Abstract Background: Using molecules that inhibit bacterial virulence is a potential strategy to fight infections, with the advantage that, in contrast to bactericidal compounds, they do not induce resistance. Several compounds with anti-virulence properties have been identified in plants, however, they represent a small portion of the total diversity, and in Mexico there are still few studies on this matter. Hypothesis: Extracts of species of the Tillandsia genus inhibit the expression of diverse virulence factors without affecting the bacterial growth. Studied species: Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L., T. schiedeana Steud. and T. fasciculata Sw. Study site and date: These species were collected in December 2016 in the municipalities of Ixtlahuaca and Santo Tomás de los Plátanos, State of Mexico. Methods: The ability of dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and methanol (CH3OH) extracts to inhibit production of violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum was evaluated, as well as the virulence factors regulated by quorum sensing, motility and biofilm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, the bioactive fractions obtained were partially identified by 1H NMR. Results: CH2Cl2 and CH3OH extracts reduced violacein production from 43 to 85 %, but only those from CH2Cl2 reduced protease activity, biofilm formation and swarming. Interestingly, CH3OH extracts stimulated the formation of biofilms by up to 37 %. Presence of terpenes and phenolic compounds in these species was confirmed. In T. schiedeana glycosylated compounds and cycloartane-type triterpenes were identified. Conclusion: The species of Tillandsia show anti-virulence activity, mainly on factors related to adhesion and dispersion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Resumen Antecedentes: Usar moléculas que inhiben la virulencia bacteriana es una estrategia potencial para combatir infecciones, con la ventaja que, a diferencia de los compuestos bactericidas, no inducen resistencia. Se han identificado en plantas diversos compuestos con propiedades antivirulencia, no obstante, representan una pequeña porción de la diversidad total, además en México son aún escasos los estudios al respecto. Hipótesis: Los extractos de especies Tillandsia inhiben la expresión de factores de virulencia sin afectar el crecimiento bacteriano. Especies de estudio: Tillandsia recurvata (L.) L., T. schiedeana Steud. y T. fasciculata Sw. Sitio y año de estudio: Las especies se colectaron en diciembre de 2016 en los municipios de Ixtlahuaca y Santo Tomás de los Plátanos, Estado de México. Métodos: Se evaluó la capacidad de extractos de diclorometano (CH2Cl2) y metanol (CH3OH) para inhibir la producción de violaceína en Chromobacterium violaceum, así como factores de virulencia regulados por percepción de quórum, motilidad y biopelícula en Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las fracciones bioactivas obtenidas se identificaron parcialmente por RMN de 1H. Resultados: Ambos extractos redujeron la producción de violaceína del 43 a 85 %, pero solo los de CH2Cl2 redujeron la actividad proteolítica, formación de biopelícula y motilidad. De modo interesante los extractos de CH3OH estimularon la formación de biopelícula hasta un 37 %. Se confirmó la presencia de terpenos y compuestos fenólicos en estas especies. En T. schiedeana se identificaron compuestos glicosilados y triterpenos tipo cicloartano. Conclusión: Las especies de Tillandsia muestran actividad antivirulencia, principalmente sobre factores relacionados con la adhesión y dispersión en Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: Background: Inhibition of quorum sensing systems (QSS-I) is a novel strategy in the treatment of bacterial infections. To date, plants are the major source of metabolites with this inhibitory activity. Thus, species of Mexican flora can be important resources for obtaining metabolites with QSS-I activity. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that extracts from species of the genus Ceiba have metabolites with inhibitory activity against bacterial quorum sensing systems. Species studied: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. and Ceiba aesculifolia (Kunth) Britten & Baker f. (Malvaceae). Study site and years of study: We collected Ceiba bark in the municipalities of Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, and Acatlan, Oaxaca, in August 2013. Methods: We determined the effect of extracts from C. aesculifolia and C. pentandra against QSS-regulated phenotypes of Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Extracts were fractionated and the main metabolites were identified. As support in the identification of the species, we carried out an anatomical study of the bark. Results: Hexane and dichloromethane extracts of both species of Ceiba exhibited QSS-I activity. We identified four fractions rich in terpene and sterol compounds with the ability to attenuate virulence factors in P. aeruginosa. The histological analysis appears to support the presence of some differences in the barks that can facilitate identification of the two species. Conclusions: The extracts and fractions of the two species of Ceiba are sources of phytochemicals with the ability to regulate bacterial quorum sensing systems positively or negatively.

