Biopesticides Laboratory (LPIP), Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia.
Analysis Department of the Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Apr 24;234:216-224. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.12.015. Epub 2018 Dec 12.
Emex spinosa (L.) Campd. (E. spinosa) locally known as "hillaioua" has always been used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and pain. It is still being exploited by pharmaceutical companies for its potential remedial effects.
In this study, the effects of E. spinosa (L.) Campd. against acute inflammation, pain and oxidative damage were evaluated.
Total phenols and flavonoids were evaluated. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities the E. spinosa ethyl acetate fractions of the aerial (Es EtOAc-AP) and underground (Es EtOAc-R) parts were assessed on carrageenan-induced paw oedema (100 mg/kg BW) and acetic acid-induced writhing response (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg BW), respectively. The E. spinosa fractions effects on oxidative stress markers and inflammatory parameters were determined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to identify various chemical components.
The ethyl acetate fractions were shown to be the most active thanks to their phenolic and flavonoid contents richness. Intraperitoneal administration of E. spinosa ethyl acetate fractions at 100 mg/kg BW, one hour before carrageenan injection, significantly inhibited the oedema formation by 89.31% and 97.7% for the aerial and underground parts respectively when compared to the reference drug "dexamethasone" (51.9%). Besides, a significant increase (p ≤ 0.001) of the dermal antioxidant enzymes (the superoxide dismutase (SOD)), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was observed five hours after carrageenan administration. The best restoration was obtained with Es EtOAc-R (82.04%, 93.55% and 93.55% respectively for SOD, CAT and GPx activities). Moreover, EtOAc-fractions treated mice proved their ability to restore both of CRP and fibrinogen (p < 0.001). In addition, E. spinosa EtOAc-fractions attenuated abdominal contractions (p < 0.05) by 71.69% and 82.41% for the aerial part and roots respectively at 150 mg/kg BW against 100% for dichlofenac sodium used as standard drug. The phytochemical analysis of Es EtOAc-AP and Es EtOAc-R by GC-MS may explain the obtained results. The analysis of the fractions demonstrated the presence of palmitic and linoleic acids known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic capacities.
These findings explain the traditional use of E. spinosa in folk medicine and suggest that E. spinosa fractions could be a promising herbal drug.
Emex spinosa (L.) Campd.（E. spinosa）在当地被称为“hillaioua”，一直被民间医学用于治疗炎症和疼痛。它仍然被制药公司用于其潜在的治疗效果。
在这项研究中，评估了 E. spinosa (L.) Campd. 对急性炎症、疼痛和氧化损伤的影响。
评估了总酚类化合物和类黄酮。采用角叉菜胶诱导的足肿胀（100mg/kg BW）和醋酸诱导的扭体反应（50、100 和 150mg/kg BW）分别评估了地上（Es EtOAc-AP）和地下（Es EtOAc-R）部分的 E. spinosa 乙酸乙酯馏分的抗炎和镇痛活性。确定了 E. spinosa 馏分对氧化应激标志物和炎症参数的影响。采用气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）分析鉴定了各种化学成分。
由于其富含酚类化合物和类黄酮，乙酸乙酯馏分表现出最强的活性。腹腔注射 E. spinosa 乙酸乙酯馏分 100mg/kg BW，在角叉菜胶注射前一小时给药，对地上部分和地下部分的水肿形成分别抑制 89.31%和 97.7%，与参考药物“地塞米松”（51.9%）相比。此外，在角叉菜胶给药后五小时观察到皮肤抗氧化酶（超氧化物歧化酶（SOD））、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）的显著增加（p≤0.001）。最好的恢复是用 Es EtOAc-R 获得的（SOD、CAT 和 GPx 活性分别为 82.04%、93.55%和 93.55%）。此外，EtOAc 馏分处理的小鼠证明了它们恢复 CRP 和纤维蛋白原的能力（p<0.001）。此外，E. spinosa EtOAc 馏分在 150mg/kg BW 时分别对腹腔收缩的抑制率为 71.69%和 82.41%，而作为标准药物的双氯芬酸钠抑制率为 100%。通过 GC-MS 对 Es EtOAc-AP 和 Es EtOAc-R 的植物化学分析可以解释所得到的结果。馏分分析表明存在棕榈酸和亚油酸，它们具有抗炎和镇痛作用。
这些发现解释了 E. spinosa 在民间医学中的传统用途，并表明 E. spinosa 馏分可能是一种有前途的草药药物。
