Analgesic triterpenes from Sebastiania schottiana roots

The present study was conducted in order to isolate and identify the phytochemical constituents responsible for analgesic effects shown by a methanolic extract obtained from Sebastiania schottiana roots. Conventional chromatographic procedures led to the isolation of moretenone, glutinol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structural elucidation of these compounds was done on the basis of spectral data (IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR) and comparison with authentic samples. Either glutinol or moretenone exhibited marked analgesic action against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions in mice by intraperitoneal route, indicating 16 to 26-fold higher efficacy than aspirin and paracetamol. When analyzed in a formalin test, both compounds and standard drugs inhibited only the second phase (inflammatory pain). Our results suggest that the roots of S. schottiana contain analgesic compounds which justify, at least partially, the popular use of this plant for the treatment of urinary problems.