Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of grandisin extracted from Virola surinamensis

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties of the neolignan, grandisin, isolated from Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae) were investigated. Grandisin (GRA) is present in several plant species from Brazil used in popular medicine for the treatment of disorders such as colic, inflammation, rheumatism, dyspepsia and liver dysfunction. These studies demonstrated that GRA is able to inhibit the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice dose-dependently, and that this effect is not caused by motor incoordination or sedation due to depressant effect in the CNS. Through the formalin test the antiinflammatory activity of GRA was characterized, this substance reduced the time licking the paw by 60.5% (only in the second phase (inflammatory pain). This activity was also verified by the oil-induced ear oedema test, where GRA 10.0 mg/kg reduced the oedema by 36.4%. The results suggest that GRA has antinociceptive effects arising from antiinflammatory activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.