Amburana cearensis: Pharmacological and Neuroprotective Effects of Its Compounds

Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith is an endemic tree from Northeastern Brazil used in folk medicine as teas, decocts and syrups for the treatment of various respiratory and inflammatory diseases, since therapeutic properties have been attributed to compounds from its stem bark and seeds. Numerous pharmacological properties of semi-purified extracts and isolated compounds from A. cearensis have been described in several biological systems, ranging from antimicrobial to anti-inflammatory effects. Some of these activities are attributed to coumarins and phenolic compounds, the major compounds present in A. cearensis seed extracts. Multiple lines of research demonstrate these compounds reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal death induced by glutamate excitotoxicity, events central to most neuropathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This review focuses on the botanical aspects, folk medicine use, biological effects and pharmacological activities of A. cearensis compounds and their potential as novel non-toxic drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

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Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1590/s1516-44462008000300015 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 271-280 ◽

Cited By ~ 197

Author(s):

Antonio Waldo Zuardi

Keyword(s):

Chemical Structure ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Sedative Effects ◽

Therapeutic Properties ◽

Number Of Publications

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe the historical development of research on cannabidiol. METHOD: This review was carried out on reports drawn from Medline, Web of Science and SciELO. DISCUSSION: After the elucidation of the chemical structure of cannabidiol in 1963, the initial studies showed that cannabidiol was unable to mimic the effects of Cannabis. In the 1970's the number of publications on cannabidiol reached a first peak, having the research focused mainly on the interaction with delta9-THC and its antiepileptic and sedative effects. The following two decades showed lower degree of interest, and the potential therapeutic properties of cannabidiol investigated were mainly the anxiolytic, antipsychotic and on motor diseases effects. The last five years have shown a remarkable increase in publications on cannabidiol mainly stimulated by the discovery of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects. These studies have suggested a wide range of possible therapeutic effects of cannabidiol on several conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory diseases, nausea and cancer. CONCLUSION: In the last 45 years it has been possible to demonstrate that CBD has a wide range of pharmacological effects, many of which being of great therapeutic interest, but still waiting to be confirmed by clinical trials.

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Neuroprotective Properties of a Standardized Extract fromMyracrodruon urundeuvaFr. All. (Aroeira-Do-Sertão), as Evaluated by a Parkinson’s Disease Model in Rats

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1155/2014/519615 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Iana Calou ◽

Mary Anne Bandeira ◽

Wellida Aguiar-Galvão ◽

Gilberto Cerqueira ◽

Rafaelly Siqueira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Disease Model ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Behavioral Alterations ◽

Medicinal Species ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Brazilian Semiarid

Myracrodruon urundeuvaFr. All. (Anacardiaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal species, which is common to the Northeastern Brazilian semiarid region, whose stem-bark is widely used in folk medicine. It is an endangered species, presenting as main bioactive components tannins and chalcones. In this work, we studied the neuroprotective effects of a standardized extract from cultivatedM. urundeuva(SEMU), in a model of Parkinson’s disease. Thus, a unilateral injection of 6-OHDA was done into the rat right stratum. The animals were submitted to stereotaxic surgery, then treated with SEMU (5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 2 weeks, subjected to behavioral tests, and euthanized for striata dissections and neurochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. We showed, for the first time, that SEMU reverted behavioral alterations seen in the 6-OHDA-lesioned group and partially blocked the decrease in DA and DOPAC contents. The numbers of viable neurons and TH immunopositive cells were increased by SEMU. In addition, the SEMU-treated 6-OHDA groups showed lower numbers of GFAP and OX-42 immunopositive cells. The neuroprotective action of SEMU is possibly related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties ofM. urundeuva, pointing out to its potential use in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.

