Antiallergic and Antiarthritic Effects of Stem Bark Extract of Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) in Murine Models

Glyphaea brevis - In vitro antioxidant and in silico biological activity of major constituents and molecular docking analyses

Previous studies have revealed that leaf extracts of Glyphaea brevis possess antioxidant activity but the bioactivity and mechanisms of action of its major constituents remain unknown. This study evaluated in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of Glyphaea brevis twigs and leaves, and probable toxicity profile, pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of major phytoconstituents in silico. Phytochemical screening detected saponins, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenolics in the extracts. HPLC fingerprinting revealed major compounds as ferulic, catechuic and coumaric acids. Twig extract contained more flavanols compared to the leaf extract while the leaf extract had more flavonol content. Extract of the twigs demonstrated higher ORAC, TEAC and FRAP compared to the leaf extract. In silico analyses predicted low acute toxicity risk and pharmacological activities which are in agreement with traditional use of the plant in the management of diseases such as dyspepsia, ulcers, chest pains, diarrhea, dysentery and sleeping sickness. The molecular docking studies revealed that coumaric acid and ferulic acid have the best binding for all proteins tested. In summary, Glyphaea brevis twigs possess higher antioxidant activity than the leaves and major constituents showed low toxicological potential and promising biological activities which support its ethnomedical use.

Orofacial antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of Annona vepretorum Mart. (Annonaceae)

Annona vepretorum Mart. (Annonaceae) is a species popularly known in Brazil as “araticum” and “pinha da Caatinga”. We have evaluated the antinociceptive effects of A. vepretorum in formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced orofacial nociception in mice. Male Swiss mice were pretreated with either saline (p.o.), A. vepretorum ethanol extract (Av-EtOH 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.), or morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), before formalin, capsaicin, or glutamate was injected into the right upper lip. Pre-treatment with Av-EtOH at all doses produced a reduction in face-rubbing behavior induced by formalin in both phases, and these pre-treatments also produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. Pre-treatment with naloxone (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) did not reverse the antinociceptive activity of the extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg in the first phase of this test. Our results suggest that Av-EtOH might be useful in the treatment of orofacial pain.