title: Phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory activity of Cnidoscolus quercifolius (Euphorbiaceae) in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cnidoscolus quercifolius is a species popularly known as favela and faveleira, and belonging to the Caatinga biome (semi-arid vegetation, Brazil), where is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract from barks (Cqb-EtOH) and leaves (Cql-EtOH) of C. quercifolius in mice using experimental models of inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract was performed. The activity was evaluated by paw edema induced by carrageenan and leukocytes migration to the peritoneal cavity induced by carrageenan methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A preliminary analysis of Cqb-EtOH revealed that it contained coumarins, flavonoids, monoterpenes/diterpenes and naphthoquinones, while the Cql-EtOH showed positive reaction to coumarins, anthracene derivatives, flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes/steroids. Cqb-EtOH and Cql-EtOH (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited significantly (P < 0.01) the increase in the edema volume after administration of carrageenan. In the peritonitis test, acute pretreatment with Cqb-EtOH and Cql-EtOH (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited the leukocyte migration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that extracts from the barks and leaves of C. quercifolius have anti-inflammatory activity, which supports the popular use of this plant to treat inflammation. Thus, extracts has significant anti-inflammatory properties, which are related probably to inhibition of release of mediators of the inflammatory process.
authors.affiliation: Collegiate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Studies and Research of Medicinal Plants, Federal University of San Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco 56.304-205, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandra Macedo
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Araújo Gomes
authors.affiliation: Collegiate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Studies and Research of Medicinal Plants, Federal University of San Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco 56.304-205, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thayne Mayra
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Collegiate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Studies and Research of Medicinal Plants, Federal University of San Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco 56.304-205, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliane Cabral
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Collegiate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Studies and Research of Medicinal Plants, Federal University of San Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco 56.304-205, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julianeli Tolentino
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, 49.100-000, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucindo José
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Quintans-Junior
authors.affiliation: Collegiate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center of Studies and Research of Medicinal Plants, Federal University of San Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco 56.304-205, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jackson Roberto Guedes
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: da Silva Almeida
keywords: Cnidoscolus quercifolius; Euphorbiaceae; inflammation; medicinal plants