Chemistry and Biological Activity of Condamineeae Tribe : A Chemotaxonomic Contribution of Rubiaceae Family

This study is a review of the Condamineeae tribe, through the acquisition of data from phytochemical studies and evaluation of genera activities that constitute the tribe, in order to contribute to chemotaxonomic classification of this tribe in the Rubiaceae family. This review also states the scarcity of phytochemical investigations of several genera and consequently a lot of species of family.

It is widely distributed, mainly on tropical and subtropical regions but also on cold and temperate regions in Europe and north of Canada [4].In America this family is represented by approximately 229 genus and 5200 species [5].Nowadays it has around 118 genus and 1347 species in Brazil, corresponding to one of the main families of Brazilian flora [6].
This vast family is composed by classes of secondary metabolites with highly significant pharmacological potential.Into these classes the iridoids, anthraquinones, triterpenes and indole alkaloids, which are considered chemotaxonomic markers of the family [7], are highlighted.Many of chemical constituents as flavonoids, other

The Genera of Condamineeae Tribe-Ixoroideae Subfamily
The Ixoroideae subfamily is represented by trees or scrubs and is characterized by levogyrous or valvular aestivation in most tribes.It presents pantropical e pan subtropical distribution and is composed by 15 tribes, including the Condamineeae, tribe that Simira genus belongs [9].
The Condamineeae tribe is constituted by species very different morphologically wherein rare morphological characteristics of Rubiaceae are found into the tribe.The genus that compose the tribe are presented on Table 1 [11].
The results of the literature survey data related to the genres of Condamineeae tribe is presented below, with the exception of Simira genre, which has already been presented in our previous research [14].

Phytochemical Studies
It was found only one screening with 299 samples representing 133 species from 48 genera of plants of Panama Rubiaceae family.Samples of each extract were diluted in ammonia and chloroform for acid-base extraction to produce the alkaloids extracts.The extractions were applied on filter paper to comparison effects with emetine, with Dragendorff reagents.The samples were also chromatographed in silica gel plates for TLC with standards and pulverized with Dragendorff and FeCl 3 /HClO 4 reagents to detect the presence of alkaloids.The A. blackiana species presented positive results for alkaloids on these chromatographic tests [15].

Biological Activity
A. yucatanensis extracts were tested to it effect upon the induced contraction by norepinephrine (NE) 0.3 μM or 55 ml KCl in cropped aorta of free endothelial rings.The extract of A. yucatanensis shell presented vasoactive activity (relaxed vase) being capable of relax induced contractions by NE and KCL with effective dose for 50% (ED50) of 0.12 and 1.73 mg/mL; respectively [16] [17].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
It was found only one ethnopharmacological investigation citing A. floribunda in a survey of plants named "bitter plants" used as substitutes of Chinchona spp. on Brazilian traditional medicine [18].
Positive results are found for indolic alkaloids and flavonoids on chromatographic tests with B. australis extracts analyzed by HPLC [20].For B. cuspidata the presence of alkaloids was evaluated by thin layer chromatography [21] and phytochemical analyzes were done through chromatographic reagent tests to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannins, cumarins and triterpenes [22].
Studies with stem extracts of B. veraguensis species, as well as to B. panamensis [15], also presented positive results on TLC chromatographic tests (with Dragendorff reagents) to alkaloids [23].

Biological Activity
Special emphasis is given to studies evaluating the antifungal activity of secretory proteins of B. nicholsonii against Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum musae e Colletotrichum lindemuthianum.The inhibition of fungal growth was tested with conidia (20,000 cells/mL in 1mL of saline solution) incubated under 28˚C in microplates of 200 μL, followed by addition of the exudates (secretory proteins) to a final concentration of 100 μg/mL, revealing an inhibitory effect on the growth around 15%, 20% and 64%, respectively, after 48 h [24].
Inhibitory activity evaluation of B. australis against Mycobacterium fortuitum and M. malmoense using the resazurin as a viable cell indicator, the crops were placed on microplates in contact with the extracts to be evaluated, in raw and partition forms.It was incubated under 37˚C and after 48 hours, for M. malmoense, and four days, for M. fortuitum, it was added the resazurin.Firstly it was done the susceptibility screening to determine the activity of extracts and partitions of vegetable extracts in fixed concentrations (100 μg/mL).The B. australis extracts did not inhibited the growth of the microorganisms involved [25].
The ethanolic extract of B. australis was evaluated on the activity of the protein Pdr5p ATPase of plasmatic ATPase on fixed concentration of 200 μg/mL and it was observed that the ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hexane fractions presented and inhibition on the Pdr5p ATPase activity very similar (around 80%) compared with the ethanolic raw extract, while the butanol fraction produced a very small inhibition (around 20%) [20].
The antifungal evaluation of B. meridionalis, against Alternaria anternata, that causes diseases on tangerines.The methanolic extracts of leaves, bark, flowers and stems were dissolved in 500 μL of 1% (v/v) of Tween 80 and mixed with 100 μL of suspended conidae of A. anternata in 2.6 -3.0 × 10 5 conidae/ml and the conidae suspension resultant was poured in pits (Pfizer, 0.55 mg/ml de PDA).After three days at 25˚C and a 12 hours photoperiod, the extracts that hindered the fungal growth were considered active.The B. meridionalis extracts did not presented any significant result [26].
On a study of the effect of the bark extract of B. cuspidata in pulmonary injuries induced by paraquat (PQ) herbicide in rats, briefly, PQ was dissolved in 0.5 mL of NaCl saline solution at 0.9% (10 mg/mL) and injected intraperitonially in a unique dose of 30 mg/kg of corporal weight.The ethanolic extract of B. cuspidata bark of the stem was resuspended in 700 μL of DMSO vehicle and administrated for animals through wash.In the investigation the intoxicated rats' treatments, with 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extract, reduced the animal mortality to 30% and 20% respectively [27].
The hepatoprotective effect of the B. cuspidata bark extract on hepatic injury is induced by carbon tetrachloride.The hepatic injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection with administration of CCl 4 (60% v/v, 1ml/kg) at each 48h during 12 days, the administration of the extract in 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg was started six days before the first application of CCl 4 and progressed to be administrated to animals during the 12 days.A significant reduction on serum aspartate transaminase, alanine and gamma-glutamyl transferase and a significant increase on the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, low proportions of cellular necrosis and lipid droplets were observed, results that confirm the hepatoprotective activity pronounced of the bark extract of B. cuspidata and suggests this effect can be associated with the inhibition of oxidative damages [28].
Antioxidant effect of B. cuspidata extract on hepatic damage and glucose kinetic on rats' blood exposed to paraquat.On rats treated with B. cuspidata (400 mg/kg), the bark extract was capable of inhibit large glucose variations on blood and reduce the hepatic damage [22].
Yet for B. cuspidata studies are found evaluating the mutagenic potential of leaves and stems extracts tested by Ames test on TA98 and TA100 lines of Salmonella typhimurium on absence and presence of metabolic activation, revealing that the leaves ethanolic extract did not exert effect on plasmid DNA while the stem extract revealed mutagenic activity of metabolic activation on S. typhimurium.The extract effects directly on DNA were assessed by plasmodial cleavage, indicating the absence the genotoxic activity for both stem and leave extracts [21].
And finally, a study investigating the applicability potential of ethanolic extracts ointment from B. cuspidata's peel, for wounds treatment in Rats.The circular wounds of 12 mm diameter were done by surgical incision on the back of animals, which were divided in four groups, according to the received application.One group received a 0.9% saline solution, the second group received lanolin, and a third group received 2.5% of the lanolin emulsified extract.After 21 treatment days, the groups with the extract had given better results according to the skin regeneration and wound healing.This study suggests that the healing effects observed in ointment with the B. cuspidata's extract are related to polyphenols compounds, including flavonoids, found in these extracts and which had their presence identified by phytochemical tests [29].
To the B. veraguensis stem extracts were prepared and tested for inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase.A concentration of 100 μg was applied on plates of TLC and eluted with a mix of CHCl 3 -MeOH-H 2 O (65:35:5) to polar extracts and AcOEt-n-hexane (1:1) to non-polar, respectively.The extracts revealed moderate inhibitory activity to acetylcholinesterase when compared to the HBr galatamine inhibitor tested at 0.01 μg on TLC.On this same study the extracts of B. veraguensis were tested for inhibition activity to DPPH free moiety.The extracts revealed moderate activity of inhibiting the DPPH free moiety compared to quercetine, tested as reference compound (0.1 μg) [23].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
For B. australis and B. cuspidata it was found an ethnophamacological study with a data survey of plants named "bitter plants" used as substitutes of Chinchona spp. on Brazilian traditional medicine [18].

