Purification of active compounds from Costus spicatus Swart (COSTACEAE)

• Grant number: 11/20385-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Sérgio Pereira
• Grantee: Jean Nogueira da Silva
• Host Institution: Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Campus Ribeirão Preto. Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project is directed to the phytochemical study of fractions and purified compounds of plant species Costus spicatus Swart to assess the actions of these substances in experimental models of hypertension and diabetes. To elucidate, the study is based on the following parameters: Phytochemical analysis - composition, isolation, purification, and characterization (s) compound (s) active (s) of this species; in vivo tests - blood glucose, scavenger of nitric oxide and hemodynamic measurements. The plant Costus spicatus Swart was selected for this study because its popular employment was already known, and the active ingredients it contains are mainly flavonoids, terpenes, and saponins. The purpose is to detect a potential drug, which has antihypertensive action and/or antidiabetic.(AU)