Cytotoxic effect of cipó-pucá (Cissus sicyoides L.) supercritical extract on human red blood cells and as anti-inflammatory in spinal cord injury in adult rats

Abstract

Cissus sicyoides L. is a plant that has great anti-inflammatory activity, due to the presence of phenolic compounds. The objective of this work was to identify such substances by HPLC and to evaluate the cytotoxic effect on human red blood cells, of the C. sicyoides extract obtained by supercritical extraction, using CO2 and EtOH as co-solvent, in comparison to the extract obtained by conventional extraction (Soxhlet), as well as, to evaluate its anti-inflammatory effect on spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. In HPLC analysis, the UV/Visible spectral data revealed compounds with absorption bands in wavelengths characteristic of glycosylated flavonoids. The supercritical extract did not show cytotoxic effect, as there was no rupture of red blood cell membranes. The in vivo test demonstrated reduction in cell concentration in the lesion surrounding area in treated animals, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect of the supercritical extract on the SCI model.