Latex from Tabernaemontana catharinensis (A. DC)—Apocynaceae: An alternative for the sustainable production of biologically active compounds

Abstract

Lattices from the plant species Tabernaemontana catharinensis have been traditionally used as an antidote for snakebites, for the relief of toothaches, as a vermifuge for the elimination of warts, and as an anti-inflammatory compound. It is accepted that the antidote activity is the result of the proteolytic fraction of the water-soluble latex of the plant. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the proteolytic activity of T. catharinensis latex. The insoluble material from the latex of T. catharinensis was removed by centrifugation. The resulting water-soluble fraction of the latex was subjected to colorimetric and spectroscopic analysis. It was also assayed for proteolytic activity using azocasein as a substrate. The water-soluble fraction of the latex consisted mainly of carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids. The soluble fraction exhibited strong proteolytic activity compared to trypsin. The latex was subjected to extraction with hexane to obtain a fraction rich in n-alkanes that was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) followed by acid-based alkaloid extraction, resulting in two alkaloidal extracts whose compounds were identified by off-line electrospray ionisation (+)-MS/MS analysis. The results suggest that latex from T. catharinensis is a rich source of sugars, amino acids, n-alkanes, alkaloids, and proteins.