Antiparasitic, antioxidant and toxicological activities of methanolic extract from the inner mesocarp of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm. (Caryocaraceae)

Abstract

Plants of the genus Caryocar are found in the Brazilian Cerrado, and have wide relevance, and their fruits are traditionally used as food and in folk medicine, standing out for their therapeutic properties. The species Caryocar coriaceum demonstrated biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic. Recent studies have suggested that Caryocar coriaceum may act as promising sources in the development of antiparasitic drugs, given the growing need for therapeutic alternatives to combat neglected parasitic diseases (NTD) that affect vulnerable populations in several tropical regions. The present study aimed to perform the phytochemical evaluation of the methanol extract of C. coriaceum (MECC), in addition to investigating its antiparasitic and antioxidant activities, as well as the possible toxicity against the model organism. The extract was analyzed by chromatographic techniques (HPLC and UPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry. In vitro tests were performed against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania amazonensis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH method, and the toxicity of MECC was analyzed in Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian fibroblast cells. Although the UPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD chromatographic methods did not allow the identification of the compounds present in the MECC, a promising antiparasitic activity was observed, especially against T. vaginalis. In addition, no toxicity was observed in D. melanogaster and fibroblasts at clinical concentrations (values < 1000 μg/mL), reinforcing the non-toxic profile of the extract. It is concluded that Caryocar coriaceum represents a source of natural products with trichomonacidal and trypanocidal potential, which needs further investigations on its composition and mechanism of action.