The ecological factors that maintain defensive chemical variation within and between plant species have intrigued ecologists for decades. While theory posits that polymorphisms may be maintained different forms of balancing selection, relatively few experimental studies have tested whether such balancing selection can maintain defensive chemical trait polymorphisms in nature. Further, evidence demonstrating balancing selection is rare for any trait. Here, I investigated a stereochemical trait polymorphism in Xanthium strumarium. This species is polymorphic with respect to the stereochemistry of the lactone ring junction of a prominent defensive compound class ? the sesquiterpene lactones. Individual plants typically produce only cis-fused or trans-fused lactones across their entire suite of compounds. Sesquiterpene lactones are known to influence feeding behavior and growth rates of various herbivores, but nothing is known about the ecological implications of variation in this stereochemical trait. I first examined whether sesquiterpene lactone stereochemical variation can influence folivore feeding behavior in the laboratory. Using pure sesquiterpene lactones in controlled feeding experiments, I found that laboratory-reared grasshoppers were less deterred by the cis-fused compounds than the trans-fused compounds. I then found that these patterns extended to the field: in common gardens, plants producing cis-fused lactones received more damage than plants producing trans-fused lactones. Additionally, folivore damage was negatively correlated with plant fitness. Taken together, these results indicate that herbivores can impose natural selection on this stereochemical trait polymorphism in nature. Finally, I found evidence that spatially variable selection leads to fitness patterns conducive to the maintenance of this polymorphism. Further, I found that the intensity of folivore damage across spatial scales predicted in which environments each morph outperformed the other, with plants producing cis-fused lactones achieving higher fitness than plants producing trans-fused lactones when herbivore pressure was low (and the reverse being true when herbivore pressure was high). This work demonstrates that relatively minor defensive chemical variation can have far-reaching impacts on the ecology and evolution of plant populations.

Cette thèse développe de nouvelles séquences réactionnelles divergentes vers les lactones sesquiterpéniques, ainsi que leurs analogues. La réactivité multiple d’un substrat linéaire face à divers catalyseurs a tout d’abord permis d’obtenir différentes structures polycyliques dont la fonctionnalisation a permis d’isoler plusieurs produits naturels et des analogues. De nouvelles méthodologies ont été étudiées pour accéder aux gamma-butyrolactones, une fonctionnalité prépondérante dans les lactones sesquiterpéniques, ainsi qu’au noyau hydroazulène contenu dans les guaianes. Enfin, une synthèse divergente courte et performante a été mise au point pour accéder à divers analogues de la déoxyéléphantopine, un sesquiterpène aux propriétés anti-cancéreuses, afin de moduler et étudier son activité biologique. En parallèle de ces travaux sur les sesquiterpènes, une autre chimie a été explorée visant à réaliser la glycosylation de cystéines avec des carbohydrates non protégés. / The main thread throughout this thesis is to develop reaction sequences that could provide facile access to the sesquiterpene lactones, or analogs thereof, using strategies that would be compatible with divergent reaction pathways. A first project harnessed the multiple reactivity mode of a linea rsubstrate to obtain different polycyclic frameworks found in sesquiterpenes whose functionalisation led to several natural products and their analogs. New methodologies were studied to access gamma-butyrolactones, a preponderant functionality in sesquiterpene lactones, and hydroazulene core, the bicyclic framework of guaianes. Finally, a short divergent pathway was designed to access diverse analogs of deoxyelephantopin, a sesquiterpene showing anti-cancer effects, so as to modulate and study its biological activity. In parallel to this work on sesquiterpenes, a different chemistry was explored aiming at performing glycosylation of cysteines with unprotected carbohydrates.

