Chemical Profile and Biological Activity of Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) and Atemoya (Annona atemoya) Leaves.

Giuseppe Mannino,Alessandra Porcu,Cinzia Margherita Bertea,Chiara Agliassa,Fabio Caradonna,Carla Gentile

doi:10.3390/molecules25112612

Giuseppe Mannino, Alessandra Porcu + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25112612

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Abstract

Annona cherimola (Cherimoya) and Annona atemoya (Atemoya) are tropical plants known for their edible fruit. Scientific data suggest that their leaves, used in traditional medicine in the form of teas or infusions without evidence of toxicity, contain several bioactive compounds. However, only Annona muricata among all the Annona species is currently used in the nutraceutical field, and its dried leaves are marketed for tea preparation. In this work, we explored the nutraceutical potential of Atemoya and Cherimoya leaves, by evaluating their chemical profile and functional properties. Phytochemical analyses showed large amounts of phenolic compounds, in particular proanthocyanidins, and identified 18 compounds, either flavonoids or alkaloids. Concerning biological activity, we found antioxidative properties correlated with polyphenols, and antiproliferative activity against HeLa and HepG2 cell lines correlated with alkaloids. The obtained results demonstrate the potential use of Annona cherimola leaves for the preparation of dietary supplements aimed to promote the physiological redox balance. Moreover, the varietal comparison suggests that two commercial cultivars (Campas and White) and the local Torre 1, better suit this purpose. On the other hand, among the studied cultivars, Campas and Torre 1 are also the richest in alkaloids and, in consideration of the anti-proliferative properties of their extracts, dietary supplements based on these cultivars might also have chemo-preventive effects.

Highlights

Plants are the most important sources of biologically active compounds [1]
Total phenolic compounds in leaf extracts of the observed cultivars of Cherimoya and Atemoya were quantified by Folin-Ciocalteu method (Table 1)
TPAC was measured by DMAC assay and its related values are expressed as mg of PAC-A equivalent per 100 g of d.wt

Summary

Introduction

Plants are the most important sources of biologically active compounds [1]. Since ancient times, numerous plant preparations have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases [2]and presently, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries are increasingly interested either in pure phytochemicals or plant preparations. Plants are the most important sources of biologically active compounds [1]. Numerous plant preparations have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases [2]. Presently, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries are increasingly interested either in pure phytochemicals or plant preparations. The plant preparation market, in terms of value, is projected to reach around USD 86.74 Billion by 2022, with the pharmaceutical sector as the largest market share, followed by the nutraceutical field for nutritional supplement preparations. Plant preparation for medicine, food and beverages, and cosmetics are largely based on plant leaves. Bioactive compounds are stored as secondary metabolites in the whole plant, leaves are the largest accumulators of such compounds among all plant organs.

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