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

Abstract

Cecropia pachystachya is a species traditionally used in Brazil to treat inflammation. This work aims to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract of C. pachystachya (CPM) and to perform its chemical fingerprint by HPLC-DAD. The topical anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the mouse models of acute ear inflammation induced by croton oil, arachidonic acid, capsaicin, EPP, phenol, and chronic inflammation induced by multiple application of croton oil. The in vitro antioxidant effect of CPM was investigated using DPPH, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching, and TBARS assays. HPLC analysis was performed to quantify the antioxidant phenolics orientin, isoorientin, and chlorogenic acid previously identified in CPM. CPM exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect in the acute models, in some cases comparable to the reference drugs. Histopathological analysis showed a moderate chronic skin anti-inflammatory effect with decrease in vasodilation, edema, cell infiltration, and epidermal hyperproliferation. It also showed strong in vitro antioxidant activity. The contents of orientin, isoorientin, and chlorogenic acid were 66.5 ± 1.8, 118.8 ± 0.7, and 5.4 ± 0.2 µg/mg extract, respectively. The topical anti-inflammatory activity of CPM could be based on its antioxidant properties, although other effects are probably involved, including COX inhibition and other mechanisms.

In vivo wound healing activity of gels containing Cecropia pachystachya leaves

“…At this time, the ECP 2% and, mainly, ECP 5%, presented less oedema, which indicated an anti‐inflammatory activity of ECP gels, which led to a short inflammatory stage and, consequently, a faster repair process (Figure ). These results corroborated previous studies that reported the topical in‐vivo anti‐inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of C. pachystachya in mice …”

“…These results corroborated previous studies that reported the topical in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of C. pachystachya in mice. [31] After the initial inflammation phase, the proliferative process or fibroplasias takes place. [21,32] On the 7th postoperative day, the granulation tissue was presented in all groups; however, the ECP 5% showed a more advanced repair process, a mixed inflammatory infiltrate (lymphocytes and histiocytes) and a granulation tissue reduction.…”

Differentiation of the phenolic chemical profiles of Cecropia pachystachya and Cecropia hololeuca

“…These studies have indicated a phenolic‐rich profile, which includes C ‐glycosylated flavonoids, such as orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin, in addition to chlorogenic acid. These constituents have been related to biological properties, such as anti‐inflammatory, leishmanicidal, and hypoglycemic activities, among others . Cecropia hololeuca possesses silver leaves, and because of this, is popularly known in Brazil as silver embaúba .…”

LC/QTOF profile and preliminary stability studies of an enriched flavonoid fraction of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul leaves with potential antidepressant‐like activity

“…The flavonoids are secondary metabolites widespread in medicinal plants that have antioxidant (Rudnicki et al, 2007), anti-inflammatory (Pacheco et al, 2014;Zucolotto et al, 2009) and central nervous system properties (Sena, Zucolotto, Reginatto, Schenkel, & De Lima, 2009). These compounds are the main subgroup of phenolics and have shown antioxidant and radical scavenging properties that are suggested as suitable complementary and alternative medicines for the management of different ailments, including degenerative diseases.…”