Abstract

Background: Cancer is a disease characterized by the invasion and uncontrolled growth of cells. One of the best ways to minimize the harmful effects of mutagens is through the use of natural antimutagens. In this regard, the search for new antimutagens that act in the chemoprevention could represent a promising field in this area.

Objective: In this study biological potential of 11 fractions from Coccoloba uvifera L. leaf hexane extract was evaluated by several in vitro tests.

Methods: Leaves were lyophilized and hexane extraction was performed. The extract was fractionated by column chromatography with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The antimutagenic (Ames test), antiproliferative (MTT test), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and ferrous ion chelation) of the fractions were evaluated.

Results: Fractions 4, 6, 8, and 9 have antimutagenic activity (against sodium azide in strain TA100), fraction 11 showed antiproliferative capacity (IC₅₀ of 24 ± 9 μg/mL in cells of HCT 116). The fractions with the highest activity were analyzed by HPLC-MS and lupeol, acacetin, and β-sitosterol were identified.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the bioactivity of C. uvifera leaf as a new source of High Biological Value Compounds (HBVC), which can be of interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords: Coccoloba uvifera leaf, hexane extract, fractions, antimutagenicity, antioxidant, antiproliferation.