F. Delle Monache

Antibacterial activity of a substance produced by the fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus (Fr.) Murr.

A fraction obtained from the culture fluids of Pycnoporus sanguineus fungus was shown to contain a compound with biological activity against strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and members of the genus Streptococcus. The fraction was clearly more active on Gram-positive cocci than on Gram-negative bacilli.

Analgesic triterpenes from Sebastiania schottiana roots.

The present study was conducted in order to isolate and identify the phytochemical constituents responsible for analgesic effects shown by a methanolic extract obtained from Sebastiania schottiana roots. Conventional chromatographic procedures led to the isolation of moretenone, glutinol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structural elucidation of these compounds was done on the basis of spectral data (IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR) and comparison with authentic samples. Either glutinol or moretenone exhibited marked analgesic action against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions in mice by intraperitoneal route, indicating 16 to 26-fold higher efficacy than aspirin and paracetamol. When analyzed in a formal-in test, both compounds and standard drugs inhibited only the second phase (inflammatory pain). Our results suggest that the roots of S. schottiana contain analgesic compounds which justify, at least partially, the popular use of this plant for the treatment of urinary problems.

Antifungal activity of sterols and triterpenes isolated from Ganoderma annulare

Three sterols, 5alpha-ergost-7-en-3beta-ol, 5alpha-ergosta-7,22-dien-3beta-ol and 5,8-epidioxy-5alpha,8alpha-ergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol and five triterpenes, applanoxidic acids A, C, F, G and H, have been isolated from Ganoderma annulare. The applanoxidic acids A, C and F were found to inhibit the growth of the fungi Microsporum cannis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes at concentrations of 500 to 1000 microg/ml.

Insect antifeedant activity associated with compounds isolated from species ofLonchocarpus andTephrosia.

The antifeedant activity of a series of 21 chalcones, flavanes, and flavanones isolated from the generaLonchocarpus andTephrosia (Leguminosae) was assessed by behavioral and electrophysiological bioassays against larvae ofSpodoptera littoralis andS. exempta. The antifeedant activity is related to the molecular structure of the compounds, and possible modes of interaction with the insect taste receptors are discussed.

Phytochemical analysis and analgesic properties of Curcuma zedoaria grown in Brazil

The present study describes the phytochemical analysis and analgesic activity of Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes grown in Brazil. The results showed that the hydroalcoholic extract, fractions, specially dichloromethane, and a pure compound, denoted as curcumenol (1), exhibited potent and dose-related analgesic activity when evaluated in several models of pain in mice, including writhing, formalin and capsaicin. Compound (1), which seems to be the main active principle from this plant, presented promising analgesic effects, being several times more potent than different reference drugs evaluated in the same experimental models. The calculated ID50 values (micromol/kg, i.p) were 22 and 12 when evaluated in writhing and capsaicin tests, respectively, and 29 micromol/kg in relation to the second phase of the formalin model. The lack of effect in the hot plate test suggests that (1) act by a mechanism which do not involves the participation of the opioid system. The phytochemical analysis indicated that the chemical composition of the plant grown in Brazil is similar to that grown in other countries. The results confirm and justify the popular use of this plant for the treatment of dolorous processes.

Xanthones, xanthonolignoids and other constituents of the roots of vismia guaramirangae

Abstract A new prenylated benzophenone, vismiaphenone C, has been isolated from the root bark of Vismia guaramirangae together with the known vismiaphenone A, chrysophanic acid, γ-hydroxyferruginin A and γ-anthrone A 3 . The woody part of the roots has been shown to contain 10 xanthones, three xanthonolignoids and syringaresinol. Three of the xanthones and one of the xanthonolignoids are described for the first time. The co-occurrence of xanthones, xanthonolignoids and syringaresinol is of biogenetic significance.

Triterpenes from the resin of Protium heptaphyllum.

From the neutral fraction of the resin of Protium heptaphyllum, a mixture of alpha- and beta-amyrin, a mixture of maniladiol and brein have been isolated as main components, and the novel 3 beta,24-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (1), 3-oxo-20S-hydroxytaraxastane (2) and 3 beta,20S-dihydroxytaraxastane (3) as minor components. NMR data of the last three compounds are provided.

3-Geranyloxy-6-methyl-1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and vismiones C, D and E from Psorospermum febrifugum

Abstract Three new vismiones and 3-geranyloxy-6-methyl-1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone were isolated from the berries of Psorospermum febrifugum together with the known chrysophanic acid, 2-isoprenylemodin and ferruginin B. Their structures were established through chemical and spectral means. The occurrence of prenylated anthracenes only in Vismieae suggests their use as systematic markers for the tribe.

Filicene obtained from Adiantum cuneatum interacts with the cholinergic, dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and tachykinergic systems to exert antinociceptive effect in mice

In the present study, we describe the antinociceptive effect of filicene, a triterpene isolated from Adiantum cuneatum (Adiantaceae) leaves, in several models of pain in mice. When evaluated against acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions, filicene (10, 30 and 60 mg/kg, i.p.) produced dose-related inhibition of the number of constrictions, being several times more potent [ID(50)=9.17 (6.27-13.18) mg/kg] than acetaminophen [ID(50)=18.8 (15.7-22.6) mg/kg], diclofenac [ID(50)=12.1(9.40-15.6) mg/kg] and acetylsalicylic acid [ID(50)=24.0(13.1-43.8) mg/kg] in the same doses as those used for the standard drugs. Filicene also produced dose-related inhibition of the pain caused by capsaicin and glutamate, with mean ID(50) values of 11.7 (8.51-16.0) mg/kg and <10 mg/kg, respectively. Its antinociceptive action was significantly reversed by atropine, haloperidol, GABA(A) and GABA(B) antagonists (bicuculline and phaclofen, respectively), but was not affected by L-arginine-nitric oxide, serotonin, adrenergic and the opioid systems. Together, these results indicate that the mechanisms involved in its action are not completely understood, but seem to involve interaction with the cholinergic, dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic and tachykinergic systems.

A pyrano-isoflavone from seeds of Milletia thonningii

Abstract Extraction of the seeds of Milletia thonningii gave alpinumisoflavone, its monomethyl and dimethyl derivatives, robustic acid and a new pyrano-isoflavone. The structure of the latter was established by chemical transformation and spectroscopic means.