This review discusses the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological activities of halogenated indole alkaloids obtained from marine invertebrates. Meridianins and related compounds (variolins, psammopemmins, and aplicyanins), as well as aplysinopsins and leptoclinidamines, are focused on. A compilation of the ¹³C-NMR spectral data of these selected natural indole alkaloids is also provided.

Context: Despite several pharmacological applications of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), studies on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties have been scarce. Objective: The aim of this work was to use in vivo models to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extracts obtained from leaves (AEL) and stems (AES) of Rosmarinus officinalis, as well as its isolated compound – rosmarinic acid (RA). We also prepared and assessed the acetyl ester derivative of RA. Materials and methods: The analgesic activity was evaluated using abdominal constriction and formalin tests. For the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects, carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats were used. The extracts were used at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg kg⁻¹ compounds were tested at 10, 20 and 40 mg kg⁻¹. Results: Orally administered AEL, AES and RA were not significantly active at any of the doses tested during the abdominal constriction test; the acetyl ester derivative of RA displayed significant analgesic activity. In the carrageenin-induced paw edema assay, the acetyl derivative of RA at all the tested doses produced significant anti-inflammatory effects and reduced the number of paw licks in the second phase of the formalin test. Discussion and conclusion: The results suggest that the analgesic effects of the acetyl derivative of RA operate via a peripheral-mediated mechanism. The acetyl ester derivative of RA is potentially applicable as a new lead compound for the management of pain and inflammation.

Candidiasis therapy, especially for candidiasis caused by Candida non-albicans species, is limited by the relatively reduced number of antifungal drugs and the emergence of antifungal tolerance. This study evaluates the anticandidal activity of 41 plant-derived products against Candida species, in both planktonic and biofilm cells. This study also evaluates the toxicity and the therapeutic action of the most active compounds by using the Caenorhabditis elegans–Candida model. The planktonic cells were cultured with various concentrations of the tested agents. The Cupressus sempervirens, Citrus limon, and Litsea cubeba essential oils as well as gallic acid were the most active anticandidal compounds. Candida cell re-growth after treatment with these agents for 48 h demonstrated that the L. cubeba essential oil and gallic acid displayed fungistatic activity, whereas the C. limon and C. sempervirens essential oils exhibited fungicidal activity. The C. sempervirens essential oil was not toxic and increased the survival of C. elegans worms infected with C. glabrata or C. orthopsilosis. All the plant-derived products assayed at 250 µg/mL affected C. krusei biofilms. The tested plant-derived products proved to be potential therapeutic agents against Candida, especially Candida non-albicans species, and should be considered when developing new anticandidal agents.