RESUMO
Serjania erecta Raldk is an essential genetic resource due to its anti-inflammatory, gastric protection, and anti-Alzheimer properties. However, the genetic and evolutionary aspects of the species remain poorly known. Here, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of S. erecta and used it in a comparative analysis within the Sapindaceae family. S. erecta has a chloroplast genome (cpDNA) of 159,297 bp, divided into a Large Single Copy region (LSC) of 84,556 bp and a Small Single Copy region (SSC) of 18,057 bp that are surrounded by two Inverted Repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 28,342 bp. Among the 12 species used in the comparative analysis, S. erecta has the fewest long and microsatellite repeats. The genome structure of Sapindaceae species is relatively conserved; the number of genes varies from 128 to 132 genes, and this variation is associated with three main factors: (1) Expansion and retraction events in the size of the IRs, resulting in variations in the number of rpl22, rps19, and rps3 genes; (2) Pseudogenization of the rps2 gene; and (3) Loss or duplication of genes encoding tRNAs, associated with the duplication of trnH-GUG in X. sorbifolium and the absence of trnT-CGU in the Dodonaeoideae subfamily. We identified 10 and 11 mutational hotspots for Sapindaceae and Sapindoideae, respectively, and identified six highly diverse regions (tRNA-Lys - rps16, ndhC - tRNA-Val, petA - psbJ, ndhF, rpl32 - ccsA, and ycf1) are found in both groups, which show potential for the development of DNA barcode markers for molecular taxonomic identification of Serjania. We identified that the psaI gene evolves under neutrality in Sapindaceae, while all other chloroplast genes are under strong negative selection. However, local positive selection exists in the ndhF, rpoC2, ycf1, and ycf2 genes. The genes ndhF and ycf1 also present high nucleotide diversity and local positive selection, demonstrating significant potential as markers. Our findings include providing the first chloroplast genome of a member of the Paullinieae tribe. Furthermore, we identified patterns in variations in the number of genes and selection in genes possibly associated with the family's evolutionary history.
RESUMO
Objective:Pyrostegia venusta (Ker-Gawl.) Miers (Bignoniaceae) is a perennial invasive vine, distributed worldwide. In folk medicine, its parts are used for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory diseases. Extracts of P. venusta have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antinociceptive properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two extracts (aqueous and hydroethanolic) of P. venusta in the treatment of asthma in an animal model.Methods: Balb/c mice were sensitized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneally (ip), one week apart, and after one week, challenged with OVA intranasally on four alternate days. Mice were treated ip with 300 mg/kg of aqueous or hydroethanolic extracts for seven consecutive days. Control groups received saline on the same days. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, lung and airway inflammation, and antioxidant activity in lung tissue were assessed.Results: Treatment with aqueous extract significantly decreased bronchial hyperresponsiveness, measured by total and tissue resistance and elastance. The administration of hydroethanolic extract did not reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. In addition, both extracts significantly reduced total cell and eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage. Both extracts did not change significantly IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TGF-beta levels. Of note, only the aqueous extract significantly increased the total antioxidant activity and reduced lung inflammation.Conclusion: Aqueous extract of P. venusta reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness, lung and airway inflammation, probably via an antioxidant mechanism. These results demonstrate that P. venusta may have potential for asthma treatment.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Asma/tratamento farmacológico , Bignoniaceae , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Animais , Hiper-Reatividade Brônquica/tratamento farmacológico , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Etanol , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Pulmão/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Células Th1/metabolismo , Células Th2/metabolismo , ÁguaRESUMO
Plants produce a high diversity of metabolites that can act as regulators of cholinergic dysfunction. Among plants, the potential of species of the genus Tabernaemontana to treat neurological disorders has been linked to iboga-type alkaloids that are biosynthesized by those species. In this context, precursor-directed biosynthesis approaches were carried out using T. catharinensis plantlets to achieve new-to-nature molecules as promising agents against Alzheimer's disease. Aerial parts of T. catharinensis, cultured in vitro, produced 7 unnatural alkaloids (5-fluoro-ibogamine, 5-fluoro-voachalotine, 5-fluoro-12-methoxy-Nb-methyl-voachalotine, 5-fluoro-isovoacangine, 5-fluoro-catharanthine, 5-fluoro-19-(S)-hydroxy-ibogamine, and 5-fluoro-coronaridine), while root extracts showed the presence of the same unnatural iboga-type alkaloids and 2 additional ones: 5-fluoro-voafinine and 5-fluoro-affinisine. Moreover, molecular docking approaches were carried out to evaluate the potential inhibition activity of T. catharinensis' natural and unnatural alkaloids against AChE and BChE enzymes. Fluorinated iboga alkaloids (5-fluoro-catharanthine, 5-fluoro-voachalotine, 5-fluoro-affinisine, 5-fluoro-isovoacangine, 5-fluoro-corinaridine) were more active than natural ones and controls against AchE, while 5-fluoro-19-(S)-hydroxy-ibogamine, 5-fluoro-catharanthine, 5-fluoro-isovoacangine, and 5-fluoro-corinaridine showed better activity than natural ones and controls against BChE. Our findings showed that precursor-directed biosynthesis strategies generated "new-to-nature" alkaloids that are promising Alzheimer's disease drug candidates. Furthermore, the isotopic experiments also allowed us to elucidate the initial steps of the biosynthetic pathway for iboga-type alkaloids, which are derived from the MEP and shikimate pathways.
