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Species belonging to the genus Cnidoscolus have been widely recognized for their diverse applications, including forage, oil production, latex, ornamental purposes, medicinal uses, and as nutritional sources. This study aimed to compile up-to-date information on the chemical, nutritional, and ethnopharmacological aspects, as well as the biological activities, of Cnidoscolus species, offering a critical overview of the current advancements in research on these plants. The reviewed literature indicates that Cnidoscolus species hold significant traditional use value, particularly in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and disorders affecting the uterus, prostate, ovaries, and kidneys, in addition to menstrual disturbances, inflammation, and general pain. Scientifically, their efficacy has been demonstrated in several contexts, including antinociceptive, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, hypoglycemic, and antioxidant activities, among others. Additionally, certain species like C. aconitifolius have shown potential for human consumption, with leaves being eaten raw or cooked, while C. quercifolius demonstrates nutritional value in its seeds, which can be utilized in the development of functional foods. However, further studies are needed to focus on the isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds found in these species, as well as deeper investigations into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying their biological activities and assessments of the safety of long-term consumption in both humans and animals. Moreover, more extensive clinical and preclinical studies are essential to validate the proposed therapeutic effects and to support the safe and effective inclusion of these species in conventional treatment regimens.

Recently, our research group identified and reported 1,8-cineole (CIN), a monoterpene that naturally occur in many aromatic plants, as one of the major constituent of the essential oil from leaves of Hyptis martiusii (EOHM), as well as characterized the gastroprotective action of this oil. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of action involved in the antiulcer and healing activity of CIN, in order to confirm its correlation with the gastroprotective effect of EOHM. Wistar rats were exposed to different protocols (acute ulceration, gastrointestinal motility and antisecretory activity). In addition, were determinated the involvement of nitric oxide and sulphydryl groups; the levels of gastric mucus, lipid peroxidation, sulphydryl groups and myeloperoxidase activity. The healing ability was evaluated by acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer and histological and immunohistochemical analysis (PCNA, Ki-67 and BrdU). The treatment with CIN inhibited ethanol-, ethanol/HCl- and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. The highest doses of CIN inhibited gastric emptying, but did not affect intestinal transit. CIN (100 mg/kg) reduced the volume of basal but not stimulated acid secretion. CIN increased levels of mucus (89.3%), prevented depletion of -SH groups (62.6%) and reduced the level of lipid peroxidation (55.3%) and myeloperoxidase activity (59.4%) in the gastric mucosa. In chronic ulcer model, CIN reduced in 43.1% the gastric area lesion, promoted significant regeneration and restoration of the levels of mucus in glandular cells as confirmed by histological analysis; and promoted increase in cell proliferation as evidenced by reactivity for PCNA, Ki-67 and BrdU. This findings demonstrate the role of 1,8-cineole as an important ulcer healing agent and indicate the involvement of antioxidant and cytoprotective mechanisms in the gastroprotective effect of compound. This study also provides evidence that 1,8-cineole is related to the gastroprotective effect of the essential oil of Hyptis martiusii.

Sarcomphalus joazeiro (Mart.) is a promising candidate for the formulation of new therapies against parasitic infections. This study aimed to quantify the content of phenolic compounds and evaluate the antioxidant, antileishmanial, and cytotoxic potential of ethanolic extracts of the leaves (EELSJ) and bark (EEBSJ) of S. joazeiro. Quantification of phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid) and flavonoids (naringenin, pinocembrin, and apigenin) was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The extracts were subjected to antioxidant assays, including Fe3+ reduction, Fe2+ chelation, and inhibition of oxidative degradation of deoxyribose (2-DR). The antileishmanial activity was evaluated against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis, while cytotoxicity was assessed in J774.G8 macrophages. Among the biological effects evaluated, EELSJ showed potent hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavenging activity, with IC50 < 10 µg/mL, which potentially correlates with its phenolic acid and flavonoid content (0.7066 mg/g). In comparison, EEBSJ showed a lower phenolic content (0.197 mg/g) and demonstrated Fe2+ chelating activity (IC50 = 14.96 ± 0.0477 µg/mL). EELSJ also exhibited antileishmanial activity against L. amazonensis (IC50 = 246.20 µg/mL), with low cytotoxicity (CC50 = 343.3 µg/mL; SI = 1.39), whereas EEBSJ showed minimal antileishmanial effect and marked cytotoxicity toward J774.G8 macrophages (CC50 = 5.866 µg/mL). The leaves of S. joazeiro stand out as the most promising plant organ for future investigations. Future studies should focus on investigating their action mechanisms in more detail.