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Anacardium microcarpum Promotes Neuroprotection Dependently of AKT and ERK Phosphorylation but Does Not Prevent Mitochondrial Damage by 6-OHDA

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2018/2131895 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Illana Kemmerich Martins ◽

Nélson Rodrigues de Carvalho ◽

Giulianna Echeverria Macedo ◽

Nathane Rosa Rodrigues ◽

Cynthia Camila Ziech ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reductase Activity ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Brain Slices ◽

Thioredoxin Reductase ◽

Total Content ◽

Behavioral Alterations ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

6 Hydroxydopamine

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative and progressive illness characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a widespread model for induction of molecular and behavioral alterations similar to Parkinson and has contributed for testing of compounds with neuroprotective potential. The Brazilian plant Anacardium microcarpum is used in folk medicine for treatment of several illnesses; however, the knowledge about toxicology and biological effects for this plant is very rare. The neuroprotective effect from hydroalcoholic extract and methanolic and acetate fraction of A. microcarpum on 6-OHDA-induced damage on chicken brain slices was investigated in this study. 6-OHDA decreased cellular viability measured by MTT reduction assay, induced lipid peroxidation by HPLC, stimulated Glutathione-S-Transferase and Thioredoxin Reductase activity, and decreased Glutathione Peroxidase activity and the total content of thiols containing compounds. The methanolic fraction of A. microcarpum presented the better neuroprotective effects in 6-OHDA-induced damage in relation with hydroalcoholic and acetate fraction. The presence of AKT and ERK1/2 pharmacological inhibitors blocked the protective effect of methanolic fraction suggesting the involvement of survival pathways in the neuroprotection by the plant. The plant did not prevent 6-OHDA autoxidation or 6-OHDA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, the neuroprotective effect of the methanolic fraction of A. microcarpum appears to be attributed in part to chelating properties of extract toward reactive species and is dependent on ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. This study contributes to the understanding of biochemical mechanisms implied in neuroprotective effects of the vegetal species A. microcarpum.

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Neurotherapeutic Effect of Inula britannica var. Chinensis against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cortical Neurons

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10030375 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 375

Author(s):

Jin Young Hong ◽

Hyunseong Kim ◽

Junseon Lee ◽

Wan-Jin Jeon ◽

Seung Ho Baek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Cortical Neurons ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Neuronal Viability ◽

Inula Britannica ◽

Oxidative Effects

Inula britannica var. chinensis (IBC) has been used as a traditional medicinal herb to treat inflammatory diseases. Although its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects have been reported, whether IBC exerts neuroprotective effects and the related mechanisms in cortical neurons remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of IBC extract (5, 10, and 20 µg/mL) on cortical neurons using a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced injury model. Our results demonstrate that IBC can effectively enhance neuronal viability under in vitro-modeled reaction oxygen species (ROS)-generating conditions by inhibiting mitochondrial ROS production and increasing adenosine triphosphate level in H2O2-treated neurons. Additionally, we confirmed that neuronal death was attenuated by improving the mitochondrial membrane potential status and regulating the expression of cytochrome c, a protein related to cell death. Furthermore, IBC increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor. Furthermore, IBC inhibited the loss and induced the production of synaptophysin, a major synaptic vesicle protein. This study is the first to demonstrate that IBC exerts its neuroprotective effect by reducing mitochondria-associated oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial dysfunction.

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Herbal mouthwash based on Libidibia ferrea: microbiological control, sensory characteristics, sedimentation, pH and density

Revista de Odontologia da UNESP ◽

10.1590/1807-2577.1064 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 118-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gisely Naura Venâncio ◽

Isis Costa Rodrigues ◽

Tatiane Pereira de Souza ◽

Raquel de Oliveira Marreiro ◽

Maria Fulgência Costa Lima Bandeira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Folk Medicine ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Mouth Diseases ◽

