ABSTRACT
Aims: This paper describes the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco. Study Design: Study the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of C. icaco using in vivo models. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Antibiotics and Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, between March 2010 and March 2012. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan/dextraninduced paw edema, vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and subcutaneous air pouch models, with measurements of cell migration, nitric oxide and cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot plate tests were performed to investigate the antinociceptive effects. Results: The aqueous extract of C. icaco (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) reduced dextran/carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, the vascular permeability, cell migration, and nitric oxide concentration. However, it did not affect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 produced in the pouch. The aqueous extract also demonstrated antinociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and formalin test, and was able to prolong the reaction time in the hot plate model in the first hour with activity similar to morphine (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.). There was no acute toxicity in mice after oral administration of the aqueous extract at doses of 2 g/kg. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the aqueous extract of C. icaco demonstrated antiinflammatory activity through the reduction of vascular permeability, inhibition of cellular migration and nitric oxide production and that the antinociceptive activity seems to be mediated by central mechanisms.