Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds as a novel source of bioactive compounds with promising antimalarial and antischistosomicidal properties

Mariana Araújo Vieira do Carmo, Marina Fidelis, Caroline Andolfato Sanchez, Aline Pereira Castro, Ihosvany Camps, Fábio Antônio Colombo, Marcos José Marques, Takao Myoda, Daniel Granato, Luciana Azevedo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Parasitic diseases have attracted worldwide attention of their consequent impact on mortality and morbidity. Accordingly, several plants have been screened for antiparasitic activity aiming to create new alternatives for treatment. These diseases have been neglected and have not attracted worldwide attention (nowadays), the health concerns are focused in chronic diseases, but it is necessary to focus on parasitic diseases and look for prophylactic alternatives, such as plant extracts. Although camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds are a rich source of antioxidant antimutagenic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive and neuroprotective compounds, nothing is known about their antiparasitic effects. Thus, in the present study we aimed to evaluate five extracts of camu-camu seeds (100% water, 100% ethyl alcohol, 50% water + 50% ethyl alcohol, 25% water + 75% ethyl alcohol, and 75% water + 25% ethyl alcohol) in relation to their in vitro antimalarial, antischistosomicidal, leishmanicidal and anti-hemolytic effects. The extracts exhibited antischistosomicidal (ED50 values from 418.4 to >1000.0 µg/mL) and antimalarial activities (IC50 values from 24.2 to 240.8 µg/mL) for both W2 and 3D7 strains in all intra-erythrocytic stages. Correlation analysis showed that the toxic effects may mainly be attributed to methylvescalagin (r = −0.548 to −0.951, p < 0.05) and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (r = −0.612 to −0.917, p < 0.05) contents. Moreover, the anti-hemolytic effect was associated to methylvescalagin (r = −0.597, p < 0.05). No toxic effects were observed for leishmaniasis and IMR90 normal cells. Herein, methylvescalagin was the bioactive compound of greatest interest once it presented simultaneous relation with antiparasitic and anti-hemolytic activities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number109334
JournalFood Research International
Volume136
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anti-hemolytic activity
  • Antiparasitic
  • Hydroalcoholic extract
  • Methylvescalagin
  • Myrciaria dubia
  • Parasitic diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) seeds as a novel source of bioactive compounds with promising antimalarial and antischistosomicidal properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this