Separation of the toxic zierin from Zollernia ilicifolia by high speed countercurrent chromatography

Preliminary pharmacological assays of the 70% methanol extract from the leaves of the Brazilian medicinal plant Zollernia ilicifolia Vog. (Fabaceae) showed analgesic and antiulcerogenic effects. Previous analyses have shown that this extract contains, besides flavonoid glycosides and saponins, a toxic cyanogenic glycoside. Flavonoids and saponins are compounds reported in literature with antiulcerogenic activity. In this work, we developed a methodology to separate the cyanogenic glycoside from these compounds in order to obtain enough amount of material to perform pharmacological assays. The cyanogenic glycoside zierin (2S)-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)- acetonitrile was separated from the other components by high speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC). The solvent system used was composed of chloroform-methanol-n-propanol-water (5:6:1:4, v/v/v/v). This technique led to the separation of zierin from the possible active compounds of Zollernia ilicifolia.

Identification of ellagic acid derivatives in methanolic extracts from Qualea species

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

Pharmacognostical evaluation of fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill. (Solanaceae)

This study describes the chemical and physical-chemical profile of plant drug and ethanolic extract obtained from fruits of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill. (Solanaceae). The physical and chemical analysis involved the granulometry determination, non-compacted apparent density, loss on drying in oven and in infrared scale, pH, ash values and extractive values. The results determined the physical-chemical characteristics of the drug plant. It was also carried out the microbiological control of the plant drug. The preliminary phytochemical screening featured the presence of tannins, flavonoids and saponins in the plant drug and alkaloids and steroids in the ethanolic exctract. The solamargine and solasonine glycoalkaloids were identified through TLC and GC/ MS. The levels of total phenols and tannins were quantified in the extract (8.90% and 6,85% respectively). Such studies contribute to the chemical identification and quality control of S. lycocarpum fruits. © 2010 Phcog.net.

Estudo fitoquímico preliminar e bioensaio toxicológico frente a larvas de Artemia salina Leach. de extrato obtido de frutos de Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill (Solanaceae)

The phytochemical profile of ethanolic extract of Solanum lycocarpum fruits was analyzed and preliminary toxicity tests were performed against brine shrimp larvae. The extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis to identify the main classes of secondary metabolites and tested against the larvae of A. salina to obtain the median lethal concentrations (LC50%). The phytochemical tests showed the presence of phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and free steroids. The extract was fractionated with various solvents for toxicity testing against the larvae and the hydroalcoholic fraction showed considerable cytotoxicity (CL50% = 285.546 g/mL).

Antitumor properties of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and terpenoids

Ganoderma lucidum is an edible medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor properties, which are mainly attributed to polysaccharides and triterpenes that can be isolated from mycelia, fruiting bodies and spores. G. lucidum has been us d in a powdered form, as a medicinal beverage and a nutraceutical food (usually dried). In the present review we report some historical facts and the experimental evidence that polysaccharides and triterpenes obtained from this mushroom present potential antitumor activity. Direct effects on tumor cells include induction of apoptosis and interference in the cell cycle, whereas indirect effects are based on the modulation of immune response, usually impaired by cancer cells. Data indicate that G. lucidum can be used as a complementary tool for treatment of cancer patients. © by São Paulo State University.

Chrysobalanaceae: Secondary metabolites, ethnopharmacology and pharmacological potential

Many Chrysobalanaceae species, in special Licania and Parinari, are widely used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. This review describes some aspects of their ethnopharmacology potential, biological activities and the secondary metabolites reported so far for Chrysobalanaceae. The chemical constituents of this family include triterpenoids, diterpenoids, steroids and phenylpropanoids like flavonoids as well as chromones derivatives. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

In vivo analgesic activity, toxicity and phytochemical screening of the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Psidium cattleianum Sabine

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Psidium cattleianum Sabine is extensively used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat several diseases including painful disorders. Aim of the study to investigate the toxicity and the possible analgesic activities of the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Psidium cattleianum Sabine (ELPCS), to support its use in folk medicine. To screen the major phytochemical constituents of this extract and evaluate their antioxidant activity. Materials and methods: ELPCS was assessed for its antioxidant activity using the DPPH model. Its analgesic activity was examined using mouse models of acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate paw licking models. The major phytochemical constituents of the extract were screened; their toxicity on LLC-MK2 mammalian cells was evaluated. Results: ELPCS exhibited significant peripheral analgesic activity at doses of 60, 80, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg in mice, but it did not display central analgesic activity and not was toxic to LLC-MK2 cell (LD 50>400 μg/mL). The extract exhibited free radical scavenging activity as evidenced by IC 50 values (15.9 μg/mL) obtained by the DPPH method. Phytochemical screening detected flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, and tannins. Conclusions: The results of the experimental studies proved the analgesic activity of ELPCS and supported the traditional use of this plant. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caracterização química, microbiológica e farmacognóstica da polpa de coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata (Mart) Becc) produzida em Arinos-MG

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cordia verbenacea DC: perfil morfo-anatômico, histoquímico, farmacognóstico e avaliação da atividade anti-candida do extrato hidroetanólico e suas frações

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da atividade da fibra alimentar de Typha angustifolia L. e des seus efeitos sinérgicos com a prednisolona no modelo de colite ulcerativa induzida por ácido trinitrobenzenosulfônico em ratos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da atividade anti-inflamatória intestinal de Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Farmacologia) - IBB

Estudo fitoquímico, avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana, antioxidante e citotóxica de extrativos de Equisetum hyemale L. (Equisetaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Schinus Terebinthifolius Raddi: estudo anatômico e histoquímico das folhas e investigação do potencial farmacêutico do extrato etanólico e suas frações

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

Estudo fitoquímico e atividades biológicas preliminares de extratos de Polygonum Acre (Polygonaceae) H.B.K. e Synadenium Carinatum (Euphorbiaceae) Boiss

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da atividade antiulcerogênica e tóxica dos estratos metanólicos e clorofórmico das folhas de Serjania erecta Radlk(Sapindaceae)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB