Efeitos do extrato etanólico e gel das folhas de Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) Pilg. em processos inflamatórios, feridas e no controle de Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Cochlospermum regium (Schrank) pilg., popularly known as “algodãozinho do cerrado”, is used in traditional medicine to treat gastritis, ulcers, arthritis, inflammations, infections, wounds and skin conditions. In the search for new therapeutic product alternatives, plant extracts stand out as sources of natural resources to be incorporated into pharmaceutical formulations. In this sense, the present work aimed to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the biological properties of the ethanolic extract and gel from C. regium leaves, in addition to providing information on the phytochemistry, biological potential and pharmacological safety of C. regium. In the first article, for chemical characterization of C. regium leaves, liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry was carried out, and to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract and healing activity of the gel, transient in vivo tests of pleurisy caused by carrageenan and paw edema were carried out by formalin pain model and excision wound model. 25 compounds were identified, including quercitrin, methyl gallate and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylhexose and proven anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and healing activity in C. regium leaves. In the second article, to compile the scientific results of original research with the species C. regium, a search was carried out in five databases, with a search using the term “Cochlospermum regium”. The bibliographic survey revealed diverse proposals for biologically active compounds, as well as cytotoxicity, toxicity and mutagenicity studies, which suggest the safety of using C. regium extracts. Regarding the investigation of the biological activity of the plant, a predominance of antimicrobial studies was observed. In the third article, the ethanolic extract of C. regium leaves was incorporated into a gel formulation and its physical and antibacterial properties were evaluated, as well as the antioxidant potential and biocompatibility of the extract. The gel formulations were designed with stability and physical compatibility when subjected to different storage conditions and influenced activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including a methicillin-resistant wound isolate. Added to the potentials evidenced in the gels, the ethanolic extract of C. regium leaves showed antioxidant activity and biocompatibility. It was possible to conclude that C. regium leaves proved to be a more sustainable alternative for the conservation of the species, as it has high biological potential in the treatment of inflammation, pain, wounds and control of S. aureus, showing more effective results against MRSA compared to the commercially used drug, being promising for the development of new therapeutic formulations for topical use.