Bothriospora Ethnopharmacological Activity
It is noteworthy the ethnopharmacological study in biodynamic plants employed by the indians of amazonic region with medicines, poisons and narcotics.To B. corymbosa it is stated the use of fruits against intestine parasites [30].

Phytochemical Study
In a plant screening in Costa Rica the presence of alkaloids is found on leaves and stems of C. candidissimum through the chromatographic tests [31].

Biological Activity
To the species C. multiflorum, it was found an investigation of the antifungal activity evaluation of dichloromethane extracts, methanol and aqueous of the bark against Cryptococcus neoformans, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.The extracts were evaluated through the disc method-agar diffusion.The dichloromethane extract presented a pronounced activity, with 5 mg per disc, diameters to the inhibition zone with the values: 21 mm, 18 mm and 18 mm, and to the dichloromethane extract with 10 mg per disc, diameters to the inhibition zone with the values: 24 mm, 20 mm and 20 mm for C. neoformans, M. gypseum and T. mentagrophytes respectively.Besides, the aqueous extracts containing 5 mg and 10 mg per disc present inhibition diameters with the values 23 and 25 respectively to T. mentagrophytes [33].Special emphasis is given to studies evaluating the activities of C. spruceanum against leishmania with MTT (3-(4,5-dimethiliazol-2ul)-2,5-difenil bromide of tetrazoline) presenting absence of activity [34].
The antimalarial evaluation of the bark of C. spruceanum in vivo determined by the suppression test of four days, and in vitro, the infected erythrocytes with malaria were sown on well of microtiter plates, exposed to different concentrations in both tests [35].
Yet, to C. spruceanum, the antibacterial evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis the radiometric in vitro trials using semiautomatic detector for growth monitoring was applied.The raw extracts of dichloromethane of vegetal material were dissolved to the concentration of 1 mg/ml of 100% dimethilsulfoxid (DMSO) and injected on bottles to obtain a final concentration of 50 μg of plant extract per ml of broth culture.The extracts presented less than 50% of inhibition, results considered non-significant [36].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
The species C. acreanumi, C. obovatum and C. spruceanum are cited on an ethnobotanical investigation as employed by indians of the Amazon region.The shells of C. acreanum are scraped and placed in warm water about fungal infections.These shells are employed in infusions to combat intestine parasites.And for C. spruceanum a shell decoction is used as black scab (caused by arachnids) and the dry shell can be pulverized and applied on fungal infections [30].
To C. spruceanum species, it was found an ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological investigation of plants used by indians of Peruvian Amazonia against skin infections on shell, fruits and leaves decoction forms [38] [39].

Biological Activity
It is noteworthy an investigation of the antileishmania activity to C. decorticans.The leishmanicide activity in vitro of ethanolic extracts was evaluated for amastigote and promatigotes cultures by the MTT method, obtaining IC 50 > 100 μg/mL for both forms, no significant results [40].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
The C. decorticans species is also used on formulation of medicines against leishmania by the traditional medicine of ethnic groups on Peruvian Amazonia [34].It is also used for warts, infected wounds, fungal infections and scabies treatments.The shell is scraped and applied as a cataplasm on the affected area, and the broth of the shell is also used on wounds [40].
The C. parviflora species also presented positive results for alkaloids on TLC tests with chromatographic reagents [15].

