Orthoporus fuscipes (PORAT, 1888) (Juliformia; Spirostreptidae): population structure and defensive secretion chemical analysis.

Diplopods are terrestrial arthropods important for the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems. One of the reasons for that can be their low predation rate due to their defensive secretion. Thus, Orthoporus fuscipes, a species belonging to this group and endemic to northeastern Brazil, was investigated as to its population structure and chemical constituents of defensive secretion.

Antihypertensive Activity of the Alkaloid Aspidocarpine in Normotensive Wistar Rats.

The alkaloid Aspidocarpine was isolated from the bark of Aspidosperma desmanthum. Its structure was elucidated by the spectral data of 1H and 13C-NMR (1D and 2D) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). The antihypertensive activity was investigated by intravenous infusion in Wistar rats.

Rotenoids from Clitoria fairchildiana R. Howard (Fabaceae) seeds affect the cellular metabolism of larvae of Aedes aegypti L. (Culicidae).

Non-domesticated species may represent a treasure chest of defensive molecules which must be investigated and rescued. Clitoria fairchildiana R. Howard is a non-domesticated Fabacea, native from the Amazonian Forest whose seeds are exquisitely refractory to insect predation.

Pequi oil (Caryocar brasilense Cambess.) nanoemulsion alters cell proliferation and damages key organelles in triple-negative breast cancer cells in vitro.

Pequi oil is extracted from the fruit of a Brazilian native plant (Caryocar brasiliense Camb) that contains some molecules with anticancer potential. Due to its hydrophobic property, the administration of pequi oil associated with nanoemulsion systems represents a successful strategy to improve oil bioavailability. Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women and conventional therapies used are frequently associated with several side effects.

New hydroperoxycycloartane-complete chemical shifts assignment of C and H-and cytotoxicity evaluation of cycloartanes isolated from .

New cycloartane, 22-hydroxy-25-hydroperoxycycloart-23-en-3-one (), along with six known analogues () and three steroids (), were isolated from the leaves of . Structures were elucidated mainly on the basis of the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR (H and C) and HRESIMS spectroscopic data, involving comparison with data of the literature. The cytotoxic activities of and isolated compounds were also evaluated against human leukemia cell line Molt-4 (acute lymphoblastic) and exhibited good cytotoxic activity with IC values ranging from 10.

Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic effects of the methanol extract, canthinone alkaloids, squalene- and protolimonoid-type triterpenes from Homalolepis suffruticosa roots.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Different species of the Simaroubaceae family are used in traditional medicine to treat malaria. Among these is Homalolepis suffruticosa (syn. Simaba suffruticosa and Quassia suffruticosa), which is native to Central Brazil and popularly known as calunga.

Plants as Sources of Anti-Inflammatory Agents.

Plants represent the main source of molecules for the development of new drugs, which intensifies the interest of transnational industries in searching for substances obtained from plant sources, especially since the vast majority of species have not yet been studied chemically or biologically, particularly concerning anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere in the pathophysiological process of inflammation, to minimize tissue damage and provide greater comfort to the patient. Therefore, it is important to note that due to the existence of a large number of species available for research, the successful development of new naturally occurring anti-inflammatory drugs depends mainly on a multidisciplinary effort to find new molecules.

Bioanalytical method validation for the quantification of the chlorogenic acid in Capsicum baccatum through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-DAD).

The fruit pulp extracts of the species Capsicum baccatum are associated with a number of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to validate a bioanalytical method for the quantification of the chlorogenic acid present in the UENF 1613 de C. baccatum accession.

Structural basis of cycloaddition in biosynthesis of iboga and aspidosperma alkaloids.

Cycloaddition reactions generate chemical complexity in a single step. Here we report the crystal structures of three homologous plant-derived cyclases involved in the biosynthesis of iboga and aspidosperma alkaloids. These enzymes act on the same substrate, named angryline, to generate three distinct scaffolds.

Alkene lactones from Persea fulva (Lauraceae): Evaluation of their effects on tumor cell growth in vitro and molecular docking studies.

