RESUMO-Extratos, to reduce the iron (FRAP) and to inhibit the lipid peroxidation (β-carotene). All samples showed considerable antioxidant activity, but in different proportions, highlighting the mesocarp of Caryocar brasiliense as responsible for the higher antioxidant activity by capturing free radicals (DPPH and ABTS) and power reduction of the metal (FRAP) and peduncle of Cipocereus minensis in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation (B-carotene). The studied fruits could be considered potential sources of natural antioxidants and could be exploited as promising feed additives for the prevention of diseases and health maintenance.

The in vitro antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and mineral elements of the fruit peel of Myrciaria cauliflora were investigated. The antioxidant capacity was analyzed by the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and β-carotene methods. The assays based on the DPPH (EC 50 = 3.18 g sample/g DPPH), ABTS •+ (1017 μmol Trolox/g sample), FRAP (1676 μM Fe 2 SO 4 /g sample) and β-carotene/linoleic acid (70% of oxidation inhibition) methods indicated a high antioxidant capacity of the fruit peel extract of the plant. The Folin-Denis method was more efficient in determining the total phenolic compound contents in the different solvents than the Folin-Ciocalteu one. Extractions made with 4:1 methanol-water, 4:1 ethanol-water, 3:2 ethanol-water and 3:2 acetonewater solutions using the Folin-Denis method exhibited high contents of phenolic compounds (18.95, 14.06, 12.93 and 11.99 mg GAE/g, respectively). Potassium was the major element found in the fruit peel, followed by phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron, in that order. As a result, the fruit peel of M. cauliflora can be considered as an important source of natural antioxidants and essential elements of easy access for the population and for application in the food industry. ResumoA capacidade antioxidante, o conteúdo fenólico total e os elementos minerais foram investigados, in vitro, nas cascas dos frutos de Myrciaria cauliflora. A capacidade antioxidante foi analisada pelos métodos difenilpicrilhidrazina (DPPH), [2,2'-azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolin)-6-sulfônico] (ABTS), poder redutor do íon férrico (FRAP) e β-caroteno. Os ensaios baseados nos métodos DPPH (EC 50 = 3,18 g amostra/g DPPH), ABTS •+ (1017 μmol Trolox/g amostra), FRAP (1676 μM Fe 2 SO 4 /g amostra) e β-carotene/ácido linoleico (70% de inibição da oxidação) indicam alta capacidade antioxidante dos extratos das cascas dos frutos dessa planta. O método Folin-Denis foi mais eficiente quando comparado com Folin-Ciocalteu para a determinação de compostos fenólicos em diferentes solventes. Extrações com soluções de 4:1 metanol-água, 4:1 etanol-água, 3:2 etanol-água e 3:2 acetona-água, usando o método Folin-Denis, exibem alto conteúdo de compostos fenólicos (18,95; 14,06; 12,93; 11,99 mg GAE/g, respectivamente). Potássio é o elemento encontrado em maior proporção nas cascas deste fruto, seguido pelo fósforo, cálcio, magnésio e ferro. Como resultado, cascas do fruto de M. cauliflora podem ser consideradas uma importante fonte de antioxidantes naturais e elementos essenciais de fácil acesso à população e aplicação pela indústria de alimentos.

Abstractγ-Radiation provides an effective alternative method to reduce or eliminate microbial contamination of medicinal herbs and other plant materials. However, a search in the literature is important to describe the effects of γ-radiation on the content and integrity of secondary metabolites from plants. The present work provides a review of the effects of γ-radiation on extraction yields and chemical composition of essential oils isolated from roots, rhizome and cortex, leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers, and whole plant. In addition, this review describes the effects of γ-radiation on terpenes. The informations in the present work may assist in research about essential oils and dose of γ-radiation that is able to biologically decontaminate without causing chemical changes in secondary metabolites. These reports in the literature can describe the behavior of many of these metabolites when subjected to various doses of radiation.

BackgroundStem bark of Luehea ochrophylla (L. ochrophylla) is used by the traditional Brazilian medicine for treatment of rheumatic diseases and tumors. This study aimed to investigate inhibition of acute and chronic inflammations and cytotoxic activity of extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds from L. ochrophylla.MethodsHexane (HE) and ethanol (EE) extracts obtained from stem bark of L. ochrophylla were submitted to chromatographic fractionation. In order to test acute inflammation, experimental model of impact injury was used, followed by transdermal application of gels using phonophoresis. Histological analysis was based on scores assigned by the capacity of decreasing the lesion. To evaluate the effect EE and fractions on cell proliferation, human lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and analyzed using flow cytometry. Proliferation was measured using VPD 450 staining and the calculated proliferative index (PI). The cytotoxic activity was evaluated using MTT colorimetric method against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, HCT-116, and Vero cells. GraphPad Prism Version 5 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsHE and EE provided friedelin, β-friedelinol, lupeol, mixture of lupeol and pseudotaraxasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, mixture of lupeol and taraxasterol, (−)-epicatechin, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and (+)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-epicatechin. HE, ethyl acetate fraction (AF), betulinic acid, and β-sitosterol promoted regeneration of muscle fibers caused by muscle injury. AF significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the lymphocyte proliferation index (1.36 for cultures stimulated with PHA, 0.7 for untreated cultures and 0.12 for cultures stimulated with PHA and treated with AF 25 μg/mL and AF 50 μg/mL, respectively). β-Sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside exhibited high cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 1.279 μg/mL) against HCT-116 cell line.ConclusionThese results suggest that extracts, fractions, and chemical constituents from L. ochrophylla decreases inflammatory processes generated by muscle injury. The anti-inflammatory activity may be justified by high inhibition of T cell proliferation. These extracts, fractions, and chemical constituents from L. ochrophylla may be useful as a therapeutic agent against rheumatic diseases. Moreover, chemical constituents from L. ochrophylla show potent cytotoxic activity against colon and rectal carcinomas.

Luehea species are found in almost all Central and South American countries. The present work describes the phytochemical study, isolation, and structural characterisation of friedelin, β-friedelinol, lupeol, pseudotaraxasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, taraxasterol, (-)-epicatechin, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, and (+)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin from stem barks of Luehea ochrophylla Mart. The structural identification of the isolated compounds was mainly performed by NMR analyses and comparison with the data from literature. These compounds were isolated for the first time in the genus Luehea, except β-sitosterol glucopyranoside, (-)-epicatechin, and lupeol. Hexane extract (HE) and dichloromethane (DF) and ethyl acetate (AF) fractions exhibited antiparasitic activity against amastigote (intracellular) and trypomastigote culture forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The ethanol extract (EE), DF, and ethanol fraction (EF) exhibited considerable antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Moreover, extracts and fractions exhibited significant percentage of capture free radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) when compared to the standard of ascorbic acid.