Genotoxicity of polar and apolar extracts obtained from Qualea multiflora and Qualea grandiflora

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The species Qualea grandiflora and Qualea multiflora, which belong to the Vochysiaceae family, are common in the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado biome), and the local inhabitants use these species to treat external ulcers and gastric diseases and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have demonstrated that these plants contain compounds that exhibit pharmacological activities; however, the risks associated with their consumption are not known.Material and methods: In the present study, the mutagenicity of polar and apolar extracts from Qualea grandiflora and Qualea multiflora were assessed by employing the Ames assay with and without metabolic activation. Additionally, phytochemical analyses (HPLC-ESI-IT-MS, HPLC-UV-PDA and GC-IT-MS) were performed to identify the chemical constituents present in these species, including the evaluation of physico-chemical properties, such as polarity or apolarity of the organic compounds, which are related to each fraction obtained. These studies provide important information regarding the biochemical behaviour of these compounds.Results: All extracts exhibited mutagenicity, inducing frameshift mutations and base substitutions in DNA. Phytochemical analysis identified terpenes, ellagic acid derivatives and phytosteroids.Conclusions: The mutagenicity observed might be due to the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes and polyphenols, which are able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and result in the potential to cause DNA damage. The genetic risk identified in this present work shows that special attention should be considered for the use of compounds obtained from these plant species in medicinal treatments. Further studies must be conducted to identify safe therapeutic doses. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Studies on anti-allergic constituents in the leaves and stems of Anchietia salutaris var. martiana (Violaceae)

The anti-allergic active fractionation of hexane extracts of the leaves and stems of Anchietia salutaris,ar. martiana (family Violaceae) nas performed by monitoring their activities with an in vitro bioassay system measuring the inhibitory effects on induced histamine release from guinea pig lung cells. Three known pentacyclic triterpenes (friedelin, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin) were isolated, but these compounds were inactive. Aliphatic hydrocarbons and methyl esters of fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids) were detected in active fractions. All compounds isolated were detected for the first time in this medicinal plant.

Antioxidative action of methanolic extract and buthanolic fraction of Vochysia tucanorum Mart. in the gastroprotection

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

Pollination Biology of Jacaranda oxyphylla with an Emphasis on Staminode Function

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Uncaria tomentosa Aqueous-ethanol Extract Triggers an Immunomodulation toward a Th2 Cytokine Profile

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

Saponinas antifúngicas de Swartzia langsdorffii

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

Triterpenes from Maytenus macrocarpa and evaluation of their anti-HIV activity

A set of pentacyclic triterpenes has been isolated from the bark of Maytenus macrocarpa (Celastraceae). It includes two new olean-12-ene derivatives, namely 3 beta, 22(alpha-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid (1) and 22 alpha-hydroxy-olean-12-en-3-oxo-30-oic acid (2), and the new urs-12-ene derivative 3-(E)-coumaroyluvaol (7), along with 10 known compounds possessing olean-12ene, urs-12-ene, lupane and friedelane skeletons. The structures have been elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including ID- and 2D-NMR experiments, as well as ESI-MS analysis. All isolated compounds were tested for anti-HIV activity in C8166 cells infected with HIV-1(MN), the most active compound was 22(alpha-hydroxy-12-en-3-oxo-29-oic acid (triterpenonic acid A, 4), with an EC50 value of I mu g/mL and a selectivity index of 35.

Comparative effects of lantadene A and its reduced metabolite on mitochondrial bioenergetics

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

Further triterpenes, steroids and furocoumarins from Brazilian medicinal plants of Dorstenia genus (Moraceae)

The hexane-soluble fractions from the rhizomes or from the leaves from five Dorstenia (Moraceae) species (D. bahiensis Kl., D. bryoniifolia Mart ex. Miq., D. carautae C.C.Berg, D. cayapiaa Vell. and D. heringerii Car. & Val) were analysed by HRGC-MS (high-resolution gas chromatography - mass spectrometry). Pentacyclic triterpenes, steroids and furocoumarins were identified. HRGC-MS is shown to be a valuable tool for the analysis of terpenoidal compounds from Dostenia species. These compounds may be related to the folk utilization of Dorstenia species as antiophidicals.

Clonagem de oxidoesqualeno ciclases de Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek (CELASTRACEAE)

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ

Efeitos de lantadenos sobre a bioenergética em mitocôndrias isoladas de fígado de rato

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

Estudo fitoquímico e busca de substâncias bioativas de Chrysophyllum flexuosum (Sapotaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Atividade alelopática de substâncias químicas isoladas do Capim-Marandu e suas variações em função do pH

Este trabalho teve por objetivos isolar, identificar e caracterizar a atividade alelopática de substâncias químicas produzidas pela Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu e determinar as variações na atividade dessas substâncias em função da variação do pH da solução. A atividade alelopática foi realizada em bioensaios de germinação e desenvolvimento da radícula e do hipocótilo, utilizando as plantas daninhas malícia (Mimosa pudica) e mata-pasto (Senna obtusifolia) como receptoras. Os efeitos do pH foram analisados na faixa de 3,0 a 9,0. Os triterpenos pentacíclicos friedelina e epifriedelinol isolados da parte aérea de B. brizantha apresentaram baixa atividade inibitória na germinação de sementes e no desenvolvimento da radícula e do hipocótilo das duas plantas daninhas. As duas substâncias apresentaram comportamento diferenciado em relação à variação do pH da solução, com inibições mais marcantes em relação à planta daninha mata-pasto.

Avaliação da segurança e da atividade imunomoduladora dos extratos de Uncaria tomenosa e Uncaria guianensis sobre a patogenia dos Diabetes Melito autoimune induzido pela estreptozotocina

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bioprospecção em espécies de Fabaceae: agentes quimiopreventivos e substâncias de interesse agrocêutico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)