Through the ICBG (International Cooperative Biodiversity Group) program and a continuing search for anticancer compounds, plant extracts were obtianed from Suriname and Madagascar and screened for cytotoxic activity in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Fractionation of a leaf and flower extract of Casearia nigrescens led to the isolation of six new clerodane diterpenes. Four were new natural products and the other two were previously unreported hydrolysis products. Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry and 1-D and 2-D NMR. All six compounds were cytotoxic in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Fractionation of a leaf extract of Vernonia pachyclada led to the isolation of four new sesquiterpene lactones. Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry, 1-D and 2-D NMR, and (in one case) single crystal X-ray diffraction. All four compounds were cytotoxic in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Fractionation of an extract of Casimirella ampla led to the isolation of three new diterpenes and two known diterpenes. Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry and 1-D and 2-D NMR. All five compounds were cytotoxic in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Fractionation of root and stem extracts of Mendoncia cowanii led to the isolation of two new naphthaquinones, and two known naphthaquinones. Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry and 1-D and 2-D NMR. All four compounds were cytotoxic in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line and three compounds exhibited weak inhibition of Akt kinase. The fractionation of five additional extracts resulted in the isolation of twelve known compounds. Their structures were determined using mass spectrometry, 1-D and 2-D NMR, and comparison to literature data. All twelve compounds were cytotoxic in the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. / Ph. D.

As part of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG) program and a continuing search for antiproliferative natural products from the Madagascar rainforest, and a collaborative research project established between Virginia Tech and the Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research (IHVR) focusing on searching for bioactive natural products from tropical forests in South Africa, 20 extracts were selected for investigation based on their antiproliferative activities against A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line or antimalarial activities against the Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Bioassay-guided fractionation of seven of the extracts yielded twenty new compounds and twenty-four known compounds, and their structures were elucidated by using a combination of 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D NMR spectroscopy including COSY, HASQC, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY sequences, mass spectrometry, UV, IR, ECD, optical rotation, and chemical conversions. In addition, ten known compounds were isolated from another five of the extracts, while studies on the remaining extracts were suspended due to loss of activity, unworkable small amounts of material, or low structural interest. The plants and their metabolites are discussed in the following order: five new antimalarial 5,6-dihydro-𝛼-pyrones and six bicyclic tetrahydro-𝛼-pyrone derivatives from Cryptocarya rigidifolia (Lauraceae); two new and five known antiproliferative lignans from Cleistanthus boivinianus (Phyllanthaceae); two new and two known antiproliferative sesquiterpenes lactones from Piptocoma antillana (Asteraceae); one new antiproliferative 1,4-naphthoquinone, one known antiproliferative isoflovonoid, and five known antiproliferative stilbenoids from Stuhlmannia moavi (Leguminosae); four known antiproliferative bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Anisocycla grandidieri (Menispermaceae); one new and two known antiproliferative butanolides, and two new antiproliferative secobutanolides from Ocotea macrocarpa (Lauraceae); one new antiproliferative and five known antiproliferative diterpenoids from Malleastrum rakotozafyi (Meliceae); and 10 known compounds from Monoporus sp. (Myrsinaceae), Premna corymbosa (Verbenaceae), Premna perplexanes (Verbenaceae), Epallage longipes (Asteraceae), and Cinnamosma fragrans (Canellaceae). / Ph. D.

