Resumo

Worldwide, several hundred plants are used traditionally as a strategy for the treatment of bacterial infections. The increased resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial agents currently used is the main reason for the evaluation of other agents that may have antimicrobial activity. Thus, the use of plant compounds for therapeutic purposes has gradually increased in Brazil, among them, those from Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth) Brenan, that in northeastern of Brazil is known as angico. The angico is widely used in traditional folk medicine to treat inflammation and respiratory diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the alcoholic extract of A. macrocarpa in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus. C57BL/6 Mice had a solution of sterile air inoculated subcutaneously into the dorsal region, characterizing the model of air pouch, and divided into four groups according to their treatment. Of these, two groups of animals were infected with S. aureus, and two groups received a saline solution. In each protocol, one group was treated with A. macrocarpa and another with a solution of 10% ethanol. The systemic responses were assessed by counting total and differential leukocyte smears, 4, 8 and 12 hours after infection. The cell recruitment to the cavity of the air pocket was analyzed by Citospin and total leukocyte count in pre-defined time periods. The production of proinflammatory cytokines was evaluated by ELISA. Although no differences were found in number of leukocytes in blood, after infection blood was observed, neutrophilia was observed in the microenvironment of an air pocket, although under a neutrophil recruitment into the pocket in the groups treated with the extract of A. macrocarpa. In assessing the production of cytokines, the groups treated with the extract show a greater production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, these results suggest that the extract of A. macrocarpa may play a modulatory role in signaling linked to the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of infection by Staphylococcus aureus.