Actividad antiinflamatoria y analgésica de un extracto orgánico del alga roja Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamouroux / Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of an organic extract from the red alga Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamouroux

INTRODUCCIÓN: el alga roja Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamouroux (Galaxauraceae) es una de las especies más abundantes en la plataforma rocosa del arrecife coralino del archipiélago cubano, sin embargo, poco se conoce de sus propiedades farmacológicas. OBJETIVOS: evaluar la actividad antiinflamatoria y analgésica del extracto en diclorometano del alga roja G. rugosa, así como la composición fitoquímica de esta especie. MÉTODOS: las algas se colectaron en el litoral norte de La Habana. La caracterización fitoquímica del alga se realizó según el Método de Chabra. Para la preparación del extracto se sometió la muestra a extracción Soxhlet con diclorometano a 40 ºC. La actividad antiinflamatoria tópica se estudió en el modelo de edema de la oreja inducido por aceite de Croton en ratones machos OF-1, a las dosis de 10*10-3; 0,125; 0,25; 0,5; 1 y 2 mg/oreja. Se evaluó también la actividad analgésica del extracto en el modelo de contorsiones inducidas por ácido acético al 0,8 %, por vía intraperitoneal (i.p.), a las dosis de 3; 6; 12,5; 25 y 100 mg/kg. RESULTADOS: G. rugosa presentó en su composición fitoquímica compuestos grasos, lactónicos, triterpénicos y/o esteroidales y carbohidratos. El extracto en diclorometano de G. rugosa a partir de la dosis de 0,125 mg/oreja presenta una potente actividad antiinflamatoria (superior al 40 %). El extracto logró reducir las contorsiones en más de un 75 % a partir de la dosis de 6 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados presentados demuestran que el extracto en diclorometano del alga roja G. rugosaestá constituido por una mezcla de compuestos capaces de inhibir con una elevada eficacia farmacológica la respuesta inflamatoria aguda y el dolor inducido por agentes químicos.

INTRODUCTION: the red alga Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamouroux (Galaxauraceae) is one of the most abundant species on the rocky platform of the Cuban coral reef. However, little is known about its pharmacological properties. OBJECTIVES: evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a dichloromethane extract from the red alga G. rugosa and determine the phytochemical composition of the species. METHODS: the algae were collected from the northern coast of Havana. Phytochemical characterization of the alga was performed using Chabra's method. The extract was obtained with a Soxhlet device with dichloromethane at 40 ºC. Topical anti-inflammatory activity was studied with the croton oil ear edema test model in male OF-1 mice at doses of 10*10-3, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ear. The analgesic activity of the extract was evaluated on a model of writhing induced by 0.8 % acetic acid administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 3, 6, 12.5, 25 and 100 mg/kg. RESULTS: phytochemical analysis of G. rugosa revealed the presence of fatty, lactonic, triterpenic and/or steroidal compounds, as well as carbohydrates. The dichloromethane extract of G. rugosa at the dose of 0.125 mg/ear displayed a potent anti-inflammatory activity (above 40 %). The extract reduced writhing by more than 75 % with a dose of 6 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: results show that dichloromethane extract of the red alga G. rugosa is composed of a mixture of compounds capable of inhibiting the acute inflammatory response and the pain induced by chemical agents with a high pharmacological efficacy. composed of a mixture of compounds capable of inhibiting the acute inflammatory response and the pain induced by chemical agents with a high pharmacological efficacy.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract from red seaweed Dichotomaria obtusata

The aim of the present work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of methanolic extract from D. obtusata using classic models in mice (croton oil-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced writhing) and a phospholipase A2 activity test. Qualitative analysis of the chemical composition of seaweed was also determined by extraction with solvents of increasing polarity and precipitation and color tests. Results of qualitative chemical study showed the presence of lactonic and phenolic compounds, reduced carbohydrates, other sugars, flavonoids, fatty compounds, triterpenes and steroids. The extract inhibited mouse ear edema in a dose-dependent manner with an efficacy higher than 90% and a mean effective dose of 4.87µg/ear, while intraperitoneal administration presented a moderate activity. The extract did not inhibit phospholipase A2 activity. In the writhing test, the intraperitoneal administration of the extract showed a strong antinociceptive activity (80.2%), while the oral route showed a lower efficacy. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of methanol extract of D. obtusata in experimental models, suggesting its therapeutic potential in the treatment of peripheral painful and/or inflammatory pathologies.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar os efeitos antiinflamatórios e antinociceptivos de um extrato metanólico de D. obtusata, utilizando modelos clássicos em ratos (teste do edema de orelha induzido por óleo de cróton e teste de contorções induzidas por ácido acético) e um teste de atividade de fosfolipase A2. A análise qualitativa da composição química das algas foi também determinada através de extração com solventes de polaridade crescente e testes de precipitação e cor. Os resultados do estudo de química qualitativa mostraram a presença de compostos lactônicos e fenólicos, hidratos de carbono reduzidos e outros açúcares, flavonoides, compostos graxos, triterpenos e esteroides. O extrato inibiu o edema de orelha dos ratos de um modo dependente da dose com eficácia superior a 90% e dose média efetiva de 4.87µg/orelha, enquanto a administração intraperitoneal apresentou atividade moderada. O extrato não inibiu a atividade da fosfolipase A2. No teste de contorção, a administração intraperitoneal do extrato mostrou forte atividade antinociceptiva (80,2%), enquanto a administração oral mostrou menor eficácia. Em conclusão, este estudo demonstrou os efeitos antiinflamatórios e antinociceptivos do extrato metanólico de D. obtusata em modelos experimentais, sugerindo seu potencial terapêutico no tratamento de patologias dolorosas periféricas e/ou inflamatórias.