In our continuing search for biologically active natural products from Madagascar as part of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG) program, a total of four antiproliferative extracts were studied, leading to the isolation of twelve novel compounds with antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer line, and one extract with antimalarial activities was studied, which led to the isolation of five new natural products with antimalarial activities against the Dd2 and HB3 malarial parasites. The plants and their metabolites are discussed in the following order: one new xanthone and two known guttiferones from Symphonia tanalensis Jum. & H. Perrier (Clusiaceae); four new diphenyl propanes and one new cyclohepta-dibenzofuran skeleton from Bussea sakalava (Fabaceae); four new cardiac glycosides from Leptadenia madagascariensis Decne. (Apocynaceae); two new and four known alkaloids from Ambavia gerrardii (Baill.) Le Thomas (Annonaceae); five new sesquiterpene lactones from Polycline proteiformis Humbert (Asteraceae). The structures of all compounds were determined by analysis of their mass spectrometric, 1D and 2D NMR, UV and IR spectroscopic and optical rotation data. Other than structure elucidation, this dissertation also involve bioactivity evaluation of all the isolates, synthesis of two interesting alkaloids, as well as a proposal for the possible biosynthetic pathway of the new cyclohepta-dibenzofuran skeleton. / Ph. D.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-07-04T14:51:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 jordanadamascenogitiranadesantana.pdf: 3160925 bytes, checksum: 910c9f83a7dacd60918a4704f0d0fdeb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-08T13:39:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 jordanadamascenogitiranadesantana.pdf: 3160925 bytes, checksum: 910c9f83a7dacd60918a4704f0d0fdeb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-08T13:39:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 jordanadamascenogitiranadesantana.pdf: 3160925 bytes, checksum: 910c9f83a7dacd60918a4704f0d0fdeb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Vernonia polyanthes Less. (Asteraceae), popularmente conhecida como assa-peixe, é uma espécie vegetal nativa da América do Sul, principalmente do Brasil. Esta planta medicinal é tradicionalmente utilizada em casos de gripes, resfriados, tosses, febre, bronquite, contusões, hemorroidas, infecções do útero e no tratamento de malária. Farmacologicamente, V. polyanthes tem sido relatada como detentora de propriedades anti-hipertensiva, antinociceptiva, anti-ulcerogênica, anti-inflamatória, leishmanicida e antimicrobiana. Estudos fitoquímicos focando esta espécie, disponibilizados na literatura, relatam a presença de metabólitos secundários pertencentes, principalmente, às classes dos flavonoides e terpenos, especialmente lactonas sesquiterpênicas. O presente estudo descreve a avaliação da atividade antibacteriana do extrato de lavagem foliar (extrato VP) e da lactona sesquiterpênica glaucolídeo A isolada de V. polyanthes, no intuito de corroborar cientificamente com o uso tradicional dessa espécie vegetal e de verificar a potencialidade do extrato VP e desta molécula como prováveis fitoterápico e protótipo de um agente antibacteriano, respectivamente. O extrato VP foi obtido por meio da lavagem das folhas íntegras e secas de V. polyanthes com diclorometano e o glaucolídeo A isolado a partir do fracionamento desse extrato por métodos de cromatografia em coluna. A atividade antibacteriana foi investigada por meio da determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) pelo método de microdiluição em caldo, segundo recomendações do Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Em seguida, procedeu-se ao estabelecimento da Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) e à classificação do efeito farmacológico bactericida ou bacteriostático. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 6538™/ATCC® 29213™, Escherichia coli ATCC® 10536™/ ATCC® 25922™, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis ATCC® 10708™, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Thyphimurium ATCC®13311™ e Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC® 9027™/ATCC® 27853™ foram usadas como cepas de referência. O extrato VP revelou atividade antibacteriana frente a 5 das 8 cepas testadas, sendo mais ativo contra S. aureus ATCC® 6538™ e ATCC® 29213, com valores de CIM iguais a 0,625 mg/mL, refletindo efeito bacteriostático e CBM de 2,5 mg/mL e 1,25 mg/mL, respectivamente. O glaucolídeo A apresentou atividade antibacteriana frente às referidas cepas de S. aureus, com valores de CIM de 250 µg/mL e 500 µg/mL, efeito bacteriostático e CBM de 500 µg/mL e > 500 µg/mL, nessa ordem, sendo inativo contra as demais cepas nas concentrações testadas. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que V. polyanthes e glaucolídeo A apresentam potencial antibacteriano, especialmente frente à S. aureus, sendo a atividade do extrato VP resultante, provavelmente, de um sinergismo entre essa lactona sesquiterpênica e outros metabólitos secundários presentes nessa planta medicinal. / Vernonia polyanthes Less. (Asteraceae), popularly known as "assa-peixe", is a native species of South America, especially in Brazil. This medicinal plant is traditionally used in cases of cold, flu, cough, fever, bronchitis, bruise, hemorrhoid, uterus infection and malaria's treatment. Pharmacologically, V. polyanthes has been reported as anti-hypertensive, antinociceptive, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, leishmanicidal and antimicrobial. Phytochemical studies focusing this plant, available in the literature, report the presence of secondary metabolites