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Background: Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata (guaco) extracts are popularly used for the treatment of asthma and cough as well as for their anti-inflammatory activity, indistinctly, despite their different chemical composition. Both species may present these activities however, the specific components and the cellular mechanisms are not fully identified. Objectives: To determine the activity of fractions obtained by countercurrent chromatography pooled based on their TLC and UHPLC-MS chromatographic profiles. Materials and Methods: Fractions with antioxidant activity in DPPH and ORAC tests were assayed in dystrophic primary muscle cell cultures from mdx mice, the experimental model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), to evaluate their cellular anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The inflammatory process was evaluated by determining the TNF-α, NF- κB and IL-1β content by immunoblotting; content of 4-hydroxynonenal, superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx); glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione (GSH) were determined to evaluate their antioxidant activity. Results: The crude M. glomerata and M. laevigata extracts, as well as 3 selected fractions presented antioxidant capacity in the ORAC assay and only Mlet Fr13 did not present activity by DPPH. Immunoblotting revealed no significant differences between the experimental groups, so no cellular anti-inflammatory effect was observed, however, reduced levels of anti-oxidant defence system components were observed for all fractions. Conclusion: Both species contain compounds that effectively reduced anti-oxidant defense system components, but none of these fractions significantly reduced inflammatory markers, suggesting that the reported anti-inflammatory activity of these species may be mediated by oxidative stress reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees are responsible for pollinating up to 90% of Brazilian flora, so their study is of commercial and ecological importance. Stingless bees mix plant resins with wax and soil, forming geopropolis. Studies of the variability in composition and activity due to species, place and season of collection are lacking. Yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (via DPPH) of the extracts of fifteen M. quadrifasciata (Mandaçaia) geopropolis samples collected over a year in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, as well as two samples from different regions of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil were compared. Composition was determined by ultra-high-resolution liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, identifying 16 compounds. The month and region of collection affected the available plant resins and influenced their yield, composition and antioxidant capacity. Depending on the place of collection, M. quadrifasciata geopropolis is a promising natural source of antioxidant phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plectranthus neochilus é uma das espécies conhecidas como falso boldo, originária da África do Sul que se adaptou ao clima tropical do Brasil, popularmente conhecido como boldo gambá. O chá é a forma mais comum de consumo, geralmente para combater distúrbios gastrointestinais. Além de apresentar também propriedades inseticida, antifúngica e bactericida comprovadas cientificamente. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar os compostos não voláteis presentes nas folhas de P. neochilus coletadas em diferentes estações do ano. As análises cromatográficas foram realizadas em equipamento UHPLC-MS (Acquity, Waters) com método analítico desenvolvido especificamente para as 104 amostras em duplicata. Os cromatogramas adquiridos foram convertidos por software específico em tabelas tipo Excel, para a realização das análises por abordagem metabolômica em programa on-line MetaboAnalyst. O resultado parcial mostrou que há diferença na composição de folhas de indivíduos cultivados em campo e em estufa. Quando comparados todos os indivíduos cultivados no campo ao longo do ano observa-se uma diferença dos compostos não voláteis em meses de estiagem de julho a setembro. Portanto a interação dos indivíduos com o ambiente influencia na composição de P. neochilus, indicando que o local de cultivo, o período e a condição têm interação com a composição química. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mikania glomerata e Mikania laevigata são conhecidas popularmente como guaco. O uso preconizado desse fitoterápico é na forma de chás e xaropes para problemas inflamatórios do trato respiratório. Ambas constam no 1° Formulário de Fitoterápicos da Farmacopéia Brasileira (2011), aparentemente podendo ser utilizadas indistintamente. Contudo, estudos preliminares utilizando extratos aquosos e etanólicos mostraram que a composição química entre essas espécies difere. Também houve diferenças quando as plantas foram submetidas a diferentes estresses ambientais. Porém, poucos estudos foram realizados com os compostos voláteis do guaco, menos ainda se tem sobre a alteração dos aromas frente a variação abióticas. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar como os compostos voláteis variam mensalmente ao longo de um ano. Amostras de folhas de M. laevigata e M. glomerata foram coletadas mensalmente do campo experimental do Instituto de Biologia - UNICAMP entre agosto de 2016 a julho de 2017. A identificação dos voláteis se deu por microextração em fase sólida (SPME) e as análises, por Cromatografia Gasosa com Espectrometria de Massas (GC-MS). Realizando uma análise exploratória de componentes principais (PCA), observou-se que as duas espécies apresentam composição química diferente. Para M. glomerata, os compostos voláteis hexanal e 2-hexenal foram mais intensos em todos os meses. Limoneno, copaeno e ß-cariofileno foram decisivos na separação de M. laevigata e foram mais intensos em todos os meses para essa espécie. Apenas M. laevigata apresentou o composto cumarina, considerado pela ANVISA o marcador químico da espécie e aparentemente o composto responsável pelas atividades terapêuticas. Deste modo, M. laevigata e M. glomerata aparentemente não podem ser utilizadas indistintamente. