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.

High speed centrifugal countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully applied to preparative isolation of the main polar phenolics from the Peruvian Caricaceae Vasconcellea quercifolia A. St.-Hil. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array (HPLC-DAD) and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric detection (ESI-MS) was used to carry out a comprehensive characterisation of phenolic compounds from fruits and leaves of this plant. The main phenolics were the quercetin diglycoside rutin and the triglycoside manghaslin. Nine minor flavonoids were tentatively identified as kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin and methoxymyricetin glycosides. HSCCC combined with other chromatographic methods allowed the isolation of the main phenolics from the plant. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis shows that the main phenolic compounds in V. quercifolia are similar to those described for V. pubescens but differs in the identity of the minor constituents.

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularmente conhecido como "jequitibá-vermelho'', é uma árvore brasileira de grande porte, cuja casca é utilizada nas formas de infusão e decocção para o tratamento de condições inflamatórias. Os efeitos antiinflamatório, antinociceptivo e antipirético do extrato metanólico da casca do caule de Cariniana rubra (EM Cr) foram avaliados em animais experimentais. A atividade antiinflamatória do EM Cr foi testada nos modelos de edema depata induzido por carragenina e dextrana em ratos, pleurisia induzida por carragenina em ratos e permeabilidade vascular aumentada por ácido acético em ratos. As atividades antinociceptiva e antipirética foram avaliadas utilizando os modelos de nocicepções induzidos por ácido acético e formalina, placa quente em camundongos e de pirexia, pela injeção de levedura de cerveja em ratos. O extrato inibiu o edema induzido porcarragenina e dextrana, reduziu o volume de exsudato e a migração de leucócitos na pleurisia induzida por carragenina eo aumento da permeabilidade vascular induzida por ácidoacético. O EM Cr inibiu a nocicepção nas contorções induzidas por ácido acético e na segunda fase do teste de formalina e diminuiu a temperatura retal. No entanto, foi inefetivo no teste da placa quente. A análise química por via úmida deu resultados positivos para saponinas, triterpenos, esteroides e compostos fenólicos. Fitosteróis e triterpenóides pentacíclicos (β-sitosterol, estigmasterol, α and β-amirinas em mistura e ácido arjunólico) e as saponinas triterpenoidais: 3-O-β-D-glucopiranosideo de sitosterol; ácido arjunólico 28-β-glucopiranosila-23-O-acetila; ácido arjunólico 3-O-β-glucopiranosila e ácido arjunólico 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopiranosil-(1→2)-β-D-glucopiranosila]-23-O-acetila. Pode-se presumir que os efeitos do EM Cr foram causados pela inibição da liberação e/ou ação de diversos mediadores inflamatórios. Estes resultados validam o uso tradicional das preparações caseiras de Cariniana rubra para tratar a inflamação.

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as "jequitibá-vermelho'', is a large Brazilian tree whose bark is used in infusion and decoction for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. This study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of Cariniana rubra methanolic stem bark extract (EM Cr) using experimental animals. Anti-inflammatory activity of EM Cr was tested on carrageenan and dextran-induced rat paw edema, carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats and acetic acid-increase vascular permeability in mice. Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests in mice, as well as brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The extract inhibitied carrageenan and dextran-induced edema, reduced exudate volume and leukocyte migration on the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and on the vascular permeability increase induced by acetic acid. The EM Cr inhibited nociception on the acetic acid-induced writhing and in the second phase of formalin test, and decreased rectal temperature. It was, however, inactive against thermal nociception.Phytochemical analysis with EM Cr showed the occurrence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols and phenolic compounds. Phytosterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), pentacyclic triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin as a mixture), arjunolic acid, a phytosterol glycoside (sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), and triterpenoid saponins (28-β-glucopyranosyl-23-O-acetyl arjunolic acid; 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl arjunolic acid and 28-O-[α-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranosyl]-23- O-acetyl arjunolic acid) were the main identified compounds. It can be presumed that EM Cr caused their effects by inhibiting the liberation and/or action of different inflammatory mediators. These findings support the traditional use of Cariniana rubra preparations to treat inflammation.

In the traditional medicine of the South American highlands, the infusion and decoction of aerial parts of “tola”, Baccharis incarum (Wedd.) Perkins (Asteraceae) is orally taken as an antiseptic, antipyretic and digestive or externally applied to relieve pain and infammation. A plant infusion and methanolic (MeOH) extract of the aerial parts were compared for main constituents by HPLC-MS as well as assessed for antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities. Assay-guided fractionation of the polar extracts was carried out using the ABTS•+ autographic as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis bioautographic test. Seven compounds were isolated from the polar extracts and identifed as chlorogenic acid, 3’,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxyfavone; dicaffeoyl quinic acid; 3’,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyfavone; 3’,4’,5,7-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxy favone, 4’,5,7-trihydroxy-3’,3,6,8-tetramethoxyfavone and 4’,5-dihydroxy-3’,3,6,7,8-pentamethoxyfavone. The main constituents from the methanol extract and infusion were caffeic acid derivatives. This is the frst report on the constituents of B. incarum infusion and show clear differences with previous phytochemical studies on the same plant. All isolated compounds showed antioxidant activity with SC50 values of 1 to 10 µg/ml. The isolated favones were active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis with MICs in the range 100 and >200 µg/ml.

