This thesis investigated the phytochemistry and pharmacology of immunomodulatory medicinal plant species used traditionally by the Q’eqchi’ Maya Healers Association (QMHA) of Belize, and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee (CEI) of northern Quebec. Using quantitative ethnobotanical methodology, we identified 107 plant species belonging to 49 families used by Q’eqchi’ healers in the treatment of symptoms from 14 usage categories related to inflammation. Regression analysis revealed that the Piperaceae, Araceae, and Begoniaceae are preferentially selected by the Maya. Healer consensus for plant species was high, with 56 species (52%) being used by all the healers, and consensus for usage categories was also high, as informant consensus factor (FIC) values for each category were greater than 0.4. Fifty-two Belizean species were evaluated for their TNF-α inhibitory activity in an LPS-stimulated THP-1 monocyte model. Twenty-one species (40%) demonstrated significant TNF-α inhibition when assayed at 100 µg/mL, 8 of which had greater than 50% of the activity of the parthenolide positive control (10 µg/mL). Significant regressions were found between the anti-inflammatory activity and total healer frequency of use (Fuse) and the use reports for 3 usage categories, which indicated that ethnobotanical parameters can in part predict the activity of traditionally used species. Five sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the leaves of Neurolaena lobata, one of the most active species tested, all of which demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity greater than that of parthenolide (IC50 = 4.79 µM), with IC50s ranging from 0.17-2.32 µM. Lobatin B was the most active isolate tested. Ethanolic and water extracts of 17 species used by Cree healers were evaluated for their immunomodulatory activity. In general, the average anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extracts was 1.8 times greater than that of water extracts, and the pro-inflammatory activity of water extracts was 3.7 times greater than ethanolic extracts. Picea mariana and Pinus banksiana were the most anti-inflammatory ethanolic and water extracts, while the water extract of Sarracenia purpurea was the most pro-inflammatory. Picea marina cones, the most anti-inflammatory Cree medicine, were subjected to bioassay guided isolation. This led to the isolation of the anti-inflammatory lignan (+)-lariciresinol-9’-p-coumarate, which had an IC50 of 28.4 µM. Together, these results validate the traditional knowledge shared by our Q’eqchi’ and Cree collaborators, and draw attention to the therapeutic potential of subtropical and boreal plants as culturally appropriate complements to modern medicine. - Cette thèse porte sur la phytochimie et la pharmacologie des espèces de plantes médicinales immunomodulatrices utilisées traditionnellement par le Q’eqchi’ Maya Healers Association (QMHA) du Belize, et les Cris d'Eeyou Istchee (CEI) du nord du Québec. En utilisant une méthodologie ethnobotanique quantitative, nous avons identifié 107 espèces végétales appartenant à 49 familles utilisées par les guérisseurs Q'eqchi’ dans le traitement de symptômes appartenant à 14 catégories d'utilisation liées à l'inflammation. Une analyse de régression a révélé que les familles Piperaceae, Araceae, et Begoniaceae sont préférentiellement choisis par les Mayas. Le consensus entre guérisseurs pour les espèces végétales était élevé, avec 56 espèces (52%) étant utilisés par tous les guérisseurs, et le consensus pour les catégories d'utilisation était également élevé, car les valeurs de facteur de consensus des informants (FIC) pour chaque catégorie étaient supérieurs à 0,4. Cinquante-deux espèces du Belize ont été évaluées pour leur activité inhibitrice de TNF-α dans un modèle de THP-1 monocytes stimulés par le LPS. Vingt-et-une espèces (40%) ont montré une inhibition significative de TNF-α lorsque dosés à 100 µg/mL, dont 8 d’entre elles ont démontrées plus de 50% de l'activité du contrôle positif parthénolide (10 µg/mL). Des régressions significatives ont été observées entre l'activité anti-inflammatoire et la fréquence d'utilisation de guérisseurs totale (Fuse) et les rapports d'utilisation pour 3 catégories d'utilisation, ce qui indique que les paramètres ethnobotaniques peuvent en partie prédire l'activité des espèces traditionnellement utilisées. Cinq lactones sesquiterpéniques ont été isolés à partir des feuilles de Neurolaena lobata, l'une des espèces les plus actives testées, qui a démontré une activité anti-inflammatoire supérieure à celle du parthénolide (CI50 = 4,79 µM), avec des CI50 allant de 0,17 à 2,32 µM. Lobatin B était l’isolât le plus actif testé. Des extraits éthanoliques et aqueux de 17 espèces utilisées par les guérisseurs Cris ont été évalués pour leur activité immunomodulatrice. En général, l'activité anti-inflammatoire moyenne des extraits éthanoliques était 1,8 fois supérieure à celle des extraits d'eau, et l'activité pro-inflammatoire des extraits d'eau était de 3,7 fois supérieure à celle des extraits éthanoliques. Picea mariana et Pinus banksiana étaient les extraits éthanoliques et aqueux avec le plus d’activité anti-inflammatoire, tandis que l'extrait aqueux de Sarracenia purpurea était le plus pro-inflammatoire. Le cône de Picea marina, le médicament traditionnelle Cris le plus anti-inflammatoire, a été soumis à une isolation guidée par essais biologiques. Cela a mené à l'isolement du lignane anti-inflammatoire (+)-lariciresinol-9'-p-coumarate, qui avait une CI50 de 28,4 µM. Ensemble, ces résultats valident les connaissances traditionnelles partagées par nos collaborateurs Q'eqchi' et Cris, et mettent en évidence le potentiel thérapeutique des plantes subtropicales et boréales comme des compléments à la médecine moderne qui sont culturellement appropriées.

Ce travail de thèse s'inscrit dans un projet régional, initié par le Parc du Lubéron et en collaboration avec le Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie et d'Ethnopharmacologie de l’Université de Marseille. Il avait pour objectif d'étudier la possibilité de domestiquer une plante sauvage, Inula montana L. (Asteraceae) connue dans la pharmacopée provençale pour ses effets anti traumatiques semblables à ceux d'Arnica montana L. et de la proposer comme nouvelle production agricole. Inula montana produit notamment des lactones sesquiterpènes, identifiées comme les métabolites secondaires responsables de ses aptitudes biologiques anti inflammatoires. Il s’est agit dans cette étude1) de déterminer les caractéristiques de croissance et de développement de la plante sauvage largement inconnue et d’identifier en conditions naturelles les facteurs les plus favorables à la production de métabolites secondaires, 2)d’étudier sa capacité à se multiplier végétativement in vitro et à former des cultures cellulaires aptes à synthétiser les molécules d’intérêt 3), de proposer un itinéraire technique applicable agronomiquement et 4) de tester les effets de divers facteurs environnementaux (fertilisation, apport de NaCl, modification du rythme circadien de l’éclairement,rayonnement UVB, ablation de feuilles, application de méthyl jasmonate ) sur la production qualitative et quantitative des lactones sesquiterpènes et des composés phénoliques. Les traits phénologiques de la plante sauvage sont impactés par l’altitude qui induit un retard dans la croissance végétative et la phase reproductrice ainsi que des modifications physiologiques et morphologiques. Les teneurs en métabolites secondaires (certaines lactones sesquiterpènes, les polyphénols totaux et flavonoïdes) varient en fonction de la saison et sont plus importantes dans le site qui présente les conditions climatiques les plus contraignantes du point de vue hydrique (sol drainant,température plus élevée et présence d’une période sèche en été). L’observation microscopique a indiqué la présence de deux types de trichomes : glandulaires (bisériés) et non glandulaires (des poils) qui sont potentiellement les structures porteuses des molécules d’intérêt. I. montana est apte à former des cals in vitro à partir d’explants racinaires, foliaires et caulinaires sur lesquels des pousses feuillées se forment. La domestication d’Inula a été réussie à partir de semences issues des plantes sauvages et en conditions agronomiques, les teneurs en lactones sesquiterpènes (costunolide, artémorine, eldarine et hydrocostunolide) et en composés phénoliques sont généralement plus élevées que chez les plantes sauvages. Les différentes contraintes appliquées pour tester les effets des facteurs environnementaux sur la production des métabolites ont montré : 1) qu’il ne peut pas être établi de corrélation entre la présence d’un stress oxydatif et une augmentation des teneurs en métabolites chez Inula 2) que l’accumulation des lactones et composés phénoliques semblent principalement favorisée lorsque la plante dispose d’un surplus de squelettes carbonés, non utilisés pour la croissance 3) enfin, les deux conditions les plus favorables à l’accumulation des métabolites chez Inula, sont : dans les feuilles, une alternance rapide de lumière et d’obscurité durant la photopériode et dans les capitules, l’application de méthyl jasmonate. Ce travail augure de bonnes perspectives en termes de valorisation d’Inula dans le secteur pharmaco-cosmétologique. Il reste à poursuivre la description du profil phytochimique de la plante et à localiser précisément les organes et/ou sous structures anatomiques concentrant les composés considérés. Ayant démontré que cette plante présente une bonne réponse à la domestication, il est également proposé de poursuivre l’étude des leviers environnementaux susceptibles d’influencer positivement et significativement le profil chimique d’Inula. / This thesis work is part of a regional project, initiated by the Luberon Park and in collaboration with the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacology of the University of Marseille. It aimed to study the possibility of domesticating a wild plant, Inula montana L. (Asteraceae) known in the Provençal pharmacopoeia for its anti-traumatic effects similar to those of Arnica montana L. and to propose it as a new agricultural production. Inula montana produces lactones sesquiterpenes, identified as the secondary metabolites responsible for its biological anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, 1) to determine the growth and development characteristics of the largely unknown wild plant and to identify under natural conditions the most favorable factors for the production of secondary metabolites, 2) to study its characteristics. ability to multiply vegetatively in vitro and to form cell cultures able to synthesize the molecules of interest 3), to propose an agronomically applicable technical itinerary and 4) to test the effects of various environmental factors (fertilization, NaCl supply, modification circadian rhythm of illumination, UVB radiation, ablation of leaves, application of methyl jasmonate) on the qualitative and quantitative production of sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic compounds. The phenological characteristics of the wild plant are impacted by the altitude which induces a delay in the