The secondary metabolites of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus acuminatus Vahl (Phyllanthaceae) and the biological activity of one of them were characterized in this study. This chemical investigation led to isolation of two lignans, luclaricin (1), a new arylnaphtalene-typelignan, and justicidin B (2). The structures of isolated compounds were determined based on 1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS and IR. The cytotoxic activity of justicidin B was assessed against tumor cell lines (MCF-7, U251, NCI-ADR/RES, NCI-H460, OVCAR-3, HT29 and K562) and a non-tumor cell line (HaCat) using sulforhodamine B assay. Justicidin B showed strong cytotoxic activity against the tumor cell lines HT29, K562 and U251 with GI50 values of 2.28, 3.29 and 5.76 mol L-1, respectively.

Ouratea and the other genera of the Ochnaceae family are a rich source of flavonoids and biflavonoids. These can be used as chemotaxonomic markers of Ouratea. Some biflavonoids, as well as extracts of the Ouratea species show important biological activities, such as antitumour, antiviral, vasodilation, antimicrobial and DNA topoisomerase inhibition. On the other hand species of this genus are used in folk medicine for gastric distress, dysentery, and diarrhea; as an astringent, a tonic, and for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. The information collected in this review attempts to summarise the phytochemical and biological activities studied in Ouratea species that may be helpful to guide researches, to undertake further investigation concerning the common properties of Ouratea species and evaluation as a source of active compounds.

O biflavonóide 2",3"-diidroochnaflavona, isolada de espécies de Luxemburgia (Ochanaceae), foi tratada com diazometano e forneceu o éter trimetílico que, em seguida, foi tratado com anidrido acético/piridina obtendo-se um novo derivado, 5-acetil-7,4'-dimetil-flavona-(3'→O-4'")-5"-acetil-7"-metil-flavanona. Fez-se o completo assinalamento dos dados de RMN ¹H e 13C através da análise dos espectros uni- e bidimensionais do derivado.

The biflavonoid 2",3"-dihydroochnaflavone, isolated from the Luxemburgia species (Ochanaceae), was treated with diazomethane to obtain the trimethyl-ether that was treated with pyridine/acetic anhydride to yield a new derivative, 5-acetil-7,4'-dimethyl-flavone-(3'→O-4'")-5"-acetil-7"-methyl-flavanone. The complete ¹H and 13C NMR data assignments of the new derivative were made by the one- and two-dimensional spectral analysis.

Do caule de Laseguea erecta foram isolados o lupeol, a cumarina escopoletina, o lignóide pinoresinol e o glicosil-cardenoídeo, alfa-L-tevetosil-digitoxigenina. As estruturas foram identificadas com o uso de técnicas espectroscópicas de IV, RMN ¹H e 13C, incluindo técnicas especiais 1D e 2D, espectroscopia de massas e comparação com dados da literatura.

From the stem of Laseguea erecta the triterpene lupeol, the cumarine scopoletin, the lignoid pinoresinol and digitoxigenin alpha-L-tevetoside, known as thevetioside, were isolated. The structures were identified by IR, mass, ¹H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 1D and 2D techniques, together with comparison with literature data.

