Abstract There is an increasing interest in essential oils extracted from Verbenaceae plant species as potential sources of biologically active compounds that could provide a starting point for designing novel phyto-pharmaceuticals in aquaculture. The present study was aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, acute toxicity and antimicrobial effects against Vibrio parahaemolyticus of essential oils extracted from Lippia alba and L. origanoides. Approximately 23 components were identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection in each species’ essential oil. The most predominant compounds were geranial (23.0%), limonene (17.0%) and neral (15.5%) in L. alba, and thymol (47.2%), p-cymene (16.0%) and E-caryophyllene (11.3%) in L. origanoides. The essential oils have antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus presenting Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values between 156-625 µg mL-1. The essential oils also show antioxidant potential estimated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays, presenting IC50 of 60.16 mg mL-1 and 0.22 mg mL-1 for L. alba and L. origanoides EO, respectively. Both oils were classified as toxic to Artemia salina nauplii. Therefore, these essential oils may be useful for controlling pathogenic bacteria important to the aquaculture industry.

Metabolomics, together with analytical methods and chemometric tools, point to new paths for selecting species that are resistant to pests and diseases. In this work, the forage palm species' metabolomic profile was investigated, and the relation between the chemical composition and resistance to Dactylopius opuntiae (carmine cochineal). The study was performed in cladodes of different non-susceptible cultivars (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck, Opuntia stricta (Haw.), Nopalea cochenillifera and susceptible cultivar (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)). Metabolic profile showed 28 metabolites detected in the four species. From these total, 18 metabolites were annotated using UPLC-QTOF-MSE (ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry operating in MSE mode). By comparing the chemical profiles of non-susceptible and susceptible species through the application of chemometric tools, it was possible to obtain biomarkers (quercetin-3-O-2',6'-dirhamnosylglucoside, quercetin rhamnosyl dihexoside, and isorhamnetin-3-sophoroside-7-rhamnoside) that may be associated with resistance to carmine cochineal. Metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF-MSE and chemometric allowed to establish the biomarkers knowledge of the resistance present in forage palm species. These results contribute to developing the initial understanding of flavonoids' role in the defense mechanisms of cactaceans and can be useful for application in breeding programs; it can increase the chances of success in creating new varieties of plants not susceptible to carmine cochineal.

The phytochemical reinvestigation from the heartwood of the extracts of Cordia glazioviana led to the isolation of four still undescribed hydroquinones derivatives designated as cordiaquinol D (1), cordiaquinol E (2), (10R)-10,11-dihydrofuran-1,4-dihydroxy-globiferin (3) and 2-[(1’E,6’E)-3’,8’- dihydroxy-3’,7’-dimethylocta-1’,6’-dienyl]-benzene-1,4-diol (4), along with the naphthoquinone 6-[(2’R)-2’-hydroxy-3’,6’-dihydro-2H-pyran-5’-yl]-2-methoxy-7-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione (5). Additionally, six previously known compounds were also isolated: rel-1,4-dihydroxy-8(,11(;9(,11(-diepoxy-2-methoxy-8a(-methyl-5,6,7,8,8a,9,10,10a-octahydro-10-antracenone (6), didehydroconicol (7), 1(,6(-dihydroxy-7-epi-eudesm-3-ene (8), 1(,6(-dihydroxy-7-epi-eudesm-4(15)-ene (9), 10,11-dihydroxybisabolol (10), and hamanasal-A (11). The structures of the new compounds were assigned by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The relative stereochemistry of 3, 4, and 5 was improved by quantum mechanical calculations. Eight, out of the eleven isolated compounds (2-9), were tested through cellular viability and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation assays against RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells. Compounds 3-5 exhibited a stronger effect on LPS-induced NO production (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 50.34, 105.83, and 66.73 µM, respectively).

Myracrodruon urundeuva (“aroeira-do-sertão”) is a species threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic exploitation. Phytochemical analysis of bark, branch and leaf extracts revealed the presence of several compounds such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, quercetin derivatives and anacardic acids. Dereplication methodology was performed to tentatively identify 50 compounds analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry operating in MSE mode (UPLC-QTOF-MSE). The extracts exhibited anti-tumor effect in cancer cells HCT-116 (colorectal), SF-295 (glioblastoma), HL-60 (leukemia), and RAJI (leukemia). Also, these results correlate with the principal component analysis (PCA) data that identified three distinct groups indicating, efficiently, metabolic differences between organs of M. urundeuva. Through discriminatory analysis of the orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS-DA), the variable of importance in the projection (VIP) and S-Plot, we were able to determine 30 potential biomarkers. The fingerprint of hydroethanolic extracts was correlated with the cytotoxicity assay and demonstrated a significant difference in the composition of plant extract.

