PSEUDOBOMBAX PARVIFOLIUM (BOMBACACEAE) BARK EXTRACT: CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND PROTECTIVE EFFECT ON OXIDATIVE STRESS, ASSOCIATED WITH CYTOTOXIC, MUTAGENIC AND PRECLINICAL ASPECTS
Embiratanha; Caatinga; Traditional Medicine; Toxicity; Oxidative Stress.
Brazilian plant biodiversity is a rich alternative source of bioactive compounds since plant-derived extracts and/or their secondary metabolites exhibit potential properties to treat several diseases. In this context, Pseudobombax parvifolium (embiratanha), is an endemic species of the Caatinga, often associated with rocky outcrops, with popular use associated with inflammatory events that are highly involved with cellular oxidative stress that’s deserves attention for its widespread use in popular medicine, although its biological properties are still poorly studied. Thereby, this study analyzed the phenolic compounds and total flavonoids and chemically characterize the hydroalcoholic extract of embiratanha bark (EBHE) by LC-MS/MS in addition to in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo mutagenicity, as well as, evaluating acute and subchronic oral toxicity and the antioxidant protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of embiratanha bark (EBHE). No toxic and mutagenic effects were observed by in vitro and in vivo assays after exposure of cell cultures, microorganisms, Drosophila melanogaster and Wistar rats to different extract concentrations. Concerning the antioxidant effect, the extract exhibited a protective effect by decreasing the lipid peroxidation determined by malondialdehyde. No changes were observed for glutathione (GSH) and inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Therefore, the data support the potential of EBHE for therapeutic purposes based on popular knowledge. Notwithstanding, further studies are required to validate its pharmacological application to develop a phytotherapic formulation.