Cláudio Roberto Novello

Thiophene Derivatives with Antileishmanial Activity Isolated from Aerial Parts of Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass.

Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass. is a plant native to Brazil and in the northwest region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, aerial parts of P. ruderale have been used popularly in the treatment of lesions caused by Leishmania sp.. In this study the antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities of the crude extract, fractions, and isolated compounds from aerial parts of P. ruderale was evaluated. The dichloromethane extract was submitted to chromatography to yield compounds active against Leishmania amazonensis. Their structures were established by comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature values. The activities of crude extract against promastigote and axenic amastigote forms of L. amazonensis (IC50) were 60.3 and 77.7 μg/mL, respectively. Its cytotoxic activity against macrophage cells (CC50) was 500 μg/mL. The thiophene derivatives isolated were: 5-methyl-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene (compound A) and 5′-methyl–[5–(4–acetoxy-1–butynyl)]–2,2′-bithiophene (compound B). The activity of compound A against promastigote and axenic amastigote forms were 7.7 and 19.0 μg/mL and of compound B were 21.3 and 28.7 μg/mL, respectively. The activity of the isolated compounds against promastigote and axenic amastigote forms was better than that of the crude extract and more selective against protozoa than for macrophage cells.

Bioactive Organocopper Compound from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Inhibits the Growth of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Citrus canker is a very destructive disease of citrus species. The challenge is to find new compounds that show strong antibiotic activity and low toxicity to plants and the environment. The objectives of the present study were (1) to extract, purify and evaluate the secondary metabolites with antibiotic activity produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV strain in vitro against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (strain 306), (2) to determine the potential of semi-purified secondary metabolites in foliar application to control citrus canker under greenhouse conditions, and (3) to identify antibiotic activity in orange leaf mesophyll infected with strain 306, by electron microscopy. Two pure bioactive compounds were isolated, an organocopper antibiotic compound (OAC) and phenazine-1-carboxamide. Phenazine-1-carboxamide did not show any antibiotic activity under the experimental conditions used in this study. The OAC showed a high level of antibiotic activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.12 μg mL-1. In greenhouse tests for control of citrus canker in orange trees, the semi-purified fraction F3d reduced lesion formation by about 97%. The concentration used was 500 times lower than that for the recommended commercial copper-based product. Electron microscopy showed that F3d altered the exopolysaccharide matrix and caused cell lysis of the pathogen inside the citrus canker lesions. These results suggest that secondary metabolites produced by inducing P. aeruginosa LV strain have a high potential to be used as a bioproduct to control citrus canker.

In vitro cytotoxicity and anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 activity of hydroethanolic extract, fractions, and isolated compounds from stem bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with orofacial infections and is transmitted by direct contact with infected secretions. Several efforts have been expended in the search for drugs to the treatment for herpes. Schinus terebinthifolius is used in several illnesses and among them, for the topical treatment of skin wounds, especially wounds of mucous membranes, whether infected or not. Objective: To evaluate the cytotoxicity and anti-HSV-1 activity of the crude hydroethanolic extract (CHE) from the stem bark of S. terebinthifolius, as well as its fractions and isolated compounds. Materials and Methods: The CHE was subjected to bioguided fractionation. The anti-HSV-1 activity and the cytotoxicity of the CHE, its fractions, and isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro by SRB method. A preliminar investigation of the action of CHE in the virus–host interaction was conducted by the same assay. Results: CHE presented flavan-3-ols and showed anti-HSV-1 activity, better than its fractions and isolated compounds. The class of substances found in CHE can bind to proteins to form unstable complexes and enveloped viruses, as HSV-1 may be vulnerable to this action. Our results suggest that the CHE interfered with virion envelope structures, masking viral receptors that are necessary for adsorption or entry into host cells. Conclusion: The plant investigated exhibited potential for future development treatment against HSV-1, but further tests are necessary, especially to elucidate the mechanism of action of CHE, as well as preclinical and clinical studies to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Bioactive Indole Alkaloids from Croton echioides

Bioguided fractionation of a hydroethanolic extract from the stem bark of Croton echioides Baill. led to isolation of the new indole alkaloid N-trans-feruloyl-3,5-dihydroxyindolin-2-one as a stereoisomeric mixture and the known alkaloids N-trans-p-coumaroyl-tryptamine, N-trans-pcoumaroyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, N-trans-4-methoxy-cinnamoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, N-transferuloyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (moschamine), from the ethyl acetate fraction. The flavonoids 3-o-methyl kaempferol, 3-o-methyl quercetin, 3,7-di-o-methyl quercetin and 3,3’-di-o-methyl quercetin, together with the benzoic acid derivatives 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-3methoxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid were also isolated. Alkaloids and the flavonoids showed strong antioxidant properties in vitro radical scavenging assay (2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH), with IC50 values ranging from 9.2 to 17.5 µmol L -1 , lower than those of the positive control Trolox (IC50 = 17.9 µmol L -1 ). Alkaloids showed cytotoxic activity against the HCT-116 human cancer cell line, with IC50 values ranging from 86.8 to 210.7 µmol L -1 . Compound N-trans-4-methoxy-cinnamoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine was the most active, with an IC50 value of 86.8 µmol L -1

Larvicidal Activity against Aedes aegypti and Chemical Characterization of the Inflorescences of Tagetes patula

The crude acetone extract (CAE) of defatted inflorescences of Tagetes patula was partitioned into five semipurified fractions: n-hexane (HF), dichloromethane (DF), ethyl acetate (EAF), n-butanol (BF), and aqueous (AQF). BF was fractionated by reversed-phase polyamide column chromatography, obtaining 34 subfractions, which were subjected to HSCCC, where patuletin and patulitrin were isolated. CAE and the fractions BF, EAF, DF, and AQF were analyzed by LC-DAD-MS, and patuletin and patulitrin were determined as the major substances in EAF and BF, respectively. BF was also analyzed by HPLC and capillary electrophoresis (CE), and patulitrin was again determined to be the main substance in this fraction. CAE and the semipurified fractions (750, 500, 300, 100, and 50 mg/L) were assayed for larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, with mortality rate expressed as percentage. All fractions except AQF showed insecticidal activity after 24 h exposure of larvae to the highest concentration. However, EAF showed the highest activity with more than 50% reduction in larval population at 50 mg/L. The insecticidal activity observed with EAF might have been due to the higher concentration of patuletin present in this fraction.