Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of the Stems of <em>Guarea guidonia</em> L. Sleumer
Keywords:
Guarea guidonia, hydroalcoholic extracts, physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activityAbstract
Introduction: Guarea guidonia (L.) Sleumer is a timber tree of the Meleaceae family, which is used as an expectorant, in the healing of wounds, in hematurias and hemorrhages. Worldwide there are limited scientific studies related to the plant and little information about its possible antioxidant activity.
Objective: To evaluate the physicochemical parameters and in vitro antioxidant activity of the stems of G. guidonia L. Sleumer.
Methods: The species in a vegetative state was collected in September 2018 in the town of Ceiba del Agua, Artemisa province. To the stem samples used for the study, with previous post-harvest treatment, were measured the quality parameters of the raw drug. An extract was made by the maceration method with 50% hydroalcoholic mixture. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed by thin-layer chromatography and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Finally, the total antioxidant activity of the extracts was measured by the FRAP and DPPH methods.
Results: The pharmacognostic study allowed to establish the main physicochemical parameters of quality of the raw drug, framed within the limits established by the literature. The presence of several phytochemicals was suggested, including phenolic compounds and the flavonoid quercetin. The extract manifested ferro-reducing action in the ferric reduction antioxidant power test with higher values in ascorbic acid equivalents at the lowest concentration tested (100 μM) of the reference substance and anti-radical activity using the technique of sequestering capacity of the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picril hydraphyle (DPPH), at a mean inhibitory concentration (CI50) of 16,62 μg/mL), demonstrating the good antioxidant power.
Conclusions: The results about the quality parameters of the stems of G. guidonia L. Sleumer can be considered as novel and indispensable for the future development of the monograph of the species and provide the first scientific evidence of its antioxidant effect.
