Potencial efeito anti-inflamatório e cicatrizante do extrato aquoso das folhas de jatropha mollissima (pohl) baill em modelos in vivo

Abstract

Inflammation is a highly dynamic process that can be characterized as the first protective response of the body's immune system. The immediate goal is protection against microbial invasions, antigen entry, any injury or damage to cells and tissues. The extent of the inflammatory response is critically important, since if acute inflammation cannot regulate proinflammatory stimulation at the site of inflammation, there is progression to chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and excessive tissue damage. The literature shows that if the inflammation is not controlled there is no tissue healing, leading to problems in the functioning of the injured organ; For this, anti-inflammatory drugs are used, divided into two classes, non-steroidal and steroidal, which act by inhibiting cyclooxygenases and attenuating the response of the immune system, respectively. However, prolonging their use leads to several adverse reactions, such as gastric irritation and development of osteoporosis. Therefore, new treatment alternatives should be investigated, such as the use of medicinal plants. Plant species have been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years and have been effective in preventing and treating many diseases and are a low cost and easily accessible alternative, especially for people living in rural areas. Given the diversity of medicinal plants present in the vegetation, Jatropha mollissima was chosen for the study, a species that has several uses in folk medicine, such as anti-inflammatory, veterinary dewormer, treatment of renal inflammation, loss of appetite, besides being popularly known against snake bite. Studies already published showed antioxidant, anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antiophidic activity. It is an abundant species in the caatinga and easily accessible by the population, being a target to elucidate its therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory and healing effect of aqueous extract of Jatropha mollissima in vivo models of paw edema and peritonitis, both carrageenan-induced and wound-incision healing activity. In the present study, it was observed that the aqueous extract of J. mollissima leaves significantly inhibited inflammation and accelerated the healing process in the healing activity, possibly due to the presence of flavonoids in the extract, antagonizing the leukocyte recruitment to the plant site of inflammation and stimulation of prostaglandins, thereby attenuating inflammation, and published studies also report the antimicrobial action of flavonoids, aiding in rapid wound contraction. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of J. mollissima leaves has anti-inflammatory and healing action, and can be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of these diseases and study target for the development of new drugs.