Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of ethanolic extract from Serjania erecta leaves.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The infusion of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) (popular name "cipó-cinco-folhas") leaves is used in popular medicine to treat back pain. The anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic and anti-nociceptive properties of the ethanolic extract from S. erecta leaves (EESE) has not been yet completely clarified. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study investigated the anti-hyperalgesic, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of EESE in experimental models in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EESE was fractionated by chromatographic techniques and the compound was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectrum, ultraviolet (UV) methods. Mice received a single dose of EESE by oral route (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) and were submitted to nociception induced by formalin, pleurisy induced by carrageenan and peritonitis induced by zymosan models. Mice also received EESE (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 22 days in Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) model and another group received EESE for 7 days (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) in pleurisy induced by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The cytotoxicity (MTT), phagocytic and chemotactic inhibitory activities of EESE were performed in in vitro assays. RESULTS: The fractionation of EESE led to the identification of kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside. The oral administration of all doses of EESE decreased the nociceptive response induced by formalin. EESE significantly inhibited leukocyte migration in carrageenan-induced pleurisy and zymosan peritonitis models. The daily administration of EESE during for 7 days inhibited the leukocyte migration and the mycobacteria growth of pleural material obtained from animals which received BCG. EESE significantly reduced edema, cold allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia responses induced by CFA. EESE did not induce cytotoxicity, and also decreased the leukocyte phagocytic activity, as well as, neutrophil chemotaxis. CONCLUSIONS: EESE showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in acute and persistent experimental models in mice. EESE also reduced in vitro leukocyte chemotaxis and phagocytic activity without inducing cytotoxicity. The continuous oral treatment with EESE was effective against hyperalgesia and inflammation and these results could explain the popular use of S. erecta as an analgesic natural agent.

Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Caryocar brasiliense.

BACKGROUND: Caryocar brasiliense, popularly known as pequi, is widely distributed in the Amazon rainforest and Brazilian savannah. The fruit obtained from pequi is used in cooking and has folk use as an anti-inflammatory and for the treatment of respiratory disease. Until now, these two properties had not been scientifically demonstrated for Pequi oil in a carrageenan model. OBJECTIVE: Our group determined the composition and safe use of Pequi oil from the Savannah of Campo Grande, and the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of this pequi oil were investigated in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Doses of 300, 700, and 1000 mg/kg of Pequi oil were administered orally (p.o.) to Swiss male mice, and three parameters of inflammation (mechanical hyperalgesia, cold, hyperalgesia, and oedema) were analyzed in a carrageenan model to induce an inflammatory paw state. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The effects of Pequi oil were also carrageenan in pleurisy model, formalin, and acetic acid induced nociception. Oral administration of 1,000 mg/kg orally Pequi oil (p.o.) inhibited (*P<0.05), the migration of total leukocytes, but not alter plasma extravasation, in the pleurisy model when compared to control groups. The paw edema was inhibited with doses of 700 (P <0.05) and 1,000 mg (P<0.001) of pequi oil after 1, 2, and 4 hours after carrageenan. Pequi oil (1,000 mg/kg) also blocked the mechanical hyperalgesy and reduced cold allodynia induced by carrageenan in paw (P <0.05). Pequi oil treatment (1,000 mg/kg) almost blocked (P < 0.001) all parameters of nociception observed in formalin and acid acetic test. CONCLUSION: This is the first time that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Pequi oil have been shown.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of the Extract, Tiliroside, and Patuletin 3-O-ß-D-Glucopyranoside from Pfaffia townsendii (Amaranthaceae).

Brazilian ginseng, including Pfaffia townsendii, is used in popular medicine as a natural anti-inflammatory, tonic, analgesic, and antidiabetic agent. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the P. townsendii ethanolic extract as well as the major isolated glycoside flavonoids tiliroside and patuletin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside. Chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic analysis were used for the isolation and identification of the major compounds. The antioxidant potential was determined through DPPH and ORAC-FL assays. The total phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined based on a model of paw edema and carrageenan- (Cg-) induced pleurisy. We identified three phenolic acids, one carboxylic acid and two flavonoids, patuletin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, and tiliroside. The ethanol crude extracts, partitions and isolated flavonoids (4581 µmol of Trolox equivalents/g of extract in ORAC and a SC50 of approximately 31.9 µg/mL in the DPPH assay) demonstrated antioxidant activity, and the ethanolic extract as well as isolated flavonoids inhibited paw edema induced by Cg and leukocyte migration in the Cg-induced pleurisy model. The extract, tiliroside, and patuletin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside obtained from P. townsendii have therapeutic potential against oxidative stress-related and inflammatory disorders.