Characterisation of multiple Caribbean ciguatoxins and congeners in individual specimens of horse-eye jack (Caranx latus) by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

We studied the variation in toxin profiles of purified extracts of 10 individual specimens and two pools of ciguateric Caranx latus. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) identified in all individual samples at least seven Caribbean ciguatoxins (C-CTXs) comprising C-CTX-1 and its epimer C-CTX-2 ([M+H](+) m/z 1141.58), and five new C-CTX congeners with pseudo-molecular ions at m/z 1141.58, 1143.60, 1157.57, 1159.58, and 1127.57. In some samples, additional C-CTX isomers were detected with [M+H](+) ions at m/z 1141.58 (two), 1143.60 (one) and 1157.57 (two). The two low-toxic pools contained only four to six ciguatoxins. The comparison in relative proportions of four different mass classes ([M+H](+) at m/z 1141, 1143, 1157 and 1127) showed that the group at m/z 1157 increased (2-20%) with flesh toxicity. More than 80% of group m/z 1141 comprised C-CTX-1, C-CTX-2 and their isomer C-CTX-1a whose level in this group correlated with fish toxicity. Contrary to low-toxic fishes, high-risk specimens had C-CTX-1 levels <50% and were subjected to large losses of activity on purification indicating that unstable ciguatoxins were present. A possible conversion of C-CTX-1 into C-CTX-1a was identified when flesh was cooked, without changes in toxicity. In conclusion, HPLC/MS characterised 12 C-CTXs accumulated by C. latus at variable levels.     

Use of two detection methods to discriminate ciguatoxins from brevetoxins: application to great barracuda from Florida Keys.

In Florida (USA), numerous cases of human ciguatera fish poisoning, as well as neurotoxic shellfish poisoning following consumption of local seafood products, have been reported. By using in parallel, the sodium channel receptor binding assay (RBA), and the ouabain/veratridine-dependent cytotoxicity assay (N2A assay), we established criteria to identify, detect, and quantify ciguatoxins in fish extracts, with a brevetoxin as internal standard. Results showed that the Caribbean ciguatoxin C-CTX-1 exhibited an 8-fold higher potency in the RBA than brevetoxins and, a 440 and 2300-fold higher potency in the N2A assay than PbTx-1 and PbTx-3, respectively. Moreover, a sensitivity comparison between assays revealed that the N2A assay was more sensitive (12-fold) for ciguatoxin analysis, whereas the RBA was more sensitive (3-24-fold) for brevetoxins analysis. Based on the relative potency between toxins and the opposite sensitivity of both assays we have used the RBA and the N2A assay to screen great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) collected from the Florida Keys for ciguatoxins and brevetoxins. Fish extract analysis showed a sodium channel-dependent activity consistent with the presence of ciguatoxins, and not brevetoxins. Among 40 barracudas analyzed, 60% contained ciguatoxin levels in their liver measurable by the N2A assay with the most toxic fish containing 2.1ppb C-CTX-1 equivalents.     

Isolation and characterisation of Indian Ocean ciguatoxin.

We report the isolation and initial characterisation of Indian Ocean ciguatoxin (I-CTX) present in toxic lipid soluble extracts isolated from ciguateric fishes collected off the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Following i.p. injection of this extract, mice displayed symptoms that were similar, though not identical, to those produced by Pacific and Caribbean ciguatoxins (P-CTXs and C-CTXs). Using a radiolabelled brevetoxin (PbTx) binding assay and mouse bioassay guided fractionation, I-CTX was purified by Florisil, Sephadex LH-20 and TSK HW-40S chromatography with good recovery. Isolation to purity was not possible by preparative reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) due to significant losses of toxicity. However, analytical reversed phase HPLC coupled to an electrospray mass spectrometry detector identified a [M + H](+) ion at m/z 1141.58 which co-eluted with activity that displaced [3H]-PbTx binding to rat brain. This mass corresponded to C-CTX-1, but the fragmentation pattern of I-CTX showed a different ratio of pseudo molecular and product ions. I-CTX was found to elute later than P-CTX-1 but was practically indistinguishable from C-CTX-1 on reversed phase HPLC, while the TSK HW-40S column chromatography differentiated I-CTX from the later eluting C-CTX-1. Taken together, these results indicate that I-CTX is a new ciguatoxin (CTX) responsible for ciguatera caused by reef fish in the Indian Ocean.     

Multiple ciguatoxins present in Indian Ocean reef fish.

