Abstract Echinodorus scaber Rataj and Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schltdl.) Micheli, Alismataceae, are popularly used to relieve inflammatory complaints and as diuretic. A study on the antinociceptive effect and selected marker compounds in eleven extracts from different locations was undertaken and their antinociceptive effect was assessed. The fingerprints were compared by HPLC-DAD and the content of vitexin, isovitexin, isoorientin and vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside were determined. All samples presented antinociceptive activity reducing the writhes by 36.4-62.5% and 47.4-79.8% at 10 and 50 mg/kg, respectively; indomethacin (5 mg/kg) reduced writhes by 82.6-90.1%. The content of the flavonoids C-glycosides, however, presented a strong variation. Isovitexin and isoorientin were found in all the samples, with content ranging from traces to 14.70 µg/mg and 2.12-84.27 µg/mg extract, respectively, while vitexin-2-O-rhamnoside occurred in quantifiable amounts only in 3 out of 11 samples ranging from 5.43 to 33.13 µg/mg extract; vitexin was not detected at all or detected in trace amounts. According to the fingerprints, the samples could be arranged in four main groups. All eleven extracts showed antinociceptive activity. Isovitexin was the only flavonoid present in all samples and can be regarded, acting in synergy with the other compounds or not, as the responsible for the antinociceptive activity. Therefore, isovitexin is a good choice as chemical marker when the antinociceptive activity of E. scaber and E. grandiflorus is investigated.

The effect of different heterogeneous catalysts on the microwave-assisted transesterification of sunflower oil for the production of methylic biodiesel in a monomode microwave reactor is described. The experiments were carried out at 70 ºC with a 16:1 methanolsunflower oil molar ratio and different heterogeneous basic and acidic catalysts. The results showed that the microwave-heated reactions occur up to four times faster than those carried out with conventional heating. The reactions were performed with 24 catalysts; pure calcium oxide (CaO) and potassium carbonate, either pure or supported by alumina (K2CO3/Al2O3), were the most efficient catalysts.

O gênero Acosmium possui 17 espécies com distribuição geográfica que se estende do sudeste do México até o Nordeste da Argentina, sendo que a maioria das espécies está localizada no Brasil. A. dasycarpum, A. panamense, A. subelegans são as espécies mais utilizadas popularmente no tratamento de enfermidades. Uma busca na literatura, resguardando aspectos químicos e farmacológicos destas plantas, indicam atividade citotóxica, ação antitérmica, efeito hipoglicêmico, bem como tem sido usada no tratamento da doença de Alzheimer e desordens no sistema nervoso central. Investigação fitoquímica resultou principalmente no isolamento de terpenos, ácido cafêico, alcalóides do tipo diaza-adamantano e quinolizidínicos bem como pironas.

The genus Acosmium is composed by c.a. 17 species, with geographic distribution from southeastern Mexico to Northwestern Argentina. Most of the species, however, are located in Brazil. A. dasycarpum, A. panamense, A. subelegans are used in folk medicine to treat several ailments. A search in the literature regarding the chemical and pharmacological aspects of these plants indicates cytotoxic activity, antithermal and hypoglycemic effects, as well as their use to treat Alzheimer's disease and CNS disorders. Phytochemical investigations resulted mainly in the isolation of terpenes, caffeic acid, diaza-adamantane and quinolizidines alkaloids as well as pyrones.

Um novo alcalóide benzofenantridínico, 6-acetonil-N-metil-diidrodecarina foi isolado das raízes de Zanthoxylum riedelianum juntamente com lupeol, 6-acetonildiidroqueleritrina e 6-acetonildiidroavicina. As estruturas dessas substâncias foram estabelecidas com base na análise dos dados espectrométricos de IV, EM e RMN incluindo experimentos 2D.

A new benzophenanthridine alkaloid, 6-acetonyl-N-methyl-dihydrodecarine was isolated from Zanthoxylum riedelianum roots together with lupeol, 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine and 6-acetonyldihydroavicine. The structures were established from the IR, MS and NMR spectral data, including 2D-NMR experiments.