title: Ellagic acid and derivatives from Cochlospermum angolensis Welw. Extracts: HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n) profiling, quantification and in vitro anti-depressant, anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant activities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cochlospermum angolensis Welw. bark is a medicinal plant consumed for the treatment of hepatic diseases and for the prophylaxis of malaria. Nevertheless, there are few studies concerning its chemical composition and biological potential.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Since phenolic compounds are described as powerful anti-oxidants and neuroprotective agents, the purpose of this study was to characterise the phenolic profile of this species and to extend the knowledge on its medicinal properties, namely its potential against oxidative stress, Alzheimer's disease and depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The phenolic composition of aqueous and hydromethanolic extracts was characterised by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n) . Anti-radical potential was tested against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl, superoxide anion and nitric oxide radicals, and neuroprotective effect was assessed against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase A.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight compounds were characterised for the first time. Hydromethanolic extract was richer in methyl ellagic acid and its derivatives, while aqueous extract had higher amounts of ellagic acid and its derivatives. Methyl ellagic acid pentoside isomer and ellagic acid were the major compounds in the two extracts, respectively. Both extracts and ellagic acid revealed radical scavenging capacity stronger than that of ascorbic acid, but a weak effect on cholinesterases was observed. Their anti-depressant activity was also very strong.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results provided evidence of the value of C. angolensis as a source of health-promoting anti-oxidants and anti-depressant compounds, with potential to be used as a raw product for food and pharmaceutical industries.
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS (CSIC), Campus University Espinardo, P.O. Box 164, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferreres
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil-Izquierdo
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentão
authors.forename: Paula B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D031212:Bixaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013481:Superoxides; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
keywords: Cochlospermum angolensis welw; HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn; anti-depressant activity; anti-radical activity; ellagic acid derivatives