Molecules (Oct 2017)

Phenolic Compounds Present Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Influence the Lowering of Blood Pressure in Rats

  • Lorena de Lima Glória,
  • Mariana Barreto de Souza Arantes,
  • Silvia Menezes de Faria Pereira,
  • Guilherme de Souza Vieira,
  • Camilla Xavier Martins,
  • Almir Ribeiro de Carvalho Junior,
  • Fernanda Antunes,
  • Raimundo Braz-Filho,
  • Ivo José Curcino Vieira,
  • Larissa Leandro da Cruz,
  • Douglas Siqueira de Almeida Chaves,
  • Silvério de Paiva Freitas,
  • Daniela Barros de Oliveira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22101792
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 10
p. 1792

Abstract

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This study identified two phenolic compounds in Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi fruits: naringenin (first report in this species) and gallic acid. Their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data (1H-, 13C-NMR) and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. A high content of phenolics (659.21 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample—Folin-Ciocalteau method) and total flavonoids (140.69 mg of rutin equivalents/g of sample—aluminum chloride method) were quantified in S. terebinthifolius, as well as high antioxidant activity (77.47%—2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH method). The antihypertensive activity related to its phenolic content was investigated. After intravenous infusion in Wistar rats, these phenolics significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the systolic, median, and diastolic arterial pressures of individuals. The rotarod test was performed to determine the mechanism of action of the sample vasorelaxant effect. It was found that its action exceeded that of the positive control used (diazepam). This confirmed the vasodilatory activity exerted by S. terebinthifolius fruits is related to the phenolic compounds present in the plant, which are potent antioxidants and inhibit oxidative stress, mainly in the central nervous system.

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