Anti-inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts from Cereus jamacaru DC. (Cactaceae)

Abstract

Abstract Cereus jamacaru DC. (Cactaceae) is used in folk medicine for treating pain and inflammation. However, the therapeutic potential of C. jamacaru extracts has not been assessed experimentally. This study aimed to characterize the effect of both aqueous (CAECJ) and ethanolic (CEECJ) extracts of C. jamacaru in mouse models of pain and inflammation. CAECJ and CEECJ were chemically characterized by qualitative methods. Toxicity of extracts was evaluated in vitro against J774.A1 macrophages and in vivo by monitoring mice for 14 days following a single oral treatment at 2000 mg/kg. The antinociceptive activity of the extracts was assessed in models of pain in mice: acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin test, hot plate test, and glutamate-induced nociception assay. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was assessed following zymosan-induced peritonitis and in the model of arthritis induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Phytochemical analyses revealed alkaloids, condensed tannins, flavonoids, and anthraquinones in both extracts; saponins were present in CEECJ only. Neither extract was cytotoxic in vitro or induced toxicity in mice. Both extracts reduced nociception in all models of nociception without impairing motor function. Both extracts reduced leucocyte migration during experimental peritonitis and reduced paw edema during experimental arthritis. The effects of the extracts can be both due to anti-inflammatory and centrally-mediated mechanisms. This paper corroborates the traditional use of C. jamacaru extracts and demonstrates their therapeutic potential in the development of new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs with a good safety profile.

Keywords

• pain
• inflammation
• antinociceptive
• anti-inflammatory
• cladodes.