Optimised gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods, in combination with a [3H]-brevetoxin binding assay (RLB), revealed multiple ciguatoxins in a partially purified extract of a highly toxic Lutjanus sebae (red emperor) from the Indian Ocean. Two major ciguatoxins of 1140.6 Da (I-CTX-1 and -2) and two minor ciguatoxins of 1156.6 Da (I-CTX-3 and -4) were identified. Accurate mass analysis revealed that I-CTX-1 and -2 and Caribbean C-CTX-1 had indistinguishable masses (1140.6316 Da, at 0.44 ppm resolution). Toxicity estimated from LC/MS/RLB responses indicated that I-CTX-1 and -2 were both approximately 60% the potency of Pacific ciguatoxin-1 (P-CTX-1). In contrast to ciguatoxins of the Pacific where the more oxidised ciguatoxins are more potent, I-CTX-3 and -4 were approximately 20% of P-CTX-1 potency. Interconversion in dilute acid or on storage, typical of spiroketal and hemiketal functionality found in P-CTXs and C-CTXs, respectively, was not observed to occur between I-CTX-1 and -2. The ratio of CTX-1 and -2 varied depending on the fish extract being analysed. These results suggest that I-CTX-1 and -2 may arise from separate dinoflagellate precursors that may be oxidatively biotransformed to I-CTX-3 and -4 in fish.     

Seasonal frequency of ciguatoxic barracuda in southwest Puerto Rico

Ciguatoxicity of barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) head, viscera and flesh tissues has been determined in 219 specimens caught along the southwest coast of Puerto Rico from March 1985 through May 1987. Twenty-nine percent of these specimens were toxic. Monthly frequencies of ciguatoxic barracuda showed an apparent seasonal variability, with peak values (60-70% toxic fish) in the late winter-early spring (January-May) and fall (August-November). Minimal frequencies (0-10% toxic fish) were observed during June-July and December. The most frequently toxic tissues in poisonous animals were the viscera and head. Viscera tissue was the only toxic tissue found in 31% of the poisonous fish assayed, and this tissue was poisonous in all toxic fish. In no case was a poisonous specimen found to have toxic flesh alone. Marked temporal variation in frequency of ciguatoxicity suggests that ciguatera toxins, at least in their active form, are not accumulated in barracuda tissues for extended periods of time. Variability in barracuda ciguatoxicity may reflect fluctuations in the toxicity of smaller reef fish prey, seasonal fluctuations in toxic benthic dinoflagellates and/or changes in the ability of the barracuda to detoxify ingested poisons or their precursors.     

Ciguatoxin from the flesh and viscera of the barracuda, Sphyraena jello

Five of six barracuda, Sphyraena jello, captured in the same area of Queensland as toxic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commersoni) were found to be toxic. One major lipid-soluble toxin, present in both the flesh and viscera of a pooled sample of barracuda, was chromatographically indistinguishable from Spanish mackerel flesh ciguatoxin. Signs and symptoms induced by toxic barracuda in humans were typical of ciguatera and cats and mice displayed signs indistinguishable from those induced by Spanish mackerel ciguatoxin. Purified barracuda ciguatoxin had an i.p. ld₅₀ to mice of 55 μg/kg. Barracuda ciguatoxin had a narrow range (0.7 – 1.4 mouse units) of doses between 0% and 100% lethality and its dose vs. death-time relationship was similar to the relationship produced by moray eel and Spanish mackerel ciguatoxin. No water-soluble toxins were detected in the viscera of these barracuda, but a less polar lipid-soluble toxin was found in the viscera. This minor toxin represented 14% of the total viscera lethality and induced signs in mice similar to the major toxin. Barracuda could be an important link in the transfer of ciguatoxin to large Spanish mackerel in southern Queensland waters.     

Organochlorine pesticides in the tissues of the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) (Waldbaum)

