In this work, a metabolic profile of Mansoa hirsuta was investigated, and in vitro assays and theoretical approaches were carried out to evaluate its antioxidant potential. The phytochemical screening detected saponins, organic acids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in extracts of leaves, branches, and roots. Through LC-MS analysis, the triterpenes oleanolic acid (m/z 455 [M-H]⁻) and ursolic acid (m/z 455 [M-H]⁻) were identified as the main bioactive components. The extracts of the leaves, branches, and roots revealed moderate antioxidant potential in the DPPH test and all extracts were more active in the ABTS test. The leaf extracts showed better antioxidant capacity, displaying IC₅₀ values of 43.5 ± 0.14, 63.6 ± 0.54, and 56.1 ± 0.05 µg mL⁻¹ for DPPH, ABTS, and kinetics assays, respectively. The leaf extract showed higher total flavonoid content (TFC) (5.12 ± 1.02 mg QR/g), followed by branches (3.16 ± 0.88 QR/g) and roots (2.04 ± 0.52 QR/g/g). The extract of the branches exhibited higher total phenolic content (TPC) (1.07 ± 0.77 GAE/g), followed by leaves (0.58 ± 0.30 GAE/g) and roots (0.19 ± 0.47 GAE/g). Pharmacophore and molecular docking analysis were performed in order to better understand the potential mechanism of the antioxidant activity of its major metabolites.

Due to the continuous increase in incidents of diseases and disorders in the central nervous system as neurodegenerative disease, the growth of studies that seek to use herbal medicines has been observed, since these are more easily produced and more economically viable, in addition to having side effects to a lesser extent when compared to existing synthetic drugs. In this way, a wide variety of plants have been analyzed for their medicinal purposes and this review presents papers published from 1970 to 2021 that describe the chemical composition pharmacological activities and elucidates mechanisms of action in the central nervous system (CNS) of the species Piper methysticum (Kava-kava). The Kava-kava has a class of compounds that include tannins, alkaloids, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, sugars, bornyl-cinnamate, stigmasterol, flavocavaines, mucilages, pyrones, tetrahydroiangonins, phytochemicals that are responsible for the pharmacological activities of this plant being thus more studied as anxiolytic, sedative and neuroprotection. Some action mechanisms that describe the performance of kava in the CNS were also addressed, Being the main ones related to blocking of sodium and calcium ion channels, modulation of the erythroid 2 pathway, to receptors such as γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamatergics, glycine and cannabinoid, as well as monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes, in addition to neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Therefore, this study aims to open new paths for more in-depth pharmacological studies on Kava-kava, and its use in the central nervous system.

Platonia insignis Mart. is a vegetable of the Clusiaceae Lindl., family that is popularly known as “bacuri” in Brazil. It is widely used in folk medicine to treat human diarrheas and inflammatory diseases. It has antiparasitic activity, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic action, in addition to vasorelaxant potential. The present study investigates the leishmanicidal, cytotoxic and genotoxic activities in different biological systems, as well as the chemical constituents of hexane extract from P. insignis seeds. The analysis of the non-volatile constituents was analyzed by GC/MS. A total of sixteen main constituents were detected in the saponifiable material (fatty acid methyl esters, ethyl ester, alcohols and hydrocarbons). In unsaponifiable fraction, nineteen constituents were detected, including a series of n-alkanes and prenylated xanthones gamma-mangostin as main component (70.23% of the total components). The results indicated that the seed hexane extract significantly inhibits the growth of promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis (IC50), displayed a significant toxicity against Artemia salina Leach and cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in V79 cell lines.

Introduction: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are diseases characterized by intestinal inflammation, divided into Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Retrocolitis (UC). The cause is still unknown. There are a variety of studies that show the beneficial and potential effect of phytocannabinoids on Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effect of Cannabis sativa-derived metabolites in the treatment of IBD, associated with the use of nanotechnology in order to enhance this effect, through a systematic review study. Methodology: This systematic review of the literature of pre-clinical and clinical trials was carried out in the following databases: PUBMED, Science Direct and Scopus from 2012 to 2022. Some combinations of terms were used, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, cannabinoids, cannabidiol and nanotechnology. Results: A total of 418 articles were found in Pubmed, 80 articles in Science Direct and 443 in Scopus. In the end, 6 articles in Pubmed, 10 in Science Direct and 6 in Scopus were considered eligible for analysis according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Discussion: In the analyzed studies, it was noticed that phytocannabinoids represent a promising alternative to treat IBD. Despite the great expectations surrounding these molecules, their physicochemical characteristics represent a significant limitation for their application in the treatment of IBD and other diseases. Therefore, nanotechnology proved to be a way to overcome these problems. Conclusion: In view of all the above, it can be inferred that metabolites derived from Cannabis sativa have great potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

In this study, secondary metabolites, toxicology and antioxidant properties of chloroform fractions from leaves (FCFMh), branches (FCGMh), and roots (FCRMh) of Mansoa hirsuta were investigated. The phytochemical screening detected flavonoids, especially chalcones. Through Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry—LC–MS analysis, the flavonoids (isoorientin-2″-O-arabinoside), triterpenes (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid) and ceramide (phytosphingosine) were identified. From the Artemia salina assay, the fraction FCGMh was the most toxic (LC₅₀ = 64.21 µg·mL⁻¹), followed by FCRMh (LC₅₀ = 87.61 µg·mL⁻¹) and FCFMh (LC₅₀ = 421.9 µg·mL⁻¹). Concerning the cytotoxic potential, the root fraction (IC₅₀ 16.48 μg mL⁻¹) displayed the highest cytotoxicity against the breast cancer cell line (4T1), followed by leaves (IC₅₀ 33.13 μg mL⁻¹) and branches (IC₅₀ of 47.13 μg mL⁻¹). In conclusion, all the fractions of M. hirsuta showed cytotoxicity at the highest concentrations; however, remarkable biological properties were found for the root fractions. Computational analysis was performed using a molecular docking and pharmacophore approach to understand the antioxidant activity of its major metabolites.