ABSTRACT
The genus Cecropia is used in the traditional medicine of Tabasco, Mexico, in diabetes and hypertension treatments, mainly without distinction of the species. This contribution aimed to carry out the metabolic analysis and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy-based fingerprinting of the hydroalcoholic leaf extracts of Cecropia peltata (Cp) and Cecropia obtusifolia (Co) collected in five sub-regions of the State of Tabasco (Cp1, "Centro"; Cp2, "Chontalpa"; Cp3, "Pantanos"; Cp4, "Ríos" and Co5, "Sierra"). Firstly, the extracts were evaluated for their Total Phenol Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) by spectrophotometric methods. In addition, metabolic analysis was performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection HPLC-DAD, which allowed the quantification of the chemical markers: chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and orientin, as well as a vitexin analog. Finally, metabolomic analysis was carried out based on the 1H-NMR spectra. The Cp4 extract (C. peltata from the "Ríos" sub-region) presented the highest values of TPC (155 ± 9.1 mg GAE/g E) and TFC (724 ± 22.2 mg RE/g E). The metabolic analysis was similar among the five samples; the highest concentrations of the four chemical markers were found in Cp3 (C. peltata from the "Pantanos" sub-region) for chlorogenic acid (39.8 ± 2.3 mg/g) and isoorientin (51.5 ± 2.9 mg/g), in Cp4 for orientin (49.9 ± 0.6 mg/g), and in Cp2 (C. peltata from the "Chontalpa" sub-region) for the vitexin analog (6.2 ± 0.2 mg/g). The metabolic analysis and the 1H-NMR fingerprint analysis showed intraspecies differences among the C. peltata samples and interspecies between C. peltata and C. obtusifolia, which were attributed to variations in the metabolite groups as well as in the proportion of sugars such as glucose and xylose.
ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cecropia peltata L. (CP) leaves have been used in Latin American traditional medicine by its purported hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of an ethanolic extract of CP leaves in rats fed a high-fat diet and 10% of sugar in water (HFD). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: group 1 was fed a control diet; groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed a HFD. In addition, group 3 was co-administered with 10 mg/kg/day of CP extract (HFD + CP) and group 4 with a solution of 5 mg/kg/day metformin (HFD + M) for 90 days. RESULTS: Body weight gain and serum triglycerides were significantly decreased in the HFD + CP group compared with the HFD and HFD + M groups. Glucose tolerance increased in the HFD + CP compared with the HFD group. Administration with CP extract reduced adipose tissue lipolysis and lipid accumulation in liver of HFD + CP rats with respect to HFD and HFD + M groups. Histological examinations showed that the area of the adipocytes in WAT and the area of lipid vesicles in BAT were significantly smaller in the HFD + CP group than in the HFD and HFD + M groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of a CP extract prevented glucose intolerance and hepatic lipid accumulation in rats fed a HFD in association with reduced adipocyte hypertrophy, demonstrating potential antidiabetic properties.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose/drug effects , Cecropia Plant , Fatty Liver/prevention & control , Insulin Resistance , Liver/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Adipose Tissue, Brown/drug effects , Adipose Tissue, Brown/metabolism , Adipose Tissue, Brown/pathology , Adipose Tissue, White/drug effects , Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism , Adipose Tissue, White/pathology , Animals , Biomarkers/blood , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Cecropia Plant/chemistry , Cholesterol/blood , Diet, High-Fat , Disease Models, Animal , Ethanol/chemistry , Fatty Liver/blood , Fatty Liver/etiology , Fatty Liver/pathology , Lipids/blood , Lipolysis/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Male , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Leaves , Rats, Wistar , Solvents/chemistryABSTRACT
La especie Cecropia Peltata (Guarumo) se utiliza como planta medicinal para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades, el ácido clorogénico e isoorientina son los principales constituyentes activos de las hojas. En éste estudio se determinó el contenido de ácido clorogénico en hojas secas y verdes de tres árboles de 10, 15 y 20 m de altura de la especie Cecropia Peltata que crecen de manera silvestre en la Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo en Masaya, para ello se realizaron ensayos preliminares en hojas secas (extractos hidroalcohólico y alcohólico) desarrollando varias placas cromatográficas donde no se observaron manchas que demostraran la presencia del ácido clorogénico. Se prepararon infusiones de hojas secas y verdes de Guarumo y se desarrollaron placas para cromatografía de capa fina con el fin de identificar el compuesto, resultando que en hojas verdes hay manchas que demuestran la presencia de ácido clorogénico no así en hojas secas. Se determinó el contenido de ácido clorogénico por espectrofotometría Uv Vis en infusiones de hojas secas y verdes, resultando en hojas secas un espectro diferente al del estándar con longitud de onda de máxima absorción diferente por lo que no fue posible determinar el contenido de ácido clorogénico y en hojas verdes se determinó que en el árbol de 20 m mayor cantidad de ácido clorogénico. Para la cuantificación se realizó una curva de calibración con ácido clorogénico estándar en agua destilada entre 30- 110 ppm, donde la pendiente y su intercepto se ajustan a la linealidad. De ésta manera fue identificado el ácido clorogénico por cromatografía de capa fina y espectroscopía uv / vis en hojas verdes de la especie Cecropia Peltata, sin embargo en hojas secas no pudo ser determinado.
