Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanolic extract of Bougainvillea xbuttiana

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Bougainvillea xbuttiana is widely distributed in Mexico and it is used as an analgesic in folk medicine. Aim of the study: In the present study the in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the Bougainvillea xbuttiana ethanolic extract have been studied in mice. Materials and methods: The phytochemical analysis was performed. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through writhing and formalin test in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined with the carrageenan-induced mice paw oedema model. IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-gamma levels were determined by enzyme-like immunosorbent assay, whereas TNF and nitrite levels were detected by standard assay with L929 cells and colorimetric Griess reactive, respectively. Results: The results showed that the ethanolic extract of the Bougainvillea xbuttiana has significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, by inhibition of nociception induced by acetic acid and paw oedema. This extract also induced a decrease in TNF levels and an increase of IL-6, IFN-gamma and NO levels that we observed up to 2 h. The highest levels of IL-10 were observed up to 4 h. The ratios of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines in sera from mice injected with the ethanolic extract, may be manifesting an anti-inflammatory status. Conclusions: The present study provides convincing evidences that Bougainvillea xbuttiana extract possesses significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.