The abdominal fat of adult barracuda caught in Florida waters was analyzed for organochlorine pesticides. Of a total of 281 fish, 63 % had 5 to 760 g abdominal fat. The fat of 96 % of these fish contained DDT or one of its isomers or metabolites. Except for the smallest and largest fish, the ratio of total DDT in fat to kg body weight remained constant (0.08 to 0.11 mg/kg). During the spawning season, in addition to fat, certain organs and tissues of these fish were also analyzed. The highest pesticide concentrations were found in the fat. Assigning to the concentration of total DDT in abdominal fat a value of 10, the rating for the concentration of total DDT in the liver becomes approximately 1.1, in the pyloric cecum 1, in flesh 0.7, and for the fully developed gonads 0.5. It seems unlikely that larval barracuda are affected unfavorably by these low concentrations of DDT unless they are exceedingly sensitive to this compound. Since the quantity of abdominal fat and tissue pesticide concentrations were highest at the beginning and lowest during the height and end of the spawning season (and if this should apply to other fish species), then it can be concluded that spot-checking fish tissues for pesticides once or twice a year, more likely than not, provides misleading information with regard to pollution. Tissues and flesh of all barracuda were fed to cats, with no symptoms of ciguatera.This investigation was supported by U.S. Public Health Service grant No. 3 P01 ES00052-07 and 07S1/9001908 and Dept. of Commerce NOAA Sea Grant No. 2-35147.     

Reductive Amination for LC–MS Signal Enhancement and Confirmation of the Presence of Caribbean Ciguatoxin-1 in Fish

Ciguatera poisoning is a global health concern caused by the consumption of seafood containing ciguatoxins (CTXs). Detection of CTXs poses significant analytical challenges due to their low abundance even in highly toxic fish, the diverse and in-part unclarified structures of many CTX congeners, and the lack of reference standards. Selective detection of CTXs requires methods such as liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) or high-resolution MS (LC–HRMS). While HRMS data can provide greatly improved resolution, it is typically less sensitive than targeted LC–MS/MS and does not reliably comply with the FDA guidance level of 0.1 µg/kg CTXs in fish tissue that was established for Caribbean CTX-1 (C-CTX-1). In this study, we provide a new chemical derivatization approach employing a fast and simple one-pot derivatization with Girard’s reagent T (GRT) that tags the C-56-ketone intermediate of the two equilibrating C-56 epimers of C-CTX-1 with a quaternary ammonium moiety. This derivatization improved the LC–MS/MS and LC–HRMS responses to C-CTX-1 by approximately 40- and 17-fold on average, respectively. These improvements in sensitivity to the GRT-derivative of C-CTX-1 are attributable to: the improved ionization efficiency caused by insertion of a quaternary ammonium ion; the absence of adduct-ions and water-loss peaks for the GRT derivative in the mass spectrometer, and; the prevention of on-column epimerization (at C-56 of C-CTX-1) by GRT derivatization, leading to much better chromatographic peak shapes. This C-CTX-1–GRT derivatization strategy mitigates many of the shortcomings of current LC–MS analyses for C-CTX-1 by improving instrument sensitivity, while at the same time adding selectivity due to the reactivity of GRT with ketones and aldehydes.     

Fate and toxicity assessment of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in drinking water using the ames test

The genotoxic activity of the methanolic water extracts of prechlorinated water from Barcelona (NE Spain) using the Ames test was studied. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry in the mass spectroscopy/fast atom bombardment mode (MS/FAB) was employed to tentatively identify organic compounds responsible of genotoxic activity. Methanolic extracts of prechlorinated water were highly mutagenic in the Ames test, mainly with the TA98 strain for concentration lesser than 1 L. On the other hand, the TA100 strain showed higher mutagenicity for tap water extracts and concentrations higher than 1 L. Also, a strong toxic effect was observed when methanolic extracts were analyzed by the Ames test. Toxicity showed a reduction of the genotoxic ratio by a characteristic negative slope for the concentration vs genotoxicity curve. Toxicity was usually observed using the TAlOO strain and at a higher concentration than mutagenicity does. Both mutagenicity and toxicity in the Ames test showed a characteristic pattern depending on their origin (tap or prechlorinated water). It was possible to separate mutagenic from toxic fractions by HPLC. These subfractions were analyzed by MS/FAB in order to identify the organic compounds responsible for these effects, but unsuccessful results were obtained for mutagenic subfractions. Alkylbenzenesulfonates (LA3) were the sole compounds identified in toxic subfractions. The correlation between toxicity of samples (TA100 strain) and the presence of LAS was proved by comparison of toxicity from a standard LAS and those observed from real samples. An EC ₅₀ of 9.8 mg/L for LAS has been established by the Ames test using the TAlOO strain. © 1993 John Wiley & Sans, Inc.     

Ciguatera fish poisoning on the West Africa Coast: An emerging risk in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is endemic in certain tropical and subtropical regions of the world. CFP had not been described on the West Africa Coast until a 2004 outbreak in the Canary Islands. In 2008–2009, two additional outbreaks of ciguatera occurred. Individuals afflicted had consumed lesser amberjack (Seriola rivoliana) captured from nearby waters. Caribbean ciguatoxin-1 (C-CTX-1) was confirmed in fish samples by LC-MS/MS. Ciguatoxic fish in this region may pose a new health risk for the seafood consumer.     

