Atividade anti-inflamatória do infuso das folhas de Eriobotrya japonica na artrite experimental

Abstract

Background: Eriobotrya japonica (E. japonica) is a Chinese medicinal plant that is currently grown in Brazil. E. japonica leaves are popularly used in the treatment of inflammation; however, there are few scientific studies showing the effects of these properties on arthritis or rheumatological disease. Purpose: The present research is an experimental investigation of the effect of water extract obtained from infusion the leaves of E. japonica (EJLE) on experimental articular inflammation. Study Design and Methods: Swiss mice were treated orally with EJLE and analyzed for acute pleural inflammation (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), paw edema induced by carrageenan (100 mg/kg), acute knee inflammation induced by zymosan (100 mg/kg), and persistent arthritis induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) (30, and 100 mg/kg). Mechanical hyperalgesia, cold allodynia and edema were analyzed. Results: Chromatographic analysis of EJLE revealed the presence of corosolic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid. EJLE presented anti-inflammatory activity in the pleurisy model, inhibiting leukocyte migration, protein extravasation and nitric oxide production. In the acute joint inflammation model, EJLE reduced the number of leukocytes in the joint cavity, paw edema and mechanical hyperalgesia (4 h after induction). In the persistent inflammation model induced by CFA, the extract reduced paw edema and mechanical hyperalgesia after 11 days and cold allodynia after day 6. Conclusions: EJLE has anti-inflammatory and antihyperalgesic potential in models of acute inflammation and acute and chronic articular inflammation, making this extract a new possibility for treating acute or chronic inflammatory join diseases.