Physalins are seco-steroids with a variety of pharmacological activities already described. In this study the pharmacological properties of a standardized concentrated ethanolic extract from Physalis angulata (CEEPA), rich in physalins B, D, F and G, were studied in models of pain and inflammation in mice. Inflammatory mediators were measured by radioimmunoassay and Real-Time PCR in mice paws after the CFA stimuli. Systemic administration of CEEPA produced antinociceptive effect on the writhing test and formalin test. In the writhing test, physalins B, D, F and G showed that the antinociceptive effect of CEEPA is more potent than that of these purified compounds. In addition, CEEPA reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2 and iNOS mRNA in the CFA-induced paw inflammation. Likewise, CEEPA decreased the TNF-α, IL-1β and PGE2 paw levels. In conclusion, CEEPA induces antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, with improved pharmacological potency relative to pure physalins, associated to modulation of cytokine and cyclooxygenase pathways.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; CEEPA - concentrated ethanolic extract from Physalis angulata; antinociception; herbal drug extracts; immunomodulation; physalins.