Anti-inflammatory activity of 4',6,7-trihydroxy-5-methoxyflavone from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L.G.Lohmann.

Fridericia chica, Bignoniaceae, is a tropical tree-creeper used as a traditional remedy for a number of diseases, highlighting inflammation. Our objective was to corroborate the popular anti-inflammatory use of the hydroethanolic extract from the leaves (HEFc) and of its isolated 4',6,7-trihydroxy-5-methoxyflavone (5-O-methylscutellarein) [1], described here for the first time. Quantitative analysis indicated 8.77 ± 0.23 mg/g of this compound in the extract. Neither HEFc nor [1] was cytotoxic in vitro. In LPS-induced peritonitis in mice, oral pre-treatment with HEFc or [1] led to decreased leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity and a reduction in the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1ß). Also, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was enhanced following treatment with [1]. Overall, these results validate the traditional use of Fridericia chica as anti-inflammatory, and indicate that the compound 5-O-methylscutellarein may participate in this effect.

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of methanol extract of Cariniana rubra stem bark in animal models.

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as "jequitibá-vermelho'', is a large Brazilian tree whose bark is used in infusion and decoction for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. This study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of Cariniana rubra methanolic stem bark extract (EM Cr) using experimental animals. Anti-inflammatory activity of EM Cr was tested on carrageenan and dextran-induced rat paw edema, carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats and acetic acid-increase vascular permeability in mice. Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests in mice, as well as brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The extract inhibitied carrageenan and dextran-induced edema, reduced exudate volume and leukocyte migration on the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and on the vascular permeability increase induced by acetic acid. The EM Cr inhibited nociception on the acetic acid-induced writhing and in the second phase of formalin test, and decreased rectal temperature. It was, however, inactive against thermal nociception.Phytochemical analysis with EM Cr showed the occurrence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols and phenolic compounds. Phytosterols (ß-sitosterol, stigmasterol), pentacyclic triterpenes (α- and ß-amyrin as a mixture), arjunolic acid, a phytosterol glycoside (sitosterol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside), and triterpenoid saponins (28-ß-glucopyranosyl-23-O-acetyl arjunolic acid; 3-O-ß-glucopyranosyl arjunolic acid and 28-O-[α-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-glucopyranosyl]-23- O-acetyl arjunolic acid) were the main identified compounds. It can be presumed that EM Cr caused their effects by inhibiting the liberation and/or action of different inflammatory mediators. These findings support the traditional use of Cariniana rubra preparations to treat inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of methanol extract of Cariniana rubra stem bark in animal models

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as "jequitibá-vermelho'', is a large Brazilian tree whose bark is used in infusion and decoction for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. This study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of Cariniana rubra methanolic stem bark extract (EM Cr) using experimental animals. Anti-inflammatory activity of EM Cr was tested on carrageenan and dextran-induced rat paw edema, carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats and acetic acid-increase vascular permeability in mice. Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests in mice, as well as brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The extract inhibitied carrageenan and dextran-induced edema, reduced exudate volume and leukocyte migration on the carrageenan-induced pleurisy and on the vascular permeability increase induced by acetic acid. The EM Cr inhibited nociception on the acetic acid-induced writhing and in the second phase of formalin test, and decreased rectal temperature. It was, however, inactive against thermal nociception.Phytochemical analysis with EM Cr showed the occurrence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols and phenolic compounds. Phytosterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), pentacyclic triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin as a mixture), arjunolic acid, a phytosterol glycoside (sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), and triterpenoid saponins (28-β-glucopyranosyl-23-O-acetyl arjunolic acid; 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl arjunolic acid and 28-O-[α-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranosyl]-23- O-acetyl arjunolic acid) were the main identified compounds. It can be presumed that EM Cr caused their effects by inhibiting the liberation and/or action of different inflammatory mediators. These findings support the traditional use of Cariniana rubra preparations to treat inflammation.

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularmente conhecido como "jequitibá-vermelho'', é uma árvore brasileira de grande porte, cuja casca é utilizada nas formas de infusão e decocção para o tratamento de condições inflamatórias. Os efeitos antiinflamatório, antinociceptivo e antipirético do extrato metanólico da casca do caule de Cariniana rubra (EM Cr) foram avaliados em animais experimentais. A atividade antiinflamatória do EM Cr foi testada nos modelos de edema depata induzido por carragenina e dextrana em ratos, pleurisia induzida por carragenina em ratos e permeabilidade vascular aumentada por ácido acético em ratos. As atividades antinociceptiva e antipirética foram avaliadas utilizando os modelos de nocicepções induzidos por ácido acético e formalina, placa quente em camundongos e de pirexia, pela injeção de levedura de cerveja em ratos. O extrato inibiu o edema induzido porcarragenina e dextrana, reduziu o volume de exsudato e a migração de leucócitos na pleurisia induzida por carragenina eo aumento da permeabilidade vascular induzida por ácidoacético. O EM Cr inibiu a nocicepção nas contorções induzidas por ácido acético e na segunda fase do teste de formalina e diminuiu a temperatura retal. No entanto, foi inefetivo no teste da placa quente. A análise química por via úmida deu resultados positivos para saponinas, triterpenos, esteroides e compostos fenólicos. Fitosteróis e triterpenóides pentacíclicos (β-sitosterol, estigmasterol, α and β-amirinas em mistura e ácido arjunólico) e as saponinas triterpenoidais: 3-O-β-D-glucopiranosideo de sitosterol; ácido arjunólico 28-β-glucopiranosila-23-O-acetila; ácido arjunólico 3-O-β-glucopiranosila e ácido arjunólico 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopiranosil-(1→2)-β-D-glucopiranosila]-23-O-acetila. Pode-se presumir que os efeitos do EM Cr foram causados pela inibição da liberação e/ou ação de diversos mediadores inflamatórios. Estes resultados validam o uso tradicional das preparações caseiras de Cariniana rubra para tratar a inflamação.

