Cristiane Fernanda Fuzer Grael's research while affiliated with Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri and other places

The aim of this work was to carry out a phytochemical study and evaluate the antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Acosmium dasycarpum and Croton antisyphiliticus. Classical phytochemical prospecting, quantification of the total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and radical scavenging assays DPPH and ABTS. Dichloromethane and hexane fractions of the extracts were analyzed by GC-MS and the hydroalcoholic fraction was analyzed by analyzed by HPLC-UV-DAD. As a result of the phytochemical prospecting, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpenes were observed in the extracts of the two plants, as well as alkaloids in the extract of C. antisyphiliticus. Both extracts showed low phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and therefore low capture of the radicals DPPH and ABTS. The GC-MS for A. dasycarpum identified the flavonoid Genkvanina and the triterpenes Lupeol and its Acetate were identified, among other metabolites. C. antisyphiliticus, some metabolites were identified, such as Lupeol Acetate and γ-Sitosterol. The presence of flavonoids in the extracts was confirmed by analysis. The extracts analyzed had a low potential, but metabolites with potential biological activity were identified. activity. There is a need for further studies with the ethanolic extract of the leaves of these vegetables to explore their antioxidant potential using other experimental models.

Introduction: Ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ageratum fastigiatum are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. Aim: To evaluate toxicity in Artemia salina and in the cells of the connective tissue of mice (L929). Methodology: The extract was partitioned and its hexane, dichloromethane and hydroalcoholic phases were submitted to the same test. The phytochemical screening of the phases of the extract was performed using tests aimed at the detection of secondary metabolites and GC-MS. Regarding A. salina, the hydroalcoholic phase exhibited the highest toxicity (LC50, 1.33 mg/mL) and the crude ethanolic extract was the least toxic (LC50, 4.81 mg/mL). In the assay of L929 cells, the dichloromethane phase was the most toxic (95.48% reduction in cell viability; LC50, 11.39 µg/mL), while the hydroalcoholic phase was the least toxic (cell death percentage, 55.67-19.38 %; LC50, 174.20 µg/mL). Result: The phytochemical study indicated the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, triterpenes/steroids and tannins. The GC-MS analysis identified the presence of terpenoids and a lycopsamine derivative (a pyrrolizidine alkaloid). Conclusion: These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. fastigiatum had constituents (i.e., phenolic compounds) that corroborate its use in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, the toxicity detected and the presence of 3'-acetyl lycopsamine (a chemotaxonomic marker of the genus that is hepatotoxic) indicates that this medicinal plant should be used with caution.

O livro consta de quatro partes. Na Parte I abordamos um pouco da vida de Saint-Hilaire na França: sua origem, vocação e a carreira como botânico antes de sua vinda ao Brasil, em 1816. No segundo capítulo apresentamos a concepção do "Caminho Saint Hilaire", uma trilha de longo curso que serpenteia a Reserva da Biosfera na Serra do Espinhaço Meridional. Na Parte II, buscamos reverberar a importância paisagística e sua biodiversidade quando da passagem de Saint-Hilaire pela Serra do Espinhaço Meridional. A Parte III busca descrever, a partir das obras do naturalista, a riqueza das construções pelo caminho. E a Parte IV é composta por capítulos que remetem à concepção do projeto "Caminho Saint Hilaire", uma inspiradora trilha de longo curso entre Diamantina, Serro e Conceição do Mato Dentro. Esperamos que você, leitor, viaje conosco na companhia de Saint-Hilaire!

Senna rugosa (Fabaceae) is a common specie of the Brazilian territory, especially in the Cerrado biome. It is widely used in the popular medicine although not yet adequately investigated as to its phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities. In this study, the preliminary phytochemical analysis of ethanolic leaf extract of S. rugosa was performed and its cytotoxicity, antitumoral and antimicrobial activities (antibacterial, antifungal, anti-Trypanosoma and anti-Leishmania) were evaluated. The crude extract was analyzed in HPLC-DAD and fractions were also characterized using GC-MS and ESI-MS techniques. Results indicate phenolic compounds majority presence, including flavonol, anthraquinone and anthrones derivatives. Relative antimicrobial activities were detected against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida famata, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. As well as, a weak anti-trypanosomatids activity against M2269 strain and BH46 strain of Leishmania sp. A relative antitumoral activity was also identified but in counterpoint were also observed a toxicity in fibroblast cells (L929). Phytochemically, results provide evidence that phenolic compounds in S. rugosa leaves might be the responsible for its antimicrobial activity and cell toxicity inferred in our research.