vegetative growth and the reproductive phase as well as physiological and morphological modifications. Levels of secondary metabolites (certain sesquiterpene lactones, total polyphenols and flavonoids) vary according to the season and are more important in the site which has the most water-constraining climatic conditions (draining soil, higher temperature and presence of a dry period in summer). Microscopic observation indicated the presence of two types of trichomes: glandular (biseriate) and non-glandular (hair) which are potentially the carrying structures of the molecules of interest. I. montana is able to form calli in vitro from root, foliar and shoot explants on which leafy shoots are formed. The domestication of Inula has been successful from seed from wild plants and under agronomic conditions, sesquiterpene lactone (costunolide, artemorine, eldarin and hydrocostunolide) and phenolic compounds are generally higher than in wild plants. The different constraints applied to test the effects of environmental factors on the production of metabolites have shown: 1) that there can be no correlation between the presence of oxidative stress and an increase in metabolite levels in Inula 2) that the accumulation of lactones and phenolic compounds seems mainly favored when the plant has a surplus of carbon skeletons, not used for growth; 3) finally, the two most favorable conditions for the accumulation of metabolites in Inula, are: in the leaves, a rapid alternation of light and darkness during the photoperiod and in the flower heads, the application of methyl jasmonate. This work augurs good prospects in terms of valuation of Inula in the pharmaco-cosmetological sector. It remains to continue the description of the phytochemical profile of the plant and to precisely locate the organs and / or anatomical substructures concentrating the compounds in question. Having demonstrated that this plant has a good response to domestication, it is also proposed to continue the study of environmental levers likely to positively and significantly influence the chemical profile of Inula.

For the first time in human history, more people worldwide suffer from obesity than are undernourished. Numerous health complications are associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, cancers of reproductive tissues, stroke, depression, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. A deeper understanding of the anti-adipogenic effects and mechanism of action of sesquiterpene lactones may have pharmacological import in the continuing search for therapeutic modalities to ameliorate the effects of this global obesity epidemic. Dehydroleucodine (DhL), 11,13-dihydro-dehydroleucodine (DH-DhL), and dehydroparashin-B (DhP), sesquiterpene lactones extracted from or derived from compounds extracted from Artemisia douglasiana, were investigated for their anti-adipogenic effects on 3T1-L1 preadipocytes. Dehydroleucodine inhibited the expression of C/EBPa and PPARg, and also strongly blocked the expression of C/EBPβ, an early stage biomarker of early adipogenesis, in a concentration-dependent manner. Dehydroleucodine arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, increased p27 and decreased both cyclins A and D and their partners (e.g., CDK2 and CDK4). Furthermore, DhL downregulated expression of histone demethylase JMJD2 as well as repressed the expression of histone methyltransferase MLL4, which in turn diminished the expression of C/EBPb and PPARg, respectively. 11,13-dihydro-dehydroleucodine blocked the accumulation of lipid droplets and inhibited the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPβ. Collectively, the results indicate that the inhibition of early stage preadipocyte differentiation by DH-DhL may be associated with cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Dehydroparashin-B significantly decreased the accumulation of lipid content and downregulated the expression of CEBPβ, PPARγ and CEBPα as well as FAS. Interestingly, the addition of DhP inhibited the number as well as the size of the lipid droplets during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Taken together, this data suggests that DhP has an important inhibitory effect on cellular pathways regulating adipocyte differentiation.

A química de produtos naturais sempre foi uma fonte importante de novas substâncias e de substâncias bioativas. No mundo moderno, o homem utiliza os produtos naturais para diversos fins: corantes, edulcorantes, essências, defensivos agrícolas e principalmente medicamentos. Com o desenvolvimento das técnicas de isolamento de substâncias, cresceu a necessidade de organizar as informações obtidas e também a criação de meios para a identificação mais rápida das substâncias isoladas. Esta foi uma das necessidades que fez surgir a Quimioinformática. Quimioinformática é uma disciplina que utiliza os métodos da informática para organizar dados químicos, analisar estes dados e gerar novas informações a partir destes dados. Esta ferramenta tem sido utilizada com sucesso em procura por novas drogas (QSAR/QSPR), elucidação estrutural automatizada de substâncias orgânicas e em cálculos e previsão de propriedades físico-químicas de diversas moléculas. