Biological activities of Annonaceae species extracts from Cerrado

Annonaceae is one of the richest families of the wood components of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). Annona coriacea Mart., Annona crassiflora Mart., Duguetia furfuracea (A. St.-Hil.) Saff. and Xylopia aromatica L. are common species in this region. The main goal of our study was to determine biological activities of these species. Therefore, we evaluated phytotoxic effects of ethanolic extracts of leaves and stems of these species in the laboratory. In addition, toxicity to animal targets was also evaluated. Lettuce was the less affected target species, with discreet effects over germination rate and initial root development observed using the highest concentration (0.8 mg mL−1) of extracts of A. coriacea. Notwithstanding, tomato was the most affected target species by these annonaceous extracts, with an expressive decrease in germination rate, shoot and root growth even with the lowest extract concentrations. Onion germination was affected mainly by X. aromatica and A. coriacea leaf extracts, with significant results for all concentrations. Effects on shoot and root growth were also observed for this species. In general, the strongest phytotoxic activities were detected for the extracts of A. coriacea and X. aromatica. These extracts also inhibited growth of Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster. The extracts of A. coriacea were also very toxic to brine shrimp nauplii. No antibacterial or antifungal effects were detected with the extracts of these four species of Annonaceae. Among the four species, X. aromatica and A. coriacea exhibited strong biological activities and the results could be useful in agricultural fields in Brazil. These extracts were also promising for isolation and identification of commercial valuable metabolites.