Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of Phoradendron piperoides leaves

Abstract

Phoradendron piperoides (Kunth) Trel. (Viscaceae) is a parasitic plant widely distributed in regions of the Brazilian northeast. Different species of Phoradendron are used in folk medicine for the treatment of cough, influenza, gastrointestinal and female disorders, and pain. In order to evaluate the actions of this plant, studies were performed on antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The methanol extract (ME) and dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol partitions of P. piperoides leaves were used in the following experiments. Oral treatment with the ME elicited inhibitory activity (p<0.01) on the acetic acid effect at 100 (32.08%), 200 (34.46%), and 400mg/kg (49.50%). P. piperoides ME reduced the formalin effect at the second phase (200 and 400mg/kg, p<0.05); however, the ME did not elicit any inhibitory effect on the hot-plate test. Edema formation induced by carrageenan was reduced (p<0.05) with the ME by 28% (200mg/kg) and 33% (400mg/kg). ME, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol partitions reacted with the DPPH radical and reduced the DPPH radical by 94.5, 37.2, 77.2, and 95.7%, respectively. ME, ethyl acetate, and methanol partitions exhibited low IC50 values. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.