Grasielly Rocha Souza

Borneol, a Bicyclic Monoterpene Alcohol, Reduces Nociceptive Behavior and Inflammatory Response in Mice

Borneol, a bicyclic monoterpene, has been evaluated for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by measuring nociception by acetic acid, formalin, hot plate, and grip strength tests, while inflammation was prompted by carrageenan-induced peritonitis. The rotarod test was used to evaluate motor coordination. Borneol produced a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of the nociceptive behavior at the early and late phases of paw licking and reduced the writhing reflex in mice (formalin and writhing tests, resp.). When the hot plate test was conducted, borneol (in higher dose) produced an inhibition (P < 0.05) of the nociceptive behavior. Such results were unlikely to be provoked by motor abnormality. Additionally, borneol-treated mice reduced the carrageenan-induced leukocytes migration to the peritoneal cavity. Together, our results suggest that borneol possess significant central and peripheral antinociceptive activity; it has also anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, borneol did not impair motor coordination.

Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant and photoprotective activities of extracts from flowers of Bromelia laciniosa (Bromeliaceae)

ABSTRACT In this study, the phytochemical profile of extracts from the flowers of Bromelia laciniosa was characterized. The total phenolic and flavonoids contents were determined and the antioxidant and photoprotective activities were evaluated using in vitro assays. Phytochemical analysis demonstrated that the extracts were found to be positive for the presence of anthracene derivatives, anthraquinones, coumarins, flavonoids and tannins, lignans, mono and diterpenes. The ethanol extract (Bl-EtOH) presented the most significant total phenolic content (53.75 ± 1.25 mg GAE/g). The dichloromethane extract (Bl-CH2Cl2) showed the highest flavonoid content (46.06 ± 1.18 mg CE/g). The methanol extract (Bl-MeOH) was the most effective extract in the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil) assay (EC50 141.90 ± 3.01 μg/mL). Bl-EtOH and Bl-MeOH showed higher sun protection factor at a concentration of 100 mg/L (3.38 ± 0.04 and 3.78 ± 0.11, respectively). Therefore, the extracts proved to be interesting for the development of new studies aiming their incorporation into photoprotective cosmetic formulations.

Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds from the Genus Morus (Moraceae) with Hypoglycemic Activity: A Review

© 2012 da Silva Almeidaet al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Medicinal Plants and Natural Compounds from the Genus Morus (Moraceae) with Hypoglycemic Activity: A Review

3,6-Dimethoxy-6″,6″-Dimethyl-(7,8,2″,3″)-Chromeneflavone, a Flavonoid Isolated from Lonchocarpus Araripensis Benth. (Fabaceae), Reduces Nociceptive Behaviour in Mice

Lonchocarpus araripensis Benth. is largely distributed in the northeast region of Brazil. It is popularly known as ‘sucupira’. Recent studies have shown that some species of Lonchocarpus have interesting pharmacological activities. In this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive effect of a flavone isolated from L. araripensis. The chemical examination resulted in the isolation of 3,6‐dimethoxy‐6″,6″‐dimethyl‐(7,8,2″,3″)‐chromeneflavone (DDF). The structure of the compound was established by spectral analysis. Antinociceptive activity of DDF was evaluated by measuring nociception by acetic acid, formalin and hot plate tests. The rota rod test was used to evaluate motor coordination. The results demonstrated that DDF was able to prevent acetic‐acid‐writhing‐induced nociception (p < 0.001) in mice. Furthermore, DDF produced a significant reduction of the nociceptive behaviour at the early and late phases of paw licking in the formalin test. Also, DDF produced an inhibition of the nociceptive behaviour during a hot‐plate test. No alteration in motor coordination was observed. These results confirm the hypothesis that DDF reduces the nociceptive behaviour in mice, probably through central mechanisms, but without compromising the motor coordination of animals. Copyright

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities and evaluation of cytotoxicity of the fractions obtained from Selaginella convoluta (Arn.) Spring (Selaginellaceae)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities and cytotoxicity of fractions from Selaginella convoluta, obtained by liquid–liquid extraction using hexane (Sc-Hex), chloroform (Sc-CHCl3) and ethyl acetate (Sc-AcOEt). The phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching test. The antibacterial effect was evaluated by the method of microdilution and the cytotoxicity analysis in HCT-116 (colon), OVCAR-8 (ovarian) and SF-295 (brain) cells were carried out for MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) test. The fractions were positive for the presence of anthracene derivatives, flavonoids, lignans, naphthoquinones, steroids and triterpenoids. The Sc-Hex and Sc-AcOEt showed good antioxidant activities. The fractions of S. convoluta demonstrated antibacterial activity and showed weak cytotoxicity. These activities were correlated with presence of phenolic compounds in active fractions.

Development and Evaluation of Photoprotective O/W Emulsions Containing Hydroalcoholic Extract of Neoglaziovia variegata (Bromeliaceae)

Neoglaziovia variegata is a Bromeliaceae plant species widely found in Brazil with several pharmacological properties, including photoprotective activity. Although herbal-based active ingredients have been applied in cosmetic products, especially for skin treatment, its application in sunscreen formulations remains unexplored. The aim of this work is to evaluate the photoprotective effect of cosmetic formulations containing hydroalcoholic extract of N. variegata (Nv-HA). Initially, the phenolic and flavonoid total content of Nv-HA were determined. The photoprotective activity of Nv-HA was subsequently assessed using a spectrophotometric method. Nv-HA was incorporated in O/W emulsions in the presence or absence of synthetic filters and their photoprotective efficacy was evaluated by spectrophotometric SPF determination. Finally, the stability study of the formulations was performed through the freezing/defrosting method. Nv-HA showed significant phenolic and flavonoids content (61.66 ± 5.14 mg GAE/g and 90.27 ± 5.03 mg CE/g, resp.). Nv-HA showed SPF values of 5.43 ± 0.07 and 11.73 ± 0.04 for the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0% (v/v), respectively. It was verified that Nv-HA potentiated the photoprotective effect of formulations containing only synthetic filters. Furthermore, the formulations have remained stable at the end of the preliminary stability study. According to the results, it was concluded that Nv-HA can be used as a chemical filter in cosmetic formulations.

Brazilian Morus nigra Attenuated Hyperglycemia, Dyslipidemia, and Prooxidant Status in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Morus nigra has been used popularly for several proposes, including diabetic. In an attempt to support medicinal value, the acute hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects of the ethanolic extract of Morus nigra (EEMn 200 or 400 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic treated for 14 days. Serum biochemical and antioxidant analysis were performed at the end of experiment. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 10th and 15th days. Chromatographic analysis by HPLC-DAD of EEMn was performed. Insulin was used as positive control to glycemic metabolism as well as fenofibrate to lipid metabolism. EEMn (400 mg/kg/day) reduced fasting and postprandial glycaemia, improved oral glucose tolerance, and reduced lipolysis and proteolysis in diabetic rats. EEMn decreased the blood levels of total cholesterol and increased HDL level when compared to the diabetic control rats. At higher levels, EEMn reduced triglycerides and VLDL levels in diabetic rats. Also, EEMn reduced malondialdehyde and increased the reduced glutathione levels in liver of diabetic rats. Chromatographic analysis identified the presence of the flavonoids rutin, isoquercetin, and kaempferitrin. Acute EEMn treatment reduced hyperglycemia, improved oral glucose tolerance, and minimized dyslipidemia and oxidative stress leading to a reduction in atherogenic index in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Assessment of the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Morus nigra L. (Moraceae)

This study was carried out to assess the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of extracts of Morus nigra L. HPLC was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the crude ethanolic extract (Mn-EtOH). The antibacterial effect was assessed through the method of microdilution. The cytotoxicity was tested against human tumour cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also assessed through the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching methods. The presence of phenolic compounds in Mn-EtOH was confirmed using HPLC. The extracts showed activity against most microorganisms tested. The extracts did not show any expressive antiproliferative effect in the assessment of cytotoxicity. The most significant total phenolic content was 153.00 ± 11.34 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g to the ethyl acetate extract (AcOEt). The total flavonoid content was 292.50 ± 70.34 mg of catechin equivalent/g to the AcOEt extract, which presented the best antioxidant activity (IC50 50.40 ± 1.16 μg/mL) for DPPH scavenging. We can conclude that this species shows strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as weak cytotoxic effects.

Orofacial antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of Annona vepretorum Mart. (Annonaceae).

Abstract Annona vepretorum Mart. (Annonaceae) is a species popularly known in Brazil as “araticum” and “pinha da Caatinga”. We have evaluated the antinociceptive effects of A. vepretorum in formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced orofacial nociception in mice. Male Swiss mice were pretreated with either saline (p.o.), A. vepretorum ethanol extract (Av-EtOH 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.), or morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), before formalin, capsaicin, or glutamate was injected into the right upper lip. Pre-treatment with Av-EtOH at all doses produced a reduction in face-rubbing behavior induced by formalin in both phases, and these pre-treatments also produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. Pre-treatment with naloxone (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) did not reverse the antinociceptive activity of the extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg in the first phase of this test. Our results suggest that Av-EtOH might be useful in the treatment of orofacial pain.