In vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Rosmarinus officinalis aqueous extracts, rosmarinic acid and its acetyl ester derivative. (September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lucarini, Rodrigo; Bernardes, Wagner A.; Ferreira, Daniele S.; Tozatti, Marcos G.; Furtado, Ricardo; Bastos, Jairo K.; Pauletti, Patrícia M.; Januário, Ana H.; Silva, Márcio L. Andrade e; Cunha, Wilson R.
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 51:Number 9(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1087
• Page End: 1090
• Publication Date: 2013-09
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.776613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: Despite several pharmacological applications of <italic>Rosmarinus officinalis</italic> L. (Lamiaceae), studies on its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties have been scarce.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: The aim of this work was to use <italic>in vivo</italic> models to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extracts obtained from leaves (AEL) and stems (AES) of <italic>Rosmarinus officinalis, </italic> as well as its isolated compound – rosmarinic acid (RA). We also prepared and assessed the acetyl ester derivative of RA.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: The analgesic activity was evaluated using abdominal constriction and formalin tests. For the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects, carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats were used. The extracts were used at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> compounds were tested at 10, 20 and 40 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Orally administered AEL, AES and RA were not significantly active at any of the doses tested during the abdominal constriction test; the acetyl ester derivative of RA displayed significant analgesic activity. In the carrageenin-induced paw edema assay, the acetyl derivative of RA at all the tested doses produced significant anti-inflammatory effects and reduced the number of paw licks in the second phase of the formalin test.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion</italic>: The results suggest that the analgesic effects of the acetyl derivative of RA operate via a peripheral-mediated mechanism. The acetyl ester derivative of RA is potentially applicable as a new lead compound for the management of pain and inflammation.</p> </abstract>