Abstract

Syzygium cumini has shown many pharmacologic properties including anti-inflammatory. Here, we analyzed the antioxidant activity of leaves and seeds from aqueous extracts of S. cumini (LASc, SASc, respectively) as well as their effect in a 2,2 azobis-2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride (AAPH) induced model of oxidative damage in human lymphocytes, in vitro. It was evaluated the ferric reducing power (FRAP), scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide radicals and thiol peroxidase-like activity from both extracts. Lymphocytes obtained from blood samples of healthy volunteers were incubated with LASc and SASc (50, 100 and 500 µg/mL) and gallic acid (GA) (100µM) followed or not by incubation with AAPH (1mM). Afterwards, enzymatic activities, oxidative parameters and cytotoxicity were evaluated. This study indicates that extracts of S.cumini (i) exhibiting antioxidant activity; (ii) prevented the increase of ectonucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities; (iii) prevented inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity; (iv) protected P-SH groups, decreased lipoperoxidation and NO production; (v) improved the cellular viability in AAPH-induced model of lymphocytes. S. cumini extracts modulate ectonucleotidase, ADA, AChE activities maintaining levels normal of ATP, adenosine (Ado) and acetylcholine (ACh) and markedly attenuate inflammatory process. In conclusion, S.cumini has protective and immunomodulatory effects on AAPH-induced damage in lymphocytes, in vitro.

Key words: NTPDAses activities; inflammation; cytotoxicity; AAPH-induced oxidative damage; lymphocytes; medicinal plant