Catharanthus roseus est une plante tropicale de la famille des Apocynacées d’intérêt thérapeutique en raison de sa capacité à synthétiser des alcaloïdes indoliques monoterpéniques (AIM) utilisés en chimiothérapie anticancéreuse. La teneur en AIM in planta est très faible notamment en raison d’une haute compartimentalisation cellulaire et subcellulaire de la voie de biosynthèse. Si la compartimentalisation cellulaire était bien caractérisée, très peu de données de localisation subcellulaire in situ étaient disponibles au début de cette thèse. Une connaissance fine de cette compartimentalisation est cependant nécessaire pour identifier les transports inter-compartiment de métabolites intermédiaires, limitant potentiellement le flux métabolique, afin d’améliorer ensuite le rendement de biosynthèse des AIM par ingénierie métabolique. Dans ce contexte nous avons réalisé une étude exhaustive de la localisation subcellulaire des enzymes de cette voie par imagerie GFP dans des cellules de C. roseus transformées par biolistique permettant d’établir un nouveau modèle intégré d’organisation cellulaire et subcellulaire de la biosynthèse des AIM. / Catharanthus roseus is a tropical plant from the Apocynaceae family with a great therapeutic value due to its ability to synthesize monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIA) used in cancer treatment. The yields of these molecules in planta are very low due to a very high level of compartmentation of the biosynthetic pathway at both cellular and subcellular levels. While the cellular compartmentation was widely characterized, very few in situ subcellular localization data were available at the beginning of this PhD. An accurate knowledge of this compartmentation is necessary to identify intermediate metabolites transport events from one compartment to another one, in order to increase the MIA biosynthesis yield by metabolic engineering approaches. In this context we have proceed to the exhaustive study of the subcellular localization of these enzymes by in vivo GFP imaging in C. roseus cells transformed by biolistic. Potential interprotein interactions of these enzymes have also been studied by BiFC. Altogether, our results enabled us to draw an integrated model of the cellular and subcellular organization of MIA biosynthesis in situ.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 laryssaxavieraraujo.pdf: 1452466 bytes, checksum: 171c39ef6b34539f22d4565011471c2b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-12 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Substâncias de origem vegetal como óleos essenciais e seus componentes têm demonstrado potencial para serem empregados no controle de diferentes pragas, incluindo carrapatos. Entre essas substâncias destacam-se os monoterpenos timol e carvacrol e o fenilpropanóide eugenol, moléculas que já tiveram sua atividade evidenciada sobre os carrapatos Rhipicephalus microplus e Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., espécies de grande importância econômica. Apesar da ação isolada dessas substâncias sobre carrapatos ter sido demonstrada in vitro em diferentes trabalhos, até o momento não existem estudos sobre o efeito da combinação das mesmas e relato de possível ação sinérgica sobre ixodídeos. Também são escassos os trabalhos que avaliam a atividade dessas substâncias em ambientes naturais ou semi-naturais, visando controlar carrapatos com ações direcionadas sobre a fase não parasitária. Dessa forma, este estudo teve como objetivos, avaliar os efeitos das combinações dos monoterpenos timol e carvacrol e do fenilpropanóide eugenol sobre larvas de R. microplus e R. sanguineus s.l. e avaliar a atividade carrapaticida do timol sobre larvas de R. microplus em condições semi-naturais. O primeiro capítulo traz os resultados dos efeitos das combinações das substâncias sobre as larvas desses carrapatos e para esse fim, foi utilizado o teste de pacote de larvas. Primeiramente foi feito o cálculo de CL50 e em seguida essas substâncias foram testadas em associação ou isoladas em concentrações subletais. Para larvas de R. microplus foram observados valores de CL50 para o timol, carvacrol e eugenol de 1,53; 1,76 e 4,67 mg/mL, respectivamente, e sinergismo entre todas as nove combinações testadas. Os valores de CL50 do timol, carvacrol e eugenol observados para larvas de R. sanguineus s.l., foram de 2,98; 3,29 e 5,19 mg/mL, respectivamente, sendo esse o primeiro estudo a determinar a CL50 dessas substâncias para R. sanguineus s.l. Para esta espécie, oito misturas apresentaram efeito sinérgico e apenas a combinação de carvacrol+timol na concentração da CL50, apresentou efeito sinérgico moderado. No segundo capítulo foi observado, pela primeira vez na literatura, que o timol ao ser aplicado em mudas de Brachiaria decumbens infestadas artificialmente com larvas de R. microplus foi capaz de reduzir 11 significativamente a infestação por esse carrapato. As maiores concentrações (10, 15, 20, 25 e 30,0 mg/mL) ocasionaram eficácias acima de 95% e os valores encontrados para as CL50 e CL90 foram de 3,45 e 9,25 mg/mL, respectivamente. Conclui-se que associações entre timol, carvacrol e eugenol em concentrações subletais apresentam efeito sinérgico sobre larvas de R. microplus e R. sanguineus s.l. e que o timol apresenta potencial para redução de larvas de R. microplus em condições semi-naturais. / Substances of plant origin, such as essential oils and their components have demonstrated the potential to be used to control different pests, including ticks. Among these substances stand out monoterpenes thymol and carvacrol and the phenylpropanoid eugenol, molecules that already had their activity demonstrated against ticks Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., species of great economic importance. Despite the isolated action of these substances on ticks has been demonstrated in vitro in different papers, until now there are no studies on the effect of the combination of this substances and report of possible synergistic action on ticks. Also there are few studies that evaluate the activity of these substances in natural and semi-natural environments in order to control ticks with targeted actions on the non-parasitic phase. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of combinations of monoterpenes thymol and carvacrol and phenylpropanoid eugenol on larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and evaluate the insecticidal activity of thymol on larvae of R. microplus in semi-natural conditions. The first chapter presents the results of the effects of combinations of substances on the larvae of these ticks. For R. microplus larvae were observed LC50 values for the thymol, carvacrol and eugenol of 1.53; 1.76 and 4.67 mg/ml, respectively, and synergism between all combinations tested. The LC50 values of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol observed for larvae of R. sanguineus s.l., were 2.98; 3.29 and 5.19 mg/ml, respectively. This is the first work reporting the LC50 values of these three substances against R. sanguineus s.l. For this species, eight combinations showed synergistic effect and only the combination of carvacrol+thymol in the concentration of LC50, showed moderate synergism. In this study it was observed that the larvae of R. microplus were more sensitive to the tested substances and their combinations. In the second chapter it was observed for the first time that thymol when applied in Brachiaria decumbens seedlings artificially infested with larvae of R. microplus was able to significantly reduce the infestation by this tick. The highest concentrations (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30.0 mg/ml) resulted efficiencies above 95% and the values found for the LC50 and LC90 were 3.45 and 9.25 mg/ml, respectively. It is concluded that associations between thymol, eugenol and carvacrol at sublethal concentrations have a synergistic effect on larvae of R. microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and thymol has the potential for reducing R. microplus larvae in semi-natural conditions.

Propriedades leishmanicidas têm sido atribuídas a vários terpenos, que são compostos encontrados em plantas. Dentre esses está o limoneno, um monoterpeno presente principalmente em frutas cítricas. Em plantas e no fígado de mamíferos, o limoneno é convertido a alcool perílico (POH), aldeído perílico (PCO) e ácido perílico (PCOOH). Tanto o limoneno como seus derivados apresentam propriedades antimicrobianas e antitumorais. Neste estudo avaliamos a atividade dos derivados do limoneno para o tratamento de leishmaniose. As IC50 para POH, PCO e PCOOH foram determinadas para L. (L.) major e L. (L.) amazonensis. Demonstramos que esses compostos são citotóxicos para macrófagos, em concentrações semelhantes às efetivas contra os parasitas. Avaliação da toxicidade in vivo não evidenciou efeitos colaterais. Não houve resposta clínica à administração de POH ou PCO em camundongos infectados. A associação de POH e PCO por via intraperitoneal foi capaz de retardar a progressão da doença em camundongos infectados com L. (L.) amazonensis. / Leishmanicidal properties have been ascribed to several terpenes. Limonene is a monoterpene found mainly in citric fruits. In plants and in mammalian liver, limonene is converted to perillyl alcohol (POH), perillyl aldehyde (PCO) and perillyl acid (PCOOH). Limonene and its derivatives possess antimicrobial and antineoplasic properties. In this study we evaluated the activity of POH, PCO and PCOOH for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The inhibitory concentrations for 50% of the parasites (IC50) were determined for L. (L) major and L. (L.) amazonensis. We have shown that these drugs are toxic for macrophages, in concentrations in the same range as the effective ones against parasites. The in vivo toxicity evaluation did not show collateral effects in mice. There was no clinical response to the administration of POH or PCO to infected mice. The combination of POH e PCO by the intraperitoneal route was able to delay the disease progression in mice infected with L. (L.) amazonensis.

