Journal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

  • Abbreviation: J. Pharmacognosy Phytother.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2502
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPP
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 235

Full Length Research Paper

Uncaria guianensis (Aubl.) J.F. Gmel. extracts reduce bronchial hyper responsiveness and inflammation in a murine model of asthma

Leandra da Silva Zanetti
  • Leandra da Silva Zanetti
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Andiamira Cagnoni Balestra
  • Andiamira Cagnoni Balestra
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Jowanka Amorim
  • Jowanka Amorim
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Fernando Silva Ramalho
  • Fernando Silva Ramalho
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Carlos Wagner de Souza Wanderley
  • Carlos Wagner de Souza Wanderley
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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João Paulo Mesquita Luiz
  • João Paulo Mesquita Luiz
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Piero Giuseppe Delprete
  • Piero Giuseppe Delprete
  • Herbier de Guyane, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, French Guiana, France.
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Ana Maria Soares Pereira
  • Ana Maria Soares Pereira
  • Department of Plant Biotechnology, University of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Marcos de Carvalho Borges
  • Marcos de Carvalho Borges
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Fabio Carmona
  • Fabio Carmona
  • Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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  •  Received: 22 April 2020
  •  Accepted: 02 September 2020
  •  Published: 31 October 2020

Abstract

Uncaria guianensis (Aubl.) J. F. Gmel. (“cat’s claw”, Rubiaceae) is a plant with potential to treat asthma because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two extracts of U. guianensis in an animal model of allergic asthma. Balb/c mice were sensitized twice with ovalbumin intraperitoneally one week apart, then challenged with intranasal ovalbumin for three days. Animals were treated with aqueous or hydroethanolic extracts (100 mg/kg) for three days, simultaneously with ovalbumin challenges. Control mice received saline solution on the same days. In vivo bronchial hyper responsiveness, airway and lung inflammation, IgE levels, and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Treatment with the hydroethanolic extract significantly reduced total cell and eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage, and in vivo bronchial hyper responsiveness. Moreover, U. guianensis hydroethanolic extract significantly reduced interleukin 13 levels in lung homogenate. Total antioxidant capacity and IgE serum levels were not affected with the extract administration. Of note, treatment with the aqueous extract did not elicit significant effects on asthma-like characteristics. Only the hydroethanolic extract of U. guianensis reduced lung inflammation and bronchial hyper responsiveness in asthmatic mice.

Key words: Anti-inflammatory agents, asthma, oxindolics, phenols, respiratory hypersensitivity, Uncaria guianensis, Rubiaceae.