Avaliação protetora da Himatanthus sucuuba [(Spruce ex Müll. Arg. -Woodson (Apocynaceae)] frente à toxicidade induzida por paraquat em Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll. Arg.) Woodson (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal tree from the Amazon, popularly known as sucuuba. Its dehydrated bark is sold at fairs and markets. It is used as an analgesic, antibacterial, ulcer treatment, antifungal, anthelmintic, antidepressant, anticancer and immunoregulator. The research with H. sucuuba aims to analyze the protective action of the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark against the toxicity of paraquat in Drosophila melanogaster, as well as the antioxidant activity and acquire the chemical profile of the extract. In order to study the free radical activities of the extract in vitro, the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method was used, as well as the ABTS (2,20-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazonyl-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging method, and tests were carried out for total phenols and total phenolics, with gallic acid and ascorbic acid as the reference. The phytochemical profile was carried out using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Phytochemical Prospecting. Biological tests were carried out on the animal model Drosophila melanogaster against the toxicity of the pesticide paraquat using the following biomarkers: citrate synthase, acetylcholinesterase, enzymatic lactate, carbonylated protein and an assessment of oxidative stress. The SMMHi extract showed 31.981 ÿg/mL inhibition against the DPPH radical and 49.512 ÿg/mL against the ABTS radical. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was 43.33 mg GAE/g and 44.09 GAE/g. The chemical profile analyzed by thin layer chromatography showed positive results for tannins, terpenes, phenols, phenylpropanoid derivatives and indicated antioxidant activity. SMMHi phytochemical prospecting analyzed by MS showed more intense peaks suggestive of plumericin and 4,5 dicafeoilquinic acid. The biological tests showed significant results in the treatments against aging and oxidative stress. The Himatanthus sucuuba plant