Background:Cnidoscolus quercifolius is a species popularly known as favela and faveleira, and belonging to the Caatinga biome (semi-arid vegetation, Brazil), where is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory.Objective:The aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract from barks (Cqb-EtOH) and leaves (Cql-EtOH) of C. quercifolius in mice using experimental models of inflammation.Materials and Methods:The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract was performed. The activity was evaluated by paw edema induced by carrageenan and leukocytes migration to the peritoneal cavity induced by carrageenan methods.Results:A preliminary analysis of Cqb-EtOH revealed that it contained coumarins, flavonoids, monoterpenes/diterpenes and naphthoquinones, while the Cql-EtOH showed positive reaction to coumarins, anthracene derivatives, flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes/steroids. Cqb-EtOH and Cql-EtOH (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited significantly (P < 0.01) the increase in the edema volume after administration of carrageenan. In the peritonitis test, acute pretreatment with Cqb-EtOH and Cql-EtOH (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited the leukocyte migration.Conclusions:It can be concluded that extracts from the barks and leaves of C. quercifolius have anti-inflammatory activity, which supports the popular use of this plant to treat inflammation. Thus, extracts has significant anti-inflammatory properties, which are related probably to inhibition of release of mediators of the inflammatory process.

Cnidoscolus quercifolius is a species native to the Brazilian Caatinga (semi-arid vegetation) popularly known as "favela" and "faveleira" and used in folk medicine to treat pain. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract from barks (Cqb-EtOH) and leaves (Cql-EtOH) of C. quercifolius in mice using experimental models of nociception. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated by writhing, hot plate and formalin tests. In addition, the rota-rod test was used to evaluate motor coordination. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the Cqb-EtOH (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the number of writhing by 83.70, 81.40 and 88.10%, respectively, while Cql-EtOH reduced by 71.30, 79.40, and 98.70%, respectively. In the formalin test, the extracts reduced the paw licking time in the fi rst and second phases, but the best results were observed in the second phase (infl ammatory pain), reducing by 66.08, 78.26 and 73.97%, as well as 60.11, 75.58, and 79.46% for Cqb-EtOH and Cql-EtOH, respectively. In the hot plate test, the extracts increased the reaction time when compared to control only at dose of 400 mg/kg. Using the rota-rod test, mice treated did not demonstrate any signifi cant motor performance changes. It can be concluded that Cqb-EtOH and Cql-EtOH of C. quercifolius have antinociceptive activity, which supports the popular use of this plant to treat pain.