Bioprospection of endemic species from Marquesas archipelago

The present work is included in a research program focused on Marquesas archipelago aiming valorization of Marquesas heritage based on a bioprospection. We focussed our investigation on a study of traditional uses, phytochemistry and bioactivity of Nuku Hiva taxons. A list of endemic plants (53 species) from Nuku Hiva had been collected. An ethnobotanical framework on „Marquesas biodiversity“ was held to gather naturalist knowledge from local population showing a partial loss of traditional uses. Extracts obtained from different parts (leaf, bark and root) were submitted to a biological screening using two in vitro bioassays: cytotoxicity (KB) and radical scavenging (DPPH). Three species extracts were found to present the highest cytotoxic activity at 1µg/ml level: Hernandia nukuhivensis (root: 100%), Maytenus crenatus (bark: 100%) and Myrsine nukuhivensis (leaf: 72%). High antioxidant potential had been evaluated from three species extracts: Wikstroemia coriacea, Myrsine nukuhivensis and Waltheria tomentosa. Two species were found to contain interesting bioactive constituents such as alkaloids: Hernandia nukuhivensis and Waltheria tomentosa. We report herein the first phytochemical investigation on Hernandia nukuhivensis (family Hernandiaceae) which allowed the identification of three bioactive constituents: litseglutin A, reticulin and deoxypodophyllotoxin.