Avaliação da atividade anti-inflamatória de Marsypianthes chamaedrys frente ao veneno de Bothrops atrox.

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of Marsypianthes chamaedrys Vahl inflorescence and leaf extracts in inhibiting the inflammatory and coagulant actions of Bothrops atrox venom. M. chamaedrys, which is used in Brazil as a folk medicine to treat snakebites and local inflammatory reactions, was tested in vitro to determine its ability to block indirect phospholipase A2 and direct coagulant activities and in vivo to determine its ability to inhibit leukocyte migration, cytokine release and an increase in vascular permeability. In vitro, M. chamaedrys showed antiphospholipase A2 and anticoagulant activities; the latter activity was also confirmed by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in the absence of venom. Of the extracts used, those obtained from the crushed plant had the greater inhibitory activity in in vitro tests, showing that biological activity is affected by the way extracts are obtained. In vivo, M. chamaedrys inhibited leukocyte migration and the release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF- without altering the concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; however, it did not inhibit an increase in vascular permeability. In preliminary tests, M. chamaedrys showed no acute toxicological or cytotoxic effects. As specific antivenoms are not effective in neutralizing the local action of Bothrops venoms, characterization of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms induced by M. chamaedrys is of vital importance if the extracts of this plant species are to be used in future as adjuvants in the treatment of snakebites.