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mikania glomerata Spreng. (MG) and Mikania laevigata Sch. Bip. ex Baker (ML), popularly known as guaco, are medicinal plants similar in morphology, chemical composition and medicinal uses. Both species are often used and sold without distinction; however, it is believed that their chemical composition is different., Aim: Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate if the aqueous extract of MG and ML present similar anti-inflammatory activity to the point of being used interchangeably., Material and Methods: Different doses of both extracts and coumarin were given to rats in different experimental models to assess the anti-inflammatory activity between these two species. For this, the animals were submitted to paw edema, pleurisy and degranulation of peritoneal mast cell and the extracts were also characterized by Ultra High Efficiency Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS)., Results: The chromatographic method showed that ML presents ten times more coumarin than MG. Oral administration of MG, ML and coumarin inhibited paw edema induced by carrageenan (400 mg/kg, 55% inhibition; 400 mg/kg, 57% inhibition; 75 mg/kg, 38% inhibition; p < 0.05, respectively). MG, ML and coumarin treatment also inhibited the edema induced by compound 48/80 (400 mg/kg, 56% inhibition; 400 mg/kg, 69% inhibition; 75 mg/kg, 40% inhibition; p < 0.05, respectively). MG, ML and coumarin did not prevent mast cell degranulation and the consequent histamine release in Wistar rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80. MG did not inhibit cell infiltration in pleurisy nor the highest dose tested, while ML decreased the leukocyte migration (200 and 400 mg/kg, 23% and 30% inhibition; p < 0.001, respectively) and, to a lesser extent, coumarin also reduced cell infiltration (10, 50 and 75 mg/kg; 15%, 16% and 17% inhibition; p < 0.001, respectively)., Conclusion: The variation of the results of the anti-inflammatory activity found in M. glomerata and M. laevigata demonstrates that these two species should not be used interchangeably. Coumarin, as already proven, has anti-inflammatory action however, we have suggested that it probably is not the only component responsible for this therapeutic effect in the extracts., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Golden, Sunrise Solo and Tainung cultivars of papaya were found to release CS2 when submitted to experimental conditions of dithiocarbamate residue analysis. Three common analytical methods were used to quantitate CS2; one spectrophotometric method and two chromatographic methods. All three methods gave positive CS2 results for all three papaya varieties. Other endogenous compounds present in isooctane extracts of papaya fractions detected via gas chromatography (GC/ITD) using electron ionization (EI) were: carbonyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, 2-methylthiophene, 3-methylthiophene, 2-ethylthiophene, 3-ethylthiophene, benzylisothiocyanate, benzylthiocyanate and benzonitrile. Control samples were obtained from papaya plantations cultivated in experimental areas, in which no treatment with fungicides of the dithiocarbamate group was applied. Endogenous CS2 levels were compared with true dithiocarbamate residues measured in papaya samples from the field trials following applications of the mancozeb fungicide. Three days after application, true dithiocarbamate residues, measured by the procedure with isooctane partitioning and GC-ITD, were at the average level of 2 mg kg(-1)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Red propolis is a resinous product popularly consumed in Brazil as it improves health, and it is considered a nutraceutical. The objective of this study was to test the antimicrobial activity of eight samples of red propolis from Brazil and Cuba to assess the possibility of application of this natural product as an antimicrobial agent, along with a study of its cytotoxic activity against non-tumor cell lines to evaluate at which concentrations it could be safely used., Methods and Results: The chemical profile of the samples was evaluated by UHPLC-MS. All the samples presented antimicrobial activity which was tested using agar diffusion and serial dilution methods; and these samples displayed a better activity against most Gram-negative bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range between 6·25 μg ml(-1) and 500 μg ml(-1). However our studies also revealed an inherent cytotoxic effect against HaCaT human keratinocytes and BALBc 3T3., Conclusions: To have a noncytotoxic and safe use of red propolis, it is necessary to use a concentration below the IC50 cytotoxic values., Significance and Impact of the Study: The traditional use of propolis does not necessarily guarantee its safety. The evaluation of the safety of bioactive natural products should always be considered together with the evaluation of the activity., (© 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Deflazacort (DFZ) is an oxazoline derivative of prednisolone with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. The aim of this study was to investigate and to identify the main degradation product of DFZ, and to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of both DFZ and its major degradation product (namely DDP1). DFZ was subjected to alkaline and acid degradation. In 0.1 N NaOH, DFZ was immediately degraded and 99.0% of product DDP1 was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC method was ideal to separate the primary and other minor degradation products and was carried out using C18 column, mobile phase consisting of water: acetonitrile: (60:40, v/v) with flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection at 244 nm. DDP1 was isolated and identified as 21-hydroxy deflazacort (21-OH-DFZ) by NMR, IR and LCMS. The in vivo pharmacological assays showed that both DFZ as 21-OH-DFZ are active in in vivo and in vitro inflammatory models, but 21-OH-DFZ is more potent than DFZ.