Phytochemical investigations and biological potential screening with cellular and non-cellular models of globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosaL) inflorescences

摘要

Gomphrena globosaL. is a popular edible plant used as food colourant and in traditional medicine. In this work, 24 phenolic compounds and eight betacyanins were determined by HPLC-DAD in three different extracts of C. globosa inflorescences. The decoction presented the highest amount of phenolic compounds, kaempferol-3-O-(6-rhamnosyl)hexoside plus kaempferol-3-O-hexoside being the main compounds. The rich betacyanins extract showed isogomphrenin HI and gomphrenin HI as major metabolites. Decreases in the nitric oxide amounts were observed in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In vitro scavenging micro assays against several reactive species revealed a great antioxidant capacity, particularly against super-oxide radical. In general, the best results were obtained with decoction. Some relationships between activity and composition were established. The data provide evidence of the G. globosa inflorescences potential as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds, with relevance for the treatment of acute or chronic inflammatory conditions, and health-promoting antioxidants for use by both food and pharmaceutical industries.