Crude extract and fractions from Eugenia uniflora Linn leaves showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities

Tamires Rocha Falcão,Rhayanne Thaís De Moraes Ramos,Luiz Alberto Lira Soares,Juliana Silva De Medeiros,Maria Celeste Nunes Melo,Raimundo Fernandes De Araújo,Andreza Conceição Véras De Aguiar Guerra,Gerlane Coelho Bernardo Guerra,Magda Rhayanny Assunção Ferreira,Aurigena Antunes De Araújo,Isabelle Cristinne Ferraz Bezerra,Manoel André De Souza Neto

doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2144-6

Tamires Rocha Falcão, Rhayanne Thaís De Moraes Ramos + Show 10 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2144-6

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Abstract

BackgroundThis study showed phytochemical composition and evaluates the anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of crude extract (CE) and fractions from E. uniflora Linn leaves.MethodsPolyphenols present in crude extract (CE), in aqueous fraction (AqF), and ethyl acetate (EAF) treated fractions from E. uniflora Linn leaves were shown by chromatographic analysis in order to conduct a phytochemical characterization. Antibacterial activity was evaluated based on minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined using the agar dilution method. Doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the CE and fractions were applied for conducting in vivo models (male Swiss mice, 8–10 weeks old). The peritonitis experimental model was induced by carrageenan following of Myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), Total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β and TNF-α levels by spectroscopic UV/VIS analysis. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated based on an abdominal writhing model and hot plate test. The results were statistically evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni’s post-hoc test. The level of statistical significance was p < 0.05.ResultsHigh-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) detected varying concentrations of gallic acid, ellagic acid, and myricitrin in the CE and fractions obtained from E. uniflora Linn leaves (0.05–0.87%w/w, 0.20–0.32%w/w, and 1.71–6.56%w/w, respectively). In general, the CE had lower MIC values than the fractions, including the lowest MIC against the MRSA strain. The CE and AqF also significantly reduced leukocyte migration and MPO activity (p < 0.05). In addition, AqF significantly reduced IL-1β and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the CE and fractions exhibited an antioxidant effect (p < 0.05) and peripheral analgesic activity (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe CE and fractions from the studied E. uniflora Linn leaves exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic activity in the performed assays.

Highlights

This study showed phytochemical composition and evaluates the anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of crude extract (CE) and fractions from E. uniflora Linn leaves
Gallic acid and ellagic acid and the flavonoid myricitrin were detected in the CE and fractions of E. uniflora Linn leaves
In vitro activities Antibacterial activity In the performed antibacterial assays, the CE and fractions of E. uniflora Linn inhibited most of the tested bacteria, except methicillin resistant Staphylocuccus aureus (MRSA) which was not susceptible to the CE at 2.5 μg/mL, or Escherichia coli which was not susceptible to any of the tested samples (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

This study showed phytochemical composition and evaluates the anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of crude extract (CE) and fractions from E. uniflora Linn leaves. Eugenia uniflora Linn (Myrtaceae) is a species that is native to Brazil and is commonly known as pitanga (Surinam cherry) or pitangueira (Brazilian cherry). It is present as a shrub in the midwest, northeast, southeast, and southern regions of Brazil [1, 2]. In Brazilian folk medicine, the leaves of E. uniflora Linn are used in infusions, decoctions, and alcoholic extracts for treating diarrhea, stomachache, colic, intestinal infection, verminosis, fever, flu, cough, bronchitis, anxiety, high blood pressure, and diabetes [3, 4]. According to preliminary phytochemical analyses that have been performed, E. uniflora Linn leaves contain alkaloids, triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids, and antraquinones [6]. Hydrolysable tannins (eugiflorins D1 and D2, camptothin A, oenothein B, gemin D, hippomanin A), flavonoids (afzelin, desmanthin, myricitrin, quercitrin, and glycosides of myricetin and quercetin), and terpenoids (β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, and centelloside C) have been identified, and isolated in some cases [7]

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