Phenolic composition, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of edible and medicinal plants from the Peruvian Amazon

Among 23 extracts of medicinal and edible plants tested, Mauritia flexuosa L.f., Arecaceae, showed significant antioxidant ability (DPPH and ORAC = 1062.9 and 645.9 ± 51.4 μg TE/mg extract, respectively), while Annona montana Macfad., Annonaceae, demonstrated the most promising anti-proliferative effect (IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29 = 2.7 and 9.0 μg/ml, respectively). However, combinatory antioxidant/anti-proliferative effect was only detected in Oenocarpus bataua Mart., Arecaceae (DPPH = 903.8 and ORAC = 1024 μg TE/mg extract; IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29 at 102.6 and 38.8 μg/ml, respectively) and Inga edulis Mart., Fabaceae (DPPH = 337.0 and ORAC = 795.7 μg TE/mg extract; IC50 for Hep-G2 and HT-29 at 36.3 and 57.9 μg/ml, respectively). Phenolic content was positively correlated with antioxidant potential, however not with anti-proliferative effect. None of these extracts possessed toxicity towards normal foetal lung cells, suggesting their possible use in development of novel plant-based agents with preventive and/or therapeutic action against oxidative stress-related diseases. Keywords: Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic, Phenolic compounds, Plant extract

Screening of medicinal plants traditionally used in Peruvian Amazon for <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant and anticancer potential

<p>Plants mentioned in this study have numerous records in traditional Peruvian medicine being used in treatment of cancer and other diseases likely to be associated with oxidative stress. Amongst the eight plant species tested, only <i>Dysphania ambrosioides</i> exhibited combinatory antioxidant and anti-proliferative effect on a broad spectrum of cancer cells (DPPH and ORAC values = 80.6 and 687.3 μg TE/mg extract, respectively; IC₅₀ against Caco-2, HT-29 and Hep-G2 = 129.2, 69.9 and 130.6, respectively). Alkaloids and phenolic compounds might significantly contribute to anticancer/antioxidant activity of this plant. The results justify the traditional medicinal use of this plant. Our findings further suggest that <i>D. ambrosioides</i> might serve as a prospective material for further development of novel plant-based antioxidant and/or anti-proliferative agents. Detailed analysis of chemical composition together with toxicology assessments and <i>in vivo</i> antioxidant/anti-proliferative activity of this plant should be carried out in order to verify its potential practical use.</p