Subject(s)
Humans , Chlorogenic Acid , Medicine, Traditional , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis , NicaraguaABSTRACT
Introducción: las plantas del género Cecropia se distribuyen en Suramérica, incluidas diferentes zonas de Colombia, donde son conocidas popularmente como "yarumos". Estas especies se asocian con actividades farmacológicas como: hipoglicemiante, analgésica, antiulcerosa, cicatrizante y antimalárica. Son escasos los reportes de estudios fitoquímicos de Cecropia metensis Cuatrec. y Cecropia membranacea Trécul. Objetivo: contribuir al estudio fitoquímico del extracto etanólico de hojas de Cecropia metensis (sin. Cecropia peltata var. candida Velasquez) y Cecropia membranacea. Métodos: se realizó el estudio fitoquímico preliminar del extracto etanólico de hojas con peciolo de Cecropia metensis y Cecropia membranacea, colectadas en época lluviosa en el departamento del Meta (Colombia), empleando pruebas clásicas de tubo y cromatografía en capa delgada. Se elaboraron además, perfiles por cromatografía en capa delgada y por cromatografía líquida de alta eficiencia. Resultados: los extractos etanólicos de hojas con pecíolo de Cecropia metensis y Cecropia membranacea colectadas en época de lluvia se caracterizaron por presentar flavonoides, taninos, esteroides y terpenos; así como, ausencia de alcaloides, saponinas, derivados antracénicos, cumarinas y lactonas terpénicas. Los perfiles cromatográficos por cromatografía líquida de alta eficiencia evidenciaron alta complejidad con presencia de compuestos de alta, mediana y baja polaridad, y apreciable absortividad a 210 y 220 nm. Conclusiones: los extractos etanólicos de hojas de Cecropia metensis y Cecropia membranacea, colectadas en la época lluviosa, presentaron moderada variedad de metabolitos secundarios, correspondiente a terpenos, esteroides, flavonoides y taninos; compuestos reportados para diferentes especies del género Cecropia y que podrían tener interés farmacológico. Además, los perfiles cromatográficos evidenciaron que las dos especies estudiadas presentan amplia similitud en su composición fitoquímica.
Introduction: plant species of the genus Cecropia are widely distributed in South America, including several areas in Colombia, where they are popularly known as "yarumos". These plants have been reported to have hypoglycemic, analgesic, antiulcer, wound-healing and antimalarial properties. There are few reports on phytochemical studies of Cecropia metensis Cuatrec. and Cecropia membranacea Trécul. Objective: contribute to the phytochemical study of the ethanolic extract obtained from leaves of Cecropia metensis (syn. Cecropia peltata var. candida Velasquez) and Cecropia membranacea. Methods: a preliminary phytochemical study was conducted of ethanolic extract from petiolate leaves of Cecropia metensis and Cecropia membranacea collected during the rainy season in the Department of Meta in Colombia, using conventional tube assays and thin-layer chromatography. Profiles were also developed using thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: ethanolic extracts from petiolate leaves of Cecropia metensis and Cecropia membranacea collected during the rainy season were characterized by the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids and terpenes, and the absence of alkaloids, saponins, anthracene derivatives, coumarins and terpene lactones. HPLC profiles revealed the great complexity of the extract, with compounds of high, medium and low polarity, as well as appreciable absorptivity at 210 and 220 nm. Conclusions: ethanolic extracts from leaves of Cecropia metensis and Cecropia membranacea collected in the rainy season contained a moderate variety of secondary metabolites: terpenes, steroids, flavonoids and tannins. Reported for various species of the genus Cecropia, these compounds could be of interest for pharmacological purposes. Chromatographic profiles also revealed that the two species studied are very similar in their phytochemical composition.
