Planta Med 2012; 78 - PA4
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320319

Chemical and biological evaluation of native bamboo species from atlantic rain forest

MT Grombone-Guaratini 1, LM Brandão Torres 2, DA Faria 1, CM José 1
  • 1Ecology Department, Botanical Institute, P.O. Box 68041, 04045–972, SP, Brazil
  • 2Physiology and Biochemical Department, Botanical Institute, P.O. Box 68041, 04045–972, SP, Brazil

Brazilian bamboo species should be considered a forest resource and its industrial application should be improved. The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition and evaluate the allelopathic, anticholinesterase (AChE) and free radical scavenging (DPPH) activities of two endemic bamboo species. The culm and leaf extracts of Apoclada simplex and Merostachys magelanica were prepared with H2O (60oC) and ethanol (90%). The aqueous (A) and ethanolic (E) extracts from the leaves (LA) and culms (CE) were successively partitioned with H2O/n-hexane (H), ethyl acetate (E) and n-buthanol (Bu). Allelopathic assay showed that the aqueous extract leaves of M. magelanica and A. simplex (AE) and the acetate fraction of M. magellanica (FC) were active inhibiting around 55% the germination of native tree species. TLC (F254, Merck, CH3OH:CHCl3, 4:6) with M. magellanica inhibited the AChE at Rf=0.6, 0.80, 0.32 and DPPH at 0.7, 0.46 and 0.48. Determination of the EC50 (microplate, 96 vials, DPPH, 412nm and Ginkgo biloba 31.2µg/mL) showed A. simplex at 73.3±2.6% (LA) and 72.7±0.8 (CA) and to M. magelanica at 68.93±2.6% (LA) and 53±1.8 (LE). Data from TLC, HPLC and GC/MS after derivatization (BSTF) of the extracts and fractions identified main phenolic acids (vanilic, cinamic and ferulic). The biological activities of native bamboo species and the presence of the phenolic compounds showed the economic potential of these species.