Biological Activity
Special emphasis is given to an investigation of in vitro evaluation of medicines based on C. turbinata by traditional medicine of French Guiana against Plasmodium falciparum, but did not presented significant results, with IC 50 upper than 11 μg/mL being considered inactive, and for the test in vivo (suppressive test in four days) the medicines based on C. turbinata did not presented any activity [46].
The isolated C. turbinata flavonoids were submitted to an antioxidant activity evaluation on DPPH test, using rutine as standard (IC 50

Ethnopharmacological Activity
The ethnopharmacological investigation where is cited the use of C. corymbosa stem as tonic on Peruvian Amazonia traditional medicine is highlighted [48].

Dialypetalanthus
A taxonomical study of D. fuscescens species analyzed the composition of polysaccharides on the cell walls of D. fuscescens leaves and compared with Bathysa meridionalis.The analyses demonstrated both species have very similar chemical composition of the cell wall corroborating as additional evidence of their taxonomic proximity as is actually accepted [49].In addition to studies that classify the genus on Ixoroideae subfamily and Condamineeae tribe through molecular phylogenetical investigations [3] [5] [11]. 3.9.Elaeagia

Phytochemical Study
The E. nitidiflora species presented positive results for alkaloids on tests with chromatographic reagents and on this same investigation the E. auriculata species presented negative results [15].The study in subfraction of ethanol extract obtained from the leaves of E. utilis, analyzed by CG/MS.Terpenes, sesquiterpenlactones and simple phenolic compounds were identified in it for comparison with mass and retention time values from literature (Table 2) [50].

Biological Activity
The E. auriculata species activity was also evaluated for against Aphis gossypii and A. craccivora (aphids).The trial was realized on microplates covered by parafilm containing leaves extract (60 μg/ml) and proteins of leaves extract (33.3 μg/mL).The aphids fed up of these extracts on holes in the parafilm.The mortality rate was verified at each 24, 72 and 120 hours and the results were expressed in percentage.The leaves extract of E. auriculata presented 29.5% of mortality rate while the proteins presented 3.7%, no significant results [51].
E. utilis species' antimicrobial activity was evaluated against the bacteria that cause dental caries: Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus e Lactobacillus acidophilus.Two extracts, one from light petroleum and an ethanolic one, were obtained from the leaves of E. utilis.Both were fractionated and sub-fractionated, according to the presented activities in the evaluation, done by diffusion method in a concentration of 10 mg/well.In each well, 50 µl of extract were placed, fraction or sub-fraction, dissolved in DMSO.As a positive control, 50 µl of Vancomycin were used with 150 µg/ml concentration and 50 µl of DMSO as negative control.After 24 h of incubation, the inhibition zones were measured and, the minimum inhibitory concentration, calculated (MIC; at least 6  Between the ethanolic extract fractions, the fraction of dichloromethane presented the greatest level of activity, being sub-fractionated in three fractions, of which the MeOH: H 2 O fraction presented MIC = 0.1 µg/well with three tested bacteria.In this fraction, the presence of terpenes, sesquiterpenlactones and phenolic compounds, was confirmed through phytochemical tests, suggesting the relation between these compounds and the presented activity [50].[52] [53] (Figure 6).

Biological Activity
The petroleum ether extract of the E. henryi stem presented antifeedant activity against Plutella xylostella on larvae trial treatment.The extract presented 80.09% of mortality rate against Plutella xylostella and 62.80% against Spodoptera litura, indicating high activity compared to industrially marketed standards on China and suggests further investigations for the use of this species as an insecticide [54].

Hippotis
In addition to studies which classify the genus on Ixoroideae subfamily and Condamineeae tribe through molecular phylogenetic investigations [3] [11], it was found only one ethnopharmacological study suggesting the H. tubiflora stem is used as tonic on Peruvian Amazonia traditional medicine [48].

Biological Activity
Evaluation of M. roseum leaves and bracts ethanolic extracts against leishmania using MTT method to determine the extract activities.For bioassays the extracts were dissolved on DMSO (final concentration 1%) at 10 mg/mL concentration, presenting moderate activity with IC 50 37 g/mL to bracts extract and IC 50 22 g/mL to leaves extract [34].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
An investigation of M. roseum states the use of leaves to treat wounds on traditional medicine of Peru.The leaves are boiled on water and the wounds washed the same water, but cold [34] [55].

