealed that the production of abyssomicins was only achievable in BFM-11m. Although the three strains belong to the same species and the same location, it is worthwhile noticing that each isolate showed different capability for production of secondary metabolites. The products of fermentation of Erythrobacter vulgaris were evaluated using preparative HPLC, LC-HRMS and NMR techniques. Bacterial strain was isolated by drystamp method from a marine sediment sample from the coast of Ubatuba-SP, Brazil. After fully 16S rDNA sequence and identification, the marine isolate was fermented in large-scale, extracted and the compounds purified through HPLC-MS. Analysis of LC-HRMS and NMR of the isolated compounds led to the identification of two new cholic acid derivatives, 3- acetyl-glycocholic acid and 3-acetyl-glycodeoxycholic acid. Both new compounds may have been produced by the biotransformation of glycocholic acid and deoxycholic acid, respectively, already present in the cultivation medium. This is the first report of such compounds and also the first time an acylation has been observed for an Erythrobacter vulgaris marine isolate.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Chemical Profile of the Sulphated Saponins from the Starfish Luidia senegalensis Collected as by-Catch Fauna in Brazilian Coast

Abstract The by-catch fauna of the shrimp fishery includes a number of marine invertebrates that are discarded because they do not have commercial value. In order to try to add some value to these materials, we analyzed the chemical composition of the starfish Luidia senegalensis collected in the Brazilian coast as a consequence of the trawling fishery method. In order to access their chemical composition, we used a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-IT-MSn). Luidia senegalensis contains asterosaponins, which are sulphated glycosilated steroids, containing five and six sugar moieties, in addition to polyhydroxysteroids. This study helped us to support the presence of important and potentially bioactive compounds in invertebrates associated to the by-catch fauna of the shrimp fishery, using a fast and efficient method. Graphical Abstrac

Phenolic isomers from plantago catharinea leaves: Isolation, identification, quantification and in vitro antioxidant activity

In this study we isolated two polyphenolic acids of m/z 639, called catharinol A and catharinol B, from Plantago catharinea L. (Plantaginaceae) leaves. Although presenting very similar structures, catharinol A showed higher antioxidant activity when compared with gallic acid and quercetin standards. These compounds are position isomers and present in their chemical structure the rare sugar D-allose. Molecules with similar constitution are known to have important biological activities such as antitumor and immunosuppressive. These compounds were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and characterized by mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-IT-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This work is the first study on the chemical composition of P. catharinea and encourages the production of Plantago species as a good source of bioactive molecules

Brazilian biodiversity fruits : discovering bioactive compounds from underexplored sources

Large segments of the Brazilian population still suffer from malnutrition and diet-related illnesses. In contrast, many native fruits have biodiversity and are underexploited sources of bioactive compounds and unknown to consumers. The phytochemical composition of nine underexplored Brazilian fruits was determined. Carotenoids and anthocyanins were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-MS/MS), and phenolic compounds and iridoids were identified by flow injection analysis-electrospray-ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-IT-MS/MS); in total, 84 compounds were identified. In addition, the chemical structure and pathway mass fragmentation of new iridoids from jenipapo (Genipa americana) and jatoba (Hymenae coubaril) are proposed. The highest level of carotenoids was registered in pequi (Caryocar brasiliense; 10156.21 μg/100 g edible fraction), while the major total phenolic content was found in cambuci (Campomanesia coubaril; 221.70 mg GAE/100 g). Anthocyanins were quantified in jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora; 45.5 mg/100 g) and pitanga (Eugenia uniflora; 81.0 mg/100 g). Our study illustrates the chemical biodiversity of underexplored fruits from Brazil, supporting the identification of new compounds and encouraging the study of more food matrixes not yet investigated67718601876CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP303956/2015-12013/07914-8We thank the Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Project, Brazilian Environmental Ministry, FUNBIO − Biodiversity Fund, Bioversity International, FAO, ONU − Environmental, and GEF − Global Environmental Facility for financial support. A.Z.M. thanks FAPESP (proc. 2013/07914-8). V.V.d.R. thanks CNPq (303956/2015-1

Anatomical differentiation and metabolomic profiling: a tool in the diagnostic characterization of some medicinal Plantago species

There is a large list of plants used by the population as medicine, but in some case the choice of the right plant becomes a real drawback in phytotherapy, since it is often difficult to differentiate morphologically between the active and inactive species. Plantago species are widely used throughout the world as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, digestive and wound healing. Nonetheless, Plantago spp. share very strong morphological similarities, which hinders their correct botanical identification and, in addition, they are equivocally marketed by the same common name “Plantain”. Therefore, the establishment of a reliable approach to distinguish unambiguously closely related species arises as an important task in the development of herbal medicines. In this work, we report a method that combines anatomical leaf features and chemical composition of four Plantago species to generate a multivariate model, which allows the differentiation of these species. Descriptive leaf anatomy was converted into a binary matrix to create a qualitative/quantitative non-metric multidimensional scaling (nmMDS) based on Jaccard index. The main results show that P. lanceolata L. is the most distinct species, the only one that owns mesophyll isolateral, colateral vascular bundle and a glandular trichome with spindle cells. Plantago major L. also has a unique glandular trichome, with enlarged basal cell and collar cell. This statistical-based anatomical approach is suitable to solve similar drawbacks in plant medicines of any other plant-cases. In addition, it was generated a nmMDS to chemical markers by mass spectrometry (FIA–ESI–IT–MS), to define how similar the species are regarding their chemical composition. Plantago major showed all compounds evaluated and is the only species to have the compounds hellicoside (m/z 655) and lavandulifolioside (m/z 755). The conversion of anatomical features into statistical data with the chemical composition emerges as a useful approach toward the quantitative differentiation of morphologically close related specimens.Fil: Mesquita, Leonardo Mendes de Souza. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Delevati Colpo, Karine. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: da Rocha, Cláudia Quintino. University of Maranhão ; BrasilFil: Gatte Picchi, Douglas. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Pereira Tangerina, Marcelo Marucci. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Zachello Nunes, Beatriz. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Gonçalves Martins, Maria Bernadete. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vilegas, Wagner. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

A Review of the Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of the Genus Arrabidaea

The genus Arrabidaea, consisting of ~170 species, belongs to the family Bignoniaceae, distributed around the Neotropics and temperate zone. The center of diversity of the family is in Brazil, where 56 genera and about 340 species exist. Most species of the genus Arrabidaea are traditionally utilized as diuretics and antiseptics, as well as for treating intestinal colic, diarrhea, kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis, wounds, and enterocolitis. The genus is chemically diverse with different substance classes; most of them are triterpenes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, and they exhibit valuable pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, antioxidant, leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. This review presents information on the chemical constituents isolated from seven Arrabidaea species, and the pharmacological activities of the extracts, fractions and pure substances isolated since 1994, obtained from electronic databases. The various constituents present in the different species of this genus demonstrate a wide pharmacological potential for the development of new therapeutic agents, however its potential has been underestimated

Semisynthetic derivative of artemisia annua-loaded transdermal bioadhesive for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum in children

According to the most recent World Health Organization statistics, malaria infected approximately 219 million people in 2017, with an estimate of 435,000 deaths (World Health Organization, 2018). Communities isolated from cities are the most deprived of access to the necessary hospital facilities. Herein we report the development of a transdermal bioadhesive containing artemether (ART), an alternative, potentially lifesaving, treatment regimen for malaria in low-resource settings. Bioadhesives were prepared from an aqueous blend of hydroxyethylcellulose (4.5% w/w), ART, propoxylated-ethoxylated-cetyl-alcohol, polysorbate 80, propyleneglycol, glycerine, mineral oil, and oleic acid. In this study, the average pore size of bioadhesive 5.5b was 52.6 +/- 15.31 mm. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses confirm the thermal stability of ART bioadhesives at room temperature. Tensile tests indicated good mechanical properties for bioadhesive 5.5b, when compared to 5.5a, where 5.5b showed elastic modulus 0.19 MPa, elongation at break 204%, tensile stress 0.31 MPa, tensile strength at break 0.23 MPa. Bioadhesion assays suggested that formulations containing surfactants had higher detachment forces. Permeation studies demonstrated that the best outcome was achieved with a bioadhesive containing 25 mg ART (5.5b) that after 24 h released 6971 +/- 125 mu g, which represents approximately 28% of drug permeation. Data reported presents a promising candidate for a new antimalarial transdermal formulation108311771188CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal e Nível SuperiorCNPQ - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São PauloSem informaçãoSem informação2014/16008-3; 2016/18384-

Chemical and biological characterisation of Machaerium hirtum (Vell.) Stellfeld: absence of cytotoxicity and mutagenicity and possible chemopreventive potential

Machaerium hirtum (Vell.) Stellfeld (M.hirtum) is a plant known as 'jacarandá-bico-de-pato' whose bark is commonly used against diarrhea, cough and cancer. The aim of this study was to phytochemically characterise the hydroethanolic extract of this plant, investigate its antimutagenic activities using the Ames test and evaluate its effects on cell viability, genomic instability, gene expression and cell protection in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). Antimutagenic activity was assessed by simultaneous pre- and post-treatment with direct and indirect mutagens, such as 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD), mitomycin C (MMC), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), using the Ames test, cytokinesis blocking micronucleus and apoptosis assays. Only 3 of the 10 concentrations evaluated in the MTT assay were cytotoxic in HepG2 cells. Micronucleated or apoptotic cells were not observed with any of the tested concentrations, and there were no mutagenic effects in the bacterial system. However, the Nuclear Division Index and flow cytometry data showed a decrease in cell proliferation. The extract showed an inhibitory effect against direct (NPD) and indirect mutagens (B[a]P and AFB1). Furthermore, pre- and post-treated cells showed significant reduction in the number of apoptotic and micronucleated cells. This effect is not likely to be associated with the modulation of antioxidant genes, as shown by the RT-qPCR results. Six known flavonoids were identified in the hydroethanolic extract of Machaerium hirtum leaves, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and spectrophotometric methods. The presence of the antioxidants apigenin and luteolin may explain these protective effects, because these components can inhibit the formation of reactive species and prevent apoptosis and DNA damage. In conclusion, the M.hirtum extract showed chemopreventive potential and was not hazardous at the tested concentrations in the experiments presented here. Moreover, this extract should be investigated further as a chemopreventive agent