Bioactive Bioflavonoids from Platonia insignis (Bacuri) Residues as Added Value Compounds

Platonia insignis fruit, popularly known as bacuri, is traditionally used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study determined the chemical composition and biological activities of the bacuri ’ s shell and seeds extracts, considered residues from its consumption and industrial uses. Four biflavonoids (GB-2a, GB-1a, morelloflavone, and volkensiflavone) were identified in the extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and liquid chromatography-solid phase extraction-nuclear magnetic resonance (LC-SPE-NMR) techniques. Morelloflavone was identified as the main compound in the shell ethyl acetate extract, being responsible for the high in vitro antioxidant (50% effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 8.0-10.5 µg mL − 1 in different protocols), anti-glycant (80%), and moderate inhibition of nitric oxide (1.56 µg mL − 1 for> 90% cell viability) activities. This extract showed promising in vivo anti-inflammatory activity evaluated through the paw edema protocol after its incorporation into a liquid-crystalline drug carrier system, reducing the edema by up to 31%. The results demonstrated the potential of the fruit for the development of drugs of natural origin and corroborated to add economic value to these discarded residues.
Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research