Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive and Cytotoxic Effects of the Methanol Extract ofCecropia pachystachyaTrécul

Cecropia pachystachya Trécul: identification, isolation of secondary metabolites, in silico study of toxicological evaluation and interaction with the enzymes 5-LOX and α-1-antitrypsin

Cecropia pachystachya Tréc., popularly known as embaúba, belongs to the Cecropiaceae family and is used by the native population in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, high blood pressure, fever, and as a diuretic. The pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiotonic and sedative were previously reported. The objective of this study was to (1) isolate and identify bioactive compounds extracted from the ethanolic extract of C. pachystachya roots (ERCP), as well as (2) verify the affinity of these metabolites with the enzymes 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and α-1-antitrypsin through in silico tests. Isolation and/or identification were performed using GC-MS, HPLC, Infrared (IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. After isolation and identification of the active compounds, these substances were subjected to the in silico investigation that proceeded by performing PreADMET simulations and molecular docking calculations. The bioactive compounds identified were 1-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, ethyl hexadecanoate, ethyl (9E,12E)-octadec-9,12-dienoate, ethyl (Z)-octadec-9-enoate and ethyl octadecanoate by GC-MS; chlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, syringaldehyde by HPLC; β-sitosterol, sitostenone, beccaridiol, tormentic acid, lupeol, α- and β-amyrin by classical chromatography, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques. The ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties were determined for each bioactive compound. Tormentic acid demonstrated a greater affinity for 5-LOX enzyme while sitostenone demonstrated a higher affinity for the α-1-antitrypsin enzyme. Our findings demonstrated a diverse range of secondary metabolites isolated from C. pachystachya that showed relevant interactions with the enzymes 5-LOX and α-1-antitrypsin. Thus, "embaúba" may be employed in in vivo experimental studies as a form of alternative treatment for chronic lung diseases.Abbreviations: ADT: Autodock Tools; BBB: Blood-brain barrier; CaCo2: Human colonic adenocarcinoma cells; CC: Classic/open Column; TLC: Thin Layer Chromatography; CD40: Differentiation Cluster 40; CENAUREMN: Centro Nordestino de Aplicação e Uso da Ressonância Magnética Nuclear; GC-MS: Gas Chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry; HPLC: High-Perfomance Liquid Chromatography; CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4: Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; DRX-500: X-Ray Diffraction - 500; ERCP: Ethanolic extract of the roots of C. pachystachya; FAPEPI: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Piauí; HIA: Human Intestinal Absorption; IR: Infrared; Ki: Inhibition constant; 5-LOX: 5-Lipoxygenase; mM: miliMolar; nM: nanoMolar; OECD423: acute toxic class method; PDB: Protein Data Bank; P-gP: P-glycoprotein; PM2,5: Small inhalable particles 2,5; PPB: Plasm Protein Binding; PreADMET: Prediction Absorption, Distribution, Metabolization, Excretion and Toxicity; NMR: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; +S9: with metabolic activation; -S9: no metabolic activation; SisGen: Sistema Nacional de Gestão de Patrimônio Genético e do Conhecimento Tradicional Associado; R_T: Retention time; TA100: Ames test with TA100 cells line; TA1535: Ames test with cells of the TA1535 cell line; UESPI: State University of Piauí; V79: lung fibroblast cells; ΔG: Gibbs free energy (Kcal/mol); μM: microMolar.

The use of medicinal plants by Paraguayan migrants in the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina, is based on Guaraní tradition, colonial and current plant knowledge

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Information on the use of medicinal plants in the daily life by Paraguayan people is scarce in mainstream scientific literature. The study on the Paraguayan diaspora in the Provincia de Misiones, Argentina, gives an insight into Guaraní traditions, colonial legacy and current search for new medicinal plants to address new health challenges.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To document the use of medicinal plants by Paraguayan mestizo migrants who moved into a new country, yet within the same ecological region. The present and past uses of medicinal plants were compared to understand the continuity and change in the Paraguayan herbal pharmacopoeia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fieldwork based on ethnographic and ethnobotanical techniques was carried out in the Provincia de Misiones, Argentina, in 2014, 2015, and 2019. Eighty-five Paraguayan migrants and their descendants from eastern Paraguay took part in the study. The list of recorded plants was compared with the information in historical sources from Paraguay, to examine the continuity and changes in Paraguayan herbal medicine, and with the present-day ethnobotanical studies from Paraguay. Ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies on the medicinal plants with the highest consensus of uses were reviewed.

RESULTS

Altogether, 204 medicinal plant species were recorded. The most frequently mentioned species represented a combination of plants native to the New and Old World. Nearly 40% of the present-day Paraguayan pharmacopoeia shows continuity from colonial and post-colonial periods. Plants were used for 19 medical categories, of which digestive, circulatory and those belonging to humoral medicine were the most prevalent. The ongoing search of plants to treat new health problems is illustrated by reports of 40 species used for hypertension, 26 for diabetes and 18 to lower cholesterol. There is still little evidence for the effectiveness of these plants in the pharmacological literature. Paraguayan migrants were able to continue their traditional plant medicine in Misiones, Argentina, in a substantial way.

CONCLUSION

This study was carried out in a geographic area with a long-standing tradition of Guaraní medicine. Paraguayan migrants in Misiones integrate pre-Hispanic Guaraní names and uses of plants and old humoral concepts with current adaptation of plants to meet new health challenges. Several of the uses described in early colonial times are still practiced, giving a solid background for in-depth studies of the local pharmacopoeia.

Antiobesity, hepatoprotective and anti-hyperglycemic effects of a pharmaceutical formulation containing Cecropia pachystachya Trécul in mice fed with a hypercaloric diet

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The leaves of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae), known as embaúba, are used as hypoglycemic and for weight reduction in Brazilian traditional medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated the effects of a pharmaceutical formulation (ECP20) containing C. pachystachya extract on some metabolic alterations caused by a hypercaloric diet in mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Mice were randomly fed with a standard or hypercaloric diet and orally treated with ECP20 or vehicle for 13 weeks. Subsequently, adiposity, glucose intolerance, and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were assessed. Adipose tissue and liver were collected after euthanasia and frozen at -80 °C for histological and antioxidant analyzes. The effect of ECP20 on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes was also investigated.

RESULTS

Animals treated with ECP20 showed less weight gain, reduced glycemia, glucose tolerance restored, and hepatoprotective effect. Also, ECP20 presented significant in vivo antioxidant activity. Treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with ECP20 did not inhibit cellular differencing.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, ECP20 presented promising effects in the control of obesity and related disorders. Considering that glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia are strong evidence for the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings corroborated the traditional use of C. pachystachya to treat this disease. The chlorogenic acid and the flavonoids orientin and iso-orientin, present in the extract, might be involved in the activities found.

Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Ten Species of Medicinal Importance of Cecropia: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Perspectives

This work covers a systematic review of literature about the genus Cecropia from 1978 to 2020, emphasizing the analysis of 10 of the most relevant species and their associated biological activities. Cecropia is a neotropical genus, which comprises about 61 native species in the American continent where it is known to be part of the traditional medicine of numerous countries. Secondary metabolites described for this genus showed an elevated structural and functional diversity, where polyphenols have been the most abundant. Based on this diversity, Cecropia phytochemicals represent an important source of potential therapeutic agents yet to be exploited. This review also highlights the effectiveness of combining chemometrics and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry as a novel approach to successfully single out Cecropia species phytochemicals. While the medicinal use of Cecropia species is officially recognized in National Pharmacopoeias and Formularies of several Latin American countries, it is important to recognize that these phytomedicines are complex mixtures requiring a thorough understanding of their chemical composition and their correlation with biological activities to guarantee their quality, safety, and efficacy.

