Abstract
Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the hexane extract from Hortia brasilianaVand. leaves were investigated by experimental animal models. Guaiol (9.72%), nonacosane (25.57%) and eicosane (10.80%) were the most abundant components identified by GC/MS. The extract, with LD50 of 2.40 g/kg, reduced the number of abdominal contortions by 13.86 (100 mg/kg) and 18.51% (200 mg/kg). Doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg inhibited both phases of the time paw licking: First phase (9.44% and 16.32%) and the second phase (11.97 and 23.49%), respectively. The extract increased the reaction time on a hot plate at doses of 100 (24.92%) and 200 mg/kg (55.69%) after 90 min of treatment. The paw edema was reduced by the hexane extract at doses of 100 (10.42 and 8.23%) and 200 mg/kg (15.62 and 17.65%) after 3 to 4 h of application of carrageenan, respectively. At the dose of 200 mg/kg, the extract reduced the exudate volume by 19.44%, while the leucocyte migration was inhibited at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (6.13 and 13.84%, respectively). These results suggest that H. brasiliana can be an active source of substances with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities supporting the use in the Brazilian folk medicine. Key words: Hortia brasiliana, Rutaceae, antinociceptive activity, anti-inflammatory activity.
Highlights
One of the cardinal features of the inflammatory states is that normally innocuous stimuli produce pain (Stankov, 2012)
Guaiol (9.72%), nonacosane (25.57%), eicosane (10.80%) and one pentacyclic triterpene (18.49%) were the most abundant components found in the extract
At the doses administered per oral route (p.o.), the hexane extract from H. brasiliana leaves was toxic to animals with LD50 of 2.40 g/kg (95% confidence intervals 1.51-3.83 g/kg)
Summary
One of the cardinal features of the inflammatory states is that normally innocuous stimuli produce pain (Stankov, 2012). The pain is treated with opioids and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The adverse effects as constipation and respiratory depression and irritation of gastric mucosa and ulcer, water retention and nephrotoxicity for opioids and NSAIDs, respectively, have prevented the application of these therapeutic agents (Kawada et al, 2012; Benyamin et al, 2008). Another important option in the treatment of pain and inflammation is the use of medicinal plants that is a common practice worldwide (Shah et al, 2011). The evaluation of the pharmacological effects of these plants can be used as a strategy and support to find new drugs with scientific sustainability in the treatment of many disorders
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