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Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke, known as "saracura-mirá" in the Amazon rainforest, is valued for its traditional use in malaria prevention and treatment. The plant's roots and bark are employed for these purposes, while the wood is often overlooked. Given the global importance of leishmaniasis, research focused on A. amazonicus anti-Leishmania amazonensis potential. The ethyl acetate extract from the bark (EAEB) exhibited the most effective inhibition of intracellular amastigote growth with IC50 7.0 µg.mL-1 but showed high toxicity (CC50 9.0 µg.mL-1). The wood ethanol (EW) and ethyl acetate (EAEW) extracts demonstrated promising results against L. amazonensis with IC50 15.8 µg.mL-1 and 10.0 µg.mL-1, CC50 50.5 µg.mL-1 and 22.7 µg.mL-1, respectively. High-speed countercurrent chromatography combined with mass spectrometry  off-line detection was employed for the bioassay-guided fractionation of EAEB and EAEW using HEMWat as solvent system. These extracts showed to be rich in saponins and triterpenes, besides minor glycosylated flavonoids. HSCCC was effective in obtaining high purity fractions, leading to the identification of a di-glycosylated triterpene saponin from EAEB, and melaleucic acid from EAEW. These findings highlight A. amazonicus as a potential source for developing new therapeutic alternatives for leishmaniasis and HSCCC as a technique enabling better separation efficiency of complex saponin matrices.

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Smilax fluminensis Steud. is distributed in Central and South America, commonly named as 'salsaparilha' or 'japicanga'. In the present work, the chemical composition was determined, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects were evaluated for the ethanol extract (EE) and fractions from leaves. Fatty acid esters and phytol were characterised in the hexane (HEX) fraction. O-glycosylated flavonols and flavones, caffeic acid derivatives, and steroidal saponins were annotated for EE, and dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (AC), and hydroethanol (HE) fractions. The samples contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds, and the AC fraction displayed the biggest concentration of these substances. Antioxidant potential was observed in all samples, being especially pronounced in the AC fraction by DPPH and FRAP assays, with IC50 values of 8.18 and 2.35 µg/mL, respectively. AC and HEX fractions showed 35% and 5% lethality at 1000 µg/mL, in the Artemia salina assay, and the other samples did not show a toxic effect.

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The study aimed to evaluate the inclusion effects of Stryphnodendron rotundifolium (barbatimão) extracts in substitution of the lasalocid sodium on the ingestive behaviour, intake, ruminal parameters, and digestibility of feedlot lambs. Twenty-four pantaneiro lambs were used, with an average age of 150 ± 4.59 days and an initial body weight of 21.2 ± 3.63 kg. The lambs were distributed in three treatments in an experimental design with randomized blocks. The treatments correspond to the additive supplements: LAS (0.019 g of lasalocid sodium/lamb/d); DGB (1.50 g of barbatimão dried ground bark/lamb/d); DHE (0.30 g of barbatimão dry hydroalcoholic extract/lamb/d). The DHE increased 59.74 min in the time spent for ingestion per day, resulting in an efficiency reduction of dry matter (DM) ingestion (127 g of DM/h of feed). There was a reduction of 1.8 mg/dL in the ammoniacal nitrogen concentration with extract supplementation compared to LAS. The DGB reduced total volatile fatty acids by 48.9% compared to the control treatment. The inclusion of barbatimão extracts (DGB and DHE) reduced 12.05% of ruminal butyrate content. The supplementation of barbatimão extracts replacing lasalocid sodium in the diet of feedlot lambs did not affect intake and caused small changes on ingestive behaviour.

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The fruits of Sapindus saponaria L., popularly known as 'saboeiro', have been used in medicine. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the hydroethanolic extract (HAE) and fractions obtained from the fruit pericarp of S. saponaria. The HAE was obtained from the S. saponaria fruit pericarp by maceration; this was followed by fractionation using reversed-phase solid-phase extraction, resulting in fractions enriched with acyclic sesquiterpenic oligoglycosides (ASOG) and saponins (SAP1, and SAP2), confirmed by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI-QTOF-MS). The greatest citotoxic activity was observed with the SAP1 fraction against the CaCo2 cell line with a GI50 of 8.1 µg mL-1, while the SAP2 fraction had a GI50 of 13.6 µg mL-1 against CaCo2. The HAE demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity. S. saponaria has potential therapeutic use in the pharmaceutical industry as a natural anti-oxidant or antitumor product.

