Effect of the seasonality in the chemical profile and in the antioxidant activity of Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) and modulatory action of this plant on the neutrophils oxidative metabolism

Author(s)

Andréa Silva Garcia de Figueiredo

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2010-05-14

Examining board members

Yara Maria Lucisano Valim; Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal

• Advisor: Yara Maria Lucisano Valim

Abstract

Neutrophils or polymorphonuclear (PMN) are phagocytic cells with potent bactericidal and fungicidal functions. The destruction of invading microorganisms is made by the release of toxic substances contained within their granules and by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during the oxidative metabolism of these cells. Despite the benefits of antimicrobial activity, in situations of intense cellular activation, large production and release of toxic compounds may cause deleterious effects on host tissue, as it seems to occur in immune complex diseases. The great potential of the antioxidants for the treatment and prevention of these diseases has led to the search of new compounds that act in the inflammatory process where are involved the activated neutrophils. Within this context, natural products are highlighted, mainly plants, among which is the Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), the main botanical source of green propolis, which has several activities already known. However, secondary metabolites of plants can be modified according to seasonal factors, what can difficult the studies and alter the biological activity results. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of seasonality in the chemical profile of B. dracunculifolia and in the activity of this plant on the oxidative metabolism of PMNs. For this, crude ethanolic extracts of B. dracunculifolia leaves (CEEBd), harvested monthly for 14 months were analyzed in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CLlum and CLluc, respectively) produced by stimulated PMNs. In addiction, to understand the possible mechanisms of action responsible for antioxidant effect, the most active sample in the CL test was evaluated for the following proprieties: cytotoxic, scavenger of free radicals (DPPH) and action on the NADPH oxidase activity. The results showed that all CEEBd inhibited both CLlum and CLluc in a concentration-dependent manner and that in both trials it was found variation in the biological effect over the study period, indicating that the seasonality played an important role on the intensity of the antioxidant activity of the extracts. The HPLC assay allowed the analysis of the following compounds: caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, aromadendrin-4\'-methyl ether, isosakuranetin and artepillin C, and showed that although there was no evident variation in qualitative profile, it was observed large quantitative differences. The analysis of the sample of greatest antioxidant activity (May/07) revealed that it was harvested during a period of low rainfall, mild temperatures and had lower concentrations of most compounds studied, indicating that these compounds were not the most responsible for the biological activity of the sample and that some of these substances may have acted as pro-oxidants molecules. Furthermore, it was found that this sample works in a non-toxic manner on cells, by capturing some of the ROS generated in the reaction medium and by partial inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/06120-7 - Effect of the seasonality in the chemical profile and in the antioxidant activity of Baccharis dracunculifolia and study of modulatory action of this plant on the neutrophils effectors functions
• Grantee: Andréa Silva Garcia de Figueiredo Rinhel
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master