A new bibenzyl, 2'-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-4-methylbibenzyl (1) and four known compounds identified as 2'-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybibenzyl (2), liquiritigenin (3), guibourtinidol (4) and fisetinidol (5) were isolated from the roots of Bauhinia ungulata L. Phytochemical investigations of the stems of B. ungulata led to the isolation of the known compounds identified as liquiritigenin (3), guibourtinidol (4), fisetinidol (5), taraxerol (6), betulinic acid (7), taraxerone (8), glutinol (9), a mixture of sitosterol (10) and stigmasterol (11), pacharin (12), naringenin (13) and eriodictyol (14). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data (IR, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR). The cytotoxicity of the bibenzyl 1 has been evaluated against four human cancer cell lines, showing the IC values of 4.3 and 6.5 μg ml against pro-myelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and cervical adenocarcinoma (HEP-2) cell lines, respectively. This article also registers for the first time the C-NMR data of the known bibenzyl 2.
The leaves of Myrcia ovata, popularly known as "laranjinha do mato", are frequently used as an infusion in folk medicine. The essential oil obtained from these leaves is rich in citral, a mixture of neral and geranial isomers, known for its analgesic effect. Male Swiss mice (20-22 g) were tested in models of acute pain (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, tail flick, and formalin tests) and acute inflammation (paw oedema and air pouch tests) as well as in a model for evaluation of spontaneous motor performance (open-field test). The essential oil from M. ovata was administered orally at doses of 50-300 mg/kg. In addition, water, vehicle, morphine (5.01 mg/kg for evaluation of pain and motor performance), acetyl salicylic acid (200 mg/kg in the formalin test), and dexamethasone (2.25 mg/kg for evaluation of oedema formation, leukocyte extravasation, and quantification of cytokines) were administered. The essential oil showed a significant effect at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg in the acute pain and acute inflammation tests. The effect of the essential oil was reduced by pretreatment with naloxone. The essential oil did not induce motor impairment. The extract was not toxic after oral administration (LD50 > 3000 mg/kg). These data provide initial evidence that the traditional use of M. ovata can be effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
The genus Bauhinia (family Fabaceae) is widely distributed worldwide and is frequently used in folk medicine-related practices. For instance, leaves, stems and roots are employed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, inflammatory processes, infections and pain. 1 In vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that the therapeutic properties of the plant are mostly due to the presence of flavonoids. 2 Bauhinia ungulata L, a Brazilian native species, is popularly known as "pata-de-vaca", 3 and can be found in various regions of the country. The popular use of this plant in Brazil originates mainly from its hypoglycemic properties. 4 Phytochemical analysis of leaves of B. ungulata L. revealed the presence of quercetin, quercetin arabinofuranoside, quercitrin and the alkaloids, harmane Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Bauhinia ungulata L. (Fabaceae) on LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells ABSTRACT Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities of Bauhinia ungulata L. Method: A flavonoid-rich fraction was obtained from the Bauhinia ungulata L stem, called the ethyl acetate fraction of Bauhinia ungulata (FABU). The total antioxidant capacity of the FABU was determined through the phosphomolibdenium reduction method. For the evaluation of its antioxidant activity on a cell culture model, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of FABU and the reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production levels were measured. For the analysis of its immunomodulatory capacity, TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-10 levels were determined in the culture supernatant. In order to determinate the antimicrobial activity of FABU, antifungal and antibacterial susceptibility testing was performed against Candida albicans, methicillinsensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Result: The FABU demonstrated neither significant antimicrobial activity nor immunodulatory capacity; on the other hand, its potential antioxidant activity was demonstrated by the phosphomolibdenium reduction assay. Also, FABU treatment inhibited the ROS, NO, H 2 O 2 and TBARS levels in the supernatant of LPS-stimulated cells. Conclusion: A significant reduction in the amount of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) was observed, in addition to lipid peroxidation inhibition. Our data suggest that the FABU is a natural antioxidant complex that may interfere in the cascade of cell damage caused by free radicals and a promising potential drug in chronic disease models in which immunopathogenicity involves high levels of RONS.
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