ABSTRACT
La fracción butanólica del extracto de Cecropia peltata L, (N. V.: "Yarumo"), especie medicinal utilizada por la tradición popular en Colombia con fines tranquilizantes, presenta en ratones albinos ICR un perfil de tipo anticonvulsivante, ansiolítico y sedante, según las pruebas de electroshock, pentilentetrazol, ocultamiento de esferas y potenciación de sueño barbitúrico (80 mg/kg, v. o., p = 0,05 vs. control). Paralelamente, carece de efectos de tipo locomotor y antidepresivo, según las pruebas del alambre y nado forzado. El efecto de esta fracción fue superior al presentado por el extracto etanólico y las fracciones acuosa y hexánica. Además, la subfracción butanólica rica en flavonoides, presenta un efecto "dosis-respuesta" en la prueba de convulsión máxima inducida por electroshock (80 mg/kg - 240 mg/kg). Estos hallazgos sugieren que los metabolitos de tipo flavonoide podrían ser responsables de la actividad farmacológica de Cecropia peltata y dan soporte al uso tradicional de esta especie.
The butanolic fraction obtained from the extract of Cecropia peltata L (NV: "Yarumo"), medicinal plant used by popular tradition in Colombia as tranquilizer, displays in ICR albino mice an anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative profile, according to electroshock, pentylenetetrazole, marble burying and barbiturate sleeping tests (80 mg/kg, p. o., p = 0.05 vs. control). At the same time Cecropia peltata does not to seem to alter the locomotor function nor to have antidepressant effect, according to their effect in wiring and forced swimming tests. The effect of this fraction was greater than ethanolic, aqueous and hexanic fractions. Additionally, a sub-fraction from butanolic part, rich in flavonoids, elicits a "dose-response" effect in maximum electroshock-induced seizures (80 - 240 mg/kg). These findings suggest that flavonoid metabolites play a key role in the pharmacological activity of Cecropia peltata and support the traditional use of this species.
ABSTRACT
El extracto acuoso de Cecropia peltata es elaborado a partir de la planta denominada comúnmente yagruma o guarumo en Cuba. Este se emplea en la elaboración de tabletas con acción broncodilatadora. A la planta se le atribuyen propiedades antiasmáticas, antiblenorrágicas, analgésicas y cicatrizantes por solo citar algunas. El ensayo se realizó para evaluar las características tóxicas del extracto acuoso y sus efectos tóxicos en ratas. Se administró por vía oral, una dosis de 1000 mg de sólidos totales/kg de peso corporal durante 28 días. Los animales se observaron diariamente para detectar signos de toxicidad. Al finalizar el tratamiento se realizaron exámenes de hematología, de química sanguínea y la necropsia, para hacer el examen anatomopatológico e histopatológico correspondiente. Se pudo concluir que no se afectaron los indicadores hematológicos y de química sanguínea por causa del extracto ensayado. Tampoco hubo afectaciones en el peso corporal y el consumo de alimento. Los resultados obtenidos con el análisis histopatológico corroboraron todo lo antes expuesto.
The aqueous extract of Cecropia peltata is made from a plant commonly called yagruma or guarumo in Cuba. This extract is used in the manufacture of tablets with bronchodilator action. This plant has antiasthmatic, antiblennorrheal, analgesic, and healing effects, among others. The assay was carried out to assess the toxic features of this aqueous extract and its toxic effects in rats. An oral dose of 1000 mg of total solids/kg of body weight was administered for 28 days. The animals were daily observed to detect signs of toxicity. At the end of the treatment hematology and blood chemistry tests were done and necropsy was performed to make the corresponding anatomopathological and histopathological examination. No affectations were reported in body weight and food consumption. The results attained by the histopathological examination confirmed all the above.
ABSTRACT
Mutualisms, biological interactions from which each species benefits, are thought to be evolutionarily stable only under a limited set of circumstances. Underlying all mutualisms is an intrinsic conflict between the parties, in that each is under selection to further exploit the other. Conflict between mutualists will lead to instability unless each species receives a net benefit from the interaction. To understand how mutualisms persist, then, it is essential to document the exact nature of the interaction. The relationship between Cecropia trees and Azteca ants has been a model for the study of mutualism since its description more than 100 years ago. Ants live in Cecropia's hollow stems and harvest specialized food bodies produced by the host. In return, ants defend the plant from leaf-feeding herbivores and encroaching vegetation. Central to modeling this relationship is understanding the exchange of nutrients between symbionts. Here we present evidence that the flow of nutrients has been misjudged. Although ants consume plant products, they provide more nutrients than they receive. Using stable isotope analysis, we calculate that only about 18% of worker ant carbon is derived from Cecropia, whereas 93% of the nitrogen in ant-occupied host plants is derived from debris deposited by ants. Ants rely on sources other than their host for food and, in doing so, make a rich source of nitrogen available to the host.