Les alcaloïdes indolo-monoterpéniques (AIMs) constituent une classe de molécules naturelles très étudiée en raison d’un fort potentiel pharmacologique et thérapeutique et d’une grande diversité structurale. D’autre part, les techniques de déréplication par chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse tandem ont évolué récemment, avec l’émergence de l’approche par réseaux moléculaires (molecular networking). Dans ce contexte, nous avons créé une base de données de spectres de masse tandem moyennés de 172 AIMs témoins, en collaboration avec plusieurs équipes de pharmacognosie dans le monde. Cette base de données, nommée MIADB (Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids DataBase), rendue publique, peut être utilisée comme référence dans des stratégies de déréplication fondées sur l’utilisation des réseaux moléculaires. Nous avons ensuite exploité la MIADB pour l’étude phytochimique de deux Apocynaceae : Geissospermum laeve (Vell.) Miers et Alstonia balansae Guillaumin. Dans un premier temps, l’annotation par la MIADB d’un extrait alcaloïdique des écorces de G. laeve a permis l’isolement et l’élucidation structurale de 3 nouveaux AIMs, dont deux à motif butyrolactone. Par la suite, notre approche a été améliorée par l’emploi du nouvel outil d’annotation in silico MetWork, fondé sur une prédiction métabolique et la modélisation de spectres de masse tandem. C’est ainsi que l’exploration de l’espace chimique d’un extrait alcaloïdique des feuilles d’A. balansae a permis l’identification, puis l’isolement, de 5 nouveaux AIMs du type N-oxyde-sarpagane. La stéréochimie des nouveaux composés a pu être déterminée par l’exploitation de spectres prédits et expérimentaux de dichroïsme circulaire éléctronique.Ce manuscrit décrit, après une introduction consacrée notamment aux emplois du molecular networking pour le ciblage et la découverte de petites molécules naturelles puis aux interconnections biosynthétiques en série AIM, la création puis l’évolution de la MIADB, puis son utilisation dans un workflow de déréplication efficace et de ciblage de nouveaux composés dans des mélanges complexes issus d’Apocynaceae. / Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) constitute a class of natural products that has been extensively studied due to its important pharmacological and therapeutic potentials, and to its large structural diversity. Dereplication techniques based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry have recently evolved, with the implementation of molecular networking-based approaches.In this context, we have created a spectral database that encompasses the averaged tandem mass spectra of 172 reference MIAs, in collaboration with several pharmacognosy research teams around the world. This database, named MIADB (standing for Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids DataBase), was made publicly available and can be used as a reference in the application of molecular networking as a dereplication strategy. Thereafter, we used the MIADB to carry out the phytochemical investigation of two Apocynaceae species: Geissospermum laeve (Vell.) Miers and Alstonia balansae Guillaumin. As a first application, the MIADB-based annotation of an alkaloid extract of the barks of G. laeve led to the isolation and the structural elucidation of three new MIAs, two having a butyrolactone moiety. Afterwards, this approach was improved by the application of a new tool for in silico annotation called MetWork, which is based on metabolic prediction and on the generation of predicted tandem mass spectra. Following this approach, the exploration of the chemical space of an alkaloid extract of the leaves of A. balansae allowed the anticipation and further isolation of five novel MIAs of the N-oxide-sarpagine type. The stereochemistry of all the new molecules could be determined on the basis of experimental and predicted electronic circular dichroism spectra.In the introduction of this manuscript the multiple uses of molecular networking for the identification of small natural molecules are described, as well as the biosynthetic interconnections in the MIAs group. The creation and evolution of the MIADB are then presented, followed by its utilization in efficient dereplication workflows for the targeting of new natural products within complex mixtures from Apocynaceae species.

This PhD thesis aims to improve the knowledge on the processes and chemical species in the gas- and particle-phases that are involved in the production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from monoterpene oxidation in the atmosphere. A denuder/filter technique that enabled the simultaneous sampling of gaseous and particulate compounds was applied in the present study. The sampling technique was comprehensively characterised and optimised using twelve atmospherically relevant carbonyl compounds. The present study improved the denuder coating procedure and the sampling performance. An additional coating with the derivatisation reagent, 2,4‑dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), reduced the break-through potential (e.g., from 98% to 0.9% for methyl vinyl ketone) and the fraction of carbonyl compounds on the filter material (e.g., from 8.7% to 0% for acetone). Calibration experiments against an aerosol chamber were performed to reduce the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the calibration points in the denuder measurements. The RSDs were reduced by half for acetone, acetaldehyde, methyl vinyl ketone, glyoxal, benzaldehyde and campholenic aldehyde using a XAD‑4/DNPH denuder, and the quantification error was also reduced. This sampling technique was then applied to a series of α- and β-pinene ozonolysis experiments. The present study examined the influence of an OH radical scavenger (CO), and hence the HO2/RO2 ratio, on the SOA formation, product distribution and partitioning behaviour of selected oxidation products in conjunction with different seed particle acidities. It was shown that SOA yields increased by about 8% in α-pinene ozonolysis when CO and acidic seed particles co-existed, whereas only a marginal difference was observed (increase of 2%) for β-pinene compared to neutral seed particles. From the denuder/filter sample analysis, it was possible to tentatively identify a new compound from the α-pinene ozonolysis, i.e., terpenylic aldehyde. Gas- and particle-phase yields were estimated for the first time for this compound (i.e., 1% and 0.4%, respectively). The atmospheric relevance of terpenylic aldehyde was demonstrated based on ambient filter measurements and a possible formation pathway was suggested. Furthermore, the present study provided an additional explanation for enhanced SOA formation when acidic seed particles are used in monoterpene ozonolysis. It was demonstrated that the isomerisation of monoterpene oxides on acidic seed particles leads to the formation of highly reactive SOA precursors, whose subsequent reaction with ozone contributes significantly to SOA formation.

No description available.

This thesis describes methods to obtain value–addedcompounds from TMP-turpentine obtained from the spruce, Piceaabies. The methodology focuses on biotransformations using twoapproaches: an oxygenation approach (i.e. oxygenation ofterpene hydrocarbons by cell cultures) and an esterificationapproach (i.e. lipase-catalysed transesterification of vinylacetate with terpene alcohols, and a further fractionation ofthe TMP-turpentine). The main constituents of the turpentine, a-pinene, b-pineneand limonene, were subjected to a P. abies suspension culture.Allylic oxidation formed the major products for α-pineneand β-pinene, which were further oxidised to theirrespective aldehyde or ketone. One of the minor products froma-pinene, cis-verbenol, was not only transformed into verbenonebut also isomerised to trans-verbenol. Limonene gavelimonene-(1,2)-epoxide as the major product. Fractionation of monoterpenes is accomplished throughphysical separation methods, chromatography and distillation,and lipase-catalysed transesterification of vinyl acetate withterpene alcohols. The esters of myrtenol and trans-pinocarveolwere separated from the more slowly reacting alcohols such asborneol and carveol by use of a combination of the Mucor mieheilipase and Candida antarctica lipase A as catalysts.Furthermore, the non-reacting tertiary terpene alcohols wereseparated from the reacting alcohols in a single step byCandida antarctica lipase A. Lipase-catalysed (Candida antarctica lipase B andPseudomonas cepacia lipase) transesterification of vinylacetate with sterically hindered secondary alcoholsunexpectedly yielded hemiacetals or hemiacetal esters. Thereaction conditions required to obtain these side products havebeen studied. <b>Keywords:</b>Picea abies, Pinaceae, Essential oilscomposition; Terpene alcohol; Hemiacetal; Hemiacetal ester,TMP-turpentine; Monoterpene; α-Pinene; β-Pinene;Limonene; Verbenol; Pinocarveol; Borneol; Myrtenol; Suspensioncell culture; Biotransformation; Lipase-catalysed; Oxidation;Allylic oxidation; Transesterification; Autoxidation;Separation.

