Quantification of bergenin, antioxidant activity and nitric oxide inhibition from bark, leaf and twig of Endopleura uchi

Phytochemical investigation of Endopleura uchi led to the isolation of a gallic acid derivate, known as bergenin (2) and friedelin (1), a pentacyclic triterpene. The present work also reports the bergenin quantification in different Endopleura uchi bark, twig and leaves extracts. Our findings showed the highest bergenin concentration in bark methanol extracts (4.75%) and the lowest concentration in twig aqueous extracts (1.89%). Phenolics quantification by Folin-Ciocalteu, revealed phenolic compounds level values from 16.69 to 43.02 mg GAE g^-1 dry extract. The ferric reducing antioxidant activity ranged from 230.43 to 567.89 mmol Fe⁺² g^-1 dry extract. DPPH IC₅₀ free radicals showed to range from 12.04 to 24.20 μg mL^-1. Leaves’ chloroform fraction exhibited the highest nitric oxide inhibiting activity bearing IC₅₀ = 3.2 μg mL^-1. Results show this species to hold significant bergenin concentrations as well as phenolic and anti-inflammatory compounds in all extracts suggesting it bear therapeutic potential.

Keywords:
Humiriaceae; liquid chromatography; anti-inflammatory agents; natural products; DPPH