mainly belonging to the flavonoids and terpene classes, especially sesquiterpene lactones. The present study investigated the antibacterial activity of the leaf rinse extract (VP extract) and the sesquiterpene lactone glaucolide A isolated from V. polyanthes in order to scientifically corroborate with the traditional use of this plant species and to verify the potential of VP extract and this molecule as probable herbal and an antibacterial agent prototype, respectively. VP extract was obtained by washing the dried intact leaves of V. polyanthes with dichloromethane and the glaucolide A, isolated from the VP extract fractionation by column chromatography methods. Antibacterial activity was established by the determination of the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) using the microdilution method according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines followed by the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), classifying the pharmacological effect as bacteriostatic or bactericidal. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 6538™/ATCC® 29213™, Escherichia coli ATCC® 10536™/ATCC® 25922™, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Choleraesuis ATCC® 10708™, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Thyphimurium ATCC® 13311™ and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC® 9027™/ATCC® 27853™ were used as reference bacterial strains. The VP extract revealed antibacterial activity against 5 of 8 tested strains, being more active against S. aureus ATCC® 6538™ and ATCC® 29213™ with MIC values of 0.625 mg/mL, demonstrating bacteriostatic effect and MBC of 2.5 mg/mL and 1.25 mg/mL, respectively. Glaucolide A showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus with MIC values of 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL and, revealing bacteriostatic effect and CBM of 500 µg/mL and > 500 µg/mL, in this order, being inactive against the other strains at the concentrations tested. Our results suggest the antimicrobial potential of V. polyanthes and glaucolide A, notably against S. aureus, and the VP extract activity is probably due to the synergism between this sesquiterpene lactone and other secondary metabolites of this medicinal plant.

Foi estudado o efeito da lactona sesquiterpênica licnofolido sobre o \"burst\" respiratório de leucócitos polimorfonucleares inflamatórios (PMN) estimulados por forbol (PMA), pelo peptídeo quimiotático fMLP ou zimozan opsonizado (OZ). O licnofolido inibiu de forma dose-dependente a liberação de O2•- pelos PMN, sem alteração do período \"Iag\" do complexo NADPH. oxidase. O efeito foi mais acentuado quando os PMN foram estimulados diretamente pela via de proteína quinase C. A adição de ditiotreitol ou glutationa reduzida (GSH) às suspensões celulares antes da incubação com licnofolido preveniu parcialmente o efeito inibitório. O tratamento dos PMN com a lactona determinou uma queda drástica dos níveis celulares de GSH livre, sem incremento de glutationa oxidada (GSSG). A reação direta entre GSH e licnofolido foi confirmada com a detecção de um aduto glutationil-licnofolido através de identificação por espectrometria de massa (ESI-MS/MS). A S-tiolação protéica induzida pelo PMA foi reduzida em PMN tratados com Iicnofo/ido, como detectado através de determinação de incorporação de [35S], sendo que 80% desses tióis foram identificados como GSH. Uma série de proteínas S-glutationadas foi detectada através de autoradiografias, sendo que aquelas correspondentes a 38 e 24 kDa tiveram essa modificação póstraducional suprimida pelo tratamento com dose de licnofolido capaz de suprimir o \"burst\" respiratório dos PMN. Estes resultados indicam que a depleção celular de GSH causada pelo licnofolido impede a sustentação do \"burst\" respiratório pelos PMN, em correlação direta com a diminuição de S-glutationação protéica. / An investigation was made into the action of the sesquiterpene lactone lychnopholide on the respiratory burst of inflammatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Lychnopholide determined concentration-related inhibition of the generation of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-, chemotatic peptide-, and opsonized zymozan-induced superoxide anion with no effect on the lag time of the assembly of the NADPH oxidase complex, such action was greater on the protein kinase C pathway that on both membrane receptor dependent stimuli via. Subsequent additions of D-glucose, Ca2+, Mg2+, dithiothreitol ar reduced glutathione (GSH) did not reverse the inhibitory action. The addition of both thiols prior to the lychnopholide treatment partially hindered the inhibition rate. The endogenous level of GSH in leukocytes was drastically depleted under the lychnopholide treatment, without corresponding increases occurring in the oxidized form (GSSG). A direct reaction between glutathione and lychnopholide was confirmed from a glutathionyl-lychnopholide adduct detected by electrospray mass spectrometry analysis and identified by tandem mass analysis in cellular extracts. Protein S-thiolation induced by PMA stimulation was decreased in lactone-treated PMN as detected by [35S] scintillation count, which indicated that about 80% of the thiols were glutathione. A subset of S-glutathionylated proteins was identified through gel electrophoresis, which revealed that the modification of the phorbol-triggered protein sulfhydryl in the protein bands corresponding to 38 and 24 kDa was precluded by the lychnopholide treatment correlated with respiratory burst inhibition. These results show that GSH depletion determined by lychnopholide treatment renders PMN to sustain respiratory burst, whose action is proportional to protein S-glutahionylation decrease.

A busca por novos fármacos inspirados em substâncias de origem natural é uma estratégia conhecida e há tempos utilizada. As lactonas sesquiterpênicas (LST) são um grupo de substâncias amplo e diverso com várias atividades farmacológicas descritas, e cuja característica estrutural determinante é a de um esqueleto principal contendo 15 átomos de carbono e um anel lactônico. O mecanismo de ação das LST está intrinsicamente relacionado com reações de adição do tipo Michael frente a biomoléculas, provocando alquilações. Há na literatura estudos aprofundados sobre a química medicinal das LST, entretanto pouco há sobre o metabolismo desse grupo de substâncias em ambientes fisiológicos. Neste sentido, este trabalho é focado no estudo do metabolismo e também das vias de fragmentação por eletrospray da budleína A, que possui estrutura química do tipo furanoeliangolido, e pertence à classe dos germacranolidos. Foram realizados ensaios in vitro utilizando-se os modelos de oxidação biomimética com metaloporfirina, microssomas hepáticos e metabolismo pela microbiota intestinal de ceco de porco (pig cecum model), sendo nos dois últimos testado também o correlato 4,5-dihidro-2\',3\'-epoxi-15-desoxigoyazensolido. O estudo de fragmentação também abordou a comparação entre budleína A e a centraterina - um estereoisômero que se diferencia apenas pela orientação da cadeia lateral ligada ao C-8 - em espectrômetros distintos e com suporte de métodos computacionais para cálculos de energia (Gaussian 03 em base B3LYP/6-31G(d)). Nos estudos de fragmentação observou-se a diferença de intensidade dos sinais para íons fragmento comuns às duas LST (m/z 275, 257 e 83), além da presença do íon fragmento de m/z 293 apenas para a budleína A, permitindo a diferenciação destes isômeros por meio de espectrometria de massas com ionização por eletrospray, sem a necessidade de ressonância de magnética nuclear. Os produtos de oxidação detectados na reação com metaloporfirinas acusaram a epoxidação na cadeia lateral envolvendo C-2\' e C-3\' com a formação de diastereoisômeros. No ensaio com microssomas não foram detectados produtos para a budleína A, enquanto que para a substância correlata observou-se a abertura do epóxido na cadeia lateral e adição de uma hidroxila, formando um diol vicinal. No modelo de ceco de porco observaram-se a formação de adutos de LST com o aminoácido cisteína, os quais foram posteriormente degradados pela ação da microbiota intenstinal, dando origem a diversos metabólitos compostos pela LST e partes de cisteína. Sendo assim, este trabalho lança bases para a maior compreensão do metabolismo de LST do tipo furanoeliangolido em modelos distintos e também contribui para os estudos de espectrometria de massas para este tipo de substância, além de descrever uma ferramenta analítica útil na diferenciação de dois estereoisômeros. / The search for new drugs inspired on compounds from natural products is a wellknown strategy with several successful cases. Sesquiterpene lactones (STL) are a wide and diversified group of compounds which has already many pharmacological activities reported. Their fundamental moiety includes a skeleton containing 15 carbons and a lactone ring and the mechanism of action is related to Michael addition type reactions with biomolecules, promoting alkylation. There are a high amount of studies regarding the medicinal chemistry of the STL, however there are few information about the metabolism of these compounds under physiological environments. On this way, the aims of this work are focused on the study of the metabolism as well as the fragmentation pathways of budlein A, which is a furanoheliangolide and belongs to the germacranolides class. On this work the following experiments were carried out: in vitro oxidative metabolism with metalloporphyrin and microsomes; intestinal metabolism by using the pig cecum model (microbiota). For microsomes and intestinal metabolism the compound 4,5- dihydro-2\',3\'-epoxy-15-deoxy-goyazensolide was also applied. Fragmentation studies compared the fragmentation patterns of budlein A and centratherin - which is a stereoisomer with -orientation for the side chain bonded at C-8 - by using different spectrometers being supported by computational methods for energies calculations (Gaussian 03 at level B3LYP/6-31G(d)). For the fragmentation studies it was observed the difference of signal intensities for