Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanolic extract of Bougainvillea xbuttiana

J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Dec 18;144(3):712-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.10.018. Epub 2012 Oct 24.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Bougainvillea xbuttiana is widely distributed in Mexico and it is used as an analgesic in folk medicine.

Aim of the study: In the present study the in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the Bougainvillea xbuttiana ethanolic extract have been studied in mice.

Materials and methods: The phytochemical analysis was performed. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through writhing and formalin test in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined with the carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema model. IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels were determined by enzyme-like immunosorbent assay, whereas TNF and nitrite levels were detected by standard assay with L929 cells and colorimetric Griess reactive, respectively.

Results: The results showed that the ethanolic extract of the Bougainvillea xbuttiana has significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, by inhibition of nociception induced by acetic acid and paw oedema. This extract also induced a decrease in TNF levels and an increase of IL-6, IFN-γ and NO levels that we observed up to 2h. The highest levels of IL-10 were observed up to 4h. The ratios of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines in sera from mice injected with the ethanolic extract, may be manifesting an anti-inflammatory status.

Conclusions: The present study provides convincing evidences that Bougainvillea xbuttiana extract possesses significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Carrageenan
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Edema / drug therapy*
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Female
  • Flowers
  • Formaldehyde
  • Mice
  • Nitrites / blood
  • Nyctaginaceae*
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Solvents / chemistry

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Nitrites
  • Plant Extracts
  • Solvents
  • Formaldehyde
  • Ethanol
  • Carrageenan
  • Acetic Acid