Biological Activity
The investigation with P. gigantifolia root ethanolic extract presented antifungal activity against Candida albicans, with IC 50 < 20 μg/mL.Susceptibility tests to antifungal agents were realized using a modified version of NCCLS methods.After being chromatographed one of the fractions was tested and presented the highest activity with IC 50 < 2 μg/mL [56].The evaluation of compounds (56) with IC 50 range of 0.45 to 0.65 μg/mL and (57) with IC 50 range of 0.25 to 0.45 μg/mL presented activity with many C. albicans strains [56].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
It was found a study that states the use of P. pubens shell boiled on water to combat malaria and also it use as ornamental plant [57].
The raw ethanolic extract and a P. tubulosus extract obtained by acid-base extraction were also evaluated for antiproliferative activity against several lines of human neoplastic cells: ATCC-CCL-23, laryngeal carcinoma, ATCC-HTB-22, breast carcinoma, ATCC-CRL-1932, liver carcinoma, ATCC-HTB-38, colon carcinoma, and murine cancer: ATCC-CRL-6322, murine melanoma.The raw extract presented IC 100 range of 2.2 to 6.9 μg/mL and the extract of acid-base extraction with IC 100 range of 0.24 to 2.2 μg/mL presented high antiproliferative activity against all neoplastic cells lines [60].
The alkaloids (59), ( 60) and (61) were also tested against sensible strains and resistant to Plasmodium falsiparumin vitro and against P. berghei and P. vinckei petteri (in vivo).Tubulosine (59) presented in vitro IC 50 = 0.006 μg/mL against sensible P. falciparum and IC 50 = 0.011 μg/mL against resistant P. falciparum.And in vivo presented antimalarial activity with ED 50 = 0.05 mg/Kg/day for P. vinckei petteri and ED 50 = 0.45 mg/Kg/day for P. berghei against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro tests.The in vivo tests were done through the classic suppression method during four days [59] [61].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
Studies of the use of P. tubulosus on traditional medicine of Bolivia against malaria in the stem bark decoction form [62].

Phytochhemical Study
The study of essential oil extracted from Rustia formosa secretory cavities, analyzed by CG/MS, presented a complex mix of 75 terpenic components, formed mainly by sesquiterpens, substances solely identified for comparison with mass and retention time values from literature (Table 3) [63].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
An investigation states the use of R. formosa species on Brazilian traditional medicine as substitute of Chinchona spp., based on pharmacological studies [18].

Biological Activity
The S. sabiceoides dichloromethane extract presented 96% of inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in 50 μg/mL and presented MIC < 6.25 μg/mL, considered excellent results.The in vitro experiments (trials) were done using a radiometric detector semiautomized to monitor the Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth [36].
The methanolic extract tested against Candida albicans presented 50% inhibition with IC 50 < 20 μg/mL.The in vitro cytotoxocity was determined by the neutral red method.On the in vivo cytotoxicity experiment the compounds were dissolved on peanut oil until the desired concentration.Six rat groups received 100 μL intraperitoneal injections, providing compound doses of 3, 4, 17 or 34 μmol/kg of body weight.

Phytochemical Study
The W. coccinea shell was tested on a histochemical study for alkaloid presence, presenting negative result [65], however presented positive results on another investigation regarding chromatographic techniques [15].

Biological Activities
Evaluation of W. cordata antileishmania activity.The experiments were conducted on promastigotes and axenic amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and the extract activity was determined through MTT method.The W. cordata branches ethanolic extract presented IC 50 = 60.6 μg/ml for the amastigote form, moderated activity, presented no result for promastigote form [67].
An investigation of the W. coccinea ethanolic extract activity against leishmania (Leishmania amazonensis) revealed poor activity determined through MTT method, presenting IC 50 > 100 μg/mL to shell extract and IC 50 = 54.3 μg/mL to branches extract.To the antimalaric (Plasmodium falciparum FCR3 in vitro) there was no activity [68].
The W. coccinea stem extract strongly inhibited acetylcholinesterase in 100 μg on TLC, and inhibited poorly free DPPH moieties on antioxidant test.On the same investigation the compounds (65) and (66) were active on the inhibition acetylcholinesterase test with 1 μg at each TLC plate [23].

Ethnopharmacological Activity
An ethnobotanic investigation stated the use of W. coccinea grated shell in cold water intake for convulsion and epilepsy treatment on Peruvian traditional medicine [68].
There were also found ethnobotanic investigations wherein the W. coccinea roots are dried and the powder is applied with oil to fungal skin disorders or the root is boiled and applied as decoction to pain relief [30].
W. coccinea shells are also used as haemostatic by Colombian indians, to nosebleed treatment at Peru and fever at Porto Rico [23].

Results and Discussion
In relation to the phytochemical studies, from the 33 genus in the Condamineeae Tribe, approximately 13 presented at least one studied species, containing isolated or identified secondary metabolites.In a total of 110 isolated and identified substances in these species, including the results of the review for the genus Simira [14], approximately 24.54% were from the alkaloid's class, and from these substances, approximately 81.18% are indole alkaloids, which are considered as chemotaxonomic markers from family [7].The class of terpenoids metabolites, including diterpens, triterpens, and steroids, presents a bigger percentage, approximately 27.27% of the substances found in this tribe until this moment (Graphic 1 and Graphic 2) According to the biological activity, from the 33 genus in the tribe, 13 presented some evaluation of biological activity, and 14 presented reports of ethnopharmacological application, but not necessarily showed biological activity.
From the 13 genus which presented biological activity, 9 genus, including the genus Simira, presented studies reporting the presence of alkaloid or a positive result when tested for alkaloids.And from these 9 genus, 7 also presented ethnopharmacological reports (Graphic 3 and Graphic 4).

Conclusions
It was observed the species that belongs to the genera of Condamineeae tribe presented a considered number of metabolites in similar biosynthetic origin and a lot of them presenting some kind of biological activity.
The alkaloids found for Simira genus are indolic [14] as the alkaloids presented for Chimarrhis and Pogonopus genus, considered as taxonomic markers of the family, belongs to the most investigated secondary metabolic groups aiming to prove the phyologenetic correlation between Ruibiaceae chemistry and taxonomy.Evidences based on indolic alkaloids skeletons, used for chemical and morphological evolutionary comparisons between Rubiaceae, Apocynaceae and Loganiaceae [8].
The presence of iridoids and it derivatives secoirioids of Calycophyllum genus also demonstrates the connection between the genus presenting monoterpenes indolic alkaloids, as Chimarrhis and Pogonopus, since the secoiridoids are involved on the construction of the basic skeleton of indolic alkaloids [69].This proximity relationship can extend to the genus that presented positive results for alkaloids on chromatographic tests as Alseis, Bathysa, Condaminea, Elaeagia, Macrocnemum, Pentagonia, Rustia, Sommera, Warszewiczia e também o gênero Simira.The Calycophyllum genus presented positive results for alkaloids.
For Chimarrhis genus it was found the harman-3-carboxilic acid (20) (Figure 3), structure that could derive from harmana alkaloid, considered as a taxonomic tracer in Simira genus [14] corroborating the proximity between the Simira and Chimarrhis genus.
This review also states the scarcity of phytochemical investigations of several genera and consequently a lot of species of Rubiaceae family.It could contribute more significantly to this family taxonomy.

Graphic 1 .Graphic 2 .Graphic 3 .Graphic 4 .
Percentage of the compounds isolated in Condamineeae tribe.Percentage of alkaloids isolated in Condamineeae tribe.Alkaloids percentage in genus with biological activity.Ethnopharmacological activity percentage in genus with alkaloids.

Table 1 .
Genera that constitutes the Condamineeae tribe.

Table 2 .
Compounds identified by GC-MS in E. utilis.

Table 3 .
Compounds identified in R. formosa essential oil.