Abstract

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the hexane extract from Hortia brasilianaVand. leaves were investigated by experimental animal models. Guaiol (9.72%), nonacosane (25.57%) and eicosane (10.80%) were the most abundant components identified by GC/MS. The extract, with LD₅₀ of 2.40 g/kg, reduced the number of abdominal contortions by 13.86 (100 mg/kg) and 18.51% (200 mg/kg). Doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg inhibited both phases of the time paw licking: First phase (9.44% and 16.32%) and the second phase (11.97 and 23.49%), respectively. The extract increased the reaction time on a hot plate at doses of 100 (24.92%) and 200 mg/kg (55.69%) after 90 min of treatment. The paw edema was reduced by the hexane extract at doses of 100 (10.42 and 8.23%) and 200 mg/kg (15.62 and 17.65%) after 3 to 4 h of application of carrageenan, respectively. At the dose of 200 mg/kg, the extract reduced the exudate volume by 19.44%, while the leucocyte migration was inhibited at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg (6.13 and 13.84%, respectively). These results suggest that H. brasiliana can be an active source of substances with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities supporting the use in the Brazilian folk medicine.

Key words: Hortia brasiliana, Rutaceae, antinociceptive activity, anti-inflammatory activity.