Our study aimed at the development of a method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS) using selected ion monitoring for the simultaneous quantitation of the alkaloids galantamine, pseudolycorine, sanguinine and narciclasine in Amaryllidaceae species (Hippeastrum elegans, Habranthus cf. irwinianus, Hymenocallis littoralis and Griffinia nocturna). The alkaloids were extracted from dried and ground bulbs (100 mg) using liquid-liquid microextraction followed by solid phase extraction in cation exchange cartridges. The quantification method showed good linearity (correlation coefficient, R ≥ 0.9968) and selectivity for a run time of 10 min. All values were within the acceptable limits for recovery (87.5-96.2%), interday (coefficient of variation, CV%, 1.3-8.4%) and intraday precision (CV% 5.7-8.1%), except narciclasine (70%). The limits of detection and quantification were 5-100 and 20-350 ng mL-1, respectively. Our method demonstrated to be rapid, sensitive and reliable, therefore appropriate for being employed in the prospection of new source of galantamine and other alkaloids.

Agroindustrial residues, such as leaves of fruit plants, can be sources of bioactive molecules, thus adding value to co-products that are rarely explored in agroindustry. In this context, this study aimed to look into the phytochemical profiles in detail and to explore the antitumor potential of S. tuberosa and S. mombin leaves. We observed that, S. tuberosa leaf extract was cytotoxic in both tumor and healthy cells. S. mombin extracts selectively inhibited cell proliferation in the tumor cell line for prostate cancer (PC3) and did not significantly affect healthy cells. The metabolic profiles of the extracts were evaluated by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and twenty-three metabolites were identified. The correlation of metabolic profiles with cytotoxic tests indicated possible chemical markers that may be responsible for the inhibition of cell proliferation. This study revealed that the unexplored co-products in agroindustry may have great therapeutic potential, and therefore should be screened for biologically active compounds.

Five new withanolides, designated as 15-oxo-nicaphysalin B, 6β,7α-dihydroxynicandrenone 10, 24α,25β-dihydroxy-nicandrenone-2 and a mixture of the epimers 17-(1α/1β-methylpropanone)-nicandrenone, in addition to six known others, were isolated from the leaf acetone extract from Nicandra physalodes. The complete structures of the five new withanolides, particularly their relative stereochemistries, were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). The main isolated withanolides were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal and larvicidal properties, but, except nicandrenone, which showed marginal larvicidal activity, none of them was active.

Four new alkaloids, Brazoides A-D, together with three known compounds squalene, β-sitosterol and lupeol, were isolated from leaves of Justicia gendarussa. These structures were established by spectrometric techniques, mainly high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), including comparative analysis with literature values. Structural determination of the compounds, Brazoides A-D, was strengthened by molecular modeling and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to predict the NMR data and compare with the experimental NMR values of these natural products. The new compounds were tested against three human cancer cell lines (glioblastoma, prostate and colon), but none exhibited activity.

Dois novos biflavonoides 3,5,7,4'-tetraidroxiflavanona-(2→O→4':3→3')-2',4',6',4-tetraidroxidiidrochalcona (1) e 3,5,7,4'-tetraidroxiflavanona-(2→O→7:3→8)-3,4',5,7-tetraidroxiflavona (2), denominados amburanina A e amburanina B, respectivamente, foram isolados da casca do caule de Amburana cearensis, e as estruturas deles foram elucidadas com base em análises espectroscópicas e por comparação com dados da literatura. Os efeitos de 1 e 2 sobre a resposta pro-inflamatória de neutrófilos humanos foram investigados (0,1; 1; 25; 50 e 100 µg mL-1). Ambos compostos inibiram em torno de 92% a degranulação de neutrófilos a partir da concentração de 25 µg mL-1, e reduziram em até 53% a atividade da mieloperoxidase humana, indicando o potencial deles como substâncias anti-inflamatórias.

Two new biflavonoids 3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxyflavanone-(2→O→4':3→3')-2',4',6',4-tetrahydroxydihydrochalcone (1) and 3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxyflavanone-(2→O→7:3→8)-3,4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone (2), named as amburanin A and amburanin B, respectively, were isolated from the trunk bark of Amburana cearensis, and their structures elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with literature data. The effects of 1 and 2 on the pro-inflammatory response of human neutrophils were investigated (0.1; 1; 25; 50 e 100 µg mL-1). At concentration higher than 25 µg mL-1, both compounds suppressed nearly 92% of the neutrophil degranulation and 53% of myeloperoxidase activity, thus indicating that they are potential anti-inflammatory lead compounds.