Extracts from the Argentinean herb Tagetes mendocina Phil. (Asteraceae) were tested for antimicrobial activity against fungi, bacteria and protozoa. The different extracts (PE, DCM, MeOH and EtOAc) and the essential oil displayed activity mainly against dermatophytes, a group of fungi that produces skin infections. The bioassay-guided fractionation of PE, DCM and EtOAc extracts led to the isolation of eight compounds including two thiophenes, two acetophenone derivatives, dihydrorosefuran and three flavonoids. ITie thiophenes 5-(4-hydroxy- l-butynyl)-2,2'-bithienyl (BBTOH) (1) and its acetate (BBTOAc) (2) proved to be highly active against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes with MIC values of 3.12, 3.12 and 6.25 µg/mL for compound 1 and 25, 3.12 and 6.25 µg/mLfor compound 2, respectively. In turn, the essential oil displayed a weak to modérate antifungal effect against M. gypseum with MIC = 250 µg/mL. ITie essential oil was examined by GC and GC-MS and 21 constituents (97.3%) were identified. (E) p-ocimene, (Z)-tagetone, (ii)-tagetone, (Z)-ocimenone, á-pinene and (E)-ocimenone were the major components. In addition, thiophenes 1 and 2 and 2-hydroxyacetophenone 3 showed antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania amazonensis, L. brasiliensis andi. infantum promastigotes with 100% lysis at 100 µg/mL.

Three triterpenoidal saponins were isolated from the stem bark of Cariniana rubra Gardner & Miers (Lecythidaceae). The saponins reported are monodesmosides and a bidesmoside derivatives from the triterpene 2alpha ,3beta ,23-trihydroxy-12-oleanen-28-oic acid (arjunolic acid). The proposed structures are 28-b -glucopyranosyl-23-O-acetyl arjunolic acid 1, 3-O-beta -glucopyranosyl arjunolic acid 2 and 28-O-[ alpha -Rhamnopyranosyl-(1-> 2)-beta -glucopyranosyl] -23-O-acetyl arjunolic acid 3. The structures were elucidated mainly from its NMR spectral data. Compounds 1 and 3 are described for the first time.

Tres saponinas triterpenoidales fueron aisladas de la corteza del tallo de Cariniana rubra Gardner & Miers (Lecythidaceae). Las saponinas que se informan son monodesmosidos y un derivado bidesmosidico del triterpeno ácido 2alfa ,3beta ,23-trihidroxi-12-oleanen-28-oico (ácido arjunolico). Las estructuras propuestas son: ácido 28-beta -glucopiranosil-23-O-acetil arjunolico 1, ácido 3-O-beta -glucopiranosil arjunolico 2 y ácido 28-O-[ alfa -Rhamnopiranosil-(1-> 2)-beta -glucopiranosil] -23-O-acetil arjunolico 3. Los compuestos 1 y 3 se describen por primera vez.

A propolis sample from the western Andean slopes of the Maule Region, Chile, showed free radical scavenging activity and inhibited the enzyme xanthine oxidase "in vitro". Six flavonoids were isolated as the main active constituents of the sample. 5,7-dihydroxyflavone 4, 3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone 6 and 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone 1 displayed a strong free radical scavenging effect. At 50 mg/ml, compounds 6 and 1 inhibited the enzyme xanthine oxidase by 95 and 86%, respectively.

Una muestra de própolis producida en los Andes orientales de la Región del Maule, Chile, mostró actividad atrapadora de radicales libres e inhibió la enzima oxidasa de la xantina "in vitro". Se aislaron e identificaron seis flavonoides como los componentes activos mayoritarios de la muestra. La 5,7-dihidroxiflavona 4, 3,5,7-trihidroxiflavona 6 y 5,7-dihidroxiflavanona 1 exhibieron un fuerte efecto como atrapadores de radicales libres. A la concentración de 50 mg/ml, los compuestos 6 y 1 inhibieron la enzima oxidasa de la xantine en 95 y 86%, respectivamente.

The tricyclic compound maltoxazine was isolated as the DNA binding compound occurring in the basic extract of Prosopis tamarugo pods. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

El compuesto tricíclico maltoxazina se identificó como el producto bioactivo con capacidad de unión al ADN presente en el extracto básico de frutos de Prosopis tamarugo. La estructura se determinó por métodos espectroscópicos

The methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Lobelia bridgesii and L. tupa (Lobeliaceae) showed activity in the DNA binding assay. Bioassay-guided isolation led to the alkaloids norlobelanidine and norlelobanidine as the main bioactive constituents of othe plant. At 0.50 mg/mL, the percentual DNA binding of both compounds were 79% and 71%, respectively

El extracto metanólico de las partes aéreas de Lobelia bridgesii y L tupa (Lobeliaceae) mostró actividad en el bioensayo de unión al ADN. Mediante aislamiento bioguiado se identificaron los alcaloides norlobelanidina y norlelobanidina como los componentes bioactivos mayoritarios de estas plantas. A la concentración de 0,50 mg/mL, el porcentaje de unión de estos compuestos al ADN fue de 79% y 71%, respectivamente