<p>This thesis describes methods to obtain value–addedcompounds from TMP-turpentine obtained from the spruce, Piceaabies. The methodology focuses on biotransformations using twoapproaches: an oxygenation approach (i.e. oxygenation ofterpene hydrocarbons by cell cultures) and an esterificationapproach (i.e. lipase-catalysed transesterification of vinylacetate with terpene alcohols, and a further fractionation ofthe TMP-turpentine).</p><p>The main constituents of the turpentine, a-pinene, b-pineneand limonene, were subjected to a P. abies suspension culture.Allylic oxidation formed the major products for α-pineneand β-pinene, which were further oxidised to theirrespective aldehyde or ketone. One of the minor products froma-pinene, cis-verbenol, was not only transformed into verbenonebut also isomerised to trans-verbenol. Limonene gavelimonene-(1,2)-epoxide as the major product.</p><p>Fractionation of monoterpenes is accomplished throughphysical separation methods, chromatography and distillation,and lipase-catalysed transesterification of vinyl acetate withterpene alcohols. The esters of myrtenol and trans-pinocarveolwere separated from the more slowly reacting alcohols such asborneol and carveol by use of a combination of the Mucor mieheilipase and Candida antarctica lipase A as catalysts.Furthermore, the non-reacting tertiary terpene alcohols wereseparated from the reacting alcohols in a single step byCandida antarctica lipase A.</p><p>Lipase-catalysed (Candida antarctica lipase B andPseudomonas cepacia lipase) transesterification of vinylacetate with sterically hindered secondary alcoholsunexpectedly yielded hemiacetals or hemiacetal esters. Thereaction conditions required to obtain these side products havebeen studied.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Picea abies, Pinaceae, Essential oilscomposition; Terpene alcohol; Hemiacetal; Hemiacetal ester,TMP-turpentine; Monoterpene; α-Pinene; β-Pinene;Limonene; Verbenol; Pinocarveol; Borneol; Myrtenol; Suspensioncell culture; Biotransformation; Lipase-catalysed; Oxidation;Allylic oxidation; Transesterification; Autoxidation;Separation.</p>

O gênero Psychotria destaca-se na família RUBIACEAE pela produção de alcalóides bioativos e por sua taxonomia complexa, sendo muitas vezes relacionado aos gêneros Palicourea, Cephaelis, Calycodendron e Calycosia. A divisão de Psychotria nos subgêneros Psychotria, Tetramerae e Heteropsychotria foi proposta com o objetivo de auxiliar a classificação quimiotaxonômica do gênero. Estudos demonstram que o subgênero Psychotria (espécies pantropicais) produz alcalóides poliméricos, formados por duas ou mais unidades de triptamina; enquanto o subgênero Heteropsychotria parece estar envolvido com a produção de alcalóides indol monoterpênicos, de acordo com pesquisas realizadas com diferentes espécies coletadas no Sul do Brasil. O isolamento e purificação dos alcalóides estrictosamida, ácido estrictosidínico e miriantosina, a partir de Psychotria myriantha, corroboram com esta hipótese, permitindo a inclusão da espécie no subgênero Heteropsychotria. A literatura descreve várias atividades para extratos e alcalóides isolados de espécies de Psychotria, como antimicrobiana e analgésica, por exemplo. Neste trabalho, o extrato n-butanólico de alcalóides de P. myriantha, além de seus alcalóides isolados, apresentaram atividade inibidora da migração de leucócitos, sugerindo um efeito antiinflamatório, e capacidade de inibir a ação da enzima acetilcolinesterase. Extratos e alcalóides isolados da espécie foram avaliados quanto à atividade antioxidante