A new triterpene 3,15-dioxo-21α-hydroxy friedelane has been isolated from methanol extract of Maytenus robusta and its structure elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. Stigmasterol, friedelin, friedelanol and 3,15-dioxo friedelane were also obtained. 3,15-dioxo-21α-hydroxy friedelane was analyzed against the writhing test in mice and exhibited potent dose-dependent effects with an ID₅₀ value of 12.5 ± 2.1 µmol kg⁻¹ and a maximal inhibition of 85.90%. It was about 10-fold more active than aspirin and paracetamol, used as reference drugs.

This study evaluates the effects of supercritical carbon dioxide extracts obtained from the fruit of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) on the development of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, 1797 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), from the larval period until the insect adulthood. For this purpose, a laboratory-scale extraction unit was operated at 60 °C and 200 bar. Larval mortality increased by raising the extract concentration tested: the value of LC50 calculated by Probit analysis was 376.74 mg kg-1, and at a concentration of 5000 mg kg-1, the mortality was 100%. The extract exhibited insect growth inhibitory activity in the higher concentrations (500 mg kg-1, 1000 mg kg-1 and 5000 mg kg-1), due to antifeedant action, resulting in larvae and pupae with mass and body length significantly smaller than the control. At the lowest concentration tested (100 mg kg-1), bioactive effects from the adult stage of the insect were observed, with low viability pupal and adults presenting morphological deformities, hence indicating chronic toxicity effect.

In addition to the known cilistol A, two new withanolides have been isolated from leaves and stem of Solanum sisymbiifolium, and assigned the structures 1-oxo-5,6; 22,26; 24,25-triepoxy-17,26-dihydroxyergost-2-ene and 1-oxo-22,26; 24,25-diepoxy-5,6,17,26-tetrahydroxy ergost-2-ene, namely cilistepoxide and cilistadiol.

This study shows the evaluation the antiproliferative effect of the extract, fractions, and uncommon compounds isolated from R. rosaefolius leaves. The compounds were identified by conventional spectroscopic methods such as NMR-H1 and C13 and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8,4-trimethoxyflavonol (1), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,4-pentamethoxyflavone (2), and tormentic acid (3). Both hexane and dichloromethane fractions showed selectivity for multidrug-resistant ovary cancer cell line (NCI-ADR/RES) with total growth inhibition values of 11.1 and 12.6μg/ml, respectively. Compound 1 also showed selective activity against the same cell line (18.8μg/ml); however, it was especially effective against glioma cells (2.8μg/ml), suggesting that this compound may be involved with the in vitro antiproliferative action. This study shows the evaluation the antiproliferative effect of the extract, fractions, and uncommon compounds isolated from R. rosaefolius leaves. The compounds were identified by conventional spectroscopic methods such as NMR-H1 and C13 and identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-6,8,4-trimethoxyflavonol (1), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,4-pentamethoxyflavone (2), and tormentic acid (3). Both hexane and dichloromethane fractions showed selectivity for multidrug-resistant ovary cancer cell line (NCI-ADR/RES) with total growth inhibition values of 11.1 and 12.6μg/ml, respectively. Compound 1 also showed selective activity against the same cell line (18.8μg/ml); however, it was especially effective against glioma cells (2.8μg/ml), suggesting that this compound may be involved with the in vitro antiproliferative action.

Context Garcinia achachairu Rusby (Clusiaceae) popularly known as ‘achachairu’ is used in folk medicine to treat rheumatism, inflammation, pain and gastric disorder. Objective The present study investigated the chemical profile and antiproliferative effects of the methanolic extract, fractions and two xanthones, against some carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Materials and methods The compounds were isolated and identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The extract, fractions and compounds were tested human tumour cell lines of U-251 (glioma), MCF-7 (breast), NCI/ADR-RES (ovary expressing multi-drug resistance phenotype), 786-0 (kidney), NCI-H460 (lung, non-small cells), PC-3 (prostate) and HT-29 (colon), non-tumour cell line HaCat (human keratinocytes) in doses of 0.25–250 μg mL ^{− 1} for 48 h. The antiproliferative activity was determined by spectrophotometric quantification (at 540 nm) of the cellular protein content using sulphorhodamine B assay. The prediction of parameters involved in the molecular bioavailability was executed directly by ChemDoodle (version 5.0.1) software (iChemLabs, LLC, Somerset, NJ). Results 3-Demethyl-2-geranyl-4-prenylbellidypholine (1) and 1,5,8-trihydroxy-4′,5′-dimethyl-2H-pyrane (2,3:3,2)-4-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) xanthone (2), gartanin (3) and stigmasterol (4) were identified on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited cytocidal activity, especially against breast, prostate and kidney cell lines, with TGI values of 15.8, 4.9, 9.1 and 39.4, 44.7, 40.9 μg/mL, respectively. Discussion and conclusion The presence of two sets of hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in separate domains in each molecule might play a role in the mediation of tumour-specific action. Our data show that G. achachairu have potent antiproliferative action and should be considered an important source of potent anticancer compounds.