In vivo and in vitro toxicological evaluations of aqueous extract from Cecropia pachystachya leaves

leaves are popularly used to treat asthma and diabetes. Despite the widespread consumption of this plant, there are few scientific studies regarding its toxicological potential. In order to conduct a thorough study concerning the potential adverse effects, the aim of this study was to assess acute and subacute toxicity tests of crude aqueous extract from C. pachystachya leaves (CAE-Cp) using in vivomodel, as well as in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antioxidant activity. In addition, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and cytotoxicity of isoorientin (ISOO) were also evaluated. The antioxidant activity was verified by DPPH, cytotoxicity using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and genotoxicity by comet assay on V79 cells. The phytochemical analysis of CAE-Cp detected flavonoids and tannins, CGA and ISOO as the major compounds utilizing HPLC. The total flavonoid content (6.52 mg/g EQ) and antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ = 62.15 µg/ml) of CAE-Cp were determined. In vitro evaluations with CAE-Cp showed genotoxic effects at 0.31 to 2.5 mg/ml and an expressive cytotoxicity on HT-29 (IC₅₀ = 4.43 µg/ml) cells. CGA was genotoxic against V79 cells at 0.07 mg/ml and cytotoxic against to HT-29 (IC₅₀ = 71.70 µg/ml), OVCAR-3 (IC₅₀ = 80.07 µg/ml), MCF-7 (IC₅₀ = 45.58 µg/ml) and, NCI-H460 (IC₅₀ = 71.89 µg/ml) cancer cell lines. Wistar rats treated with a single dose (2,000 mg/kg) CAE-Cp decreased hemoglobin levels after 14 days, although no significant toxicity was observed in animals after 28 days. In view of the in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity detected, further studies are necessary to establish the safe use of CAE-Cp.

Oral treatments with a flavonoid-enriched fraction from Cecropia hololeuca and with rutin reduce articular pain and inflammation in murine zymosan-induced arthritis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cecropia Loefl. species (Urticaceae) are widely spread across the rainforest in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Inhabitants of different regions of Brazil employ leaves, fruits and sprouts of Cecropia hololeuca Miq. mainly as anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, expectorant, fever suppressant, and against cough.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of an aqueous leaf extract of C. hololeuca in a murine model of zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA) and characterize compounds contributing to these effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The crude aqueous extract of C. hololeuca (CAE) was obtained by infusion, screened for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, and fractionated (solvent partition; RP-2 and Sephadex G-25 column chromatography), yielding fractions that were chemically and pharmacologically investigated. TLC, HPLC-DAD, HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and NMR analyses were peformed. The antinociceptive activity was assessed by means of acetic acid-induced writhing, hot-plate and rota-rod tests. ZIA was used to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of oral treatment with CAE, butanolic (BF) and aqueous fraction (AF), as well as the fractions obtained from BF (F2, F2-A and F2-B). Rutin, a flavonoid found in C. hololeuca, was also tested. Mechanical hypernociception, joint edema, local neutrophil recruitment and articular TNF-α quantification were performed to measure the severity of arthritis and identify the anti-inflammatory potential of C. hololeuca.

RESULTS

CAE (0.03-1 g/kg, p.o.) showed a dose-related inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced writhing test, but did not change the pain latency in the hotplate test, nor the first fall time on the rota-rod test. In addition, CAE (1 g/kg, p.o.) inhibited by 65% the mechanical hypernociception, 46% the joint edema, 54% the neutrophil recruitment and 53% the articular TNF-α concentration levels in ZIA. BF (0.4 g/kg, p.o.), AF (0.6 g/kg), F2 (0.1 g/kg) and F2-A (0.045 g/kg), but not F2-B (0.055 g/kg), inhibited the mechanical hypernociception, joint edema and neutrophil recruitment in ZIA. Rutin (0.001-0.03 g/kg, p.o.) produced dose-related inhibitory effects in the mechanical hypernociception, joint edema and neutrophil recruitment, and at 0.03 g/kg also inhibited articular TNF-α synthesis after intra-articular zymosan injection. Isoorientin, isovitexin, rutin and isoquercitrin were identified in the most active fraction (F2-A), along with luteolin and apigenin derivatives, tentatively identified as isoorientin-2″-O-glucoside and isovitexin-2″-O-glucoside.

