Evaluation of cytoprotective effects of compounds isolated from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. against induced cytotoxicity by exposure to methylmercury and lead

Abstract

Copaifera langsdorffii L. is one of the most known medicinal species in Brazil. Its leaves are rich in phenolic compounds with potential biological activities as an antioxidant and chelating agent. This paper reports the isolation of four compounds from the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of C. langsdorffii and the investigation of their possible cytoprotective effects against heavy metal poisoning. Quercitrin (1), afzelin (2), 3,5-di-O-(3-O-methyl galloyl) quinic acid (3) and 4,5-di-O-(3-O-methyl galloyl) quinic acid (4), were associated with toxic doses of methylmercury and lead and evaluated by Alamar blue cell viability assays in HepG2 and PC12. The compounds displayed significant cytoprotective effect for the HepG2 cell line against both metals. Compounds 1-4 did not protect PC12 cells against methylmercury induced-cytotoxicity, but at lower concentrations, they protected against lead induced-cytotoxicity. The evaluated compounds showed a promising cytoprotection effect against exposure to heavy metals and should be further investigated as protective agents.

Brazilian Copaifera Species: Antifungal Activity against Clinically Relevant Candida Species, Cellular Target, and In Vivo Toxicity

“…Similarly, treatment with C. paupera (B) provided survival percentages higher than 75% ( Figure 3 ). Previously, we had reported the absence of genotoxic effects on the micronucleus frequencies of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cell cultures and even a cytoprotective effect of Copaifera spp leaf extracts, which we associated with the large number of phenolic compounds in the extracts [ 5 , 46 ]. All these data indicated the efficacy and safe use of Copaifera leaf extracts against C. glabrata infection.…”

Phytochemicals with Added Value from Morella and Myrica Species

“…Antiviral Activity [37] Neuraminidase inhibition: IC 50 = 311.76 µM (Oseltamivir acid IC 50 = 280 µM). Myeloperoxidase inhibition [38] IC 50 = 2.0 ± 0.2 µM Prevention of metal toxicity effects [39] Almost 100% HepG2 cell line viability when treated with 1 µM + 15 µM MeHg (50% viability when only treated with 15 µM MeHg). Almost 100% HepG2 cell line viability when treated with 1 µM + 40 µM Pb(NO 3 ) 2 (50% viability when only treated with 40 µM Pb(NO 3 ) 2 ).…”

“…Mercury and lead are considered as threats to human organisms, due to their low elimination rate and high accumulation, which have nefarious effects in several physiological functions, especially of liver and nervous system [67,68]. A study carried out by Aldana et al [39] demonstrated the capacity of quercitrin (9) as cytoprotective agent for the HepG2 cell line against both metals. However, on PC12 cells, quercitrin was only able to protect against the effects of lead [39].…”

“…A study carried out by Aldana et al [39] demonstrated the capacity of quercitrin (9) as cytoprotective agent for the HepG2 cell line against both metals. However, on PC12 cells, quercitrin was only able to protect against the effects of lead [39]. Further investigations are necessary to explain the cytoprotective mechanism of the compound.…”

“…roots [19] Methanol extract of Morella adenophora (Hance) J. Herb. roots [19] Gallocatechin-(4-α-8)gallocatechin-(4-α-8)gallocatechin (38) Aerial parts of Myrica gale L. [80] Myricananin B (39) Ethanol 80% extracts of Morella nana (A. Chev.)…”