Abstract Chemical and pharmacological potentials of botanical species found in the Cerrado are well-known and widely studied. Chemical diversity of secondary metabolites produced by plants that belong to this Brazilian biome has triggered several studies in the fields of farming, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) from fresh leaves of three species found in the Brazilian Cerrado: Cardiopetalum calophyllum Schltdl. (EO-CC), Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg (EO-CA) and Protium ovatum Engl. (EO-PO) and at determining their anti-Malassezia furfur and anti-inflammatory activities. Both GC-FID and GC-MS showed that the most abundant chemical class of the oils was the one of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The major constituents identified in EO-CC were germacrene D (34.9%) and bicyclogermacrene (26.8%). EO-CA exhibited mainly germacrene D (21.7%) while EO-PO had high concentrations of germacrene D (25.0%) and γ-muurolene (18.6%). EOs were tested by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates and exhibited satisfactory activity against M. furfur, i. e., EO-CA had MIC = 375 µg/mL while EO-CC and EO-PO had MIC = 750 µg/mL. The chemotaxis model, which was used for evaluating their anti-inflammatory activity, showed that EOs exhibited effective results: C. calophyllum (EO-CC; IC50 = 24.4 µg/mL), C. adamantium (EO-CA; IC50 = 15.7 µg/mL) and P. ovatum (EO-PO; IC50 = 32.5 µg/mL). In short, biological activities of EO-CC, EO-CA and EO-PO, such as anti-Malassezia furfur and anti-inflammatory ones, were investigated and described for the first time.

Abstract This literature brief review compiled the main biological activities and active chemical constituents that have already been isolated from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae), whose common name is spiked paper. In Brazilian Portuguese, it has been called pimenta-longa, aperta-ruão, pimenta de macaco, matico, erva de jaboti, jaborandi do mato, pimenta-de-fruto-ganchoso and tapa buraco. Extracts, essential oils (EOs) and compounds isolated from this species have exhibited remarkable fungicidal and insecticidal activities, besides antibacterial, antileishmanial, antioxidant, cytotoxic/antitumor, larvicidal, antiplatelet, molluscoidal and antiviral ones. P. aduncum is an endemic species in Brazil which has drawn researchers’ attention because of high contents of EOs that are extracted from its leaves, inflorescences and twigs. This study aimed at analyzing data on P. aduncum, its EOs, extracts and isolated compounds found in 45 research papers. Its major chemical constituent is definitely dillapiole, an arylpropanoid. Findings were carefully compiled by this brief review which reinforces the chemical and biological potential of this botanic species.

Abstract Peppers (Capsicum sp.) which belong to the Solanaceae family constitute an important segment in the vegetable sector, both in agriculture and in the food industry. This paper aims to investigate in vitro antifungal activity of hexane extracts from Capsicum chinense fruit (unripe bode pepper – ‘HE-UB’ – and ripe little beak pepper – ‘HE-RB’) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Antifungal activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method (DDM) at doses between 25 µL and 300 µL of both diluted extracts. Chemical analyses revealed that the major constituent in both extracts was E-caryophyllene. HE-RB inhibited 100% of S. sclerotiorum, R. stolonifer and C. gloeosporioides growth at doses of 200 µL, 100 µL and 300 µL, respectively. HE-UB also inhibited 100% of fungal growth at doses of 100 µL (S. sclerotiorum), 150 µL (C. gloeosporioides) and 200 µL (R. stolonifer). HE-RB and HE-UB were active against the fungi under study; thus, screening of medicinal plants provides another alternative to produce chemical fungicides that are relatively non-toxic and cost-effective.

Abstract: Tradescantia pallida (Commelinaceae) has shown promising antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activities. This study aimed at extracting hexane from T. pallida (HE-TP) aerial parts to identify and quantify its volatile compounds by GC-MS and GC-FID and at evaluating its antifungal and antiproliferative activities. (E)-4-Methoxycynnamic acid (50.2%), 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (13.7%) and epijuvabione (10.4%) were the major components identified in HE-TP. HE-TP was incorporated into PDA medium, poured into Petri dishes and transferred to mycelial discs of pathogens. Percentages of inhibition of fungal growth were determined. HE-TP showed remarkable antifungal potential at the dose of 400 µL since it inhibited 100% of Penicillium digitatum and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum growth and 92.6% of Rhizopus stolonifer growth. Besides, HE-TP demonstrated cytotoxic activity against different human tumor cell lines with IC50 values between 231.43 and 428.76 µg/mL. Therefore, results showed that HE-TP has potential against fungi of agronomic interest and tumor cells.

Abstract Capsicum spp. pepper has great economic and social importance in agribusiness worldwide, mainly associated with its high performance in cookery as a spice. This study aimed at determining the chemical profile of the ethanolic extract from Capsicum chinense Jacq. (EECC) ripe fruits by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and at evaluating its antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Besides, biodegradable films were prepared by incorporating EECC into arrowroot biofilms. LC-MS identified 10 phenolic compounds, a fact that corroborates its high concentration of total phenolic compounds, i. e., 277.62 ± 12.06 mg gallic acid/100g crude extract. High antioxidant activity of EECC was expressed as IC50 values for reagents DPPH (IC50 = 18.04 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 25.33 µg/mL) and FRAP (IC50 = 128.58 µg/mL). Biodegradable films incorporating different doses of EECC (250-1000 µL) were obtained by a casting technique. The higher the EECC concentration, the higher their thickness, color, variable moisture content and the lower their solubility. This study proposes a new use to the plant extract from C. chinense, a natural product that may be applied to the development of biofilms to coat food and retard its deterioration. In addition, antioxidant activity of this type of pepper is also shown.

Brazil has the greatest plant diversity in the world. Many species exhibit a wide range of phytochemical compounds which can be exploited in food, agronomic, pharmacological and medicinal plant industries. Therefore, the chemical composition and in vitro bioactivities of volatile oil from Psidium firmum fresh leaves (PfVO) were investigated for the first time. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed 28 compounds in PfVO. The major ones were α-selinene (20.8%), β-caryophyllene (16.5%) and nerolidol (10.4%). Results showed that PfVO affected the growth of Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms in a dose-dependent manner; its IC50 value was 14.05 µg/mL. PfVO also exhibited antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritidis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes; MIC values ranged from 25 μg/mL to 250 μg/mL. Moreover, PfVO promoted normal cell growth inhibition at 61.02 ± 1.97 µg/mL. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines; IC50 values of MCF-7 cells, HeLa cells and M059J cells were 47.91 µg/mL, 73.78 µg/mL and 41.94 µg/mL, respectively. Results provided strong evidence of the promising potential of PfVO as a nature-based antileishmanial, antibacterial and antiproliferative agent.

Abstract Brazil, the world’s largest citros producer, yields around 19 million tons per year and exports most part of its production as orange juice. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves, fruit and flowers of many species of the genus Citrus have been widely used as the result of their promising bioactivities. The fungus Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.) Vuill., an agent which causes soft rot in fruit, has been considered one of the main factors that cause postharvest diseases, thus, leading to major economic losses in agribusiness. This research aimed at evaluating the chemical composition and in vitro antifungal effect of EOs from two varieties of fresh Citrus sinensis (lima orange and bahia navel orange) peel on mycelial growth of R. stolonifer. EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation, which was carried out by a Clevenger-type apparatus, while their chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Limonene was the major monoterpene identified in EOs from lima orange (95.2%) and bahia navel orange (93.2%) peel. EOs from lima orange and bahia navel orange inhibited 91.95% and 80.05% mycelial growth of R. stolonifer, respectively, at the highest dose under evaluation (100 µL). This study revealed the biotechnological potential of EOs extracted from fruit peel of two varieties of citros which may applied to biofilm preparation, so as to coat and preserve different types of fruit.

