Nutraceutical potential of Byrsonima cydoniifolia fruits based on chemical composition, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperalgesic activities.

In recent years, the fruits of native Brazilian plant species with anti-inflammatory property have gained prominence due to their properties comparable to traditional medicines. This study aimed to chemically characterize and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic activity of Byrsonima cydoniifolia fruit, which is widely used to manufacture ice cream and jellies. Our results revealed that the fruit exhibits flavonoid derivatives and stilbenes, as trans-piceatannol and resveratrol, as main secondary metabolites. In mice, the hydroethanolic extract of fruit reduced the edema, migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity, as well as abdominal writhings. The results demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of stilbenoids in the Byrsonima genus and the anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effect of Byrsonima cydoniifolia fruits, supporting its potential as a nutraceutical food.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Croton urucurana Baillon bark.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Croton urucurana (Euphorbiaceae) is popularly used in Brazil to treat inflammatory processes, pain, and gastric ulcers. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the methanol extract from the bark of C. urucurana (MECu) in mice and identify its chemical constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extract was characterized by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Extract doses of 25, 100, and 400mg/kg were employed in the biological assays. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was based on paw edema and leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity of mice, both induced by carrageenan. Abdominal writhing caused by acetic acid and duration of formalin-induced paw-licking were the models employed to evaluate antinociceptive activity. RESULTS: Ten compounds were identified in the extract: (+)-gallocatechin (1), procyanidin B3 (2), (+)-catechin (3), (-)-epicatechin (4), tembetarine (5), magnoflorine (6), taspine (7), methyl-3-oxo-12-epi-barbascoate (8), methyl-12-epi-barbascoate (9), and hardwickiic acid (10). This is the first report of compounds 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10 in C. urucurana and compound 5 in the genus Croton. In addition to inhibiting paw edema and leukocyte recruitment (particularly of polymorphonuclear cells) into the peritoneal cavity of mice, MECu reduced the number of abdominal writhings induced by acetic acid and the duration of formalin-induced paw licking. CONCLUSIONS: The methanol extract of C. urucurana bark exhibited anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties, corroborating its use in folk medicine. These effects may be related to the presence of diterpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids.

In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory properties of Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Achyrocline alata is a locally marketed (Mato Grosso do Sul/ Brazil) herb used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and a sedative. Evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of Achyrocline alata in both in vivo and in vitro models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hydroethanolic extract from inflorescences of Achyrocline alata (HEAa) was characterized by HPLC-DAD and compared to standards (chlorogenic acid; isoquercetrin; quercetin; 4,2',4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone; gnaphalin; 3-O-methyl-quercetin; 3,5-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid). The in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of the HEAa (4, 20 and 100 mg/kg, per os) were evaluated using the following animal models: carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, carrageenan-induced vascular permeability and peritonitis in mice and an acetic acid-induced writhing model to test antihyperalgesic activity in mice. In vitro assays were performed to study the effects of the HEAa (0.16, 0.8 and 4 mg/ml) on the cell viability, cell spreading and production of NO and H2O2 in stimulated macrophages. RESULTS: The A. alata extract inhibited the development of edema and vascular permeability, reduced polymorphonuclear cell recruitment in the acute peritonitis assay and decreased the amount of writhing induced by acetic acid. The HEAa did not increase NO/H2O2 production, while it did inhibit production when the macrophages were stimulated by LPS or PMA at all tested concentrations. In the presence of HEAa, macrophage spreading did not increase even after stimulation with LPS. Additionally, the HEAa was nontoxic to macrophages at all tested concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The HEAa displayed anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects, which supports the use of this plant in folk medicine. These effects might be due to the flavonoids and phenylpropanoids derivatives present in the HEAa.