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3514921 
Journal Article 
Phytochemical profile and analgesic evaluation of Vitex cymosa leaf extracts 
Leitao, SG; dos Santos, TC; Delle Monache, F; Matheus, ME; Fernandes, PD; Marinho, BG 
2011 
0 
Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia
ISSN: 0102-695X 
21 
5 
874-883 
WOS:000296085200015 
Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng., Lamiaceae, is found in
Central and Amazon regions of Brazil, where it is popularly used as antirheumatic. Extracts from
the leaves of V. cymosa were tested in analgesia models such as abdominal contortions induced by
acetic acid and formalin to test peripheral analgesia; as well as the tail flick and hot plate
models, to test spinal and supraspinal analgesia. A significant reduction was observed in the
number of contortions with all extracts and in all doses. In the formalin model, a reduction in
the second phase (inflammatory) was observed with all extracts, whereas only the n-butanol
extract was able to act in the first, neurogenic, phase. In the tail flick model, all extracts
increased latency time. Naloxone treatment reverted analgesic effect of all extracts with the
exception of the dichloromethane one. All extracts developed peripheral and central analgesic
activity. In the hot plate model no antinociceptive effect was observed for all tested extracts.
All these results taken together suggest that V. cymosa leaf extracts were able to promote
peripheral and central antinociceptive activity mediated by the opioid system. Twenty three
substances were isolated and identified in the extracts and include flavonoids (C-glucosyl
flavones, flavones and flavonols), triterpene acids from ursane and oleanane types, iridoids
(free and glucosides), as well as simple phenols. 
Vitex cymosa; Verbenaceae sensu lato; Lamiaceae sensu lato; antinociceptive activity; medicinal plants; flavonoids; triterpene acids; iridoids