Atividade antinociceptiva de Borreira verticillata (L.) G. Mey. e modo de interação com a cicloxigenase COX-2 e receptor N-metil-D-aspartato NMDA

Abstract

Borreria verticillata (L.) G. Mey species known as broom vassourinha has antibacterial, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, analgesic and antiinflammatory activities; however, its antinociceptive action still demands more thorough investigation. The present study was to assess the antinociceptive activity of B. verticillata crude hydroalcoholic extract (EHBv) and the ethyl acetate fraction (FAc) by means of in vivo and in silico studies. In vivo assessment included the paw edema test, the writhing test, the formalin test and the tail flick test. Wistar rats and Swiss mice were divided into 6 groups and given the following treatments oral: 0.9% NaCl control group (CTL), 10 mg/kg memantine (MEM), 10 mg/kg indomethacin (INDO), 500 mg/kg EHBv (EHBv 500), 25 mg/kg FAC (FAc 25), 50 mg/kg and FAc (FAC 50). EHBv, FAc 25 and 50 treatments exhibited anti-edematous and peripheral antinociceptive effects. For in silico assessment, compounds found in FAc were subjected to molecular docking, and the leading compound was selected for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Ursolic acid exhibited better affinity parameters with the enzyme COX-2 and the NMDA receptor subunits GluN1a and GluN2B on molecular docking. In MD simulations, AU exhibited highly frequent interactions with residues Arg120 and Glu524 in the COX-2 active site and NMDA, whereby it might prevent COX-2 and NMDA receptor activation. Treatment with ursolic acid 10mg / Kg (AU) showed peripheral and central antinoceceptivo effect. The antinociceptive effect of B. verticillata might be predominantly attributed to peripheral actions, including the participation of anti-inflammatory components. Ursolic acid is the main active component and seems to be a promising source of COX-2 inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists