The in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of Myrciaria glazioviana fruits and its chemical profile using mass spectrometry

Abstract Myrciaria glazioviana, which belongs to the Myrtaceae family, is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Previous studies have shown that this species has antibacterial, antifungal and antinociceptive activities. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of the fruit of M. glazioviana using in vivo models, to quantify the total phenol and flavonoid contents and to identify compounds in the extract. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the mice model of paw edema that was induced by different phlogistic agents: carrageenan, prostaglandin E2, bradykinin and a synthetic compound named compound 48/80. The extract was subjected to colorimetric tests to quantify phenols and flavonoids and the compounds in the extract were identified using direct insertion mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The presence of phenols and flavonoids were found, specifically 5 compounds: quercetin, dihydroquercetin, gallic acid, quinic acid, and ascorbic acid. The extract of M. glazioviana of 250 and 125 mg/kg showed antidematogenic activity in the carrageenan, prostaglandin E2 and compound 48/80 models of paw edema, since the groups treated with the extract showed minor edema in relation to the saline groups. These results may be directly related to the compounds identified in the extract, as indicated by previous studies using such compounds. These results showed the pharmacological potential of this species, which in addition to corroborating its use in folk medicine, suggested the potential of these fruits to be used as a nutraceutical.