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart., popularly known as “Jucá” or “Pau-ferro”, belongs to the Fabaceae family, and is classified as a native and endemic species in Brazil. Numerous studies that portray its ethnobotany, chemical composition, and biological activities exist in the literature. The present study aimed to systematically review publications addressing the botanical aspects, uses in popular medicine, phytochemical composition, and bioactivities of C. ferrea. The searches focused on publications from 2015 to March 2020 using the Scopus, Periódicos Capes, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases. The leaves, fruits, seeds, and bark from C. ferrea are used in popular medicine to treat disorders affecting several systems, including the circulatory, immune, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and conjunctive systems. The most commonly found chemical classes in phytochemical studies are flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and other phenolic compounds. The biological properties of the extracts and isolated compounds of C. ferrea most cited in the literature were antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and healing potential. However, further studies are still needed to clarify a link between its traditional uses, the active compounds, and the reported pharmacological activities, as well as detailed research to determine the toxicological profile of C. ferrea.

The search for new immunopharmacological chemical agents to treat various diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, such as leishmaniasis, for example, has led to the exploration of potential products from plant species and their main active ingredients. Antimonial drugs are the current treatment for leishmaniasis. These drugs cause major side effects and frequent discontinuation of treatment. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of essential oil of Vanillosmopsis arborea (VAEO) and its major compound α-bisabolol against Leishmania amazonensis. The essential oil and α-bisabolol showed activity against promastigotes (IC50 7.35 and 4.95 μg/mL resp.) and intracellular amastigotes (IC50 12.58 and 10.70 μg/mL, resp.). Neither product showed any cytotoxicity on treated macrophages. The ultrastructural analysis of promastigotes incubated with VAEO or α-bisabolol at 30 μg/mL, showed morphological changes with the accumulation of vesicles electrodense lipid inclusions. The results give evidence that both VAEO and α-bisabolol have potential as new therapeutic agents against leishmaniasis.

The guava fruit, Psidium guajava var. pomifera (Myrtaceae family), is a native plant from South America. Its leaves and fruits are widely used in popular medicine in tropical and subtropical countries. Drosophila melanogaster has been used as one of the main model organisms in genetic studies since the 1900s. The extensive knowledge about this species makes it one of the most suitable organisms to study many aspects of toxic compound effects. Due to the lack of studies on the effects of the bioactive compounds present in the P. guajava var. pomifera essential oil, we performed a phytochemical characterization by CG-MS and evaluated the toxicity induced by the essential oil in the D. melanogaster insect model. In order to understand the biochemical mechanisms of toxicity, changes on the Nrf2 signaling as well as hallmarks of oxidative stress response were followed in the exposed flies. Our results showed that exposure of insects to the P. guajava oil increased mortality and locomotor deficits in parallel with an oxidative stress response signaling. Therefore, it suggested a bioinsecticidal activity for P. guajava volatile compounds by means of oxidative stress. Further studies are ongoing to identify which oil compounds are responsible for such effect.

Background. Duguetia furfuracea is popular plant used in popular medicine. Hypothesis/Purpose. This claim evaluated the phytochemical composition of the hydroethanolic extract (HEDF), fractions of Duguetia furfuracea, and antioxidant and antifungal activity. Methods. The chemical profile was carried out by HPLC-DAD. The total phenolic contents and flavonoid components were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride reaction. The antioxidant activity was measured by scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) methods. The antifungal activity was determined by microdilution assay. Results. HPLC analysis revealed caffeic acid and rutin as major compounds (HEDF), caffeic acid and quercitrin (Mt-OH fraction), and quercitrin and isoquercitrin (Ac-OEt fraction). The highest levels of phenols and total flavonoids were found for Ac-OEt fraction, and the crude extract showed higher in vitro antioxidant potential. The antifungal activity showed synergic effect with fluconazole and EHDF against C. krusei, fluconazole and Mt-OH against C. krusei and C. tropicalis, and Ac-OE and fluconazole against C. albicans. Conclusion. The highest levels of phenols and total flavonoids were marked with antioxidant effect. This is the first report of bioactivity of the synergic effect of HEDF and fractions. More studies would be required to better clarify its mechanism of synergic action.

