Vasodilator activity of extracts of field Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K: Schum and A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt et Smith cultured in vitro

Nowadays, the high blood pressure is one of the main causes of death and cardiovascular diseases. Vasodilator drugs are frequently used to treat arterial hypertension. Experiments were undertaken to determine whether hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from leaves of field-grown Alpinia purpurata and A. zerumbet cultured in vitro under different plant growth regulators induce a vasodilator effect on Wistar rat mesenteric vascular bed pre-contracted with norepinephrine. Plant extracts were able to induce a long-lasting endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Efficiency on activity of A. purpurata reached 87% at concentration of 60 μg. The extract of A. zerumbet maintained in medium containing IAA, induced the relaxation (17.4%) at 90 μg, as compared to the control (MS0) that showed a better vasodilator effect (60%). These results are in agreement with the quantification of phenolic compounds in the extracts, which were 50% lower for those plants cultured in IAA. A. purpurata was assayed for the first time in relation to its vasodilator activity. This paper showed a strong probability of correlation between the pharmacological activities of A. purpurata with their content in phenolic compounds.Atualmente, a hipertensão arterial é uma das maiores causas de morte e de doenças cardiovasculares. Os vasodilatadores são freqüentemente utilizados no tratamento da hipertensão. Extratos hidroalcoólicos de Alpinia purpurata de campo e de A. zerumbet cultivada in vitro sob diferentes reguladores de crescimento vegetal foram ensaiados no leito mesentérico de ratos Wistar. Os extratos de A. purpurata e A. zerumbet produziram efeito vasodilatador com padrão de resposta dose-dependente de duração prolongada. Extratos da espécie A. purpurata tiveram efeito vasodilatador de 87% na dose de 60 μg. O extrato obtido de folhas de A. zerumbet oriundas das culturas mantidas em meio contendo AIA (ácido indol acético) inibiu o relaxamento (17,4%) na dose de 90 μg em relação ao controle (MS0), com o qual foi verificado melhor efeito vasodilatador (60%). Estes resultados estão de acordo com a concentração de fenóis totais que foi 50% menor para os extratos de plantas cultivadas in vitro em AIA. A espécie A. purpurata foi pela primeira vez ensaiada quanto à atividade vasodilatadora. Os resultados obtidos indicaram a presença de substâncias fenólicas provavelmente correlacionadas à ação terapêutica de A. purpurata

Hypotensive effect and endothelium-dependent vascular action of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way

Detection of flavonoids in Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum. leaves using high-performance liquid chromatography Detecção de flavonóides em folhas de Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum. por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência

The species Alpinia purpurata is scarcely cited as to ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry. This study aimed to analyze bioactive compounds through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Hydroalcoholic crude extract was obtained from A. purpurata dried leaves. Folin-Ciocalteau method was used to quantify total phenols, using gallic acid as standard. The obtained result was 15.6 mg GAE g-1. The crude extract was partitioned with the solvents ethyl acetate and butanol, followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and HPLC. The flavonoids kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide and rutin were detected at a higher concentration in ethyl acetate and butanolic extracts. The butanolic extract contains the highest flavonoid percentage (94.3%). A. purpurata presents important flavonoids of therapeutic use, already verified for A. zerumbet. This is the first study verifying the presence of flavonoids in A. purpurata extracts.<br>A espécie Alpinia purpurata apresenta poucas citações referentes a etnofarmacologia e fitoquímica. Este estudo propõe a análise de substâncias bioativas através da técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). O extrato bruto hidroalcóolico foi obtido a partir de folhas secas de A. purpurata. A quantificação de fenóis totais foi realizada pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteau, usando ácido gálico como padrão. Como resultado, foi verificado 15,6 mg EAG g-1. O extrato bruto foi particionado com os solventes acetato de etila e butanol e depois analisado por cromatografia em camada delgada e CLAE. Nos extratos acetato de etila e butanólico foi detectada a presença dos flavonóides kaempferol-3-O-glicuronídeo e rutina, em maior concentração. O extrato butanólico contém a maior porcentagem de flavonóides (94,3%). Esta espécie possui flavonóides importantes no uso terapêutico, já antes verificados para a espécie A. zerumbet. Este é o primeiro trabalho que verifica a presença de flavonóides em extratos de A. purpurata