Propagation of adventitious roots of Uncaria tomentosa producers of quinic acid derivatives

• Grant number: 23/05241-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Adriana Aparecida Lopes
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Radavelli Santos
• Host Institution: Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Campus Ribeirão Preto. Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) DC., or "cat's claw", is a plant native to the Amazon region, and a widely used herbal medicine in Brazil and Europe. The species produces important bioactive compounds and has attracted attention due to the therapeutic properties of its extracts, such as: anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. Until recently, it was a priority for herbal preparations from cat's claw included oxindole alkaloids. However, another class of compounds, quinic acid derivatives (CAEs) have been identified as the biologically active constituents of cat's claw aqueous extracts, and which are responsible for the immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. Recent results have shown that adventitious roots of U. tomentosa are producing chlorogenic acid and 4,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid. This research project aims to investigate, in adventitious roots of U. tomentosa, the peak production of 4,5-Di-O-caffeoylquinic acid by quantification using HPLC-UV and to develop a protocol for the isolation of 4,5-Di acid -O-caffeoylquinic.