The leaves of Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) Vahl induce anti-inflamatory and antioxidant activity on in vitro study.

<i>Stachytarpheta cayennensis</i> leaves are widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammation syntoms and as an antioxidant agent. However, many of its characteristics are yet to be studied. To evaluate its anti-inflammatory properties we used RAW 264.7 cells estimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) + gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and estimated its effects on nitric oxide (NO) production. We also performed essays using 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazil (DPPH) to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the plant. Anti-inflammatory potencial was shown especially for the hexane (HF) and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions, and the main antioxidant effect was show for EAF. Both fractions also showed low levels of cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ above 5000 µg/mL) and high seletivity indexes (SI). The crude extract (CE) and chloroform fraction (CF) however showed low SI due to their high cytotoxicity levels. It becomes evident that the leaves of <i>S. cayennensis</i> are endowed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and therefore should be further studied. p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left; orphans: 2; widows: 2; background: transparent }