ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Popular medicine use stems of Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Araceae) in inflammation cases, such as in erysipelas, as well as orchitis and rheumatism treatment. The present study, conducted for the first time in literature, investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of P. bipinnatifidum stems ethyl acetate extract (EPB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: GC/MS and HPLC analysis were performed for EPB extract. We used EPB at 250, 375 and 500â¯mg/kg (oral route, p.o.) in male Swiss mice. The antinociceptive activity of the plant extract assessed by acetic acid induced writhing and formalin tests. To investigate the possible participation of opioid system in EPB-mediated effects, we previously administered naloxone to the mice. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. The open-field test aimed to investigate the possible EPB effects on the locomotor and exploratory activities. To assess the protective role of EPB on carrageenan-induced oxidative stress, the levels of NPSH, TBARS, as well as SOD and CAT activities were evaluated in blood and paw tissue. The acute toxicity of the EPB was investigated using OECD 423 guideline. RESULTS: The EPB chemical analysis by GC/MS and HPLC revealed the presence of flavonoids (luteolin and quercetin) and phytosterols (ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol). The oral treatment with the EPB inhibited mice abdominal writhings (Pâ¯<â¯0.01) at 375 and 500â¯mg/kg, and reduced the formalin effect at the first-phase (500â¯mg/kg, Pâ¯<â¯0.05) and also at the second-phase (500â¯mg/kg, Pâ¯<â¯0.001) of the test. EPB (375 and 500â¯mg/kg) did not alter spontaneous locomotion in open field test, however the number of fecal bolus was significantly lower for the EPB group at 500â¯mg/kg when compared to the vehicle group (Pâ¯<â¯0.05). The pretreatment with naloxone caused significant inhibition of antinociceptive activity induced by EPB in the formalin test, revealing the possible involvement of opioid receptors. EPB extract administered at 500â¯mg/kg (p.o.) prevented carrageenan-induced paw oedema (Pâ¯<â¯0.05 and 0.01) until 6â¯h after carragenan injection. Evaluation of TBARS and NPSH levels, SOD and CAT activities in the blood and paw tissue of animals submitted to the carrageenan assay suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of EPB may be linked to oxidative stress inhibition. The acute administration of the EPB (2000â¯mg/kg, p.o.) caused no mortality, demonstrating low toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of P. bipinnatifidum displays antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, causing no toxicological effects. The pharmacological activity of this vegetal species may be related to the presence of flavonoids and phytosterols. Our results support the ethnomedical use of this vegetal species as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.
