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Annona squamosa extracts show promise in the treatment of arthritis pain and inflammation (9 notícias)

Publicado em 20 de dezembro de 2024

In Brazil, researchers identified substances with analgesic properties, anti-inflammatory antihyperalgesic (against persistent pain) and antiarthritic effects in the leaves Annona squamosa tree popularly known in the country as fruta-do-conde Or Pinha. The results of the research, supported by FAPESP in five projects (09/05992-6, 14/17436-9, 15/03726-8, 16/06407-3 and 21/09693-5), have been published in the journal Pharmaceuticals.

Scientists from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the State University of São Paulo (UNESP) were involved in the work. The group evaluated the plant’s methanol extract (methanol is used as a solvent and then removed by evaporation to obtain a dry extract) and an isolated substance called palmatine.

As the authors explain, Annona squamosa it is already used medicinally in several countries and is used in folk medicine to treat pain and arthritis. Several pharmacological properties have been observed, such as gastroprotective, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It represents a possible alternative to the main pharmacological treatments for pain, opioid analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the long-term use of which can cause various side effects such as addiction, ulcers and thrombotic events in the cardiovascular system. It may also be an alternative to the main anti-inflammatory drugs, such as glucocorticoid analogues and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which, with long-term treatment, may lead to, among others: to adrenal insufficiency and insulin resistance.

Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the analgesic, antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory potential of methanol extract and palmatine obtained from Annona squamosa. “

Marcos José Salvador, full professor at the Department of Plant Biology at UNICAMP and co-author of the study

To do this, the leaves of the plant were dried and turned into powder. Substances intended for analysis were then extracted. Methanol extract and palmatine alkaloid were administered orally to mice and studied in several experimental models, including the treatment of pleurisy (inflammation pleura, the lining of the lungs and chest wall) caused by a substance called carrageenan; zymosan-induced arthritis; and mechanical hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to painful stimuli) induced by TNF (tumor necrosis factor, a signaling protein produced by defense cells that plays a key role in regulating the immune response).

“The results showed that methanol extract and palmatine extracted from A. scaly they have analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. Palmatine also has antihyperalgesic properties, which may include inhibition of the tumor necrosis factor-mediated pathway,” Salvador explains. “We also concluded that palmatine may be one of the components responsible for the plant’s anti-arthritic properties.”

The conclusions from the analysis are very important and allow us to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of the analyzed samples and explain the not fully understood mechanisms of their action. However, more research is needed before they can be used in practice to treat diseases.

“Further research is needed to assess whether the effects and pharmacokinetic properties of palmatine will change with other formulations,” the researcher says, noting that further research is also needed to assess the toxicity of the compounds and the doses needed to achieve the desired effect. therapeutic effect for clinical applications.