Search Results (18)

Aromatic plants are rich sources of essential oils (EOs), recognized for their therapeutic properties due to their diversity of phytochemicals. This study investigated the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of Myrcia sylvatica essential oil (MsEO) through inhalation in an animal model and its in vitro anticholinesterase (AChE) activity. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation, and its volatile constituents were analyzed by GC-MS. Swiss mice were exposed to doses of 0.1%, 1%, and 2% of the EO via an inhalation apparatus. The anxiolytic activity was assessed using the elevated plus maze and light–dark box tests, while antidepressant activity was evaluated using the tail suspension and forced swimming tests. To examine potential side effects, the animals were subjected to rotarod, Y-maze, and Morris water maze tests to assess motor coordination, memory, and learning. Anticholinesterase activity was determined by direct bioautography and colorimetry based on the Ellman method. The results demonstrated that inhalation of MsEO at doses of 0.1% and 1% significantly reduced anxiety and depressive-like behaviors without impairing memory, learning, or motor coordination in the animals. Moreover, MsEO inhibited acetylcholinesterase with an IC₅₀ of 0.47 μg/mL. These findings suggest that MsEO has potential therapeutic applications for anxiety and depression disorders, with additional anticholinesterase activity warranting further investigation in cognitive-related conditions. Full article

The starting point of this proposal is a collection of decorated cuias, preserved in Portugal and produced by Indigenous women in Grão-Pará in the 18th century. The objects in question are an exemplary case of the global art history of the Amazonian communities. In order to investigate them, it is necessary to consider the procurement and ritual use of cuias (fruits of the cuieira tree-Crescentia cuyete), the sophisticated techniques used to produce a durable, glossy, black varnish from cumatê (or cumaté, cumati), a natural dark red pigment extracted from the skins of the cumatezeiro or axuazeiro tree (Myrcia atramentifera), as well as the incorporation of fauna and flora motifs from Asian or Asian-inspired textiles and embroidery, which circulated worldwide. Their history brings together the nature of the forest, the myths of creation, and the knowledge and practices of Indigenous and riverine women, mainly from the lower Amazon. Studying these objects produced by Indigenous female painters in a colonial context of appropriation, in addition to contributing to their knowledge, can stimulate dialogues on the knowledge of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest with other locations in America, sharing their ancestry and resistance. Full article

The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of essential oils from species of the Myrcia genus and their applications. The compiled results highlight the chemical diversity and biological activities of these oils, emphasizing their potential importance for various therapeutic and industrial applications. The findings reveal that Myrcia essential oils present a variety of bioactive compounds, such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which demonstrate antimicrobial activities against a range of microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as yeasts. Furthermore, this study highlights the phytotoxic activity of these oils, indicating their potential for weed control. The results also point to the insecticidal potential of Myrcia essential oils against a range of pests, showing their viability as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. Additionally, species of the genus Myrcia have demonstrated promising hypoglycemic effects, suggesting their potential in diabetes treatment. This comprehensive synthesis represents a significant advancement in understanding Myrcia essential oils, highlighting their chemical diversity and wide range of biological activities. However, the need for further research is emphasized to fully explore the therapeutic and industrial potential of these oils, including the identification of new compounds, understanding of their mechanisms of action, and evaluation of safety and efficacy in different contexts. Full article

Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey) DC. is known as “insulin plant” because local communities use the infusions of various organs empirically to treat diabetes. The leaves of seven specimens of Myrcia sylvatica (Msy-01 to Msy-07) were collected in the Brazilian Amazon. Furthermore, the essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and their chemical compositions were submitted to multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis). The multivariate analysis displayed the formation of four chemical profiles (chemotypes), described for the first time as follows: chemotype I (specimen Msy-01) was characterized by germacrene B (24.5%), γ-elemene (12.5%), and β-caryophyllene (10.0%); chemotype II (specimens Msy-03, -06 and -07) by spathulenol (11.1–16.0%), germacrene B (7.8–20.7%), and γ-elemene (2.9–7.6%); chemotype III (Msy-04 and -05) by spathulenol (9.8–10.1%), β-caryophyllene (2.5–10.1%), and δ-cadinene (4.8-5.6%); and chemotype IV, (Msy-02) by spathulenol (13.4%), caryophyllene oxide (15.0%), and α-cadinol (8.9%). There is a chemical variability in the essential oils of Myrcia sylvatica occurring in the Amazon region. Full article

The essential oils (EOs) of Myrciaria floribunda (Mflo) and Myrcia sylvatica (Msyl) (Myrtaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation. The analysis of volatile constituents was performed by GC/MS. Preliminary toxicity was assessed on Artemia salina Leach. The antioxidant capacity was measured by the ABTS^•+ and DPPH^• radical inhibitory activities. The results indicate that the Mflo EO had the highest yield (1.02%), and its chemical profile was characterized by high levels of hydrocarbon (65.83%) and oxygenated (25.74%) monoterpenes, especially 1,8-cineole (23.30%), terpinolene (22.23%) and α-phellandrene (22.19%). Regarding the Msyl EO, only hydrocarbon (51.60%) and oxygenated (46.52%) sesquiterpenes were identified in the sample, with (Z)-α-trans-bergamotene (24.57%), α-sinensal (13.44%), and (Z)-α-bisabolene (8.33%) at higher levels. The EO of Mflo exhibited moderate toxicity against A. salina (LC₅₀ = 82.96 ± 5.20 µg.mL⁻¹), while the EO of Msyl was classified as highly toxic (LC₅₀ = 2.74 ± 0.50 µg.mL⁻¹). In addition, relative to Trolox, the EOs of Mflo and Msyl showed significant inhibitory effects (p < 0.0001) against the DPPH^• radical. This study contributes to the expansion of chemical and biological knowledge on the EOs of Myrtaceae species from the Amazon region. Full article

The Myrtaceae family is one of the most representative in the Amazon. Several species have high added-value pharmacological potential. In order to contribute to the knowledge of the aromatic profile of Myrtaceae species from the Amazon, the present study presents the first report on the productivity, chemical composition, and antioxidant profile of the essential oil (EO) of Myrcia paivae. Dry leaves of the species were submitted to hydrodistillation to obtain their EO. The EO performance was calculated on a moisture-free basis and the analysis of the chemical profile was carried out by GC/MS. The determination of the antioxidant capacity was assessed by means of the antioxidant capacity equivalent to the inhibition Trolox of the ABTS^•+ and DPPH^• radicals. The results indicate that EO performance was equivalent to 1.69%. As for the chemical composition, hydrocarbon monoterpenes were predominant in the sample (>77%); terpinolene (14.70%), α-phellandrene (14.69%), γ-terpinene (9.64%), sylvestrene (7.62%), α-thujene (6.46%), and α-pinene (6.39%) were the constituents with higher content. Regarding the antioxidant capacity, the results show that the EO presented good results in the inhibition of ABTS^•+ (0.886 ± 0.226 mM L⁻¹) and DPPH^• (2.90 ± 0.083 mM L⁻¹), which can be attributed to the high monoterpene content in the sample. Full article

This study investigated the effects of herbal toothpaste on bacterial counts and enamel demineralization. Thirty-six bovine enamel samples were exposed to a microcosm biofilm using human saliva and McBain saliva (0.2% sucrose) for 5 days at 37 °C and first incubated anaerobically, then aerobically–capnophilically. The following experimental toothpaste slurries (2 × 2 min/day) were applied: (1) Vochysia tucanorum (10 mg/g); (2) Myrcia bella (5 mg/g); (3) Matricaria chamomilla (80 mg/g); (4) Myrrha and propolis toothpaste (commercial); (5) fluoride (F) and triclosan (1450 ppm F), 0.3% triclosan and sorbitol (Colgate^®, positive control); (6) placebo (negative control). The pH of the medium was measured, bacteria were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and enamel demineralization was quantified using transverse microradiography. The total bacterial count was reduced by toothpaste containing Myrcia bella, Matricaria chamomilla, fluoride, and triclosan (commercial) compared to the placebo. As far as assessable, Myrcia bella, Matricaria chamomilla, and Myrrha and propolis (commercial) inhibited the outgrowth of S. mutans, while Lactobacillus spp. were reduced/eliminated by all toothpastes except Vochysia tucanorum. Mineral loss and lesion depth were significantly reduced by all toothpastes (total: 1423.6 ± 115.2 vol% × μm; 57.3 ± 9.8 μm) compared to the placebo (2420.0 ± 626.0 vol% × μm; 108.9 ± 21.17 μm). Herbal toothpastes were able to reduce enamel demineralization. Full article

The essential oils of three specimens of Myrcia multiflora (A, B and C) and Eugenia florida were extracted by hydrodistillation, and the chemical compositions from the essential oils were identified by gas chromatography and flame ionization detection (CG/MS and CG-FID). The fungicide potential of the EOs against five fungicide yeasts was assessed: Candida albicans INCQS-40175, C. tropicalis ATCC 6258, C. famata ATCC 62894, C. krusei ATCC 13803 and C. auris IEC-01. The essential oil of the specimen Myrcia multiflora (A) was characterized by the major compounds: α-bulnesene (26.79%), pogostol (21.27%) and δ-amorphene (6.76%). The essential oil of the specimen M. multiflora (B) was rich in (E)-nerolidol (44.4%), (E)-γ-bisabolene (10.64%) and (E,E)-α-farnesene (8.19%), while (E)-nerolidol (92.21%) was the majority of the specimen M. multiflora (C). The sesquiterpenes seline-3,11-dien-6-α-ol (12.93%), eremoligenol (11%) and γ-elemene (10.70%) characterized the chemical profile of the EOs of E. florida. The fungal species were sensitive to the essential oil of M. multiflora (B) (9–11 mm), and the lowest inhibitory concentration (0.07%) was observed in the essential oil of M. multiflora (A) against the yeasts of C. famata. Fungicidal action was observed in the essential oils of M. multiflora (A) against C. famata, with an MIC of 0.78 µL/mL and 3.12 µL/mL; C. albicans, with an MFC of 50 µL/mL and M. multiflora (C) against C. albicans; and C. krusei, with a MFC of 50 µL/mL. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from Eugenia patrisii, E. punicifolia, and Myrcia tomentosa, specimens A and B, using hydrodistillation. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify the volatile constituents present, and the antioxidant capacity of EOs was determined using diphenylpicryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. For E. patrisii, germacrene D (20.03%), bicyclogermacrene (11.82%), and (E)-caryophyllene (11.04%) were identified as the major constituents of the EOs extracted from specimen A, whereas specimen B primarily comprised ?-elemene (25.89%), germacrene B (8.11%), and (E)-caryophyllene (10.76%). The EOs of E. punicifolia specimen A contained ?-Elemene (25.12%), (E)-caryophyllene (13.11%), and bicyclogermacrene (9.88%), while specimen B was composed of (E)-caryophyllene (11.47%), bicyclogermacrene (5.86%), ?-pinene (5.86%), and ?-muurolene (5.55%). The specimen A of M. tomentosa was characterized by ?-elemene (12.52%), germacrene D (11.45%), and (E)-caryophyllene (10.22%), while specimen B contained spathulenol (40.70%), ?-zingiberene (9.58%), and ?-elemene (6.89%). Additionally, the chemical composition of the EOs was qualitatively and quantitatively affected by the collection period. Furthermore, the EOs of the studied specimens, especially specimen A of E. punicifolia, showed a greater antioxidant activity in DPPH rather than TEAC, as represented by a significantly high inhibition percentage (408.0%). Full article

Environmental conditions influence specialized plant metabolism. However, many studies aiming to understand these modulations have been conducted with model plants and/or under controlled conditions, thus not reflecting the complex interaction between plants and environment. To fully grasp these interactions, we investigated the specialized metabolism and genetic diversity of a native plant in its natural environment. We chose Myrcia bella due to its medicinal interest and occurrence in Brazilian savanna regions with diverse climate and soil conditions. An LC-HRMS-based metabolomics approach was applied to analyze 271 samples harvested across seven regions during the dry and rainy season. Genetic diversity was assessed in a subset of 40 samples using amplified fragment length polymorphism. Meteorological factors including rainfall, temperature, radiation, humidity, and soil nutrient and mineral composition were recorded in each region and correlated with chemical variation through multivariate analysis (MVDA). Marker compounds were selected using a statistically informed molecular network and annotated by dereplication against an in silico database of natural products. The integrated results evidenced different chemotypes, with variation in flavonoid and tannin content mainly linked to soil conditions. Different levels of genetic diversity and distance of populations were found to be correlated with the identified chemotypes. These observations and the proposed analytical workflow contribute to the global understanding of the impact of abiotic factors and genotype on the accumulation of given metabolites and, therefore, could be valuable to guide further medicinal exploration of native species. Full article

The essential oil (EO) of plants of the Myrtaceae family has diverse chemical composition and several applications. However, data on the oil yield, its composition, and its complete chemistry are still unavailable for some species belonging to this family, such as Myrcia eximia DC. In this study, the chemical compositions of the EOs of Myrcia eximia were evaluated by using gas chromatography (GC) alone and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Samples for both evaluations were collected from the city of Magalhães Barata, State of Pará, Brazil, in 2017 and 2018. For the plant material collected in 2017, EO was obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) only, while, for the material collected in 2018, EO was obtained by hydrodistillation and steam distillation (SD), in order to evaluate the differences in chemical composition and mass yield of the EO. The yields of (E)-caryophyllene were 15.71% and 20.0% for the samples collected by HD in 2017 and 2018, respectively, while the yield was 15.0% for the sample collected by SD in 2018. Hexanal was found to be the major constituent in the EO obtained by HD, with yield of up to 26.09%. The oil yields reached 0.08% by using SD, and 0.01% and 0.36% for the samples collected in 2017 and 2018, respectively, using HD. The results of this study provide new information about the mass yield and chemical composition of Myrcia eximia DC, and they can add value and income to traditional populations, as well as facilitate the preservation of this species. Full article

The essential oils of Myrcianthes myrsinoides and Myrcia mollis, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, were obtained by steam distillation. They were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), enantioselective gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). A total of 58 compounds for Myrcianthes myrsinoides essential oil (EO) and 22 compounds for Myrcia mollis EO were identified and quantified by GC-MS with apolar and polar columns (including undetermined components). Major compounds (>5.0%) were limonene (5.3%–5.2%), 1,8-cineole (10.4%–11.6%), (Z)-caryophyllene (16.6%–16.8%), trans-calamenene (15.9%–14.6%), and spathulenol (6.2%–6.5%). The enantiomeric excess of eight chiral constituents was determined, being (+)-limonene and (+)-germacrene D enantiomerically pure. Eight components were identified as determinant in the aromatic profile: α-pinene, β-pinene, (+)-limonene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, β-elemene and spathulenol. For M. mollis, the major compounds (>5.0%) were α-pinene (29.2%–27.7%), β-pinene (31.3%–30.0%), myrcene (5.0%–5.2%), 1,8-cineole (8.5%–8.7%), and linalool (7.7%–8.2%). The enantiomeric excess of five chiral constituents was determined, with (S)-α-pinene and (+)-germacrene D enantiomerically pure. The metabolites β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, and (E)-β-caryophyllene were mainly responsible for the aroma of the EO. Finally, the M. myrsinoides essential oil has an inhibitory activity for cholinesterase enzymes (IC₅₀ of 78.6 μg/mL and 18.4 μg/mL vs. acethylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) respectively). This activity is of interest to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Full article

