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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Copaifera multijuga Hayne (Leguminosae) is a tree that produces an oleoresin, which is extensively commercialized in Brazil as capsules or crude oil for the treatment of several disorders. Ethnopharmacological studies show a diversity of indications such as anti-inflammatory and epidermal wound cicatrization. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present work three fractions obtained from Copaifera multijuga oleoresin (hexane (HF), chloroform (CF), and methanol (MF) from a KOH impregnated silica gel column chromatography, representing the three main classes of compounds in the Copaifera genus (hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes, oxygenated sesquiterpenes and acidic diterpenes), were evaluated using antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HF, CF, and MF (doses ranging between 1 and 150 mg/kg, depending on the model used), Copaifera multijuga oleoresin (CMO, 100mg/kg, p.o.) and the reference drug morphine (5mg/kg, p.o.) were evaluated using models for analgesia (acetic acid-induced contortions and tail flick) or inflammation (rat paw oedema and increase in vascular permeability). To elucidate the mechanism of action from the fractions, animals were pre-treated with naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist, 5mg/kg, i.p.). RESULTS: Fractions significantly inhibited (in a concentration-dependant way) the number of contortions induced by acetic acid and the second phase of formalin-induced licking response. Similar results were observed in the tail flick model. The central antinociceptive effect for HF and CF at the doses of 50 and 100mg/kg was higher than the one observed for morphine (1mg/kg). Administration of naloxone inhibited the antinociceptive effect of fractions indicating that HF, CF, and MF may be acting on opioid receptors. All three fractions also inhibited rat paw oedema and the increase in vascular permeability induced by several phlogistic agents (carrageenan, histamine, and serotonin). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that fractions obtained from Copaifera multijuga Hayne demonstrate an antinociceptive effect probably mediated by opioid receptors, and anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of histaminergic and serotoninergic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae), known as Brazilian cherry tree, is a fruity tree spread all over Brazil used in popular medicine to treat inflammations, rheumatic pain and fever, as hypoglycemic, diuretic and has been widely used in the cosmetics industry. The present study discusses the chemical composition, the antinociceptive and hypothermic profile of the essential oil of pitangueira leaves. The chemical composition was evaluated by GC-MS and the main constituent of the oil was characterized, after isolation, as a mixture of atractylone (1) and 3-furanoeudesmene (2). The essential oil, its pentane fraction and the isolated mixture of sesquiterpenes (1 and 2), given orally, significantly inhibited the acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions, increased the latency time in hot plate test and showed a hypothermic effect. The results suggest that the responsible for the antinociceptive and hypothermic effect were the isolated furanosesquiterpenes. These findings provided additional pharmacological information and may contribute for the use of Brazilian cherry tree as a phytomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic treatment with C. multijuga oil on Ehrlich tumor evolution. C. multijuga was fractionated in a KOH impregnated silica gel column chromatography to give three distinct fractions, i.e., hexanic, chloroformic, and methanolic, mainly composed by hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes, oxygenated sesquiterpenes and acidic diterpenes, respectively. Results demonstrated that the C. multijuga oil, the hexanic, and chloroformic fractions did not develop toxic effects. The oil, hexanic and chloroformic fractions (doses varying between 100 and 200mg/kg) showed antineoplasic properties against Ehrlich ascitic tumor (EAT) and solid tumor during 10 consecutive days of treatment inhibiting ascitic tumor cell number, reverting medulla and blood cell counts to values similar to control group, and inhibiting the increase on several inflammatory mediators (total protein, PGE(2), nitric oxide, and TNF) on ascitic fluid. The treatment also inhibited the increase in paw volume on tumor-inoculated mice. In conclusion, C. multijuga as well as its fractions demonstrated antineoplasic effect even after oral administration confirming its use by traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]