Resumen: Antecedentes: la inhibición de los sistemas de percepción de quórum (I-SPQ) es una nueva estrategia en el tratamiento de infecciones bacterianas. Hasta la fecha, las plantas son la principal fuente de metabolitos con esta actividad inhibidora. Por lo tanto, las especies de flora mexicana pueden ser fuentes importantes para obtener metabolitos con actividad I-SPQ. Hipótesis: los extractos de especies del género Ceiba tienen metabolitos con actividad inhibidora contra los sistemas de percepción de quórum bacteriano. Especies estudiadas: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. y Ceiba aesculifolia (Kunth) Britten & Baker f. (Malváceas). Lugar de estudio y años de estudio: Recolectamos las cortezas de Ceiba en los municipios de Tierra Blanca, Veracruz y Acatlán, Oaxaca, en agosto de 2013. Métodos: Determinamos el efecto de extractos de C. aesculifolia y C. pentandra contra fenotipos regulados por SPQ de Chromobacterium violaceum y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Los extractos se fraccionaron y se identificaron los principales metabolitos. Como apoyo en la identificación de la especie, realizamos un estudio anatómico de la corteza. Resultados: los extractos de hexano y diclorometano de ambas especies de Ceiba exhibieron actividad I-SPQ. Identificamos cuatro fracciones ricas en compuestos de la clase de los terpenos y esteroles con la capacidad de atenuar los factores de virulencia en P. aeruginosa. El análisis histológico parece apoyar la presencia de algunas diferencias en las cortezas que pueden facilitar la identificación de las dos especies. Conclusiones: Los extractos y fracciones de las dos especies de Ceiba son fuentes de fitoquímicos con la capacidad de regular positiva o negativamente los sistemas de percepción de quórum bacteriano.

Abstract Some species of the Clusia genus have been shown to have important biomedical properties, including the ability to inhibit tumor growth in vitro and the usefulness for skin care. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effect of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from Clusia latipes Planch. & Triana, Clusiaceae, leaves on survival of human prostate cancer cells (PC-3), colon cancer cells (RKO), astrocytoma cells (D-384), and breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The ethyl acetate extract displayed the most substantial cytotoxic effect. However, using a Comet assay, we observed that the hexane extract induced a genotoxic effect (DNA damage) on human lymphocytes in an in vitro model. Chromatographic purification of the C. latipes hexane extract led to the isolation and identification of friedelin, friedolan-3-ol, and hesperidin as active cytotoxic compounds in hexane extract, while β-amyrine was identified as an active cytotoxic compound in the ethyl acetate extract of C. latipes, thereby supporting further studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of these secondary metabolites on cancer cell survival.