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram o estudo fitoquímico de espécies dos gêneros Dimerostemma e Ichthyothere com o intuito de isolar novas substâncias e o desenvolvimento de técnicas envolvendo quimioinformática com o intuito de auxiliar a elucidação estrutural de produtos naturais. Realizou-se a técnica de microamstragem de tricomas glandulares de diversas espécies pertencentes a gêneros da tribo Heliantheae (Viguiera, Tithonia, Dimerostemma). Através da microamostragem foi possível identificar diversas substâncias presentes nos tricomas glandulares das espécies analisadas. Das duas espécies de Dimerostemma investigadas (D. brasilianum e D. rotundifolium) foi possível identificar dois germacrolidos e dois eudesmanolidos, enquanto que de Ichthyothere terminalis foi possível a identificação de dois melampolidos, todos eles lactonas sesquiterpênicas. Foram treinadas redes neurais artificiais para a realização da identificação dos esqueletos carbônicos de determinadas substâncias a partir dos dados obtidos através dos espectros de RMN 13C, sendo que os resultados obtidos podem ser considerados satisfatórios. Foi desenvolvido um software para efetuar a identificação automática de substâncias através da comparação com uma biblioteca de padrões que possui dados cromatográficos de 51 lactonas sesquiterpênicas. Esse software, chamado de NAPROSYS, também é capaz de fazer comparação de dados de RMN de amostra com dados de RMN presentes em uma biblioteca de dados, tornando possível a identificação imediata de substâncias presentes na biblioteca e também auxiliar a elucidação estrutural de substâncias que não estão nela presentes. Para testar a eficiência do NAPROSYS, o programa foi utilizado com sucesso para identificar LSTs através da microamostragem de tricomas glandulares. A eficiência do NAPROSYS em identificar dados de RMN de substâncias presentes na biblioteca foi testada com substâncias isoladas do gênero Tithonia e Viguiera que possuem substâncias bem descritas na literatura e já isoladas no nosso laboratório, sendo que os resultados apresentados foram excelentes. Criou-se também dois modelos de redes neurais para prever tempos de retenção de lactonas sesquiterpênicas em cromatografia líquida (QSRR) com o objetivo de melhorar o desempenho do NAPROSYS em análises de dados cromatográficos. Os resultados para este caso, embora coerentes, precisam ser melhorados. Neste trabalho concluimos que o uso das técnicas clássicas juntamente com as novas técnicas de Quimoinformática pode se tornar uma ferramenta muito eficaz para a elucidação estrutural e busca de substâncias com determinadas propriedades químicas ou mesmo na bioprospecção de novas substâncias bioativas. / Natural products chemistry has always been an important source for new andbioactive compounds. In modern world, mankind uses natural products to do many tasks: colouring, as essences, as agricultural defensives and many as medicines. Within the development of compound isolation techniques, the need for information organisation has grown. The need for quickly identification of isolated compounds has also grown. This was one of the necessities that made Chemoinformatics emerge. Chemoinformatics is a discipline that uses informatics as a tool to organise, analise and to generate new knowledge from chemical data. This tool has been used with success in automate structure elucidation, drug development (QSAR/QSPR) and to predict chemical-physical data of many molecules. The aims of the present work were the phytochemical study of species of the genera Dimerostemma and Ichthyothere to isolate new compounds, and the development of chemoinformatics techniques to aid natural products structure elucidation. The glandular trichome microsampling was made for diverse species of genera from the tribe Heliantheae (Viguiera, Tithonia, Dimerostemma). Many compounds were identified through glandular trichome microsampling. Two germacrolides and two eudesmanolides were identified from Dimerostemma species (D. brasilianum and D. episcopale), while from Ichthyothere terminalis two melampolides were identified, all of them being sesquiterpene lactones. Artificial Neural Networks were trained to make skeleton identification from data obtained from 13C NMR and the obtained results can be considered satisfactory. A software was developed to make automatic compound identification through the comparation with a compound library that possesses data from 51 STLs. This software is called NAPROSYS is also able to compare the NMR data of the sample with the NMR data stored into a compound library, making the imediate identification of compounds present into library possible and also help the structure elucidation of unknown compounds. To test NAPROSYS\' efficience to identify NMR data of compunds sored into the library was made with compounds isolated from species of Tithonia and Viguiera genera, because these genera has well describe compounds in the literature and that has been isolated in our laboratory, and the obtained results are excellent. Two Artificial Neural Network models were created to predict the retention time of sesquiterpene lactones in liquid cromatography (QSRR) with the aim of improve NAPROSYS performance in cromatographic data analysis. The results for this case, although coherent, can be improved. The conclusion of this work is that the use of classical techniques with the new techniques of chemoinformatics can be a very efficient tool to make structure elucidation, search for compounds with certain chemical properties and even the search for new bioactive compounds.

This thesis investigated the phytochemistry and pharmacology of immunomodulatory medicinal plant species used traditionally by the Q’eqchi’ Maya Healers Association (QMHA) of Belize, and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee (CEI) of northern Quebec. Using quantitative ethnobotanical methodology, we identified 107 plant species belonging to 49 families used by Q’eqchi’ healers in the treatment of symptoms from 14 usage categories related to inflammation. Regression analysis revealed that the Piperaceae, Araceae, and Begoniaceae are preferentially selected by the Maya. Healer consensus for plant species was high, with 56 species (52%) being used by all the healers, and consensus for usage categories was also high, as informant consensus factor (FIC) values for each category were greater than 0.4. Fifty-two Belizean species were evaluated for their TNF-α inhibitory activity in an LPS-stimulated THP-1 monocyte model. Twenty-one species (40%) demonstrated significant TNF-α inhibition when assayed at 100 µg/mL, 8 of which had greater than 50% of the activity of the parthenolide positive control (10 µg/mL). Significant regressions were found between the anti-inflammatory activity and total healer frequency of use (Fuse) and the use reports for 3 usage categories, which indicated that ethnobotanical parameters can in part predict the activity of traditionally used species. Five sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the leaves of Neurolaena lobata, one of the most active species tested, all of which demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity greater than that of parthenolide (IC50 = 4.79 µM), with IC50s ranging from 0.17-2.32 µM. Lobatin B was the most active isolate tested. Ethanolic and water extracts of 17 species used by Cree healers were evaluated for their immunomodulatory activity. In general, the average anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extracts was 1.8 times greater than that of water extracts, and the pro-inflammatory activity of water extracts was 3.7 times greater than ethanolic extracts. Picea mariana and Pinus banksiana were the most anti-inflammatory ethanolic and water extracts, while the water extract of Sarracenia purpurea was the most pro-inflammatory. Picea marina cones, the most anti-inflammatory Cree medicine, were subjected to bioassay guided isolation. This led to the isolation of the anti-inflammatory lignan (+)-lariciresinol-9’-p-coumarate, which had an IC50 of 28.4 µM. Together, these results validate the traditional knowledge shared by our Q’eqchi’ and Cree collaborators, and draw attention to the therapeutic potential of subtropical and boreal plants as culturally appropriate complements to modern medicine. - Cette thèse porte sur la phytochimie et la pharmacologie des espèces de plantes médicinales immunomodulatrices utilisées traditionnellement par le Q’eqchi’ Maya Healers Association (QMHA) du Belize, et les Cris d'Eeyou Istchee (CEI) du nord du Québec. En utilisant une méthodologie ethnobotanique quantitative, nous avons identifié 107 espèces végétales appartenant à 49 familles utilisées par les guérisseurs Q'eqchi’ dans le traitement de symptômes appartenant à 14 catégories d'utilisation liées à l'inflammation. Une analyse de régression a révélé que les familles Piperaceae, Araceae, et Begoniaceae sont préférentiellement choisis par les Mayas. Le consensus entre guérisseurs pour les espèces végétales était élevé, avec 56 espèces (52%) étant utilisés par tous les guérisseurs, et le consensus pour les catégories d'utilisation était également élevé, car les valeurs de facteur de consensus des informants (FIC) pour chaque catégorie étaient supérieurs à 0,4. Cinquante-deux espèces du Belize ont été évaluées pour leur activité inhibitrice de TNF-α dans un modèle de THP-1 monocytes stimulés par le LPS. Vingt-et-une espèces (40%) ont montré une inhibition significative de TNF-α lorsque dosés à 100 µg/mL, dont 8 d’entre elles ont démontrées plus de 50% de l'activité du contrôle positif parthénolide (10 µg/mL). Des régressions significatives ont été observées entre l'activité anti-inflammatoire et la fréquence d'utilisation de guérisseurs totale (Fuse) et les rapports d'utilisation pour 3 catégories d'utilisation, ce qui indique que les paramètres ethnobotaniques peuvent en partie prédire l'activité des espèces traditionnellement utilisées. Cinq lactones sesquiterpéniques ont été isolés à partir des feuilles de Neurolaena lobata, l'une des espèces les plus actives testées, qui a démontré une activité anti-inflammatoire supérieure à celle du parthénolide (CI50 = 4,79 µM), avec des CI50 allant de 0,17 à 2,32 µM. Lobatin B était l’isolât le plus actif testé. Des extraits éthanoliques et aqueux de 17 espèces utilisées par les guérisseurs Cris ont été évalués pour leur activité immunomodulatrice. En général, l'activité anti-inflammatoire moyenne des extraits éthanoliques était 1,8 fois supérieure à celle des extraits d'eau, et l'activité pro-inflammatoire des extraits d'eau était de 3,7 fois supérieure à celle des extraits éthanoliques. Picea mariana et Pinus banksiana étaient les extraits éthanoliques et aqueux avec le plus d’activité anti-inflammatoire, tandis que l'extrait aqueux de Sarracenia purpurea était le plus pro-inflammatoire. Le cône de Picea marina, le médicament traditionnelle Cris le plus anti-inflammatoire, a été soumis à une isolation guidée par essais biologiques. Cela a mené à l'isolement du lignane anti-inflammatoire (+)-lariciresinol-9'-p-coumarate, qui avait une CI50 de 28,4 µM. Ensemble, ces résultats valident les connaissances traditionnelles partagées par nos collaborateurs Q'eqchi' et Cris, et mettent en évidence le potentiel thérapeutique des plantes subtropicales et boréales comme des compléments à la médecine moderne qui sont culturellement appropriées.

Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson (Asteraceae), conhecida popularmente como yacón, é um erva utilizada na medicina popular para o tratamento do diabetes. A ação hipoglicemiante do extrato aquoso das folhas do yacón foi comprovada em estudos recentes realizados por outros autores em animais diabéticos. Análises fitoquímicas preliminares revelaram que a espécie é rica em lactonas sesquiterpênicas (LST) e em derivados dos ácidos clorogênicos (ACG). Ambas as classes de substâncias possuem inúmeras atividades biológicas, como ação antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, e inibidora de enzimas que podem contribuir no quadro de melhora do estado diabético. Contudo, ainda não está comprovado se as atividades biológicas da espécie são resultantes da ação dos ACG ou das LST. Adicionalmente, análises toxicológicas do consumo das folhas do yacón ainda não foram realizadas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar três extratos preparados com folhas do yacón, com o intuito de analisar o papel das diferentes classes químicas no desenvolvimento das atividades biológicas descritas para a espécie, bem como de seus potenciais efeitos tóxicos. Os extratos obtidos foram: o extrato aquoso (EA), no qual foram detectados tanto ACG (2,0 e 1,3 µg/mL dos picos mais intensos), quanto LST (99,7 e 319,0 µg/mL dos picos mais intensos); extrato de lavagem foliar (ELF), rico em LST (1257,4 e 1997,7 µg/mL das majoritárias) e o extrato polar (EP), rico em ACG (9,9 e 9,6 µg/mL dos picos mais intensos), mas sem LST. Os estudos toxicológicos demonstraram que o EP não causou efeitos tóxicos significativos em ratos, enquanto alterações em parâmetros bioquímicos específicos no sangue (creatinina 7,0 mg/dL, glicose 212,0 mg/dL, albumina 2,8 g/dL) de ratos tratados com o EA (10, 50 e 100 mg/kg) e ELF (10 e 100 mg/kg) apontaram para dano renal, confirmado por análises histológicas dos rins. Todos os extratos apresentaram atividade anti-edematogênica in vivo, em especial no modelo de edema induzido por óleo de cróton (EA: 25,9% inibição do edema a 0,5 mg/orelha; EP: 42,7% de inibição a 0,25 mg/orelha, ELF: 44,1% de inibição a 0,25 mg/orelha). O ELF demonstrou os melhores resultados na inibição da migração de neutrófilos, na indução da IL-10, na inibição do NO, TNF- e PGE2, quando comparado aos demais extratos. Todos os extratos inibiram de forma estatisticamente similar a atividade da -amilase, enquanto o EA e o EP foram mais eficazes na redução dos níveis glicêmicos após a administração oral de glicose (controle glicêmico: 201,8±5,2, EA: 169,0±4,9, EP: 176,7,3±7,3, ELF: 219,1±7,6 mg/dL). Com os dados obtidos neste trabalho pode-se concluir que o consumo do chá das folhas do yacón por períodos prolongados pode ser tóxico e seu uso não deve ser recomendado na medicina popular. As LST parecem ser as substâncias responsáveis por essa toxicidade. Tanto as LST, quanto os ACG contribuem para atividade anti-inflamatória, embora as LST parecem ter efeitos mais pronunciados. Contudo, a atividade anti-diabética da espécie parece estar relacionada principalmente à presença ao ACG e não à LST, sendo necessários estudos mais detalhados com ACG puros para verificar seu uso potencial no tratamento do diabetes. / Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson (Asteraceae), known as yacón is a herb used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. The hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous extract from yacón leaves was demonstrated in recent studies in diabetic animal models. Phytochemical analyzes have demonstrated that this species is rich in chorogenic acids (CGAs) and sesquiterpene lactones (STLs). Both classes of compounds have many biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and inhibit enzymes that can contribute in the improvement of the diabetic state. However, it is not yet established whether the biological activities of this species are due to the action of the CGAs or STLs. In addition, toxicological analysis of the consumption of yacón leaves has not yet been performed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate three extracts prepared from leaves of yacón, with the aim to analyze the role of different chemical classes in the development of the biological activities described for this species, as well as their potential toxic effects. The following extracts were obtained: aqueous extract (AE), were detected CGAs (2.0 and 1.3 mg / mL of the more intense peaks), and STLs (99.7 and 319 mg / mL of most intense peaks); leaf rinse extract (LRE), rich in STLs (1257.4 and 1997.7 mg / mL of major peaks), and the polar extract (PE) rich in CGAs (9.9 and 9.6 mg / mL of the more intense peaks), but without STLs. The toxicological studies in animals showed that the PE did not cause significant toxic effects, while changes in specific biochemical parameters in blood (creatinine 7.0 mg / dL, glucose 212.0 mg / dL, albumin 2.8 g / dL) of rats treated with AE (10, 50 and 100 mg / kg) and LRE (10 and 100 mg / kg) indicated kidney damage, which was confirmed by histological analysis of kidneys. All extracts showed anti-oedematogenics activity in vivo, particularly in the model of oedema induced by croton oil (AE: 25.9% of oedema inhibition at 0.5 mg / ear, PE: 42.7% of inhibition at 0.25 mg / ear, LRE: 44.1% inhibition at 0.25 mg / ear). The LRE showed the best results in the inhibition of neutrophil migration, induction of IL-10, as well as NO, TNF- and PGE2 inhibition, when compared to other extracts. All extracts inhibited in a statistically similar way the activity of -amylase, while the AE and the PE were more effective in reducing blood glucose levels after oral glucose adminstration (glycaemic control: 201.8 ± 5.2; AE: 169, 0 ± 4.9; PE: 7.3 ± 176,7,3; LRE: 219.1 ± 7.6 mg / dL). The data obtained in this work suggested that the consumption of tea from yacón leaves for prolonged periods can be toxic and their use should not be recommended in folk medicine. The STLs seem to be the substances responsible for this toxicity. Both STLs and CGAs contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity, although the STLs seem to have more pronounced effects. However, the anti-diabetic activity of the yacón leaves seems to be related to the presence of the CGAs and not to LST. More detailed studies with pure CGAs are required in order to determine their potential use in treatment of diabetes.

