Screening of Bioactivities and Toxicity of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl.
The caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, is one of the most endangered vegetation systems in the planet. To be exploited rationally, its potential needs to be scientifically demonstrated. Among these is the faveleira, used in northeastern Brazil. It stands out for its extraordinary drought resistance and medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic potential of compounds extracted from Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl in preventing disease and its rational use as a herbal therapeutic tool. The methodology began with the collection and herborization of the plant material, to obtain the chemical compounds, preliminary phytochemical analysis, and extraction of the constituents of the active extracts. To determine the biological activities the authors conducted investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, inhibition capacity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, and initial assessment of toxicity of the extracts. The results demonstrated great potential as an antimicrobial agent, an important antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition response with no significant difference compared with the reference drug. The authors expect to develop a new herbal product, resulting in lower production costs and that, consequently, could be commercialized in more accessible form to the population, highlighting the risk reduction of contraindication of this category of medications.
Northeast Biotechnology Network, Graduate Program of Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Paulo Fernando Machado
0000-0002-3402-1235
PF
Paredes
Phytopathology Laboratory, Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical (EMBRAPA), Federal University of Ceará, Campus do Pici, 60455-970 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Fábio Roger
FR
Vasconcelos
Northeast Biotechnology Network, Graduate Program of Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Raquel Teixeira Terceiro
RT
Paim
Degree Course in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Campus Universitário Ministro Petrônio Portella, 64049-550 Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Márcia Maria Mendes
MM
Marques
Northeast Biotechnology Network, Graduate Program of Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Course of Chemistry, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Selene Maia
SM
De Morais
Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Sandra Machado
SM
Lira
Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Isabel Desidério
ID
Braquehais
Course of Chemistry, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Ícaro Gusmão Pinto
ÍG
Vieira
Course of Chemistry, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Francisca Noelia Pereira
FN
Mendes
Northeast Biotechnology Network, Graduate Program of Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Maria Izabel Florindo
MI
Guedes