Avaliação da ação anti-inflamatória e antioxidante dos extratos da espécie Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann (Bignoniaceae) em modelos in vitro

Abstract

Extracts from the leaves of the Amazonian species Fridericia chica (Bignoniaceae), known in popular medicine as crajiru, are widely used in the treatment of inflammation, wound healing, and bleeding, among other illnesses. The therapeutic potential of this species has been evidenced in several studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of crude extracts (aqueous and in ethyl acetate) of Fridericia chica (F. chica) in vitro. Were evaluated the interaction with the COX-2 enzyme in silico, intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (iROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), production of cytokines, cell motility, Th17 and Treg cell differentiation and macrophage polarization. The molecule carajurone, one of the major substances present in the species of F. chica, showed a binding energy close to that of the Rofecoxib ligand, a specific inhibitor of COX-2. The Aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species production in the presence of staurosporine and increased mitochondrial membrane potential under the same conditions. They also reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, in the presence of Bothrops atrox venom and increased the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, under the same conditions. The aqueous extract of F. chica provided a high rate of migration in human fibroblast cells. And was able to decrease the Th17 cell´s differentiation and increase the polarization of Treg cell´s, thus inducing a more regulatory profile. Furthermore, the aqueous extract of F. chica potentiated the production of CCL-22, induced by IL-4. The species Fridericia chica (crajiru) is easily accessible and our data suggest that it is explored as an therapeutic agent against oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas (FAPEAM).