Saline extract of Pilosocereus gounellei stem has antinociceptive effect in mice without showing acute toxicity and altering motor coordination.

People broadly use medicinal plants although their safety and efficacy are often neglected. Several Cactaceae plants are used for medicinal purposes, but Pilosocereus gounellei (xique-xique) has been little studied for their pharmacological properties. In this study, a saline extract from Pilosocereus gounellei stem was evaluated for acute toxicity, effects on motor function, and antinociceptive activity in mice. Thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography revealed the presence of flavonoids and reducing sugars. No death of mice was noted with oral treatments at 2000 and 5000 mg/kg. Body weight gain, food intake, and water consumption were not affected with treatment at 2000 mg/kg. The number of segmented leukocytes was higher in the treated mice than in control, and reduced serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were detected after both extract treatments. No histological alterations in the liver, heart, lung, kidney, and spleen were detected. Open field and rotarod tests showed that the extract did not affect motor function and exploratory activity. Antinociceptive activity was detected in acetic acid-induced writhing, tail-immersion, and formalin tests, indicating interference with both non-inflammatory and inflammatory pain. In conclusion, the P. gounellei extract has antinociceptive activity in mice without showing toxicity and altering motor coordination.

Characterization of the Antidiabetic Role of Parkinsonia aculeata (Caesalpineaceae).

This paper reports the characterization of the antidiabetic role of a hydroethanolic extract from Parkinsonia aerial parts (HEPA), in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, treated with HEPA (125 and 250 mg/kg; p.o.). Oral glucose tolerance test, acute oral toxicity test and preliminary phytochemical analyses were performed. The diabetic rats treated with HEPA showed a significant reduction in serum and urinary glucose, urinary urea and triglyceride levels, as compared to the diabetic untreated group. However, in the normal treated groups, a significant reduction was found only in serum triglyceride levels. In all treated diabetic groups, an improvement in hepatic glycogen was observed, as well as a decrease in liquid intake and urinary volume, and an enhancement in the weight of skeletal muscles (soleus and extensor digitorum longus), kidneys and epididymal adipose tissue. Nevertheless, body and liver weights were ameliorated only in the diabetic group treated with HEPA (250 mg/kg). Moreover, oral glucose tolerance was higher in animals treated with HEPA, while results also showed that HEPA could be considered toxicologically safe. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tanins, flavonoids and steroids in HEPA. In conclusion, P. aculeata presents an antidiabetic activity and other beneficial effects that ameliorate diabetes and associated complications.