Pterodon pubescens Benth., popularly known as "sucupira", is traditionally used as pain healing agent for many inflammatory diseases. The present study evaluated the in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of sucupira's fruit dicloromethane extract (Pp) compared to the aqueous extract (Ppa) traditionally used in folk medicine. Extracts' chemical characterization was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectra (GC-MS) detection. The standardized extracts were evaluated using antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory experimental models with mice. The results reported herein allowed establishing a relationship between the popular use of Pterodon pubescens fruit for pain relief and the activity of two major compounds isolated from this species which demonstrated antinociceptive activity. The experimental models corroborate activity of aqueous extract antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, with lower potency compared to dichloromethane extract. Nevertheless the resulting data corroborates sucupira's folk use for pain relief.

A series of β-carboline derivatives with amino or guanidinium were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis and for antiproliferative activities against nine human cancer cell lines. The compounds 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethylamine) β-carboline (24.9 µg mL-1) and 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethylamine) β-carboline (26.9 µg mL-1) were the most active against M. Tuberculosis (MTB). Compounds 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethylamine) β-carboline and 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(propylamine) β-carboline, which had the same substituted groups, inhibited the growth of all human tumor cell lines with growth inhibitory activity (GI50) values from 1.37 to 9.20 mmol L-1. Also in this series, compounds 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(propylamine) β-carboline and 1-(3-nitrophenyl)-3-carboxamide(propylamine) β-carboline demonstrated significant activity against NCI/ADR cells. Among compounds with a terminal guanidine group, compounds 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethyl)guanidine β-carboline (27.8 µg mL-1) and 1-(3-nitrophenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethyl)guanidine β-carboline (37.4 µg mL-1) demonstrated the greatest activity against MTB. Additionally, compounds 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethyl)guanidine β-carboline (GI50 = 0.45 mmol L-1) effectively inhibited growth and was highly selective against NCI/ADR. The in silico study revealed that 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethylamine) β-carboline, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(ethylamine) β-carboline, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(propylamine) β-carboline, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-carboxamide(propylamine) β-carboline and 1-(3-nitrophenyl)-3-carboxamide(propylamine) β-carboline compounds follow the rules established by Lipinski, suggesting that this compound has no problems with oral bioavailability.

The cytotoxicity of a hexanic fraction produced from the ethanolic crude extract, obtained from Jatropha ribifolia (Pohl) Baill, Euphorbiaceae, roots was evaluated against ten human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-ADR/RES, OVCAR-3, PC-3, HT-29, NCI-H460,786-O, UACC-62, K-562, U251) compared with doxorrubicine as positive control. Compounds jatrophone and cyperenoic acid were isolated from the hexanic extract and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (NMR of ¹H, 13C and IR). The in vitro antiproliferative activity of jatrophone showed selectivity in a concentration dependent way with Total Inhibition growth of: glioma 0.57 µg mL-1 (U251), breast cancer 9.2 µg mL-1 (MCF-7), adriamycin-resistant ovarian cancer 0.96 µg mL-1 (NCI-ADR/RES), kidney 4.2 µg mL-1 (786-0), prostate cancer 8.4 µg mL-1 (PC-3), colon cancer 16.1 µg mL-1 (HT29) and leukemia 0.21 µg mL-1 (K-562).

As sementes de Pterodon pubescens Benth. (Pp), disponíveis comercialmente no Brasil, são utilizadas na medicina popular em preparações anti-inflamatórias, analgésicas e anti-reumáticas. O presente estudo demonstrou as propriedades antinociceptivas da mistura de isômeros 6α-hidroxi-7β-acetoxi-vouacapano-17β-oato de metila e 6α-acetoxi-7β-hidroxi-vouacapano-17β-oato de metila (C1) isolada de Pp, empregando modelos experimentais diferentes. Um estudo de estabilidade foi realizado para investigar a relação da microencapsulação por "spray-drying" na manutenção do efeito antinociceptivo. Para isso, amostras de C1 e extrato de Pp foram monitorados no estudo de estabilidade acelerada, avaliando tanto amostras microencapsuladas como não microencapsuladas. Foi observado que a amostra C1 possui atividade antinociceptiva, revelada pelos ensaios das contorções abdominais e de formalina; foi observada também atividade significativa antialodínica, mas não efeito anti-hiperalgésico. A microencapsulação manteve a atividade e integridade de C1 e do extrato bruto de Pp, demonstrando que a microencapsulação por "spray drying" é uma alternativa útil para aumentar o tempo de prateleira.

