Phytochemical profile and anti-inflammatory activity of leaves and rhizomes of <em>Smilax purhampuy</em> Ruiz
Keywords:
Smilax purhampuy, phytochemical screening, anti-inflammatory, carrageenanAbstract
Introduction: Species of the genus Smilax have the ability to provide shelter and food to wildlife; they are widely used in folk medicine due to their chemical and biological versatility. Smilax purhampuy is traditionally used for the treatment of chronic gastritis, cystitis, arthritis and inflammation of the prostate, among others.
Objective: Assess the qualitative chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and rhizomes of Smilax purhampuy Ruiz.
Methods: Extracts were prepared by maceration from the leaves and rhizomes, with an 80% hydroalcoholic mixture as a solvent. Phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography were performed. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of each vegetal organ was evaluated with the carrageenan-induced plantar edema model in rats at doses of 400 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, with the use of indomethacin as a positive control.
Results: Differences were perceived in the phytochemical profile of the extracts, both in the intensity of the tests and in the presence or absence of certain metabolites according to the vegetal organ, with a notorious presence of phenolic and triterpenoid compounds. The groups that received the leaf extracts at all the doses tested and the rhizome extract at 600 mg/kg, showed volumes of edema similar to indomethacin from the third hour. Regarding the percentages of inhibition of edema, it was observed that all extracts exceeded 50% at the fifth hour of the trial, with a behavior similar to the reference drug.
Conclusions: The anti-inflammatory efficacy of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and rhizomes of S. purhampuy on the model of acute inflammation induced by carrageenan was evidenced, from the identification of several secondary metabolites that contribute to this activity. These results lend credence to the ethnopharmaceutical use of the species in traditional Ecuadorian medicine.