Myrcia bella Cambess., Myrcia fallax (Rich.) DC. and Myrcia guianensis (Aubl.) DC. (Myrtaceae) are trees found in Brazilian Cerrado. They have been widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhagic and infectious diseases. Few reports have been found in the literature connecting their phenolic composition and biological activities. In this regard, we have profiled the main phenolic constituents of Myrcia spp. leaves extracts by ESI(−)Q-TOF-MS. The main constituents found were ellagic acid (M. bella), galloyl glucose isomers (M. guianensis) and hexahydroxydiphenic (HHDP) acid derivatives (M. fallax). In addition, quercetin and myricetin derivatives were also found in all Myrcia spp. extracts. The most promising antioxidant activity, measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, was found for M. fallax extracts (EC₅₀ 8.61 ± 0.22 µg·mL⁻¹), being slightly less active than quercetin and gallic acid (EC₅₀ 2.96 ± 0.17 and 2.03 ± 0.02 µg·mL⁻¹, respectively). For in vitro antiproliferative activity, M. guianensis showed good activity against leukemia (K562 TGI = 7.45 µg·mL⁻¹). The best antimicrobial activity was observed for M. bella and M. fallax to Escherichia coli (300 and 250 µg·mL⁻¹, respectively). In conclusion, the activities found are closely related to the phenolic composition of these plants. Full article

In this study, we performed the chemical characterization of Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC. (Myrtaceae) essential oil from Amazonian Ecuador and the assessment of its bioactivity in terms of cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity as starting point for possible applicative uses. M. splendens essential oil, obtained by hydro-distillation, was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID): the major components were found to be trans-nerolidol (67.81%) and ?-bisabolol (17.51%). Furthermore, we assessed the cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 (breast), A549 (lung) human tumor cell lines, and HaCaT (human keratinocytes) non-tumor cell line through 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test: promising results in terms of selectivity and efficacy against the MCF-7 cell line (IC₅₀ of 5.59 ± 0.13 ?g/mL at 48 h) were obtained, mainly due to ?-bisabolol. Furthermore, antibacterial activity against Gram positive and negative bacteria were performed through High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) bioautographic assay and microdilution method: trans-nerolidol and ?-cedren-9-one were the main molecules responsible for the low antibacterial effects against human pathogens. Nevertheless, interesting values of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were noticeable against phytopathogen strains. Radical scavenging activity performed by HPTLC bioautographic and spectrophotometric 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) approaches were negligible. In conclusion, the essential oil revealed a good potential for plant defense and anti-cancer applications. Full article

This work describes the isolation and structural elucidation of compounds from the leaves of Myrcia tomentosa (Aubl.) DC. (goiaba-brava) and evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds against bacteria and fungi. Column chromatography was used to fractionate and purify the extract of the M. tomentosa leaves and the chemical structures of the compounds were determined using spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed using the broth microdilution method. The phytochemical investigation isolated 11 compounds: ?-bisabolol, ?-bisabolol oxide B, ?-cadinol, ?-sitosterol, n-pentacosane, n-tetracosane, quercetin, kaempferol, avicularin, juglanin and guaijaverin. The crude ethanolic extract and its fractions were tested against 15 bacteria and 9 yeasts. The crude extract inhibited the in vitro growth of yeasts at concentration of 4 to 32 ?g/mL. The hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions inhibited Candida sp. at concentrations of 4 to 256 ?g/mL, whereas the Cryptococcus sp. isolates were inhibited only by the hexane and dichloromethane fractions in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) at 16 to 64 ?g/mL. The flavonoid quercetin-3-O-?-arabinofuranose (avicularin) was the most active compound, inhibiting Candida species in concentrations of 2 to 32 ?g/mL. The MIC values suggest potential activity of this plant species against yeast. Full article