Aims:  To evaluate the antibacterial and free‐radical scavenging (FRS) activities of propolis collected from three different areas of Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico [Pueblo de Alamos (PAP), Ures (UP) and Caborca (CP)]. Methods and Results:  The antibacterial and FRS activities of Sonoran propolis were determined by the broth microdilution method and the DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydracyl) assay, respectively. Propolis samples had antibacterial activity against only Gram‐positive bacteria. The UP sample showed the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 100 μg ml−1] in a concentration‐dependent manner (UP > CP > PAP). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a UP propolis constituent, had very high growth‐inhibitory activity towards Gram‐positive bacteria, particularly against S. aureus (MIC 0·1 mmol l−1). To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a strong antibacterial activity of CAPE against S. aureus. Additionally, propolis CP exhibited high FRS activity (86% ± 0·3 at 100 μg ml−1) comparable with those of the reference antioxidants vitamin C (87·4% ± 1·7 at 70 μmol l−1) and BHT (66·07% ± 0·76 at 140 μmol l−1). The propolis compounds CAPE and rutin showed high FRS activity (90·4% ± 0·2 and 88·5% ± 0·8 at 70 μmol l−1, respectively). Conclusions:  Sonoran propolis UP and CAPE had strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In addition, propolis CP showed potent FRS activity comparable with those of vitamin C and BHT. Significance and Impact of the study:  The strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Sonoran propolis and some of its constituents support further studies on the clinical applications of this natural bee product against S. aureus and several oxidative damage‐related diseases.

Background. Emerging extraction techniques for bioactive compounds have been cataloged as efficient and cost effective compared to conventional ones. The objective of this research was to define the time and temperature that will guarantee a higher mangiferin content and antioxidant potential in Colombian Criollo mango peel through Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE). Materials and methods. To find the optimal extraction conditions, response surface methodology was used, proposing a 3 2 factorial experimental design having as response variables the content of mangiferin and total phenols, and the antioxidant activity measured through ABTS and ORAC techniques. Results. According to the results obtained, the R 2 values were in accordance with the adjusted R 2 values, showing that the data fit the model well. The results showed that both time and temperature had a significant effect on all the variables evaluated (p < 0.05). The optimization of multiple responses showed that the optimal extraction conditions were 10 min and 54°C; these values were performed experimentally to compare theoretical values, finding percentages of standard residual error of less than 5%. Conclusion. This allows the conclusion that the optimal parameters of temperature and time in ultrasoundassisted extraction were defined in Criollo mango peel. On the other hand, the peel showed a considerable metabolite content and antioxidant activity, suggesting it as a possible functional additive in the production of juices, nectars, and other mango-based products.

Dichloromethane extracts of both the roots and the leaves of Raimondia cf. monoica showed in vitro antiplasmodial and leishmanicidal activities against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania panamensis, respectively. Three 6-substituted 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones were isolated. (1) and (2) were identified as (6S)-(5'-oxohepten-1'E,3'E-dienyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (1) and (6R)-(5'-oxohepten-1'Z,3'E-dienyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (2), respectively. (-)-Arentilactone (3) was also isolated. The structure of the new compound (1) was determined by spectroscopic methods; additional spectroscopic data for (2) are reported for the first time.

ResumenEsta investigación establece un procedimiento para obtener isoespintanol (IE) por hidrodestilación seguida de cristalización, del extracto bencínico de Oxandra xylopiodes. En la exploración de las condiciones óptimas, se realizó monitoreo por cromatografía en capa delgada, en las distintas etapas del proceso, detectando la presencia de isoespintanol. La proporción de IE en el hidrodestilado se estimó por cromatografía de gases-espectrometría de masas. Los resultados sugieren que la concentración óptima en el proceso de hidrodestilación es 4.54 mg de extracto/mL de agua. Para la extracción con solventes se requieren dos extracciones con 10 mL de diclorometano por un tiempo de 10 min. El proceso de concentración se fijó a 50°C, 1010 mbar y 80 rpm y la cristalización con 200 µL de hexano y un cristal de 10 mg de IE. Se concluye que se puede obtener isoespintanol con 73.12% de pureza por un método sencillo y económico. AbstractThis research establishes a procedure to obtain isoespintanol (IE) by means of hydrodistillation followed by crystallization of bencinic extract of Oxandra xylopiodes. In the initial setting of the optimal conditions, monitoring by thin layer chromatography was performed in the different stages of the process, detecting the presence of isoespintanol. The proportion of IE in the hydrodistilled current was estimated by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results suggest that the optimal concentration in the process of hydrodistillation is 4.54 mg extract/mL of water. For the purposes of the extraction with solvent, two extractions of 10 mL of dichloromethane for 10 minutes are required. The concentration process was fixed at 50°C, 1010 mbar and 80 rpm and crystallization with 200 µL of hexane and one crystal of 10 mg of IE. It is concluded that isoespintanol with a purity of 73.12% can be obtained using a simple and mot-expensive method.

Se evalúa la actividad antioxidante de los extractos etanólico, de acetato de etilo y de alcaloides totales de la madera de D. vallicola J.F. Macbr., frente a la capacidad atrapadora del radical libre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH) y 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-etilbenztiazolin-6-sulfonato de amonio) (ABTS), y se identifican dos alcaloides por primera vez en esta especie. La fracción de alcaloides totales obtenida del extracto etanólico crudo, se fraccionó por cromatografía de columna sucesivas, usando fases móviles de diclorometano (DCM)/metanol (MeOH) desde 99:1 hasta 90:10, lo que condujo posteriormente a la identificación de los alcaloides con núcleo oxoaporfína, liriodenina (1) y lanuginosina (2), empleando técnicas de RMN mono y bidimensional. Por otra parte, se determinó que todos los extractos tuvieron actividad antioxidante frente a los dos radicales usados, siendo el extracto de EtOH el más eficaz frente al radical ABTS (IC50=7,19 μM) y el extracto de AcOEt frente al radical DPPH (IC50= 12,79 μM). Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio permiten considerar a esta planta como fuente promisoria de componentes químicos con potencial actividad antioxidante.