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The present study aimed to determine the biological properties of an extract of Solanum aculeatissimum aqueous extract (SaCE) alone as well as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) generated by green synthesis utilizing S. aculeatissimum aqueous extract (SaCE). These synthesized SaCE AgNPs were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), zeta potential (ZP), dynamic light scattering (DLS). Determination of total polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins content was conducted. In addition, high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was employed to identify constituents in this extract. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging and ferric ion reducing power (FRAP) methods. Antiglycation activity was demonstrated through relative mobility in electrophoresis (RME) and determination of free amino groups. The inhibitory activity on tyrosinase was also examined. Molecular docking analyses were performed to assess the molecular interactions with DNA and tyrosinase. The antitumor activity SaCE was also measured. Phytochemical analysis of SaCE and AgNPs showed presence polyphenols (1000.41 and 293.37 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), flavonoids (954.87 and 479.87 mg rutin equivalent/g), saponins (37.89 and 23.01% total saponins), in particular steroidal saponins (aculeatiside A and B). Both SaCE and AgNPs exhibited significant antioxidant (respectively, 73.97%, 56.27% in DPPH test, 874.67 and 837.67 µM Trolox Equivalent/g in FRAP test) and antiglycation activities (72.81 and 67.98% free amino groups, results observed in RME). SaCE and AgNPs presented 33.2, 36.1% inhibitory activity on tyrosinase, respectively. In silico assay demonstrated interaction between steroidal saponins, DNA or tyrosinase. SaCE exhibited antitumor action against various human tumor cells. Data demonstrated that extracts SaCE alone and AgNPs synthesized from SaCE presented biological properties of interest for application in new therapeutic formulations in medicine.

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Inflammation is a natural protective reaction of the body against endogenous and exogenous damage, such as tissue injuries, trauma, and infections. Thus, when the response is adequate, inflammation becomes a defense mechanism to repair damaged tissue, whereas when the response is inadequate and persistent, the increase in inflammatory cells, cytosines, and chymosins impair tissue regeneration and promote a response harmful to the organism. One example is chronic tissue inflammation, in which a simple lesion can progress to ulcers and even necrosis. In this situation, the anti-inflammatory medications available in therapy are not always effective. For this reason, the search for new treatments, developed from medicinal plants, has increased. In this direction, the plants Agave sisalana (sisal) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) are rich in saponins, which are secondary metabolites known for their therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. Although Brazil is the world's leading sisal producer, approximately 95% of the leaves are discarded after fiber extraction. Similarly, pomegranate peel waste is abundant in Brazil. To address the need for safe and effective anti-inflammatory treatments, this study aimed to create a topical mucoadhesive gel containing a combination of sisal (RS) and pomegranate residue (PR) extracts. In vitro experiments examined isolated and combined extracts, as well as the resulting formulation, focusing on (1) a phytochemical analysis (total saponin content); (2) cytotoxicity (MTT assay); and (3) a pharmacological assessment of anti-inflammatory activity (phagocytosis, macrophage spreading, and membrane stability). The results revealed saponin concentrations in grams per 100 g of dry extract as follows: SR-29.91 ± 0.33, PR-15.83 ± 0.93, association (A)-22.99 ± 0.01, base gel (G1)-0.00 ± 0.00, and association gel (G2)-0.52 ± 0.05. In MTT tests for isolated extracts, cytotoxicity values (µg/mL) were 3757.00 for SR and 2064.91 for PR. Conversely, A and G2 exhibited no cytotoxicity, with increased cell viability over time. All three anti-inflammatory tests confirmed the presence of this activity in SR, PR, and A. Notably, G2 demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect comparable to dexamethasone. In conclusion, the gel containing SR and PR (i.e., A) holds promise as a novel herbal anti-inflammatory treatment. Its development could yield economic, social, and environmental benefits by utilizing discarded materials in Brazil.

