Chemical composition and antinociceptive,anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities of Gallesia gorazema (Phytolaccaceae), a potential candidate for novel anti-herpetic phytomedicines

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In traditional medicine, teas made from leaves and bark of Gallesia gorazema are used as antispasmodic, anthelmintic, antihemorrhagic and febrifuge agents. Crude leaves of this plant are also employed as a remedy in the treatment of abscesses, orchitis, gonorrhea and for rheumatic pain relief. this study investigates the presumed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of leaves and roots Gallesia gorazema (Phytolaccaceae) extracts. The most active extract and its isolated compound, a new natural product, are also evaluated against viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Materials and methods

In vivo experiments with mice were used to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Gallesia gorazema extracts. Antiviral activity of extracts and the new natural product was investigated by in vitro experiments.

Results

Results show that dichloromethanic root (DRE) and ethanolic leaf (ELE) extracts displayed significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in in vivo experiments with mice. Both extracts were also assayed against the herpes simplex viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2, but only DRE was highly active, showing a selective antiviral effect against HSV-1. Phytochemical fractionation of DRE led to the isolation of 28-hydroxyoctacosyl ferulate, a novel natural product, which displayed strong antiviral activity against HSV-1 (EC₅₀=21.6 μg/mL) with a selective index above 9, justifying, at least in part, the high selective antiviral activity observed for DRE.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the plant Gallesia gorazema is a potential candidate for the development of novel anti-herpetic phytomedicines.