Luciano S. Lima

Bioactive Oleanane, Lupane and Ursane Triterpene Acid Derivatives

Betulinic, ursolic and oleanolic acids isolated from the aerial parts of Eriope blanchetii (Lamiaceae) were subjected to different esterification reactions, yielding 12 C-3 position ester derivatives. All compounds were identified using spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, 1H-NMR and MS. The derivatives were further investigated for their antioxidant level, Artemia salina lethality and antimicrobial activity.

Licuri oil supplements for lactating cows on pasture

Lima, L. S., Oliveira, R. L., Garcez Neto, A. F., Bagaldo, A. R., Abreu, C. L., Silva, T. M., Carvalho, S. T. and Bezerra, L. R. 2015. Licuri oil supplements for lactating cows on pasture. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 617-624. As licuri [Syagrus coronata (Martius) Beccari] oil can be a beneficial energy source in the diet of lactating cows managed on pasture, this study aimed to determine the most effective level of licuri oil in feed supplements. Sixteen Holstein×Zebu crossbreed lactating cows grazing on Tanzania (Panicum maximum) pasture grass were grouped into two 4×4 simultaneous Latin squares; there were four experimental periods of 21 d each, with 17 adaptation days and 4 d of data collection. The treatments were diets containing 0.0, 15.0, 30.0 or 45.0 g kg-1 of licuri oil in concentrated dry matter. The intakes of dry matter, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrate levels were not affected by the addition of licuri oil; however, the intake of neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients decreased linearly. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was reduced linearly with increasing levels of licuri oil in the concentrate. There were no changes in blood glucose levels, but blood urea nitrogen levels varied according to the time of the day when the blood was collected. Inclusion of licuri oil at 45.0 g kg-1 in feed concentrates results in improved dry matter and ether extract digestibility.

Podophyllotoxin and other aryltetralin lignans from Eriope latifolia and Eriope blanchetii

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Eriope blanchetii and E. latifolia (Lamiaceae) yielded podophyllotoxin, as well as the aryltetralin lignans α- and β-peltatin and yatein. Oleanolic, ursolic and epikatonic acids were also isolated. This is the first occurrence of podophyllotoxin in the family.

Megastimanes and ergostane type steroid from leaves Cratylia mollis (Leguminosae)

C. From the methanolic extract of the leaves of Cratylia mollis were obtained by chromatographic techniques (3S,5S,6S,9R)-3,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-b-ionol (1), and a new bis-norisoprenoid named (4S*, 6S*)-4-but-1E-enyl-4,6-dihydroxy-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohex-2-enone (2) as well as 5a,8a-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3-b-ol. The structures of the pure compounds were elucidated based on MS, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopic data analyses.

Production performance of lactating dairy cows at pasture fed concentrate supplemented with licuri oil

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal level of licuri oil to use in the concentrate of lactating dairy cows on pasture, through growth performance, feed conversion and cost of the supplementation. A total of 16 dairy cows, Holstein × Zebu crossbreed, were kept on Tanzania grass pasture. Cows were divided into four Latin squares, 4 × 4, formed by four experimental periods of 21 days, divided into 17 days for adaptation and four days for data collection. Cows received three kg of concentrate per day at the time of milking, and the treatments consisted of four diets containing licuri oil at levels of 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% of the concentrated dry matter. There was a linear increase in the daily milk yield, corrected to 3.5% fat, and an improvement in the feed conversion of the dry matter and neutral detergent fiber with the inclusion of the licuri oil. The optimal level of licuri oil was 1.5% of the concentrated DM for dairy cows on pasture, whose level has the best profit sale of milk, with positive results in the corrected daily milk production and conversion of the feed nutrients.

Isolation of Methylxantines from Cacao Beans (Theobroma cacao) by Counter-Current Chromatography (CCC)

Counter-current chromatography (CCC) was applied to the preparative separation of the methylxantines (theophylline, theobromine, and caffeine) from the methanol extract of Theobroma cacao seeds. The solvent system used was composed of hexane-ethyl acetate–methanol–water (2:3:1:1 v/v/v/v) and the extraction was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography employing conditions for a rapid determination of the methylxantines. The mixture of methylxantines obtained were analyzed using Microsorb-MV 100-5, 3 µm (C18) column (250 mm × 4, 6 mm), and mobile phase water:methanol (75:25) in the isocratic mode at a flow-rate of 5 mL/min and detection was carried out at 275 nm.

In vitro acetylcholinesterase activity of peptide derivatives isolated from two species of Leguminosae.

Abstract Context: Cratylia mollis Martius ex Benth. and Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. (Leguminosae) are both endemic Brazilian plants and they are used by the natives as medicinal plants, and the leaves of C. mollis are also employed as forage for cattle during the dry season of region. Objective: Isolation of the compounds responsible for the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition from the CHCl3 active extract. Materials and methods: Two peptidic compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques from the CHCl3 extract of the leaves of C. mollis and C. macrophyllum. They were identified by spectrometric data analysis (MS and NMR) and they were subjected to AChE inhibition employing Ellman’s test. Results: The peptides were identified as N-benzoylphenylalaninoyl-phenlyalaninolacetate (aurentiamide acetate) (1) and N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (2). Both peptides 1 and 2 exhibit AChE inhibition, with IC50 values equal to 111.34 µM and 137.6 µM, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: Compound 1 (aurentiamide acetate) has rarely been isolated from the Leguminosae family, and N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (2) is a compound that has never previously been isolated from this family. Compound 1 is shown to be a potent inhibitor of AChE, with IC50 values similar to the physostigmine control (141.51 µM).