RESUMO
Croton linearis Jacq. is an aromatic shrub that has been utilized in traditional medicine in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Cuba. Recent studies have revealed the antiprotozoal potential of its leaves. The present work is aimed to identify the volatile constituents of essential oil from the stems of C. linearis (CLS-EO) and evaluate its in vitro antileishmanial activity. In addition, an in silico study of the molecular interactions was performed using molecular docking. A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of CLS-EO identified 1,8-cineole (27.8%), α-pinene (11.1%), cis-sabinene (8.1%), p-cymene (5.7%), α-terpineol (4.4%), epi-γ-eudesmol (4.2%), linalool (3.9%), and terpinen-4-ol (2.6%) as major constituents. The evaluation of antileishmanial activity showed that CLS-EO has good activity on both parasite forms (IC50Promastigote = 21.4 ± 0.1 µg/mL; IC50Amastigote = 18.9 ± 0.3 µg/mL), with a CC50 of 49.0 ± 5.0 µg/mL on peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice (selectivity index = 2 and 3 using the promastigote and amastigote results). Molecular docking showed good binding of epi-γ-eudesmol with different target enzymes of Leishmania. This study is the first report of the chemical composition and anti-Leishmania evaluation of CLS-EO. These findings provide support for further studies of the antileishmanial effect of this product.
RESUMO
The present study was aimed to archive the etnhnomedicinal knowledge of plants used by inhabitants of seven villages of HolguiÌn, Eastern region, Cuba. The ethnomedicinal information was collected through interviews. The collected data were analyzed through use value (UV), informant consensus factor (Fic) and fidelity level (FL). A total of 195 species of plants distributed in 166 genera belonging to 70 families were identified for the treatment of 17 ailment categories. The most treated conditions were digestive and liver disorders. The most important species according to their use value were Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson (0.236) and Annona muricata L. (0.194). Cancer and tumors had the Fic value of 0.94. A total of 19 species has a highest FL of 100 percent. This was the first ethnobotanical survey conducted in HolguiÌn region, which will contribute to preserve valuable information of medicinal plants that may otherwise be lost to future generations.
El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo registrar el conocimiento etnomedicinal de las plantas usadas por los pobladores en 7 comunidades de HolguiÌn, RegioÌn Oriental, Cuba. La informacioÌn fue recogida a traveÌs de entrevistas y analizada cuantitativamente mediante indicadores etnobotaÌnicos: valor de uso (UV), factor del consenso de los informantes (Fic) e iÌndice de fidelidad (FL). Fueron reportadas un total de 195 especies de plantas, distribuidas en 166 geÌneros y 70 familias, para el tratamiento de 17 categoriÌas de usos. Las indicaciones maÌs frecuentes fueron los problemas digestivos y del hiÌgado. Las especies medicinales con mayor UV fueron Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson (0.236) y Annona muricata L. (0.194). CaÌncer y tumores tuvieron el valor maÌs alto de Fic (0.94). Solo 19 especies presentaron un valor de FL de 100 %. Este primer estudio contribuiraÌ a preservar la informacioÌn de las plantas medicinales y que esta no se pierda en las futuras generaciones.