Atividade anti-inflamatória do extrato aquoso das folhas da Guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa)

Abstract

Campomanesia xanthocarpa is a plant species typical of the Brazilian cerrado, with several popular names, among them gabiroba. Phytochemical analyzes of plant derivatives of that species, have shown the presence of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and tannins, which analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions have been attributed. However, until now, the anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous extract of the leaves of C. xanthocarpa has not been investigated. Considering that, in general, the popular use of plant species for therapeutic purposes is based on the use of aqueous preparations of leaves, roots, peels, seeds or fruits, it is relevant to investigate the pharmacological potential of these preparations in order to scientifically validate its use. In this sense, this study aimed, in general, to evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effect of the lyophilized aqueous extract of the leaves of C. xanthocarpa (EACX), by means of the following specific objectives (i) to standardize the induction of peritoneal inflammation with carrageenan (CGN); (ii) to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect in an in vivo experimental model of CGN-induced peritonitis in mice of the BALB / c strain. The animals used in this study were divided into four groups and treated orally with the carboxymethylcellulose vehicle (CBX; G1) or with different concentrations of EACX (100, 550 and 1,000 mg / kg; G2, G3 e G4, respectively). After 60 minutes, the animals received intraperitoneal injection of 1% CGN to induce peritoneal inflammation. Four hours after the CGN injection, the animals were anesthetized and killed by cervical dislocation. Then, an incision was made in the abdomen and the peritoneal cavity was gently washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2, and the peritoneal lavage was collected for total and differential leukocyte counts. The results obtained showed that when comparing the number of total leukocytes between groups G1 (CBX 0.5%) and those treated with different concentrations of EACX (G2, G3 and G4), leukocyte migration was significantly reduced in animals treated with the EACX at a dose of 550 mg / kg (p = 0.0163). At concentrations 100 and 1000 mg / kg, there was only a tendency for a reduction in the leukocyte infiltrate. In addition, the differential leukocyte count revealed a significant reduction in the influx of neutrophils in the G3 group (550 mg / kg) compared to the control group (G1). Together, these results indicate that EACX has an anti-inflammatory effect, which may be associated with bioactive compounds, among them flavonoids, found in the leaves of C. xanthocarpa.