Clinical Phytoscience (Jun 2018)
Phytochemical studies, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Scyphocephalium ochocoa Warb. (Myristicaceae), medicinal plant from Gabon
Abstract
Abstract Background The search for new anti-cancer molecules is one of the main concerns of oncology researchers. Scyphocephalium ochocoa is a plant of Myristicaceae family, used in traditional medicine against inflammatory diseases and several types of cancer. It is well established that free radicals, chronic inflammation and angiogenesis play an important role in initiation, tumor progression and metastasis formation. The aim of this study was to carry out a phytochemical screening, to determine the phenolic compounds content, to investigate the antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of water, water-ethanol and ethanol extracts of S. ochocoa. Methods Phytochemical screening and determination of phenolic compounds content were performed using standard methods. Antiangiogenic activity was assessed using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and Drabkin test. Anti-inflammatory activity was estimated by protein denaturation and erythrocyte membrane stabilization method. Finally the antioxidant activity was appreciated by DPPH radical inhibition and phosphomolybdenum assay. Results The results of phytochemical studies show that extracts of bark of S. ochocoa are rich in polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, proantocyanidins, saponosides, flavonols, flavanonols, sterol and triterpenes. The water extract showed good antiangiogenic activity (IC50 = 1.153 μg/mL). Strong anti-inflammatory activity was observed with all extracts, IC50 ranging from 34.775 ± 2.543 μg/mL to 74.577 ± 3.456 μg/mL for protein denaturation inhibition test and IC50 values ranging from 36.793 ± 0.529 μg/mL at 48.912 ± 0.957 μg/mL for antihemolytic activity. In addition, all extracts showed good antioxidant activity marked by a strong inhibition of the DPPH radical (IC50 ranging from 4.969 ± 0.263 μg/mL to 16.188 ± 0.336 μg/mL and AAI ranging from 3.090 ± 0.065 to 10.080 ± 0.517) and by greater total antioxidant capacity (with contents ranging from 37.654 ± 0.995 to 131.302 ± 1.102 VtCE (mg)/g dry extract). Conclusion Ultimately, these results could justify the use of S. ochocoa extracts in traditional medicine in the treatment of diseases related to angiogenesis and cancer, inflammatory diseases and diseases due to oxidative stress. A phyto-product with such a pharmacological profile could be a good candidate for the development of anticancer.
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