Polyphenols, Antioxidants, and Wound Healing of Lecythis pisonis Seed Coats

Abstract

To better use the Lecythis pisonis Cambess. biomass, this study investigates whether Sapucaia seed coats present wound-healing properties. We analyzed the antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound healing-promoting potentials, plus cytotoxicity and stimulation of VEGF-A. The chemical composition was analyzed by positive ion-mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI(+)FT-ICR MS). A total of 19 compounds were identified, such as proanthocyanidin A1, procyanidin A1, B2, C1, epigallocatechin, kaempferol (p-coumaroyl) glycoside, and kaempferol (p-coumaroyl) glycoside. Potent antioxidant strength/index was verified for DPPH (IC50 0.99 µg/mL) and FRAP (IC50 1.09 µg/mL). The extract did not present cytotoxicity and promoted significant cell migration and/or proliferation of fibroblasts (p<0.05). VEGF-A was stimulated dose-dependently, 6 µg/mL (167.13±8.30 pg/mL), 12.5 µg/mL (210.3±14.2 pg/mL) and 25 µg/mL (411.6±29.4 pg/mL), PDGF (0.002 µg/mL) stimulated 215.98 pg/mL. Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to the extract, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 31.25 µg/mL. The identified compounds benefit the antioxidant activity, promoting hemostasis for the wound healing process, indicating that this extract has the potential for use in dermatological cosmetics. Keywords: Lecythis pisonis Cambess., Lecythidaceae, chemical analysis, wound healing. Abbreviations: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical), ESI(+)FT-ICR MS (Positive-ion mode electrospray ionization with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), GAE (Gallic acid equivalent), MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor).

Amazonian useful plants described in the book “Le Pays des Amazones” (1885) of the Brazilian propagandist Baron de Santa-Anna Nery: a historical and ethnobotanical perspective

“…Mez (= Mespilodaphne sassafras Meisn.) canela-sassafrás, sassafrás essence 105, 108 Root Native c Aromatic root used in therapy (undefined) and essences Antifungal [ 90 ]; anticoagulant [ 91 ] Lecythidaceae Lecythis ollaria L. sapucaia, camari-macaco 85,103 Almonds Exotic Food and medicinal (undefined) Wound healing [ 92 ]; Selenium poisoning (e.g., alopecia) [ 93 , 94 ] Loganiaceae Spigelia anthelmia L. not mentioned 104 Not mentioned Native Poisonous when fresh and vermifuge when dry Anthelmintic † [ 95 , 96 ]; cardiac contraction [ 97 , 98 ]; neuromuscular blockade [ 99 ] Malvaceae Theobroma cacao L. cacaueiro 103 Cacao butter Native Medicinal (undefined) Antioxidant [ 100 , 101 ]; anti-inflammatory [ 102 ]; neuroprotective [ 103 ]; cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective combined with doxorubicin [ 104 ]; antialopecia [ 105 ] Meliaceae Carapa procera DC. (= Carapa guyanensis Oliv.)…”

“…Mez. [ 90 , 91 ]; wound healing activity and Selenium poisoning potential of Lecythis ollaria [ 92 – 94 ]; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antialopecia activities, and neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potential of Theobroma cacao [ 100 – 105 ]; gastroprotective, antimicrobial, wound healing, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Virola bicuhyba (Schott) Warb. [ 117 – 120 ]; antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-glycant, antithrombotic, anticonvulsant and trypanocidal activities of Genipa americana [ 135 – 140 ]; anti-wrinkling and anti-melanogenic of Pradosia lactescens [ 148 ]; and nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antihyperalgesia and antiasthmatic activities of Zingiber officinale [ 158 – 162 ].…”