Toxic or medicinal? New approach to the pharmacological and toxicological properties of Echinodorus macrophyllus leaves

Abstract

Echinodorus macrophyllus contains some phytochemicals that can induce toxicity but are also promising as ingredients in products to promote and maintain health, improve the immune system, and prevent diseases. In this study, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of this species were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, investigated in vitro regarding their modulating action on snake venom enzymes, and evaluated in digestive enzyme inhibition assays. The extracts inhibited the phospholipase activity induced by Bothrops jararacussu and B. moojeni venoms. The hemolytic activity induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus venom was potentiated by 30-73% by the ethanolic extract at the ratios analyzed. The thrombolytic activity induced by B. moojeni venom was inhibited by 51% and 34% by the aqueous and ethanolic extracts at a ratio of 1:5 (w:w), respectively. The clotting time induced by B. moojeni and Lachesis muta muta venoms was prolonged after incubation with either extract. The extracts also exerted antigenotoxic action on DNA fragmentation induced by L. muta muta venom. Both extracts lowered the enzymatic activity of α-glucosidases, and the ethanolic extract inhibited α-amylases. The inhibition of digestive enzymes suggests the extracts could decrease calorie availability from carbohydrate intake. Results confirm the potential therapeutic use of E. macrophyllus in the prevention and treatment of hemostatic changes, since the proteins of venoms inhibited by it exhibit high homology with human proteins involved in various pathophysiological processes, such as inflammatory responses and blood coagulation.