J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 1, Article ID 2303, Jan-Feb 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.1.2303Original Article
Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of hydroalcoholic extracts of Witheringia solanacea L’Hér
[Actividad antiinflamatoria, antinociceptiva, antioxidante y antimicrobiana de extractos hidroalcohólicos de Witheringia solanacea L’Hér]
Cristina Herrera*, Fabián Delgado-Rodríguez, Navilla Apú, Verónica Madrigal-Gamboa, Marta Porras
Pharmaceutical Research Institute (INIFAR), School of Pharmacy, University of Costa Rica, 11501-2060 San José, Costa Rica.
*E-mail: cristina.herrera@ucr.ac.cr
Abstract
Context: Witheringia solanacea has traditionally been used in Latin American medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as for general pain management. However, few pharmacological studies have been conducted to validate these traditional uses.
Aims: To determine the chemical composition and evaluate selected pharmacological activities of W. solanacea extracts using various experimental models.
Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts from fruit and aerial parts of W. solanacea were analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography to detect secondary metabolites. Qualitative phytochemical screening and quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were performed. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the extracts were evaluated in vitro. Additionally, acute oral toxicity, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial part extract were assessed in rats.
Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, triterpenes, steroids, and alkaloids. Fruit extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activity than aerial-part extracts. The extracts showed only limited antibacterial activity, with effects observed only against E. faecalis (MIC ≈ 5 mg/mL). The aerial-part extract was classified as non-toxic (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg/kg). In vivo, this extract produced significant analgesic effects in the tail-flick model and significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema and leukocyte infiltration, with effects comparable to those of indomethacin.
Conclusions: W. solanacea aerial part extract exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that support its traditional use for pain and inflammation, although only limited antibacterial activity was observed.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory; antimicrobial; antinociceptive; antioxidant; oral toxicity; Witheringia solanacea.
Resumen
Contexto: Witheringia solanacea se ha utilizado tradicionalmente en la medicina latinoamericana por sus propiedades antiinflamatorias y antimicrobianas, así como para el manejo general del dolor. Sin embargo, se han realizado pocos estudios farmacológicos para validar estos usos tradicionales.
Objetivos: Determinar la composición química y evaluar las actividades farmacológicas seleccionadas de los extractos de W. solanacea mediante diversos modelos experimentales.
Métodos: Se analizaron extractos hidroalcohólicos de frutos y de partes aéreas de W. solanacea mediante cromatografía en capa fina de alta resolución para detectar metabolitos secundarios. Se realizó un cribado fitoquímico cualitativo y la cuantificación del contenido total de fenólicos y flavonoides. Se evaluaron in vitro las actividades antioxidantes y antibacterianas de los extractos. Además, se evaluaron la toxicidad oral aguda, las actividades analgésicas y antiinflamatorias del extracto de la parte aérea en ratas.
Resultados: El análisis fitoquímico confirmó la presencia de fenólicos, flavonoides, cumarinas, terpenoides, triterpenos, esteroides y alcaloides. Los extractos de fruta mostraron una mayor actividad antioxidante que los de la parte aérea. Los extractos mostraron una actividad antibacteriana limitada, con efectos observados únicamente contra E. faecalis (CMI ≈ 5 mg/mL). El extracto de la parte aérea se clasificó como no tóxico (DL₅₀ > 2000 mg/kg). In vivo, este extracto produjo efectos analgésicos significativos en el modelo de movimiento de cola y redujo significativamente el edema de la pata y la infiltración leucocitaria inducidos por carragenina, con efectos comparables a los de la indometacina.
Conclusiones: El extracto de la parte aérea de W. solanacea exhibe propiedades analgésicas y antiinflamatorias que respaldan su uso tradicional en el dolor y la inflamación, aunque se observó una actividad antibacteriana limitada.
Palabras Clave: antiinflamatorio; antimicrobiano; antinociceptivo; antioxidante; toxicidad oral; Witheringia solanacea.
Citation Format: Herrera C, Delgado-Rodríguez F, Apú N, Madrigal-Gamboa V, Porras M (2025) Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of hydroalcoholic extracts of Witheringia solanacea L’Hér. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(1): 2303. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres_14.1.2303
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