Libidibia ferrea Fruit Crude Extract and Fractions Show Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antinociceptive Effect In Vivo and Increase Cell Viability In Vitro

BACKGROUND: Libidibia ferrea (L. ferrea) is found throughout the northeastern region of Brazil, where it has been used in folk medicine with beneficial effects on many inflammatory disorders. PURPOSE: This study investigated the phytochemical composition of the crude extract and fractions of L. ferrea fruit and evaluated its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in vivo and effect on cell viability in vitro. METHODS: Characterization of polyphenols present in crude extract (CE), hydroalcoholic fractions of 20-80% ethanol (CE20, CE40, CE60, and CE80), aqueous fraction (AqF), and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions of L. ferrea fruit was performed by chromatographic analysis. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using a carrageenan-induced peritonitis model submitted to a leukocyte migration assay and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) analysis. Total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed to evaluate the oxidative stress level. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and hot plate test. In vitro cell viability was determined by using MTT assay in a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (3T3 cells). RESULTS: Chromatography revealed the presence of ellagic acid content in EAF (3.06), CE (2.96), and CE40 (2.89). Gallic acid was found in EAF (12.03), CE 20 (4.43), and CE (3.99). L. ferrea crude extract and all fractions significantly reduced leukocyte migration and MPO activity (p<0.001). L. ferrea antioxidant effect was observed through high levels of total glutathione and reduction of MDA levels (p<0.001). Acetic acid-induced nociception was significantly inhibited after administration of L. ferrea crude extract and all fractions (p<0.001). Crude extract and all fractions significantly increased the viability of the 3T3 cell line (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate extraction procedure preserves the chemical components of L. ferrea fruit, such as gallic acid and ellargic acid. Crude extract and fractions of L. ferrea fruit exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive activities in vivo and enhanced cell viability in vitro.