Novel Flavonoid Glycosides of Quercetin from Leaves and Flowers of Gaiadendron punctatum G.Don. (Violeta de Campo), used by the Saraguro Community in Southern Ecuador, Inhibit α-Glucosidase Enzyme

Abstract

Gaiadandendron punctatum G.Don. (violeta de campo) is a plant used in traditional medicine by the Saraguro people, an ancient indigenous group that lives in southern Ecuador. From samples collected in the region, six glycoside flavonoids, five with quercetin and one with kaempferol as aglycon, were isolated and characterized from hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and flowers. Rutin (2) was found in flowers and leaves, nicotiflorin (1) was found in flowers, artabotryside A (3) was found in leaves, and three novel quercetin flavonoid glycosides were isolated, elucidated, and characterized via 1D and 2D NMR experiments (1H, 13C, COSY, DEPT, HMBC, HSQC, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY), acid hydrolysis–derivatization–GC-MS analysis, HPLC-MS, IR, UV, and optical rotation. The new quercetin flavonoid glycosides were named hecpatrin (4) (isolated from leaves), gaiadendrin (5) (isolated from leaves), and puchikrin (6) (isolated from flowers). The hydroalcoholic extracts of the leaves presented antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis and the hydroalcoholic extract of the flowers was active against Micrococcus luteus. However, glycoside flavonoids presented scarce antimicrobial activity against bacteria. Hydroalcoholic extracts from leaves and flowers and their secondary metabolites showed inhibition against the α-glucosidase enzyme at different concentrations. Rutin, gaiadendrin, and nicotiflorin showed competitive α-glucosidase inhibition, while hecpatrin presented non-competitive inhibition.