Effect-directed investigation and interactive effect of organic toxicants in landfill leachates combining Microtox test with RP-HPLC fractionation and GC/MS analysis

Landfill leachates contain a large amount of unknown harmful compounds derived from domestic and industrial sources. A toxicity effect-directed approach was used to identify biologically active compounds in three landfill leachate samples (S1–S3) by combining the Microtox test with reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) fractionation and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Organic toxicants were recovered from coarse fractions only in S1 and in S2. Fine fractionation exhibited a somewhat different toxicity pattern in S1 and S2. GC/MS analysis positively identified Bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-t-butylphenol (4-t-BP) in both samples, N-ethyltoluenesulfoneamide (NETSA) was detected only in S1. However, their concentrations were not high enough to be responsible for the observed toxicity in original samples. A synergistic effect among detected organic compounds (BPA, NETSA, and 4-t-BP) was demonstrated. Each compound present at 1/7 of its individual EC₅₀, might lead to undesirable mixture toxicity, which indicated that interactive effects may, to a certain extent, play a role in landfill leachates with complex matrices. The results from further hydrophobicity analysis and estrogen receptor (ER) competitive binding assays of fraction 13 of both samples gave evidence that some possible toxicants that failed to be identified by GC/MS might be endocrine disrupting chemical(s) (EDC) with a log K _ow range of 3.5–3.7 in both samples.     

An Update on Ciguatoxins and CTX-like Toxicity in Fish from Different Trophic Levels of the Selvagens Islands (NE Atlantic,Madeira, Portugal)

The Selvagens Islands, which are a marine protected area located at the southernmost point of the Portuguese maritime zone, have been associated with fish harboring ciguatoxins (CTX) and linked to ciguatera fish poisonings. This study reports the results of a field sampling campaign carried out in September 2018 in these remote and rarely surveyed islands. Fifty-six fish specimens from different trophic levels were caught for CTX-like toxicity determination by cell-based assay (CBA) and toxin content analysis by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Notably, high toxicity levels were found in fish with an intermediate position in the food web, such as zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) and barred hogfish (Bodianus scrofa), reaching levels up to 0.75 µg CTX1B equivalent kg⁻¹. The LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed that C-CTX1 was the main toxin, but discrepancies between CBA and LC-MS/MS in D. cervinus and top predator species, such as the yellowmouth barracuda (Sphyraena viridis) and amberjacks (Seriola spp.), suggest the presence of fish metabolic products, which need to be further elucidated. This study confirms that fish from coastal food webs of the Selvagens Islands represent a high risk of ciguatera, raising important issues for fisheries and environmental management of the Selvagens Islands.     

Characterization of the developmental toxicity of Caribbean ciguatoxins in finfish embryos

Since oviparous fishes mobilize fat stores to produce eggs, we investigated the potential for deposition of gonadal ciguatoxins to the oil laden yolk sacs which nourish developing embryos, and characterized the effects of these toxins on finfish development. Results showed that ciguatoxins are more concentrated in the egg mass (0.18 ng/g) of a toxic fish than in the muscle (<0.04 ng/g). We used a microinjection technique in a Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) developmental fish model to mimic the maternal route of toxin exposure to finfish embryos. We describe the developmental effects of two preparations isolated from Caribbean great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda): a highly purified toxin (C-CTX-1), and ciguatoxins extracted from the flesh of a toxic fish. C-CTX-1 induced a significant decrease in heart rate after four days, which did not persist with further development. Crude extracts from ciguatoxic fish flesh induced hyperkinetic twitching and severe spinal deformities. These effects were observed in embryos receiving as little as 5 pg/egg, and were consistently found in embryos receiving doses exceeding 10 pg/egg. The occurrence of twitching and spinal deformities increased in both frequency and severity with dose. Larvae suffering from spinal abnormalities were unable to orient themselves, and could not feed, resulting in mortality. The greater distribution of toxin to eggs as compared to flesh suggests that fish with low to moderate (0.5 ppb) flesh toxin levels would maternally transfer detrimental amounts of ciguatoxins to their offspring.     