Assuntos
Alcaloides , Doença de Alzheimer , Tabernaemontana , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Alcaloides Indólicos , Simulação de Acoplamento MolecularRESUMO
Spiro-oxindole scaffolds have been studied due to their promising therapeutic potential. In the Amazon rainforest there are two important Uncaria species known as "cat's claw", which biosynthesize spirocyclic oxindole alkaloids; Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. and Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) Gmell. We carried out a precursor-directed biosynthesis approach with U. guianensis and successfully obtained oxindole alkaloid analogues with molecular mass corresponding to the addition of a methyl or fluorine group on the oxindole ring using tryptamine analogue precursors. Two of these novel oxindole alkaloid analogues (3b-7-methyl-isomitraphylline and 3c-6-fluoro-isomitraphylline) were isolated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Having established a substrate feeding protocol for these plantlets, the biosynthetic route for mitraphylline (1), rhynchophylline (2), isomitraphylline (3) and isorhynchophylline (4) was also investigated using 13C-precursors (1-13C-D-glucose, 2-13C-tryptophan, 1-13C-DL-glyceraldehyde, and methyl-13C-D-methionine).
Assuntos
Alcaloides/metabolismo , Unha-de-Gato/metabolismo , Oxindóis/metabolismo , Alcaloides/análise , Vias Biossintéticas , Unha-de-Gato/química , Halogenação , Metilação , Oxindóis/análise , Compostos de Espiro/análise , Compostos de Espiro/metabolismoRESUMO
This study aimed to isolate and identify flavonoids with hypoglycemic activity in Costus spiralis leaves. The methanolic extract (ME) was rich in flavonoids, while the powdered leaves (PL) contained considerable amounts of macro- and microelements. Oral acute treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 18â h with the C. spiralis PL, ME and isolated guaijaverin (GUA) lowered glycemia, improved oral glucose tolerance and inhibited liver lipid peroxidation. GUA and ME lowered plasma levels of low-density and non-high density lipoproteins; GUA also lowered total cholesterol levels. PL, ME and GUA did not significantly alter the plasma levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins, creatinine and aspartate transaminase, and the total protein levels in the kidney and liver tissues. Therefore, C. spiralis leaves are promising raw materials and rich sources of bioactive flavonoids for the development of novel antidiabetic drugs due to their hypoglycemic, antidyslipidemic and antioxidant actions.
Assuntos
Glicemia/análise , Costus/química , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Flavonoides/uso terapêutico , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Lipídeos/sangue , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Folhas de Planta/química , Animais , Antioxidantes/uso terapêutico , Aspartato Aminotransferases/sangue , Creatinina/sangue , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/sangue , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/fisiopatologia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangue , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/fisiopatologia , Teste de Tolerância a Glucose , Hipolipemiantes/uso terapêutico , Testes de Função Renal , Testes de Função Hepática , Masculino , Metanol/química , Ratos Wistar , EstreptozocinaRESUMO
Uncaria guianensis is native to the Amazon and is used traditionally as an anti-inflammatory. Natural populations of the species have declined markedly in recent times because of strong anthropic pressure brought about by deforestation and indiscriminate collection. The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic and chemical diversity among eight natural populations of U. guianensis located in the Brazilian states of Acre, Amapá and Amazonas. A set of four primer combinations was employed in sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) amplifications of leaf DNA, and the fragments were analyzed in an LI-COR model 4300 DNA Analyzer. Genetic variability within the populations (81%) was substantially greater than that detected between them (19%). The highest percentage of polymorphic loci (90.21%) and the largest genetic variability were observed in the population located in Mazagão, Amapá. Genetic differentiation between populations was high (Fst = 0.188) and the studied populations formed three distinct genetic groups (K = 3). The population located in Assis Brasil, Acre, presented the highest average content of the mitraphylline (0.60 mg/g dry weight,). However, mitraphylline and isomitraphylline not detected in most individuals in the studied populations, and it is questionable whether they should be considered as chemical markers of the species. The genetic data confirm the urgent need for conservation programs for U. guianensis, and for further studies aimed at ascertaining the genetic basis and heritability of alkaloid accumulation.
