Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of the Aqueous Extract from the Stem Bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens

Abstract

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) is a tree species native to the Brazilian Cerrado commonly known as barbatimão. In traditional medicine, decoctions or infusions of the stem bark of this plant are used in the treatment of several diseases. The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of Stryphnodendron adstringens aqueous extracts (SAAE) prepared from the stem bark to assess their antioxidant activity and anticancer effects as well as characterize cell death mechanisms against murine B16F10Nex-2 melanoma cells. From the SAAE, gallic acid, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidins mainly composed of prodelphinidin units and the isomeric chromones C-hexosyl- and O-pentosyl-5,7-dihydroxychromone were identified. The SAAE showed antioxidant activity through direct free-radical scavenging as well as through oxidative hemolysis and lipid peroxidation inhibition in human erythrocytes. Furthermore, SAAE promoted apoptosis-induced cell death in melanoma cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, inducing mitochondrial membrane potential dysfunction and activating caspase-3. Together, these data show the antioxidant and anticancer effects of Stryphnodendron adstringens. These results open new perspectives for studies against other tumor cell lines and in vivo models as well as for the identification and isolation of the chemical constituents responsible for these effects.

Anticancer Activity of Novel Plant Extracts and Compounds from Adenosma bracteosum (Bonati) in Human Lung and Liver Cancer Cells

“…The interactions may result from new anticancer molecules in which antioxidants can also be enhanced to eliminate cancer cells through the apoptosis pathway, where antioxidants from medicinal plants have shown a great cytotoxic potential [ 70 , 71 ]. This has been demonstrated through caspase-independent cell death from H. speciosa [ 72 ] and J. Decurrens [ 73 ], whereas others such as C. adamantium [ 74 ], S. velutina [ 72 ], and S. Adstringens [ 75 ] destroyed malignant haematologic cells or melanoma cells through apoptosis. The search for new antioxidants containing toxicity profile is desirable, and the A. bracteosum (Bonati) demonstrated here may represent interesting targets for this purpose.…”

Trends in the scientific literature on Stryphnodendron adstringens (Leguminosae): an important Brazilian medicinal tree

“…Several scientific studies were conducted to test the therapeutic value of the species, which justifies the main clusters of keywords found in this study. These studies have shown that the extract from the stem bark of barbatimão has several medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory (, Lima et al, 1998, Henriques et al, 2016, antioxidant ( Souza et al, 2007, Baldivia et al, 2018, Sabino et al, 2018, antimicrobial (Holetz et al, 2005, Ishida et al, 2006, Santos et al, 2009, Trolezi et al, 2017 and gastric antiulcerogenic (Audi et al, 1999, Martins et al, 2002. Besides, the pharmacological activity of the species, proven by the commercialization of the Fitoscar® ointment (Aspen Farmacêutica), also stands out.…”

Medicinal plants of the brazilian cerrado: knowing to preserve

“…Administration of this plant has also shown apoptosis-induced antitumoral activity in lymphomas and melanomas. (BALDÍVIA; LEITE; CASTRO, 2018;CARVALHO et al, 2019). However, we have not found published data to justify its use for cold and flu, cited in the interview.…”