Antônio E.M. Crotti

Chemical composition, antischistosomal and cytotoxic effects of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia grown in Southeastern Brazil

This paper reports on the chemical composition, the in vitroantischistosomal effects, and the cytotoxicity of the essential oil from the leaves of Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Lamiaceae, grown in the Southeastern Brazil. Borneol (22.4%), epi-α-muurolol (13.4%), α-bisabolol (13.1%), precocene I (13.0%), and eucalyptol (7.9%) were the major essential oil constituents. Incubation with essential oil at 200 μg/ml killed all the adult S. mansoni worms after 24 h (LC50117.7 and 103.9 μg/ml at 24 and 120 h of incubation, respectively). At a concentration of 50 μg/ ml, the essential oil significantly decreased the motor activity and reduced the percentage of egg development after 120 h. In addition, the essential oil separated all the coupled S. mansoni worm pairs into individual male and female at 25 and 50 μg/ml within 120 and 24 h, respectively. This oil was cytotoxic to GM07492-A cells at only concentrations higher than 200 µg/ml (IC50243.7 µg/ml). These data indicate that LA-EO exhibits moderate in vitro activity against adult S. mansoniand exerts remarkable effects on eggs development.

Sesquiterpene lactones from Minasia alpestris

The chemical investigation of the Minasia alpestris leaves afforded two new furanoheliangolides in addition to seven known sesquiterpene lactones. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Direct Analysis of Amphetamine Stimulants in a Whole Urine Sample by Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe Tandem Mass Spectrometry

AbstractAmphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are among illicit stimulant drugs that are most often used worldwide. A major challenge is to develop a fast and efficient methodology involving minimal sample preparation to analyze ATS in biological fluids. In this study, a urine pool solution containing amphetamine, methamphetamine, ephedrine, sibutramine, and fenfluramine at concentrations ranging from 0.5xa0pg/mL to 100xa0ng/mL was prepared and analyzed by atmospheric solids analysis probe tandem mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS/MS) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). A urine sample and saliva collected from a volunteer contributor (V1) were also analyzed. The limit of detection of the tested compounds ranged between 0.002 and 0.4xa0ng/mL in urine samples; the signal-to-noise ratio was 5. These results demonstrated that the ASAP-MS/MS methodology is applicable for the fast detection of ATS in urine samples with great sensitivity and specificity, without the need for cleanup, preconcentration, or chromatographic separation. Thus ASAP-MS/MS could potentially be used in clinical and forensic toxicology applications.n Graphical Abstractᅟ

Detailed 1H and 13C NMR Spectral Data Assignment for Two Dihydrobenzofuran Neolignans

In this work we present a complete proton (1H) and carbon 13 (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analysis of two synthetic dihydrofuran neolignans (±)-trans-dehydrodicoumarate dimethyl ester and (±)-trans-dehydrodiferulate dimethyl ester. Unequivocal assignments were achieved by 1H NMR, proton decoupled 13C (13C{1H}) NMR spectra, gradient-selected correlation spectroscopy (gCOSY), J-resolved, gradient-selected heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (gHMQC), gradient-selected heteronuclear multiple bond coherence (gHMBC) and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) experiments. All hydrogen coupling constants were measured, clarifying all the hydrogen signals multiplicities. Computational methods were also used to simulate the 1H and 13C chemical shifts and showed good agreement with the trans configuration of the substituents at C7 and C8.

Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe: a novel source of flavones with α-glycosidase inhibitory activity

Costus spiralis, a plant used in traditional Brazilian medicine for the treatment of complications in diabetes, was investigated. Assay of hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous fractions obtained by partition of a crude methanol extract of dried leaves of C. spiralis revealed that AGI activity was confined to the ethyl acetate fraction. Purification of this fraction yielded schaftoside and isoschaftoside. The AGI activities of the two flavones were lower than, but comparable with, that of the anti‐diabetic drug acarbose. In contrast, the IC50 value of the ethyl acetate fraction was 1.95‐, 2.34‐, and 2.22‐fold higher than those of acarbose, schaftoside, and isoschaftoside, respectively. The results demonstrate for the first time that schaftoside and isoschaftoside are responsible, in part, for the AGI activity of C. spiralis. Our study suggests that further investigations into C. spiralis may lead to the discovery of additional compounds with antihyperglycemic activity.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from Citrus aurantifolia leaves and fruit peel against oral pathogenic bacteria

Tooth decay is a major public health problem which affects a large number of people in several countries. Even though more than 700 bacterial species have been detected in the oral cavity, Streptococcus and Lactobacillus stand out as the genera that cause tooth decay and other periodontal diseases. In this study, essential oils from Citrus aurantifolia leaves (CL-EO) and fruit peel (CP-EO) were obtained by hydrodistillation by a Clevenger-type apparatus whereas their chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Limonene (77.5 %), linalool (20.1 %), citronellal (14.5 %) and citronellol (14.2 %) were the main constituents found in the essential oils from C. aurantifolia leaves and fruit peel. Antibacterial activity of essential oils was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. Both CL-EO and CP-EO displayed some activity against all oral pathogens under investigation; MIC values ranged from 20 to 200 µg/mL. CL-EO and CP-EO not only had promising activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 20 µg/mL) and Lactobacillus casei (31.25 µg/mL), but also displayed antibacterial activity against all studied cariogenic bacteria. Efficacy of essential oils against S. mutans and L. casei is noteworthy and should be further investigated.

