Evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of Abarema cochliacarpos extracts in mice Mus musculus

Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & J.W. Grimes, Fabaceae, is a native species of Brazil popularly known as "barbatimão", frequently found along the north coast of the state of Bahia. Local communities make an infusion from its stem bark, which is used to treat several diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of A. cochliacarpos extracts in mice Mus musculus. The bark infusion and hydroalcoholic extract were administered nasogastrically into two groups of eight animals (four male and four female each). After 45 days all mice were killed and the livers were collected for further histological analysis. Hepatic steatosis, congestion of the hepatic vessels and medicinal plantspresence of macrophages and lymphocytes infiltrates in the liver, were observed in both steatosis group of animals, additionally animals that received the stem bark infusion presented an accumulation of pigments. None of the animals belonging to the negative control group showed any of the symptoms described above. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract and infusion of A. cochliacarpos stem bark were proven to cause intoxication in mice. The hepatotoxicity of the infusion was more aggressive in females. Further studies are necessary to isolate compounds responsible for the toxic characteristics of A. cochliacarpos.

Abarema cochliacarpos reduces LPS-induced inflammatory response in murine peritoneal macrophages regulating ROS-MAPK signal pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby and Grimes (Fabaceae), known by the vulgar name of Babatenã, has been traditionally used in Northeast Brazil, as an anti-inflammatory remedy. Previous studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and antiulcer effects in skin lesion, alcohol gastric ulcer and acute and chronic colitis. AIMS: The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the butanolic fraction from A. cochliacarpos (BFAC) and its major flavonoid, (+)-catechin, in LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, we studied the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)s and NF-kB signaling pathways possibly involved in the beneficial effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quantification of the extract was carried out by ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Cell viability was determined using SRB assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was analyzed by Griess method and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fluorescence analysis. In addition, cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, MAPK activation and IkappaBalpha (IKBα) degradation, were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: After BFAC characterization, (+)-catechin was revealed as its major constituent. Both BFAC and (+)-catechin, exerted significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects inhibiting LPS-induced intracellular ROS and NO production in peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, the extract but also its major component reduced pro-inflammatory proteins expression probably through c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the beneficial effects of BFAC might be mediated, at least in part, by the presence of (+)-catechin. Conclusively our findings confirm the potential of A. cochliacarpos as a new therapeutic strategy for the management of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Chronic administration of Abarema cochliacarpos attenuates colonic inflammation in rats

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by a chronic clinical course of relapse and remission associated with self-destructive inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Active extracts from plants have emerged as natural potential candidates for its treatment. Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & Grimes, Fabaceae (Barbatimão), is a native medicinal plant in to Brazil. Previously we have demonstrated in an acute colitis model a marked protective effect of a butanolic extract, so we decided to assess its anti-inflammatory effect in a chronic ulcerative colitis model induced by trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS). Abarema cochliacarpos (150 mg/day, v.o.) was administered for fourteen consecutive days. This treatment decreased significantly macroscopic damage as compared with TNBS. Histological analysis showed that the extract improved the microscopic structure. Myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) was significantly decreased. Study of cytokines showed that TNF-α was diminished and IL-10 level was increased after Abarema cochliacarpos treatment. In order to elucidate inflammatory mechanisms, expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were studied showing a significant downregulation. In addition, there was reduction in the JNK and p-38 activation. Finally, IκB degradation was blocked by Abarema cochliacarpos treatment being consistent with an up-regulation of the NF-kappaB-binding activity. These results reinforce the anti-inflammatory effects described previously suggesting that Abarema cochliacarpos could provide a source for the search for new anti-inflammatory compounds useful in ulcerative colitis treatment.

Antinociceptive effects of Abarema cochliacarpos (B.A. Gomes) Barneby & J.W.Grimes (Mimosaceae) / Efeito antinociceptivo de Abarema cochliacarpos (B.A. Gomes) Barneby & J.W.Grimes (Mimosaceae)

In this study, we investigated the analgesic activity of crude aqueous and methanol extracts obtained from Abarema cochliacarpos bark in mice, and analyzed its phytochemical profile. All the extracts exhibited analgesic properties against the writhing test in mice, but the aqueous and methanol extracts were more active, and more potent than two known analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs used as reference. They were also active against the capsaicin-model, but inactive when evaluated in the hot-plate test. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins, catechins, tannins, phenols and anthraquinones.

No presente trabalho foram avaliados a atividade antinociceptiva e o perfil fitoquímico dos extratos aquosos e metanólico produzidos com a casca do caule de Abarema cochliacarpos, uma espécie de Mata Atlântica com diversas indicações populares. Todos os extratos apresentaram atividade analgésica quando avaliados pelo teste das contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético via intraperitonial, apresentando respostas superiores às drogas usadas como referência, bem como no modelo da dor induzida por capsaicina. A avaliação fitoquímica demonstrou a presença de saponinas, catequinas, taninos, fenóis e antraquinonas.