Antichemotactic activity of Verbena montevidensis and brasoside

The genus Verbena (Verbenaceae) comprises about 44 species and this genus have been described in regions of South and North America. Many species of the genus Verbena are used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, to relief pain and treat liver (intoxication). These effects are related to the secondary metabolites present in these plants, especially flavonoids, iridoids and phenylethanoids. This study aims to evaluate the antichemotactic activity of the methanolic extract of V. montevidensis and brasoside, isolated product of this extract, obtained from leaves. The plant material was collected in Quevedos-RS, dried, milled and macerated with methanol until exhaustion. The antichemotactic activity was carried out according to the modified Boyden chamber method. The leucocytes migration through the filter was measured using optical microscope. Samples were tested at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 μg/mL, using indomethacin as positive control and a neutrophil suspension without treatment as negative control. The results demonstrated inhibition of leukocyte migration 58% (10 μg/mL) and 100% (5 μg/mL) for V. montevidensis and brasoside, respectively. All samples in the different concentrations inhibited significantly leukocyte migration (P <0.05) when compared to the negative control. It is observed that the isolated product showed higher activity in the lower concentration in comparison to extract, thus, the presented effect of the extract can be attributed to the isolated product. So, the samples tested could present antichemotatic activity through the inhibition of the process of neutrophil migration at the initial stage.