Caracterização de produtos naturais de Eugenia jambolana Lam. por CL-EM e redução do efeito tóxico do alumínio utilizando modelo de desenvolvimento vegetal

Abstract

Aluminum is a toxic metal that is extremely common in soils all over Brazil and, as such, often impairs the development of plants of agricultural interest. Thus, natural products with antioxidant activity may represent a viable alternative to this problem, because they can reduce the toxicity of this metal, resulting in less damage to plant structures. Previous studies have reported that Eugenia jambolana presents an antioxidant activity and a cytoprotective potential against heavy metals. The objective of this study was to identify the constituents present in the extract and fractions obtained from Eugenia jambolana Lam by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry and evaluate their cytoprotective potential against the toxicity of aluminum chloride in prokaryotic and eukaryotic models, as well as determine the cytoprotective mechanism of these products. The ethanolic extract of E. jambolana and its tannic and flavonoid fractions were tested, and the minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations of the products, in combination with aluminum chloride in different concentrations were established. The same products were used in tests of germination using lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds. The extract and the fractions did not present cytoprotective activity in bacterial and fungal models, since they did not interfere in the growth profile of these microorganisms. Regarding the vegetal model, significant effects were observed in the tests of growth of caulis and radicles of lettuce, as well as on the dry weight of radicles. A cytoprotective effect was observed, as the toxicity of aluminum chloride, at different concentrations, was inhibited. This effect was evidenced in a more significant way using the ethanolic extract, in comparison with the flavonoid and tannic fractions, demonstrating that the compounds seem to act better in association, than when isolated. Thus, in view of the problems caused by contamination with aluminum, associated to the characteristics of the soil in agriculture, the extract obtained from E. jambolana extract might represent an alternative to minimize the damage caused by the toxicity of this metal.