Assuntos
Biodiversidade , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Extratos Vegetais/análise , Polimorfismo Genético , Uncaria/genética , Brasil , Etnofarmacologia , Alcaloides Indólicos/análise , Medicina Tradicional/métodos , Oxindóis/análise , Extratos Vegetais/química , Folhas de Planta/química , Folhas de Planta/genética , Plantas Medicinais/química , Plantas Medicinais/genética , Uncaria/químicaRESUMO
A mastite bovina é a enfermidade que causa maior impacto na produção leiteira, sendo o microrganismo Staphylococcus aureus o mais prevalente. Este gênero possui a capacidade de produzir biofilmes que é um importante mecanismo de resistência aos antibióticos. Considerando a capacidade terapêutica das plantas, a espécie Croton urucurana, nativa do Cerrado, foi alvo do presente estudo, que teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antibiofilme in vitro do extrato vegetal e substâncias isoladas desta espécie, frente Staphylococcus aureus, isolados de leite de vacas com mastite, bem como dos antibióticos gentamicina e vancomicina. A atividade antibiofilme foi avaliada por meio do cristal violeta e da contagem de unidades formadoras de colônia. As imagens foram obtidas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O extrato bruto e frações de C. urucurana apresentaram atividade antibiofilme superior à gentamicina e semelhante à vancomicina, enquanto a substância isolada α-Costol foi significativamente mais ativa quando comparada aos demais tratamentos avaliados, reduzindo cerca de 6 ciclos logarítmicos da população bacteriana em biofilme. Conclui-se que os fitocomplexos e a substância α-Costol isolados de Croton urucurana são promissores no combate a um dos principais agentes etiológicos da mastite bovina.(AU)
Mastitis in dairy cattle is the disease that impacts dairy production the most; Staphylococcus aureus is the main causative agent of this condition. The genus Staphylococcus has the ability to produce biofilms, an important mechanism of antibiotic resistance. Bearing in mind that plants have therapeutic action, this study investigated the in vitro antibiofilm activity of the plant extract and compounds isolated from the species Croton urucurana, native to the Brazilian Cerrado, against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the milk of cows with mastitis, as well as the antibiotic gentamycin and vancomicyn. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated by means of violet crystal and the counting of Colony Forming Units. The images were obtained by scanning electron microscopy. The C. urucurana crude extract and fraction displayed better antibiofilm effect than gentamycin; their antibiofilm action was similar to the action of vancomycin. Compared with all the assessed treatments, the isolated compound α-Costol was significantly more active it reduced six logarithmic cycles of the bacterial population composing the biofilm. The phytocomplexs and the α-Costol substance isolated from Croton urucurana are promising in the fight against one of the main etiological agents of bovine mastitis.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Bovinos , Staphylococcus aureus , Bovinos/anormalidades , Mastite Bovina/patologia , CrotonRESUMO
A mastite bovina é a enfermidade que causa maior impacto na produção leiteira, sendo o microrganismo Staphylococcus aureus o mais prevalente. Este gênero possui a capacidade de produzir biofilmes que é um importante mecanismo de resistência aos antibióticos. Considerando a capacidade terapêutica das plantas, a espécie Croton urucurana, nativa do Cerrado, foi alvo do presente estudo, que teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antibiofilme in vitro do extrato vegetal e substâncias isoladas desta espécie, frente Staphylococcus aureus, isolados de leite de vacas com mastite, bem como dos antibióticos gentamicina e vancomicina. A atividade antibiofilme foi avaliada por meio do cristal violeta e da contagem de unidades formadoras de colônia. As imagens foram obtidas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O extrato bruto e frações de C. urucurana apresentaram atividade antibiofilme superior à gentamicina e semelhante à vancomicina, enquanto a substância isolada α-Costol foi significativamente mais ativa quando comparada aos demais tratamentos avaliados, reduzindo cerca de 6 ciclos logarítmicos da população bacteriana em biofilme. Conclui-se que os fitocomplexos e a substância α-Costol isolados de Croton urucurana são promissores no combate a um dos principais agentes etiológicos da mastite bovina.(AU)
