Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (Fabaceae), a medicinal plant from Brazilian cerrado with antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Mimosa caesalpiniifolia popularly known as “sabiá” or “sansão-do-campo” is a Brazilian Northeast native perennial tree used for several purposes and in traditional medicine is used for inflammatory diseases, hypertension and fungal infections. Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to identify the compounds in the hydroalcoholic extract of EEM leaves encapsulated with aerosil® 20%, and to evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Material and methods: The antioxidant activity of EEM leaf hydroalcoholic extract was determined by using both the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity in vitro assay. The phytochemical study of EEM was analyzed by experiments with FIA-ESI-IT-MSn (Direct Flow Analysis-ionization Electrospray Ion Trap Tandem Mass Spectrometry). Anti-inflammatory properties of EEM were evaluated in ear edema induced by xylene in rats. Results: The phytochemical investigation of EEM resulted in the identification of flavonoids glycosides (m/z 563, 579, 621) and derivatives of catechin (m/z 595, 611, 741 and 757). EEM leaf extract had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. EEM (125 and 250mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the ear edema induced by xylene (52% and 64% respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest the antioxidant action and the anti-inflammatory effect in the mouse ear edema model of EEM are related to the presence of flavonoids and catechin derivatives revealed in phytochemical screening. These results support the ethnopharmacological use of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia in folk medicine.