Three new triterpenes, 3,4-seco-3,11β-epoxyfriedel-4(23)-en-3β-ol (1), friedelan-3α,11β diol (2), 7β,26-epoxyfriedelan-3a,7a-diol (3), a mixture of two new triterpenes 3α-hydroxyfriedelan-29-yl palmitate (4) and 3α-hydroxyfriedelan-29-yl stearate (5) and eleven known compounds were obtained from the hexane extract of Maytenus quadrangulata leaves. The structures and the relative stereochemistry of the new triterpenes were established through 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral data. The hexane extract and isolated compounds were submitted to the cytotoxicity assays against leukemia (THP-1 and K562), ovarian (TOV-21G) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Compounds 1, 2 and 11β-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one (15) displayed high cytotoxicity and selectivity against leukemic cells when compared to positive control cytarabine (for THP-1) and imatinib (for K562). Furthermore, compound 2 showed similar cytotoxicity and an enhanced selectivity towards ovarian and breast cells in comparison to positive control etoposide.

Maytenus distichophylla is a medicinal species used in Northeast of Brazil. The hexane (HE), chloroform (CE), ethyl acetate (EAE) and methanol (ME) extracts and compounds from its roots were evaluated for their protective activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The cytotoxicity for chronic myeloid leukemia (K562), acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of normal individuals (PBMC) cells was established by MTT method using etoposide as standard. The in vivo toxicity of samples was determined using Caenorhabditis elegans model. From HE and CE were isolated: friedelan-3-one (1), b-sitosterol (2), 3-oxo-olean-9(11),12-diene (3), a mixture of pristimerin (4) and 11a-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one (5), 30-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one (6), friedelane-3,7-dione (7), tingenone (8) and triacylglycerol (9). The structures of 1-9 were confirmed by spectral data. All samples reduced the viability of S. aureus and present no effect against C. albicans. The HE, CE, mixture of 4/5 and 8 reduced 75% of S. aureus viability. Cytotoxic effect for K562 and THP-1 cells was caused by compounds 1, 2 and 8. All samples displayed selectivity for leukemic cells and low toxicity to PBMC cells, suggesting their potential as anticancer agents. Extracts and compounds were non-toxic to L1 larvae of C. elegans. However, most of them reduced significantly young adult worm’s survival, being considered as potential nematicides.

Salacia crassifolia traditionally known as “Bacupari-do-Cerrado” is used to treat kidney problems, and as a healing agent for coughs and malaria. The phytochemical study of the S. crassifolia roots led to the isolation of thirteen compounds: abruslactone-A (1), urs-12-ene-3β,25,30-triol (2), carioprystimerin (3), β-sitosterol (4), pristimerin (5), dispermoquinone (6), netzahualcoyonol (7), 20-hydroxy-20-epi-tingenone (8), 6-oxo-pristimerol (9), 9β,10β-epoxi-3β-hydroxy-1βH,4βH,5βH,7βH,11αH-guaian-12,8β-olide (10), 3-O-b-D-glucosyl-b-sitosterol (11), 4`-O-methylepigalocatechin (12) and cerebroside (13). The chemical structures of 1-13 were determined by IR, 1D/2D NMR together with X-ray diffractometry. Compounds 2 and 10 are herein described for the first time. Extracts of S. crassifolia and compounds 3, 5, 8 and 9 were evaluated on acetylcholinesterase inhibition, in vitro cytotoxic activity and in vivo toxicity tests using Caenorhabditis elegans model. All tested compounds inhibited acetylcholinesterase, and compounds 3, 8 and 9 demonstrated a greater potential when compared to the standard eserine. The tested compounds showed low cytotoxicity against the THP-1, K562 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. None of the tested compounds and extracts were toxic against C. elegans since the larvae survival rate in L1 stage was higher than 90%.

Two new compounds, caryopristimerin and 2α,3α,22β-trihydroxy-21-oxo-29-nor-friedelan-24-oic acid, were isolated from the hexane/ethyl ether extract of Salacia crassifolia roots. Caryopristimerin represents the first example of a homo Diels-Alder adduct of a sesquiterpene and a triterpene, and the new 29-nor-friedelane displays a highly oxygenated A ring with a carboxylic group at the unusual C-5 position. The new compounds were elucidated by infrared (IR), high-resolution-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-APCI-MS), 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Additionally, the known compounds 3-oxo-29-hydroxyfriedelane, pristimerin, tingenone and netzahualcoyonol are herein reported for the first time as constituents of S. crassifolia. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis.