CONCLUSION

This study corroborates the popular use by oral route of aqueous preparations of C. hololeuca against joint inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Our results demonstrated for the first time that oral administration of rutin shows antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in ZIA, indicating that this flavonoid is one of the immunomodulatory compounds involved in the anti-arthritic activity of C. hololeuca.

In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Antitumor and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of a Standardized Alkaloid-Enriched Fraction Obtained from Boehmeria caudata Sw. Aerial Parts

In the context of the cancer-inflammation relationship and the use of natural products as potential antitumor and anti-inflammatory agents, the alkaloid-enriched fraction of Boehmeriacaudata (BcAEF) aerial parts was evaluated. In vitro antiproliferative studies with human tumor cell lines showed high activity at low concentrations. Further investigation on NCI-H460 cells showed an irreversible effect on cell proliferation, with cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and programmed cell death induction. Molecular docking studies of four alkaloids identified in BcAEF with colchicine’s binding site on β-tubulin were performed, suggesting (−)-C (15R)-hydroxycryptopleurine as the main inductor of the observed mitotic death. In vivo studies showed that BcAEF was able to reduce Ehrlich tumor volume progression by 30 to 40%. Checking myeloperoxidase activity, BcAEF reduced neutrophils migration towards the tumor. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by chemically induced edema models. In croton oil-induced ear edema and carrageenan (CG)-induced paw edema models, BcAEF reduced edema around 70 to 80% together with inhibition of activation and/or migration of neutrophils to the inflammatory area. All together the results presented herein show BcAEF as a potent antitumor agent combining antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, which could be further explored in (pre)clinical studies.

Isoorientin: A dietary flavone with the potential to ameliorate diverse metabolic complications

Isoorientin is a natural C-glucosyl flavone that is generating a lot of interest due to its multiple pharmacological activities. Increasing experimental data have shown that the robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of isoorientin remain important in ameliorating a number of metabolic complications. In fact, plants rich in isoorientin have demonstrated strong ameliorative properties against complications such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. However, while such evidence is accumulating, it has not been reviewed to better inform on the therapeutic potential of this flavone in improving human health. This review examines and extrapolates available literature on the potential beneficial or detrimental effects associated with the use of isoorientin in mitigating metabolic diseases, with a specific focus on diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance, including associated complications. The discussion includes effective doses in various experimental settings and proposed molecular mechanisms by which isoorientin may exert its therapeutic effects. In addition, the protective effects of extracts of a number of isoorientin-rich plants against metabolic complications will be highlighted.

Differentiation of the phenolic chemical profiles of Cecropia pachystachya and Cecropia hololeuca

INTRODUCTION

Cecropia pachystachya and C. hololeuca are common species in Brazil, popularly used to treat respiratory diseases. Phytochemical studies indicate that their leaves are rich in phenolic compounds, mainly C-glycosilated flavonoids. Orientin and isoorientin are reported in both species, while vitexina and isovitexina were reported in C. pachystachya. In addition, both are rich in chlorogenic acid and have some procyanidins. In some cases, syrups and teas are prepared from leaf blends from different species, which may affect the efficacy and safety of this natural medication. This problem motivated the investigation of the chemical profile of leaves of these species.