Neste trabalho foram realizados estudos conformacionais de algumas lactonas sesquiterpenicas e cálculos teóricos de deslocamento químico. O estudo conformacional é dividido em tres etapas distintas. A primeira etapa se dá pela busca conformacional em mecânica molecular, onde foram encontradas as possíveis conformações assumidas pelo sistema em estudo. Na segunda etapa, as conformações encontradas foram otimizadas em mecânica quântica. O último passo neste estudo foi o cálculode deslocamento químico e a posterior correlação com os dados experimentais. / This work is aimed on the theoretical calculation of chemical shifts of sesquiterpene lactones, based on the conformational preferences of the compounds. This conformational study is set up in three stages. The first one is a conformational search using molecular mechanics, to assess the relevant conformations of the system under study. In the second stage, the conformations are optimized by quantum mechanics, for the refinement of both the structural assignment and energy calculation of the most stable conformers found in the previous step. The last step is the theoretical calculation of chemical shifts. Finally the weighted average of calculated values is compared to experimental data.

Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson (Asteraceae), conhecida popularmente como yacón, é um erva utilizada na medicina popular para o tratamento do diabetes. A ação hipoglicemiante do extrato aquoso das folhas do yacón foi comprovada em estudos recentes realizados por outros autores em animais diabéticos. Análises fitoquímicas preliminares revelaram que a espécie é rica em lactonas sesquiterpênicas (LST) e em derivados dos ácidos clorogênicos (ACG). Ambas as classes de substâncias possuem inúmeras atividades biológicas, como ação antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, e inibidora de enzimas que podem contribuir no quadro de melhora do estado diabético. Contudo, ainda não está comprovado se as atividades biológicas da espécie são resultantes da ação dos ACG ou das LST. Adicionalmente, análises toxicológicas do consumo das folhas do yacón ainda não foram realizadas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar três extratos preparados com folhas do yacón, com o intuito de analisar o papel das diferentes classes químicas no desenvolvimento das atividades biológicas descritas para a espécie, bem como de seus potenciais efeitos tóxicos. Os extratos obtidos foram: o extrato aquoso (EA), no qual foram detectados tanto ACG (2,0 e 1,3 µg/mL dos picos mais intensos), quanto LST (99,7 e 319,0 µg/mL dos picos mais intensos); extrato de lavagem foliar (ELF), rico em LST (1257,4 e 1997,7 µg/mL das majoritárias) e o extrato polar (EP), rico em ACG (9,9 e 9,6 µg/mL dos picos mais intensos), mas sem LST. Os estudos toxicológicos demonstraram que o EP não causou efeitos tóxicos significativos em ratos, enquanto alterações em parâmetros bioquímicos específicos no sangue (creatinina 7,0 mg/dL, glicose 212,0 mg/dL, albumina 2,8 g/dL) de ratos tratados com o EA (10, 50 e 100 mg/kg) e ELF (10 e 100 mg/kg) apontaram para dano renal, confirmado por análises histológicas dos rins. Todos os extratos apresentaram atividade anti-edematogênica in vivo, em especial no modelo de edema induzido por óleo de cróton (EA: 25,9% inibição do edema a 0,5 mg/orelha; EP: 42,7% de inibição a 0,25 mg/orelha, ELF: 44,1% de inibição a 0,25 mg/orelha). O ELF demonstrou os melhores resultados na inibição da migração de neutrófilos, na indução da IL-10, na inibição do NO, TNF- e PGE2, quando comparado aos demais extratos. Todos os extratos inibiram de forma estatisticamente similar a atividade da -amilase, enquanto o EA e o EP foram mais eficazes na redução dos níveis glicêmicos após a administração oral de glicose (controle glicêmico: 201,8±5,2, EA: 169,0±4,9, EP: 176,7,3±7,3, ELF: 219,1±7,6 mg/dL). Com os dados obtidos neste trabalho pode-se concluir que o consumo do chá das folhas do yacón por períodos prolongados pode ser tóxico e seu uso não deve ser recomendado na medicina popular. As LST parecem ser as substâncias responsáveis por essa toxicidade. Tanto as LST, quanto os ACG contribuem para atividade anti-inflamatória, embora as LST parecem ter efeitos mais pronunciados. Contudo, a atividade anti-diabética da espécie parece estar relacionada principalmente à presença ao ACG e não à LST, sendo necessários estudos mais detalhados com ACG puros para verificar seu uso potencial no tratamento do diabetes. / Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson (Asteraceae), known as yacón is a herb used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. The hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous extract from yacón leaves was demonstrated in recent studies in diabetic animal models. Phytochemical analyzes have demonstrated that this species is rich in chorogenic acids (CGAs) and sesquiterpene lactones (STLs). Both classes of compounds have many biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and inhibit enzymes that can contribute in the improvement of the diabetic state. However, it is not yet established whether the biological activities of this species are due to the action of the CGAs or STLs. In