Chemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts from the pericarp of Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. Ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae)

Abstract

Tecoma stans (L.), popularly known as ipê-mirim, is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes and digestive problems. The components of the hexane (HE) and methanol (ME) extracts obtained from the pericarp of T. stans were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in their methyl ester forms (FAME). The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts, fatty acids, and methyl esters were evaluated. Methyl linolenate, methyl linoleate, and methyl palmitate were the major compounds in the HE, while methyl hexacosanoate was the main component in the ME. The samples exhibited significant antioxidant potential by DPPH assay. In the Artemia salina larvae bioassay, FAME (HE) and FAME (ME) were considered toxic. This study showed, for the first time to our knowledge, the chemical composition of the hexane and methanol extracts from T. stans pericarp, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the extracts, fatty acids, and methyl esters.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Tecoma
• brine shrimp
• DPPH

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful CNPq, CAPES, FAPEMIG, and UFSJ for the financial support. ‘This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001’.

Disclosure statement

The authors do not have any conflicts of interest.