In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-inflamatory Activty of a Eugenia Umbellflora Phloroglucinol

Abstract

Eugenia umbelliflora is a plant widely used in the Brazilian traditional medicine due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Its fruits are an important natural source of phloroglucinols such as eugenial D. In this study, the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of this compound was investigated, which was isolated from the methanol extract of E. umbelliflora unripe fruits. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ORAC, ABTS and metal chelating activity assays whereas. The anti-inflammatory activity through the nitric oxide inhibitory assay. The results demonstrated a pro-oxidant effect of the eugenial D due to its ability to neutralize ROS species and metal ions as well as significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity (inhibited 58.65% of NOx production at 1 µM). A very low cytotoxicity was also identified (CC50 higher than 348µM), suggesting a selectivity of action.