Almeida 2015 (Conference Paper) Bromeliaceae, Brazil

Chemical and pharmacological properties of Bromeliaceae species from the Caatinga biome

Author(s):—Jackson Almeida in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—The Bromeliaceae family is predominantly Neotropical. The phytochemistry of this family is characterized by the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, diterpenes, cinnamic acid derivatives, lignans, alkaloids,among others. The purpose of this lecture is to present results of research carried out at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco with the species Bromelia laciniosa, Encholirium spectabile and Neoglaziovia variegata, typical species from the Caatinga biome (semi-arid region of Brazil). Bromelia laciniosa is a species which is known in the Northeast region of Brazil as ?macambira? and is used in the alimentation of man and domestic animals, especially in times of drought. The main therapeutic indications are for treating child colic, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, dandruff and hepatitis. The decoction of the roots is also popularly used against hepatitis and intestinal disorders and as a diuretic, while the dried and powdered leaves are used in cooking as a source of protein. A study conducted by our research group showed that the ethanol extract of this species (Bl-EtOH) has antinociceptive activity. The ethanol leaf extract apparently presents no significanttoxicity. A flavonoid was isolated from this species that is derived from quercetin. Encholirium spectabile is locally known as ?macambira-de-flecha? and ?macambira-de-pedra?. The crude ethanol extract (Es-EtOH) of this species has antinociceptive activity, probably of peripheral origin. The mechanism involved is not completely understood but at least in part there is the participation of opioid receptors. Es-EtOH has gastroprotective activity against gastric mucosal damage induced by ethanol, HCl/ethanol, ibuprofen, ischemia and reperfusion, which suggests that the extract may activate cytoprotective mechanisms that increase the release of prostaglandins, increase the concentration of NPSH groups, increase catalase activity and activate the NOS pathway. E. spectabile contain phenolic compounds which can serve as natural sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Dried extracts of E. spectabile present antioxidant and photoprotective activities in vitro. This shows the possibility to use this extract as sunscreen in pharmaceutical preparations. Neoglaziovia variegata is popularly known as ?caroá?. The acute toxicity of crude ethanol extract of N. variegata (Nv-EtOH)was evaluated. The extract can be considered of low toxicity. Nv-EtOH also possesses an antinociceptive effect, which probably is related with a central mechanism. It was demonstrated that the extracts from this plant contain high contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoids which could be responsible for their antibacterial, antioxidant and photoprotective activities. We have established a promising gastroprotective effect of Nv-EtOH and provided evidence for the involvement of NO, PG, mucus, sulfhydryl groups, catalase, and KATP channels, factors that play an important role in gastric cytoprotection. Pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism responsible for these effects.

Keywords:—Bromelia laciniosa; Encholirium spectabile; Neoglaziovia variegata.