Antinociceptive and Anti‑inflammatory Effects of Triterpenes from Pluchea quitoc DC. Aerial Parts

Background: Pluchea quitoc DC. (Asteraceae), a medicinal plant known as “quitoco,” “caculucage,” “tabacarana” and “madre‑cravo,” is indicated for inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, arthritis, and inflammation in the uterus and digestive system. Objective: This study evaluated the analgesic and anti‑inflammatory activities of the triterpenes compounds obtained from P. quitoc aerial parts. Materials and Methods: The triterpenes compounds β‑amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo‑taraxasterol in a mixture (T); β‑amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo‑taraxasterol acetates in a mixture (Ta); β‑amyrin, taraxasterol, pseudo‑taraxasterol acetates in a mixture with β‑amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo‑taraxasterol myristates (Tafe) were analyzed in the models of nociception and inflammation. The evaluation of antinociceptive activity was carried out by the acetic acid‑induced writhing and tail‑flick tests while leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity was used for anti‑inflammatory profile. Results: The oral administration of T or Tafe (40 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg) and Ta (70 mg/kg) to mice reduced acetic acid‑induced writhing. The tail‑flick response of mice was not affected by T or Tafe (40 mg/kg). T or Tafe (40 mg/kg) and Ta (70 mg/kg) also inhibited peritoneal leukocyte infiltration following the injection of carrageenan. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the anti‑inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity of the triterpenes β‑amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo‑taraxasterol that were decreased when these were acetylated; while the acetylated triterpenes in mixture with myristyloxy triterpenes improved this activity. These compounds seem, at least in part, to be related to the plant’s reported activity.