Argentine species with potential effect on the central nervous system: phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity

MARINA RADEMACHER ; CAROLINA MARCUCCI; VICTORIA SUAREZ; VALENTINA PASTORE; LEONARDO MARTÍN ANCONATANI; RAFAEL ALEJANDRO RICCO; NATALIA COLETTIS; IGNACIO AGUDELO; MARIEL MARDER

Mar del Plata

Congreso; REUNIÓN CONJUNTA SAIC SAB AAFE AACYTAL 2023; 2023

We investigate potential CNS effects of medicinal plants for neurodegenerativediseases (ND) and comorbidities. Our study focusedon infusions and tinctures from native plants with historical medicinaluse. Selected species were Achyrocline satureioides (‘Marcela’,flowering aerial parts), Erythrina crista-galli (‘Ceibo’, leaves, Minthostachysverticillata (‘Peperina’, sterile aerial parts), Heteropterysglabra (‘Tilo del campo’, fruit), Aloysia citriodora (‘Cedrón’, sterileaerial parts), Stigmaphyllon bonariense (‘Papa de río’, secondarystem/fruit). Authenticated samples were dried, grounded and extractsprepared per Argentine Pharmacopeia 7th edition (infusions5% w/v, tinctures 10% w/v). Phytochemical analysis included: Totalphenol content estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu method (infusions:77.07-183.33; tinctures: 97.35-162.23 mg gallic acid eq/g dry extract);flavonoid content by modified Maksimovic technique (infusions:1.92-104.24; tinctures: 6.59-121.53 mg rutin eq/g extract);hydroxycinnamic acids at Absorbance λ = 328 nm in ethanol (infusions:14.59-168.97; tinctures: 17.93-148.74 mg chlorogenic acideq/g extract); presence of condensed tannins assessed using proanthocyanidinmethod. Oxidative stress and CNS iron accumulationare linked to ND. Extracts’ ability to scavenge DPPH radicals (EC50(μg/mL): infusions: 28.1-365.9; tinctures: 27.4-191.7) and ABTS(EC50 (μg/mL): infusions: 11.0-65.5; tinctures: 9.6-38.9) was determined,Trolox as reference (EC50 (μg/mL): DPPH: 16 ± 6, ABTS: 13± 4). Ferrozine method evaluated iron-chelating capacity (EC50 (mg/mL): infusions: 1.59-6.31; tinctures: 2.66-5.56), EDTA as reference(EC50 (mg/mL): 0.0049). TBARS was determined in mouse brainhomogenate (% inhibition of TBARS formation [1 mg/mL]: infusion:80.4-89.0; tincture: 70.8-94.7). These findings guide the selection ofextracts for the development of novel powerful natural therapeuticagents for ND and CNS pathologies.