OBJECTIVE

The phenolic chemical profiles from C. pachystachya and C. hololeuca methanolic extracts were analysed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector and mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS), to investigate possible differences in their metabolite production.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The methanolic extracts of both species were analysed by UPLC-DAD-MS using a C-18 reverse phase column, DAD at 190-400 nm and electrospray ionisation quadruple time-of-flight (ESI-Q-TOF) mass spectrometer. The separation methodology was validated and most of the flavones present in the extracts were quantified.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven compounds were tentatively identified, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, condensed tannins (procyanidins) and iridoids, through UV analysis and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra obtained in the negative mode. Chlorogenic acid, orientin and isoorientin were observed as the major constituents in both extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

Cecropia pachystachya presented a more diverse chemical profile than C. hololeuca. The methodology developed herein could be an important tool to analyse commercial Cecropia (embaúba) products.

Selection of chemical markers for the quality control of medicinal plants of the genus Cecropia

CONTEXT

Several Cecropia (Cecropiaceae) species are traditionally used in Latin America for the treatment of a variety of diseases including diabetes, arterial hypertension, asthma, bronchitis, anxiety, and inflammation. At present, a number of commercial products based on these plants have been introduced into the market with very little information on methods for guaranteeing their quality and safety.

OBJECTIVE

This work proposes potential chemical markers for the quality control of the raw materials of Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol., Cecropia peltata L., Cecropia glaziovii Snethl., Cecropia pachystachya Trécul, and Cecropia hololeuca Miq.

METHODS

The Herbal Chemical Marker Ranking System (Herb MaRS) developed by the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at the University of Western Sydney was used for selecting chemical markers for the quality control of selected medicinal species of Cecropia. This review covers the period from 1982 to 2016.

RESULTS

Chlorogenic acid, flavonoidal glycosides (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, and rutin), catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins (B2, B5, and C1), steroids (β-sitosterol), and triterpenoids (α-amyrin, pomolic, tormentic and ursolic acids) were selected as chemical markers for the quality control of the leaves.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to establish comprehensive standards for guaranteeing quality, safety and efficacy of herbal drugs. The selection of adequate chemical markers for quality control purposes requires a good knowledge about the chemical composition of medicinal plants and their associated biological properties. To the best of our knowledge this review article is the first to address the identification and quantitative determination of the chemical markers for the genus Cecropia.

Genotoxic, mutagenic and antigenotoxic effects of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul aqueous extract using in vivo and in vitro assays

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cecropia pachystachya is a medicinal plant native to South and Central Americas used to treat asthma and diabetes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we evaluated the genotoxic, mutagenic and antigenotoxic effects of crude aqueous extract of C. pachystachya (CAE-Cp) leaves.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CAE-Cp was analyzed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method to determine total phenolic and tannin contents. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify major compounds. Distinct tissues from female and male adult mice were treated with 500-2000mg/kg of CAE-Cp by gavage for the comet assay and micronucleus test analyses. In addition, peripheral blood slides of the group treated with 2000mg/kg CAE-Cp were analyzed 3, 6, and 24h after treatment and were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (ex vivo) to evaluate the genotoxic effect using the comet assay. The Salmonella/microsome assay was carried out against to TA100, TA98, TA97a, TA102, and TA1535 strains in presence and absence of the S9 mix.

RESULTS

HPLC showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, orientin, and isovitexin as major compounds. Total phenolic and tannin contents were, respectively, 305.6±0.80 and 144.6±19.04mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of extract. Brain DNA damage was observed in all groups treated with CAE-Cp. The H₂O₂ challenge indicated genotoxic effect only 6h after the administration of the extract. No increase was detected in micronucleus frequency for any group treated with the extract. Mutagenic effects were detected by Salmonella/microsome assay only in TA102 strain without S9 mix at higher doses.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained indicate that CAE-Cp was genotoxic to brain tissue. This result is supported by other papers, showing that compounds present in this extract can cross the blood-brain barrier and act on central nervous system.

In vivo wound healing activity of gels containing Cecropia pachystachya leaves

Objectives

To evaluate the in-vivo wound healing and in-vitro antioxidant activity of gels containing the ethyl acetate extract of Cecropia pachystachya (ECP) 2% and 5%, and to perform the chemical fingerprint of ECP by HPLC-DAD.