Number Of Microorganisms ◽

Microbiological Control ◽

Density Values ◽

Density Evaluation ◽

Therapeutic Properties ◽

And Staphylococcus Aureus

Introduction Phytotherapy is the study of herbal medicines and their applicability to cure diseases in general, being a therapeutic method which can be used for the prevention and treatment of mouth diseases. Among the herbal studied, the Libidibia ferrea, known as jucá or ironwood, is widely used in folk medicine by presenting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial and antipyretic therapeutic properties. Objective To evaluate in vitro pharmacological stability of the Libidibia ferrea extract’s mouthwash (INPA - 228 022). Material and method It was held the mouthwash microbiological control by determining the total number of microorganisms and Salmonella sp, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus; stability characteristics (color, odor, brightness and consistency), sedimentation test (centrifuge), the pH measurement (pH meter) and density evaluation (pycnometer) were analyzed. Result The mouthwash showed to be absent from microorganisms and no changes were observed in the organoleptics and sedimentation characteristics. The average pH values were 6.21, 6.15 and 5.85 at 0, 30 and 60 days, respectively, and 1.029, 1.033 and 1.035 g/ mL density values, respectively, without interfering with the final characteristic of the formulation. Conclusion The mouthwash presented pharmacological stability and quality conditions.

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Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Biological Effects of European Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24010024 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 24 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Tunde Jurikova ◽

Sona Skrovankova ◽

Jiri Mlcek ◽

Stefan Balla ◽

Lukas Snopek

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Meat Products ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Fruit Species ◽

American Cranberry ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal ◽

Active Substances

Lesser known fruits or underutilized fruit species are recently of great research interest due to the presence of phytochemicals that manifest many biological effects. European cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos fruit, as an important representative of this group, is a valuable source of antioxidants and other biologically active substances, similar to American cranberry (V. macrocarpon) which is well known and studied. European cranberry fruit is rich especially in polyphenolic compounds anthocyanins (12.4–207.3 mg/100 g fw), proanthocyanins (1.5–5.3 mg/100 g fw), and flavonols, especially quercetin (0.52–15.4 mg/100 g fw), which mostly contribute to the antioxidant activity of the fruit. Small cranberry is also important due to its various biological effects such as urinary tract protection (proanthocyanidins), antibacterial and antifungal properties (quercetin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins), cardioprotective (proanthocyanidins) and anticancer activities (proanthocyanidins), and utilization in food (juice drinks, jams, jellies, sauces, additive to meat products) and pharmacological industries, and in folk medicine.

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Study of the antiproliferative potential of seed extracts from Northeastern Brazilian plants

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/s0001-37652011005000017 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 83 (3) ◽

pp. 1045-1058 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Paulo Michel P. Ferreira ◽

Davi F. Farias ◽

Martônio P. Viana ◽

Terezinha M. Souza ◽

Ilka M. Vasconcelos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Cancer ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Cell Number ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Human Cancer Cells ◽

Ic50 Value ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Apoptotic Pathways ◽

Seed Extracts

This study assessed the antiproliferative and cytotoxic potential against tumor lines of ethanolic seed extracts of 21 plant species belonging to different families from Northeastern Brazil. In addition, some underlying mechanisms involved in this cytotoxicity were also investigated. Among the 21 extracts tested, the MTT assay after 72 h of incubation demonstrated that only the ethanolic extract obtained from Myracrodruon urundeuva seeds (EEMUS), which has steroids, alkaloids and phenols, showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells, being 2-fold more active on leukemia HL-60 line [IC50 value of 12.5 (9.5-16.7) μg/mL] than on glioblastoma SF-295 [IC50 of 25.1 (17.3-36.3) μg/mL] and Sarcoma 180 cells [IC50 of 38.1 (33.5-43.4) μg/mL]. After 72h exposure, flow cytometric and morphological analyses of HL-60-treated cells showed that EEMUS caused decrease in cell number, volume and viability as well as internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent way, suggesting that the EEMUS triggers apoptotic pathways of cell death.

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Imazapic interaction and mobility in soil cultivated with sugarcane in northeast Brazil

RBRH ◽

10.1590/2318-0331.262120210007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Fernando Xavier de Assis ◽

André Maciel Netto ◽

Bruno Toríbio de Lima Xavier ◽

Valmir Felix de Lima ◽

João Paulo Siqueira da Silva

Keyword(s):

Partition Coefficients ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Clay Content ◽

Breakthrough Curves ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Adsorption Potential ◽