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Some plant species of the genus Cestrum L. (Solanaceae family) are known to cause poisoning in farming animals in Brazil, negatively affecting the livestock sector. In this context, this study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the Cestrum species that cause poisoning in ruminants in Brazil and to list the main phytochemicals involved in these toxic activities that have already been identified. Scientific documents were retrieved in Google Scholar, PubMed®, ScienceDirect®, and SciELO databases. After applying the inclusion criteria, a total of 38 articles published between 1920 and 2023 were included in the present study. Cestrum axillare Vell. [Syn. Cestrum laevigatum Schltdl.], Cestrum corymbosum Schltdl., Cestrum intermedium Sendtn., and Cestrum parqui L'Hér. were found to have reported cases of poisoning in the Northeast, Southeast, and South of Brazil. Natural poisonings in ruminants caused by these species have been recorded in ten Brazilian states, mostly in Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Pernambuco. In general, Cestrum species cause liver damage and a clinical-pathological state characterized by acute liver failure of the poisoned animals. Cattle are more susceptible to poisoning by these plants, but there are reports of poisoning by C. axillare in goats and buffaloes as well. Several chemical constituents were identified in C. axillare and C. parqui, including some saponins and terpenoids that may be associated with the cases of poisoning. However, only one chemical compound has been identified in C. intermedium, and no phytochemical investigation has been carried out regarding toxic compounds in C. corymbosum. It is expected that future studies fill the gap in determining the toxic principles present in these species.

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Chikungunya fever, a debilitating disease caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), is characterized by a high fever of sudden onset and an intense arthralgia that impairs individual regular activities. Although most symptoms are self-limited, long-term persistent arthralgia is observed in 30-40% of infected individuals. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment against CHIKV infection, so there is an urgent need for the discovery of new therapeutic options for CHIKF chronic cases. This present study aims to test the antiviral, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities of an ethanol extract (FF72) from Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke wood, chemically characterized using mass spectrometry, which indicated the major presence of dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins. The major saponin in the extract, with a deprotonated molecule ion m/z 897 [M-H]-, was tentatively assigned as a jujubogenin triglycoside, a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin. Treatment with FF72 resulted in a significant reduction in both virus replication and the production of infective virions in BHK-21-infected cells. The viability of infected cells was assessed using an MTT, and the result indicated that FF72 treatment was able to revert the toxicity mediated by CHIKV infection. In addition, FF72 had a direct effect on CHIKV, since the infectivity was completely abolished in the presence of the extract. FF72 treatment also reduced the expression of the major pro-inflammatory mediators overexpressed during CHIKV infection, such as IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1. Overall, the present study elucidates the potential of FF72 to become a promising candidate of herbal medicine for alphaviruses infections.

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Piscirickettsiosis, the main infectious disease affecting salmon farming in Chile, still has no efficient control measures. Piscirickettsia salmonis is a facultative intracellular bacterium that can survive and replicate within the host macrophages, evading the immune response. Triterpenic saponins obtained from the Quillaja saponaria tree have been widely studied, and have been shown to be immunomodulatory agents, suitable for feed and vaccine applications for veterinary and human uses. The impact of the oral administration of two extracts of Quillaja saponins on the infection of P. salmonis in Salmo salar and the corresponding gene expressions of immunomarkers were studied under three in vivo models. In the intraperitoneal challenge model, the group fed with Quillaja extracts showed lower mortality (29.1% treated vs. 37.5% control). Similar results were obtained in the cohabitation model trial (36.3% vs. 60.0%). In the commercial pilot trial, the results showed a significant reduction of 71.3% in mortality caused by P. salmonis (0.51% vs. 1.78%) and antibiotic use (reduction of 66.6% compared to untreated control). Also, Quillaja extracts significantly modulated the expression of IFN-II and CD8. These results represent evidence supporting the future use of purified Quillaja extracts as a natural non-pharmacological strategy for the prevention and control of P. salmonis infections in salmon.

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BACKGROUND: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a parasitic infection that may lead to death if left untreated. This disease is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Trypanosoma and is transmitted to humans through tsetse fly bites. The disease is widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 70% of cases in recent reports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and an average of less than 1000 cases are declared annually. Since there is no appropriate treatment for HAT, steroidal and triterpenoid saponins have been reported to be effective in in vitro studies and might serve as scaffolds for the discovery of new treatments against this disease. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to summarize up-to-date information on the anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity of steroidal and triterpenoid saponins. The mechanisms of action of in vitro bioactive compounds were also discussed. METHODS: Information on the anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity of plant saponins was obtained from published articles, dissertations, theses, and textbooks through a variety of libraries and electronic databases. RESULTS: There has been incredible progress in the identification of steroidal and triterpenoid saponins with pronounced in vitro activity against Trypanosoma brucei. Indeed, more than forty saponins were identified as having anti-T. brucei effect with activity ranging from moderate to highly active. The mechanisms of action of most of these saponins included DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis through downregulation of bcl-2 and MDM2, and upregulation of Bax and Bak, among others. CONCLUSION: Referring to in vitro studies, plant saponins have shown anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity; however, more cytotoxic and in vivo studies and detailed mechanisms of action of the bioactive saponins should be further considered.

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