In Vitro And In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity Of Ouratea Semisserrata

Several plant species are traditionally used in Brazil to treat inflammatory diseases and associated conditions [1]. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract of leaves of Ouratea semisserrata in vitro on the TNF-α release by LPS-activated THP-1 cells, and in vivo using a LPS-induced arthritis model in male Swiss mice. The EtOH extract of leaves from O. semisserata reduced TNF-α release by 90.4 ± 0.7% at 500 µg/mL. When evaluated at different concentrations, the extract induced a concentration-dependent reduction on TNF-α release. In the LPS-induced acute arthritis model, animals treated orally with the extract of O. semiserrata (10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg, n = 6 for each group) showed reduced neutrophil migration to the inflammation site, lower CXCl-1 levels in the periarticular tissue, and low myeloperoxidase activity. Thus, this species showed promising anti-inflammatory activity, with improvements on all of the evaluated parameters. The EtOH extract of O. semisserata was fractionated using semi-preparative RP-HPLC. The fractionation of this extract yielded three compounds previously reported for the species, along with agathisflavone and epicatechin. Epicatechin and lanceoloside A elicited significant inhibition of TNF-α release, indicating they may account for the effect produced by O. semiserrata crude extract. Our findings in some extent corroborate the traditional use of this species as anti-inflammatory.

Acknowledgements: CNPq for the financial support.

Reference: [1] Falcao HS, et al. (2005). Rev Bras Farmacogn, 15, 381 – 91