Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Campomanesia adamantium.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Campomanesia species are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, anti-diarrheal and hypocholesterolemic. Aim of the study: The present study investigated the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of ethyl acetate (AE) and aqueous (Aq) extracts from leaves of Campomanesia adamantium and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of AE and its isolated flavonols, myricitrin and myricetin. Materials and methods: The antinociceptive activity of AE and Aq was evaluated using acetic acid- induced writhing and formalin methods. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of AE and Aq was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice. AE, myricitrin and myricetin were evaluated for their abilities to modulate the production of NO, TNF-a and IL-10 in LPS/IFN-g stimulated J774.A1 macrophages. Results: It was found that orally administrated AE and Aq (125 and 250 mg/kg) inhibited carrageenan- induced paw oedema in mice. AE (125 and 250 mg/kg) and Aq (125 mg/kg) reduced the time to licking at the second phase of the formalin method in vivo in mice. AE (250 mg/kg) and Aq (125 mg/kg) also reduced the number of writhes. AE, myricitrin and myricetin inhibited NO (320 mg/mL and 6.25–100 mM, respectively) and TNF-a production by macrophages (320 mg/mL for AE, 100 mM for myricitrin and 25–100 mM for myricetin). AE (160 and 320 mg/mL), myricitrin (50 and 100 mM) and myricetin (25–100 mM) increased IL-10 production by macrophages. Conclusions: The ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts from Campomanesia adamantium showed anti- nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects supporting the use of the plant in folk medicine. The results suggest that anti-oedematogenic effect promoted by aqueous extract involves several anti- inflammatory mechanisms of action. The antinociceptive effect shown by aqueous extract can be due to the modulation of release of inflammatory mediators involved in nociception. The anti-inflammatory effects of AE and of its isolated flavonols may be attributed to inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production, TNF-a and NO and to the increased of IL-10 production.