Cytotoxic Action and Proliferation in vitro and Analgesic Activity in vivo of Resin from Hymenaea stigonocarpa

Background: Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. (Fabaceae ) is one of the plant species commonly found in Brazilian cerrado. It is popularly known as jatobá-do-cerrado. Phytochemical studies of different parts of the plant demonstrated the presence of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and oligosaccharides. The species produces an opaque, translucent, pale yellow, or almost white resin rich in labdanóides compounds, widely used in folk medicine, but without proving its pharmacological actions. Objective: To analyze the H. stigonocarpa resin to confirm its pharmacological actions through specific tests for cicatrization, nociception, and cytotoxicity and to evaluate the chemical composition through the gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Materials and Methods: The cell proliferation/migration capacity was evaluated using the scratch assay method and the cell viability determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]–tetrazolium 2,5-diphenyl-bromide cytotoxicity assay. In the pharmacological tests were performed Abdominal Contortions induced by acetic acid and Nociceptive Response evaluated by the Formalin Test. GC-MS was used to trace the profile of the bioactive compounds of the resin. Results: It was possible to verify the presence of terpene compounds with the labdanos skeleton. Structures that revealed important pharmacological actions regarding healing, evidenced by the scratch assay test and nociceptive activity demonstrated by the animal tests. No cytotoxic activity was detected at the dosages tested. Conclusion: The results obtained confirm the pharmacological action of the species and can be used to elaborate on new therapies, which will increase the therapeutic arsenal available to the population.