Phytochemical Profile and Investigation of the Spasmolytic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Seeds

Aims: Perform the phytochemical analysis and investigate the spasmolytic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from S. cumini seeds (EHS-SC).

Study Design: Qualitative phytochemical analysis and test of the EHS-SC on isolated smooth muscles (aorta, trachea, jejunum and uterus) of rat, to value effect relaxant and/or inhibitor.

Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacognosy Laboratory II (Pharmacy course) and Pharmacology Research and Post-Graduate Laboratory (Department of Physiological Sciences) of the Federal University of Maranhão, between January 2017 and July 2018.

Methodology: EHS-SC was submitted to phytochemical analysis and changes in color, fluorescence and absence or presence of precipitate were observed. The smooth muscle segments were suspended (tension of 1 g) in glass vats containing specific saline solution, at an appropriate temperature and after stabilization period, was stimulated by a suitable contractile agent to observe the effect of EHS-SC in the phasic and/or tonic component.

Results: EHS-SC showed the majority presence of phenols, steroids, alkaloids and flavonoids (flavones, xanthones, flavonols) and was more potent in inhibiting phasic contractions induced by 10-6 M carbachol (CCh) in isolated rat jejunum (Emax: 83.5 ± 6.7%; n = 3). In addition, the EHS-SC (81.0; 243.0 and 729 µg/mL) antagonized the CCh effect (n = 4), increasing the EC50 (6.5 ± 1.3 x 10-7 M) of the CCh to 8.5 ± 1.1; 18.5 ± 3.4 and 40.5 ± 7.4 x 10-7 M and reducing the Emax (100%) of the CCh to 82.9 ± 10.5; 67.6 ± 6.0 and 10.1 ± 8.3%.

Conclusion: Spasmolytic activity may be combined with antimicrobial and antidiarrheal activity according to literature data, where they show that the seeds have the same secondary metabolites, signaling the therapeutic potential for the treatment of colic and/or diarrhea.