Chemical Characterization and Anti-inflammatory Assessment of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Fridericia chica

Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L.G. Lohmann, Bignoniaceae, is an Amazonian species known as “pariri” or “crajiru” that is included in the Brazilian National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Unified Health System (Renisus). This herbal remedy is traditionally used as an infusion to treat diarrhea, anemia, inflammation, symptoms of mucositis, and frequent complications of chemotherapy. This study aimed to characterize the chemical profile of the hydroethanolic extract of F. chica and to assess its intestinal anti-inflammatory activity. The chemical profile of the leaves was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and its potential anti-inflammatory activity in the gut was evaluated in mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil. Three novel compounds from this the species were identified 6,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-5-methoxyflavilium- O -glucuronide, scutellarein- O- glucuronide, and 5-methyl-scutellarein- O- glucuronide, as well as flavones and anthocyanidins that have been previously described. Mice received the hydroethanolic extract (300 mg/kg) for 9 days, and no signs of toxicity were observed. After 72 h of 5-fluorouracil administration, intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, myeloperoxidase activity, eosinophil peroxidase activity, and histological analyses were performed. Treatment with the analyzed extract was beneficial, as it normalized intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, myeloperoxidase activity/eosinophil peroxidase and preserved intestinal epithelium architecture. This study provides new insights into the chemical composition and biological activity of the polar extracts from “pariri”, an important Amazonian crude medicinal drug. Graphical abstract