A Comprehensive Literature Review on Cardioprotective Effects of Bioactive Compounds Present in Fruits of Aristotelia chilensis Stuntz (Maqui).

Some fruits and vegetables, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, may inhibit platelet activation pathways and therefore reduce the risk of suffering from CVD when consumed regularly. Aristotelia chilensis Stuntz (Maqui) is a shrub or tree native to Chile with outstanding antioxidant activity, associated with its high content in anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Previous studies reveal different pharmacological properties for this berry, but its cardioprotective potential has been little studied. Despite having an abundant composition, and being rich in bioactive products with an antiplatelet role, there are few studies linking this berry with antiplatelet activity. This review summarizes and discusses relevant information on the cardioprotective potential of Maqui, based on its composition of bioactive compounds, mainly as a nutraceutical antiplatelet agent. Articles published between 2000 and 2022 in the following bibliographic databases were selected: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Our search revealed that Maqui is a promising cardiovascular target since extracts from this berry have direct effects on the reduction in cardiovascular risk factors (glucose index, obesity, diabetes, among others). Although studies on antiplatelet activity in this fruit are recent, its rich chemical composition clearly shows that the presence of chemical compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, among others) with high antiplatelet potential can provide this berry with antiplatelet properties. These bioactive compounds have antiplatelet effects with multiple targets in the platelet, particularly, they have been related to the inhibition of thromboxane, thrombin, ADP, and GPVI receptors, or through the pathways by which these receptors stimulate platelet aggregation. Detailed studies are needed to clarify this gap in the literature, as well as to specifically evaluate the mechanism of action of Maqui extracts, due to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Antiplatelet activity and chemical analysis of leaf and fruit extracts from Aristotelia chilensis.

Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, also known as maqui, is a plant native to Chile without chemical characterization and quantification of the bioactive compounds present in it. HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS/MS studies have shown the presence, at different concentrations, of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds in fruit and leave extracts of the domesticated maqui clones Luna Nueva, Morena, and Perla Negra. The extracts from leaves and unripe fruits of Luna Nueva and Morena clones significantly inhibit platelet aggregation induced by several agonists; the extracts inhibit platelet granule secretion by decreasing the exposure of P-selectin and CD63 at the platelet membrane. Reactive oxygen species formation in platelets is lower in the presence of maqui extracts. Statistical Pearson analysis supports the levels of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds being responsible for the antiaggregant maqui effects. This work is the first evidence of antiplatelet activity from Aristotelia chilensis giving added value to the use of leaves and unripe fruits from this species.

Effect of different provenances and production conditions on antioxidant properties in Buddleja globosa leaves / Efecto de diferentes procedencias y condiciones de cultivo sobre propiedades antioxidantes en hojas de Buddleja globosa

Buddleja globosa Hope (matico) is a medicinal shrub native to Chile whose leaves have been traditionally used for wound and ulcer healing, pathologies associated to oxidative stress. Matico leaves display a high content of polyphenols, compounds with recognized antioxidant capacity, which may contribute to its therapeutic properties. Several factors, however, can modify the polyphenol content of matico leaf extracts, including plant material, production techniques, provenances, leaf age, harvest time, irrigation, and desiccation procedures. Thus, standardized leaf extracts prepared with plants from different provenances and harvest conditions were compared in terms of polyphenol content and their protecting antioxidant effects on rat liver microsomal lipids and thiol groups. All factors tested, but irrigation, changed both polyphenol content and antioxidant properties of matico extracts; water stress only affected their antioxidant properties without changing their polyphenol content. Correlation between polyphenol content and lipid peroxidation inhibition was only significant in the provenance study.

Buddleja globosa Hope (matico) es un arbusto medicinal nativo de Chile cuyas hojas han sido utilizadas en la medicina tradicional como cicatrizante en caso de patologías relacionadas con el estrés oxidativo. Las hojas tienen un alto contenido de polifenoles, compuestos con reconocidos efectos antioxidantes relacionados con la inhibición de la lipoperoxidación. Varios factores pueden afectar a su contenido, entre ellos el origen de la planta, edad de la hoja, momento de cosecha, riego y métodos de secado. En extractos estandarizados preparados de hojas de diferentes tratamientos se compararon el contenido de polifenoles y los efectos antioxidantes protectores de lipidos y grupos tioles microsomales. Todos los ensayos de cultivo y postcosecha mostraron diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos, excepto para la inhibición de lipoperoxidación en el tratamiento de riego. Plantas de diferente origen muestran que el contenido de polifenoles en las hojas es determinado genéticamente y sufre variaciones por efectos ambientales.

Antioxidant properties and TLC characterization of four Chilean Haplopappus-species known as bailahuén.

"Bailahuén" is the common name of a medicinal shrub native to Chile where this resinous herb is widely used for its liver stimulating properties. Although the official species is Haplopappus baylahuen Remy (Asteraceae), other species of the same genus are also used in different regions as "bailahuén". A thin layer chromatography (TLC) method for rapid identification of different species and detection of adulterations is described for four of the species: Haplopappus baylahuen, Haplopappus taeda Reiche, Haplopappus multifolius Phil., and Haplopappus remyanus Wedd. To confirm efficiency in all species antioxidant properties were screened in resins, infusions, and methanolic extracts by tests of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes and free radical scavenging activity by DPPH. In both studies Haplopappus baylahuen showed the lowest antioxidant capacity. In DPPH analyses, infusion and resins of Haplopappus baylahuen also showed the lowest and Haplopappus remyanus the major inhibiting activity of free radicals, while Haplopappus multifolius proved to have the highest result when the methanolic extracts were used. The chemical characterization of the studied species showed important levels of flavonoids and coumarins, with flavonoids predominating in Haplopappus taeda, coumarins in Haplopappus multifolius and both of them in Haplopappus baylahuen and Haplopappus remyanus.