No abstract

Introduction: Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli,Alismataceae, commonly known as “chapéu de couro”, isused in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptiveand anti-inflammatory neurogenic potential and perform thephytochemical analysis of its hexanic extract (HEEm). Materialand methods: The HEEm was obtained by maceration ofdried leaves with hexane (100 g d.w./2 L). Its composition wasdetermined by GC-MS (DB1 column) by comparison of retentionindices in the database and literature. The antinociceptivepotential was evaluated in SW or DBA/1 male mice usingchemical (acetic acid and formalin), thermal (tail immersionand hot plate tests) and topical (xylene) nociception models,all approved by the Ethics Committee (CEA-IBRAG). Results:HEEM presented antinociceptive activity in the model of:acetic acid-induced writhing (52%; 25mg/kg); tail immersion(60 and 90 minutes; 50 mg/kg); hot-plate in 60 minutes (25and 100mg/kg) and 120 minutes (25mg/kg); formalin tests, atthe neurogenic (63.4%, 100mg/kg), and inflammatory (50%;50 and 100mg/kg) phases; and in neurogenic inflammationinduced by xylene (88.3%; 100mg/kg). These activities seem tobe related to the terpene and fatty acid derivatives evidencedby GC-MS. Discussion: HEEm presented antinociceptive, aswell as anti-inflammatory, activity by central and peripheralmechanisms, It consists of terpenic and fatty acid derivatives,described in the literature as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory,and antinociceptives. Conclusions: HEEm showed antinociceptiveactivity in all models, which can be related to thepresence of terpenic and fatty acid derivatives.Keywords: Echinodorus macrophyllus; Nociception;Neurogenic inflammation; Phytochemistry.