Bioactivity screening of pinhão (Araucaria Angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seed extracts: the inhibition of cholinesterases and a-amylases, and cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities
The objective of this work was to determine the potential bioactive properties of extracts from bio-residues
of pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seeds, namely the α-amylase and cholinesterase
inhibition, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory properties. The pinhão extracts evaluated were obtained
from cooking water (CW) and as an ethanolic extract from residual pinhão seed shells (PS). Catechin was
the major compound found in both extracts. The PS extract presented higher antioxidant levels and the
better inhibition of human salivary and porcine pancreatic α-amylases when compared to the CW extract.
Also, based on in vivo evaluations, the PS extract did not differ significantly from acarbose when compared
to a control group. The most potent inhibitor of cholinesterases was the CW extract. No cytotoxicity
toward normal cells was detected, and neither extract showed anti-inflammatory activity. The PS extract
presented cytotoxic activity toward non-small-cell lung, cervical, hepatocellular and breast carcinoma
cell lines. Overall, the results demonstrated the potential bioactivity of extracts obtained from pinhão bioresidues.
