Hepatoprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Cnidoscolus chayamansa (Mc Vaugh)‎ Leaf Extract in Chronic Models

Abstract EN

Previous report described that CHCl3:MeOH extract of C.

chayamansa leaves and pure compounds (moretenol, moretenyl acetate, kaempferol-3,7-dimethyl ether, and 5-hydroxy-7-3′,4′-trimethoxyflavanone) showed important topical and systemic anti-inflammatory activity in acute model, as well as in vitro antimycobacterial and antiprotozoal activities.

In this paper, we describe the in vivo hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of the CHCl3:MeOH extract in chronic model and the isolation of additional compounds (moretenone and lupeol acetate).

The hepatoprotective activity was determined at 39 days using Balb/c mice with liver damage induced with an antitubercular drug (RIF/INH/PZA).

The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in a chronic model induced with CFA and in two acute models (TPA and carrageenan).

In addition, moretenone and lupeol acetate were isolated and identified by spectroscopic data.

Lupeol acetate is a main compound present in fractions 14-42, and this fraction was the majority fraction from the extract; from this moretenone was obtained.

In animals with liver damage, the extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg induced better body weight gain with respect to positive control (Silymarin); in addition, the mice that received the extract at 200 mg/kg and Silymarin exhibited slight steatosis; however, the animals’ livers at 400 mg/kg did not show steatosis.

The extract and fractions 14-42 showed a good anti-inflammatory activity by TPA model (DE50 = 1.58 and 1.48 mg/ear) and by carrageenan model (DE50 = 351.53 and 50.11 mg/kg).

In the chronic inflammatory test, the extract at three doses revealed a similar effect to that of phenylbutazone, although the body weight gain was better in animals that received the extract at 900 mg/kg.

Conclusion.

The CHCl3:MeOH extract showed significant anti-inflammatory and good hepatoprotective effect on chronic models.

The fraction containing moretenone and lupeol acetate as main compounds was more active than extract in both acute models of inflammation.