Chemical profile and antioxidant activity in Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae)

Abstract

This work aimed to carry out phytochemical prospecting and evaluate the antioxidant potential of Diplopterys pubipetala, a species of Malpighiaceae family that has not yet been studied.In qualitative analyses of hydroethanolic extracts of leaves and stems were detected the presence of flavonoids, alkaloidsand terpenes. The histochemical evaluation evidenced a greater distribution of these compounds in the tissues of leaf when compared with those of stem. The analysis by mass spectrometry allowed the identification of prenylated xanthones and glycoside flavonoids that have not yet been reported in the literature. The antioxidant activity of the stem extract was considered moderate (IAA = 0.79), but the leaves presented a strong antioxidant activity (IAA = 1.6). In this work we present information about the phytochemicals of D. pubipetala, showing that the species is promising in obtaining compounds with medicinal potential mainly antioxidant potential.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Flavonoids
• histochemical
• mass spectrometry
• phytochemical
• xanthones

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest were reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful for the financial and technological support from FAPESP (Process 2013/11100-6), FAPEMIG, CNPq and CAPES, for grants and financing.