ABSTRACT
Paullinia cupana Kunth, commonly known as guarana, is a native Brazilian plant species from the Amazon area that presents various biological effects, including antimicrobial action. The aim of this study was to chemically analyse the semipurified aqueous extract (AqF) of the plant and to evaluate the activity of crude (CE), ethyl-acetate (EAF), and AqF extracts against Helicobacter pylori. The chemical profile of AqF was determined based on solid analysis 13C-NMR, direct infusion mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and MALDI-TOF. The 13C-NMR spectrum showed characteristics of flavan-3-ol and oligomeric proanthocyanidins. ESI-MS revealed the presence of procyanidin, caffeic acid and its derivatives. MALDI-TOF analysis detected procyanidins of up to 6 units and profisetinidins of up to 5 units. Whereas CE and EAF showed inhibitory activity against H. pylori, CE, EAF, and AqF presented not high inhibitory activity against urease. The results demonstrate the potential of P. cupana to control and prevent H. pylori infection.
Subject(s)
Helicobacter pylori/drug effects , Paullinia/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Brazil , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Helicobacter Infections/prevention & control , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Proanthocyanidins/pharmacology , Urease/antagonists & inhibitorsABSTRACT
Abstract Seeds of guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth, Sapindaceae) feature diverse pharmacological functions, for example, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, stimulating, and cognitive functions, as well as liver protection and weight loss. Many of these actions are probably due to the high content of methylxanthines and tannins in its seeds. In Brazil, the world's largest producer of guarana, the plant material is predominantly used in the soft drinks industry, although it is also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Although the Amazon region has the largest cropping area, the state of Bahia is the main guarana producer in Brazil (71%). This review focuses mainly on the possible pharmacological actions of guarana that have been investigated. Moreover, it discusses less-considered topics, such as the toxicology and quality control of seeds and extractives of guarana that will ultimately influence the safety of its use. In addition, it presents a detailed discussion of the methods used to prepare herbal drugs and their extracts, focusing on the importance of standardization and on the direct impact of preparatory factors, on the pharmacological properties of guarana extracts.