Pterodon pubescens Benth. (Pp) seeds, commercially available in Brazil, are used in folk medicine in anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic preparations. The present study demonstrated the antinociceptive properties of isomers 6α-hydroxy-7β-acetoxy-vouacapan-17β-oate methyl ester and 6α-acetoxy-7β-hydroxy-vouacapan-17β-oate methyl ester (C1), isolated from (Pp), employing different experimental models. A stability study was performed to investigate the relationship of microencapsulation by spray-drying on the maintenance of antinociceptive action. Therefore, C1 and Pp extract samples were monitored in accelerated stability study, evaluating both microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated samples. It was observed that sample C1 possess antinociceptive activity revealed by writhing and formalin tests; C1 showed significantly anti-allodynic, but not antihyperalgesic effect; the microencapsulation maintained the activity and integrity of both, sample C1 and Pp crude extract; microencapsulation by spray drying is a useful alternative to increase shelf life.

Foram desenvolvidas metodologias para o estabelecimento e cultivo de raízes de Artemisia annua L. (híbrido CPQBA 2/39 x PL5). Estas raízes foram submetidas a diferentes condições de luz e a transformação genética com Agrobacterium rhizogenes (cepas 8196 e 15834). As raízes transgênicas e não-transgênicas (normais) foram cultivadas em meios de Murashige e Skoog (1962), mantidas sobre diferentes condições de fotoperíodo e analisadas para avaliação do conteúdo do composto antiulcerogênico dehidro-epideoxiarteanuína B (composto A). A confirmação do caráter transgênico das raízes foi obtida por Dot Blot. Os extratos dos materiais vegetais foram analisados por Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada a um Espectômetro de Massas (CG/EM). Os cromatogramas dos extratos das raízes normais revelaram a presença de dehidro-epideoxiarteanuína B e de um outro composto (composto B). As condições fotoperiódicas de cultivo influenciaram na produção destes dois compostos, sendo que sobre condição de escuro contínuo, dehidro-epideoxiarteanuína B foi intensamente produzido e o composto B foi detectado em pequenas proporções, enquanto que sob fotoperíodo de 16 horas, o inverso ocorreu. A quantificação de dehidro-epideoxiarteanuína B por Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada a um Detector de Ionização de Chamas (CG/FID) revelou um aumento de aproximadamente cinco vezes na produção deste composto pelas raízes normais cultivadas sobre escuro contínuo em relação às raízes cultivadas na presença de 16 horas de luz. O terpeno dehidro-epideoxiarteanuína B não estava presente nas raízes transgênicas.

Methodologies were developed for the establishment and cultivation of Artemisia annua L (CPQBA 2/39 x PL5 hybrid) roots submitted to light conditions and genetic transformation performed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (15834 and 8196 strains). The transgenic and non-transgenic (normal) roots were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium, kept under different photoperiodic conditions and analyzed for evaluation of the antiulcerogenic dihydro-epideoxyarteannuin B (compound A) contents. The Dot Blot technique was used to confirm the transgenic nature of the roots. The plants¢s crude extracts were analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrum (CG/MS). The chromatograms of the extracts taken from normal roots revealed the presence of dihydro-epideoxyarteannuin B and other compound (compound B). Photoperiods during cultivation influenced the production of these two compounds: under continuous darkness dihydro-epideoxyarteannuin B was intensely produced and the compound B present in small amounts, while on 16 h photoperiod, the inverse occurred. The quantification of dihydro-epideoxyarteannuin B by Gas Chromatography coupled to Flame Detector Ionization (CG/FID) revealed an approximately fivefold increase in the production of this compound by normal roots kept under continuous darkness compared to roots kept under 16 h light period. The terpene dihydro-epideoxiarteannuin B was not present in transgenic hairy roots.