Anti-inflammatory activity of Blutaparon portulacoides ethanolic extract against the inflammatory reaction induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom and isolated myotoxins BthTX-I and II

• Published in: The journal of venomous animals and toxins including tropical diseases Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 527 - 545
• Main Authors: Pereira, IC(Vale do Paraíba University Institute of Research and Development Laboratory of Inflammation), Barbosa, AM(Vale do Paraíba University Institute of Research and Development Laboratory of Inflammation), Salvador, MJ(State University of Campinas Institute of Biology Department of Vegetal Biology), Soares, AM(University of São Paulo School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis), Ribeiro, W(Vale do Paraíba University Institute of Research and Development Laboratory of Inflammation), Cogo, JC(Vale do Paraíba University Institute of Research and Development Laboratory of Inflammation), Zamuner, SR(State University of Campinas School of Applied Sciences)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos - CEVAP, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP 2009; Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos; SciELO
• Subjects: Blutaparon; Blutaparon portulacoides; Bothrops; Bothrops jararacussu; edema; inflammation; myotoxins; TOXICOLOGY; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Bothrops jararacussu; edema; inflammation; Blutaparon portulacoides; myotoxins
• ISSN: 1678-9199; 1678-9199
• DOI: 10.1590/S1678-91992009000300013

This article reports the anti-inflammatory effect of Blutaparon portulacoides (B. portulacoides), specifically the ethanolic extract of its aerial parts, on the edema formation and leukocyte influx caused by Bothrops jararacussu (B. jararacussu) snake venom and Bothropstoxin-I and II (BthTX-I and II) isolated from this venom as an alternative treatment for Bothrops snakebites. The anti-inflammatory effect of B. portulacoides ethanolic extract was compared with an animal group pretreated with dexamethasone. B. portulacoides ethanolic extract significantly inhibited paw edema induced by B. jararacussu venom and by BthTX-I and II. Also, results demonstrated that the extract caused a reduction of the leukocyte influx induced by BthTX-I. However, the extract was not capable of inhibiting the leukocyte influx induced by the venom and by BthTX-II. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ethanolic extract of this plant possess components able to inhibit or inactivate toxins present in B. jararacussu venom, including its myotoxins, responsible for the edema formation. However, the leukocyte migration caused by the venom and BthTX-II was not inhibited by the plant, probably due to the different mechanisms involved in the edema formation and leukocyte influx. This is the first report of B. portulacoides extract as anti-inflammatory against snake venoms and isolated toxins.