Chemical and Ecological Aspects of Male and Female Specimens ofCecropiaLoefl. (Urticaceae)

Abstract

Cecropia Loefl. (Urticaceae) species are popularly known in Brazil as embaúbas. This genus consists of dioecious, pioneer and medicinal trees. The leaves and inflorescences of Cecropia are part of the diet of various animals, mainly frugivorous mammals. Little is known about the chemical profile of the reproductive parts of embaúbas, the benefits of their consumption or even how the sex of the specimen influences this profile. Samples of female inflorescences of Cecropia glaziovii Snethl. and C. pachystachya Trécul and male inflorescences of C. glaziovii and C. hololeuca Miq. were collected in Rio de Janeiro city and the phenolic profiles of these samples were investigated by HPLC-DAD. Also their antioxidant potential was evaluated for free radical DPPH scavenging activity by TLC. The chemical profiles of inflorescences showed intersexual differences in terms of phenolic classes. While phenolic acids, like 5-O-caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic acid) and protocatechuic acids are present in all specimens, flavonoids, such as isoorientin and isovitexin, were identified only in male inflorescences. The DPPH scavenging activity of Cecropia crude extracts is related to the presence of caffeoylquinic acid. The consumption of antioxidants contributes to defense against diseases associated with oxidative stress, thus, the Cecropia inflorescences may be beneficial to the animals that consume them.Keywords: Cecropia Loefl.; dioecy; HPLC-DAD; flavonoids; phenolic acids; mammals; diet. ResumoAs espécies de Cecropia Loefl. (Urticaceae) são popularmente conhecidas no Brasil como embaúbas. Este gênero consiste de árvores dioicas, pioneiras e medicinais. Suas folhas e inflorescências fazem parte da dieta de diferentes animais, principalmente de mamíferos frugívoros. Pouco se sabe sobre o perfil químico das partes reprodutivas de embaúbas e os benefícios de seu consumo, nem como o sexo do espécime influencia este perfil. Amostras de inflorescências femininas de Cecropia glaziovii Snethl. e C. pachystachya Trécul, e de inflorescências masculinas de C. glaziovii e C. hololeuca Miq., coletadas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, tiveram seu perfil fenólico investigado por CLAE-DAD e o potencial antioxidante avaliado quanto à atividade sequestradora do radical livre DPPH por meio de CCD. Os perfis químicos das inflorescências apresentaram diferenças intersexuais quanto às classes de substâncias fenólicas. Enquanto os ácidos fenólicos, como o 5-O-cafeoilquínico (ácido clorogênico) e protocatecuico, estão presentes em todos os espécimes, flavonoides, como a isoorientina e a isovitexina, foram identificados apenas nas inflorescências masculinas. A ação sequestrante de radicais DPPH dos extratos de embaúbas está relacionada com a presença do ácido cafeoilquínico. A ingestão de substâncias antioxidantes contribui para a defesa contra doenças associadas ao estresse oxidativo, portanto, o consumo de inflorescências de Cecropia pode ser vantajoso para a saúde dos animais.

The Cytotoxic Effect of Extracts Obtained fromCecropia catharinensisCuatrec (Urticaceae)

“…These species has an important role in natural regeneration process of vegetation in areas that were completely deforested. 3 The scientific interest on Cecropia has emerged from the traditional use of in folk medicine. 4 Within the genus Cecropia, for example the species C. glaziovii, C. Previous studies confirmed the presence of secondary metabolites in genus Cecropia such as benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, flavonoids (kind flavone, flavonol, flavan-3-ol or cathechin and flavolignan) tannins, and triterpenes.…”

“…4 Within the genus Cecropia, for example the species C. glaziovii, C. Previous studies confirmed the presence of secondary metabolites in genus Cecropia such as benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, flavonoids (kind flavone, flavonol, flavan-3-ol or cathechin and flavolignan) tannins, and triterpenes. 3 Considering the main studies about plants belonging to the genus Cecropia they are pointed out as follows.…”