Promising Antioxidant Activity of Erythrina Genus: An Alternative Treatment for Inflammatory Pain?

Abstract

The negative impact that oxidative stress has on health is currently known. The complex mechanism of free radicals initiates a series of chain reactions that contribute to the evolution or development of different degenerative disorders. Likewise, these disorders are usually accompanied by inflammatory processes and, therefore, pain. In this sense, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to promote the nociceptive process, but effective treatment of pain and inflammation still represents a challenge. Over time, it has been learned that there is no single way to relieve pain, and as long as there are no other alternatives, the trend will continue to apply multidisciplinary management, such as promote the traditional use of the Erythrina genus to manage pain and inflammation. In this sense, the Erythrina genus produces a wide range of secondary metabolites, including flavanones, isoflavones, isoflavones, and pterocarpans; these compounds are characterized by their antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds have demonstrated their ability to suppress pro-oxidants and inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways such as MAPK, AP1, and NFκB. Although there is preclinical evidence supporting its use, the pharmacological effect mechanisms are not entirely clear. Nowadays, there is a fast advancement in knowledge of the disciplines related to drug discovery, but most of nature’s medicinal potential has not yet been harnessed. This review analyzes the decisive role that the Erythrina genus could play in managing inflammatory pain mediated by its compounds and its uses as an antioxidant.

From Plants to Psycho-Neurology: Unravelling the Therapeutic Benefits of Bioactive Compounds in Brain Disorders

“…plant can scavenge free radicals and reduce the neurotoxicity in by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, Jiménez-Cabrera et al [ 91 ] indicated that the Erythrina genus produces a wide range of secondary metabolites, including flavanones, isoflavones, isoflavones, and pterocarpans, namely sigmoidin A and B, erycristagallin, abyssinone V-4′-methyl ether, waragalone, mildbenone, 2″- O -galloyl orientin, neobavaisoflavone, and hypaphorine, which are responsible for the antioxidant activity of the plant. The beta-carboline alkaloids harmalol, harmaline, and harmine extracted from Peganum harmala can eliminate lipid and protein oxidation in the brain and also the death of dopaminergic neurons [ 92 ].…”

Exploration of the Mizo Traditional Medicine: Pharmacognostic Studies of the Indigenous Medicinal Plant, Erythrina stricta

“…For this reason, attention has been drawn towards the use of naturally occurring antioxidant in plants containing high bioactive flavonoids, which have a strong potential to scavenge free radicals. Species of Erythrina are found to have high antioxidant properties (3) . Our study also showed that E. stricta is potentially a good source of such beneficial antioxidant compounds.…”

“…Certain species contains compounds that are potent central nervous system depressants, hypotensive, neuromuscular blockers, and sedatives. Their secondary metabolites such as flavonoids and pterocarpans were shown to have anti-inflammatory property (2,3) . Alkaloids from some species were demonstrated to have anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, curare-like activity, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities (4) .…”

Pharmacology activity, toxicity, and clinical trials of Erythrina genus plants (Fabaceae): an evidence-based review

“…Moreover, a previous in silico approach disclosed that the radical scavenging activity of Erythrina's flavanone, namely, mildbone and mildbenone, is predominantly associated with the second bond dissociation enthalpy of a second hydrogen atom transfer (Anouar, 2016). Mildbone and mildbenone, polar metabolites in Erythrina, were suggested to contribute to the various biological activities of Erythrina plants (Jiménez-Cabrera et al, 2020).…”