Estudo do perfil químico e biológico do extrato hidroalcoólico de folhas de Casearia selloana Eichler por CLAE-DAD

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile and evaluate the biological activity of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the leaves of Casearia selloana Eichler, a Brazilian endemic species that remains underexplored scientifically. Different proportions of ethanol and water were used as extraction solvents, and the samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), focusing on the phenolic composition. Extracts with a higher ethanol content showed greater diversity of nonpolar compounds, while more aqueous extracts favored the extraction of polar metabolites. Biological assays revealed moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 125 µg/mL), selective cytotoxic effects on murine 4T1 tumor cells, and significant antiparasitic activity against Leishmania amazonensis amastigote forms (SI = 2.42 µg/mL). The most promising condition was attributed to extract A, the most nonpolar, which exhibited the best biological results, making the development of mixture models unnecessary. Additionally, the environmentally friendly nature of the method is highlighted, as it is based on green solvents such as ethanol and water, in accordance with the principles of Green Chemistry. These findings reinforce the pharmacological potential of C. selloana and its relevance as a source of bioactive compounds.