Várias espécies de Anona (Annonaceae) são utilizadas na medicina tradicional mexicana por seu antiansiedade anticonvulsiva e propriedades tranquilizantes. Tem sido relatado que os alcaloides isolados a partir de algumas espécies de Anona têm afinidade para receptores serotoninérgicos 5-HT1A e modular à transmissão dopaminérgica, que está envolvida em distúrbios depressivos.Nesta revisão, mostraram-se os resultados do efeito antidepressivo do extrato alcaloide das partes aéreas de Anona cherimólia (TA) em camundongos. O efeito antidepressivo foi avaliado no teste de natação forçada. Para elucidar um possível mecanismo de ação, as experiências de sinergismo com drogas antidepressivas, tais como a imipramina (IMI), clomipramina (CLIMI) e fluoxetina (FLX), foram realizadas. O teor de neurotransmissor (DA: serotonina e dos seus metabólitos, HVA:: dopamina, 5HT ácido homovanílico e 5HIAA :5-hidroxiindoleacético) em todo o cérebro de ratinhos foi também determinado pelo método de HPLC.Os resultados mostraram que o tratamento repetido com ácido tartárico produzido com antidepressivo provocou efeitos semelhantes em ratinhos. Este efeito não foi relacionado a um aumento da atividade locomotora. Administração da TA facilitou o efeito antidepressivo do IMI e CLIMI bem como o aumento do volume de negócios de DA e 5-HT. Os alcaloides de: 1,2-dimetoxi-5, 6,6 a, 7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzoquinoline-3,8,9,10-tetraol, anonaine, liriodenina, e nornuciferine foram os principais constituintes da TA.

Several species of Annona (Annonaceae) are used in traditional Mexican medicine by their anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and tranquilizing properties. It has been reported that the alkaloids isolated from some species of the Annona have affinity to serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors and modulate dopaminergic transmission, which is involved in depressive disorders. In this review it is showed the results of the antidepressant-like effect of an alkaloid extract from the aerial parts of Annona cherimola (TA) in mice. The antidepressant-like effect was evaluated in the forced swimming test. To elucidate a possible mechanism of action, experiments of synergism with antidepressant drugs, such as imipramine (IMI), clomipramine (CLIMI), and fluoxetine (FLX), were carried out. The neurotransmitter content (DA: dopamine, 5HT: serotonin and its metabolites, HVA: homovanillic acid and 5HIAA:5-hydroxyindoleacetic) in the whole brain of mice were also determined by HPLC method. The results showed that repeated treatment with TA produced antidepressant-like effects in mice. This effect was not related to an increase in locomotor activity. Administration of TA facilitated the antidepressant effect of IMI and CLIMI as well as increased the turnover of DA and 5-HT. The alkaloids: 1,2-dimethoxy-5, 6.6 to 7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzoquinoline-3,8,9,10-tetraol, anonaine, liriodenine, and nornuciferine were the main constituents of TA.

Several alkaloids of the Erythrina genus display pharmacological activity which seem to be associated with the tertiary amine spiroamine. E. americana synthesizes erysovine, a toxic alkaloid with a LD50 of 25.23 mg kg-1 against 'Winstar' rats, and has not been tested as an biocide agent on microorganisms. In this study the antimicotic activity of erysovine, isolated from mature seeds of E. americana was evaluated against phythopathogen fungi: Alternaría solani, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Monilia fructicola, Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma harzianum, using the paper disc diffusion method. B. cinerea, F. oxysporum and M. fructicola displayed greater susceptibility when exposed to at a dose of 8 mg mL-1 of erysovine which inhibited mycelium by 88, 57 and 43 %, a higher inhibition than that produced by dimethil sulfoxide used as control. In A. solani, Penicillium sp. and T. harzianum the inhibition of mycelium growth was only 27 % above the control.

Varios alcaloides del género Erythrina presentan actividad farmacológica que parece estar asociada con la amina terciaria espiroamina. E. americana sintetiza erisovina, alcaloide tóxico con una D L50 de 25.23 mg kg-1 contra ratas 'Winstar', y que no ha sido probado como agente biocida contra microorganismos. En este estudio se investigó la actividad antimicótica de la erisovina, aislada de semillas maduras de E. americana en los hongos fitopatógenos Alternaría solani, Botrytis cinérea, Fusarium oxysporum, Monilia fructicola, Penicillium sp. y Trichoderma harzianum mediante el método de difusión de disco de papel. B. cinerea, F. oxysporum y M. fructicola presentaron la mayor susceptibilidad a la erisovina, ya que una dosis de 8 mg mL-1 inhibió el crecimiento del micelio en 88, 57 y 43 %, valores superiores al testigo tratado con dimetilsulfóxido. A. solani, Penicillium sp. y T. harzianum, tuvieron diámetros de inhibición apenas 27 % mayores que el testigo.

