Chemical profile and anxiolytic- and anticonvulsant-like effects of Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana (Melastomataceae) leaves in adult zebrafish

Aimêe Veras Alexandre; Fernanda Mota de Castro; Francisco Lucas Alves Batista; Sacha Aubrey Alves Rodrigues Santos; Francisco Rogênio da Silva Mendes; Nidyedja Goyanna Gomes Gonçalves; Ana Cristina de Oliveira Monteiro-Moreira; Ana Sheila Queiroz de Souza; Kirley Marques Canuto; Francisco Ernani Alves Magalhães; Adriana Rolim Campos

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Magazine,2021,17,73,146-153.

DOI:10.4103/pm.pm_176_20

Published:April 2021

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Aimêe Veras Alexandre¹, Fernanda Mota de Castro², Francisco Lucas Alves Batista³, Sacha Aubrey Alves Rodrigues Santos¹, Francisco Rogênio da Silva Mendes¹, Nidyedja Goyanna Gomes Gonçalves¹, Ana Cristina de Oliveira Monteiro-Moreira¹, Ana Sheila Queiroz de Souza⁴, Kirley Marques Canuto⁵, Francisco Ernani Alves Magalhães⁶, Adriana Rolim Campos¹
¹ Experimental Biology Center, Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil
² School of Physical Therapy, Christus University Center, Centro Universitário Christus, Fortaleza, Brazil
³ Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, Brazil
⁴ Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ceará, Ceará, Brazil
⁵ Multiuser Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Embrapa Tropical Agroindustry, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
⁶ Laboratory of Bioprospecting of Natural Products and Biotechnology, State University of Ceará, Tauá, Brazil

Abstract:

Background: Miconia albicans is a vegetable widely used in folk medicine as an alternative for the treatment of pain and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical profile and anxiolytic- and anticonvulsant-like effects of the aqueous extract M. albicans leaves (CAVEL) in adult zebrafish. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity, chemical prospecting, and toxicity tests were performed. Then, the anxiolytic- and anticonvulsant-like effects were investigated in adult zebrafish. Results: It was detected the presence of flavonoids, xanthones, besides alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols in CAVEL. Eighteen polyphenols and nine flavonoids were identified in CAVEL. CAVEL showed antioxidant activity and no cytotoxic potential. The effects of CAVEL in adult zebrafish were dependent on the route of administration: CAVEL (Per os [p.o.] and intraperitoneal [i.p.]) did not alter the locomotion of the animals, presented anxiolytic-like effect (p.o. and i.p.) and delayed anticonvulsant-like effect (p.o.). The anxiolytic-like effect was prevented by GABAergic receptor antagonist. M. albicans has pharmacological potential for the treatment of anxiety and anticonvulsant and these results support studies of isolation and characterization of bioactive principles. Conclusion: M. albicans has pharmacological potential for the treatment of anxiety and anticonvulsant and these results support studies of isolation and characterization of bioactive principles.