em CCD, frente ao DPPH, apresentando resultado negativo. O extrato EBA e o alcalóide ácido estrictosidínico aumentaram o tempo de latência no teste da retirada da cauda frente ao estímulo térmico, indicando uma atividade analgésica do tipo opióide. A influência do ácido estrictosidínico, alcalóide isolado em maior quantidade em massa, sobre os níveis de DA, DOPAC, 3-MT, HVA, 5-HT e 5-HIAA em estruturas cerebrais de ratos foi verificada. Hipocampos de animais que receberam injeção intra-hipocampal bilateral de ácido estrictosidínico (20 μg/μL) apresentaram redução de 83,4 % nos níveis de serotonina, em comparação ao grupo controle, enquanto os córtices desses animais apresentaram redução nos níveis de DOPAC (35,9%), 3-MT (24,7%) e 5-HIAA (9%). Hipocampos e estriados de ratos tratados com injeção i.p. de ácido estrictosidínico (10 mg/kg) demonstraram diminuição de 63,4 e 28,7% nos níveis de 5-HT, respectivamente. As alterações nos níveis de aminas biogênicas nas estruturas avaliadas, além das atividades analgésica e inibidora da acetilcolinesterase, indicam que P. myriantha e espécies do subgênero Heteropsychotria constituem uma potencial fonte de substâncias bioativas no tratamento de distúrbios do sistema nervoso central. / Psychotria genus is an important in RUBIACEAE due to bioactive alkaloids production and complex taxonomy, being related to Palicourea, Cephaelis, Calycodendron and Calycosia genera. The division of Psychotria in Psychotria, Tetramerae and Heteropsychotria subgenera was proposed with the aim of aiding the genus chemotaxonomic classification. Studies demonstrate that Psychotria subgenus produce polyindoline alkaloids formed by two or more triptamine units; whereas Heteropsychotria subgenus seems to be involved with indole monoterpene alkaloids production, according to researches with different species collected in Southern Brazil. Isolation and purification of strictosamide, strictosidinic acid and miriantosine from Psychotria myriantha corroborated this hypothesis, allowing its inclusion into Heteropsychotria subgenus. The scientific literature describes several activities to Psychotria extracts and alkaloids, such as antimicrobial and analgesic, for example. In this work, P. myriantha n-butanolic alkaloid extract and isolated compounds inhibited the leukocyte migration, suggesting an antiinflammatory activity, and a weak ability to inhibit the action of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Alkaloids and extracts from P. myriantha were evaluated as regards their antioxidant activity using DPPH, with no positive results. EBA and strictosidinic acid increased the latency in the tail flick model, indicating an opioid analgesic activity. The influence of strictosidinic acid on the levels of DA, DOPAC, 3-MT, HVA, 5-HT and 5-HIAA in brain structures of rats was verified. Hippocampus with intra-hippocampal injection of strictosidinic acid (20 μg/μL) displayed a decrease of 83.4% in serotonin levels, in comparison with control group; whereas the cortex showed a decrease in the levels of DOPAC (35.9%), 3-MT (24.7%) and 5-HIAA (9%). Hippocampus and striatum that received intraperitoneal injection of strictosidinic acid (10 mg/kg) showed 5-HT levels reduction of 63.4 e 28.7%, respectively. The biogenic amine levels alterations in the studied structures, associated with the analgesic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activities, suggest that P. myriantha and species from the Heteropsychotria subgenus constitute a font of bioactive compounds in the treatment of central nervous system disturbs.

