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

Edson N Santos,Evangelista F Lima,Vânia F Noldin,Valdir Cechinel-Filho,Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann,Paulo T Sousa Jr,Joaquim C.S Lima,Vietla S N Rao,Domingos T.O Martins

doi:10.1590/s0001-37652011005000006

Abstract

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.

Highlights

Cariniana rubra Miers (Lecythidaceae), popularly known as “jequitibá-vermelho”, is a large tree that grows abundantly in the hills and forests of the Brazil-No scientific reports in support of the traditional use of this plant are available, phytochemical studies indicated the presence of phenolic compounds in C. rubra, such as β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, α- and β-amyrins, arjunolic acid, sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, the triterpenoidal 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 (Lima et al 2002).The traditional knowledge on the medicinal use of plants should be assessed under laboratory conditions using appropriate biological assays to disclose if the traditional claims are evidence-supported
This study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of Cariniana rubra methanolic stem bark extract (EMCr) using experimental animals
The results reached in this study suggest that EMCr possesses anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic properties and support the traditional use of this plant to treat inflammatory conditions

Summary

Introduction

The traditional knowledge on the medicinal use of plants should be assessed under laboratory conditions using appropriate biological assays to disclose if the traditional claims are evidence-supported. In this context, the ethnopharmacological approach provides specific targets for pharmacological and chemical investigation, looking for a possible development of new plant-derived drugs. The ethnopharmacological approach provides specific targets for pharmacological and chemical investigation, looking for a possible development of new plant-derived drugs With this objective, the present study aims to verify the possible anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic effects of methanol extract from C. rubra stem bark in selected animal models. The plant extract was subjetcted to phytochemical analysis

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion