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Phytochemical characterization and antinociceptive effect of Lippia gracilis Schauer

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Abstract

Lippia gracilis Schauer is an aromatic plant widely found in Northeastern Brazil. The leaf infusions or decoctions and alcoholic macerate are used for some inflammatory diseases and headache. This paper reports the isolation of naringenin by semi-preparative liquid chromatography from the methanolic extract of L. gracilis (ELg) and the evaluation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of this extract by measuring nociception through acetic acid, formalin, and hot-plate tests in carrageenan-induced inflammation in mice. Following oral administration, ELg (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes in the writhing test and the time of paw licks in both phases of the formalin test when compared to the control group animals. Mice treated with ELg did not exhibit any behavioral alteration during the hot plate and rota-rod tests, suggesting non-participation of the supraspinal components in the modulation of pain by ELg and no motor abnormality. The oral administration of 400 mg/kg of ELg produced an anti-inflammatory effect on peritonitis induced by carrageenan. These effects can be associated with a decrease of inflammatory mediator synthesis by compounds of ELg, such as naringenin, which has anti-inflammatory action as already described.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was financially supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (Proc. 620212/2006-3 and 620247/2008-8). A.G.F., L.J.Q.J. and A.F.B. are grateful to CNPq for research fellowships. S.V.F.G. thanks UFS for a scholarship. A.G.G. thanks CAPES for a scholarship. A.D.C.S. and M.D.V. thank CNPq for scholarships. The authors would also like to thank CNPq/RENORBIO (MCT/CNPq/MS-SCTIE-DECIT/CT-Biotecnologia/CT-Saúde no. 31/2006), CAPES, and FAPESP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe-UFS, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n, São Cristovão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil

    Adriana G. Guimarães & Lucindo J. Quintans Júnior

  2. Laborganics, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n, São Cristovão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil

    Silvana V. F. Gomes, Valéria R. S. Moraes, Paulo C. L. Nogueira & Alan D. C. Santos

  3. Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil

    Antônio G. Ferreira

  4. Departamento de Engenharia Agronômica, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n, São Cristovão, SE, 49100-000, Brazil

    Arie F. Blank & Monalisa D. Viana

  5. Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Vereador Olimpio Grande, s/n, Itabaiana, SE, 49500-000, Brazil

    Geraldo H. Silva

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  1. Adriana G. Guimarães
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Correspondence to Lucindo J. Quintans Júnior.

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Guimarães, A.G., Gomes, S.V.F., Moraes, V.R.S. et al. Phytochemical characterization and antinociceptive effect of Lippia gracilis Schauer. J Nat Med 66, 428–434 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-011-0601-3

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