Leaves of Eugenia brasiliensis Used as a Folk Medicine Contain Cyclooxygenase Enzyme and Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitory Compounds

Abstract

Tea prepared from leaves of Eugenia brasiliensis has been used as a folk medicine in Brazil to alleviate inflammation and pain. In this study, tea and methanolic extract inhibited cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and-2) enzymes and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Therefore, bioassay-guided purification of methanolic extract was carried out and afforded a new lignan (aR,8S,8'R-7,8,7',8'-tetrahydro-8,8'-dimethyl-3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4'-dihydroxy-dibenzocyclooctadiene) and three known C-methylated flavonoids (stropopinin; demethoxymatteucinol; myrigalone G). All isolates at 37.5 µg/mL inhibited COX enzymes, similar to aspirin and ibuprofen used as controls at 108 and 12 µg/mL, respectively. Most of the isolates also showed strong LPO inhibition at 5µg/mL.

Myrtaceae leaves grown in Agroforestry: a sustainable alternative to producing natural antioxidants extracts

“…Among these phytochemicals, PC stand out for acting as hydrogen donors and chelate metal ions, which gives them the ability to inhibit oxidative processes. The literature reported the antimicrobial activity of the uvaia leaves [4], the anti-inflammatory activity of the grumixama leaves [5], and the inhibition of diabetes enzymes from feijoa leaves [6]. Thus, using these leaves as a sustainable and low-cost source for obtaining high-value-added plant extracts may be an alternative to meet the growing demand of consumers seeking sustainable pharmaceutical and food products with natural actives.…”