ABSTRACT
Methyl gallate (MG) is a prevalent phenolic acid in the plant kingdom, and its presence in herbal medicines might be related to its remarkable biological effects, such as its antioxidant, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities. Although some indirect evidence suggests anti-inflammatory activity for MG, there are no studies demonstrating this effect in animal models. Herein, we demonstrated that MG (0.7-70 mg/kg) inhibited zymosan-induced experimental arthritis in a dose-dependent manner. The oral administration of MG (7 mg/kg) attenuates arthritis induced by zymosan, affecting edema formation, leukocyte migration, and the production of inflammatory mediators (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL-1, LTB4, and PGE2). Pretreatment with MG inhibited in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis elicited by CXCL-1, as well as the adhesion of these cells to TNF-α-primed endothelial cells. MG also impaired zymosan-stimulated macrophages by inhibiting IL-6 and NO production, COX-2 and iNOS expression, and intracellular calcium mobilization. Thus, MG is likely to present an anti-inflammatory effect by targeting multiple cellular events such as the production of various inflammatory mediators, as well as leukocyte activation and migration.
Subject(s)
Gallic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Inflammation Mediators/pharmacology , Macrophages/drug effects , Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Administration, Oral , Animals , Arthritis, Experimental , Brazil , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/drug therapy , Gallic Acid/chemistry , Gallic Acid/pharmacology , Inflammation/chemically induced , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Structure , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology , Zymosan/pharmacologyABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata Farias and Proença (Bignoniaceae) is a species traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, until this moment, there is no scientific evidence of these effects. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of hydroethanolic root extract of Jacaranda decurrens in rats and to determine the safe of this plant after acute exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The acute toxicity of Jacaranda decurrens root extract (EJD) was evaluated by oral administration to male rats as single doses of 0; 500; 1000 or 2000 mg/kg body weight. General behavior and toxic symptoms were observed for 14 days. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-induced inflammatory paw edema and myeloperoxidase activity in male rats. RESULTS: No signs of acute toxicity were observed, indicating that the LD(50) is greater than 2000 mg/kg. EJD (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced edema formation and at higher dose, the reduction was similar to dexamethasone. A significant decrease in myeloperoxidase activity was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that Jacaranda decurrens extract has anti-inflammatory properties in rats without causing acute toxicity. These properties observed may be due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as ursolic acid.
