Extracts from the Leaf of Couroupita guianensis (Aubl.): Phytochemical, Toxicological Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities against Oral Microorganisms

Abstract

The study of phytotherapy in dentistry holds great relevance because of the scarcity of research conducted on the treatment of oral pathologies, specifically, caries and periodontal disease. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the chemical composition of extracts from Couroupita guianensis Aubl. leaves, evaluate their toxicity, and assess their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans. Three extracts were prepared using assisted ultrasound and the Soxhlet apparatus, namely, Crude Ultrasound Extract (CUE), Crude Soxhlet Extract (CSE), and the Ethanol Soxhlet Extract (ESE). Flavonoids, tannins, and saponins were detected in the chemical analysis, while LC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of caffeic acid, sinapic acid, rutin, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and apigenin in all extracts. GC-MS analysis identified stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in the CUE and CSE. The ESE showed higher antioxidant activity (2.98 ± 0.96 and 4.93 ± 0.90) determined by the DPPH• and ABTS•+ methods, respectively. In the toxicity evaluation, the CUE at 50 μg/mL and the ESE at 50 μg/mL stimulated the growth of Allium cepa roots, while all extracts inhibited root growth at 750 μg/mL. None of the extracts exhibited toxicity against Artemia salina. Antibacterial activity was observed in all extracts, particularly against the microorganisms S. aureus and S. mutans. However, no antifungal activity against C. albicans was detected. These results suggest that extracts of C. guianensis have therapeutic potential for controlling microorganisms in the oral microbiota.

Phytochemical analysis, toxicity and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaves of Dipteryx alata Vogel

“…The flow and injection volume were, respectively, 1 mL/min and 10 μL in each analysis. All chromatographic analysis took place at a temperature of 25 °C second methodology developed by by Cardoso et al (2022) and described by Augusco et al (2023). Eluent A was composed of a binary mobile phase of water with acetic acid (6%) and 2 mM sodium acetate, and eluent B, composed of acetonitrile.…”

“…Phytosterols provide immunological protection and cholesterol level control, as well as cytotoxicity on tumor cells is associated with the presence of saponins. In the SCE and SEE extracts, both obtained by extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus, the presence of alkaloids was detected, metabolites with recognized anesthetic and anti-inflammatory action, which helps to prevent bacterial biofilm (Augusco et al, 2023).…”

“…The presence of the flavonoids quercetin, luteolin, kampferol and rutin confer antithrombotic, vasodilatory, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, antibacterial and vasoprotective properties (Chen et al, 2004;Augusco et al, 2023) No studies were found on the chemical characterization of D. Alata leaves. However, according to Nguyen et al (2021), in a study involving mice, flavonoids were found to damage the cell membrane of C. albicans strains resistant to traditional drug therapy, exhibiting antifungal activity against the tested strains.…”

Quercetin in the Prevention of Induced Periodontal Disease in Animal Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The flavonoid quercetin has been part of the human diet for centuries [ 6 ]. It is found in various fruits (e.g., apples, cranberries, and grapes) and vegetables (e.g., onion, capers, and traditional herbs) [ 7 , 8 ]. Quercetin acts as a senolytic agent resulting in the activation of mechanisms that eliminate the accumulation of senescent cells, and activates cell apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway that includes the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 by the release of cytochrome C [ 9 , 10 ].…”