Plants represent the main source of molecules for the development of new drugs, which intensifies the interest of transnational industries in searching for substances obtained from plant sources, especially since the vast majority of species have not yet been studied chemically or biologically, particularly concerning anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere in the pathophysiological process of inflammation, to minimize tissue damage and provide greater comfort to the patient. Therefore, it is important to note that due to the existence of a large number of species available for research, the successful development of new naturally occurring anti-inflammatory drugs depends mainly on a multidisciplinary effort to find new molecules. Although many review articles have been published in this regard, the majority presented the subject from a limited regional perspective. Thus, the current article presents highlights from the published literature on plants as sources of anti-inflammatory agents.

São denominadas hortaliças não convencionais as espécies vegetais presentes em determinadas localidades ou regiões, mas que aos poucos foram esquecidas e desvalorizadas. Em virtude das mudanças no comportamento alimentar, o consumo destas hortaliças foi reduzido causando perdas econômicas, sociais e culturais. O resgate deste consumo é de grande importância, visando a preservação da biodiversidade brasileira, os benefícios nutricionais, assim como novas fontes de antioxidantes naturais para a indústria alimentícia. Avaliou-se a composição fitoquímica de espécies vegetais denominadas hortaliças não convencionais: beldroega (Portulaca oleracea), bertalha (Basella rubra), caruru (Amaranthus viridis), peixinho (Stachis lanata) e azedinha (Rumex acetosa), bem como o seu potencial alimentar com base no ranquemento do valor dessas características. Com relação aos minerais avaliados, o caruru apresentou os maiores teores de nitrogênio, cálcio, magnésio, enxofre e ferro. O maior conteúdo de compostos fenólicos foi detectado em peixinho, assim como a menor concentração de taninos condensados (0,14 Eag/g de extrato). Quanto aos carotenoides totais, caruru apresentou a maior concentração, mas o conteúdo de β-caroteno foi maior em peixinho, azedinha tipo I e bertalha. O extrato metanólico de peixinho apresentou forte capacidade de sequestro do radical livre. A maior percentagem de proteína foi detectada na azedinha (tipos I e II). Concluiu-se que os teores de componentes protéicos, minerais e compostos bioativos encontrados nessas hortaliças, caracterizam-nas pelo seu elevado potencial nutricional, podendo o seu consumo regular trazer benefícios à saúde humana.

This study identified two phenolic compounds in Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi fruits: naringenin (first report in this species) and gallic acid. Their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data (¹H-, ¹³C-NMR) and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. A high content of phenolics (659.21 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample—Folin-Ciocalteau method) and total flavonoids (140.69 mg of rutin equivalents/g of sample—aluminum chloride method) were quantified in S. terebinthifolius, as well as high antioxidant activity (77.47%—2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH method). The antihypertensive activity related to its phenolic content was investigated. After intravenous infusion in Wistar rats, these phenolics significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the systolic, median, and diastolic arterial pressures of individuals. The rotarod test was performed to determine the mechanism of action of the sample vasorelaxant effect. It was found that its action exceeded that of the positive control used (diazepam). This confirmed the vasodilatory activity exerted by S. terebinthifolius fruits is related to the phenolic compounds present in the plant, which are potent antioxidants and inhibit oxidative stress, mainly in the central nervous system.

The genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) comprises more than 2000 species, mainly found in tropical and subtropical forests. Several studies have been conducted concerning their chemical compositions, showing that this genus is a potential source of alkaloids. At least 70 indole alkaloids have been identified from this genus so far. This review aimed to compile ¹³C-NMR data of alkaloids isolated from the genus Psychotria as well as describe the main spectral features of different skeletons.

The objective of this work was to determine the total carotenoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of 'UENF SD 08' (super-sweet corn) and to compare them with those of 'UENF50611' (field corn). The total carotenoid content was determined according to Rodriguez-Amaya, the total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, and the antioxidant activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging method. For 'UENF SD 08', the average values were: 936.76±16.34 µg 100 g−1 for carotenoids, 346.0±3.80 mg 100 g−1 for phenolics, and 45.53±0.01% for antioxidant activity. For UENF50611, the average values were: 1,173.38±21.66 µg 100 g−1 for carotenoids, 563.33±7.97 mg 100 g−1 for phenolics, and 59.82±0.11% for antioxidant activity. UENF50611 showed a higher antioxidant activity observed due to its higher levels of carotenoids and phenolic compounds; however, the values observed for the 'UENF SD 08' super-sweet corn are within the ranges already described in the literature. 'UENF SD 08' contains a lower concentration of carotenoids and phenolic compounds than 'UENF50611', its nonmutant genetic background. However, the super-sweet corn 'UENF SD 08' has agronomic advantages, is considered a source of the evaluated secondary metabolites, and its consumption can contribute to a diet with a higher content of antioxidants.

The alkaloid Aspidocarpine was isolated from the bark of Aspidosperma desmanthum. Its structure was elucidated by the spectral data of ¹H and ¹³C-NMR (1D and 2D) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). The antihypertensive activity was investigated by intravenous infusion in Wistar rats. This alkaloid significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the systolic, median, and diastolic blood pressures of rodents, without causing motor incoordination and imbalance in the rotarod test. The results indicate that the alkaloid Aspidocarpine exerts its antihypertensive activity without causing sedation or the impairment of motor functions.