Anti‐Inflammatory, Antinociceptive and Cytotoxic Effects of the Methanol Extract of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul

Abstract

Cecropia pachystachya is widely used in the traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory, antitusive, expectorant, antiasthmatic and hypoglycemic. It is also commercially available to treat skin cancer. To validate some of the popular uses of this species, its methanol leaves extract (CPM) was tested for anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and cytotoxic effects. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by croton oil-induced ear edema test. When used orally, the anti-inflammatory effect of CPM at 300 mg/kg was similar to that of indomethacin with 53% inhibition of the ear edema. Also, results on topical treatment were similar to that of dexamethasone with 83% inhibition of the edema. To evaluate the antinociceptive activity, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced pain tests were employed. CPM (100 and 300 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing by 61% and 67%, respectively. In both doses, the activity was comparable to the reference drug, indomethacin. The oral administration of CPM was ineffective in the first phase of formalin test but exhibited great effects on the second phase decreasing the licking time by 85% at 300 mg/kg. The cytotoxic potential of CPM was also investigated against HL60, HL60.bcl2 and Jurkat tumor cell lines and showed an inhibition of more than 50% of cell proliferation. The flavones orientin and isoorientin were detected in CPM.

Antinociceptive properties of 25‐methoxy hispidol A, a triterpinoid isolated from Poncirus trifoliata (Rutaceae) through inhibition of NF‐κB signalling in mice

“…The formalin test is widely used to study the tonic model of continuous pain following formalin‐induced tissue injury (de Oliveira Aragão et al, ). The formalin‐induced nociception have two distinct phases such as early and late phase.…”

“…The formalin‐induced nociception have two distinct phases such as early and late phase. The early phase lasts for 10 min, whereas the late phase lasts from 20 to 30 min (de Oliveira Aragão et al, ). The early phase is believed to be the direct activation of the nociceptors and the prostaglandins role has been documented during early phase (de Oliveira Aragão et al, ).…”

“…The early phase lasts for 10 min, whereas the late phase lasts from 20 to 30 min (de Oliveira Aragão et al, ). The early phase is believed to be the direct activation of the nociceptors and the prostaglandins role has been documented during early phase (de Oliveira Aragão et al, ). However, the late phase is considered to be mediated by the prostaglandins and is characterised by the inflammatory process.…”

“…The antinociceptive potential of 25‐MHA was evaluated using formalin test in mice. Formalin‐induced nociception is commonly used as a preliminary screening tool for the investigation of anti‐inflammatory and analgesic potential of new drug candidates (de Oliveira Aragão et al, ). Formalin induces the nociceptive behaviour in animals in two phases following administration.…”

Cecropia pachystachya: A Species with ExpressiveIn VivoTopical Anti-Inflammatory andIn VitroAntioxidant Effects

“…Recently, the hypoglycemic [7] and oral anti-inflammatory [10] properties of the methanol extract of C. pachystachya leaves were demonstrated. Hypotensive [11], cardiotonic, and sedative [12] effects were also described for the leaves aqueous extract.…”