Guettarda viburnoides Cham. & Schltdl.: Neuroprotective Activities in Mice, Molecular Docking and Microchemical and Morphoanatomical Characteristics of Leaves and Stems

Title:Guettarda viburnoides Cham. & Schltdl.: Neuroprotective Activities in Mice, Molecular Docking and Microchemical and Morphoanatomical Characteristics of Leaves and Stems

Volume: 26

Author(s): Pedro Cruz de Oliveira Junior, Eliana Janet Sanjinez-Argandoña, Janaine Alberto Marangoni Faoro, Rosilda Mara Mussury Franco Silva, Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz, Edward Benjamin Ziff, Márcia Regina Pereira Cabral, Maria Helena Sarragiotto, Gisele de Freitas Gauze, Andrew Matheus Frederico Rozada, Luciane Mendes Monteiro, Jane Manfron and Anelise Samara Nazari Formagio*

Affiliation:

• Federal University of Grande Dourados, College of Health Science, Dourados, MS, Brazil

Keywords: “veludinho do campo”, acetylcholinesterase, molecular docking, micromorphological, scopolamine.

Abstract:

Background: Guettarda viburnoides Cham. & Schltdl., “veludinho do campo”, is used in the Brazilian Amazon for its effects on the central nervous system (CNS) as a “brain tonic”; however, scientific evidence is needed to elucidate its ethnobotanical uses.

Objective: This study evaluated the neurobehavioural effects of an ethanolic extract of G. viburnoides (EEGV). Molecular docking, microchemical and morphoanatomical features of the species were investigated.

Methods: EEGV was investigated by UHPLC‒MS/MS and dereplication and molecular network were investigated using platforms available for natural product chemistry. For the in vivo assay, EEGV was administered to mice orally (3, 30 or 100 mg/kg). The effect of EEGV on spatial memory was measured using the Morris water maze test in mice with scopolamine-induced amnesia. The depression- and anxiety-like effects were assessed by forced swimming, tail suspension, marble burying and elevated plus maze tests. The AChE inhibition was evaluated in the brains of treated mice and molecular docking simulations were carried out with the main constituents. The leaves and stems of G. viburnoides were analysed via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Results: Secoxyloganin, grandifloroside, hyperin/or isoquercitrin, uncaric acid and ursolic acid were identified by UHPLC‒MS/MS. Molecular networking by three flavonoids, three triterpenes, two coumarins, two iridoids, and one phenolic acid. EEGV reversed these scopolamineinduced effects. In the forced swim and tail suspension test, EEGV (30 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time. EEGV significantly reduced the number of buried marbles, while in the elevated plus maze test, no changes were observed compared to the Sco group. AChE activity was altered in the hippocampus. Studies of the molecular coupling of iridoid glycosides (grandifloroside and secoxyloganin) and flavonoid hyperin with AChE revealed significant interactions, corroborating the activity indicated by the inhibition assay.

Conclusions: These results might be in accordance with medicinal use for neuroprotetor effects and important microchemical and micromorphological data that support the identification and quality control of G. viburnoides.

Cite this article as:

Junior Cruz de Oliveira Pedro, Sanjinez-Argandoña Janet Eliana, Faoro Alberto Marangoni Janaine, Silva Mara Mussury Franco Rosilda, Konkiewitz Castelon Elisabete, Ziff Benjamin Edward, Cabral Regina Pereira Márcia, Sarragiotto Maria Helena, Gauze de Freitas Gisele, Rozada Matheus Frederico Andrew, Monteiro Mendes Luciane, Manfron Jane and Formagio Samara Nazari Anelise*, Guettarda viburnoides Cham. & Schltdl.: Neuroprotective Activities in Mice, Molecular Docking and Microchemical and Morphoanatomical Characteristics of Leaves and Stems, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2025; 26 () . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0113892010318163240822063318