盐酸洛美沙星光降解的部分杂质研究

目的确定控制盐酸洛美沙星光降解杂质的必要性。方法用液相色谱/质谱联用技术分离并鉴定盐酸洛美沙星的两个光降解杂质,并化学合成了两个化合物:脱羧洛美沙星[（±）-1-乙基-6,8-二氟-1,4-二氢-7-（3-甲基-1-哌嗪基）-4-氧代喹啉（简称DCLM）]和氯代洛美沙星[（±）-1-乙基-6-氟-8-氯-1,4-二氢-7-（3-甲基-1-哌嗪基）-4-氧代喹啉-3-羧酸（简称CLLM）]。比较DCLM和CLLM与盐酸洛美沙星相应光降解杂质的液相色谱和质谱。测试洛美沙星、DCLM及CLLM体外细胞毒性。结果化学合成的DCLM和CLLM的液相色谱和质谱分析结果分别与盐酸洛美沙星相应光降解杂质一致。洛美沙星、DCLM和CLLM的IC₅₀分别为1.9mmol/L,2.2mmol/L,0.7mmol/L。结论确证了盐酸洛美沙星的两个光降解杂质分别为:DCLM和CLLM。DCLM的体外细胞毒性与洛美沙星相近;CLLM的体外细胞毒性显著强于洛美沙星,可能是导致洛美沙星临床不良反应的物质。     

Analysis of Caribbean ciguatoxin-1 effects on frog myelinated axons and the neuromuscular junction

Caribbean ciguatoxin-1 (C-CTX-1) induced, after about 1 h exposure, muscle membrane depolarisation and repetitive post-synaptic action potentials (APs) in frog neuromuscular preparations. This depolarising effect was also observed in a Ca²⁺-free medium with a strong enhancement of spontaneous quantal transmitter release, compared with control conditions. The ciguatoxin-induced increase in release could be accelerated when Ca²⁺ was present in the extracellular medium. C-CTX-1 also enhanced nerve-evoked quantal acetylcholine (ACh) release. At normal neuromuscular junctions loaded with the fluorescent dye FM1-43, C-CTX-1 induced swelling of nerve terminals, an effect that was reversed by hyperosmotic d-mannitol. In myelinated axons, C-CTX-1 increased nodal membrane excitability, inducing spontaneous and repetitive APs. Also, the toxin enlarged the repolarising phase of APs in control and tetraethylammonium-treated axons. Overall, our data suggest that C-CTX-1 affects nerve excitability and neurotransmitter release at nerve terminals. We conclude that C-CTX-1-induced up-regulation of Na⁺ channels and the inhibition of K⁺ channels, at low nanomolar concentrations, produce a variety of functional dysfunctions that are in part responsible for the human muscle skeletal symptoms observed in ciguatera. All these dysfunctions seem to result from the subtle balance between ionic currents, intracellular Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations, and engaged second messengers.     

Toxic potential of five freshwater Phormidium species (Cyanoprokaryota).

Among the Cyanoprokaryota (blue-green algae), the genus Phormidium has thus far rarely been studied with respect to toxin production and potentially resulting human and environmental health effects. We here show that five previously unexplored freshwater species of this genus (Ph. bijugatum, Ph. molle, Ph. papyraceum, Ph. uncinatum, Ph. autumnale) are indeed capable of producing bioactive compounds. Phormidium extracts caused weight loss as well as neuro/hepatotoxic symptoms in mice, and in the case of Ph. bijugatum even death. Very low levels of saxitoxins and microcystins, as confirmed by ELISA, were insufficient to explain this toxicity and the differing toxic potencies of the Phormidium species. Qualitative HPLC analyses confirmed different substance patterns and in the future could aid in the separation of fractions for more detailed substance characterisation. The results in vivo were confirmed in vitro using cells of human, mouse and fish. The fish cells responded least sensitive but proved useful in studying the temperature dependence of the toxicity by the Phormidium samples. Further, the human cells were more sensitive than the mouse cells thus suggesting that the former may be a more appropriate choice for studying the impact of Phormidium to man. Among the human cells, two cancer cell lines were more responsive to one of the samples than a normal cell line, thereby indicating a potential anti-tumour activity. Thus, the five freshwater Phormidium species should be considered in environmental risk assessment but as well, as a source of therapeutic agents.     

