TNF-α inhibition, antioxidant effects and chemical analysis of extracts and fraction from Brazilian guarana seed powder

Paullinia cupana Kunth., commonly named Guaran?a, is a plant from Brazil used as stimulant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of extracts and tannins-rich and methylxanthines-free fraction from guarana? in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect in vitro. Extract 1 obtained good yields of tannins and methylxanthines and was used to identify a type-A procyanidin trimer by LC-ESI-MS. Fraction 4 was rich in tannins and absent of methylxanthines. The extracts and fraction exhibited strong capacity for scavenging DPPH radical with IC50 between 5.88 and 42.75-?g/mL and inhibited TNF-? release by LPS-activated THP-1 cells when compared with control cells and did not present toxicity to THP-1 cells. The fraction 4, rich in tannins, was highly active, with IC50 5.88 ?g/mL by DPPH method and inhibited TNF-? release in 83.50% at 90 ?g/mL. These results reinforced potential anti-inflammatory of guaran?a and data for new therapeutic approaches.