Biological Effect of Leaf Aqueous Extract of Caesalpinia pyramidalis in Goats Naturally Infected with Gastrointestinal Nematodes

Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul) L.P. Queiroz: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological-pharmacological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree in the Northeast of Brazil. Its flowers, leaves, stem bark and root have been used over the years to treat infections, abdominal pain, inflammation, diarrhea, heartburn, and dyspepsia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study is a critical assessment of the state-of-the-art concerning traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of P. pyramidalis performed through the application of a robust research strategy to explore the therapeutic potential of P. pyramidalis extracts and isolated compounds for the treatment of human disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information related to this review was systematically collected from scientific literature databases for P. pyramidalis, including papers and patents (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google scholar, INPI, WIPO, EPO and USPTO), published books (e.g. Plantas Forrageiras das Caatingas), dissertations and theses. Plant taxonomy has been confirmed in the "The Plant List" database (www.theplantlist.org).

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis of P. pyramidalis shows several constituents such as flavonoids, triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids. The extract and isolated constituents exhibited a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects including antimicrobial, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and neuroprotective activities. In addition, toxicity studies showed that the administration of P. pyramidalis extract was safe in non-pregnant rats but displayed teratogenic effects in rats and goats. On the other hand, the search in patent databases reported a single filing, which highlights the disparity between a large number of published scientific articles versus the almost nonexistent filing of patents. This fact evidences a still little explored technological potential of the species.

CONCLUSION

P. pyramidalis represents an important therapeutic resource for the population from the Northeast of Brazil. Pharmacological studies confirmed the effectiveness of the extract or isolated compounds in the treatment of various pathologies traditionally treated with P. pyramidalis. The authors emphasize the need for in-depth research and future clinical trials in order to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of P. pyramidalis.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Poncianella pyramidalis (Leguminosae) is a Caatinga plant used in folk medicine because of its pharmacological properties, which include anti-inflammatory action. However, chemical compounds responsible for this effect have not yet been identified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethyl acetate fraction from the inner bark of P. pyramidalis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Total phenol content (TP) was estimated using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, while in vitro antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Chemical identification was done using LC-PDA/MS and LC-ESI/MS/MS. In vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were investigated using formalin, mechanical hypernociception and carrageenan-induced pleurisy assays in mice.

RESULTS

TP was 525.08 ± 17.49 μg mg^-1 gallic acid equivalent. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) inhibited 87.76% of the DPPH radical with an EC₅₀ of 22.94 μg mL^-1 and Antioxidant Activity Index of 1.74. LC-PDA/MS and LC-ESI/MS/MS identified 15 compounds that are mostly derived from gallic and ellagic acids. Regarding in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, EAF (100 mg kg-1) significantly reduced the nociceptive response in the second phase of the formalin assay by 50% (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. In the hypernociception test, a significant (p < 0.001) anti-hyperalgesic effect of EAF (100 mg kg-1) was observed up to the third hour of evaluation (p < 0.001). In the carrageenan assay, EAF (100 mg kg-1) was shown to inhibit protein extravasation, increase total leukocytes and neutrophils, and inhibit mononuclear cells.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate EAF from the inner bark of P. pyramidalis has strong in vitro antioxidant effect as well as in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, which may be attributed to the bark being rich in phenolic compounds derived from gallic acid.

Embryotoxic effects of Poincianella (Caesalpinia) pyramidalis leaves on pregnant rats

We investigated the embryotoxic and fetotoxic effects of Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz (syn. Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.) leaves on pregnant rats ( Rattus norvegicus). Pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups: G1—fed a ration containing 5% P. pyramidalis leaves beginning on day 1 of pregnancy; G2—fed a ration containing 5% P. pyramidalis leaves commencing on day 6 of pregnancy; G3—fed a ration containing 10% P. pyramidalis leaves starting on day 6 of pregnancy; G4—control group. On day 21 of pregnancy, parameters of reproductive performance were recorded. Fetal growth was measured, and fetuses were subjected to external examination and identification of skeletal anomalies. Rations containing P. pyramidalis resulted in dead or undeveloped fetuses and reduced the number, length, and weight of the fetuses. Rations also increased postimplantation losses and the frequency of skeletal anomalies. Furthermore, P. pyramidalis was also responsible for dose-dependent lesions in the placentas. In conclusion, the ingestion of P. pyramidalis promotes fetal and placental damage.

Evaluation of the Interaction between the Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz Extract and Antimicrobials Using Biological and Analytical Models

Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree of northeastern Brazil, occurring mainly in the Caatinga. Its medicinal use is widespread and is an important therapeutic option against diarrhea, dysentery, and respiratory and urinary infections, among other diseases. In this study we determined the chemical marker and evaluated the interaction between P. pyramidalis extract and a commercial antimicrobial through the use of biological and analytical models. To obtain the extract, an ethanol-water mixture (50:50 v/v) was used as solvent. It was nebulized in a spray dryer using colloidal silicon dioxide as a drying adjuvant. The extract (ENPp) was subjected to HPLC analysis to verify the presence of certain secondary metabolites. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract against Gram-negative bacteria was determined by broth microdilution and the MIC of synthetic antimicrobial drugs in the presence and absence of the extract. The antioxidant activity of ENPp was evaluated by the DPPH method. The compatibility between the antimicrobial and the extract was evaluated by thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated in vivo in rodents. The results indicate significant additive action of the extract on synthetic antibiotics, considerable antioxidant activity and absence of toxicity. This extract shows high potential for the development of formulations for antimicrobial therapy when used with a vegetable-active ingredient.