Leonotis nepetifolia (L.) Br. (Lamiaceae) is an African shrub popularly known as ‘cordão-de-frade’ in Brazil, traditionally used to treat infectious diseases, among other uses. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts from L. nepetifolia prepared from stems, leaves, roots and glomerulus, as well as their cytotoxicity, antileishmanial and antimicrobial activities. The chemical composition of the extracts was assessed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, whereas the antileishmanial activity was evaluated against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Cytotoxicity was tested on murine macrophages and the antimicrobial activity was investigated by a microdilution assay against several strains of fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The flavonoids apigenin, cirsiliol apigenin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, luteolin-4′-O-glucoside, luteolin-4′-O- glucuronide and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were identified in all tested extracts. Extracts from leaves and roots showed more potent antileishmanial activity (IC₅₀ 32.90 µg mL⁻¹ and 57.70 µg mL⁻¹, respectively) against amastigotes forms in comparison to the other extracts. The leaf extract inhibited Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus growth (125 µg mL⁻¹ and 100 µg mL⁻¹, respectively), and also showed anti-Candida activity (10–125 µg mL⁻¹). The biological effect can be related to the identified flavonoids. Our findings disclose the potential of L. nepetifolia as a source of bioactive compounds for the development of new therapeutic options for treating infectious diseases, especially flavonoids.

A espécie Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. (Clusiaceae), nativa da região Amazônica e cultivada em todo o território brasileiro, vem sendo bastante estudada devido seu potencial farmacológico, porém são escassos estudos que tratam da caracterização farmacobotânica desta espécie. Considerando as propriedades terapêuticas para tornar-se um medicamento fitoterápico, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos estudar a anatomia e histoquímica da folha e do pecíolo e elaborar dados macroscópicos e microscópicos que forneçam características marcantes para sua identificação além de dar subsídios para a análise farmacognóstica no controle de qualidade da droga vegetal. O material vegetal foi fixado e submetido às técnicas usuais de microscopia de luz e a testes histoquímicos. As folhas de G. brasiliensis são opostas, simples, descolores, forma elíptica com nervação peninérvia. As células epidérmicas, em vista frontal, apresentam contorno sinuoso e estômatos paracíticos somente na face abaxial. O mesofilo é dorsiventral, a nervura central apresenta contorno biconvexo e feixe vascular em forma de semi-arco fechado envolto por bainha esclerenquimática. Inclusões inorgânicas de cristais na forma de drusas e orgânicas representadas por compostos fenólicos e grãos de amidos estão dispersos ao longo de toda lâmina foliar e pecíolo. Observa-se com frequência a presença de canais secretores preenchidos por um conteúdo lipídico dispersos pelo parênquima fundamental e próximos aos feixes vasculares. Estes dados fornecem subsídios para o controle de qualidade da matéria-prima utilizada para a produção de fitoterápicos.

Several medicinal plants have drawn the attention of researchers by its phytochemical composition regarding their potential for treating chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. In this context, plants of the Myrtaceae family popularly used in Brazil for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, including Eugenia sonderiana, have shown beneficial effects due to the presence of phenolic compounds and saponins in their chemical constitution. Thus, the present work aimed to perform the phytochemical characterization of the hydroethanolic extract of E. sonderiana leaves using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), along with in vitro and in vivo studies of antidiabetic activity. The chemical characterization revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, neolignans, tannins, and saponins. In addition, the extract exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations of alpha-amylase and alpha-glycosidase higher than the acarbose in the in vitro tests. Also, the in vivo tests revealed a slight increase in body mass in diabetic rats, as well as a significant decrease in water and feed consumption provided by the extract. Regarding serum biochemical parameters, the extract showed significant activity in decreasing the levels of glucose, hepatic enzymes, and triglycerides, in addition to maintaining HDL cholesterol levels within normal ranges, protecting the cell membranes against oxidative damage. Thus, the extract of E. sonderiana leaves was considered promising pharmaceutical ingredient in the production of a phytotherapy medication.

Researches have shown that marolo (Annona crassiflora Mart.) contains many biologically active phytochemical classes with antidiabetic properties. Therefore, in order to obtain scientific data that contribute to a better insight of the species, integrating both safety and efficacy to the practice of using the plant as medicine, the study of A. crassiflora Mart. leaves was chosen. To evaluate the possible effect of A. crassiflora Mart. in diabetic rats, blood glucose levels, concentrations of fructosamine, urea, creatinine, ASL and ALT was determined in serum samples from animals treated with 300 mg of hydroethanolic extract 70% (v/v) per kg of animal weight. Glucose levels were determined by Trinder reaction. Dosages of urea and creatinine were held using the Jaffé method for creatinine and the enzyme method colorimetric for urea in automated apparatus (HumaStar 80, Brazil/Alfenas). The concentration of fructosamine was measured by a commercial kit kinetic method (analyzes ®) and the reading was held in Bioplus® (Brazil- Alfenas). Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that administrating the extract, according to the adopted protocol, did not change the biochemical parameters that were analyzed in the normal and diabetic rats’ serums. Key words: Medicinal plants, phytochemical, diabetes mellitus, pharmacological, hydroethanolic extract.