fragment ions which are common for both STL (m/z 275, 257 e 83), moreover the ion m/z 293 was detected only for budlein A, allowing the differentiation between these isomers by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry instead nuclear magnetic resonance. The reactions with metalloporphyrin yielded two diastereoisomers of the STL with an epoxide at the side chain between C-2\'and C-3\'. On the microsome assay any product was detected for budlein A, while for the correlated compound the epoxide ring was opened and a hydroxyl was added at C-3\', forming a vicinal diol. On the pig cecum model it was observed the formation of adducts due to the reaction of the STL and the amino acid cysteine. These adducts were later degraded by the action of the microbiota yielding different metabolites composed by STL and residues of cysteine. Thus, this work may contribute to the improvement of the knowledge about the metabolism of STL furanoheliangolide type in different models as well as for the studies regarding the mass spectrometry of this type of compound. The development of a useful analytical tool for the differentiation of two isomers was also an important achievement.

A presente tese relata o estudo químico de duas espécies vegetais pertencentes à família Asteraceae: Mikania sp. nov; e Wunderlichia crulsiana. Da espécie Mikania sp. nov. foram estudados os extratos diclorometânicos das folhas e dos galhos, tendo sido isolados e identificados sete ácidos diterpênicos; dos óleos voláteis das folhas e dos galhos foram identificadas vinte substâncias entre monoterpenos e sesquiterpenos. Da espécie Wunderlichia crulsiana foram estudados os extratos diclorometânicos das flores e dos galhos. Das flores foram isolados e identificados palmitatos e acetatos de triterpenoílas. Dos galhos foram isolados e identificados acetatos de triterpenoílas e triterpenonas e identificados por CG triterpenóis acetilados e palmitatos de triterpenoílas hidrolisados e posteriormente acetilados. Deste extrato foram também isolados e identificados três lactonas sesquiterpênicas e um sesquiterpeno. A identificação das substâncias foi realizada através de RMN de 1H, de 13C (BBD e DEPT 135º), CG/EM e co-injeção de padrões. Os extratos brutos de ambas as plantas apresentaram discreta atividade, quando submetidos a um ensaio antifúngico. As frações, contendo os triterpenóis, acetatos e palmitatos de triterpenoflas e as lactonas sesquiterpênicas, foram testadas quanto à atividade anti-infíamatória mostrando-se bastante ativas. Tanto os extratos brutos quanto as fraqões supracitadas não se mostraram ativos em um ensaio antitumoral. Estes resultados indicam a seletividade da atividade dos extratos e frações, possivelmente não contendo substâncias citotóxicas. / This work describes the chemical study of two plants which belong to the family Asteraceae: Mikania sp. nov. and Wunderlichia crulsiana. The dichlorometane extracts from leaves and stems of Mikania sp. nov. we studied and seven diterpenic acids were isolated and identified. The volatile oil from leaves and stems of this plant were also studied and twenty substances among monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were identified. From Wunderlichia crulsiana we analysed the dichlorometane extracts from flowers and stems. From flowers we isolated and identified triterpenes esterified with palmitic acid and acetic acid. From stems we isolated and identified triterpenes esterified with acetic acid and 3-oxo-triterpenes. By GC, we identified hydroxylated triterpenes that were acetylated, and triterpenes esterified with palmitic acid that were hydrolysed and acetylated. From stems we also isolated and identified three sesquiterpene lactones and a sesquiterpene. The compounds were identified by PMR, CMR (BBD and DEIT 135º), GC/MS and co-injection with authentic samples The extracts of both plants showed low activity when submitted to bioassay with Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The fractions which contain the hydroxylated triterpenes, triterpenes esterified with acetic and palmitic acids and sesquiterpene lactones were submitted to anti-inflammatory bioassay and showed 42%, 29%, 29% and 47% of activity, respectively. The above mentioned extracts and the fractions did not show significant activity on the Saccharomyces cerevisae bioassay, so there were not citotoxic substances in them.

