title: Antinociceptive and free radical scavenging activities of Cocos nucifera L. (Palmae) husk fiber aqueous extract.
abstract: In the current study, the analgesic and free radical scavenging properties of an aqueous extract from the husk fiber of Cocos nucifera L. (Palmae) were demonstrated by the use of in vivo and in vitro models. The orally administered Cocos nucifera aqueous extract (200 or 400 mg/kg) inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. Tail flick and hot plate assays demonstrated that treatment of animals with this plant extract at 200 mg/kg induced attenuation in the response to a heat stimulus. A LD(50) of 2.30 g/kg was obtained in acute toxicity tests. Topic treatment of rabbits with the Cocos nucifera extract indicated that it does not induce any significant dermic or ocular irritation. In vitro experiments using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) photometric assay demonstrated that this plant extract also possesses free radical scavenging properties.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, CCS, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ CEP 21941-590, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Alviano
authors.forename: Karen F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Suzana G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Leitão
authors.forename: Marcio L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Maria Eline
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Matheus
authors.forename: Patrícia D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Angelo R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Antoniolli
authors.forename: Celuta S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Alviano
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000700:Analgesics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D003059:Cocos / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005123:Eye / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts