Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: ANGELA PALMA AMORIM

ANALGESIC ACTIVITY and MECHANISM OF ACTION OF Pectis Elongata KUNTH (ASTERACEAE) ESSENTIAL OIL

Analgesia, Pectis elongata, essential oil, pain.

Pectis elongata Kutnth, Asteracea, is a herbaceous plant grown and sold at street markets in Santarém, Pa, Brazil, for food or medicinal use. It is an aromatic species, rich in essential oil, with two chemotypes identified so far: citral and perilla aldehyde, components with recognized antimicrobial, vasodilating, anticarcinogenic, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and sedative activity. In the present study, our aim is to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of P. elongata (OEPe) collected in the city of Santarém, and to determine its mechanism of antinociceptive action, through different mechanisms of pain inhibition. To do this, the plant material of P. elongata (100 g/L) was subjected to hydrodistillation, resulting in a yield of 1% essential oil. The chemical composition was analyzed using Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry. The analgesic effect of OEPe (200, 300 and 400 mg Kg^-1), administered orally, will be assessed using the formalina, and hot plate tests. These effects will be modulated by the administration of antagonists and/or inhibitors of receptors/pathways that modulate nociceptive transmission, such as: atropine, yohimbine, naloxone and L-NAME. A total of 90(ninety) male albino Swiss mice weighing between 25-30g and aged approximately two months will be used as experimental models. The animals come from the animal house of the State University of Para (UEPA), Santarém Campus, where they are housed in polypropylene containment cages, with a 12h light-dark cycle, an ambient temperature of 22°C ± 2 and food and water provided. By blocking pain signaling pathways, we will be able to suggest the possible route used by the constituents present in OEPe in reducing algesia. This research takes into account ethnobotanical and pharmacological data already described for P. elongata. As a result, we hope to validate the use of this plant by traditional communities; provide therapeutic alternatives, with proven efficiency and safety, as well as generating subsidies for the development of potential bioproducts, contributing to the local bioeconomy. The experimental protocols will only be developed after evaluation and approval by the Animal Use Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Western Pará (CEUA-UFOPA).