The new alkene lactone, (3E)-5,6-dihydro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-docdecylidenefuran-3(4H)-one (1), named majoranolide B, and three alkene lactones known as majorenolide (2), majoranolide (3) and majorynolide (4) were obtained from the aerial parts of Persea fulva (Lauraceae). The structures were elucidated in light of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR (H, C, H-H-COSY, HMBC and HSQC) and HR-ESI-MS. These compounds were screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activity in rat C6 glioma and astrocyte cells using MTT assay and in silico by molecular docking against targets that play a central role in controlling glioma cell cycle progression.

Missing enzymes in the biosynthesis of the anticancer drug vinblastine in Madagascar periwinkle.

Vinblastine, a potent anticancer drug, is produced by (Madagascar periwinkle) in small quantities, and heterologous reconstitution of vinblastine biosynthesis could provide an additional source of this drug. However, the chemistry underlying vinblastine synthesis makes identification of the biosynthetic genes challenging. Here we identify the two missing enzymes necessary for vinblastine biosynthesis in this plant: an oxidase and a reductase that isomerize stemmadenine acetate into dihydroprecondylocarpine acetate, which is then deacetoxylated and cyclized to either catharanthine or tabersonine via two hydrolases characterized herein.

Two Novel Cycloartane-Type Triterpenes from C. DC. (Meliaceae).

Two new triterpenes cycloartane-type, named 24-methylencycloartan-12-oxo-3β,22α-diol and trichiliol, were isolated from the leaves of C. DC. together with three known triterpenes—24-methylencycloart-3β,22-diol, 22,25-dihydrocycloart-23()-en-3β-ol, and 22()-hydroxycycloart-24-en-3-ol.

In Vitro Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Antimicrobial Activity of Amides Derived from Cinnamic Acid.

Most cinnamic acids, their esters, amides, aldehydes, and alcohols present several therapeutic actions through anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and inhibitory activity against a great variety of microorganisms. In this work, eight amines derived from cinnamic acid were synthesized and tested against host cells infected with and the bacteria and three strains of . Compounds and showed the best result against intracellular , presenting antiparasitic activity at low concentrations (0.

Saponin-rich fraction from : effect against malignant astrocytic cells and its chemical characterisation by ESI-MS/MS.

Astrocytic tumour cells derived from human (GL-15) and rat (C6) gliomas, as well as non-tumoural astrocytic cells, were exposed to the saponin-rich fraction (SF) from waste and the cytotoxic effects were evaluated. Cytotoxicity assays revealed a reduction of cell viability that was more intensive in glioma than in non-tumoural cells. The SF induced morphological changes in C6 cells.

C-NMR Spectral Data of Alkaloids Isolated from Psychotria Species (Rubiaceae).

The genus (Rubiaceae) comprises more than 2000 species, mainly found in tropical and subtropical forests. Several studies have been conducted concerning their chemical compositions, showing that this genus is a potential source of alkaloids. At least 70 indole alkaloids have been identified from this genus so far.

Chemical Constituents of Trichilia hirta (Meliaceae).

A novel oleanane-type triterpene, 15-chloro-β-amyrone (1), was isolated from Trichilia hirta, together with the known compounds taraxer-3-one (2) and β-taraxerol (3), along with two novel esters, 3-(isobutyryloxy)-2,2,4-trimethylpenty palmitate (4) and 3-(isobutyryloxy)-2,2,3-trimethylpenty stearate (5), and the known 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylpentyl isobutyrate (6). These compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic and HRSEIMS data and by comparison with literature data.

A Novel Alkaloid Isolated from Spiranthera atlantica (Rutaceae).

A novel alkaloid 3-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4'-methoxy-7'H-quinolino[2,1-b]quinazolin-7'-one, named atlanticol (1), was isolated from Spiranthera atlantica (Rutaceae), along with five known compounds: lupeol (3), γ-fagarine (4), skimmianine (5), 7-methoxy-1-methyl-2-phenyl-4-quinolone (6) and 8-methoxy-1-methyl-2-phenyl-4-quinolone (7). Compound 6 was isolated from the Spiranthera genus for the first time. These compounds were characterized based on their spectral data, mainly through one and two-dimensional NMR and mass spectra, but also involving comparison with literature data.

Chemistry and biological activity of ramalina lichenized fungi.

Lichens are a form of symbiont between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium, which contains a wide variety of organic compounds with certain secondary metabolite classes typical of these organisms. The Ramalina genus has approximately 246 species distributed around the World, of which in this review approximately 118 species with published chemical or biological activity studies of extracts or isolated compounds were cited. From the 153 mentioned compounds, only 27 passed were tested for biological activity, being usnic acid the most studied compound and the one showing the best results in almost all in vitro tests performed, although other compounds also presented excellent results as antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-inflammatory agents, among others.

Chemicals from Agave sisalana biomass: isolation and identification.

Agave sisalana (sisal) is known worldwide as a source of hard fibers, and Brazil is the largest producer of sisal. Nonetheless, the process of removing the fibers of the sisal leaf generates 95% waste. In this study, we applied chemical sequential steps (hydrothermal extraction, precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, crystallization, SiO2 and Sephadex LH 20 column chromatography) to obtain pectin, mannitol, succinic acid, kaempferol and a mixture of saponins as raw chemicals from sisal biomass.

A novel 3,9-(1,2,3-trioxocine)-type steroid of Rauia nodosa (Rutaceae).

A new natural product, a 3,9-(1,2,3-trioxocine)-type steroid, named rauianodoxy (6), was isolated from Rauia nodosa, together with five steroids: sistostenone (1), stigmastenone (2), sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4) and ergosterol peroxide (5), one coumarin, O-geranylosthenol (7), and three alkaloids, N-methylflindersine (8), zantobungeanine (9) and veprissine (10). Compounds 5-8 were isolated for the first time in the genus Rauia. These compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectral data, mainly one and two-dimensional NMR, and mass spectra, also involving comparison with the literature data.

Antimicrobial activity and chemical analysis of Microlicia hatschbachii Wurdack (Melastomataceae) extract.

Aerial parts of Microlicia hatschbachii were extracted with hexane, and the extract was evaluated for antimicrobial activity by a broth dilution method. After phytochemical procedures: GC-MS identified aliphatic alkanes, carboxylic acids and methyl esters of long-chain fatty acids; and two diterpenoids [labd-8(17)-en-15-oic acid and labd-8(17),13-dien-15-oic acid] were identified by (1)H and (13)C NMR. The antimicrobial activity of the hexane extract could be attributed to the presence of labdanes.

Lepidotrichilins A and B, new protolimonoids with cytotoxic activity from Trichilia lepidota (Meliaceae).

Two novel protolimonoids, named lepidotrichilins A (1) and B (2), four known protolimonoids, 21,23-epoxy-7α-21α-dihydroxyapotirucalla-14,24-dien-3-one (3), 21,23-epoxy-7α-21β-dihydroxyapotiru-calla-14,24-dien-3-one (4), dysorone D (5), deoxy-flindissone (6), and the two steroids β-sitosterol (7) and stigmasterol (8) were identified in leaves of Trichilia lepidota subsp. schumanniana (Harms) T.D.

New cycloartane-type triterpenes from Marcetia latifolia (Melastomataceae) and in silico studies on Candida parapsilosis protease.

We have previously reported the antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Marcetia latifolia, particularly against Candida parapsilosis. In this work we describe the isolation of two new cycloartane-type triterpenes, 28,29-bis-norcycloartan-3beta,4alpha-diol (1) and 28,29-bis-norcycloart-24-en-3beta,4alpha-diol (2) from the same extract. These compounds were mainly characterized by one- (1H, 13C and APT) and two-dimensional (1H-1H-COSY, 1H-1H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and comparison with published structural data.