title: Anti-inflammatory activity of copao (Eulychnia acida Phil., Cactaceae) fruits.
abstract: Copao (Eulychnia acida Phil., Cactaceae) is an endemic species occurring in northern Chile. The edible fruits of this plant are valued for its acidic and refreshing taste. Phenolic-enriched extracts from copao fruit pulp and epicarp, collected in the Elqui and Limari river valleys, were assessed by its in vitro ability to inhibit the pro-inflammatory enzymes lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2). At 100 μg/mL, pulp extracts showed better effect towards LOX than epicarp extract, while COX-2 inhibition was observed for both epicarp and pulp samples. In general, the extracts were inactive towards COX-1. A positive correlation was observed between the anti-inflammatory activity and the main phenolic compounds found in this fruit. Copao fruits from the Limari valley, a main place of collection and commercialization, showed major activity, adding evidence on the possible health-beneficial effects of this native Chilean fruit.
authors: Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Universidad de Talca, Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Casilla 747, Talca, Chile.
authors: Felipe
authors: F
authors: Jiménez-Aspee
authors: Maria Rosa
authors: MR
authors: Alberto
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Quispe
authors: Maria del Pilar Caramantin
authors: Mdel P
authors: Soriano
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Theoduloz
authors: Iris Catiana
authors: IC
authors: Zampini
authors: Maria Ines
authors: MI
authors: Isla
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Schmeda-Hirschmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D029421:Cactaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002677:Chile; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008084:Lipoxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D008084:Lipoxygenase; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human