Comparison of the chemical composition and biological effects of the roots, branches and leaves of Heteropterys tomentosa A. Juss

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Heteropterys tomentosa: A. Juss (Malpighiaceae), commonly mistaken as Heteroptezys aphrodisiaca, is chronically used by the Brazilian population to improve general health due to its claimed protective effects against a wide range of medical conditions. Aim of the study: This study in rodents aimed to verify the adaptogenic potential of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the roots (the most commonly used portion), branches and leaves of the plant. Materials and methods: The phytochemical constitution of the extracts was analyzed through thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Restriction- and cold-induced stress in rats treated for 14 days with 100 or 300 mg/kg of the extracts were used to evaluate parameters such as ulceration, adrenals, thymus and spleen weights, as well as ACTH and corticosterone plasmatic levels. The stress response also was evaluated in mice by self-analgesia induced by restraint stress, after 7 days of treatment at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. The learning and memory of aged rats treated with extracts of root or branches at the dose of 50 mg/kg for 80 days were evaluated in the elevated T-maze test. Results: The chemical constituents of the three parts of the plant were relatively similar in the presence of saponins, hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and triterpenes. None of the three extracts were capable of protecting the stomach from ulcerations in rats submitted to cold restraint stress or protecting from alterations in adrenal or spleen weight (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the extracts did not inhibit increases in plasma levels of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Moreover, the extracts did not inhibit self-analgesia induced by restraint stress in mice and did not improve the performance of aged rats in the T-maze test (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The tests employed in this study did not show evidence of adaptogenic activity in the three extracts of Heteropterys tomentosa. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.