addition, toxicological analysis of the consumption of yacón leaves has not yet been performed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate three extracts prepared from leaves of yacón, with the aim to analyze the role of different chemical classes in the development of the biological activities described for this species, as well as their potential toxic effects. The following extracts were obtained: aqueous extract (AE), were detected CGAs (2.0 and 1.3 mg / mL of the more intense peaks), and STLs (99.7 and 319 mg / mL of most intense peaks); leaf rinse extract (LRE), rich in STLs (1257.4 and 1997.7 mg / mL of major peaks), and the polar extract (PE) rich in CGAs (9.9 and 9.6 mg / mL of the more intense peaks), but without STLs. The toxicological studies in animals showed that the PE did not cause significant toxic effects, while changes in specific biochemical parameters in blood (creatinine 7.0 mg / dL, glucose 212.0 mg / dL, albumin 2.8 g / dL) of rats treated with AE (10, 50 and 100 mg / kg) and LRE (10 and 100 mg / kg) indicated kidney damage, which was confirmed by histological analysis of kidneys. All extracts showed anti-oedematogenics activity in vivo, particularly in the model of oedema induced by croton oil (AE: 25.9% of oedema inhibition at 0.5 mg / ear, PE: 42.7% of inhibition at 0.25 mg / ear, LRE: 44.1% inhibition at 0.25 mg / ear). The LRE showed the best results in the inhibition of neutrophil migration, induction of IL-10, as well as NO, TNF- and PGE2 inhibition, when compared to other extracts. All extracts inhibited in a statistically similar way the activity of -amylase, while the AE and the PE were more effective in reducing blood glucose levels after oral glucose adminstration (glycaemic control: 201.8 ± 5.2; AE: 169, 0 ± 4.9; PE: 7.3 ± 176,7,3; LRE: 219.1 ± 7.6 mg / dL). The data obtained in this work suggested that the consumption of tea from yacón leaves for prolonged periods can be toxic and their use should not be recommended in folk medicine. The STLs seem to be the substances responsible for this toxicity. Both STLs and CGAs contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity, although the STLs seem to have more pronounced effects. However, the anti-diabetic activity of the yacón leaves seems to be related to the presence of the CGAs and not to LST. More detailed studies with pure CGAs are required in order to determine their potential use in treatment of diabetes.

Nos travaux de doctorat s’inscrivent dans la démarche de la valorisation de la biodiversité végétale cambodgienne. Les objectifs portaient sur les travaux phytochimique et pharmacologique de deux plantes cambodgiennes : Vernonia cinerea et Vernonia elliptica. Une méthode de dosage par CLHP du composé 8α-tigloyloxyhirsutinolide 13-O-acetate (H1) appartenant à la classe des lactones sesquiterpènes de V. cinerea a été mise au point et validée dans le but de déterminer la teneur de ce composé. La teneur en H1 varie entre 0,08 % à 0,17 % pour les échantillons étudiés provenant de 4 régions du Cambodge. L’évaluation de l’activité antiproliférative in vitro des extraits de V. cinerea, et du composé H1 a été réalisée vis-à-vis de deux lignées cellulaires cancéreuses humaines HT29 et HepG2. Le composé H1 présente une CI50 similaire à celle du contrôle positif 5FU, 4,3 ± 0,2 versus 5,4 ± 0,9 µM vis-à-vis de la lignée HepG2. Les résultats intéressants obtenus sur V. cinerea nous ont incités à travailler sur d’autres espèces du genre Vernonia qui poussent au Cambodge, Vernonia elliptica. L’étude phytochimique menée sur cette plante a permis d’isoler un lignane [(+)-Syringaresinol] et deux lactones sesquiterpènes [(+)-8,13-diacetyl-piptocarphol et Glaucolide B]. Ces composés sont décrits dans cette plante pour la première fois. L’étude in vitro de l’activité antiproliférative des extraits de V. elliptica montre que l’extrait dichlorométhane obtenu à partir de l’extrait aqueux est très actif. / Our PhD work is in the process of valorization of the Cambodian plant biodiversity. The objectives focused on phytochemical and pharmacological studies of two Cambodian plants of the Vernonia genus: Vernonia cinerea and Vernonia elliptica.An analytical HPLC method was developed and validated to quantify the major compound 8α-tigloyloxyhirsutinolide 13-O-acetate (H1) of Vernonia cinerea. We found that the compound H1 content ranges from 0.08% to 0.17% in samples collected from cambodian regions. We thus evaluated the anti-proliferative activity in vitro of extracts of V. cinerea and H1 compound against two human cancer cell lines HT29 and HepG2. For HepG2 cell line, the compound H1 has a similar IC50 to the positive control 5FU, 4.3 ± 0.2 versus 5.4 ± 0.9 µM. The interesting results on V. cinerea encouraged us to study other species of Vernonia genus growing in Cambodia, Vernonia elliptica. The phytochemical study conducted on this plant led to isolate a lignan [(+)-syringaresinol] and two sesquiterpene lactones [(+)-8,13-diacetyl-piptocarphol and Glaucolide B]. These compounds were described in this plant for the first time. The in vitro study of the anti-proliferative activity of the extracts of V. elliptica shows that the dichloromethane extract obtained from aqueous extract is very active.