Methods

The wound healing activity of the gels was evaluated for 21 days, using the excision model in rats followed by histopathological and histomorphometric analysis. The in-vitro antioxidant effect of ECP was investigated using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assays. Also, a HPLC analysis was performed to identify the chemical markers orientin, iso-orientin and chlorogenic acid.

Key findings

The group of animals treated with ECP 5% presented oedema and inflammatory infiltrate with less intensity than the other groups. Both ECP 2% and 5% gels showed less neovascularization and cellularity, and better tissue repair when compared to the control, which showed a younger and homogeneous tissue.

Conclusions

This study had demonstrated that the ECP gels promoted the acceleration of the healing process when compared to the control group. Wound contraction, angiogenesis, epithelialization and the collagen deposition support further evaluation of C. pachystachya leaves in the topical treatment and management of skin wounds.

Cecropia pachystachya extract attenuated the renal lesion in 5/6 nephrectomized rats by reducing inflammation and renal arginase activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The plant Cecropia pachystachya Trécul has been used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat hypertension, bladder and kidney inflammation and renal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the aqueous fraction from the ethanolic extract of Cecropia pachystachya (FCP) in the management of hypertension, inflammation and progressive renal disease in rats submitted to 5/6 nephrectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty male Wistar rats submitted to 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 NE) were untreated (NE) or treated (NE+FCP) with the FCP (0.5g/kg/day). The treatment started 15 days after surgery, and the rats were followed for a period of 60 days. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and albuminuria were evaluated from 15-60 days after the surgical procedure. Function and estructural renal changes, TGF-β (transforming growth factor β), MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and nitric oxide (NO) urinary excretion were analyzed. Expression and activity of the renal enzymes arginase (ARG), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and MAP kinase p-JNK expression also were analyzed.

RESULTS

The nephrectomized rats developed progressive albuminuria and increased SBP that was less intense in the treated group. There was a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the nephrectomized rats, which was attenuated by treatment with FCP extract. The treatment with FCP also attenuated the histological changes, reduced the expression and activity of renal arginase, the number of macrophages (ED-1 positive cells) and the p-JNK expression in the renal cortex of the rats submitted to 5/6 NE. The urinary excretion of TGF-β was less intense in the treated group and was associated with the reduction of the expression and activity of the renal arginase.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the reduction of renal arginase activity, p-JNK and TGF-β expression can explain the mechanism by which the treatment with C. pachystachya reduced the inflammation and improved renal function. This study presents the potential use of Cecropia pachystachya in the treatment of chronic renal diseases.

Cecropia pachystachya: a species with expressive in vivo topical anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant effects

Cecropia pachystachya is a species traditionally used in Brazil to treat inflammation. This work aims to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract of C. pachystachya (CPM) and to perform its chemical fingerprint by HPLC-DAD. The topical anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the mouse models of acute ear inflammation induced by croton oil, arachidonic acid, capsaicin, EPP, phenol, and chronic inflammation induced by multiple application of croton oil. The in vitro antioxidant effect of CPM was investigated using DPPH, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching, and TBARS assays. HPLC analysis was performed to quantify the antioxidant phenolics orientin, isoorientin, and chlorogenic acid previously identified in CPM. CPM exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect in the acute models, in some cases comparable to the reference drugs. Histopathological analysis showed a moderate chronic skin anti-inflammatory effect with decrease in vasodilation, edema, cell infiltration, and epidermal hyperproliferation. It also showed strong in vitro antioxidant activity. The contents of orientin, isoorientin, and chlorogenic acid were 66.5 ± 1.8, 118.8 ± 0.7, and 5.4 ± 0.2 µg/mg extract, respectively. The topical anti-inflammatory activity of CPM could be based on its antioxidant properties, although other effects are probably involved, including COX inhibition and other mechanisms.