NOx-, IL-1β-, TNF-α-, and IL-6-Inhibiting Effects and Trypanocidal Activity of Banana (Musa acuminata) Bracts and Flowers: UPLC-HRESI-MS Detection of Phenylpropanoid Sucrose Esters

Abstract

Banana inflorescences are a byproduct of banana cultivation consumed in various regions of Brazil as a non-conventional food. This byproduct represents an alternative food supply that can contribute to the resolution of nutritional problems and hunger. This product is also used in Asia as a traditional remedy for the treatment of various illnesses such as bronchitis and dysentery. However, there is a lack of chemical and pharmacological data to support its consumption as a functional food. Therefore, this work aimed to study the anti-inflammatory action of Musa acuminata blossom by quantifying the cytokine levels (NO_x, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) in peritoneal neutrophils, and to study its antiparasitic activities using the intracellular forms of T. cruzi, L. amazonensis, and L. infantum. This work also aimed to establish the chemical profile of the inflorescence using UPLC-ESI-MS analysis. Flowers and the crude bract extracts were partitioned in dichloromethane and n-butanol to afford four fractions (FDCM, FNBU, BDCM, and BNBU). FDCM showed moderate trypanocidal activity and promising anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. BDCM significantly inhibited the secretion of TNF-α, while BNBU was active against IL-6 and NO_x. LCMS data of these fractions revealed an unprecedented presence of arylpropanoid sucroses alongside flavonoids, triterpenes, benzofurans, stilbenes, and iridoids. The obtained results revealed that banana inflorescences could be used as an anti-inflammatory food ingredient to control inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: UPLC-ESI-MS; anti-inflammatory activity; antiparasitic activity; arylpropanoid sucroses; banana inflorescences.

Figure 1

Effects of flower fraction from dichloromethane partition (FDCM) (A), flower fraction from n-butanol partition (FNBU) (B), bract fraction from dichloromethane partition (BDCM) (C), and bract fraction from n-butanol partition (BNBU) (D) on neutrophil viability. Control: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice treated only with vehicle; 10–1000: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice treated with concentrations of each specific extract ranging from 10 to 1000 µg/mL. Each group represents the mean ± standard error of the mean; n = 3/group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 compared to the control group (ctrl).

Figure 2

Effect of FDCM (A), FNBU (B), BDCM (C), and BNBU (D) on IL-1β secretion by LPS-stimulated peritoneal murine neutrophils. Control: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice treated only with vehicle; LPS: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with vehicle; 10–100: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with concentrations of each specific extract ranging from 10 to 100 µg/mL. Each group represents the mean ± standard error of the mean; n = 3/group. ### p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group. *** p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group.

Figure 3

Effect of FDCM (A), FNBU (B), BDCM (C), and BNBU (D) on TNF-α secretion by LPS-stimulated peritoneal murine neutrophils. Control: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice treated only with vehicle; LPS: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with vehicle; 10–100: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with concentrations of each specific extract ranging from 10 to 100 µg/mL. Each group represents the mean ± standard error of the mean; n = 3/group. ## p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group. * p < 0.01 and ** p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group.

Figure 4

Effect of FDCM (A), FNBU (B), BDCM (C), and BNBU (D) on IL-6 secretion by LPS-stimulated peritoneal murine neutrophils. Control: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice treated only with vehicle; LPS: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with vehicle; 10–100: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with concentrations of each specific extract ranging from 10 to 100 µg/mL. Each group represents the mean ± standard error of the mean; n = 3/group. ### p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group. * p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group.

Figure 5

Effect of FDCM (A), FNBU (B), BDCM (C), and BNBU (D) on NO_x secretion by LPS-stimulated peritoneal murine neutrophils. Control: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice treated only with vehicle; LPS: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with vehicle; 10–100: peritoneal neutrophils isolated from mice stimulated with LPS and treated with concentrations of each specific extract ranging from 10 to 100 µg/mL. Each group represents the mean ± standard error of the mean; n = 3/group. ### p < 0.001 compared to the Ctrl group. ** p < 0.01 compared to the Ctrl group.

Figure 6

Spectra of the dichloromethane and n-butanol flower (FDCM and FNBU, respectively) and bract (BDCM and BNBU, respectively) fractions.