In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of plants of the ethnopharmacopeia from northwest of Mexico

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study, is to investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity, the total phenols content, the flavonoids content and the antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts of the plants: Krameria erecta, Struthanthus palmeri, Phoradendron californicum, Senna covesii and Stegnosperma halimifolium, used by different ethnic groups from northwestern Mexico in the treatment and cure of various diseases.MethodsThe in vitro antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power assay (FRAP), the total phenols content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteau assay, the flavonoids content by the AlCl3 colorimetric method and the antiproliferative activity (line cells HeLa, RAW 264.7, M12Ak.C3.F6 and L929) using MTT method.ResultsThe K. erecta extract showed the higher radical scavenging activity (67.88%), antioxidant activity by FRAP (1.41 mg Trolox Eq), the highest total phenols content (598.51 mg Galic Acid Eq/g extract), the highest flavonoids content (3.80 mg Quercetin Eq/g extract) and the greatest antiproliferative activity in a dose dependent manner against most Cell line evaluated. A positive correlation was found between the antioxidant activity and the flavonoids content.ConclusionsThis study is the first report on the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of the five species evaluated. The results demostrate that there is a positive correlation between antioxidant activity and the flavonoids content, indicating that these type of polyphenols could be the major contributors to the observed antioxidant activity in the evaluated plant extracts. Of the extracts evaluated, that of Krameria erecta showed the greatest antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, a discovery that makes this species a promising candidate for future research.

Antioxidant Capacity, Radical Scavenging Kinetics and Phenolic Profile of Methanol Extracts of Wild Plants of Southern Sonora, Mexico

“…This result is consistent with an earlier report on Rhizophora mangle from the region of Caimito Beach (Havana, Cuba) [12]. Recently, a DPPH radical scavenging activity in Krameria erecta from north-west Mexico was reported with values of 92.74 % [13]. This result is consistent with the DPPH scavenging values obtained in this work.…”

Proanthocyanidin Characterization, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Three Plants Commonly Used in Traditional Medicine in Costa Rica: Petiveria alliaceae L., Phyllanthus niruri L. and Senna reticulata Willd.

“…However, no cytotoxicity was found in aqueous extracts [27]. Studies on other species of the genus Senna , including a methanolic extract of S. covesii , also reported no activity (IC 50 > 800 µg/mL) on L929 tumor connective tissue cell line, HeLa cervix carcinoma and C3F6 lymphoma [28]. …”

In Vitro Assessment of Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant, and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities of Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) Leaf Extracts

“…Antioxidants play an important role in neutralizing free radical species which are produced as end or by-products of normal biochemical reactions in normal system [6]. High amounts of free radical molecules cause oxidative stress in cells which result in damaging essential macromolecules including DNA, lipids, and proteins.…”

“…High amounts of free radical molecules cause oxidative stress in cells which result in damaging essential macromolecules including DNA, lipids, and proteins. The damage of macromolecules leads to inflammation and many degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's diseases, atherosclerosis, aging, immunosuppression, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, hair loss, membrane lipid peroxidation, and decreased membrane fluidity [3, 6–8]. Reactive oxygen species are also reported as carcinogenic and mutagenic agents [9].…”