J Ethnopharmacol. 2017 Mar 22. pii: S0378-8741(16)31423-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.025. [Epub ahead of print]
Rosa SI1,
Rios-Santos F2,
Balogun SO3,
de Almeida DA1,
Damazo AS4,
da Cruz TC1,
Pavan E1,
Barbosa RD5,
Alvim TD6,
Mendes Soares I5,
Ascêncio SD5,
Macho A2,
de Oliveira Martins DT7.
- 1
- Pharmacology
Area, Department of Basic Sciences in Health, Faculty of Medicine,
Federal University of Mato Grosso, UFMT, 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
- 2
- Physiology
Area, Department of Basic Sciences in Health, Faculty of Medicine,
Federal University of Mato Grosso, UFMT, 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
- 3
- Pharmacology
Area, Department of Basic Sciences in Health, Faculty of Medicine,
Federal University of Mato Grosso, UFMT, 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil;
Pharmacy Graduation Curse, Faculty of the Northwest of Mato Grosso,
Juína Association of Higher Education, AJES, 78320-000, Juína, MT,
Brazil.
- 4
- Histology and Cell Biology Area, Department of
Basic Sciences in Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of
Mato Grosso, UFMT, 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
- 5
- Laboratory
of Natural Research Products, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University
of Tocantins, UFT, 77020-210, Palmas, TO, Brazil.
- 6
- Post-Graduate Studies in Agroenergy, Federal University of Tocantins, UFT, 77020-210, Palmas, TO, Brazil.
- 7
- Pharmacology
Area, Department of Basic Sciences in Health, Faculty of Medicine,
Federal University of Mato Grosso, UFMT, 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Electronic address: taba@terra.com.br.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Echinodorus scaber, Alismataceae, is popularly known in Brazil as "chapéu-de-couro". The plant leaves
are used by the population as decoction, infusion, or maceration in
bottled spirits, to treat inflammatory respiratory diseases.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the hydroethanolic extract of leaves of Echinodorus scaber (HEEs) in allergic asthma. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed as well.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The leaves of Echinodorus scaber
were prepared by maceration in 75% ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical
analysis was carried out using basic classical methods, and the
secondary metabolites detected in HEEs were analyzed and confirmed by
high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The in vivo
anti-inflammatory activity of HEEs was evaluated in Swiss male albino
mice sensitized and challenged by OVA. The HEEs (1, 5 and 30mg/kg, p.o.)
was administered to mice twice a day, 1h before the challenge, from
days 19 through 24. The mechanism of action of HEEs was studied by
evaluating the levels of TH2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13)
in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IgE production in blood
plasma. Histopathological changes triggered by
OVA-sensitization/challenge in the lung tissue were also investigated.
RESULTS:
HEEs
reduced total leukocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil, and mononuclear cell
counts at all doses tested, with maximum effect at 30mg/kg (73.9%,
75.9%, 75.5%, and 65.2% reduction, p<0.001, respectively). Increases
in TH2 cytokine secretion (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) and in IgE
levels were also attenuated by HEEs. Preliminary phytochemical screening
seems to indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and
alkaloids. HPLC analyses evidenced the presence of phenolic compounds,
such as gallic acid, rutin and vitexin.
CONCLUSION:
Our findings provided pharmacological preclinical evidence for the popular use of the leaves of Echinodorus scaber in allergic inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory effect was dependent on the decrease in migratory inflammatory cells, and both TH2
cytokines and IgE levels. It is suggested that vitexin, gallic acid and
rutin, known anti-inflammatory compounds, may participate in the
anti-asthamtic effect of the HEEs, by acting jointly along with other
components present in the extract.
Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
