Publications by authors named "Christopher W Fagg"

There are inconclusive claims in the scientific literature that the species , widely distributed throughout the Brazilian territory, may produce phytocannabinoids, potentially serving as an alternative to . In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation to assess the presence of phytocannabinoids in two samples collected in the Midwest region of Brazil. In trying to detect cannabinoids in , a recommended cannabis screening test was employed, the Fast Blue BB Salt (FBBBS) colorimetric assay, followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and instrumental techniques: high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(Ravenna) Nic. García is an endemic, red list threatened species from the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) with pharmacological potential to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This work analyzed the vegetative growth and phytochemistry of its potential compounds, in response to variations in sucrose concentration and activated carbon (AC).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Inhibition of systemic inflammation has been a beneficial strategy in treating several non-communicable diseases, which represent one of the major causes of mortality in the world. The Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR) are interesting pharmacological targets, since they can act both through the metabolic and anti-inflammatory pathways. L.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

species are the main fungal agents causing infectious conditions in hospital patients. The development of new drugs with antifungal potential, increased efficacy, and reduced toxicity is essential to face the challenge of fungal resistance to standard treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro antifungal effects of two crude extracts of L.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Naudin is a species from the Cerrado, which is being increasingly researched for its therapeutic potential. The aim of this study was to obtain a standardized extract and to evaluate seasonal chemical variations. Seven batches of aqueous extracts from leaves were produced for the standardization.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hippeastrum psittacinum, Amaryllidaceae, is used in traditional medicine as a purgative, aphrodisiac, and anticough remedy. The ethanol extract (EE) and alkaloid-rich fractions (ARF) from H. psittacinum bulbs were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive infusion with a large pharmacological application normally prepared with , which contains the monoamine oxidase inhibitors β-carbolines, and , which contains the serotonin receptor agonist N,N dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The objectives of this study were to investigate the chemical profile of and of ayahuasca collected in various Brazilian regions. In total, 176 plant lianas, of which 159 and 33 ayahuasca samples were analyzed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Violence experienced in adolescence results in serious damage and suffering to society. This study aims to characterize the profile of violence victims and likely perpetrators of violence against adolescents, as well as to describe the percentage of notifying municipalities according to the federation unit.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with data on notification of violence against adolescents from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, from 2011 to 2017.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We describe here a green method for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), by a microwave-assisted synthesis route using underbark extract, with antibacterial activity. After optimizing the synthesis parameters with a Box-Benhken designed experiment, samples were characterized by powder XRD, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR and zetametry. Using the overall optimized conditions of synthesis - time of reaction 15 min at 200 °C and plant extract/AgNO volume ratio equal to 10% - highly crystalline ∼13.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America and accounted for the second largest contribution to carbon emissions in Brazil for the last 10 years, mainly due to land-use changes. It comprises approximately 2 million km2 and is divided into 22 ecoregions, based on environmental conditions and vegetation. The most dominant vegetation type is cerrado sensu stricto (cerrado ss), a savanna woodland.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Pouteria ramiflora (Mart.) Radlk. (Sapotaceae) is a species used by inhabitants from the Cerrado for its edible fruits and medicinal value.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Eugenia dysenterica ex DC Mart. (Myrtaceae) is a Brazilian tree with pharmacological and biological properties. The aqueous leaf extract, rich in polyphenols, was tested in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y to evaluate its effect on cell viability.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Medicinal plants have traditionally been used in many parts of the world as alternative medicine. Many extracts and essential oils isolated from plants have disclosed biological activity, justifying the investigation of their potential antimicrobial activity. In this study, the in vitro antifungal activity of six Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plant species were evaluated against clinically relevant Candida species.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Bufotenine (1, 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) was isolated from seeds of Anadenanthera spp., a tree widespread in the Brazilian cerrado, using an efficient acid-base shakeout protocol. The conversion of bufotenine into N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4) and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5) was accomplished through an innovative and short approach featuring the use of novel bufotenine-aminoborane complex (7).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Information regarding the beneficial use of native Brazilian plants was compiled by a number of European naturalists in the 19th century. The Scottish surgeon botanist George Gardner (1812-1849) was one such naturalist; however, the useful plants recorded in his manuscripts have not yet been studied in depth.

Aim Of The Study: To present data recorded by Gardner in his manuscript Catalogue of Brazilian Plants regarding the use of native plants by Brazilian people and evaluate the extent to which they have been explored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Antineoplastic effects of molecules derived from plants have recently gained increasing attention as an additive to traditional therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of plant extracts from the Brazilian Cerrado biome associated with radiotherapy in head and neck carcinoma cells (HNSCC).

Materials And Methods: Fifteen extracts derived from five Cerrado plants were tested in HNSCC cell lines (SCC-25, SCC-9, FaDu) and keratinocyte cells (HaCat).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Bitter tasting plant species are used as tonics and have been previously used to treat intermittent fevers in Brazil, the principal symptom of malaria. Many of these species were named quina and were used as substitutes of Cinchona spp., the source of quinine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Plants continue to be an important source of new bioactive substances. Brazil is one of the world's mega-diverse countries, with 20 % of the world's flora. However, the accelerated destruction of botanically rich ecosystems has contributed to a gradual loss of native medicinal species.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Information regarding the use of beneficial, native Brazilian plants was compiled by European naturalists in the 19th century. The French botanist Auguste de Saint-Hilaire (1779-1853) was one of the most important such naturalists; however, his manuscripts (field books) have not yet been studied, especially in the context of useful plants.

Aim Of The Study: To present data documented by Saint-Hilaire in his field book regarding the use of native plants by the Brazilians.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF