An update review on monoterpene indole alkaloids and biological activities of Tabernaemontana species occurring in Brazil.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The Tabernaemontana genus belongs to the Apocynaceae family of which 30 species are found in Brazil. Some Tabernaemontana species are used by Brazilian indigenous people and other communities, or are listed in the Yanomami Pharmacopeia. Ethnopharmacological data include use(s) for muscle problems, depressed sternum, back pain, abscess, indigestion, eye irritation, earache, itching, vaginal discharge, as an aid for older people who are slow and forgetful, mosquito and snake bites, infection by the human botfly larvae, calmative, and fever.

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.

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.