Caryocar coriaceum is an endemic tree of Brazil, occurring mainly in the northeast region in the Cerrado environment. The species, popularly known as “pequi”, produces fruits that are used in the manufacture of oil for food and medicinal purposes. This work reviewed studies conducted with the species, highlighting its ethnomedicinal use, its pharmacological potential, including its chemical constituents, and its cultural and socioeconomic importance. Information was obtained through the main scientific research platforms. The keyword “Caryocar coriaceum” was used as the main index for searching the following platforms: PubMed®, PubMed Central®, SciElo, Scopus® and Web of ScienceTM. The compiled papers demonstrate that C. coriaceum has great medicinal, economic and cultural importance for northeastern Brazil. Popularly, the fruits of C. coriaceum are used to treat broncho-pulmonary diseases (bronchitis, colds and flu). The fixed oil is widely used to relieve pain from various causes in the treatment of inflammation, flu, eczema, burns, fever, rickets, indigestion, heart murmurs, fatigue and erectile dysfunction. Some of these uses are corroborated by pharmacological trials, which have demonstrated the antioxidant, healing, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antinociceptive and antimicrobial properties of the species. Chemically, fatty acids and phenolic compounds are the main constituents recorded for the species. Due to its medicinal properties, the fruits and oil of C. coriaceum have a high commercial demand and are one of the main forms of subsistence activities for local populations. On the other hand, the extractive practice of the fruits, associated with anthropic factors and its physiological nature, makes the species threatened with extinction. Thus, public management policies are highly necessary in order to avoid its extinction.

This study presents the chemical profile of extracts from the pulp and seed of Annona squamosa L., as well as the evaluation of their antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. In the chemical prospection, qualitative assays were performed, and the contents of total phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, and carotenoids were quantified. For the compounds identification, analyses of the extracts were performed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Antioxidant evaluation was performed using the DPPH, ABTS, Fe3+ reduction, 2-DR protection, and β-carotene protection methods. The assay for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was determined using the method described by Ellman. The secondary metabolites identified were anthocyanidins, flavones, flavonols, and alkaloids. Phenol analysis showed a higher quantitative value of total phenols and flavonoids for the seed extract, and the vitamin C content was higher in the pulp extract. There was no significant difference in relation to the carotenoids quantification. The best results obtained for antioxidant activity, for both seed and pulp extracts, were with the ABTS method with IC50 of 0.14 ± 0.02 and 0.38 ± 0.02 mg/mL, respectively. Compared to A. squamosa seed extract, the pulp extract demonstrates higher AChE inhibitory activity with IC50 of 18.82 ± 0.17 µg/mL. A. squamosa is a nutritious food source. The continuity of the studies is fundamental to relate the consumption of this food and its effects on neurodegenerative diseases.

The rise in bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has led to the search for alternative antimicrobial agents, such as flavonoids, which are widely distributed in plants and known for their antibacterial properties. This review examines the antibacterial activity of flavonoids against Gram‐negative bacteria and identifies gaps in current knowledge. The analysis of available data revealed that several flavonoids, such as liricidin‐7‐ O ‐hexoside, licoflavone C, and dorsmanins C and F, demonstrated remarkable antibacterial potential. It was also observed that flavonoids exhibit multifactorial antibacterial activity, interfering with various cellular bacterial processes such as maintaining cell membrane integrity, energy metabolism, and protein synthesis. However, despite the growing number of studies indicating the promising potential of these compounds against bacterial pathogens, many of these studies mainly focus on in vivo evaluations, limited to verifying the presence or absence of antibacterial activity, without an in‐depth investigation of the mechanisms of action or clinical efficacy of flavonoids. Additionally, most research has been conducted on a limited number of bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Klebsiella pneumoniae . Furthermore, few studies have explored the effects of pure flavonoids, as most investigations have centered on extracts or flavonoid‐rich fractions. There is a significant gap in research regarding the antibacterial activity of isolated flavonoids against Gram‐negative bacteria. The review calls for further studies on pure flavonoids, focusing on understanding their mechanisms of action, interactions with other therapies, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and clinical effectiveness to develop more targeted treatments for multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections.