Biological Activity and Photostability of Biflorin Micellar Nanostructures

Abstract

Capraria biflora L. is a shrub from the Scrophulariaceae family which produces in its roots a compound named biflorin, an o-naphthoquinone that shows activity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi and also presents antitumor and antimetastatic activities. However, biflorin is hydrophobic and photosensitive. These properties make its application difficult. In this work we prepared biflorin micellar nanostructures looking for a more effective vehiculation and better preservation of the biological activity. Biflorin was obtained, purified and characterized by UV-Vis, infrared (IR) and species. In conclusion, the results showed that the micellar nanostructures could ensure the maintenance of the biological activity of biflorin, conferring photoprotection. Moreover, biflorin vehiculation in aqueous media was improved, favoring its applicability in biological systems.

Allelopathy of Ricinus communis and light spectrum variation decrease emergence and growth of Cyperus rotundus

“…Roots are known to be sensitive to light radiation as observed in this research because, probably, the tubers were planted at low depth (3 cm), so that spectrum radiation from light may have caused photodegradation of important substances present in the roots, for example biflorin, which is a photosensitive compound (Santana et al 2015). Roots system impairment may have reduced water absorption and translocation to seedlings shoot and may have caused less photosynthetic activity, which decreased the flow of photoassimilates for root nutrition.…”

Antioxidant and antibacterial agents from parmotrema dilatatum (Vainio) hale, knema angustifolia (Roxb.) warb. and persicaria odorata lour

“…Previously, biflorin, a 1,2-naphthoquinone isolated from Capraria biflora L. presented tremendous result as antibacterial in Gram-positive, Gram-negative and as anti-fungi. [157,158] Nevertheless, when the naphthalene skeleton was modified their antibacterial activities were decreased up to 10 folds except for their oxime derivatives which displayed better inhibition compared to biflorin against S. aureus and E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis. [159] Amongst MG derivatives, the octyl ether mansonone G (MG1) and prenyl ether MG3 derivatives exhibited promising results when combined with antibiotics.…”