Pereskia aculeata Miller é uma trepadeira arbustiva popularmente conhecida como "orapro-nobis". Na medicina tradicional, as folhas são utilizadas como anti-inflamatórias, cicatrizantes e emolientes. O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a constituição química e o potencial antioxidante de extratos glicólicos de P. aculeata. Durante dez dias, as folhas foram maceradas à temperatura ambiente com glicerina e álcool de cereais, sendo obtidos os extratos PA01 e PA02. Ao final do processo, o extrato PA01 foi aquecido a 50 °C por 30 minutos. Esta foi a primeira vez em que extratos de P. aculeata foram obtidos com os referidos solventes extratores. O teor de compostos fenólicos foi avaliado utilizando-se o reagente de Folin-Ciocalteau e o potencial antioxidante foi determinado pelo método de sequestro do radical DPPH. PA01 e PA02 apresentaram um teor de fenóis totais de 13,84 ± 4,29 e 18,35 ± 2,12 mg em equivalentes de ácido tânico/g de extrato, respectivamente. No método do DPPH, os valores de CI50 encontrados foram de 11,93 ± 1,84 e 9,91 ± 2,45 µg/mL, respectivamente, demonstrando uma boa atividade antioxidante. Além disso, o aumento da temperatura não foi um fator decisivo na extração, visto que o conteúdo fenólico e o potencial antioxidante foram estatisticamente semelhantes para ambos os extratos. O potencial antioxidante pode ser atribuído, pelo menos em parte, ao conteúdo fenólico, visto que PA01 e PA02 foram capazes de extrair esses compostos de forma semelhante. Portanto, os extratos glicólicos de P. aculeata apresentam potencial para contribuir com a prevenção de diversos distúrbios associados com a produção de radicais livres.
Because it promotes the lightening of pigment spots, tyrosinase inhibition is one of the mechanisms of depigmenting cosmetic products. Considering the adverse effects produced by synthetic depigmenting actives, the search for new therapeutic options is desirable, and plant extracts are possible candidates for hyperpigmentation treatment. Glycolic extracts of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul are, therefore, the focus of this study. Its chemical characterization, antioxidant activity, tyrosinase inhibition, and cell viability were evaluated. Glycolic extracts were obtained by macerating the leaves of C. pachystachya in grain alcohol and glycerin or propylene glycol. Both had a similar chemical constitution, the glycerin being more efficient in concentrating phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Analyses by UHPLC-MS detected quinic acid, chlorogenic acid isomers, proanthocyanidin dimers type B and C, catechin/epicatechin, orientin/isoorientin, isoorientin 2"-O-xyloside, vitexin/isovitexin, and rutin. 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid was then quantified was then quantified, with predominance in the extract produced with propylene glycol. These extracts showed a high antioxidant capacity by the method of DPPH, β-carotene, and nitric oxide. As for depigmenting activity, both extracts were able to inhibit tyrosinase. Cell viability assay also revealed that the extracts could safely be used in concentrations of ≤ 125 µg/mL. Thus, this study demonstrated for the first time that the glycolic extracts of C. pachystachya have promising chemical and biological characteristics for the development of a multifunctional cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase-inhibition activities.
Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx. is an Asian native plant species that is also widely distributed in the Americas. Despite its traditional uses, P. hydropiperoides is scarcely scientifically exploited. This study aimed to chemically characterize and investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of hexane (HE-Ph), ethyl acetate (EAE-Ph), and ethanolic (EE-Ph) extracts from aerial parts of P. hydropiperoides. The chemical characterization was performed through HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the phosphomolybdenum reducing power, nitric oxide inhibition, and the β-carotene bleaching assays. The antibacterial activity was determined by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration followed by the classification of the antibacterial effect. Chemical characterization revealed the expressive presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in EAE-Ph. An increased antioxidant capacity was revealed in EAE-Ph. Regarding antibacterial activity, EAE-Ph showed weak to moderate property against 13 strains tested with MIC values ranging from 625 to 5000 µg/mL, with bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects. Glucogallin and gallic acid stand out as the most relevant bioactive compounds. These results suggest that P. hydropiperoides is a natural source of active substances, supporting this species’ traditional use.
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