Anti-inflammatory activity of Alchornea triplinervia ethyl acetate fraction: inhibition of H₂O₂, NO and TNF-α.
BACKGROUND
Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a tree widespread in many Brazilian states. This plant naturally occurs in different ecosystems including tropical Atlantic forest, Amazon rain forest, moist tropical mixed forest, savanna forest, among others. Local populations traditionally use it in tea form to treat gastric disturbances.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research was to evaluate the plant A. triplinervia as a potential inhibitor of some macrophage functions involved in the inflammatory process.


METHODS
The effects of Alchornea triplinervia ethyl acetate fraction (AtF) on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in peritoneal macrophages were investigated using phenol red, Griess reagent and a sandwich immunoassay, respectively.


RESULTS
AtF chromatographic analyses indicate the presence of flavonoids as majority compounds. The fraction also showed an intense inhibition of H₂O₂ and NO production. The inhibitory effects of the fraction in H₂O₂ and NO production ranged from 72.25 ± 4.68 to 69.64 ± 4.21 and from 47.8 ± 8.96 to 76.77 ± 8.11%, respectively in the two tested concentrations, 15.62 and 62.5 μg/mL. TNF-α production was partially inhibited in the tested concentrations and the inhibitory rate was around 18%.


CONCLUSIONS
It is supposed that the elevated biological potential of A. triplinervia is related to the presence of phenolic compounds in the plant leaves. According to the results observed in this study, it is suggested that AtF presents anti-inflammatory activity, supporting the traditional use of A. triplinervia in Brazilian folk medicine.
Lopes
Flávia Cristine Mascia
FC
Department of Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Araraquara, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
Calvo
Tamara Regina
TR
Vilegas
Wagner
W
Carlos
Iracilda Zeppone
IZ
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001938:Brazil; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019665:Euphorbiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide