Sesquiterpenes (SS) are secondary metabolites formed by the bonding of 3 isoprene (C5) units. They play an important role in the defense and signaling of plants to adapt to the environment, face stress, and communicate with the outside world, and their evolutionary history is closely related to their physiological functions. This review considers their presence and extensively summarizes the 156 sesquiterpenes identified in Vitex taxa, emphasizing those with higher concentrations and frequency among species and correlating with the insecticidal activities and defensive responses reported in the literature. In addition, we classify the SS based on their chemical structures and addresses cyclization in biosynthetic origin. Most relevant sesquiterpenes of the Vitex genus are derived from the germacredienyl cation mainly via bicyclogermacrene and germacrene C, giving rise to aromadrendanes, a skeleton with the highest number of representative compounds in this genus, and 6,9-guaiadiene, respectively, indicating the production of 1.10-cyclizing sesquiterpene synthases. These enzymes can play an important role in the chemosystematics of the genus from their corresponding routes and cyclizations, constituting a new approach to chemotaxonomy. In conclusion, this review is a compilation of detailed information on the profile of sesquiterpene in the Vitex genus and, thus, points to new unexplored horizons for future research.

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Volume 3, Número 2 (mai./ago. 2018) pp: 505-518. www.kentron.ifal.edu.br/index.php/diversitas_journal © Diversitas Journal DIVERSITAS JOURNAL. Santana do Ipanema/AL. vol 3, n. 2, p.505-518, mai./ago. 2018. RESUMO:A caatinga é o único bioma exclusive do Brasil, caracteriza-se pela vegetação arbórea ou arbusiva, composta por árvores e arbustos pequenos de peculiaridades xerofíticas. Este bioma situa-se na região Nordeste e ocupa uma área de 844.453 km 2 totalizando 11% do território brasileiro. Este biota apresenta várias espécies vegetais com poder medicinal, com o potencial de inibir enzimas responsáveis pelo surgimento de doenças degenerativas. O estudo objetivou realizar um levantamneto de literatura nas bases de dados Google Acadêmico e Schielo, sobre o potencial anticolinesterásico de plantas da caatinga. Foram analisados 12 artigos publicados entre 2000 e 2017. Ao todo foi identificado estudos com 25 famílias botânicas e 38 espécies, sendo a família Fabaceae a mais citada com seis espécies. Os ensaios de inibição da acetilcolinesterase foram realizados in vitro e in vivo, pelos métodos qualitativos em CCD e quantitativo. Os diferentes estudos demostram a capacidade de extratos e substâncias isoladas na inibição da acetilcolinesterase. Conclui-se que existem poucos estudos nesta temática com plantas desse potencial bioma. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Alzheimer, inibição, extratos. ABSTRACT:The caatinga is the only exclusive biome in Brazil, characterized by arboreal or arbusive vegetation, composed of small trees and shrubs of xerophytic peculiarities. This biome is located in the northeast region and occupies an area of 844,453 km2 totaling 11% of the Brazilian territory. This biota presents several plant species with medicinal power, with the potential to inhibit enzymes responsible for the emergence of degenerative diseases. The study aimed to carry out a survey of the literature on the anticholinesteric potential of plants of the caatinga in the Google Academic and Schielo databases. Twelve articles published between 2000 and 2017 were analyzed. In all, it was identified studies with 25 botanic families and 38 species, the Fabaceae family being the most cited with six species. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition assays were performed in vitro and in vivo by qualitative and quantitative CCD methods. The different studies demonstrate the ability of extracts and isolated substances in the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. We conclude that there are few studies on this subject with plants of this potential biome.

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Óleo de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb) métodos de extração, constituição química e propriedades medicinais Oil of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb) extraction methods, chemical constitution and medicinal properties Anderson Soares de Almeida (1) ; Erijane da Silva Macedo (2) ; Deysiane Carollyne Gonçalves da Silva (3) ; Igor Jean Moura da Silva (4) ; Edylane de Farias (5) ; Carlos Roberto de Oliveira Santos (6) .