Applications of Metabolities Extracted from Macroalgae to Fight Neglected Diseases in Brazil

Microorganisms provoke neglected diseases. However, social factors intensified those affected by them. Macroalgae are photosynthetic beings that live in oceans. They are divided into three categories: green, red, and brown algae. These groups are known for having metabolites with various applications in biotechnology and natural products chemistry. The present work aimed to discuss, through bibliographic review, the applications of substances extracted from macroalgae to the treatment of forgotten diseases in Brazil. This research concludes that literature has studies focused on the presence and absence of these compounds, namely its qualitative aspects, in which pharmacological, pharmacodynamic, and reaction mechanisms fields of these bioactive constituents are described.

Challenges, Advances and Opportunities in Exploring Natural Products to Control Arboviral Disease Vectors

Natural products constitute an important source of molecules for product development. However, despite numerous reports of compounds and active extracts from biodiversity, poor and developing countries continue to suffer with endemic diseases caused by arboviral vectors, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and urban yellow fever. Vector control remains the most efficient disease prevention strategy. Wide and prolonged use of insecticides has resulted in vector resistance, making the search for new chemical prototypes imperative. Considering the potential of natural products chemistry for developing natural products-based products, including insecticides, this contribution discusses the general aspects and specific characteristics involved in the development of drug leads for vector control. Throughout this work, we highlight the obstacles that need to be overcome in order for natural products compounds to be considered promising prototypes. Moreover, we analyze the bottlenecks that should be addressed, together with potential strategies, to rationalize and improve the efficiency of the drug discovery process.

Isolation of trymiristin from Myristica fragrans for natural product chemistry laboratory

This study aims generated natural products chemistry project laboratory for student in order to isolation trymiristin from Myristica fragrans. The skill of isolating trimyristin will be useful for students to obtain natural whitening raw materials derived from nutmeg. Various studies on the isolation can be used in natural products laboratory project. Students are directed to study literature related to trymiristin isolation procedures. Students practice skills of extraction, fractionation, purification, and structure elucidation of trymiristin. They were asked to design the laboratory activities. Manipulation of the liquor by soxhletation and recrystallization techniques proved to be a simple method to isolate trymiristin in low resource laboratory setting. The trymiristin was treated with structure elucidation NMR and infrared spectrometry. The laboratory method, comprising for 3 hours laboratory sessions, was a simple way for the students to understand the process of isolating trymiristin.

Special Issue Dedicated to the Memory of Professor Ayhan Ulubelen (1931-2020) Rec. Nat. Prod. (2021) 15:6 ; 0 - 0

Prof. Dr. Ayhan Ulubelen who is one of the pioneers and a world-wide recognized authority in Natural Products Chemistry, has passed away on 29 November 2020 in Istanbul.

Chemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Sesquiterpenoids from the Chrysanthemum Genus

Plants from the Chrysanthemum genus are rich sources of chemical diversity and, in recent years, have been the focus of research on natural products chemistry. Sesquiterpenoids are one of the major classes of chemical constituents reported from this genus. To date, more than 135 sesquiterpenoids have been isolated and identified from the whole genus. These include 26 germacrane-type, 26 eudesmane-type, 64 guaianolide-type, 4 bisabolane-type, and 15 other-type sesquiterpenoids. Pharmacological studies have proven the biological potential of sesquiterpenoids isolated from Chrysanthemum species, reporting anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, insecticidal, and antiviral activities for these interesting molecules. In this paper, we provide information on the chemistry and bioactivity of sesquiterpenoids obtained from the Chrysanthemum genus which could be used as the scientific basis for their future development and utilization.