Chemical composition and evaluation of antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil from leaves of Cryptocarya aschersoniana Mez. (Lauraceae Juss.)

Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which affects around two million people worldwide. One major drawback in the treatment of leishmaniasis is the emergence of resistance to current chemotherapeutics. Medicinal and aromatic plants constitute a major source of natural organic compounds. In this study, the leaf essential oil of Cryptocarya aschersoniana was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The essential oil of these species was predominantly constituted by monoterpene hydrocarbons (48.8%). Limonene (42.3%), linalool (9.7%) and nerolidol (8.6%) were the main constituents in the oil of C. aschersoniana. The in vitro activity of the oil was evaluated against the promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The essential oil of C. aschersoniana showed high activity against L. amazonensis promastigote forms (IC50 = 4.46 µg/mL), however, it also demonstrated a relatively high cytotoxicity on mouse peritoneal macrophages (CC50 = 7.71 µg/mL). This is the first report of the chemical composition and the leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities of the leaf essential oil of C. aschersoniana.

Essential oils from Piper aduncum inflorescences and leaves: chemical composition and antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Even though essential oils from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) have different biological activities, little is known about their application to agricultural areas. White mold is a plant disease caused by the phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which needs to be controlled by alternative measures. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of essential oils from P. aduncum leaves (PL-EO) and inflorescences (PI-EO) on the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum. Essential oils from P. aduncum were obtained by hydrodistillation by a Clevenger-type apparatus while their chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Piperitone (23.4 %), myristicin (12.4 %), terpinen-4-ol (12.3 %), β-caryophyllene (7.2 %), α-humulene (6.9 %), germacrene-D (6.9 %) and dillapiol (6.3 %) were the main constituents found in oils from P. aduncum. The in vitro antifungal activity showed that PI-EO dose above 30 µL inhibited mycelial growth in 100 %, whereas PL-EO at 50 µL inhibited it in 98.74 %. This is the first report of the chemical composition of PI-EO and results suggest that the essential oils under evaluation have high potential to control the phytopathogenic fungus S. sclerotiorum.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Lamiaceae)

Abnormal multiplication of oral bacteria causes dental caries and dental plaque. These diseases continue to be major public health concerns worldwide, mainly in developing countries. In this study, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus leaves (VAC‒EO) collected in the North of Brazil against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of VAC-EO was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by using the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. The chemical constituents of VAC-EO were identified by gas chromatography (GC‒FID) and gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS). VAC‒EO displayed some activity against all the investigated oral pathogens; MIC values ranged from 15.6 to 200 μg/mL. VAC-EO had promising activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), Lactobacillus casei (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), and Streptococcus mitis (MIC= 31.2 μg/mL). The compounds 1,8-cineole (23.8%), (E)-β-farnesene (14.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (12.5%), sabinene (11.4%), and α-terpinyl acetate (7.7%) were the major chemical constituents of VAC‒EO. VAC-EO displays antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. The efficacy of VAC-EO against S. mutans is noteworthy and should be further investigated.

Microwave-assisted synthesis and antileishmanial activity of 3-methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone derivatives

Descrevemos a sintese assistida por micro-ondas de dez derivados de 3-metoxicarbonil-γbutirolactona e a avaliacao in vitro da atividade leishmanicida desses compostos contra formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis. A sintese forneceu a maioria dos compostos com 80-95% de rendimento e as reacoes duraram cerca de 10-20 min. A maior parte dos compostos apresentaram valores de IC50 superiores a 400 uM. Os compostos 5 (trans-3-(p-metoxi)benzil-4metil-3-metoxicarbonil-γ-butirolactona) e 10 (trans-3-(p-metoxi)benzil-4-benzil-3-metoxicarbonilγ-butirolactona) foram as excecoes, pois exibiram valores de IC50 de 170,4 e 179,6 μM, respectivamente, o que sugere que a atividade leishmanicida das 3-metoxicarbonil-γ-butirolactonas pode estar relacionada com a natureza e o tamanho do substituinte na posicao C-4. We describe the microwave-assisted synthesis of ten 3-methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone derivatives and evaluate their in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. The synthesis furnished most of the compounds in 80-95% yield and reactions lasted about 10-20 min. Most of the compounds displayed IC50 values higher than 400 μM. Compounds 5 (trans-3-(p-methoxy)benzyl-4-methyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone) and 10 (trans-3-(pmethoxy)benzyl-4-benzyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactone) were the exceptions: they displayed IC50 values of 170.4 and 179.6 μM, respectively, suggesting that the leishmanicidal activity of 3-methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactones may be related to the nature and size of the substituent at position C-4.