Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Hypericum brasiliense (Willd) standardized extract

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the standardized leaves extract (HBSE) of Hypericum brasiliense (Guttiferae) were evaluated in animal models. Male Wistar rats were treated with H. brasiliense extract (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) in 3% Tween 80 0.9% saline solution. The treatment of the edema induced by carrageenin with HBSE (500 mg/kg) showed significant inhibition when compared to the control group. At this dose, the edema decreased by 31.25% in the third hour after treatment (edema peak), but the dose of 50 mg/kg has inhibited the edema by 53.13% (p < 0.05). At the dose of 50 mg/kg, the decrease of the edema induced by dextran was similar to that caused by cyproheptadine. The decrease of the formation of granulomatous tissue (6.6%) was comparable to the control group. The HBSE inhibited the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid. At a dose of 50 mg/kg, the inhibition of the abdominal constrictions (46.4%) was comparable to that produced by indomethacin (42.9%). A dose of 250 mg/kg inhibited these constrictions by 70.66% when compared to control (p < 0.001). In the hot-plate test, an increase in the latency time was observed at a 50 mg/kg dose. These data suggest that HBSE has anti-inflammatory activity on acute process, developed principally by arachdonic acid derivates and analgesic effect due to its probable involvement in the Central Nervous System.