RESUMEN
Bioassay guided isolation of active natural compounds was performed to investigate the anti-tumor potential of the crude extract and isolated compounds from inflorescences of Piper claussenianum. LC-DAD-UV, GC-MS and NMR analyzes revealed the presence of phenolic metabolites in the methanol crude extract. Phytochemical procedures lead to the isolation of the major flavonoids, 2’,6’-dihydroxy-4-methoxychalcone, 5,7- dihydroxyflavanone and 5-methoxy-7-hydroxyflavanone that were assayed for inhibition or viability stimulation of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The results suggest the 2’,6’-dihydroxy-4-methoxychalcone as the biologically active compound in the crude methanol extract of inflorescences from P. claussenianum. The crude extract was found as potential natural source of compounds with breast cancer cell inhibition properties. All isolated compounds have not been described from this species yet.
RESUMEN
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases, representing a group of parasitic diseases worldwide spread, occurring in 88 tropical and subtropical countries. Approximately 350 million people live in areas of active transmission of leishmaniasis, with about 1-2 million estimated new cases occurring every year. More than 90 percent of the cutaneous cases appear in developing countries. Efforts to improve the therapeutic arsenal against leishmaniasis have led to the search for new and cheap range of drugs. In this study, the nerolidol-rich essential oil from Piper claussenianum (Miq.) C. DC., Piperaceae, was assayed on arginase activity of Leishmania amazonensis. The effect of this essential oil on arginase activity levels showed an enzyme inhibition of 62.2 percent. This result stimulates the scientific interest about the potential value of this plant species on neglected diseases as potential new natural product source of pharmacological interest for the treatment of leishmaniasis.