Chemical assessment and in vitro antioxidant capacity of Ficus carica latex.
Ficus species possess latex-like material within their vasculatures, affording protection and self-healing from physical attacks. In this work, metabolite profiling was performed on Ficus carica latex. Volatiles profile was determined by HS-SPME/GC-IT-MS, with 34 compounds being identified, distributed by distinct chemical classes: 5 aldehydes, 7 alcohols, 1 ketone, 9 monoterpenes, 9 sesquiterpenes and 3 other compounds. Sesquiterpenes constituted the most abundant class in latex (ca. 91% of total identified compounds). Organic acids composition was also characterized, by HPLC-UV, and oxalic, citric, malic, quinic, shikimic and fumaric acids were determined. Malic and shikimic acids were present in higher amounts (ca. 26%, each). The antioxidant potential of this material was checked by distinct in vitro chemical assays. A concentration-dependent activity was noticed against DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity was evaluated, but a weak effect was found.
REQUIMTE/Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto University, R. Anibal Cunha, Porto, Portugal.
Andreia P
AP
Oliveira
Luís R
LR
Silva
Federico
F
Ferreres
Paula
P
Guedes de Pinho
Patrícia
P
Valentão
Branca M
BM
Silva
José A
JA
Pereira
Paula B
PB
Andrade
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry*; D030681:Ficus / Q000737:chemistry*; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*
D000975:Antioxidants; D007840:Latex; D010936:Plant Extracts