Phytochemical profile of Garcinia brasiliensis leaf extract and fractions

Introduction: The interest in new drugs of plant origin rich in bioactive compounds with relevant therapeutic properties have increased in recent years. Garcinia brasiliensis stands out as a species with a wide variety of bioactive compounds with potential use in the treatment of diseases. Aim: To evaluate the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of Garcinia brasiliensis leaf extract and fractions. Methods: To obtain the crude extract (CE), 40g of triturate leaves were infused in 200 mL of 70% alcohol for 24 hours and the alcohol was extracted by rotary evaporation. To obtain the ethyl acetate (EAF) and chloroform (CF) fractions, the solvents were mixed with the extract in the same proportion for 24 hours. Solvents were eliminated by evaporation and eluted with distilled water. For the phytochemical investigation, qualitative and quantitative analysis, chromatographic (high-performance thin layer chromatography - HPTLC), antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity were done. Results: Qualitative analysis showed the identification of terpenes and flavonoids in all samples (CE, EAF and CF). However, alkaloids were only identified in the CE and EAF samples. In the quantitative analysis CE, EAF and CF presented 330; 120 and 70 μg/mL of total terpenes respectively. CE and EAF showed 31,33 and 10,03 μg/mL of total polyphenols and 10,42 and 7,16 μg/mL of total flavonoids. The CE, EAF and CF presented 2,05; 1,56 and 0,79 of total alkaloids, respectively. Chromatographic analysis (HPTLC) identified in CE and EAF extracts the compounds Kaempferol, Quercetin, Catechin, Resveratrol, Berberine and Garcinol. In addition CE extract also showed the presence of Rutin. But CF only presented Garcinol. Higher rates of antioxidant activity were observed in CE and EAF (84,69% and 84.26% respectively) and lower activity in CF (57.32%). The analysis of cytotoxicity by hemolysis pointed low cytotoxicity at 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% concentrations for all extracts. The 10% concentration showed cytotoxicity in EAF and CF. Conclusion: Until the moment, it was possible to identify the presence of groups of secondary metabolites, high antioxidant capacity and low cytotoxicity in CE and EAF of Garcinia brasiliensis with interesting prospects for therapeutic application.