Regresar

Chemical composition and hypoglycemic activity of extracts from anacardium occidentale l. (cashew)

Abstract:

Introduction: Diabetes is at present the main cause of death from disease in Ecuador. The species Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew) has been used in folk medicine for diabetes control. This plant has been attributed pharmacological and nutritional properties, due to its content of metabolites of therapeutic importance. Objective: Evaluate the chemical composition and hypoglycemic activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from leaves and bark of Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew). Methods: Quality control was performed of the drugs and extracts. Chemical composition was previously characterized by phytochemical screening and mass spectrometry, and quantified by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride. Hypoglycemic activity was evaluated by the 40% glucose induced test in Wistar rats. Results: The drugs and extract used were of high quality. A higher content of metabolites was found in the leaf extract, and the presence of quercetin was confirmed. The content of phenols and flavonoids was similar in the leaf and the stem extracts. The leaf extract displayed hypoglycemic activity, but the bark extract did not. Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic leaf extract contains more metabolites and displays greater hypoglycemic activity than the bark extract.