Abstract
Syzygium jambos and Solanum guaraniticum are both employed in Brazil as medicinal plants, even though their potential toxicity is not well established and they are frequently misused. The aim of this study was investigate the effect of the aqueous leaf extracts of both plants on δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and the antioxidant action against oxidative damage induced by sodium nitroprusside in rats, using in vitro assays. In addition, the presence of gallic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, as well as rutin, quercetin and kaempferol as bioactive compounds in the extracts was identified by HPLC and their levels quantified. The antioxidant activities of both extracts were assessed by their capabilities to scavenge nitric oxide and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Only Syzygium jambos presented thiol-peroxidase-like activity. Although neither extract affected the AChE activity, the aqueous extract of Solanum guaraniticum inhibited brain δ-ALA-D activity, suggesting a possible impairment effect on the central nervous system. Our results showed that both extracts exhibited efficient free radical scavenger activity and are an interesting source of bioactive compounds, justifying their use in folk medicine, although Solanum guaraniticum extract could have neurotoxicity properties and we therefore suggest that its use should be restricted to ensure the health of the population.
Highlights
Free radicals are accepted as important mediators of tissue injury in several human diseases, such as arthritis inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cirrhosis and cancer [1]
In order to ascertain the phytochemicals responsible for the in vitro biological activities of Syzygium jambos and Solanum guaraniticum, the aqueous leaf extracts of these plants were screened for various compounds
The characterization of these aqueous leaf extracts is important since there is scarce data available about this local species and any new studies represent a significant contribution to the knowledge of these plants [7,24]
Summary
Free radicals are accepted as important mediators of tissue injury in several human diseases, such as arthritis inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cirrhosis and cancer [1]. The efficiency of the antioxidant defense system is altered under pathological conditions and the ineffective scavenging process and/or overproduction of free radicals may play a crucial role in causing tissue damage [2]. Medicinal plants have been traditionally used in the treatment of several human diseases and their pharmacological and therapeutic properties have been attributed to the different chemical constituents isolated from their crude extracts [5]. In Brazil this plant is known by the common name “jambolão” and its leaf infusions are used traditionally in the treatment of diabetes, even thugh some studies have shown its ineffectiveness as a antihiperglycemic agent [9]
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