Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3843

Full Length Research Paper

Chemical composition, antioxidant and topical anti-inflammatory activities of Croton cordiifolius Baill. (Euphorbiaceae)

Iasmine Andreza Basilio dos Santos Alves
  • Iasmine Andreza Basilio dos Santos Alves
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Simone Maria dos Santos
  • Simone Maria dos Santos
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Raudiney Frankilin Vasconcelos Mendes
  • Raudiney Frankilin Vasconcelos Mendes
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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José Wellinton da Silva
  • José Wellinton da Silva
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Maria de Fátima Rodrigues
  • Maria de Fátima Rodrigues
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Bárbara de Azevedo Ramos
  • Bárbara de Azevedo Ramos
  • Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Márcia Vanusa da Silva
  • Márcia Vanusa da Silva
  • Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia
  • Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia
  • Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Fernanda das Chagas Angelo Mendes Tenório
  • Fernanda das Chagas Angelo Mendes Tenório
  • Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge
  • Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge
  • Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil.
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René Duarte Martins
  • René Duarte Martins
  • Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil.
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Julianna Ferreira Cavalcanti de Albuquerque
  • Julianna Ferreira Cavalcanti de Albuquerque
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Rafael Matos Ximenes
  • Rafael Matos Ximenes
  • Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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Karina Perrelli Randau
  • Karina Perrelli Randau
  • Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 08 November 2016
  •  Accepted: 23 December 2016
  •  Published: 10 January 2017

Abstract

Croton cordiifolius is widely used in Brazilian Caatinga folk medicine to treat general inflammation, pain, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Currently, its medicinal properties are not well understood, owing to the absence of chemical and pharmacological studies. The aims of this work were to analyze the chemical composition of C. cordiifolius stem bark and evaluate its in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities. C. cordiifolius ethanolic extract (CcEE) was obtained by maceration, while essential oil (CcEO) was extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition was evaluated by thin-layer chromatography and GCMS. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were quantitated by spectrophotometry. Topical anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by different ear edema models in mice. The major compounds in CcEO were α-pinene (51.76%) and β-pinene (19.08%). CcEE analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, mono- and sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, triterpenes, steroids, and coumarins. CcEE showed antioxidant activity in vitro. In a topical anti-inflammatory assay, CcEO showed no activity. On the contrary, CcEE inhibited ear edema induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), arachidonic acid (AA), ethyl phenylpropriolate (EPP), and phenol. Probable mechanisms include inhibition of AA metabolite biosynthesis, vasoactive amine activity, and cytokine release/activity. These results corroborate the popular reputation of C. cordiifolius as an anti-inflammatory remedy.

Key words: Croton cordiifolius, Euphorbiaceae, caatinga, topical anti-inflammatory activity, ear edema.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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