Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms involved in anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal actions of hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Cissus sicyoides (HECS). The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by oral administration of HECS against acute model of edema induced by xylene, and the mechanisms of action were analysed by involvement of arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E&sub2; (PGE&sub2;). The antidiarrheal effect of HECS was observed and we analyzed the motility and accumulation of intestinal fluid. We also analyzed the antidiarrheal mechanisms of action of HECS by evaluating the role of the opioid receptor, α&sub2; adrenergic receptor, muscarinic receptor, nitric oxide (NO) and PGE&sub2;. The oral administration of HECS inhibited the edema induced by xylene and AA and was also able to significantly decrease the levels of PGE&sub2;. The extract also exhibited significant anti-diarrheal activity by reducing motility and intestinal fluid accumulation. This extract significantly reduced intestinal transit stimulated by muscarinic agonist and intestinal secretion induced by PGE&sub2;. Our data demonstrate that the mechanism of action involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of HECS is related to PGE&sub2;. The antidiarrheal effect of this extract may be mediated by inhibition of contraction by acting on the intestinal smooth muscle and/or intestinal transit.