Exploring the composition and properties of Centella asiatica metabolites and investigating their impact on BSA glycation, LDL oxidation and α-amylase inhibition

Ana Luiza Silva Borges; Vinícius Prado Bittar; Allisson Benatti Justino; Maria Sol Peña Carrillo; Rener Francisco Mateus Duarte; Nagela Bernadelli Sousa Silva; Daniela Silva Gonçalves; Diego Godina Prado; Iasmin Aparecida Cunha Araújo; Mário Machado Martins; Larissa Campos Motta; Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins; Françoise Vasconcelos Botelho; Neide Maria Silva; Alberto de Oliveira; Wanderson Romão; Foued Salmen Espíndola

doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116143

Exploring the composition and properties of Centella asiatica metabolites and investigating their impact on BSA glycation, LDL oxidation and α-amylase inhibition

J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2024 Apr 12:245:116143. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116143. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ana Luiza Silva Borges¹, Vinícius Prado Bittar¹, Allisson Benatti Justino¹, Maria Sol Peña Carrillo¹, Rener Francisco Mateus Duarte¹, Nagela Bernadelli Sousa Silva², Daniela Silva Gonçalves², Diego Godina Prado³, Iasmin Aparecida Cunha Araújo⁴, Mário Machado Martins⁵, Larissa Campos Motta⁶, Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins², Françoise Vasconcelos Botelho¹, Neide Maria Silva⁴, Alberto de Oliveira³, Wanderson Romão⁷, Foued Salmen Espíndola⁸

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
² Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG 38405-320, Brazil.
³ Nucleus of Research in Natural Products (NuPPeN), Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
⁴ Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
⁵ Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology "Dr. Luiz Ricardo Goulart Filho", in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
⁶ Laboratory of Petroleum and Forensics, of the Center of Competence in Petroleum Chemistry - NCQP, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil.
⁷ Laboratory of Petroleum and Forensics, of the Center of Competence in Petroleum Chemistry - NCQP, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil; Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Espírito Santo, Vila Velha, 29106-010, Brazil.
⁸ Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil. Electronic address: foued@ufu.br.

PMID: 38678859
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116143

Abstract

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. is a small herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family that is rich in triterpenes, such as asiaticoside and madecassoside. Centella asiatica finds broad application in promoting wound healing, addressing skin disorders, and boosting both memory and cognitive function. Given its extensive therapeutic potential, this study aimed not only to investigate the Centella asiatica ethanolic extract but also to analyze the biological properties of its organic fractions, such as antioxidant antiglycation capacity, which are little explored. We also identified the main bioactive compounds through spectrometry analysis. The ethanolic extract (EE) was obtained through a static maceration for seven days, while organic fractions (HF: hexane fraction; DF: dichloromethane fraction; EAF: ethyl acetate fraction; BF: n-butanol fraction and HMF: hydromethanolic fraction) were obtained via liquid-liquid fractionation. The concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins in each sample was quantified. Additionally, the antiglycation (BSA/FRU, BSA/MGO, and ARG/MGO models) and antioxidant (FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH) properties, as well as the ability to inhibit LDL oxidation and hepatic tissue peroxidation were evaluated. The inhibition of enzyme activity was also analyzed (α-amylase, α-glycosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase). We also evaluated the antimicrobial and cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages. The main compounds present in the most bioactive fractions were elucidated through ESI FT-ICR MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. In the assessment of antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH), the EAF and BF fractions exhibited notable results, and as they are the phenolic compounds richest fractions, they also inhibited LDL oxidation, protected the hepatic tissue from peroxidation and inhibited α-amylase activity. Regarding glycation models, the EE, EAF, BF, and HMF fractions demonstrated substantial activity in the BSA/FRU model. However, BF was the only fraction that presented non-cytotoxic activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages at all tested concentrations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the antioxidant, antiglycation, and enzymatic inhibition capacities of the ethanolic extract and organic fractions of Centella asiatica. The findings suggest that further in vivo studies, particularly focusing on the butanol fraction (BF), may be promising routes for future research and potential therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Centella asiatica; LDL; antioxidant; glycation.