Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro and In Silico Biological Studies from Ferns of Genus Blechnum (Blechnaceae, Polypodiales)

Abstract

The genus Blechnum represents one of the most ecologically and therapeutically important groups of ferns that grow in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. In this work, the chemical fingerprint of lyophilized extracts of Blechnum chilense, B. hastatum, B. magellanicum and B. penna-marina species, the determination of their antioxidant activity through ORAC, FRAP and DPPH assays and inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BChE), and an in silico analysis of selected majority compounds on cholinesterase enzymes were identified. Nineteen compounds were recorded for B. chilense, nine in B. hastatum, seventeen in B. magellanicum and seventeen in B. penna-marina by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition were variable among species, with best results for B. penna-marina. Molecular docking evidenced low toxicities, significant pharmacokinetic properties, and significant binding affinities of the tested compounds for the AChE and BChE enzymes. These fern species show high diversity of bioactive compounds and represent a promising resource in phytotherapy, especially for their optimal levels of phenolic compounds that support their antioxidant activity.

Evaluation of Biological Potency of two Endemic Species Integrated with in vitro and in silico Approches: LC–MS/MS Analysis of the Plants

“…The presence of different secondary metabolites in plants may be attributed to their protective effects [13,25,26] . A number of studies also divulged the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and enzyme inhibition activities of botanical samples [27–30] . Biologically active metabolites from various plants lead to screening of pharmacological properties of endemic plants.…”

“…[13,25,26] A number of studies also divulged the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and enzyme inhibition activities of botanical samples. [27][28][29][30] Biologically active metabolites from various plants lead to screening of pharmacological properties of endemic plants. In the present work, two endemic plants (P. asiae-minoris and A. bartinense) were evaluated to reveal their phenolic components, antioxidant, inhibitory ability against enzymes and cell lines.…”

Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity and phytoconstituents of lichen extracts with temperate and polar distribution

“…Aromatic derivatives: Peaks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 were identified as hypoxyphenone (C 10 H 9 O 5 ), prephenic acid (C 10 H 9 O 6 ), In recent years, metabolomic studies have intensified in lichenic species of tropical and, especially, temperate distribution and polar territories, strengthening the bank of reported compounds that make up chemotaxonomic variables for the differentiation of species and their complexes (Torres-Benítez et al, 2017). Likewise, the use of robust state-of-the-art techniques such as ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array (UHPLC-DAD) coupled to an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer (ESI-MS-MS) traditionally used in plant extracts has also allowed greater precision in the identification and elucidation of bioactive compounds in lichens (Sepúlveda et al, 2022;Torres-Benítez et al, 2023b). Compounds present in the species O. frigida, P. contortuplicata, and U. antarctica are shared with other Antarctic species such as Lecania brialmontii, Pseudephebe pubescens, Sphaerophorus globosus (Torres-Benítez et al, 2022), Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia chlorophaea (Torres-Benítez et al, 2023a), and Himantormia lugubris (Areche et al, 2022), including carbohydrates, phenolic compounds (such as lecanoric acid, orselinic acid, and orcinol derivatives), and lipids.…”