Schinus terebinthifolius: phenolic constituents and in vitro antioxidant, antiproliferative and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae, native to Brazil, is referred to as "pimento-rosa" and is used to treat inflammatory disease in folk medicine. Studies have reported important pharmacological properties, but these effects have still not been fully exploited. This study reports that the crude extract and isolated compounds of S. terebinthifolius (leaves) have in vitro antioxidant, antiproliferative, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities. The samples were evaluated for antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, β-carotene/linoleic acid and 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid reagents. The anti-inflammatory effects were assayed against a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in mice to test doses of 10, 100 and 300 mg/kg at different time points in addition to myeloperoxidase activity analysis. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated using ten human tumour cell lines. Two derivatives of gallic acid and four flavonoids were isolated and exhibited considerable antioxidant activity. The extract and its compounds showed selectivity towards ovarian cancer cells, with growth inhibitory activity values ranging from 1.9 to 6.5 µg/ml. Sample extracts and methyl gallate significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced oedema in the mice paw oedema experimental model. The calculated topological polar surface area for methyl gallate (86.98 Å2) showed good intestinal absorption. The effects reported herein are be related to the presence of flavonoids and the galloyl phenolic derivative content.