Biological Activities ofLibidibia (Caesalpinia) ferreavar.parvifolia(Mart. ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz Pod Preparations

Abstract

Libidibia ferrea has been used in folk medicine throughout Brazil, and this study evaluated the biological activities of crude extract (CE) as well as a partially purified fraction (F80) obtained from its pods. Results from the MTT assay revealed that only F80 inhibited NCI-H292 cell growth; however, neither CE nor F80 reduced HEp-2 cell growth or sarcoma 180 tumor weight with the in vivo assay. Acute oral toxicity of the extract and fraction was evaluated following the steps of Guideline 423, using female mice; LD50 for both preparations was determined as 2,500 mg/kg body weight. CE and F80 promoted a reduction of the leukocyte number and nitrite level in inflammatory exudates when the anti-inflammatory assay (carrageenan-induced peritonitis) was performed. CE and F80 inhibited writhing regarding antinociceptive activity (acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice). In conclusion, CE and F80 have no significant cytotoxic or antitumor activities in cell lines showing low toxicity and no action against tumors in vivo. Both preparations revealed anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, corroborating the pharmacological basis of L. ferrea for ethnomedical use.

Lectin, hemolysin and protease inhibitors in seed fractions with ovicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus

“…It is therefore possible that a type of protein activity other than lectin, hemolysin or protease inhibitor may be present, or that secondary metabolites are the active molecules. For example, analgesic action and anti-inflammatory activity have already been detected in saline extracts of L. ferrea pods (FREITAS et al, 2012).…”

Biopharmaceutical Products and Biomaterials of the Amazon Region Used in Dentistry

“…The fruits (pods) of this species are used for the treatment of diabetes and cancer prevention, in addition to wound healing [37]; the roots have been documented as having antipyretic effects, being used in the treatment of diarrhea, and having anticancer properties [38,39]; and the bark has been used for treatment of enterocolitis and rheumatism [40]. Therefore, these parts of this species have shown antiinflammatory [36], antifungal [19], antihistaminic, antiallergic, anticoagulant [41], antiproliferative, cytoprotective, and antimutagenic effects [42]. Furthermore, L. ferrea has been used for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), thereby preserving its antimicrobial activity, reducing its toxic effects on human cell lines and increasing its practical use without the impact on the environment.…”

Effect of Libidibia ferrea bark and seed in maternal reproductive and biochemical outcomes and fetal anomaly in rats

“…The applications of L. ferrea parts include chronic cough, asthma (Pio Correa, ), tuberculosis (Storey & Salem, ), skin and mucosal lesions, glycosuria and gastroduodenal ulcer (Carvalho, Menezes, Antoniolli, & Santos, ). There is indeed growing evidence towards the pharmacological effectiveness of L. ferrea extracts for analgesic activity (Freitas et al, ; Sawada et al, ), against inflammatory processes (Carvalho et al, ; Freitas et al, ), hyperglycemia (Souza et al, ; Vasconcelos et al, ), hypertension (Menezes, Moreira, Carvalho, Antoniolli, & Santos, ), microbial pathogens (Karygianni et al, ; Sampaio et al, ), and viral activities (Marques et al, ). Due to the proven pharmacological properties and wide popular use, L. ferrea , has been included on a national list of medicinal plants of interest to Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS‐RENISUS) announced by the Brazilian health ministry in February 2009 (Drozino, Zulin, Casagrande, & Pereira, ).…”

“…In contrast, Pereira et al () evidenced nephrotoxicity by an increase in the kidney wet weight and leukocytosis in rats exposed to 1 mg/kg of polysaccharide fraction of L. ferrea pods. Moreover, Freitas et al () evaluated the acute oral toxicity—median lethal dose (LD 50 )—of L. ferrea in doses of 300 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg. They found no weight loss or death from both doses, and then they determined a cutoff of 2,500 mg/kg body weight for the LD 50 .…”