Anxiolytic-like effects of erythrinian alkaloids from erythrina suberosa

Two alkaloids, erysodine (1) and erysothrine (2) were isolated from the flowers of a Pakistani medicinal plant, Erythrina suberosa. These compounds were investigated for anxiolytic properties, and the results showed significant effect, in an acute oral treatment with 1-2, which were suspended in saline (NaCl 0.9%) plus DMSO 1%, and evaluated in 122 Swiss male mice exposed to two tests of anxiety - the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the light/dark transition model (LDTM).

Anxiolytic effects of erythrinian alkaloids from Erythrina mulungu

One new erythrinian alkaloid derivative, (+)-11 alpha-hydroxyerythravine (1), and the known (+)-erythravine (2) and (+)-alpha-hydroxyerysotrine (3) were isolated from the flowers of Erythrina mulungu. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic/spectrometric data interpretation of H-1, C-13, and 2D NMR and MS experiments. The relative configuration was established by NOESY analysis, while the conformation adopted by these molecules was evaluated through molecular modeling studies and coupling constants obtained by NMR analysis. Furthermore, the anxiolytic effects of the E. mulungu aqueous alcoholic crude extract and of the purified alkaloids were evaluated using the elevated T-maze test.

Effects of erythrinian alkaloids isolated from Erythrina mulungu (Papilionaceae) in mice submitted to animal models of anxiety

The effects of acute oral administration of erythrinian alkaloids, Le. (+)-alpha-hydroxy-erysotrine, erythravine and (+)-11 alpha-hydroxy-erythravine isolated from the flowers of Erythrina mulungu were investigated in two animal models of anxiety in mice-the light-dark transition model (LDTM) and the elevated plus-maze (EPM). In the LDTM, erythravine (3, 10 mg/kg) and (+)-11 alpha-hydroxy-erythravine (10mg/kg) increased the time spent by the animals in the illuminated compartment and (+)-11 alpha-hydroxy-erythravine (3 mg/kg) increased the number of transitions between compartments of the LDTM, suggesting an anxiolytic-like effect of these erythrinian alkaloids. Nevertheless, the third alkaloid studied, (+)-alpha-hydroxy-erysotrine, did not change any behavioral response with the range of doses used (3-10 mg/kg). Since the oral administration of the crude extract of E. mulungu (EM) (100-400 mg/kg) did not modify the conventional measures of anxiety in the EPM, this animal model was not chosen to evaluate the anxiolytic properties of the isolated alkaloids. These results suggest that the alkaloids erythravine and (+)-11 alpha-hydroxy-erythravine are responsible for the anxiolytic effects of the crude extract of E. mulungu.

Estabelecimento e superação de dormência em sementes de Erythrina speciosa Andrews

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Erythrina mulungu Alkaloids Are Potent Inhibitors of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor Currents in Mammalian Cells

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Flavones from Erythrina falcata are modulators of fear memory

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Germinação de sementes e desenvolvimento inicial de Erythrina mulungu (Mart. ex. Benth)

The aim of this study was to determine the best pre-germination treatments for seeds and the best size container for seedlings growing of coral tree Erythrina mulungu (Mart. ex. Benth). Among the treatments applied to seeds, scarification with sulfuric acid during 10 minutes and cutting stylus in the region opposite to hilum resulted, respectively, in highest values of germination percentage (82.8% and 82.1%) and rates of germination speed (1.15 and 1.71). The biometric variables indicated no effect of container size on leaf area and dry mass plants. At 63 days after sowing, although with Dickson quality score statistically similar (mean 0.26), only plants grown in small and large bags reached the diameter collect close to 5 mm, minimum recommended for field planting. According to the results, for initial development of coral tree, it is recommended pre-seed treatment with sulfuric acid commercial, sowing in plastic bags of 17 x 20 cm, and wait 63 days before planting in the field.

Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) feeding on Erythrina speciosa (Fabales: Fabaceae): first record of its host plant and damage characteristics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Indicadores de sustentabilidade para conservação genética de Erythrina velutina Willd., em área de mata ciliar

One of the greatest challenges for the agricultural system is to establish agricultural production combined with the conservation of genetic resources, mainly aiming to protect the Permanent Preservation Areas. In this context, mulungu ( Erythrina velutina Willd), among other native species, has been suffering with anthropogenic pressures in various ecosystems, causing reductions in its genetic basis. This work aims to identify ecological and genetic population parameters as indicators of sustainability in two natural populations of mulungu, located in riparian forest, in the state of Sergipe, and to assess the tendency to their sustainability, aiming genetic conservation of the species. The matrix of Pressure-State-Impact/Effect-Response (PEI/ER) was used with the selection of 13 indicators, from the use of RAPDmolecular markers and biochemical (enzymes) markers in populations, in order to present them as relevant information to measure progress as for sustainability and conservation ofmulungu. The studied populations presented low tendency to sustainability, requiring strategies to change this status.

