Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous extract obtained from Serjania marginata Casar leaves.

Background: Serjania marginata Casar (Sapindaceae Family) Leaves are popularly used against abdominal pain. Antiulcer properties of S. marginata were scientifically described, however rare studies showed the antinociceptive effects of this plant.

Objective: In this study, we investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract obtained from Serjania marginata leaves (AESM) in nociception/inflammation models.

Methods: AESM was analyzed in FIA-ESI-IT-MS and Mass spectrometer LTQ XL. AESM oral administration (p.o.) (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg), dexamethasone subcutaneous injection (1 mg/kg, s.c.) and morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) were tested against the acetic acid-induced nociception, carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory paw edema/hyperalgesia, formalin-induced nociception and carrageenan-induced pleurisy in Swiss mice.

Results: Flavonoids rutin was detected in the phytochemical analysis of this extract. Oral treatment of AESM 300 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing. AESM (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly inhibited formalin-induced nociception, mechanical hyperalgesia and paw edema in carrageenan-model. Furthermore, AESM significantly inhibited leukocyte migration and protein exudation in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy test.

Conclusions: This study confirms the antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activity of AESM, which may explain, in part, the popular use of this plant as a natural antinociceptive agent. This pharmacological action can be caused by flavonoids such as rutin and other compounds present in AESM.