Sustancias bioactivas y actividad antioxidante de frutales nativos de páramos y bosques de neblina del norte peruano / Bioactive substances and antioxidant activity of native fruit trees from moorlands and cloud forests in northern Peru

Objetivos. Determinar los principales tipos de sustancias bioactivas, contenido de polifenoles y actividad antioxidante de cinco frutales nativos de paramos y bosques de neblina del norte peruano. Materiales y métodos. Cinco frutales nativos (Gaultheria reticulata «ushpa¼, Hesperomeles obtusifolia «sachón¼, Physalis peruviana «tungay¼, Rubus robustus «muyaca¼ y Symplocos nuda «chimicuno¼") fueron evaluados mediante análisis fitoquímico preliminar, contenido de polifenoles por el método de Folin-Ciocalteau y la actividad antioxidante, mediante tres métodos (DPPH, ABTS y CUPRAC) en tres sistemas de extracción (decocción, etanol 45% y etanol 96% acidulado). Resultados. Los frutales nativos «ushpa¼ y «sachón¼ de los páramos; «muyaca¼ y «chimicuno¼ de los bosques de neblina contienen de 4 a 5 tipos de sustancias bioactivas (compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides, saponinas y triterpenoides/ esteroides). Las especies contienen valores significativamente altos de polifenoles en el extracto acuoso por decocción que se encontraron entre 62,30 ± 2,49 y 5,36 ± 0,20 mg de equivalentes ácido gálico/g de fruto liofilizado. La actividad antioxidante, bajo tres sistemas de extracción y tres métodos de análisis mostró valores significativamente altos entre 1,43 ± 1,19 y 413,92 ± 4,09 mg de equivalentes de Trolox/g fruto liofilizado. Conclusiones. Las sustancias bioactivas identificadas, el contenido de polifenoles y la actividad antioxidante por DPPH, ABTS y CUPRAC, determinan las potencialidades fitoquímicas que le dan valor nutraceútico a estos frutales nativos.

Objectives. To determine the main types of bioactive substances, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of five native fruit trees of Paramos and Cloud Forests of Northern Peru. Materials and methods. Five native fruit trees (Gaultheria reticulata "ushpa", Hesperomeles obtusifolia "sachón", Physalis peruviana "tungay", Rubus robustus "muyaca" and Symplocos nuda "chimicuno") were evaluated by preliminary phytochemical analysis, polyphenol content by Folin-Ciocalteau method and antioxidant activity by three methods (DPPH, ABTS and CUPRAC) in three extraction systems (decoction, ethanol 45% and ethanol 96% acid). Results. The native fruit trees "ushpa" and "sachon" of the Paramos; "muyaca" and "chimicuno" from Cloud Forests contain 4 to 5 bioactive substances (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids/steroids). The species contain significantly high values of polyphenols in the aqueous extract by decoction that were found between 62.30 ± 2.49 and 5.36 ± 0.20 mg Gallic Acid equivalents/g of lyophilized fruit. The antioxidant activity, under three extraction systems and three analysis methods, showed significantly high values between 1.43 ± 1.19 and 413.92 ± 4.09 mg of Trolox equivalents/g lyophilized fruit. Conclusions. The bioactive substances identified, the polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and CUPRAC, determines the phytochemical potentialities that give nutraceutical value to these native fruit trees.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers in Gaultheria pumila Lf. (Ericaceae)

BACKGROUND: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Gaultheria pumila (Ericaceae) to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure within its native range in Chile. This is a very important Ericaceae endemic to Chile with a large commercial potential. Its resistance to different abiotic conditions makes it a valuable target for genetic improvement. RESULTS: Ten polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were isolated from Gaultheria pumila using new-generation 454 FLX Titanium pyrosequencing technology. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 4. Observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 1.0 and 0.00 to 0.64, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: From 10 SSR markers developed for G. pumila, 9 markers are promising candidates for analyzing genetic variation within or between natural populations of G. pumila and other species from the same genus.