Starch is a promising source of biopolymers and the incorporation of essential oils (EOs) into it can improve some biological properties of films. This study aimed at developing and characterizing barrier, biodegradability and optical properties of biopolymeric films made from arrowroot starch and at incorporating EOs from Piper aduncum leaves and inflorescences in order to analyze their antifungal activity against Rhizopus microsporus and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The casting method was used for developing arrowroot starch films and incorporating EOs into them. Resulting films exhibited satisfactory barrier properties, low water vapor permeability (WVP), transparency and good barrier property against UV-vis light, besides being 100% biodegradable. In addition, films enriched with EOs at 0.75% and 1.0% revealed promising antifungal activity. Results showed, for the first time, that arrowroot starch enriched with EOs from P. aduncum can potentially be used as an active film due to its excellent physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity.

Resumo Este trabalho tem por objetivo investigar, pela primeira vez, as atividades antituberculose, antileishmania e antiproliferativa in vitro dos óleos essenciais (OEs) obtidos de folhas e flores de S. odoratissima. Avaliamos a atividade antimicobacteriana em termos da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM). Os OEs mostraram ser antimicrobianos ativos contra M. tuberculosis, com valores de CIM de 150 µg/mL (folhas) e 162,5 µg/mL (flores). Os óleos apresentam significativa atividade antiparasitária contra a forma promastigota de L. amazonensis, com valores de CI50 (50% de inibição do crescimento) de 14,36 ± 2,02 (folhas) e 19,89 ± 2,66 µg/mL (flores). A atividade antiproliferativa em linhagem celular normal (GM07492A, fibroblastos de pulmão) e tumorais (MCF-7, HeLa e M059J) foi realizada utilizando o ensaio XTT; os resultados foram expressos a partir do cálculo da Concentração Inibitória de 50% do crescimento celular (CI50) e o índice de seletividade foi calculado. OEs de folhas e flores apresentaram um CI50 de 502,97 ± 40,33 µg/mL e 370,60 ± 2,01 µg/mL para a linhagem GM07492A, respectivamente. Observou-se atividade antiproliferativa contra todas as linhagens celulares tumorais humanas, com valores de CI50 significativamente inferiores aos obtidos para a linhagem celular normal, demonstrando valores de CI50 para a linhagem MCF-7 (367,57 ± 4,46 µg/mL para OEs folhas e 357,70 ± 1,85 µg/mL para OEs flores) e M059J (492,53 ± 56,67 µg/mL para OEs folhas e 324,90 ± 6,72 µg/mL para OEs flores). Estes resultados in vitro mostraram que OEs de S. odoratissima podem ser um possível candidato que atue como agente antimicobacteriano, antiparasitário e antitumoral.

Abstract This paper aims to investigate, for the first time, in vitro antitubercular, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of essential oils (EOs) from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers - grown in midwestern Brazil - against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and human tumor cell lines. Antimycobacterial activity of EOs was evaluated in terms of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). EOs from leaves and flowers showed to be active antimicrobials against M. tuberculosis, since MIC values were 150 µg/mL and 162.5 µg/mL, respectively. Both EOs exhibited significant activity against promastigote forms of L. amazonensis; IC50 values (50% growth inhibition) were 14.36 ± 2.02 (EOs from leaves) and 19.89 ± 2.66 µg/mL (EOs from flowers). Antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumor (MCF-7, HeLa and M059J) cell lines was performed by the XTT assay; results were expressed as IC50 (50% cell growth inhibition) and the selective index was calculated. IC50 values of EOs from leaves and flowers obtained in normal cell lines for were 502.97 ± 40.33 µg/mL and 370.60 ± 2.01 µg/mL, respectively. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines, whose IC50 values were significantly lower than those obtained in normal cell lines of MCF-7 cells (367.57 ± 4.46 µg/mL-EOs from leaves and 357.70 ± 1.85 µg/mL-EOs from flowers) and M059J cells (492.53 ± 56.67 µg/mL-EOs from leaves and 324.90 ± 6.72 µg/mL-EOs from flowers), thus, indicating selectivity. These in vitro results showed that EOs from S. odoratissima may be an antimycobacterial, antiparasitic and antitumor agent.

