Abstract
ABSTRACT Allophylus edulis and Cupania vernalis (Sapindaceae) are Brazilian native trees used as medicinal plants for the treatment of respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and skin diseases. Ubiquitously distributed in the Brazilian territory, these species are indicated for mixed plantations aimed at the recovery of degraded ecosystems. In this study, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), and the antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions obtained from A. edulis and C. vernalis leaves were assessed. The TPC and TFC was determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The extracts were obtained by two methods: maceration (method 1) and Soxhlet (method 2). Solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) were used to obtained the fractions. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction from A. edulis, obtained from the maceration method, had the highest TPC (442.0 ± 18.2 mg GAE g-1) and TFC (58.1 ± 0.4 mg RUE g-1), and antioxidant activity (EC50 = 43.6 ± 2.6 µg mL-1). By C. vernalis, superior results were obtained with the n-butanol fraction (TPC = 126.1 ± 5.8 mg GAE g-1, TFC = 37.7 ± 0.6 mg RUE g-1). The highest antioxidant potential was found in the crude hydroalcoholic extract (EC50 = 816.1 ± 50.9 µg mL-1) and butanol fraction (1,156.4 ± 3.8 µg mL-1). The results of this study show that the fractions obtained by maceration and liquid-liquid partition with more polar solvents (ethyl acetate and n-butanol) are the richest in TPC and TFC, and presented the greater antioxidant activity. Comparing the two plants, A. edulis showed the best results, with a high content of TPC, TFC, and antioxidant potential, and therefore may be used to treat diseases related to oxidative stress.
Highlights
Among several Brazilian native plants of medicinal importance, Allophylus edulis and Cupania vernalis (Sapindaceae) have shown potential use in the treatment of respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and skin diseases (Rovedder et al, 2016)
The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction from A. edulis, obtained from the maceration method, had the highest total phenolic content (TPC) (442.0 ± 18.2 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g-1) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (58.1 ± 0.4 mg rutin equivalents (RUE) g-1), and antioxidant activity (EC50 = 43.6 ± 2.6 μg mL-1)
General tests for the identification of secondary metabolites revealed presence of flavonoids and tannins in the crude extract and more polar fractions of both plants, obtained from extractions performed with ethyl acetate and n-butanol (ECH, FEA1, FEA2, FB1, and FB2 fractions)
Summary
Among several Brazilian native plants of medicinal importance, Allophylus edulis and Cupania vernalis (Sapindaceae) have shown potential use in the treatment of respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and skin diseases (Rovedder et al, 2016). It occurs from north to south of Brazil – Amazon region, and states of Ceará, Bahia, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul (Backes and Irgang, 2004; Lorenzi, 2016). It is the species with the largest geographical distribution in Brazil and the main representative of the genus comprising tropical seasonal forest trees, and it occurs in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Coelho, 2014). Both A. edulis and C. vernalis are indicated for mixed plantations intended for the recovery of degraded ecosystems, and their fruits are much appreciated and eaten by birds and other animals, which are responsible for seed dispersal (Lima Jr. et al, 2006; Lima Junior et al, 2005; Lorenzi, 2016)
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