Chemical study of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of Copaifera oblongifolia and antiparasitic assays

• Grant number: 13/06591-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Wilson Roberto Cunha
• Grantee: Gustavo Morette Mazza
• Host Institution: Reitoria. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/13630-7 - Chemical and pharmacological validation of extracts and active compounds of Copaifera species, AP.TEM

Abstract

Copaifera is a genus belonging to the family of the Leguminoseae, covering more than 30 native species in Latin America, distributed between Honduras and southern Brazil. Studies of species of this genus are mostly related to the oil extracted from the trunk of these trees. There are very few studies on the chemical composition and biological activities of extracts from the aerial parts of species of Copaifera. This project aims at preparing the hydroalcoholic crude extract of the leaves of C. oblongifolia. This extract will be evaluated in vitro against the parasites that cause leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and Chagas disease. Subsequently, the extract will be fractionated in order to isolate and identify their chemical constituents. The isolated compounds will also be assessed in antiparasitic tests. (AU)