The new triterpene friedelan-1,3,21-trione, the known compounds friedelan-3-one, 3β-friedelinol, 3,4-seco-friedelan-3-oic acid, 28-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, friedelan-3-oxo-28-al, friedelan-3,21-dione, 30-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, a mixture of 30-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one/21α-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, 21β-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, gutta-percha, squalene, and a mixture of palmitic/stearic/oleic acids were isolated from the hexane extracts of leaves and branches of T. micrantha. Their chemical structures were established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography (GC), 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and comparison with the literature data. All compounds were described for T. micrantha and the genus Tontelea for the first time. The branch and leaf extracts displayed anti-Zika virus activity at the lowest tested concentration of 15.6 µg mL-1, mainly virucidal effect, and presented no cytotoxicity to Vero cells. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate and methanolic leaf extracts demonstrated the best activities at the concentration of 31.2 and 15.6 µg mL-1 at the viral adsorption and penetration stages, respectively. These results showed that these extracts may be promising candidates for the Zika virus treatment.

Psychotria viridis is one of the species that produces N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Its decoction together with other species, such as Banisteriopsis caapi, produces ayahuasca, a beverage used for ritualistic and medicinal purposes. The goal of this study was to understand how environmental factors and cultivation methods influenced the content of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in P. viridis. Over all four seasons, leaf samples were collected from 25 different locations in 14 Brazilian states, and Federal District. Environmental parameters, micro and macronutrients, plant characteristics, information on farming methods were correlated with N,N-dimethyltryptamine content, determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Greatest effects on the N,N-dimethyltryptamine amount were associated with seasonality, altitude, latitude and biome type. A positive correlation between N and Mg content and N,N-dimethyltryptamine levels was statistically established. By regression analysis, the adequate foliar nutrient levels that would result in the concentration of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in cultivated plants similar to that of Amazonian P. viridis were equated.

ABSTRACT Diarrhea is an infectious disease caused by bacterial, virus, or protozoan, and dengue is caused by virus, included among the neglected diseases in several underdeveloped and developing countries, with an urgent demand for new drugs. Considering the antidiarrheal potential of species of Maytenus genus, a phytochemical investigation followed by antibacterial activity test with extracts of branches and heartwood and bark of roots from Maytenus gonoclada were conducted. Moreover, due the frequency of isolation of lupeol from Maytenus genus the antiviral activity against Dengue virus and cytotoxicity of lupeol and its complex with β-cyclodextrins were also tested. The results indicated the bioactivity of ethyl acetate extract from branches and ethanol extract from heartwood of roots of M. gonoclada against diarrheagenic bacteria. The lupeol showed potent activity against Dengue virus and low cytotoxicity in LLC-MK2 cells, but its complex with β-cyclodextrin was inactive. Considering the importance of novel and selective antiviral drug candidates the results seem to be promising.

ABSTRACT The phytochemical study of hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts from leaves of Psychotria viridis resulted in the identification of: the pentacyclic triterpenes, ursolic and oleanolic acid; the steroids, 24-methylene-cycloartanol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol; the glycosylated steroids 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-β-sitosterol and 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-stigmasterol; a polyunsaturated triterpene, squalene; the esters of glycerol, 1-palmitoylglycerol and triacylglycerol; a mixture of long chain hydrocarbons; the aldehyde nonacosanal; the long chain fat acids hentriacontanoic, hexadecanoic and heptadenoic acid; the ester methyl heptadecanoate; the 4-methyl-epi-quinate and two indole alkaloids, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and N-methyltryptamine. The chemical structures were determined by means of spectroscopic (IR, 1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and spectrometric (CG-MS and LCMS-ESI-ITTOF) methods. The study of biologic properties of P. viridis consisted in the evaluation of the acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cytotoxic activities. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, the substances 24-methylene-cycloartanol, DMT and a mixture of 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-β-sitosterol and 3-O-β-D-glucosyl-stigmasterol showed cholinesterase inhibiting activity. This activity induced by chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts was higher than 90%. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts inhibit the growth and/or induce the death of the tumor cells strains B16F10 and 4T1, without damaging the integrity of the normal cells BHK and CHO. DMT also demonstrated a marked activity against tumor cell strains B16F10 and 4T1.

The phytochemical study of hexane extract from leaves of Salacia crassifolia resulted in the isolation of 3β-palmitoxy-urs-12-ene, 3-oxofriedelane, 3β-hydroxyfriedelane, 3-oxo-28-hydroxyfriedelane, 3-oxo-29-hydroxyfriedelane, 28,29-dihydroxyfriedelan-3-one, 3,4-seco-friedelan-3-oic acid, 3β-hydroxy-olean-9(11):12-diene and the mixture of α-amirin and β-amirin. β-sitosterol, the polymer gutta-percha, squalene and eicosanoic acid were also isolated. The chemical structures of these constituents were established by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectral data. Crude extracts and the triterpenes were tested against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis and no activity was observed under the in vitro assay conditions. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol crude extracts, and the constituent 3,4-seco-friedelan-3-oic acid and 28,29-dihydroxyfriedelan-3-one showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus sanguinis and Candida albicans.

