Phytochemical analysis by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract and fractions from flowers of Cochlospermum vitifolium

Abstract

Cochlospermum vitifolium (pacotê) is a medicinal plant used for treatment of hypertension, hepatitis, jaundice, hyperglycemia and inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to identify compounds present in ethanolic extract (EtOH) and hexane (Hex), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol/water (MeOH) fractions from C. vitifolium flowers and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The phenolic compounds were characterized by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and 22 compounds were identified. The antioxidants effect of EtOH, Hex, EtOAc and MeOH fraction were investigated through quantification of total phenolic, diphenylpicryl hydrazine reduction, total antioxidant capacity, iron and cooper-chelating, reducing power, superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory potential of EtOH and EtOAc fraction (intra-gastric gavage route, 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg) were assayed by carrageenan-induced paw edema and zymosan-induced air pouch models. The EtOH and EtOAc fraction revealed higher concentration of phenolic compounds and antioxidant action when compared with Hex and MeOH fractions. The extract and fractions showed specific copper chelating effect. The EtOH and EtOAc fraction demonstrated be effective reducing the edema in carrageenan-induced paw edema model. In zymosan-induced air pouch model, the extract and fraction were able to decrease the leukocytes cells, proteins total and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) levels. This is the first study that demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of EtOH and EtOAc fraction of C. vitifolium flowers, suggesting that its phenolic compounds are, at least in part, responsible for anti-inflammatory effects.