Neuroprotective potential of extracts from leaves of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata) recovered by clean compressed fluids

Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata), an emerging unconventional food plant belonging to the Cactaceae family, is known as a source of protein with high nutritional value, traditionally used in folk medicine. In this study, different compressed fluid technologies were used to obtain antioxidant rich extracts from P. aculeata leaves. The recovered extracts from ora-pro-nobis leaves showed, in general, high antioxidant potential in DPPH and FRAP in vitro assays. Complementary, supercritical fluid extracts presented acetylcholinesterase inhibition and anti-inflammatory activity. Overall, 11 compounds were identified from the non-polar extracts belonging to terpenoids and phenolic compounds. Metabolites like 2,4-Ditert-butylphenol, β-sitosterol, campesterol, phytol, Vitamin E were already identified in other Pereskia sp. extracts, but compounds like fucosterol and lupeol were also tentatively identified in the present study. Terpenes and phenolic compounds are known for its biological activities, which shows the potentiality of the P. aculeata leaves extracts recovery by compressed fluids technologies.