Some species of plants are notable for the wide range of biologically active constituents in their tissues. Chemical and pharmacological studies of Vellozia squamata Pohl, Velloziaceae, popularly known in Brasil as "canela-de-ema" are scarce, but showed the presence of di-and triterpenoid that may be of scientific interest. In the present study the hydroalcoholic extracts from leafs and stems of V. squamata were submitted to phytochemical prospection to identify the principal groups of constituents, and the antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH method. The hydroethanolic extracts presented higher antioxidant activity. Thus, nanoemulsion formulations were prepared using the method of phase inversion. Accelerated stability tests, such as heat stress and centrifugation were made, and physical and chemical properties of the nanoemulsions were established. Stable formulations were obtained from both extracts from leafs and stems. By the results was possible to establish the potential application of hydroalcoholic extracts from V. squamata in development of products with antioxidant properties and demonstrate a promising pharmaceutical product.

Friedelin molecular conformers were obtained by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and by ab initio structure determination from powder X-ray diffraction. Their conformers with the five rings in chair-chair-chair-boat-boat, and with all rings in chair, are energy degenerated in gas-phase according to DFT results. The powder diffraction data reveals that rings A, B and C of friedelin are in chair, and rings D and E in boat-boat, conformation. The high correlation values among powder diffraction data, DFT and reported single-crystal data indicate that the use of conventional X-ray diffractometer can be applied in routine laboratory analysis in the absence of a single-crystal diffractometer.

The phytochemical study of hexane/ethyl ether (1:1) extract of the roots of M. imbricata, Celastraceae, resulted in the isolation and characterization of six known triterpenes: 11α-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one, previously isolated from this species besides, 3β,11α-di-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene, 3,7-dioxofriedelane, 3-oxo-29-hydroxyfriedelane, tingenone and 6-oxo-tingenol. The chemical structures of these triterpenes were established by spectrometric data (IR, ¹H and 13C NMR) and through comparison with literature data. The hexane/ethyl ether (1:1), ethyl acetate and methanol extracts, and 11α-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-3-one, tingenone and 6-oxo-tingenol, showed antimicrobial properties on in vitro assays. All extracts and triterpenes, except 3β,11α-di-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene, presented toxicity demonstrated by the larvicidal effect test using Artemia salina.

Austroplenckia populnea (Mangabarana) é popularmente utilizada em Minas Gerais, Brasil, para o tratamento de disenterias. A ela também são atribuídas propriedades antitumoral e antiúlcera. Extratos de partes desta planta obtidos com solventes de diferentes polaridades e triterpenos pentacíclicos (TTPCs) isolados destes, por métodos fitoquímicos foram submetidos a testes de atividade antibacteriana. Os resultados mostraram a existência desta atividade e abriram perspectivas para a continuidade dos estudos com outros compostos orgânicos isolados desta planta.

Austroplenckia populnea (Mangabarana) is popularly used by people from Minas Gerais, Brazil for dysenteries diseases treatment. Antitumor and antiulcer activities were also attributed to this plant. Extracts obtained using solvents of different polarities and pentacyclic triterpenes (PCTTs) isolated from these extracts through phytochemical methods were submitted to antibacterial assays. The results showed the existence of this activity and open perspectives for news studies with other organic compounds isolated from this plant.

A atividade antioxidante, poder redutor (RP) e a atividade coletora de radicais livres (FRS) usando 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH), e a concentração de substâncias fenólicas totais dos extratos e substâncias isoladas das folhas, caules e raízes de Maytenus imbricata Mart. (Celastraceae) foram avaliados. Alguns extratos, a mistura de compostos fenólicos e epicatequina mostraram alto poder redutor e atividade antioxidante (DPPH) em comparação com o padrão butilhidroxianisol (BHA) e ácido gálhico (GA) utilizados no ensaio. O extrato acetato de etila das folhas mosraram alto teor de substâncias fenólicas e alto poder redutor e atividade antioxidante em relação aos outros extratos. Este fato indica haver alguma relação entre a concentração de substâncias fenólicas e o poder redutor. O solvente usado no processo de extração influencia a composição química dos extratos e, consequentemente, as atividades redutoras e antioxidantes.

The free radical scavenging activity (FRS) using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the reducer power and the total phenolic concentration of extracts and compounds isolated from leaves, branches and roots of Maytenus imbricata Mart. (Celastraceae) were evaluated. Some extracts, a mixture of phenolic compounds (MPC) and epicatechin showed higher RP and FRS (DPPH) activities in comparison with the standard butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and galic acid (GA) used in assays. The ethyl acetate extract from leaves showed higher total phenolic content and also higher RP and FRS (DPPH) than the other extracts. These facts indicate that there are some relations between phenolic concentration in the extract and the antioxidant activity and the reducer power. The solvent used in the extraction process influences the chemical composition of the extracts and consequently its antioxidant and reducer power activities.