Bioinsecticides based on essential oils (EOs) are promising alternatives for agricultural insect control. In this study, the main compounds of Baccharis macraei EOs from two geographical areas were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The insecticidal potential against Drosophila melanogaster, Tenebrio molitor, and Galleria mellonella was evaluated, along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and molecular docking analysis. GC-MS analysis revealed oxygenated sesquiterpenes, such as spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, and α-cadinol. The EO from Site 1 (S₁) exhibited insecticidal activity with lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀) values of 46.50, 465.76, and 241.2 µg/mL for D. melanogaster, T. molitor, and G. mellonella, respectively. The EO from Site 2 (S₂) showed LD₅₀ values of 74.81, 385.62, and 195.2 µg/mL for the same pests. AChE inhibition yielded inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) values of 12.8 ± 0.13 µg/mL for S₁ and 11.7 ± 0.07 µg/mL for S₂. Molecular docking analysis revealed a strong binding energy between α-cadinol and AChE. These results highlight that EOs from B. macraei are effective and serve as a natural alternative to traditional insecticides.

Monilinia fructicola causes brown rot on a wide variety of stone fruits, causing several losses in the field and during storage of fruits. Due to the diverse biological activity of chalcones and their derivatives, they have emerged as a promising alternative for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The aim of this study was to synthesize 3′,4′-methylenedioxychalcone derivatives and evaluate their in vitro inhibitory effect on mycelial growth and the conidial germination of M. fructicola. Additionally, a molecular docking study and the prediction of lipophilicity were carried out to investigate their chemical behavior. The results showed that compound F exhibited the most potent antifungal activity, with EC₅₀ and MIC values of 20.61 µg/mL and <10 µg/mL for mycelial growth and conidial germination, respectively, presenting an adequate lipophilicity (Log p values = 2.79), which would allow proper diffusion through the fungal cell membrane. The in silico study revealed a great number of interactions between compound F and the different active sites of the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, suggesting a favorable interaction with a binding energy score value of −6.9 kcal/mol, similar to CBE, the native ligand of this enzyme. These types of compounds could provide preventive protection in various stone and other crops.

Senecio fistulosus, an endemic plant in Chile, is highly regarded for its medicinal properties and is popular in alternative medicine. It thrives even in polluted areas, like Puchuncaví Valley, Chile. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the impact of industrial pollution in Puchuncaví Valley, Chile, on the phytoconstituent content, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, of S. fistulosus. Phenols, flavonoids, and anthraquinones content were measured, alongside the assessment of antioxidant activities. Additionally, a GC-MS analysis was conducted to profile the phytoconstituents, while the cytotoxic potential was evaluated in HT-29 and MCF-7 and cell line non-tumorigenic MCF-10. The Wild sample exhibited a greater concentration of phytoconstituents (0 to 169.48 mg·L⁻¹) compared to the Commercial control (0 to 95.38 mg·L⁻¹), directly correlating with its antioxidant activity. While the Wild species showed cytotoxic activity, the Commercial control demonstrated cytotoxic effects on MCF-10 and MCF-7. Noteworthy compounds identified were hexadecanoic acid (12.76 to 19.57% relative area) and (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (18.36% relative area), with anticancer properties. In conclusion, the abiotic stress experienced by S. fistulosus led to higher phytoconstituent content and improved antioxidant activity when contrasted with the Commercial control. The Commercial species showed increased cytotoxic activity against both tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cell lines.

The genus Fuchsia is generally used in herbal preparations to treat conditions caused by microorganisms. Based on the popular use of this type of plants, the objective of this study was to obtain sequential extracts of increasing polarity from the branches of Fuchsia lycioides by maceration at room temperature and by the Soxhlet method at 60ºC, to later evaluate the antifungal capacity of the extracts against different clinical isolates of the Candida genus. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited strong anti-fungal activity, selectively inhibiting C. albicans strains with MIC and CMF values of 10 and 15 µg/mL, respectively; comparable with the drug itraconazole®. The analysis of the extract by GC-MS showed a high concentration of terpenoids (mainly phytol) and phenylpropanoids (mainly cinnamic acid), possibly responsible for the antifungal activity of the ethyl acetate extract of F. lycioides.

Puya chilensis Mol. is a plant of the Bromeliaceae family, which has been traditionally used for medicinal applications in various digestive disorders. In this study, the phytoconstituents of six extracts of stems and flowers of P. chilensis were evaluated: phenols, flavonoids and total anthraquinones, as well as their antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity in colon cancer cell lines HT-29. The data demonstrate that the ethyl acetate extract of P. chilensis flowers is cytotoxic in HT-29 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 41.70 µg/mL) without causing toxic effects on healthy colon cells (IC₅₀ > 100 µg/mL); also, this extract concentrated the highest amount of phenols (4.63 μg GAE/g d.e.), flavonoids (31.5 μg QE/g d.e.) and anthraquinones (12.60 μg EE/g d.e.) among all the extracts tested, which also correlated with its highlighted antioxidant capacity (DPPH∙IC₅₀ = 4.15 mg/mL and FRAP 26.52 mM TEAC) over the other extracts. About thirty-five compounds were identified in this extract−the fatty acid esters present have been shown to have therapeutic effects on several types of cancer and could explain its antiproliferative activity.

Baccharis macraei Hook. & Arn (Asteraceae), commonly known as Vautro, is found in the coastal areas of central-southern Chile, including the industrial zone of Quintero-Puchuncaví, known for the contamination of its soils with heavy metals, which together with other factors generate abiotic stress in plant species, against which they present defensive mechanisms. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the effect of abiotic stress generated by the proximity of B. macraei to the industrial complex by assessing the physiological and metabolic states reported by the extracts and compounds isolated from the species, as well as the photosynthetic capacity, metal content and production, and antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against tumorigenic cell lines of the phytoconstituents. To this end, B. macraei was collected at two different distances from the industrial complex, observing that the closer the species is, the greater the concentration of copper in the soil, generating a decrease in the rate of electron transport in situ, but an increase in antioxidant activity with low cytotoxicity. This activity could be due to the presence of flavonoids such as Hispidulin, Cirsimaritina, and Isokaempferida, as well as monoterpenes, oxygenated and non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes identified in this study.