Characterization and quantitative determination of impurities in piperaquine phosphate by HPLC and LC/MS/MS

Four impurities in piperaquine phosphate bulk drug substance were detected by a newly developed gradient reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. These impurities were identified by LC/MS/MS. The structures of impurities were confirmed by spectroscopic studies (NMR and IR) conducted using synthesized authentic compounds. The synthesized reference samples of the impurity compounds were used for the quantitative HPLC determination. The system suitability of HPLC analysis established the validity of the separation. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines with respect to specificity, precision, accuracy and linearity. Forced degradation studies were also performed for piperaquine phosphate bulk drug samples to demonstrate the stability indicating power of the newly developed HPLC method.     

Evaluation of in vitro biotransformation of propranolol with HPLC, MS/MS, and two bioassays

The majority of human drugs enter aquatic systems after ingestion and subsequent excretion in the form of parent compounds and metabolites. Environmental exposure to drug metabolites has not been reported so far. The goal of the present study was to apply the in vitro method of biotransformation of compounds with S9 fraction to the ecotoxicological analysis. beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol was metabolized with S9 rat liver fraction. The parent compound was quantified with HPLC, and the metabolites were identified with QToF MS. Propranolol was metabolized rapidly, during the first hour its level decreased by 80 and 50% of the initial 20 and 100 mg L(-1), respectively. Ten peaks were observed on the HPLC-RF chromatogram. Four peaks were identified with QToF MS/MS propranolol (m/z = 260), N-desisopropylpropranolol (m/z = 218), hydroxypropranolol (m/z = 276), and hydroxy N-desisopropranolol glycol (m/z = 235). Then the ecotoxicity of the reaction mixture was studied with two bioassays Spirotox with the protozoan Spirostomum ambiguum and Thamnotoxkit F with the anostracean crustacean Thamnocephalus platyurus. Propranolol is twofolds more toxic to Spirotox than to Thamnotoxkit F with 24 h-EC50 = 1.77 mg L(-1) and 24 h-LC50 = 3.86 mg L(-1), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the toxicity of the reaction mixtures after S9 biotransformation and the propranolol solution. These results indicate that the biological activity of the metabolites is similar to that of the parent drug. The presented method of in vitro biotransformation of drugs with S9 fraction followed by HPLC and ecotoxicity tests, may be used as screening method for evaluation of the toxicity of drug metabolites.     

Further Polyenic and Polyynic Carboxamides and Sesamin from Achillea ptarmica

The amides of various polyenic and polyynic carboxylic acids contained in the lipophilic extract from roots, leaves, and flowers of ACHILLEA PTARMICA were separated into several fractions by DCCC. Further separation was possible by subjecting these fractions to HPLC on silica gel (LiChrosorb) and CN-LiChrosorb. With this procedure, sesamin and 15 acid amides of unsaturated carboxylic acids were found. Structure elucidation of the compounds was carried out by means of UV-, IR-, (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and MS.     

The role of polar phytocomplexes on anticonvulsant effects of leaf extracts of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown chemotypes

Objectives The purpose of the present work was to characterize the pharmacological profile of different L. alba chemotypes and to correlate the obtained data to the presence of chemical constituents detected by phytochemical analysis. Methods Essential oils from each L. alba chemotype (LP1—LP7) were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and extracted non‐volatile compounds were analysed by HPLC and GC‐MS. The anticonvulsant actions of the extracted compounds were studied in pentylenetetrazole‐induced clonic seizures in mice and their effect on motor coordination was studied using the rota‐rod test in rats. The synaptosomes and synaptic membranes of the rats were examined for the influence of LP3 chemotype extract on GABA uptake and binding experiments. Key findings Behavioural parameters encompassed by the pentylenetetrazole test indicated that 80% ethanolic extracts of LP1, LP3 and LP6 L. alba chemotypes were more effective as anticonvulsant agents. Neurochemical assays using synaptosomes and synaptic membranes showed that L. alba LP3 chemotype 80% ethanolic extract inhibited GABA uptake and GABA binding in a dose‐dependent manner. HPLC analysis showed that LP1, LP3 and LP6 80% ethanolic extracts presented a similar profile of constituents, differing from those seen in LP2, LP4, LP5 and LP7 80% ethanolic extracts, which exhibited no anticonvulsant effect. GC‐MS analysis indicated the occurrence of phenylpropanoids in methanolic fractions obtained from LP1, LP3 and LP6 80% ethanolic extracts and also the accumulation of inositol and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic fractions. Conclusions Our results suggest that the anticonvulsant properties shown by L. alba might be correlated to the presence of a complex of non‐volatile substances (phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and/or inositols), and also to the volatile terpenoids (β‐myrcene, citral, limonene and carvone), which have been previously validated as anticonvulsants.