Abstract

The biodiversity of the Brazilian biomes inspires interest in research about the biological activities of the molecules present in the flora. In this line, Petiveria alliacea a common plant species in the savanna of Tocantins, reported in the treatment for snakebites, was studied to analyze the phytochemical profile and evaluate the activity on the edema caused by Bothrops moojeni snake venom. A qualitative phytochemical prospection and a gas chromatography associated with mass spectrometry was performed. Subsequently, it was evaluated whether the extract triggered acute toxicity in Swiss mice (doses of 300 and 2,000 mg/kg), and no toxic effects were observed. Then, the antiedematogenic activity of the extract was performed when administered orally in simulated envenomation with B. moojeni snake venom. The presence of bioactive polyphenolics, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, terpene, alkaloids and saponins compounds was shown. No toxic effects were observed, and the test extract showed evident antiedematogenic activity. It is understood that the inhibition of edema induced by the venom was obtained by reducing the pathways of the inflammatory cascade. Therefore, the traditional effect associated with the plant has scientific basis, in the same way, that its constituents were qualified and showed no toxic effects and has antiedematogenic activity.

Key words: Petiveria alliacea, Bothrops moojeni, edema, inflammation, snakebite.