Several extracts of aerial parts of Leonotis nepetaefolia showed anti-inflammatory activity on TPA-induced edema model. The chromatography of the extracts led to the isolation of stigmasterol and leonotinin. Although the presence of leonotinin is in agreement with previous phytochemical studies of this species, this is the first time that its anti-inflammatory activity is determined.

Diversos extractos de las partes aéreas de Leonotis nepetaefolia mostraron poseer propiedades antiinflamatorias en el modelo de edema inducido por TPA en oreja de ratón. La cromatografía de los extractos permitió el aislamiento de estigmasterol y leonotinina. La presencia de leonotinina está de acuerdo con estudios previos de esta especie. Sin embargo, es la primera ocasión que se informa la actividad antiinflamatoria de este compuesto.

The acetone and methanol extracts of aerial parts of Salvia mexicana L. var. minor showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the TPA y DPPH models respectively. The chromatography of these extracts led the isolation of β-sitosterol, betulinol, betulinic acid, ursolic acid and arbutin. The presence of these triterpenes is in agreement with previos phytochemical studies of Salvia, however this is the first time that arbutin is isolated from a species of this genus. On the other hand, since none or the isolated compound showed antioxidant properties in the DPPH model, it can be inferred that minor compounds not isolated or synergism effects could account for the antioxidant properties of the extracts. It is known that some pentacyclic triterpene derivatives with an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl in the ring A showed a better nitric oxide synthase inhibition activity that the natural triterpenes. It was decided to synthesize the methyl ester of 2-formyl-3-oxo-urs-28-oic and 2-formil-3-oxo-urs-1-en-28-oic acids from ursolic acid and evaluate them using the DPPH and TPA models. The results showed that both compounds have anti-inflammatory activity, but only the 2-formyl-3-oxo-ursol-28-oic acid methyl ester was active in DPPH assay, which is in agreement with the proposed mechanism of this test. This is the first chemical study of Salvia mexicana L. var. minor (Benth).

Los extractos acetónico y metanólico de las partes aéreas de Salvia mexicana L. var. minor, mostraron poseer propiedades antiinflamatorias y antioxidantes en los modelos de TPA y DPPH, respectivamente. La cromatografía de estos extractos permitió el aislamiento de β-sitosterol, betulinol, ácido betulínico, ácido ursólico y arbutina. La presencia de estos triterpenos está de acuerdo con estudios previos de Salvia, sin embargo, es la primera vez que se aísla arbutina de una especie de éste género. Posiblemente las propiedades antiinflamatorias de los extractos se deban a la presencia del β-sitosterol y ácido ursólico, compuestos con probadas actividades antiinflamatorias. Por otro lado, es probable que las propiedades antioxidantes de estos extractos, se deban a la presencia de compuestos minoritarios o a efectos sinérgicos, ya que ninguno de los compuestos aislados fue activo en el modelo de DPPH. Datos recientes en la literatura señalan que algunos derivados de triterpenos pentacíclicos con una cetona α,β-insaturada en el anillo A, presentan una mayor inhibición de la enzima óxido nítrico sintetasa que los triterpenos naturales, por lo que se decidió obtener los ésteres metílicos de los ácidos 2-formil-3-oxo-urs-28-oico y 2-formil-3-oxo-urs-1-en-28-oico a partir del ácido ursólico, y evaluarlos en los modelos de DPPH y TPA. Los resultados muestran que ambos tienen propiedades antiinflamatorias, pero solo el éster metílico del ácido 2-formil-3-oxo-ursol-28-oico fue activo en el modelo de DPPH, resultado que está de acuerdo con el mecanismo asociado a esta prueba. Este es el primer estudio químico de la especie Salvia mexicana L. var. minor (Benth).