Objective: To compare the in vitro antiparasitic activity of aqueous extracts from Ziziphus joazeiro leaves and stem bark against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania braziliensis, and Leishmania infantum, as well as to evaluate its cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, in addition to identifying the chemical composition of the extracts. Methods: Ziziphus joazeiro leaf and stem bark aqueous extracts were prepared by cold extraction maceration and subjected to ultra-efficient liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole/time of flight system. The susceptibility assays used Trypanosoma cruzi CL-B5 strains and promastigote forms of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum for antiparasitic activity of the extracts. Moreover, mammalian fibroblasts NCTC clone 929 were used for cytotoxicity analysis. Results: Terpenoid compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acid were identified in extracts. The stem bark aqueous extracts presented more significant results in terms of antiparasitic activity compared with the leaf aqueous extracts, especially against Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum promastigote forms with an IC50 < 500 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity evaluation showed moderate toxicity of the stem bark aqueous extracts, which is relevant information for the rational use of this plant part since it is widely used by the population. Conclusions: These preliminary results may contribute to the formulation of new therapeutic agents against this group of neglected diseases, so further investigations are required to delineate the mechanisms of action mainly of the aqueous extract of stem bark of Ziziphus joazeiro.

Objective: To evaluate the anti Candida activity of Hyptis martiusii decoction and its major compound, caffeic acid alone or in the presence of fluconazole, as well as their cytotoxic effect. Methods: The decoction was characterized using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector. For the antifungal activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the potential effect of the decoction with the fluconazole were evaluated by microdilution method using 96-well microtiter trays. The osmotic fragility test was performed using erythrocytes under saline stress. All tests were performed in triplicate. Results: The chemical characterization of the decoction was performed by high performance liquid chromatography and revealed the presence of seven compounds, including caffeic acid as major constituent. The antifungal tests demonstrated that both decoction (DHm) and caffeic acid obtained from Hyptis martiusii presented MIC and MFC ≥ 4096 μg/mL against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis strains. However, in the presence of fluconazole, DHm and caffeic acid presented IC

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity and neuroprotective capacity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Tarenaya spinosa (T. spinosa) as well as to determine and quantify some of its polyphenols by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Methods: The bacterial Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, grown in Heart Agar Infusion, were tested. The drugs gentamicin, norfloxacin and imipenem were used to evaluate the modulating or antagonistic capacity of the T. spinosa extracts. The extract was analysed by HPLC-DAD to determine the main phenolic compounds. For the cell viability tests, individual heads of the Nauphoeta cinerea arthropod model were removed, homogenized in Trifluoromethyl ketone and centrifuged afterwards. Subsequently, 20 μL of NaNO

Objective To evaluate the trypanocidal, leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of Eugenia jambolana (E. jambolana) and Eugenia uniflora (E. uniflora) extracts and fractions. Methods The products were characterized by LC–MS. Antiparasitic assays were performed and cytotoxicity was evaluated in fibroblastos. In vitro assays were performed using spectrophotometric evaluation. All assays were performed in thrice. Results The results showed that the extracts and the tannic fraction from E. jambolana inhibited 100% of the epimastigote lines. The ethanolic extract was the most efficient in all concentrations tested against the three parasite strains. In the cytotoxicity assay the flavonoid fraction showed low toxicity. All E. uniflora samples showed cytotoxicity at the highest concentration tested, but the extract showed no toxic effect on the fibroblasts at the lowest concentration. The flavonoid and tannic fractions were more efficient against Leishmania braziliensis promastigotes compared to the extract. However, the extracts and the tannic fraction were more effective against Leishmania infantum strains. The effect on epimastigote cells was observed at all concentrations tested, with all E. uniflora samples. However, the samples were more effective at the highest concentration, where there was inhibition in 100% of the Trypanosoma cruzi strains. Conclusions The species E. jambolana and E. uniflora presented antiparasitic activity against all tested parasite strains, indicating that these species can serve as an alternative therapy as they were efficient in the tests performed. The E. uniflora extract and the E. jambolana flavonoid fraction presented a low cytotoxicity, opening the floor for new biological studies.

Objective To identify the main chemical classes of compounds from aqueous extract of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (E. contortisiliquum) seed bark and to evaluate its antibacterial activity, as well as its potential to increase the activity of antibiotics against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Methods Different classes of compounds in the aqueous extract of E. contortisiliquum were evaluated based on the visual changes in the coloration and the formation of precipitate after the addition of specific reagents. The antibacterial activity of the extract and its potential to increase of antibiotic activity of antibiotics drugs, gentamicin and norfloxacin was determined by using the microdilution method. Results Our results demonstrated that the following secondary metabolites were presented in E. contortisiliquum seed bark: flavones, flavonols, xanthones, flavononols, chalcones, aurones, flavones and catechins. The extract itself had very low antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains tested (MIC ≥ 1 024 μg/mL), but there was an increase in the antibiotic activity of gentamicin and norfloxacin when combined in the sub-inhibitory concentration (i.e., MIC/8). Conclusions Our data suggests that E. contortisiliquum seed bark may be an alternative source for new drugs with the potential to increase antibiotic activity against different strains of bacteria.