Fruits of Pterodon pubescens Benth have been used traditionally for the treatment of rheumatism, sore throat, and respiratory disorders, and also as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, depurative, tonic, and hypoglycemic agent. The study was aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of the hexane fraction of an ethanolic extract of P. pubescens fruits. The oil from P. pubescens fruits was extracted with ethanol and partitioned with hexane. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured with increasing doses of the hexane fraction (FHPp) by using a carrageenan-induced rat model of pleurisy and a rat model of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis by using an FHPp dose of 250 mg/kg for 21 days. Treatment with an FHPp resulted in anti-inflammatory activity in both models. The results of biochemical, hematological, and histological analyses indicated a significant decrease in glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels (18.32%, 34.20%, and 41.70%, resp.) and reduction in the numbers of total leukocytes and mononuclear cells. The FHPp dose of 1000 mg/kg induced no changes in behavioral parameters, and no animal died. The results of this study extend the findings of previous reports that have shown that administration of extracts and fractions obtained from species of the genus Pterodon exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and lacks toxicity.

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In the study, indomethacin, cyclophosphamide, and infliximab were administered to adjuvant-induced arthritic rats to determine if they were able to prevent the abnormalities caused by arthritis on hepatic metabolism. The drugs were administered to arthritic rats, and at the clinical onset of arthritis (day 14 after adjuvant injection), the livers were perfused to evaluate gluconeogenesis, ureagenesis, oxygen uptake, L: -lactate, pyruvate, and ammonia release from L: -alanine. The effects of the drugs on body weight gain and the signs of arthritis (paw edema, appearance of secondary lesions, and weights of lymphoid tissues) were also evaluated. Cyclophosphamide could completely prevent liver metabolic changes and the inflammatory response. Indomethacin restored ureagenesis, minimized the decrease in gluconeogenesis, and exerted a partially beneficial effect on inflammatory reactions. Infliximab did not improve arthritis-induced liver metabolic alterations or inflammatory responses. These results suggest the participation of prostaglandins, but not TNF-α, on arthritis-induced liver metabolic alterations.