Anti-hyperalgesic activity of corilagin, a tannin isolated from Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCorilagin (β-1-O-galloyl-3,6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-d-glucose) is a tannin isolated from Phyllanthus niruri (Euphorbiaceae). This plant is well known for their therapeutic purposes to treat several diseases associated with dolorous process and are used in several ethno-medicines in tropical and subtropical countries.Aim of the studyThis study was designed to evaluate the anti-hyperalgesic activity of corilagin using chemically and thermally based nociception models in mice.Materials and methodsCorilagin was isolated from Phyllanthus niruri (Euphorbiaceae) by extraction and chromatographic procedures and the anti-hyperalgesic activity was evaluated by using writhing, formalin, capsaicin, glutamate and hot plate tests in mice.ResultsCorilagin presented activity in acetic acid model with the ID50 calculated value of 6.46 (3.09-13.51) being about 20.6 fold more potent than acetylsalicylic acid. It also exhibited activity against the first phase of formalin test with ID50 value of 18.38 (15.15-22.59) μmol/kg. In the capsaicin and glutamate models, corilagin demonstrated significant activity at the 3 mg/kg.ConclusionThe experimental data demonstrated that corilagin exhibits anti-hyperalgesic activity that may be due to interaction with the glutamatergic system.

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