Erysothrine, an alkaloid extracted from flowers of Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth: Evaluating its anticonvulsant and anxiolytic potential

In this study, we isolated the alkaloid erysothrine from the hydroalcoholic extract of flowers from E. mulungu and screened for its anticonvulsant and anxiolytic actions based on neuroethological and neurochemical experiments. Our results showed that the administration of erysothrine inhibited seizures evoked by bicuculline, PTZ, NMDA and most remarkably, kainic acid. Also, erysothrine induced an increase in the number of entries but not in the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. However, we did not notice any alterations in the light-dark choice or in the open-field tests. In preliminary neurochemistry tests, we also showed that erysothrine (0.001-10 mu g/mL) did not alter the GABA or glutamate synaptossomal uptake and binding. Altogether, our results describe an alkaloid with anticonvulsant activity and mild anxiolytic activity that might be considered well tolerated as it does not alter the general behavior of the animals in the used doses. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Erythrina abyssinica prevents meningoencephalitis in chronic Trypanosoma brucei brucei mouse model

Human African trypanosomiasis is prevalent in Sub-sahara African countries that lie between 14° North and 29° south of the equator. Sixty million people are at risk of infection. Trypanosoma brucei gambesience occurs in West and Central Africa while Trypanosoma brucei rhodesience occurs in East and Southern Africa. The neurological stage of the disease is characterized by neuroinflammation. About 10% of patients treated with the recommended drug, melarsoprol develop post treatment reactive encephalopathy, which is fatal in 50% of these patients, thus melarsoprol is fatal in 5% of all treated patients. This study was aimed at establishing the potential activity of Erythrina abyssinica in reducing neuroinflammation following infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Swiss white mice were divided into ten groups, two control groups and eight infected groups. Infected mice received either methanol or water extract of Erythrina abyssinica at 12.5, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight. Parasite counts were monitored in peripheral circulation from the third day post infection up to the end of the study. Brains were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Following infection, trypanosomes were observed in circulation 3 days post-infection, with the parasitaemia occurring in waves. In the cerebrum, typical brain pathology of chronic trypanosomiasis was reproduced. This was exhibited as astrocytosis, perivascular cuffing and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the neuropil. However, mice treated with Erythrina abyssinica water extract exhibited significant reduction in perivascular cuffing, lymphocytic infiltration and astrocytosis in the cerebrum. The methanol extract did not have a significant difference compared to the non-treated group. This study provides evidence of anti-inflammatory properties of Erythrina abyssinica and may support its wide use as a medicinal plant by various communities in Kenya.

Blüten : Coelogyne speciosa - Eucharis amazonica - Erythrina crista-galli

AR

Atividade bioinseticida e mecanismo de ação de vicilinas de sementes Erythrina velutina sobre moscas-das frutas Ceratitis capitata

The fruit fly Ceratitis capitata is considered the most destructive pest of the world fruitculture. Many pest management practices, mainly based on agrochemicals, have been developed to allow the world-wide commerce of fruit. Solutions to decrease the use of synthetic insecticides in agriculture are based on the development of new target-specific compounds which cause less damage to the environment, especially vegetal proteins with insecticidal effects. The aim of this work was to evaluate the deleterious effect of a purified vicilin of E. velutina (EvV) seeds to C. capitata larvae and adult insects and to investigate the mechanisms involved in these effects. EvV was purified, characterized and its deleterious effect was tested in bioassay systems. EvV mechanism of action was determined by immunodetection techniques and fluorescence localization in chitin structures that are present in C. capitata digestory system. EvV is a glycoprotein with affinity to chitin. Its molecular weight, of 216,57 kDa, was determined by gel filtration chromatography in FPLC system. Using SDS-PAGE, it was possible to observe EvV dissociation in two main subunits of 54,8 and 50,8 kDa. When it was submitted to eletrophoresis in native conditions, EvV presented only one band of acid characteristic. The WD50 and LD50 values found in the bioassays were 0,13% and 0,14% (w/w), respectively for the larvae. EvV deleterious effects were related to the binding to chitin structures presented in peritrophic membrane and gut epithelial cells, associated with its low digestibility in C. capitata digestive tract. The results described herein are the first demonstration of the larvicidal effects of plant protein on C. capitata larvae. EvV may be part of the pest management programs, in the toxic bait composition, or an alternative in plant improvement program

Efeito inseticida de vicilinas isoladas de sementes de erythrina velutina em condições de semi-campo para moscas das frutas (ceratitis capitata)

Chitin-binding vicilins from legume seeds (Erythrina velutina. Canavalia ensiformes and Phaseolus vulgares) were isolated by ammonium sulfate followed by affinity chromatography on a chitin column. Effect of these vicilins on female adults of Ceratitis capitata was examined by bioassay and in a semi-field assay model. Mechanism of action of the vicilins was determined by in vivo digestibility and chitin affinity. Among the tested vicilins, E. velutina when added to diet caused strong effect on mortality at 10% dose. This insecticidal property was tested in a semi-field assay which showed the same effect observed in laboratory conditions, where doses of 10% and 15% were lethal to female adults of C. capitata. These deleterious effects were not only associated to the binding to chitin structures present in peritrophic membrane, but principally to its low digestibility in the C. capitata digestive tract. This fact was confirmed because chiting binding proteins as WGA and the other tested vicilins were not toxic to female adults of C. capitata due susceptibility of these proteins to digestive enzymes of the insects. By other side EvV was more resistant to digestive enzymes, causing deleterious effects on female adults of C. capitata. These results showed that EvV may be part of the pest management programs or an alternative in plant improvement program in the population control of this fruticulture pest