title: Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Bowdichia virgilioides (sucupira).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth (Leguminosae Papilonoideae) is a plant with anti-inflammatory activity used in folk medicine. The importance of this plant promoted its inclusion in Brazilian Pharmacopoeia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In order to evaluate the actions of this plant, studies were performed on antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aqueous extracts (AE) of Bowdichia virgilioides inner bark and leaves were used at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg. Antinociceptive activity of plant extract was evaluated by writhing, hot-plate and formalin tests. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using paw oedema and peritonitis methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral treatment with the AE of inner bark or leaves elicited inhibitory activity (P<0.01) on acetic acid effect at 200 and 400mg/kg, and reduced the formalin effect at the second-phase (200 and 400mg/kg, P<0.01), however it did not elicit any inhibitory effect on hot-plate test. The indomethacin inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing and the formalin effect at the second-phase (P<0.001), and the morphine reduced the both phases of formalin test (P<0.001). Carrageenan-induced oedema formation and neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity were reduced with the AE of inner bark or leaves at 100, 200, and 400mg/kg (P<0.05), and by the reference compounds aspirin (P<0.001) and dexamethasone (P<0.001), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AE of Bowdichia virgilioides shows antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology of Inflammation Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, CEP 49100-000, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil. sarathomazzi@uol.com.br
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Thomazzi
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: D C R
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: C L C
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lira
authors.forename: E V F
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Cambui
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Estevam
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Antoniolli
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D007887:Fabaceae; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts