antiproliferative activity of alkaloids isolated from A.DC (Apocynaceae).

In this work, four alkaloids from the stem bark of were isolated, namely: voacangine (); ethyl apovincaminate (); affinisine () and voachalotine (). The alkaloids were tested for antiproliferative capacity in eight tumor cell lines: U251 (glioma), MCF-7 (breast), NCI-ADR/RES (drug resistant ovary), 786-0 (kidney), NCI-H460 (lung), HT-29 (colon), K562 (leukemia) and PC-3 (prostate) and a non-tumor keratinocyte cell line (HaCat). Antiproliferative activity was observed after 48 hours and results expressed as the concentration needed to induce 50% growth inhibition (GI50) in µM.

First report on the production of phytotoxic metabolites by under optimized conditions of submerged fermentation.

An alternative to controlling weeds resistant to conventional herbicides is the isolation of new active principles. Fungi can produce phytotoxic metabolites that may be used in the development of new herbicides. The objectives of this study were: (1) isolate, select, and identify a fungus producer of phytotoxic metabolites and (2) optimize the culture conditions of this fungus in a low-cost culture medium, with the aim of increasing the phytotoxic effects of their metabolites in weeds and commercial plants.

essential oil from Brazil: phytochemical composition, genotoxicity, protective effects on and antimycobacterial activity.

(Weinm) DC. essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of wild flowers from southern Brazil. We explored, for the first time, the phytochemical composition, toxicity, resistance to oxidative stress in , and antimycobacterial activities of essential oil.

Antibacterial activity of Discaria americana Gillies ex Hook (Rhamnaceae).

Ethnopharmacology Relevance: Discaria americana Gillies ex Hook (sin. Discaria febrifuga and Discaria longispina) (Rhamnaceae) is a plant native from Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil), Uruguay and Argentine, and has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine as antipyretic agent, and for stomach disorders. In Rio Grande do Sul, Uruguay and Argentine, the roots, in decoction, are used as tonic and febrifuge.

Cyclopeptide alkaloids from Scutia buxifolia Reiss.

Scutianene E (1), 3,4,28-tris-epi-scutiaene E (2), 28-epi-scutianene E (3) and scutianene L (4), four neutral cyclopeptide alkaloids, were isolated from Scutia buxifolia Reiss, together with four known cyclopeptide alkaloids, scutianines B, C, D and E. Scutianenes 1-3 are diastereoisomeric compounds, with 3-hydroxyleucine as a β-hydroxy amino acid unit, which is connected to the styryl fragment via an ether bridge, β-phenylserine, as a common ring-bonded amino acid residue. Attached to the amino group of β-hydroxyamino acid is a side chain [trans-CH=CH-Ph].

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium.

The essential oils from the aerial parts of leaves, fruits and flowers of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium of Southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), were analysed by GC, GC/MS, and chiral phase gas chromatography (CPGC). Forty-eight compounds were identified from the essential oils. The major constituents of the essential oil of the leaves were germacrene D (34 %) and bicyclogermacrene (23 %) and of the fruits, menth-2-en-1-ol (46.