Antiedematogenic effect of Vernonia scorpioides against Bothrops fonsecai venom and carrageenan

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacological studies have shown that extracts of some plants used in traditional medicine have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-ophidic properties. Objective: To evaluate the anti-edematogenic effect of V. scorpioides against Bothrops fonsecai venom (VBF) and carrageenan. Methods: Wistar rats (n=24, 4 animals per group) were used. The hidroalcoolic extract of V. scorpioides (EHVs) was placed into bottle of the animals for five consecutive days. On the fifth day, the venom (0.25 mg / paw) or carrageenan (500 μg/paw) was injected in the rats, according to the treatment group, and the edematogenic effect was evaluated by plethysmography at different times. Results: Oral administration of EHVs in rats significantly reduced the edematogenic effect at two and three hours after VBF administration and three until six hours after carrageenan injection. Conclusion: V. scorpioides can be an alternative, used orally, to control the inflammation that result in edema formation. Key words: Bothrops; Carrageenan; Edema; Vernonia.