Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Characterization of Leaves and Bark of Mimusops coriacea (A.DC) Miq from Ecuador

Abstract

understanding of the therapeutic virtues of this natural product. 5 Mimusops coriacea (A.DC) Miq (Sapotaceae) is one of the many species distributed in Ecuador, of restricted abundance in the coastal regions and in the Amazon, in areas with well-drained soils and rainy weather. It has been widely cultivated in the tropics for centuries, native only to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. 6 Traditionally, the species is used as a tonic, febrifuge, in the treatment of inflammation of the urethra, 7 cystitis, diarrhea and dysentery. 8 Particularly in Ecuador, it is used as an analgesic and antiinflammatory. 9 This has motivated the study of leaves and bark of the species, for which there are no reports that support its bioactive potential that could justify its use in traditional Ecuadorian medicine. The objective of this work is to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and bark of M. coriacea. Materials and Methods Plant material The species were collected in May 2019 at the "Botanical Garden," a protected natural vegetative area located in the North zone of "Las Orquídeas" area, next to the Francisco de Orellana Avenue, in the hills of "Cerro Colorado" of Guayaquil city, Guayas province, Ecuador (coordinates 02°12′13.6800″S 079°53′50.6400″W). The area is located in an altitudinal belt between 50 and 200 m. a. s. l. in a tropical dry forest climate, with alluvial and sedimentary soils, cumulative rainfall of 1,150 mm/year, with monthly average temperatures of 31.