The anthelmintic activity of the crude extracts of fresh and dry leaf, trunk bark and root bark of the species Andira anthelmia and Andira fraxinifolia. was evaluated in the species Vampirolepis nana and Aspiculuris tetraptera. Doses of 8 g/kg/day were utilized for the leaves and trunk bark, and 1, 2, 4 and 8 g/kg/day for the root bark for the A. anthelmia, and doses of 8 g/kg/day were utilized for leaves and root bark, and of 4, 8 and 16 g/kg/day for tree bark, for the A. fraxinifolia. The dose of 8 g/kg/day of the crude extract of the fresh and dry leaf, the trunk bark and root bark, of the A. anthelmia, when compared, did not present any significant difference in the percentage elimination of V. nana, 14.9%, 16.4%, 6.3%, 17.9%, respectively. The same occurred when compared with the control group (7.4%). The doses of 2 and 4 g/kg/day, 49.4% and 42.7, respectively, were significantly more active for V. nana, in comparison with the other anatomical parts and the control group, and did not present any difference in relation to the mebendazole. The 2 g/kg/day dose was significantly more active for A. tetraptera (63.2%), in comparison with the leaves, with the root bark for the doses of 1 and 4 g/kg/day, and with the control group, 1.2%, 1.7%, 31.7%, 15.3%, 0.1%, respectively. However, it did not present any significant difference in relation to nitroscanate, this being less active than mebendazole. Although the 8 g/kg/day dose for the tree bark presented a higher percentage elimination of V. nana (37.5%), no statistical difference was observed, when compared with the other doses, anatomical parts, the control group and the mebendazole. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the percentage elimination of A. tetraptera. The results suggested the crude extract of the root bark of the A. anthelmia as a promising anthelmintic, requiring further studies, due to the high toxicity presented

A atividade anti-helmíntica dos extratos brutos da folha fresca e seca, casca do tronco e da raiz da espécie Andira anthelmia e A. fraxinifolia, foi avaliada sob as espécies Vampirolepis nana e Aspiculuris tetraptera. Foram utilizadas as doses de 8 g/kg/dia para folhas e casca do tronco, e de 1, 2, 4 e 8 g/kg/dia para a casca da raiz de A. anthelmia, e as doses de 8 g/kg/dia para folhas e casca da raiz, e de 4, 8 e 16 g/kg/dia para a casca do tronco de A. fraxinifolia. A dose de 8 g/kg/dia do extrato bruto da folha fresca e seca, da casca do tronco e da raiz, quando comparadas, não apresentaram diferença significativa no percentual de eliminação de V. nana, 14,9%, 16,4%, 6,3%, 17,9%, respectivamente, o mesmo ocorreu quando comparadas ao grupo controle (7,4%). As doses de 2 e 4 g/kg/dia, 49,4% e 42,7%, respectivamente, foram significativa-mente mais ativas para V. nana, em comparação com as demais partes anatômicas e o grupo controle, não apresentando diferença em relação a dose de 1 g/kg/dia da casca da raiz e do mebendazol. A dose 2 g/kg/dia foi significati-vamente mais ativa para A. tetraptera (63,2%), em comparação com as folhas, a casca da raiz nas doses de 1 e 4 g/kg/dia, e o grupo controle, 1,2%, 1,7%, 31,7%, 15,3%, 0,1%, respec-tivamente. Contudo, não apresentou diferença significativa em relação ao nitroscanato, sendo menos ativa do que o mebendazol. Embora a dose de 8 g/kg/dia da casca do tronco de A. fraxinifolia tenha apresentado um percentual de eliminação de V. nana maior (37,5%), não foi observado diferença estatística, quando comparado com as demais doses, partes anatômicas, grupo controle e o mebendazol. Similarmente, não foi observado diferença significativa nos percentuais de eliminação de A. tetraptera. Os resultados sugerem o extrato bruto da casca da raiz de A. anthelmia como anti-helmíntico promissor, necessitando de estudos complementares, devido a alta toxicidade apresentada

Das raízes, galhos e frutos de Simarouba versicolor foram isolados quassinóides (3, 5-7), triterpenóides (8-14), uma mistura de esteróides (15-17), o flavonóide canferol (18) e o derivado esqualênico 11,14-diacetoxi-7,10;15,18-diepóxi-6,19-diidroxi-6, 7, 10.11, 14, 15, 18, 19-octaidroesqualeno (19). Dados espectrais foram usados para caracterização estrutural.

From the roots, stems and fruits of Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) were isolated quassinoids (3, 5-7), triterpenoids (8-14), a mixture of steroids (15-17), the flavonoid kaempferol (18) and the squalene derivative 11,14-diacetoxy-7,10; 15,18-diepoxy-6,19-dihidroxy-6,7,10,11,14,15,18,19-octahydrosqualene (19). Spectral data were used for structural characterization.