O gênero Psychotria destaca-se na família RUBIACEAE pela produção de alcalóides bioativos e por sua taxonomia complexa, sendo muitas vezes relacionado aos gêneros Palicourea, Cephaelis, Calycodendron e Calycosia. A divisão de Psychotria nos subgêneros Psychotria, Tetramerae e Heteropsychotria foi proposta com o objetivo de auxiliar a classificação quimiotaxonômica do gênero. Estudos demonstram que o subgênero Psychotria (espécies pantropicais) produz alcalóides poliméricos, formados por duas ou mais unidades de triptamina; enquanto o subgênero Heteropsychotria parece estar envolvido com a produção de alcalóides indol monoterpênicos, de acordo com pesquisas realizadas com diferentes espécies coletadas no Sul do Brasil. O isolamento e purificação dos alcalóides estrictosamida, ácido estrictosidínico e miriantosina, a partir de Psychotria myriantha, corroboram com esta hipótese, permitindo a inclusão da espécie no subgênero Heteropsychotria. A literatura descreve várias atividades para extratos e alcalóides isolados de espécies de Psychotria, como antimicrobiana e analgésica, por exemplo. Neste trabalho, o extrato n-butanólico de alcalóides de P. myriantha, além de seus alcalóides isolados, apresentaram atividade inibidora da migração de leucócitos, sugerindo um efeito antiinflamatório, e capacidade de inibir a ação da enzima acetilcolinesterase. Extratos e alcalóides isolados da espécie foram avaliados quanto à atividade antioxidante em CCD, frente ao DPPH, apresentando resultado negativo. O extrato EBA e o alcalóide ácido estrictosidínico aumentaram o tempo de latência no teste da retirada da cauda frente ao estímulo térmico, indicando uma atividade analgésica do tipo opióide. A influência do ácido estrictosidínico, alcalóide isolado em maior quantidade em massa, sobre os níveis de DA, DOPAC, 3-MT, HVA, 5-HT e 5-HIAA em estruturas cerebrais de ratos foi verificada. Hipocampos de animais que receberam injeção intra-hipocampal bilateral de ácido estrictosidínico (20 μg/μL) apresentaram redução de 83,4 % nos níveis de serotonina, em comparação ao grupo controle, enquanto os córtices desses animais apresentaram redução nos níveis de DOPAC (35,9%), 3-MT (24,7%) e 5-HIAA (9%). Hipocampos e estriados de ratos tratados com injeção i.p. de ácido estrictosidínico (10 mg/kg) demonstraram diminuição de 63,4 e 28,7% nos níveis de 5-HT, respectivamente. As alterações nos níveis de aminas biogênicas nas estruturas avaliadas, além das atividades analgésica e inibidora da acetilcolinesterase, indicam que P. myriantha e espécies do subgênero Heteropsychotria constituem uma potencial fonte de substâncias bioativas no tratamento de distúrbios do sistema nervoso central. / Psychotria genus is an important in RUBIACEAE due to bioactive alkaloids production and complex taxonomy, being related to Palicourea, Cephaelis, Calycodendron and Calycosia genera. The division of Psychotria in Psychotria, Tetramerae and Heteropsychotria subgenera was proposed with the aim of aiding the genus chemotaxonomic classification. Studies demonstrate that Psychotria subgenus produce polyindoline alkaloids formed by two or more triptamine units; whereas Heteropsychotria subgenus seems to be involved with indole monoterpene alkaloids production, according to researches with different species collected in Southern Brazil. Isolation and purification of strictosamide, strictosidinic acid and miriantosine from Psychotria myriantha corroborated this hypothesis, allowing its inclusion into Heteropsychotria subgenus. The scientific literature describes several activities to Psychotria extracts and alkaloids, such as antimicrobial and analgesic, for example. In this work, P. myriantha n-butanolic alkaloid extract and isolated compounds inhibited the leukocyte migration, suggesting an antiinflammatory activity, and a weak ability to inhibit the action of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Alkaloids and extracts from P. myriantha were evaluated as regards their antioxidant activity using DPPH, with no positive results. EBA and strictosidinic acid increased the latency in the tail flick model, indicating an opioid analgesic activity. The influence of strictosidinic acid on the levels of DA, DOPAC, 3-MT, HVA, 5-HT and 5-HIAA in brain structures of rats was verified. Hippocampus with intra-hippocampal injection of strictosidinic acid (20 μg/μL) displayed a decrease of 83.4% in serotonin levels, in comparison with control group; whereas the cortex showed a decrease in the levels of DOPAC (35.9%), 3-MT (24.7%) and 5-HIAA (9%). Hippocampus and striatum that received intraperitoneal injection of strictosidinic acid (10 mg/kg) showed 5-HT levels reduction of 63.4 e 28.7%, respectively. The biogenic amine levels alterations in the studied structures, associated with the analgesic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activities, suggest that P. myriantha and species from the Heteropsychotria subgenus constitute a font of bioactive compounds in the treatment of central nervous system disturbs.