Effect of Pfaffia iresinoides on the experimental inflammatory process in rats

Abstract

Antiinflammatory activities of aqueous and saponin extracts and ecdysterone obtained from Pfaffia iresinoides (Sprengel) were studied by using three experimental inflammatory models in rats. The saponin extract (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced the leukocyte migration, particularly of mononuclear cells in the carrageenin-induced pleurisy. It also inhibited the granuloma tissue formation following cotton pellet implantation and the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis. The aqueous extract, in the same conditions, was effective on both carrageenin-induced pleurisy and complete Freund's adjuvant arthritis. However, it did not alter the granuloma formation. The ecdysterone (5 mg/kg, p.o.), isolated from P. iresinoides, showed no effect on these inflammatory processes.

Quantification of β-ecdysone in differents parts of Pfaffia glomerata by HPLC

“…The genus Pfaffia comprises about ninety species distributed through Central and South America, twenty-seven of which are known from Brazil (Taniguchi et al, 1997), is considered as the world's greatest supplier of P. glomerata roots.…”

Chromosome Numbers in Brazilian and Argentine Populations of Pfaffia glomerata (Amaranthaceae)

“…In Brazil, 27 species have been described to date (Taniguchi et al 1997). Pfaffia paniculata (Oliveira 1986, Nishimoto et al 1986, 1987, Teràn 1990, P. stenophylla (Oliveira 1986, Teràn 1990, P. iresinoides (Nishimoto et al 1986, 1987, Shiobara et al 1992, Taniguchi et al 1997, P. glomerata (Nicoloso et al 1999), and P. tuberosa (Nishimoto et al 1986, Siqueira et al 1993 are widely used in popular medicine.…”

“…In the folk medicine, the Brazilian ginseng has been used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, for antidiabetic purposes and inflammatory processes (Taniguchi et al 1997, Nicoloso et al 1999. It has also been widely used as a ginseng-like tonic herb against fatigue and stress (Teràn 1990, Nicoloso et al 1999 and as an aphrodisiac tonic (Teràn 1990, Taniguchi et al 1997.…”

“…It has also been widely used as a ginseng-like tonic herb against fatigue and stress (Teràn 1990, Nicoloso et al 1999 and as an aphrodisiac tonic (Teràn 1990, Taniguchi et al 1997.…”

“…In spite of their economic and medicinal interest, few studies have been developed on some Pfaffia species. Physicochemical properties (Nishimoto et al 1984, 1987, Shiobara et al 1992, vegetative propagation methods (Nicoloso et al 1999), leaf ultrastrutucture characteristics (Estelita-Teixeira and Handro 1984), leaf anatomy (Handro, 1964), and medicinal properties (Taniguchi et al 1997) have been reported. Moreover, there is some confusion in genus Pfaffia systematics.…”