Syzygium jambos and Solanum guaraniticum Show Similar Antioxidant Properties but Induce Different Enzymatic Activities in the Brain of Rats

Abstract

Syzygium jambos and Solanum guaraniticum are both employed in Brazil as medicinal plants, even though their potential toxicity is not well established and they are frequently misused. The aim of this study was investigate the effect of the aqueous leaf extracts of both plants on δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and the antioxidant action against oxidative damage induced by sodium nitroprusside in rats, using in vitro assays. In addition, the presence of gallic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, as well as rutin, quercetin and kaempferol as bioactive compounds in the extracts was identified by HPLC and their levels quantified. The antioxidant activities of both extracts were assessed by their capabilities to scavenge nitric oxide and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Only Syzygium jambos presented thiol-peroxidase-like activity. Although OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2013, 18 9180 neither extract affected the AChE activity, the aqueous extract of Solanum guaraniticum inhibited brain δ-ALA-D activity, suggesting a possible impairment effect on the central nervous system. Our results showed that both extracts exhibited efficient free radical scavenger activity and are an interesting source of bioactive compounds, justifying their use in folk medicine, although Solanum guaraniticum extract could have neurotoxicity properties and we therefore suggest that its use should be restricted to ensure the health of the population.

Safety assessment and behavioral effects of Solanum guaraniticum leaf extract in rats

“…Recent in vitro studies have demonstrated that Solanum guaraniticum leaf extract displays radical scavenger activity, and protective effects against oxidative injury in cells and tissues (Bonfanti et al, 2013(Bonfanti et al, , 2014Zadra et al, 2012). The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia describes only S. paniculatum L. as the true jurubeba (Corrêa, 1984), yet interchangeable use of these two species by folk medicine is common.…”

“…The heme pathway enzyme deltaaminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D, EC 4.2.1.24) presents high sensitivity to pro-oxidant situations, and to impairment of metabolic processes, thus being used to evaluate toxicity as well (Nogueira et al, 2003;Souza et al, 2009). Previous studies by our group have already demonstrated the inhibitory in vitro effects of S. guaraniticum extract on erythrocyte and brain δ-ALA-D, suggesting possible extract caused hematological and central nervous systems impairments (Bonfanti et al, 2013(Bonfanti et al, , 2014.…”

The Content of Chlorophyll, and Antioxidant Activity of Malabar plum (Syzygium jambos) Leaves at Different Developmental Stages

“…This research was intended to verify the content and antioxidant activity of S. jambos leaves in each developmental stages of leaves. This is to follow up the previous studies about Malabar plum leaves without examining the stages of leaves development (Islam et al, 2012;Bonfanti et al, 2013, andDhanabalan et al, 2014). The findings show that the old leaf stage has the highest content and antioxidant activity (ascorbic acid and phenol) compared to the mature and young leaves stage.…”

“…Syzygium jambos belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is a typical tropical plant which contains many secondary metabolite compounds (Mohanty & Cock, 2010), such as ascorbic acid, phenols, caffeine, kaempferol, gallic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and flavonoids (Bonfanti et al, 2013).…”

“…Several previous kinds of research on Malabar plum by Islam et al (2012), Bonfanti et al (2013), and Dhanabalan et al (2014) were about the content and antioxidant activity of S. jambos leaves, but it was not describing the leaves criteria used. So, it is necessary to study the differences of different development leaves stages on antioxidant content and activity.…”