Chemodiversity, Bioactivity and Chemosystematics of the Genus Inga (FABACEAE): A Brief Review

Abstract

Abstract:The Inga genus belongs to the Fabaceae family, subfamily Mimosoideae, Ingeae tribe, and comprises about 300 species, whose name derives from the indigenous terminology "Angá" or "inga", which in reality means "seed is involved." This genre has economic potential in reforestation, herbal medicine, energy production and supply. Many species of this genus are used by Amazonian tribes for the treatment of various diseases. The secondary metabolism of this kind attests to the presence of phenolic substances belonging to the class of flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, phenolic acids, terpene substances such as saponins, triterpenes, phytosteroids, nitrogenous as L-tyrosine derivatives, proline and pipecolic acids, which are considered chemical markers of the gender. Pharmacological studies show important biological properties of pharmaceutical and agronomic interest for species of this genus, particularly antioxidant, insecticide, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, allelochemicals, antifungal and antitumor. Therefore, this review paper aims to show the main bioactivities reported for the genus, the chemical diversity of their secondary metabolism and its chemotaxonomic relevance of nitrogenous substances in the genus Inga.Keywords: pipecolic acid, chemodiversity, pharmacological activity, chemotaxonomy. ResumoO gênero Inga pertence à família Fabaceae, subfamília Mimosoideae, tribo Ingeae, e compreende cerca de 300 espécies, cujo nome deriva da terminologia indígena angá ou ingá , que na realidade significa tem semente envolvida . Este gênero apresenta potencial econômico no reflorestamento, fitoterapia, produção de energia e na alimentação. Muitas espécies deste gênero são usadas por tribos da Amazônia para o tratamento de diversas doenças. O metabolismo secundário deste gênero atesta para a presença de substâncias fenólicas pertencentes à classe dos flavonoides, antocianinas, taninos, ácidos fenólicos, substâncias terpênicas como saponinas, triterpenos, fitoesteroides, nitrogenados como derivados de L-tirosina, prolina e ácidos pipecólicos, os quais são considerados marcadores quimiotaxônomicos do gênero. Estudos farmacológicos mostram importantes propriedades biológicas de grande interesse farmacêutico e agronômico para espécies deste gênero, com destaque para sua atividade antioxidante, inseticida, antiparasitária, antimicrobiana, aleloquímica, antifúngica e antitumoral. Portanto, este trabalho de revisão tem como principal objetivo mostrar as principais bioatividades relatadas para as espécies do gênero, a diversidade química do seu metabolismo secundário e a relevância quimiotaxonômica das substâncias nitrogenadas no gênero Inga.Palavras-chave: ácidos pipecólicos, quimiodiversidade, atividade farmacológica, quimiotaxonomia.

Insight into the antioxidant activities of ten Fabaceae plant species that are medicinally used by the Aucan Tribal Peoples from the Republic of Suriname (South America)

“…The relatively high antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents found for the samples of I. stipularis bark, C. guyanensis bark, A. jupunba twigs, and M. urens fruit were partially supported by literature data. I. stipularis leaf and several parts from other Inga species reportedly elicited strong antioxidant activity [43][44][45]. The antioxidant activity of I. stipularis leaf might be associated with its high content of flavonoids including the flavanonol astilbin [46], and that of the other Inga species with the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and phenolic acids in the plants [43][44][45].…”

Preliminary Phytochemical Profile and Bioactivity of Inga jinicuil Schltdl & Cham. ex G. Don

“…For instance, a recent report highlights the antibacterial activity of the organic extracts from the leaves of I. semialata , which had an inhibitory effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Micrococcus luteus , and Klebsiella pneumoniae associated with recurrent infections; the analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of gallic acid, epicatechin, and rutin [ 9 ]. There is also a series of reports aimed at the phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of I. edulis and I. laurina , where antimicrobial and antioxidant activities have been associated mainly with the presence of phenolic compounds [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In the case of I. edulis , the dichloromethane extract from leaves exerts a moderate antibacterial activity (MIC 7.0 mg/mL) against two strains of S. aureus ; whereas for I. laurina , its effect against some strains of aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms has been reported.…”

“…In the case of I. edulis , the dichloromethane extract from leaves exerts a moderate antibacterial activity (MIC 7.0 mg/mL) against two strains of S. aureus ; whereas for I. laurina , its effect against some strains of aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms has been reported. The chemical composition of the active extract was determined by GC-MS, finding terpenoids, fatty acids, and esters [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Despite the extensive use of I. jinicuil in traditional medicine in southeastern Mexico, only the antimicrobial activity of hexanic and chloroform extracts from the seeds has been reported.…”

Active Compounds From Inga edulis Martius Seeds Against Multiple Myeloma

“…6,9,10 In popular medicine, the fruits of Inga sp. are used as an antidiarrheal, 6,11 while the seeds are used to treat cancer. 7,11 Such benefits have been related to the high antioxidant activity due to anthocyanins, flavonoids, 12 phenolic acids, catechin, 11 trypsin inhibitors, 13,14 and saponins.…”