title: Evaluation of acute and chronic treatments with Harpagophytum procumbens on Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.
abstract: The extract of Harpagophytum procumbens, widely utilized in Europe and, more recently, in other countries, is traditionally indicated to treat inflammatory processes. Harpagophytum procumbens acts by way of interleukins and leukocyte migration to the painful and inflamed joint area. Chemically, its secondary tuberous roots contains iridoid glycosides, harpagogide, procumbide, and harpagoside, as the active principle. The purpose of the present study was evaluate the therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent in rat model of Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis both in the acute and chronic phases. The animals were injected with Freund's adjuvant in sub-plantar tissue of the right posterior paw and randomly assigned in acute (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) or chronic (100 mg/kg) treatments with Harpagophytum procumbens solution test or vehicle. Then, submitted to behavioral test and assessment of body weight and right paw's measurements. The results show that Harpagophytum procumbens extract increased the animals 'latency of paws' withdrawal, indicating a protective effect against the pain induced by the thermal stimulus, both in acute and chronic treatments. In addition to reduction in the right paw edema in the experimental groups when compared to control group. Thus, the data showed anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic properties of Harpagophytum procumbens extract with all doses tested, thus confirming its indication for inflammatory processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 925, Vila Clementino, SP-04024-002 São Paulo, Brazil. mandersen@sti.com.br
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Eduardo H R
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Maria de Lourdes V
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: Ana A B
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tufik
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D031684:Harpagophytum; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant