Phenolic compounds: antioxidant and larvicidal potential ofSmilax brasiliensisSprengel leaves

Smilax brasiliensisis a medicinal species of the Brazilian Cerrado. The extract and fractions of this plant were analysed by LC-DAD-MS. Identified constituents included glycosylated and non-glycosylated flavonoids, especially quercetin, and phenylpropanoids, such as chlorogenic acids. The antioxidant activity was significantly more pronounced for the methanol extract and fractions than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT). Maximum larvicidal activity of 85.83% was recorded in the dichloromethane fraction (LC50= 469.78 mu g mL(-1)). The methanol extract and fractions presented low toxicity to larvae of the shrimp brineArtemia salina,indicating selectivity forC. quinquefasciatus. These results contribute to the phytochemical study ofS. brasiliensis. These compounds were identified for the first time in this species and encourage additional work on the isolation of compounds present in the extract and fractions ofS. brasiliensisto evaluate the possibility of using them as natural sources of antioxidants, since cytotoxic effects were not demonstrated.