Phenolic enriched extract of Baccharis trimera presents anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities

Molecules. 2012 Jan 23;17(1):1113-23. doi: 10.3390/molecules17011113.

Abstract

Baccharis trimera is a plant popularly used as a tea and to treat gastrointestinal diseases and inflammatory processes as well. The total phenolic content was determined and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of six extracts (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol, aqueous, saponin and phenolic) from B. trimera were evaluated. Using carrageenan-induced pleurisy as a model of acute inflammation, the phenolic extract at 15 mg/kg decreased significantly the analyzed parameters when compared to the carrageenan group ( p < 0.05), thus showing potential anti-inflammatory activity. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteau and DPPH methods, respectively. Phenolic and ethyl acetate extracts presented higher antioxidant activity ( p < 0.05) than ascorbic acid. The phenolic extract also showed the highest antioxidant potential in relation to the other extracts, thus suggesting that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were due to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / metabolism
  • Baccharis / chemistry*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / metabolism
  • Carrageenan
  • Female
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Phenols / chemistry*
  • Picrates / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Pleurisy / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Phenols
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Carrageenan
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • Ascorbic Acid