Antinociceptive effect of Mirabilis jalapa on acute and chronic pain models in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The infusion or decoction of Mirabilis jalapa leaves is used in traditional medicine in Brazil to treat inflammatory and painful diseases. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate whether the leaf ethyl acetate (Eta) fraction from Mirabilis jalapa exhibits antinociceptive effect in clinically relevant pain models in mice. Furthermore, we have investigated the role of cholinergic system in the antinociceptive action produced by Eta in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of Eta administered orally (10mg/kg, p.o.) in mice was verified on the painful hypersensitivity (mechanical allodynia) in models of chronic inflammation (subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's Adjuvant-CFA in the plantar surface of the right hind paw), postoperative (paw surgical incision) and neuropathic (partial sciatic nerve ligation) pain. In the chronic inflammation model, we further verified the effect of Eta treatment on paw edema and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels. We also investigated the role of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the antiallodynic action produced by Eta as well as the possible action of Eta on in vitro and ex vivo acetylcholinesterase activity in CFA treated animals. Furthermore, we verified the effect of Eta treatment on the parameters of liver and kidney lesion (level of urea, and activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase). RESULTS: Eta produced marked reduction in the allodynia caused by CFA, surgical incision and partial sciatic nerve ligation. However, Eta did not alter the paw edema or the increase of IL-1ß levels produced by CFA. The antinociceptive effect of Eta was reversed by the pre-treatment of animals with the antagonists of muscarinic (atropine, 5mg/kg, s.c) or nicotinic (mecamylamine, 0.001mg/kg, s.c.) receptors. Eta did not alter in vitro acetylcholinesterase activity in blood or spinal cord samples, but it reversed the increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity observed in the spinal cord samples from mice injected with CFA. Moreover, Eta did not alter the indicators of liver or kidney lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Based on its use in traditional medicine, the results of the present study confirmed the antinociceptive properties of Eta in clinically relevant pain models. Also its effect on the CFA-induced chronic inflammation seems to be related to acetylcholinesterase inhibition and cholinergic system.

Morfoanatomia das folhas de Dodonaea viscosa Jacq., Sapindaceae / Morph-anatomy of the leaves of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq., Sapindaceae

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq., Sapindaceae, é uma planta tradicionalmente utilizada como antifebril, anti-reumática e antimicrobiana. Neste trabalho foram determinados parâmetros morfo-anatômicos, por análise macro e microscópicas, das folhas de Dodonaea viscosa, com o objetivo de auxiliar sua diagnose como insumo farmacêutico. Macroscopicamente as folhas apresentam limbo com forma lanceolada, margem inteira, consistência áspera e venação eucamptódroma. O pecíolo é curto, reto e em seção transversal é triangular com os ângulos arredondados. Microscopicamente destaca-se a cutícula com formações lenticulares, os tricomas glandulares com quatro células na base, os tricomas tectores unicelulares de ápice afilado, os estômatos higrofíticos dispostos apenas na face abaxial da epiderme, o parênquima paliçádico com até três camadas de células e os feixes vasculares com xilema envolto por floema e cordões de parênquima que ligam um maciço central de células de parênquima a uma bainha de esclerênquima. Estas características morfo-anatômicas, quando analisadas em conjunto, contribuem no controle botânico de qualidade das folhas de Dodonaea viscosa como insumo farmacêutico.

Dodonaea viscosa Jacq., Sapindaceae, is a plant traditionally used as anti fever, anti- rheumatic and antimicrobial. This work determined morpho-anatomical parameters, by macro and microscopic analysis of Dodonaea viscosa leaves, aiming to reach their diagnosis as pharmaceutical input. Macroscopically, the leaves have a lanceolate shape limb, full margin, rough consistence and venation eucamptodromous. The petiole is short, straight and in transversal section it is triangular with round angles. Microscopically, the lenticullar formation cuticle is seen with prominence, the glandular thricomes are seen with four cells on the base, the non-glandular unicellular thricomes are seen with pointed apex, the higrophitic stomatas are disposed in the lower surface epidermis only, the palisade parenchyma show up to three-cell layers and vascular bundles with xylem involved by phloem and parenchyma lines which bound a central mass of parenchyma cells to a sclerenchyma sheath. This morph-anatomical characteristic, when analyzed in group, contributes to the botanical quality control of Dodonaea viscosa leaves as pharmaceutical input.

Avaliação da atividade de Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Flacourtiaceae) sobre os níveis séricos de triglicerídeos em ratos / Evaluation of the activity of Casearia sylvestris Swartz (Flacourtiaceae) on rats serum triglyceride

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação da atividade do extrato aquoso e hidroalcoólico das folhas de Casearia sylvestris Swartz sobre os níveis séricos de triglicerídeos em ratos Wistar. Um dos usos populares dessa planta é como emagrecedor. As análises foram efetuadas após administração via oral de suspensão dos extratos em carboximetilcelulose 0,5 por cento (CMC 0,5 por cento) na dose de 500 mg/kg. Os valores obtidos comparados com os do grupo controle que recebeu apenas CMC 0,5 por cento. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o extrato hidroalcoólico de C. sylvestris baixa os níveis de triglicerídeos sanguíneos.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the activities of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Casearia sylvestris leaves on Wistar rats serum triglyceride levels. One of the popular uses of this plant is on weight loss. The analyses have been done after administering suspension of extracts in carboxymethylcellulose 0.5 percent (CMC 0.5 percent), 500mg/kg orally. The values obtained have been compared with the control group which only received CMC 0.5 percent. The results have shown that the hydroalcoholic extract of C. sylvestris lowers the blood triglycerides.

Antinociceptive activity of Mirabilis jalapa in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The infusion or decoction of Mirabilis jalapa leaves is used in traditional medicine in Brazil to treat inflammatory and painful diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study examined the antinociceptive effect of Mirabilis jalapa extracts from leaves and stems in models of pain in mice. MATERIALS, METHODS AND RESULTS: The crude hydroethanolic extract from leaves (CrdL) was more potent than the crude extract from stems (CrdS) to inhibit abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid, with ID(50) values of 5.5 (2.3-13.1) and 18.0 (11.3-28.5) mg/kg, respectively. Among the fractions tested, the Eta fraction from leaves (Eta) was more effective (maximal inhibition of 83+/-8%) and potent (ID(50) of 1.1 (0.6-2.1) mg/kg) to induce antinociception. Eta and CrdL also possessed an antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick test. Pre-treatment with naloxone did not modify the antinociceptive effect of Eta, but co-administration with atropine completely prevented it. This suggests that the antinociceptive effect might depend on the cholinergic system. Instead, Eta was not able to alter the acetylcholinesterase activity in blood or spinal cord. Concerning side effects, Eta did not alter locomotor activity, body temperature, gastrointestinal transit and did not produce gastric lesions. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that Mirabilis jalapa presents antinociceptive activity in mice, which supports its folkloric use as an analgesic.