Libidibia ferreaFruit Crude Extract and Fractions Show Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antinociceptive EffectIn Vivoand Increase Cell ViabilityIn Vitro

Abstract

Background.Libidibia ferrea(L. ferrea)is found throughout the northeastern region of Brazil, where it has been used in folk medicine with beneficial effects on many inflammatory disorders.Purpose. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of the crude extract and fractions ofL. ferreafruit and evaluated its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activitiesin vivoand effect on cell viabilityin vitro.Methods. Characterization of polyphenols present in crude extract (CE), hydroalcoholic fractions of 20-80% ethanol (CE20, CE40, CE60, and CE80), aqueous fraction (AqF), and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions ofL. ferreafruit was performed by chromatographic analysis.Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using a carrageenan-induced peritonitis model submitted to a leukocyte migration assay and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) analysis. Total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed to evaluate the oxidative stress level. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and hot plate test.In vitrocell viability was determined by using MTT assay in a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (3T3 cells).Results. Chromatography revealed the presence of ellagic acid content in EAF (3.06), CE (2.96), and CE40 (2.89). Gallic acid was found in EAF (12.03), CE 20 (4.43), and CE (3.99).L. ferreacrude extract and all fractions significantly reduced leukocyte migration and MPO activity (p<0.001).L. ferreaantioxidant effect was observed through high levels of total glutathione and reduction of MDA levels (p<0.001). Acetic acid-induced nociception was significantly inhibited after administration ofL. ferreacrude extract and all fractions (p<0.001). Crude extract and all fractions significantly increased the viability of the 3T3 cell line (p<0.05).Conclusions. The appropriate extraction procedure preserves the chemical components ofL. ferreafruit, such as gallic acid and ellargic acid. Crude extract and fractions ofL. ferreafruit exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive activitiesin vivoand enhanced cell viabilityin vitro.

Characterization of phenolic compounds from Eugenia supra-axillaris leaf extract using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and pain killing activities in vivo

“…Leukocyte recruitment to the inflammation site plays an important role in the development of an inflammatory process. It is a highly regulated process and represents a potential therapeutic target 28 . This study showed that the extract was more potent than diclofenac in reducing the number of inflammatory cells at the inflammation site.…”

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart. (Fabaceae) Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, and Bioactivities: A Review

“…The phytochemical analyzes of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic fruit extracts identified the presence of ellagic acid and gallic acid with the HPLC technique [ 13 , 55 , 61 ]. Meanwhile, qualitative chemical analyzes of the hydroalcoholic fruit extract showed the presence of seven chemical classes: saponins, organic acids, reducing sugars, phenols, tannins, sesquiterpene lactones, and anthraquinones [ 56 ].…”

“…In addition, the extract significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels such as beta interleukins (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the articular tissue of rats treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg doses [ 7 ]. The fruit aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts (20–80%) also showed an anti-inflammatory activity at all tested doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), decreasing the migration of inflammatory cells and myeloperoxidase activity levels [ 13 ].…”

“…C. ferrea leaves, fruits, pods, and bark have been reported in the literature to have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiulcerogenic properties [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Libidibia ferrea (jucá), a Traditional Anti-Inflammatory: A Study of Acute Toxicity in Adult and Embryos Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Ueda et al [8] identified ellagic acid as a major compound from the fruit extract, which was elucidated as 2-(2,3,6-trihydroxy-4-carboxyphenyl) ellagic acid. Gallic and ellagic acid are polyphenols and are considered to be the main phytochemical components of L. ferrea fruits acting in the signaling pathway of pain, inflammation, and oxidative stress [22]. Araújo et al [23] revealed in HPLC analysis the considerable presence of phenolic compounds: condensed tannins (catechins) and hydrolysable tannins (gallic acid), as well as demonstrating strong anti-inflammatory activity.…”