Population growth has raised food production, and new sources are needed to increase quantity and quality of agricultural products. Carbamates and organophosphates are insecticide classes used worldwide as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Plants have a natural resistance to insects, which can be employed in pest control as a new alternative to reduce the use of chemicals. An alternative may be the use of α-amylase inhibitors, which are digestive enzymes that impair pest species growth and development. Another would be acetylcholinesterase inhibitors since they damage the normal functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, by releasing high concentrations of acetylcholine in cholinergic synapses. This substance accumulation increases stimulations that lead to behavioral changes, asphyxia, hyperactivity, and death. Botanical agrochemicals are believed to have advantages over synthetic ones, as they are rapidly degraded in the environment. In this scenario, plants have played an important role in pest control as sources of interest for the synthesis of new molecules for agricultural use. The present study evaluated acetylcholinesterase and α-amylase inhibition by microplate method, from leaf extracts of Mouriri elliptica Martius with different polarities.

O presente estudo trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, qualitativa e descritiva da importância do uso da Passiflora incarnata como fitofármaco utilizado na busca de uma alternativa viável e mais acessível, buscando contribuir para o tratamento alternativo do transtorno de ansiedade generalizado. Neste sentido, é bom esclarecer a terminologia “ansiedade” que é então descrita como um estado emocional presente em diversos momentos da vida, bem como, na correria do dia-a-dia. Os sintomas se manifestam através de pensamentos pessimistas, aflições, angústia e em momentos de perturbações, como o que estamos passando com a pandemia de COVID-19 e seus perigos de infecção, doença e falta de informação concisa. Inúmeras drogas sintéticas como os benzodiazepínicos são utilizadas no tratamento dos sintomas e no controle das manifestações traumáticas que a ansiedade carrega. No entanto, o uso contínuo de drogas sintéticas ansiolíticas dentre outras, acarretam desgaste emocional, estresse diário e dependência ocasionando sempre doses maiores. Outro sério problema é a associação destas com outras drogas farmacêuticas, bem mesmo, a ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas, provocando irritabilidade, descontrole mental, coma e óbito. Uma possível sugestão alternativa e segura é o uso de fitofármacos como a Passiflora incarnata, que em inúmeros estudos apresentam como uma eficiênte opção para o tratamento da ansiedade, devido aos bons resultados no controle sintomatológico e na associação conjunta entre outras drogas vegetais e sintéticas.

Hydnopolyporus fimbriatus is a species of mushroom of the Meripilaceae Jülich family found in some regions of Central and South America. This study aimed to evaluate the qualitative phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity in the reduction of DPPH and hydroxyl free radicals and to determine the flavonoid contents and total phenolics in the ethanolic extract of the mushroom H. fimbriatus. The ethanolic extract was prepared and lyophilized. Qualitative phytochemical prospection assays were performed for different groups of organic compounds. The antioxidant assay was carried out in the reduction of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhy-drazyl free radical and in the reduction of the hydroxyl free radical by colorimetric methods. The ethanolic extract of H. fimbriatus positively exhibited several phytochemical groups, moderate antioxidant activity in reducing free radical DPPH 101.09 µ mL-1, high hydroxyl radical reducing activity 87.51% and potential total phenolic content 20.15 mg GAE 100 g-1 of dry extract. Flavonoids content was not observed possibly due to the colorimetric method using aluminum chloride. With these results, it was possible to characterize the ethanolic extract of the vegetative part of Hydnopolyporus fimbriatus. New studies should be carried out in an attempt to develop a quantitative method of total flavonoids as well as test the extract in other biological models, thus being able to develop new drugs or products for agricultural use.

Hymenaea courbaril is a tree species belonging to the genus Hymenaea and family Fabaceae. This study aimed to extract the essential oil from the fruit peel and evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and bacterial activity. The fruits were collected in the municipality of Santa Helena de Goiás, Goiás, Brasil. The bark was crushed and the powder obtained used in the extraction of the essential oil in the Clevenger-type system. The physical-chemical evaluation was performed for organoleptic analysis, refractive index, relative density, optical rotation and solubility in 70% hydroethanolic solution. The chemical profile was evaluated by gas chromatography with a coupled mass emitter. The antibacterial assay was performed in a Petri dish at different oil concentrations and the antibiosis halo (mm) when present was evaluated with the aid of a caliper. The essential oil of the peel of the fruit of H. courbaril was aromatic, clear, slightly aromatic, presenting physicochemical characteristics similar to the several essential oils of plants. It demonstrated a chemical profile rich in molecules and effective antibacterial action.

Cochlospermum regium is a shrub plant species from the Cerrado domain used in traditional medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical profile and antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities on Artemia salina from the essential oil of fresh leaves and xylopodium. Fresch leaves and xylopodium of C. regium were collected in an area of ​​Cerrado domain in Goiás State, Brazil, 2021. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, the yield was quantified and the chemical profile determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Physicochemical analyzes were carried out for organoleptic analysis (color and appearance), solubility, relative density (g mL-1), refractive index, optical rotation (αD), antioxidant activity in DPPH radical reduction (IC50 µL mL-1), antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella serovar Enteritidis and Salmonella serovar Thyphymurium by the disc method (mm), and cytotoxicity bioassay on Artemia salina (LC50 µg mL-1). The major compounds for the essential oil of fresh leaves were viridiflorol 10.21%, Copaen-4-α-ol <β>, longiborneol 9.07 and β-bisabolene 11.48%, and for the essential oil of xylopodium β-selinene 26.17%, aromadendrene 8.66 % and thujopsene 8.09%. The yield was 0.58 and 0.33%, color slightly yellow and yellow for fresh leaves and xylopodium, respectively. Positive solubility, refractive index of 1.3468 and 1.3347, optical rotation +48.8 and +21.5, relative density 0.932 and 0.936 g mL-1, antioxidant activity IC50 = 47.65 and 111.16 µL mL-1 for fresh leaves essential oil and xylopodium, respectively. The essential oil from fresh leaves showed high antibacterial potential for all strains, as well as for cytotoxic activity on A. salina with LC50 = 90.17 and 625.08 µg mL-1, respectively.