Topical and systemic anti-inflammatory effects of Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli (Alismataceae).

Echinodorus macrophyllus leaf has been used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions and kidney dysfunctions. The present study evaluated the effects of leaf ethanolic extract from E. macrophyllus (EEEm) in acute and subchronic models of inflammation. The EEEm was found to cause significant and potent inhibition of carrageenan- and dextran-induced paw edema in rats and marked decreases in the exudate volume and leukocyte migration in rats with carrageenan-induced pleurisy, the vascular permeability increase induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid, and the croton oil-induced topical ear edema in mice. On the other hand, the EEEm was not active in the test model of cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. Phytochemical analysis with E. macrophyllus leaves revealed the presence of triterpenoids, steroids, flavones, flavonols, and xanthones. Two flavonoids were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction and identified as isovitexin and vitexin. Our results support the traditional use of E. macrophyllus leaves in the treatment of acute inflammatory conditions.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract from Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark

Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark (Fabaceae), locally known as "sucupira-preta", is a reputed folk-remedy to treat some inflammatory disorders. To validate its traditional claim, the ethanolic extract from B. virgilioides was evaluated in several animal models of inflammation and nociception. The extract at oral doses of 100 to 1000 mg/kg body weight caused a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema, suppression of exudate volume and leukocyte immigration in rat pleurisy induced by carrageenan, and reduction of granuloma weights in the model of subcutaneous granulomas promoted by cotton pellets. In addition, the plant extract significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid. It also showed marked antinociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing test and in the second phase of formalin test in mice. These findings evidence the anti-inflammatory potential of Bowdichia virgilioides bark and supports its traditional use in inflammatory conditions.

A casca do caule de Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K (Fabaceae), conhecida localmente como sucupira-preta, é um remédio popular muito utilizado para tratar inflamações. Com o objetivo de validar sua crença popular, o extrato etanólico de B. virgilioides foi avaliado em vários modelos experimentais de inflamação e nocicepção. O extrato administrado, via oral, em doses de 100 a 1000 mg/kg de peso corporal produziu inibição significativa no edema de pata induzido por carragenina, no aumento na permeabilidade vascular induzido por acido acético, no volume de exudato e na migração leucocitária no teste de pleurisia induzida por carragenina, bem como no peso de granulomas induzidos por pelotas de algodão, em ratos. Em camundongos, o EE Bv reduziu o número de contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético e a lambedura da pata na segunda fase do teste da formalina. Esses resultados validam o potencial anti-inflamatório da casca de Bowdichia virgilioides e referendam seu uso tradicional em condições inflamatórias.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract from Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark.

Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark (Fabaceae), locally known as "sucupira-preta", is a reputed folk-remedy to treat some inflammatory disorders. To validate its traditional claim, the ethanolic extract from B. virgilioides was evaluated in several animal models of inflammation and nociception. The extract at oral doses of 100 to 1000 mg/kg body weight caused a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema, suppression of exudate volume and leukocyte immigration in rat pleurisy induced by carrageenan, and reduction of granuloma weights in the model of subcutaneous granulomas promoted by cotton pellets. In addition, the plant extract significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid. It also showed marked antinociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing test and in the second phase of formalin test in mice. These findings evidence the anti-inflammatory potential of Bowdichia virgilioides bark and supports its traditional use in inflammatory conditions.

Antidiabetic activity of Vatairea macrocarpa extract in rats.

In the present paper the anti-diabetic effects of stem-bark extract (ethanol 70%) of Vatairea macrocarpa, a traditional diabetes mellitus treatment widely used in Brazil, are reported. The extract was administered orally at a dose of 250 or 500 mg/kg, for 22 days, to normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In extract treated (500 mg/kg) diabetic rats serum and urinary glucose, urinary urea, food and fluid intake were decreased, while body weight gain was increased, all of which indicate an improvement in diabetic state (p<0.05). No effects of the extract were observed in non-diabetic rats. In extract treated (500 mg/kg) diabetic group HOMA-R (homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance) was lower at the end of 22 days, as compared to diabetic non treated control group. Insulin was the reference substance used in the experiments. In an oral glucose tolerance test, the time to reach maximal glycemia was greater in diabetic 500 mg/kg treated group than in control group. These anti-diabetic effects could be related to an improved insulin resistance, although a possible effect on pancreatic B-cell function cannot be excluded. Thus, our data of sub-chronic experiments suggest that long-term use of V. macrocarpa stem-bark extract may be helpful in treating diabetic conditions.