The genus Blechnum L. includes a large variety of species native to central and southern continental Chile: B. arcuatum, B. asperum, B. blechnoides, B. chilense, B. corralense, B hastatum, B. magellanicum, B. microphyllum, B. mochaenum and B. penna-marina, containing compounds such as flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, lignans, and phytoecdysteroids. In this examination, terpenic compounds of the phytoecdysone type with pharmacological potential on the central nervous system are detailed. These compounds are characterized by a C27, C28 or C29 structure that possesses a 14-alpha-hydroxy-7-en-6-one chromophore and an A/B-cis (5beta-H) ring fusion that can be extracted from the plant with organic solvents, such as hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and ethanol, is concentrated in a reduced pressure rotary evaporator and are identified by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS) or a tandem ionization electrospray network detector UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Phytoecdysteroids applied in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s at concentrations between 100 and 500 µg/mL, can modulate the enzymatic inhibition of monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B) and cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), with zero toxicity effects and satisfactory results in cell viability.
The genus Blechnum represents one of the most ecologically and therapeutically important groups of ferns that grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. In this work, the chemical fingerprint of lyophilized extracts of Blechnum chilense, B. hastatum, B. magellanicum and B. penna-marina species, the determination of their antioxidant activity through ORAC, FRAP and DPPH assays and inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BChE), and an in silico analysis of selected majority compounds on cholinesterase enzymes were identified. Nineteen compounds were recorded for B. chilense, nine in B. hastatum, seventeen in B. magellanicum and seventeen in B. penna-marina by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition were variable among species, with best results for B. penna-marina. Molecular docking evidenced low toxicities, significant pharmacokinetic properties, and significant binding affinities of the tested compounds for the AChE and BChE enzymes. These fern species show high diversity of bioactive compounds and represent a promising resource in phytotherapy, especially for their optimal levels of phenolic compounds that support their antioxidant activity.
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