Rourea cuspidata : Chemical composition and hypoglycemic activity

Four almost unexplored species of Brazilian Connarus (Connaraceae): Chemical composition by ESI-QTof-MS/MS-GNPS and a pharmacologic potential

INTRODUCTION

Species of Connaraceae are globally used in traditional medicines. However, several of these have not been studied regarding their chemical composition, and some are even at risk of extinction without proper studies. Therefore, the chemical composition and pharmacological potential of Connarus blanchetii Planch., Connarus nodosus Baker, Connarus regnellii G. Schellenb., and Connarus suberosus Planch., which were previously unknown, were analyzed.

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to investigate the pharmacological potential of these four Connarus species. The chemical composition of different extracts was determined by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), with subsequent analysis by the GNPS platform and competitive fragmentation modeling (CFM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Leaf extracts (C. blanchetii, C. nodosus, C. regnellii, and C. suberosus) and bark extracts (C. regnellii and C. suberosus) were obtained by decoction, infusion, and maceration. LC/HRMS data were submitted to the GNPS platform and evaluated using CFM in order to confirm the structures.

RESULTS

The HRMS-GNPS/CFM analysis indicated the presence of 23 compounds that were mainly identified as phenolic derivatives from quercetin and myricetin, of which 21 are unedited in the Connarus genus. Thus, from the analyses performed, we can identify different compounds with pharmacological potential, as well as the most suitable forms of extraction.

CONCLUSION

Using HRMS-GNPS/CFM, 21 unpublished compounds were identified in the studied species. Therefore, our combination of data analysis techniques can be used to determine their chemical composition.

A New Pyrrolidone Alkaloid and Other Constituents from Rourea oligophlebia Stems

Phytochemical study of Rourea oligophlebia stems led to the isolation of a new 2-pyrrolidone alkaloid (R,S)-N-(5-hydroxyl-pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamide (1), together with 14 known compounds including friedelin (2), friedanol (3), taraxerol (4), vanillin (5), coniferyl aldehyde (6), apigenin (7), 7α-hydroxy-3β-sitosterol (8), coniferyl alcohol (9), scopoletin (10), emodin (11), protocatechuic acid (12), catechin (13), procyanidin A1 (14), and (E)-2,3,5,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-β-D-glucoside (15). Several isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity. Compound 11 exhibited good antimicrobial activity on Gram (+) strains and moderate cytotoxicity against KB, Hep-G2, and LU cancer cell lines. Compounds 6 and 8–10 showed selective activity on HepG-2 and MCF-7 over KB and LU cancer cell lines, while compound 7 exhibited similar effects on KB, HepG-2, and MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 values of 36.46 ± 0.81, 32.00 ± 0.58, and 32.03 ± 0.61 µg/mL, respectively.

Connaraceae: An updated overview of research and the pharmacological potential of 39 species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

An interdisciplinary scientific investigation of biologically active agents is fundamental to search for natural substances with therapeutic action. This review collected the most relevant information on traditional knowledge related to the use of plants of the Connaraceae family. This work is the first to compile all the published ethnobotanical, chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological information about this important plant family.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our objective was to provide the scientific community with an up-to-date overview of the pharmacological potential of Connaraceae species.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We searched NCBI Pubmed Central, Google Scholar, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), ScienceDirect, SciFinder, and Scopus databases to review the research on ethnobotanical, chemical, pharmacognostical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies with Connaraceaes. Books that address the theme were also included.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The literature review indicated that 39 species of Connaraceaes have pharmacological potentiality. Ethnobotany reports listed 36 of the 39 species discussed. Pharmacognostical studies have been conducted with 23 species and isolates, and chemical compounds have been identified for only 15 species. At least one study has been published concerning the pharmacological activities for 20 of the 39 species analyzed. For Agelaea pentagyna, Cnestis ferruginea, Connars suberosus, and Rourea minor, pharmacological activity experiments were performed using isolated compounds, which have the highest current pharmacological potential. Studies employing a toxicological approach cover only 10 of the 39 Connaraceaes species. Thus, scientific community should conduct much more research for a broader understanding of this plant family.