The objective of the current study was to determine the phenolic composition and carotenoid contents of leaves, bark, and fruits of Malpighia umbellata, assess the changes in the phenolic composition and contents of carotenoids and vitamin C of its fruits in different stages of maturity, and evaluate the antioxidant properties of its leaves, bark, and fruits. Leaves accumulated the highest levels of flavonoids (10.55 mg/g dry extract), tannins (21.16 mg/g dry extract), and carotenoids (424 63 µg/g dry tissue); whereas, the highest level of total phenolics was found in bark (47.12 mg/g dry extract). The vitamin C content decreased with the maturity of fruits. Twenty-two phenolics were characterized by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Apigenin-7-O-glycosides, phenolic acids, and flavonols were predominant in leaves, bark, and fruits, respectively. Important chemical variations were found during fruit ripening. The 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH •) scavenging activity and 2,2ʹ-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) inhibition assays revealed important antioxidant properties for this acerola. Caracterización fitoquímica y propiedades antioxidantes de la acerola silvestre Malpighia umbellata Rose RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la composición fenólica y contenidos de carotenoides de las hojas, corteza, y frutos de Malpighia umbellata; los cambios en la composición fenólica y contenidos de carotenoides y vitamina C de sus frutos durante la maduración; y las propiedades antioxidantes de sus hojas, corteza, y frutos. Las hojas acumularon los niveles más altos de flavonoides, taninos (10.55 y 21.16 mg/g extracto seco, respectivamente), y carotenoides (424 63 µg/g tejido seco); el nivel más alto de fenoles totales se encontró en corteza (47.12 mg/g extracto seco). El contenido de vitamina C disminuyó con la madurez de los frutos. Veintidós compuestos fenólicos se caracterizaron por HPLC-DAD. Apigenina-3-O-glicósidos fueron predominantes en hojas, ácidos fenólicos en corteza, y flavonoles en frutos. Se encontraron importantes variaciones químicas durante la madurez de los frutos. Los ensayos de 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracilo (DPPH) y 2,2ʹ-azino-bis-(3-etilbenzotiazolin-6-ácido sulfónico) (ABTS) revelaron importantes propiedades antioxidantes para esta acerola.

Purpose: To evaluate the inhibitory activity of 10 wild Verbenaceae species from Mexico against αglucosidase and α-amylase. Methods: Ethanol leaf extracts of 10 Verbenaceae species from Mexico were prepared. The inhibitory activity of the extracts against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was evaluated using enzymatic protocols. At least four serial diluted concentrations of each extract was used to calculate the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Results: The 10 evaluated Verbenaceae species showed high α-glucosidase inhibition activity, but a low inhibitory effect on α-amylase. Aloysia gratissima (IC50 = 0.122 mg/mL), Verbena carolina (IC50 = 0.112 mg/mL), Bouchea prismatica (IC50 = 0.122 mg/mL), Verbena menthiflora (IC50 = 0.071mg/mL) and Priva mexicana (IC50 = 0.032 mg/mL) exhibited the strongest inhibitory activities against αglucosidase. Conclusion: All the Verbenaceae species studied possess α-glucosidase inhibitory effect, with P. mexicana being the one with the strongest activity. These findings demonstrate the highs potential of these species as a source of natural antihyperglycemic agents for type 2 diabetes therapy.