Glauco Morales

Flavonoids as stabilizers of fish oil: An alternative to synthetic antioxidants

The antioxidant activities against fish oil oxidation of six commercially available flavonoids and of five flavonoids purified from two Chilean native plants were compared to those ofdl-α-tocopherol and of two synthetic antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole. Among the commercial flavonoids, catechin, morin and quercetin showed a higher activity when fish oil oxidation (either spontaneous or Fe2+-induced) was assessed from the formation of peroxides or thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Among the native flavonoids, the 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-7-methoxy flavanone (designated as Pt-2) showed the highest antioxidant activity. Mixtures of quercetin or of Pt-2 withdl-α-tocopherol produced better inhibitory effects when compared to that of each substance assayed by itself. Also, when Pt-2 and quercetin were assayed in combination (0.3 g/kg oil and 0.7 g/kg oil, respectively), a synergistic antioxidant effect was observed. Results indicate that several flavonoids could be used as natural antioxidants as a means to replace those synthetic antioxidants, the use of which has been questioned.

Diterpenoids from Azorella yareta and their trichomonicidal activities

Diterpenoids with trichomonicidal activity were isolated from the aerial parts of Azorella yareta Hauman. One was 13beta-hydroxyazorellane, together with the known constituents mulinolic acid, mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid, azorellanol and 13alpha-hydroxyazorellane. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Antimicrobial activity of three baccharis species used in the traditional medicine of Northern Chile.

The antimicrobial activities of aqueous ethanol and chloroform extracts of three Baccharis species currently used in Northern Chile folk medicine for the treatment of several infectious and inflammatory disorders were tested against Gram-positive and negative bacteria and fungal spp. using the agar-disc diffusion assay. The results indicated that the activity was more pronounced against Gram-positive than against Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. No significant differences on the antibacterial activity were observed in the aqueous ethanol versus chloroform extracts. None of the plant extracts evaluated exhibited any activity against ten fungi tested.

Diterpenoids from Azorella compacta (Umbelliferae) active on Trypanosoma cruzi

The anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of natural products isolated from Azorella compacta was evaluated, with particular emphasis on their effect against intracellular amastigotes. Five diterpenoids from A. compacta derived from mulinane and azorellane were isolated and identified. Only two products, named azorellanol (Y-2) and mulin-11,3-dien-20-oic acid (Y-5), showed trypanocidal activity against all stages of T. cruzi including intracellular amastigotes. At 10 M, these compounds displayed a strong lytic activity. It ranged from 88.4 0.6 to 99.0 1 % for all strains and stages evaluate, with an IC50 /18 h values of 20-84 M and 41-87 M, respectively. The development of intracellular amastigotes was also inhibited by nearly 60% at 25 M. The trypanocidal molecules Y-2 and Y-5 did show different degrees of cytotoxicity depending on the cell line tested, with an IC50 /24 h ranging from 33.2 to 161.2 M. We evaluated the effect of diterpenoids against intracellular T. cruzi forms by immunofluorescent identification of a specific membrane molecular marker (Ssp-4 antigen) of the T. cruzi amastigote forms. The accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements were found to be outstanding when examined by confocal microscopy.

Diterpenoids from Azorella compacta

In addition to mulinolic acid, a new diterpenoid, mulin-11,13-dien-20-oic acid, has been isolated from the aerial parts of Azorella compacta. Its structure was based on a spectroscopic comparison with mulinolic acid and on chemical grounds.

Mulinic and isomulinic acids. rearranged diterpenes with a new carbon skeleton from Mulinum crassifolium

Abstract Two new diterpenoids, mulinic and isomulinic acids, have been isolated from the aerial parts of Mulinum crassifolium (Umbelliferae). The structure of mulinic actd (1) was determined by a combination of spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.The proposed structure of isomulinic acid (2) was based on spectroscopic comparison with mulinic acid and on chemical grounds. The diterpenoids 1 and 2 possess a novel carbon skeleton whose plausible biogenetic pathway from a suitable labdane derivative is briefly discussed.

Azorellanol: A diterpenoid with a new carbon skeleton from Azorella compacta

Abstract A new diterpenoid, azorellanol (5), was isolated from the whole plant of Azorella compacta (Umbelliferae). The structure was established by using mainly one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, whereas the absolute stereochemistry was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The diterpenoid (5) possesses a novel hydrocarbon skeleton for which we suggest the name azorellane A new diterpenoid, azorellanol, was isolated from whole plant of Azorella compacta (Umbelliferae). The structure was established by using mainly one-and two-dimensional NMR technique, whereas the absolute stereochemistry was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The diterpenoid possesses a novel hydrocarbon skeleton for which we suggested the name azorellane. Download : Download full-size image

Mulinol, A diterpenoid from Azorella compacta

Abstract In addition to mulinic acid, a new diterpenoid, mulinol has been isolated from the aerial parts of Azorella compacta . Its structure was based on spectroscopic comparison with mulinolic acid and chemical grounds.

Mulinolic acid, a diterpenoid from Mulinum crassifolium

Abstract Mulinolic acid, a new diterpenoid, has been isolated from the aerial parts of Mulinum crassifolium . Its structure was established by spectroscopic means. Mulinolic acid has a rearranged mulinane carbon skeleton of the type which has been found in four other diterpenoids from the same plant.

Acute oral toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract from Lampaya medicinalis Phil in rats

BackgroundAlgesia and inflammation are related with several pathological conditions. It is known that many drugs available for the treatment of these problems cause unwanted side effects. This study was aimed at evaluating acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) widely used in the folk medicine of Northern Chile against rheumatism, arthritis and body joints pain.ResultsOral administration of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) at the highest dose of 3000 mg/ Kg body weight resulted in no mortalities or evidence of significant behavioral changes. Histological examination revealed normal architecture and no significant adverse effects were observed on the liver, kidney, heart, lung or ovaries and testicles. The results suggest that the oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) from Lampaya medicinalis did not produce any toxic effect in rats. Hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema in dose – response relationship, at test doses of 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 mg/Kg body weight. Maximum inhibition (61.98 ± 2.69%) was noted at 300 mg/Kg after 2 h of drug treatment carrageenan induced paw edema, whereas indomethacin produced 47.90 ± 1.16% of inhibition. The inhibitory values of edema at 3 h postcarrageenan were 31.04±0.75%, 40.51 ± 2.36%, 48.97 ± 1.14% and 56.87 ± 0.41% for 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg of extract respectively. Indomethacin (10 mg/Kg) gave a percentage inhibition of 49.44 ± 1.44. HAE (300 and 150 mg/kg) induced an anti-inflammatory effect greater than (or comparable) with the effect of indomethacin from 2nd to 4th hours of the experiment.ConclusionsOur results reveal for first time that compounds contained in the hydroalcoholic extract of Lampaya medicinalis Phil exert anti-inflammatory effect and the oral administration is safe and non toxic up to dose level 3000 mg/kg body weight. The anti-inflammatory activity may be associated with the presence of flavonoids. These findings also justify the traditional use of the plant for treating pain.