Evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model.
The popular medicine Passiflora edulis has been used as a sedative, tranquilizer, against cutaneous inflammatory diseases and intermittent fever. Most of the pharmacological investigations of Passiflora edulis have been addressed to its Central Nervous System activities, such as anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative actions. Otherwise, there are few reports about the anti-inflammatory activity of the Passiflora species. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous lyophilized extract obtained from leaves of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa Degener (Passifloraceae) in the mouse model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan (Cg), bradykinin, histamine or substance P, observing the effects upon leucocytes migration, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) levels.


RESULTS
Passiflora edulis (250mg/kg) administered by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) inhibited the leukocyte, neutrophils, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, TNFalpha and IL-1beta levels (P<0.01) in the pleurisy induced by carrageenan. Passiflora edulis (250-500mg/kg, i.p.) also inhibited total and differential leukocytes in the pleurisy induced by bradykinin, histamine or substance P (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Several mechanisms, including the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-1beta), enzyme (myeloperoxidase) and mediators (bradykinin, histamine, substance P, nitric oxide) release and/or action, appear to account for Passiflora edulis's actions.
Montanher
Ana Beatriz
AB
Department of Clinical Analysis, Center of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-970 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Zucolotto
Silvana Maria
SM
Schenkel
Eloir Paulo
EP
Fröde
Tânia Silvia
TS
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000009:adverse effects; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D029598:Passiflora / Q000737:chemistry*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D013373:Substance P / Q000009:adverse effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013373:Substance P; D006632:Histamine; D002351:Carrageenan; D009195:Peroxidase; D001920:Bradykinin