Foi estudado o efeito da lactona sesquiterpênica licnofolido sobre o \"burst\" respiratório de leucócitos polimorfonucleares inflamatórios (PMN) estimulados por forbol (PMA), pelo peptídeo quimiotático fMLP ou zimozan opsonizado (OZ). O licnofolido inibiu de forma dose-dependente a liberação de O2•- pelos PMN, sem alteração do período \"Iag\" do complexo NADPH. oxidase. O efeito foi mais acentuado quando os PMN foram estimulados diretamente pela via de proteína quinase C. A adição de ditiotreitol ou glutationa reduzida (GSH) às suspensões celulares antes da incubação com licnofolido preveniu parcialmente o efeito inibitório. O tratamento dos PMN com a lactona determinou uma queda drástica dos níveis celulares de GSH livre, sem incremento de glutationa oxidada (GSSG). A reação direta entre GSH e licnofolido foi confirmada com a detecção de um aduto glutationil-licnofolido através de identificação por espectrometria de massa (ESI-MS/MS). A S-tiolação protéica induzida pelo PMA foi reduzida em PMN tratados com Iicnofo/ido, como detectado através de determinação de incorporação de [35S], sendo que 80% desses tióis foram identificados como GSH. Uma série de proteínas S-glutationadas foi detectada através de autoradiografias, sendo que aquelas correspondentes a 38 e 24 kDa tiveram essa modificação póstraducional suprimida pelo tratamento com dose de licnofolido capaz de suprimir o \"burst\" respiratório dos PMN. Estes resultados indicam que a depleção celular de GSH causada pelo licnofolido impede a sustentação do \"burst\" respiratório pelos PMN, em correlação direta com a diminuição de S-glutationação protéica. / An investigation was made into the action of the sesquiterpene lactone lychnopholide on the respiratory burst of inflammatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Lychnopholide determined concentration-related inhibition of the generation of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-, chemotatic peptide-, and opsonized zymozan-induced superoxide anion with no effect on the lag time of the assembly of the NADPH oxidase complex, such action was greater on the protein kinase C pathway that on both membrane receptor dependent stimuli via. Subsequent additions of D-glucose, Ca2+, Mg2+, dithiothreitol ar reduced glutathione (GSH) did not reverse the inhibitory action. The addition of both thiols prior to the lychnopholide treatment partially hindered the inhibition rate. The endogenous level of GSH in leukocytes was drastically depleted under the lychnopholide treatment, without corresponding increases occurring in the oxidized form (GSSG). A direct reaction between glutathione and lychnopholide was confirmed from a glutathionyl-lychnopholide adduct detected by electrospray mass spectrometry analysis and identified by tandem mass analysis in cellular extracts. Protein S-thiolation induced by PMA stimulation was decreased in lactone-treated PMN as detected by [35S] scintillation count, which indicated that about 80% of the thiols were glutathione. A subset of S-glutathionylated proteins was identified through gel electrophoresis, which revealed that the modification of the phorbol-triggered protein sulfhydryl in the protein bands corresponding to 38 and 24 kDa was precluded by the lychnopholide treatment correlated with respiratory burst inhibition. These results show that GSH depletion determined by lychnopholide treatment renders PMN to sustain respiratory burst, whose action is proportional to protein S-glutahionylation decrease.