The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Agave sisalana Perrine in classic models of inflammation and pain. The hexanic fraction of A. sisalana (HFAS) was obtained by acid hydrolysis followed by hexanic reflux. Anti-inflammatory properties were examined in three acute mouse models (xylene ear oedema, hind paw oedema and pleurisy) and a chronic mouse model (granuloma cotton pellet). The antinociceptive potential was evaluated in chemical (acetic-acid) and thermal (tail-flick and hot-plate test) models of pain. When given orally, HFAS (5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg) reduced ear oedema (p < 0.0001; 52%, 71%, 62% and 42%, respectively). HFAS also reduced hind paw oedema at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg (p < 0.05; 42% and 58%, respectively) and pleurisy at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg (41% and 50%, respectively). In a chronic model, HFAS reduced inflammation by 46% and 58% at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, this fraction showed analgesic properties against the abdominal writhing in an acetic acid model (at doses of 5-25 mg/kg) with inhibitory rates of 24%, 54% and 48%. The HFAS also showed an increased latency time in the hot-plate (23% and 28%) and tail-flick tests (61% and 66%) for the 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. These results suggest that HFAS has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Peptic ulcers are a common disorder of the entire gastrointestinal tract, its etiology has not been completely elucidated. The basic physiopathological of peptic ulcers result from an imbalance between some endogenous aggressive factor and cytoprotective factors. The treatment of this disease is usually done with antacids or proton pump, but are currently being used plants derivated compounds. We evaluated the gastroprotective properties and its possible mechanisms of action of the essential oil from Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand, Burseraceae (BB). The formation of ulcers, were evaluated in three experimental models, through the induction of gastric lesions by ethanol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetic acid. The mechanisms of action were evaluated through the pylorus ligature experiment, western blot, GSH, GR, SOD, GPx, MDA and MPO activities. BB significantly inhibited the formation of ulcers induced by the three different models, increased the GSH and GR levels and maintained the same levels of SOD and GPx of the sham group, inhibited MPO and MDA, did not produce significant modification in gastric juice content and showed increased COX-2 and EGF. BB exerts its gastroprotective activity, possibly, by increasing COX-2 and EGF expression and due to its possible antioxidant property.

As propriedades hemolítica, anti-inflamatória e antinociceptiva do extrato hidrolisado de Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm, Aparagaceae (HEAS) foram avaliadas em modelos clássicos de inflamação. Camundongos Swiss e ratos Wistars machos receberam HEAS (500 mg/kg) em duas vias de administração p.o e i.p em solução salina 0.9%. A hidrólise ácida inibiu a ação hemolítica das saponinas através da retirada das cadeias laterais de açúcar. O tratamento com HEAS reduziu significativamente o edema de orelha induzido por xilol em duas vias 13±1.5 e 10±0.63 mg respectivamente, p.o e i.p, em comparação com os controles 27±1.5 salina e 13.5±1.2 AAS. O HEAS também diminuiu o edema induzido por carragenina 43±1.58 mg (p.o) e 17±1.26 mg (i.p), quando comparado com os grupos controle 52±1.58 (salina) e 10.05±1.58 (indometacina). HEAS apresentou efeito analgésico em modelo de contorções abdominais 30.7% (p.o), 88.7% (i.p) comparado com aquele produzido pelo (AAS) 70.6%. Contudo, no modelo crônico de inflamação granuloma cotton pellet apenas a via i.p diminuiu o tecido granulomatoso (20.4±1.32 mg) comparado com os controles 30.5±2.53 (salina) e 20.2±2.18 mg (dexametasona). Esses dados sugerem que o HEAS possui atividades anti-inflamatória e analgésica em processos agudos e crônicos.

The hemolytic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties from hydrolyzed extract Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm., Asparagaceae (HEAS) was evaluated on classic inflammation models. Male Swiss mice and male Wistars rats received HEAS (500 mg/kg) in two administration p.o. and i.p. in saline solution 0.9%. The acid hydrolysis inhibited the hemolytic action of saponins due to the retreat of side chain sugar. The treatment of the ear induced oedema by xylene with HEAS significantly reduced in two routes 13±1.5 and 10±0.63 mg, respectively, p.o. and i.p., in comparison with controls 27±1.5 saline and 13.5±1.2 AAS. The HEAS also diminished edema induced by carrageenin 43±1.58 mg (p.o.) and 17±1.26 mg (i.p.), when compared with control groups 52±1.58 mg (saline) and 10.05±1.58 (indomethacin). HEAS showed analgesic effects in abdominal constrictions 30.7% (p.o.), 88.7% (i.p.) comparable to that produced by (AAS) 70.6%. However in granuloma cotton pellet a chronic model of inflammation just the i.p. pathway decreased granulomatous tissue (20.4±1.32 mg) compared with controls 30.5±2.53 mg (saline) and 20.2±2.18 mg (dexamethasone). These data suggest that HEAS has anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity on acute and chronic processes.