Introdução: Cinamaldeído (CND) é o principal componente ativo do óleo essencial da canela (Cinnamomum sp) e tem sido amplamente utilizado em atividades biológicas e farmacológicas, tendo sido relatado atividade antimicrobiana, antioxidante, antidiabética, dentre outras. Objetivo: Devido os diversos relatos das propriedades farmacológicas do composto, esse foi escolhido para revisão de literatura. A seleção da bibliografia foi obtida a partir de bases de dados (google scholar, NCBI - National Center for Biotechnology Information, PubMed e Scielo - Scientific Electronic Library Online). Discussão: A composição química do CND tem compostos terpenóides que têm poderosa atividade antimicrobiana contra fungos, bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas tais como Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157: H7 e Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. A atividade anti-inflamatória induz a apoptose e inibi a proliferação celular, nas respostas imunes mediadas por monócitos/macrófagos, além de diminuir a produção de óxido nítrico induzido por lipopolissacáridos de um modo dependente da dose. CND ao ser administrado por via oral em ratos diabéticos demonstrou melhora no conteúdo de glicogênio muscular e hepático aumentando a liberação de insulina. Além disso CND estimulou a angiogênese in vivo e in vitro, regulando positivamente o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular. Conclusão: A partir do que foi relatado constatou-se que o CND possui muitas atividades com potencial farmacológico, mas percebe-se que se faz necessário estudos sobre o(s) mecanismos(s) de ação dessas atividades a fim de se proporcionar o uso seguro e eficaz do cinamaldeído.

Buchenavia tetraphylla methanolic extract (BTME) is a great source of antimicrobial compounds that are able to enhance the action of fluconazole against different C. albicans strains; this action seems related to inhibition of cell division.

Plant-derived products have played a fundamental role in the development of new therapeutic agents. This study aimed to analyze antimicrobial, antibiofilm, cytotoxicity and antiproliferative potentials of the extract and fractions from leaves of Himatanthus drasticus, a plant from the Apocynaceae family. After harvesting, H. drasticus leaves were macerated and a hydroalcoholic extract (HDHE) and fractions were prepared. Antimicrobial tests, such as agar-diffusion, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were carried out against several bacterial species. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae were inhibited by at least one extract or fraction in the agar-diffusion assay (inhibition halos from 12 mm to 30 mm). However, the lowest MIC value was found for HDHE against K. pneumoniae. In addition, HDHE and its fractions were able to inhibit biofilm formation at sub-inhibitory concentrations (780 µg/mL and 1.56 µg/mL). As the best activities were found for HDHE, we selected it for further assays. HDHE was able to increase ciprofloxacin (CIP) activity against K. pneumoniae, displaying synergistic (initial concentration CIP + HDHE: 2 µg/mL + 600 µg/mL and 2.5 µg/mL + 500 µg/mL) and additive effects (CIP + HDHE: 3 µg/mL + 400 µg/mL). This action seems to be associated with the alteration in bacterial membrane permeability induced by HDHE (as seen by propidium iodide labeling). This extract was non-toxic for red blood cell or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, it inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of PBMCs. The following compounds were detected in HDHE using HPLC-ESI-MS analysis: plumieride, plumericin or isoplumericin, rutin, quercetin and derivatives, and chlorogenic acid. Based on these results we suggest that compounds from H. drasticus have antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against K. pneumoniae and display low cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative action in PBMC stimulated with lipopolysaccharide.

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Objective: To review the antidepressant activity and mechanisms of action of plants that have antidepressant action. Literature Review: The use of plants for medicinal purposes has been used as an adjunct to the treatment of depression due to easy access by the population, few side effects and lower cost. Based on the studies, the plants St. John's wort, ground turmeric, anona and lavender have antidepressant potential for acting in different ways in depression, either by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin or by modulation in the dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways. Final Considerations: From the studies of the mechanisms of action it was found that the plants studied can modulate the brain signaling pathways responsible for the patient's mood, with the reuptake of serotonin (inhibition of the serotonin transporter protein) the main mechanism of action shared between them. In addition, some of these plants can modulate not only the concentrations of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, but also dopamine. It is worth mentioning that, although these actions have been scientifically proven, much research is still needed to ensure the safe use of these agents as herbal medicines in the alternative or adjunctive treatment of depressive disorders.