Insights on Pharmacological Properties of Combretum leprosum Mart.

Abstract

Combretum leprosum Mart. is a plant widely used in folk medicine; several studies revealed anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, toxic, antiproliferative, antibacterial, antiparasitic, neuroprotective and gastroprotective effects, among other properties. However, there are no reports on evaluation of preparations obtained from this species’ tissues, exploring biological responses of macromolecular components, such as proteins, common active agents. Proteins, such as lectins, promote important pharmacological results due to specific interaction with carbohydrates or glycoconjugates. In this work, a protein fraction obtained from a saline extract of C. leprosum leaves was evaluated for anti-inflammatory potential in a paw edema assay induced by carrageenan in Wistar rats. A significant anti-edematous effect was observed after 3 h (100 mg protein/kg) and 6 h (30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg). The saline extract and protein fractions showed lectin activity, inhibited by D-(+)-mannose, D-(+)-trehalose dihydrate, D-(+)-galactose and D-fructose. Conclusively, leaves of C. leprosum contained proteins and lectin(s), promising anti-inflammatory agents. A vision of C. leprosum pharmacological properties is also approached.