Models, Methods and Tools for Product Service Design

Abstract

Aim of the study: Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) is a tree thatis widely distributed throughout Brazil. Its latex is collected andused extensively to treat acne, warts, diseases related to bursitis,and inflammation. In this work, we describe the anti-inflammatoryeffects of the latex.Materials and methods: The latex from Hancornia speciosa (0.06-1.3mg/kg, p.o.) and the reference drug acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 200mg/kg, p.o.) were evaluated in analgesia (formalin-induced licking,acetic acid-induced contortions, and hot plate) and inflammation models(formalin-induced licking, paw oedema, and subcutaneous air pouch, withmeasurement of cell migration, exudate volume, protein extravasations,nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6, and expression ofthe enzymes inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2).Results: The latex from Hancornia speciosa significantly inhibited thenumber of writhings and the time that the animal spent licking theformalin-injected paw (second phase). Doses of 0.1-1.3 mg/kg latexreduced carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. However, only the highestdoses (0.6 and/or 1.3 mg/kg) reduced the oedema induced by bradykinin,histamine, and serotonin. The latex also inhibited inflammation inducedby subcutaneous carrageenan injection, cell migration, exudate volume,protein extravasations, increased levels of inflammatory mediators(nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6) produced in thepouch, and increased expression of the enzymes nitric oxide synthaseand cyclooxygenase 2.Conclusions: Our results indicate that the latex obtained from Hancomiaspeciosa demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory activity throughthe inhibition of nitric oxide, PGE2, and cytokine production, thusconfirming the popular use of this plant as an anti-inflammatory agent.(C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.