Aim: This study aimed to isolate Pseudobrickellia brasiliensis endophytic bacteria and evaluate the production of hydrolytic enzymes and antibiotics by these bacteria strains. The study also measured the antibacterial activity of P. brasiliensis. Methods and results: Thirteen endophytic bacteria strains were isolated from stem and leaf fragments of P. brasiliensis. Extracellular enzyme production by the isolated endophytic bacteria was evaluated in an agar plate-based assay. The highest protease production was achieved by Bacillus subtilis P4 in alkaline medium. Antimicrobial activity of endophytic bacteria and P. brasiliensis extracts was investigated using microbroth dilution. An MIC value of 1000 μg.mL-1 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found for Bacillus subtilis P3, Bacillus subtilis P5, Pseudomonas sp. P8 and Pseudomonas sp. P12. Leaf extract of P. brasiliensis showed the highest antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, with an MIC value of 0.781 mg.mL-1 . Conclusions: P. brasiliensis is a source of bacterial endophytes, which can produce antibacterial compounds and enzymes. This work also demonstrated the antibacterial potential of P. brasiliensis. Significance and impact of the study: This is the first study that revealed the antibacterial activity of P. brasiliensis and bioactive metabolite production by P. brasiliensis endophytic bacteria.

Agareratum fastigiatum is a Brazilian medicinal plant used as anti-inflammaroty and for wound healing by the folk medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies involving A. fastigiatum essential oil (EOAF) showed indications of anti-inflammatory activity, however, its effect on membrane integrins involved on cell migration is still unclear. Hence, it was evaluated in the present study the effect of EOAF on CD18 frequency on human lymphocytes. By using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry it was identified 9 compounds on EOAF: α-pinene; β-pinene; β-myrcene; d-limonene; β-ocimene; sesquiterpenes; α-copaene; 4,8-β-epóxi-caryophyllene; germacrene and bicyclogermacrene. On in vitro tests, 6.25 × 10⁻³ and 12.5 × 10⁻³ µL/mL EOAF reduced CD18 frequency on phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated lymphocytes. Such cells were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers, and were treated or not with EOAF. They were stained with fluorescent anti-CD18 monoclonal antibodies, after 24 hours incubation. Our data corroborates previous findings, indicating a possible anti-inflammatory activity of EOAF.

Pseudobrickelliabrasiliensisis aspecies endemic toBrazil, popularlyknown as "arnica"/ "arnica-do-campo"/ "arnica-do-mato" and used for itsanalgesicand anti-inflammatoryproperties. The objective of this research was thephytochemical studyof the essential oilandhexaneandethyl acetateextracts of the leaves of this species. The essential oilwasextracted byhydrodistillation using a Clevengerapparatusand was analyzed byGC/MS, 25components were identified, with a predominance ofmonoterpenes. The extractswere subjected toclassicalchromatographyand the fractionswere analyzed byGC/MS, 1D ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and 13C-NMR-DEPT 135.α-amyrin, α-amyrin acetate, β-amyrin, β-amyrin acetate, lupeol, lupeolacetate, pseudotaraxasterol andtaraxasterol (triterpenes), andkaurenoicacid (diterpene) were identified.Theseterpenesarechemo-taxonomicallyrelated to theEupatorieaetribe(Asteraceae) and may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity attributed to the plant.

Erythroxylum suberosum (Erythroxylaceae) is used in traditional Brazilian medicine as antidiarrheal, astringent, antirheumatic, anesthetic and against indigestion. The objectives of this study were to perform classical phytochemical screening, determine the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of E. suberosum. The extracts of the leaves were obtained by maceration. Phytochemical screening was performed using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and specific reactions. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was performed by reduction of DPPH, reduction of Fe+3 and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Phytochemical screening suggested the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, anthocyanins and condensed tannins in ethanol extract and flavonoids and triterpenes/steroids in the ethyl acetate extract. The amount of total phenolics detected was expressive, especially in the ethanol extract (575.50±2.50 mg g–1 of ethanol extract and 242.20±9.53 mg g–1 of extract in ethyl acetate). The ethanol extract showed higher antioxidant activity in the three methodologies employed (DPPH: IC50 of 0.18 mg mL–1, reduction of metal ion at 0.3 mg mL–1: 0.903±0.006-absorbance at 700 nm, CV: Increase of anodic current at 1.0 V at 2 mg extract mL–1) in comparison with the extract in ethyl acetate (DPPH: IC50 of 0.74 mg mL–1, reduction of metal ion at 0.3 mg mL–1: 0.871±0.007-absorbance at 700 nm, CV: Lower increase of anodic current at 1.0 V at 2 mg extract mL–1). The highest antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract may be associated with a higher content of phenolic compounds.

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from fresh leaves of Blepharocalyx salicifolius (Kunth) O. Berg (Myrtaceae) was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-two compounds were identified and a predominance of sesquiterpenes was observed (twenty sesquiterpenes-96.53%). This study presents for the first time the qualitative chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of B. salicifolius in their native habitat of Brazilian Cerrado. The qualitative chemical profile of essential oil obtained from the specimen in Cerrado differs from those obtained from specimens collected in biomes of southern parts of South America.