Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity of viridiflorol: The major constituent of Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk.
BACKGROUND
The leaves of Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae) are traditionally used as a natural anti-inflammatory agent; however, there are no scientific studies demonstrating its activity essential oil. The content of essential oil in A. edulis may be the chemical basis to explain its ethnobotanical uses, since infusions of this plant are used to treat inflammation in the traditional medicine in Brazil.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-mycobacterial activities of the essential oil (EOAE) and viridiflorol, its main compound.


METHODS
Essential oil from fresh leaves of A. edulis (EOAE) was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. Forty-one compounds, accounting for 99.10% of the oil, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major constituent of the oil was viridiflorol (30.88%). Additionally, the essential oil and viridiflorol were evaluated using an in vitro test against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Both EOAE (30 and 100mg/kg) and viridiflorol (3 and 30mg/kg) by oral administration were assayed in carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema and pleurisy using subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (0.5mg/kg) as the positive control.


RESULTS
EOAE and viridiflorol displayed moderate in vitro activity in the M. tuberculosis assay. In all tests, EOAE and viridiflorol showed moderate antioxidant activity compared with reference standards. Both EOAE and viridiflorol showed significant inhibition in the carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema via oral administration of the oil (30 and 100mg/kg), compound (3 and 30mg/kg), and subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (0.5mg/kg, reference drug). Also EOAE and viridiflorol significantly inhibited carrageenan (Cg) induced pleurisy, reducing the migration of total leucocytes in mice by 62±5% (30mg/kg of oil), 35±8% (100mg/kg of oil), 71±5% (3mg/kg of viridiflorol) and 57±3% (30mg/kg of viridiflorol).


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, the results from this work corroborate the literature, showing that A. edulis can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, both EOAE and viridiflorol exhibited biological activities, such as anti-mycobacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil.
Lucas Noboru Fatori
LNF
Trevizan
Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil.
Kamilla Felipe do
KFD
Nascimento
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil.
Joyce Alencar
JA
Santos
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil.
Candida Aparecida Leite
CAL
Kassuya
Chemistry, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul UEMS, MS, Brazil.
Claudia Andrea Lima
CAL
Cardoso
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil.
Maria do Carmo
MDC
Vieira
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil.
Flora Martinez Figueira
FMF
Moreira
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, Brazil.
Julio
J
Croda
Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil; Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados UFGD, MS, Brazil. Electronic address: aneliseformagio@ufgd.edu.br.
Anelise Samara Nazari
ASN
Formagio
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002351:Carrageenan; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D029631:Sapindaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D013729:Terpenes; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D002351:Carrageenan; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; C552080:viridiflorol
Allophylus edulis; Anti-mycobacterial; Antioxidant; Essential oil; Oedema; Pleurisy; Sapindaceae