Dimerocostus strobilaceus (Caña Agria) as an Emerging Reservoir of Bioactive Metabolites with Potential Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Health Benefits

The Amazon region is home to a wide variety of plant species that are of interest for their medicinal and nutritional properties. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties, bioactive compound profile, and antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity of Dimerocostus strobilaceus leaves, stems, and seeds. Vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were quantified using RPLC. Antioxidant activity was determined using ABTS and DPPH, while antimicrobial activity was assessed against pathogenic and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Anticancer activity was evaluated in tumour cell lines (HeLa, HCT116, HepG2, and THJ29T), and anti-inflammatory activity was examined in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The seeds stood out for their content of ferulic, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, while kaempferol and quercetin predominated in the leaves. The leaves exhibited greater antimicrobial efficacy and antiproliferative activity (IC50 < 0.2 mg/mL), albeit with limited selectivity. These findings suggest that ‘caña agria’ is a promising source of bioactive metabolites with biotechnological and therapeutic applications.