Screening for inhibitory activity of volatile oils from Piper spp. on acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase

• Published in: Rodriguésia 2021, Vol.72
• Main Authors: Silva, Luiz Everson da, Confortin, Camila, Amaral, Wanderlei do, Alberton, Michele Debiasi, Paim, Milena, Santos, Sarah Castro dos, Rebelo, Ricardo Andrade
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acetylcholinesterase; chemical composition; in vitro assays; Piper spp; volatile oils; α-glucosidase
• ISSN: 0370-6583; 2175-7860
• DOI: 10.1590/2175-7860202172079

Abstract The Atlantic Forest is regarded a rich source of aromatic plants with a broad spectrum of biological properties. The leaves of seven Piper species were collected from the Atlantic Forest domain in the coastal region of Paraná state in winter (W) and spring (S). The volatile oils were extracted from the leaves through hydrodistillation method. The volatile oils were characterized by means of GC-FID and GC-MS. Sesquiterpenes were among the major compounds in all species studied, with many dozens of representatives. However, very low concentrations of monoterpenes were observed; α-pinene in Piper mosenii and P. cernuum, δ-3-carene in P. rivinoides, camphene and β-pinene in P. cernuum are exceptions. The arylpropanoides myristicine and elemicin were found in considerable amount in P. diospyrifolium (26.2%/S) and P. mosenii (16.4%/W), respectively. These oils were also screened for inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glucosidase (AG). For AChE the most active samples were P. diospyrifolium, P. aduncum and P. cernuum, with inhibiting level > 93%. For the less sensitive AG, the most promising candidates were P. diospyrifolium and P. mosenii, with inhibiting level > 65%. These results highlight the importance of native plants as renewable source of new inhibitors for AChE and AG. Further investigation is required to identify the most active constituents or fractions from the selected volatile oils. Resumo A Floresta Atlântica é considerada uma rica fonte de plantas aromáticas com amplo espectro de propriedades biológicas. Na busca de novos inibidores da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e α-glicosidase (AG), folhas de diferentes espécies de Piper localizadas na Floresta Atlântica no litoral do Paraná - Brasil, foram submetidas a hidrodestilação e seus óleos voláteis caracterizados por CG-DIC e CG-EM. A coleta ocorreu em duas estações distintas, inverno (I) e primavera (P), de 7 diferentes espécies. Sesquiterpenos foram identificados entre os compostos majoritários em todas as espécies estudadas, com dezenas de representantes. No entanto, foram observadas baixas concentrações de monoterpenos; α-pinene in Piper mosenii and P. cernuum, δ-3-carene in P. rivinoides, camphene and β-pinene in P. cernuum são exceções. Os arilpropanoides miristicina e elemicina foram identificadas em quantidades significativas em P. diospyrifolium (26.2%/P) e P. mosenii (16.4%/I), respectivamente. Para a AChE as amostras mais ativas foram P. diospyrifolium, P.