Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Analgesic Activities ofAgrimonia eupatoriaL. Infusion

Telmo N Santos,I Vitória Figueiredo,Joana Liberal,M Castelo-Branco,M Teresa Batista,Maria T Cruz,António Paranhos,J Pinto Ferreira,Gustavo Costa,Vera Francisco

doi:10.1155/2017/8309894

Abstract

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) (Ae) is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and oxidative related diseases. Therefore, this study focuses on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Ae infusion (AeI). Phenolic compounds characterization was achieved by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MSn. To evaluate antioxidant potential, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and SNAP assays were used. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of AeI was investigated in LPS-stimulated macrophages by measuring the NO production. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was validated using the mouse carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Peripheral and central analgesic potential was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate tests, respectively, as well as the formalin assay to assess both activities. The safety profile was disclosed in vitro and in vivo, using MTT and hematoxylin assays, respectively. Vitexin, quercetin O-galloyl-hexoside, and kaempferol O-acetyl-hexosyl-rhamnoside were referred to in this species for the first time. AeI and mainly AePF (Ae polyphenolic fraction) showed a significant antiradical activity against all tested radicals. Both AeI and AePF decreased NO levels in vitro, AePF being more active than AeI. In vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were verified for both samples at concentrations devoid of toxicity. Agrimony infusion and, mainly, AePF are potential sources of antiradical and anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Highlights

Agrimonia eupatoria L., Rosaceae, commonly known as agrimony, is an erect, perennial herb, up to 100 cm high, mostly unbranched, with a cylindrical stem
The main polyphenols of Agrimonia eupatoria aerial part infusion were identified, the results demonstrating their contribution for the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and analgesic activities
HPLC profiles were recorded at 280 nm for all samples, Figure 1 showing the HPLC profile from Agrimonia eupatoria polyphenol-enriched ethyl acetate fraction (AePF)

Summary

Introduction

Agrimonia eupatoria L., Rosaceae, commonly known as agrimony, is an erect, perennial herb, up to 100 cm high, mostly unbranched, with a cylindrical stem. The pinnate leaves are serrated and covered with soft hairs. Flowers are hermaphrodite with 5 yellow petals, arranged on slender, terminal spikes. The fruit is surrounded by several rows of soft, hook-shaped bristles [1]. The aerial parts of agrimony are used to prepare infusions, decoctions, or tinctures (hydroalcoholic extracts) in traditional medicine, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and diuretic properties [2, 3]. Only a small number of scientific works have been carried out concerning these activities and the phytoconstituents involved

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