Mastitis in dairy cattle is the disease that impacts dairy production the most; Staphylococcus aureus is the main causative agent of this condition. The genus Staphylococcus has the ability to produce biofilms, an important mechanism of antibiotic resistance. Bearing in mind that plants have therapeutic action, this study investigated the in vitro antibiofilm activity of the plant extract and compounds isolated from the species Croton urucurana, native to the Brazilian Cerrado, against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the milk of cows with mastitis, as well as the antibiotic gentamycin and vancomicyn. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated by means of violet crystal and the counting of Colony Forming Units. The images were obtained by scanning electron microscopy. The C. urucurana crude extract and fraction displayed better antibiofilm effect than gentamycin; their antibiofilm action was similar to the action of vancomycin. Compared with all the assessed treatments, the isolated compound α-Costol was significantly more active it reduced six logarithmic cycles of the bacterial population composing the biofilm. The phytocomplexs and the α-Costol substance isolated from Croton urucurana are promising in the fight against one of the main etiological agents of bovine mastitis.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Bovinos , Staphylococcus aureus , Bovinos/anormalidades , Mastite Bovina/patologia , CrotonRESUMO
Curcumin is a polyphenol present in the rhizomes of the species Curcuma longa L. ("turmeric," Zingiberaceae), which has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of C. longa in renal injury induced by doxorubicin (DOX, 3.5 mg.kg-1 IV). We studied four groups of Wistar rats: two groups with DOX-induced kidney injury, one fed with standard food and another with standard food mixed with C. longa (5 mg.g-1 ). Two other control groups without kidney injury were fed with the same foods. We measured albuminuria, body weight, and food intake every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks, treatment with C. longa did not change albuminuria, but it significantly attenuated the excretion of urinary inflammatory markers monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and significantly attenuated immunostaining for desmin, vimentin, and ED-1+ cells in renal tissues of rats with DOX-induced kidney injury. In addition, treatment with C. longa resulted in significantly lower glomerular and tubule interstitial injury scores, compared with that in the DOX-STD group. In conclusion, administration of powdered rhizomes of C. longa for 8 weeks to rats with DOX-induced kidney injury did not reduce albuminuria but led to a significant decrease in urinary inflammatory markers MCP-1 and TGF-ß and decreased histopathological alterations and immunostaining for desmin, vimentin, and ED-1+ cells kidneys tissues.
Assuntos
Curcuma/química , Doxorrubicina/efeitos adversos , Nefropatias/induzido quimicamente , Nefropatias/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/administração & dosagem , Pós/administração & dosagem , Administração Oral , Albuminúria/induzido quimicamente , Albuminúria/tratamento farmacológico , Albuminúria/urina , Animais , Curcumina/administração & dosagem , Curcumina/farmacologia , Dessecação , Rim/efeitos dos fármacos , Rim/patologia , Nefropatias/patologia , Nefropatias/urina , Masculino , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Pós/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Rizoma/química , Resultado do Tratamento , Zingiberaceae/químicaRESUMO
Costus spiralis, a plant used in traditional Brazilian medicine for the treatment of complications in diabetes, was investigated. Assay of hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous fractions obtained by partition of a crude methanol extract of dried leaves of C. spiralis revealed that AGI activity was confined to the ethyl acetate fraction. Purification of this fraction yielded schaftoside and isoschaftoside. The AGI activities of the two flavones were lower than, but comparable with, that of the anti-diabetic drug acarbose. In contrast, the IC50 value of the ethyl acetate fraction was 1.95-, 2.34-, and 2.22-fold higher than those of acarbose, schaftoside, and isoschaftoside, respectively. The results demonstrate for the first time that schaftoside and isoschaftoside are responsible, in part, for the AGI activity of C. spiralis. Our study suggests that further investigations into C. spiralis may lead to the discovery of additional compounds with antihyperglycemic activity.