Phytochemical Analysis by HPLC–HRESI-MS and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tabernaemontana catharinensis

Abstract

<i>Tabernaemontana catharinensis</i> (Apocynaceae) has been popularly used by folk medicine because of its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiophidic properties. This study aims to analyze the flavonoids composition of the hydroethanolic extract and of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH) fractions of <i>T. catharinensis</i> leaves, as well as to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity using in vivo models. The phytochemical profile, determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-HRESI-MS), showed the presence of flavonoids mainly having an isorhamnetin nucleus. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw edema (pre- and post-treatment) with oral administration of a <i>T. catharinensis</i> hydroethanolic extract (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) and of organic fractions (50 mg/kg). The extract and fractions showed antiedematogenic activity by decreasing myeloperoxidase (MPO) production. In the zymosan-air-pouch model, the extract and fractions inhibited leukocyte migration and significantly decreased the levels of various proteins, such as MPO, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, which revealed no cytotoxicity of the extract and the fractions. These results suggest that the hydroethanolic extract and organic fractions of <i>T. catharinensis</i> leaves have sufficient anti-inflammatory activity to support the popular use of this plant in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.