Morphometric and phytochemical characterization of chaura fruits (Gaultheria pumila): a native Chilean berry with commercial potential

BACKGROUND: For the first time, a morphometric characterization of chaura (Gaultheria pumila) fruits has been conducted between natural populations growing in the Villarrica National Park, Araucania Region, Chile. Chaura is a native Ericaceae from Chile that produces aromatic and tasty fruits which could be of agricultural interest. RESULTS: To influence the decision for a further domestication of G. pumila, both the fruit sizes (indicator of productivity) and the nutritional properties of the fruits have been determined from different subpopulations. Samples were a total of 74 plants and 15 fruits per plant which were randomly harvested following its natural distribution around the Villarrica volcano. Altogether, fresh weight, shape, color, diameter in the pole and the equatorial dimensions were determined as phenotypic traits of the G. pumila fruits. Meanwhile the total soluble solids, anthocyanin and pectin contents were calculated as nutritional traits of the Chaura fruits. Results showed a high phenotypic diversity between the sampled population with three main fruit shapes and three predominant colors. The round shapes were the most abundant, whereas a significant correlation was found among fruit size with weight and color. The highest fresh weight (597.3 mg), pole diameter (7.1 mm) and equatorial diameter (6.5 mm) were estimated in the pink color fruits. CONCLUSIONS: The total amount of anthocyanin was higher in red fruits, while the maximum pectin content was obtained in the round white fruits. Overall results must pave the way for a further domestication and introduction of the Chaura species in the agro-productive system in Chile.

Effects of Gaultheria yunnanensis on adjuvant arthritis in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Gaultheria yunnanensis. are used widespreadly in the south of China to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to provide an experimental basis for G. yunnanensis to therapy rheumatoid arthritis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>We prepared water extracts, ethanol extracts, n-butanol extracts, ethyl acetate extracts and the rest of ethanol extracts from G. yunnanensis. Then, the n-butanol extracts were applied to macroporous resin and eluted with water, 30% ethanol, and 95% ethanol. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by Freund's complete adjuvant injected into right postpedes in Wistar rats which was utilized to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effect of different extracted liquid of G. yunnanensis. Rats were intragastric injected (ig) with extracts as experimental group or normal saline as control group.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis was successfully established: paw edema were increased after Freund's complete adjuvant injection, peaked at 2 or 3 day, then decreased, the paw edema were increased again at 7 or 8 day, and persisted 15 d. Water extracts, n-butanol extracts or ethyl acetate extracts could a significantlly decrease the paw edema as compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The effect of n-butanol extracts was the most powerful. Further, n-butanol extracts eluant with water and 30% ethanol decreased the paw edema. The activity of extracts eluant with 30% ethanol was stronger than that of eluant with water.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>G. yunnanensis displays considerable effects against Freund s complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, which is in concordance with clinical practice. n-Butanol extracts and both of the eluants with water and 30% ethanol produce a significant decrease in the paw edema. 30% ethanol eluants show a stronger activity than others. The effects against rheumatoid arthritis of different parts of G. yunnanensis differ in degree. It is deserved to explore the potential mechanisms of anti-inflammtion of the G. yunnanensis, especially the n-butanol extracts eluant with 30% ethanol.</p>

Study on chemical components of essential oil from Gaultheria punctata Blume by method GC/MS

With the method of water vapor distillation using the "modified apparatus for quantifying essential oil" of Ha Noi college of Pharmacy the essential oil was analysed by GC/MS. Results found essential oil in all organs of the plant such as root, stem, small branch and leaf, but the most was in leaf. The essential oil is a yellow liquid, heavier considerably than water. In the above- ground organs, there is almost 98,45%-99,03% of methyl salicylat. In the root, this content is lower, an addition with other components such as delta- tetradecalaction caryophylen oxid, nootkalon

Determination of lignan glycosides in Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis by RP-HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To control the quality of Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis the contents of lignans in these plants from different provinces were detected.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HPLC was adopted using Hypersil-18 column (0.4 cm x 25 cm), methanol: acetonitrile: water (30:5:65) as mobile phase.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The calibration curves of D1(gaultherinA), D2[(-)-5'-methoxyisolariciresinol-2 alpha-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside)], D4[(+)-lyoniresinol-2 alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside)] were linear in the range of 0.10-0.40 microgram, 0.03-0.13 microgram, 0.02-0.09 microgram, respectively. The average recovery of D1 was 98.9% and RSD was 2.6%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Comparing the samples from Jinxiou(158.2 mg.100 g)-1 and Kumming(154.8 mg.100 g)-1, that of Guiyang showed the highest content of LD(208.8 mg.100 g)-1. The content of LD in the tender above-ground part was 1.3 times higher than that in the wilt.</p>