Abstract Propolis is a resinous substance collected and processed by Apis mellifera from parts of plants, buds and exudates. In Minas Gerais (MG) state, Brazil, green propolis is produced from the collection of resinous substance found in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia. This paper aims to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, anti-Helicobacter pylori, antimycobacterial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil (EO) from Brazilian green propolis (BGP-EO). The oil showed high antibacterial activity against H. pylori (MIC = 6.25 µg/mL), Mycobacterium avium (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) and M. tuberculosis (MIC = 64 µg/mL). Its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro by both DPPH (IC50 = 23.48 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 32.18 µg/mL) methods. The antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts) and tumor cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa and M059J) was analyzed by the XTT assay. BGP-EO showed inhibition of normal cell growth at 68.93 ± 2.56 µg/mL. Antiproliferative activity was observed against human tumor cell lines, whose IC50 values were 56.17, 66.43 and -65.83 µg/mL for MCF-7, HeLa and M059J cells, respectively. Its major constituents, which were determined by GC-FID and GC-MS, were carvacrol (20.7 %), acetophenone (13.5 %), spathulenol (11.0 %), (E)-nerolidol (9.7 %) and β-caryophyllene (6.2 %). These results showed the effectiveness of BGP-EO as a natural product which has promising biological activities.

Abstract Endodontic infections result from oral pathogenic bacteria which reach and infect dental pulp, as well as surrounding tissues, through cracks, unrepaired caries and failed caries restorations. This study aims to determine the chemical composition of essential oil from Psidium cattleianum leaves (PC-EO) and to assess its antibacterial activity against endodontic bacteria. Antibacterial activity of PC-EO was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates. Bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (MIC = 20 µg/mL), Prevotella nigrescens (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL), Fusobacterium nucleatum (MIC = 12.5 µg/mL), Actinomyces naeslundii (MIC = 50 µg/mL), Bacteroides fragilis (MIC = 12.5 µg/mL), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (MIC = 6.25 µg/mL) and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) were evaluated and compared to chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (CDH), the positive control. PC-EO was obtained by hydrodistillation with the use of a Clevenger-type apparatus whereas its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Viridiflorol (17.9%), β-caryophyllene (11.8%), 1,8-cineole (10.8%) and β-selinene (8.6%) were the major constituents found in PC-EO, which exhibited high antibacterial activity against all endodontic pathogens under investigation. Therefore, PC-EO, a promising source of bioactive compounds, may provide therapeutic solutions for the field of endodontics.

This study aims to investigate chemical composition of essential oils from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) ripe and unripe fruits and determine their in vitro antibacterial activity. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack ripe and unripe fruits collected in the Cerrado, in Rio Verde, southwestern Goiás, Brazil. They were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sesquiterpenes, which represent the most abundant class of compounds in oils, predominated in both ripe and unripe fruits. Major constituents of essential oils extracted from ripe fruits (RF-EO) were (-caryophyllene (21.3%), (-ylangene (13.3%), germacrene-D (10.9%) and (-zingiberene (9.7%) whereas the ones of unripe fruits (UF-EO) were sesquithujene (25.0%), (-zingiberene (18.2%), germacrene-D (13.1%) and (-copaene (12.7%). In vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. Both essential oils under investigation showed moderate anti-streptococcal activity against the following bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus and S. salivarius. MIC values ranged between 100 and 400 µg/mL. Regarding the antimycobacterial activity, essential oils from M. paniculata (L.) Jack unripe and ripe fruits were active against Mycobacterium kansasii (MIC = 250 µg/mL), moderately active against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 500 µg/mL) and inactive against M. avium (MIC = 2000 µg/mL). This study was pioneer in revealing similar chemical profiles of both essential oils extracted from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack unripe and ripe fruits, besides describing their in vitro anti-streptococcal and antimycobacterial activities.