Soil Columns ◽

Leaching Potential ◽

Physical Chemical ◽

Sorption Leaching

ABSTRACT In the plantation of sugarcane, Imazapic has used pre- or post-emergence, alone or in combination with other herbicides. When applied to the soil in pre-emergence, Imazapic can undergo the sorption, leaching and/or degradation processes due to physical, chemical and biological effects, besides being absorbed by weeds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the interaction and mobility of the Imazapic herbicide in the soil where the soil columns with a dystrophic Yellow Ultisol (YUd) and a dystrophic Red-Yellow Oxisol (RYOd) from northeastern Brazil were used. The higher adsorption potential of the RYOd is associated with higher clay content, higher Fed and Feo concentrations, and soil acidic pH. The CDE – 2 sorption sites model adequately represented the experimental data from the Imazapic breakthrough curves to the RYOd and YUd soils. From the Kd partition coefficients for RYOd and YUd, high values of the GUS index (5.94 and 7.04, respectively) were calculated, confirming the high leaching potential of the Imazapic molecule in these soils.

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A Narrative Review of Libidibia ferrea: Botanical Aspects, Ethnopharmacological Properties, Phytochemical Characteristics, Toxicity, and Experimental Tests

European Journal of Medicinal Plants ◽

10.9734/ejmp/2021/v32i1230432 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 16-30

Author(s):

Nayanne C. O. da S. Almeida ◽

Silvania da C. Furtado ◽

José F. M. Barcellos

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Experimental Tests ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Narrative Review ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Methodological Guidelines

Introduction: Jucá or pau-ferro (Libidibia ferrea) is an arboreal plant from the Fabaceae family. It is commonly used in traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases, including inflammatory process. Aims: The objective of this narrative review is to present botanical aspects, ethnopharmacological properties, phytochemical characteristics, toxicity highlighting, and experimental models with L. ferrea. Results: Botanical Aspects: Jucá has several uses such as in landscaping (stem and canopy), in arborization of urban areas. Ethnopharmacological Properties: It is used in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes, flu, asthma and, inflammatory processes of which different parts are used (root, stem bark, leaves, fruits, seeds). Phytochemical Characteristics: Phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and terpenoids are among the compounds monthly used. Toxicity: In vivo models have been used to verify toxicity and in most studies the plant presented no toxicity in its use. Experimental studies: Animals, such as mice, dogs, rats, etc. and different models of studies to analyze the action of the plant were used. Conclusions: Such low toxicity, associated with its widespread use in folk medicine and its various effects demonstrated in the studies included in this Review have corroborated for the continuity of the research with L. ferrea. New studies, however, ought to follow methodological guidelines, such as the Animal Research: reporting in vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) so that, a methodological design secures more homogeneous studies capable of quantifying the actual size of the effect in the plant may have in clinical studies.

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Mass spectrometry with paper spray ionization in analysis of the Arrabidaea chica leaf tea

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i8.17525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. e47410817525

Author(s):

Vinícius Moura Andrade ◽

Gustavo Henrique Cassemiro de Souza ◽

Fátima de Cássia Oliveira Gomes ◽

Ana Maria de Resende Machado ◽

Ildefonso Binatti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Chemical Characterization ◽

Paper Spray ◽

Paper Spray Ionization ◽

Probable Loss ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Arrabidaea Chica

The species Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) B. Verl. (Bignoniaceae) is a plant native to tropical forests, popularly known as pariri or crajiru, and it is widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, anemias, skin diseases and to assist in the treatment of leukemia. Because of the widespread use of the plant, concern with its quality and effectiveness is fundamental. This study demonstrates the application of mass spectrometry with ionization by paper spray (PS-MS) as a chemical characterization method to evaluate the presence of the active principles in teas prepared by infusion from commercial samples of the medicinal plant Arrabidaea chica by infusion. The analyses of the samples were performed in two periods: 24 hours and 15 days after the preparation of the teas. Compounds referring to the class of substances 3-deoxythocyanidins were detected without any pre-treatment of the sample or chromatographic separation to provide valuable information for the evaluation and quality control of this product. Significant changes in the m/z signals of greater intensity, referring to the class of 3-deoxythocyanidins, were observed in the mass spectra, and multivariate analysis corroborated the degradation of this class of substances with time, resulting in a probable loss of the quality and effectiveness of the tea.

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