Investigação química e biológica dos extratos e seus produtos obtidos de frutos de Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) Dc

Abstract

Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC., a plant species known as pedra-ume-caá, is attracting interest as an alternative in the fight against type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). Its leaves and fruit are notable for being rich in flavonoids, which have demonstrated hypoglycemic and antiviral activities, contributing to the prevention of DM2. The chemical study of the fruit was carried out using chromatographic and spectrometric methods (NMR, HPLC-ESIqTOF-MS/MS), and the NMR data was analyzed using chemometric tools (PCA and HCA). In addition to the chemical study, the biological activities were analyzed using antiglycation, digestibility and antiviral assays. This research resulted in the identification of the constituents gallic, quinic and ellagic acids, as well as the flavonoids quercetin-3-Oarabinoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside, epigallocatechin-3-Ogallate and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside. These constituents must be associated with the pharmacological properties observed in this plant, as evidenced by the tests carried out. In order to preserve these properties, it was necessary to encapsulate the fruit extract, using an optimized experimental design, type 23 , with the independent variables: drying method (Fluidized Bed/Spray Dryer) and two adjuvants [Colloidal Silicon Dioxide - DSC (presence/absence); Microcrystalline Cellulose - CMC (presence/absence)]. The extracts and encapsulated products were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The responses of the anti-glycation tests of the extracts and products, after the digestibility test, show that the adjuvants preserved the inhibitory capacity for the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In addition, through the cell viability test, the products showed low cytotoxicity. In the antiviral test, the products showed significant capacity to inhibit the replication of the Zika (88.4%) and Chikungunya (52%) viruses. In order to advance research, it is essential to investigate new chemical constituents present in the dried extracts of the fruit of E. punicifolia and its products, with a view to expanding knowledge about their pharmacological potential.