Gabriela Ricciardi

Nectandra megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez.: phytochemical characterization and neutralizing effect on Bothrops diporus venom

Antisnake activity of extracts and essential oil of Nectandra megapotamica was tested in vitro against the Bothrops diporus venom (yarará chica). Inhibitory activity of the hemolytic action on the aqueous extract and essential oil; inhibition of the procoagulant action on hexanic extract and condensed water from steam distillation; and inhibition of the proteolytic activity on alcoholic extract and condensed water was found. In all cases, the main antisnake venom activity was found on plant material collected in the autumn. The chemical composition of the N. megapotamica essential oil was characterized during different vegetative states finding a clear predominance of mono- (21.0–31.7) and sesquiterpene (58.5–68.9) hydrocarbons. The differences found with previous results published for this species, growing in other geographic places, opens the option for the existence of chemical types.

The effects of Cissampelos pareira extract on envenomation induced by Bothropsdiporus snake venom

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ophidian accidents are a serious public health problem in Argentina; the Bothrops species is responsible for 97% of these accidents, and in particular, B. diporus is responsible for 80% of them. In the northeast of the country (Corrientes Provinces), Cissampelos pareira L. (Menispermaceae) is commonly used against the venom of B. diporus; its use is described in almost all ethnobotanical literature from countries where the plant grows. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, the in vitro and in vivo antivenom activities of C. pareira extracts were evaluated against B. diporus venom, with a particular focus on the local effects associated with envenoming. The seasonal influence on the chemical composition of the active extracts was also studied, in order determine the associated range of variability and its influence on the antivenom activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS This research was conducted using aerial parts (leaves, flowers, tender stems) and roots of Cissampelos pareira collected from two different phytogeographic regions of Corrientes (Argentina); Paso de la Patria and Lomas de Vallejos. In addition, to perform a seasonal analysis and to evaluate the metabolic stability, material was collected at three different growth stages. In vivo and in vitro anti-snake venom activities were tested, and a bio-guided chromatographic separation was performed in order to determine the active chemicals involved. The fractions obtained were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the chemical profile of the most active constituent was analyzed by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole/high-resolution mass spectrometry (Q-Orbitrap). (UHPLC-MS). RESULTS The alcoholic extract was found to be the most active The bio-guided fractionation allowed selection one fraction to be analyzed by UHPLC-MS in order to identify the components responsible for the activities found; this identified five possible flavonoids. CONCLUSIONS Our studies of the activity of C. pareira against the venom of B. diporus have confirmed that this species possesses inhibitory effects in both in vitro and in vivo models. Moreover, the present data demonstrate that certain flavonoids may mitigate some of the venom-induced local tissue damage.

In vitro Anti-snake Venom Activities of Aloysia citriodora Palau: New Possibilities for a Known Aromatic Plant

Abstract Traditional medicine in Corrientes Province (Argentina) uses herbs preparations in the form of infusions and cataplasms as an alternative medication for the treatment of bites from venomous animals. Aloysia citriodora is widely used in folk medicine to treat different disorders, but only few authors cite this Vervenaceae as antivenom against snake bites. In this work, we studied the effect of essential oils and extracts from aerial parts of A. citriodora against Bothrops diporus venom, yarará chica, so as to evaluate the traditional antisnake venom properties suggested for this species. In addition, a seasonal and geographical evaluation of the chemical composition of the essential oil was performed in order to assess its chemical stability. Results showed that A. citriodora possesses in vitro antisnake venom activity and that essential oil components could be considered as a part of its active constituents. These are most likely responsible for the plant’s potential therapeutic benefits since they attenuate the proteolytic, coagulant and indirect hemolytic activities of B. diporus venom. Our results support the ethnopharmacological use of this species as antivenom, and backs the need to continue the research in order to identify the components responsible for the antivenom activity evaluated.

Chemical profiles of Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia) peel oils of different cultivars of Argentina

Peel and leaf oils of three lime populations, belonging to the Citrus limonia Osbeck species were obtained from fruits collected on lime trees submitted to the same pedoclimatic and cultural conditions. Their chemical composition was investigated by capillary gas chromatography (GC), GC–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chiral multidimensional GC (MDGC), and the results were submitted to a cluster analysis. Results reported for Rangpur lime from Corsica, named Rangpur Jaune, Rangpur Intermediaire and Rangpur Rouge, were also included for comparison purposes.

Geographical and Ontological Variations in Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla (Briquet) Moldenke Essential Oil from Corrientes

Abstract The chemical composition of Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla oil obtained from aerial parts of different plants populations growing wild in San Lorenzo (Province of Corrientes, Argentina) were compared with the essential oil of the same species from Rio Empedrado. These selected zones represent similar ecological and geographical units of soils. In order to evaluate the constancy of the oil’s composition for this species in the selected region, samples were collected at different seasonal stages. For a more precise identification and description of chemical biodiversity of this medicinal and aromatic plant, the analysis and characterization of enantiomers from sabinene, β-caryophyllene and germacrene D has also been evaluated. Using this approach, it has been possible to establish the relationships between the chemical variability and the determinant environmental factors in order to characterize the species ecologically.