The aim of the work was to study the spray-drying of ethanolic extract from Amburana cearensis (Allemão) A.C. Sm., Fabaceae, in order to obtain powders with better pharmacological and technological properties for herbal medicine. A 2³ fractional factorial statistical design was used to find adequate spray-drying operating conditions (inlet air temperature; feed flow rate and air flow rate) to produce A. cearensis powder with adequate concentration of active principles (amburoside and coumarin), low moisture content and high process yield. The HPLC analyses showed that the spray-drying powder of A. cearensis production did not cause alterations in the chromatographic profile when related to the fluid extract. The most significant factor that affected the amburoside concentration was air flow rate, while the concentration of coumarin, a thermolabile molecule, was influenced mainly by inlet air temperature. The moisture content of the spray-drying powder of A. cearensis varied from 3.72 to 5.85% (w/w), while the maximal process yield was 41.1% (w/w). The present study demonstrates for the first time the best operating conditions to produce A. cearensis extract powder that were adequate when related to the coumarin and amburoside concentrations and moisture content. However, additional studies are still needed to improve mainly it technological characteristics.

Seis novos amburosídeos (1-6) e o novo protocatecuato de 6-cumarila (7) foram isolados das sementes e cascas do caule de Amburana cearensis, juntamente com cumarina, 6-hidroxicumarina, isocampferídeo, formononetina, ácido vanílico, amburosídeo A e ácido (E)-o-cumárico. As estruturas químicas dos novos compostos foram elucidadas com base na análise espectral de RMN (COSY, HSQC, HMBC e NOESY) e EM.

Six new amburosides (1-6) and a novel 6-coumaryl protocatechuate (7) were isolated from the seeds and trunk bark of Amburana cearensis, together with coumarin, 6-hydroxycoumarin, isokaempferide, formononetin, vanillic acid, amburoside A and (E)-o-coumaric acid. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and HRMS spectral analyses.

Os óleos essenciais obtidos por hidrodestilação das folhas de quatro espécies de Piper (P. arboreum, P. crassinervium, P. dilatatum and P. tuberculatum), coletadas no estado do Ceará, foram analisados por CG-EM. Os rendimentos dos óleos, calculados sobre o peso do material fresco, variaram entre 0,03 - 0,11% (p/p). Os óleos foram caracterizados pela presença de mono- e sesquiterpenos, exceto o óleo de P. arboreum, no qual foram identificados apenas sesquiterpenos. beta-Elemeno (0,58-3,03%), (E)-cariofileno (2,71-37,78%), germacreno D (3,43-11,81%), biciclogermacreno (2,83-25,07%) e delta-cadineno (0,52-2,44%) foram detectados em todas as amostras analisadas. Os monoterpenos majoritários identificados foram alfa-pineno (11,27%), beta-pineno (20,01%), 1,8-cineol (10,81%) e linalol (28,61%) para P. crassinervium, e alfa-felandreno (22,53%) e delta-3-careno (10,20%) para P. dilatatum. Biciclogermacreno (25,03 e 25,07%) para P. arboreum e P. dilatatum, (E)-nerolidol (11,12%) para P. arboreum, germacreno D (11,81%) para P. tuberculatum e (E)-cariofileno (10,26 e 37,78%) para P. dilatatum e P. tuberculatum, foram os principais sesquiterpenos. Este trabalho descreve, pela primeira vez, a composição química dos óleos essenciais de P. crassinervium e P. tuberculatum.

The essential oils, obtained by hydrodistillation, from leaf samples of four Piper species (P. arboreum, P. crassinervium, P. dilatatum and P. tuberculatum), harvested at the State of Ceará, were analyzed by GC-MS. The oil yields ranged from 0.03 to 0.11% (w/w), on fresh weight basis. The oils were characterized by mono- and sesquiterpenes, except the oil of P. arboreum to which only sesquiterpenes were identified. beta-Elemene (0.58-3.03%), (E)-caryophyllene (2.71-37.78%), germacrene D (3.43-11.81%), bicyclogermacrene (2.83 and 25.07%) and delta-cadinene (0.52-2.44%) were detected in all oil samples. The major identified monoterpenes were alpha-pinene (11.27%), beta-pinene (20.01%), 1,8-cineole (10.81%) and linalool (28.61%) for P. crassinervium and, alpha-phellandrene (22.53%) and delta-3-carene (10.20%) for P. dilatatum. The major sesquiterpenes were bicyclogermacrene (25.03 and 25.07%) for P. arboreum and P. dilatatum, (E)-nerolidol (11.12%) for P. arboreum, germacrene D (11.81%) for P. tuberculatum and, (E)-caryophylene (10.26 and 37.78%) for P. dilatatum and P. tuberculatum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report about the chemical composition of the leaf essential oils of P. crassinervium and P. tuberculatum.