Anti-inflammatory effect of extract and fractions from the leaves of Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss. in rats

Aim of the studyByrsonima intermedia is commonly used for its antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery in Brazilian folk medicine. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract and fractions of Byrsonima intermedia leaves.Materials and methodsRats with carrageenan-induced paw edema and fibrovascular tissue growth, which was induced by subcutaneous implantation of a cotton pellet, were used as acute and chronic animal models of inflammation to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract and the individual ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and aqueous fractions of Byrsonima intermedia and catechin. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the fingerprint chromatogram of the aqueous extract and fractions of Byrsonima intermedia.ResultsThe crude aqueous extract at test doses of 30-300 mg/kg p.o. clearly demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by reducing carrageenan-induced paw edema, as did the ethyl acetate (100 mg/kg) and aqueous fractions (30-100 mg/kg). In the chronic inflammation rat animal model with fibrovascular tissue growth, the aqueous extract of Byrsonima intermedia (BiAE) at doses of 30-300 mg/kg and the individual EtOAc and aqueous fractions at doses of 30-100 mg/kg and catechin significantly reduced the formation of granulomatous tissue. The presence of catechin and phenolic compounds in the extract and fractions of Byrsonima intermedia was confirmed using HPLC.ConclusionBiAE and the individual EtOAc and aqueous fractions of Byrsonima intermedia exhibited chronic and acute anti-inflammatory efficacy in rats, which supports previous claims of its use in traditional medicine.

Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss. is popularly known as “murici-pequeno” and is native to the Brazilian Cerrado. This species has been used as an antimicrobial, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory.207