Promising Antioxidant Activity of <i>Erythrina</i> Genus: An Alternative Treatment for Inflammatory Pain?

• Main Authors: Tania Jiménez-Cabrera, Mirandeli Bautista, Claudia Velázquez-González, Osmar Antonio Jaramillo-Morales, José Antonio Guerrero-Solano, Thania Alejandra Urrutia-Hernández, Minarda De la O-Arciniega
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: <i>Erythrina</i>; antioxidant; inflammatory pain; prenylated flavonoids
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/1/248
• ISSN: 1661-6596; 1422-0067

The negative impact that oxidative stress has on health is currently known. The complex mechanism of free radicals initiates a series of chain reactions that contribute to the evolution or development of different degenerative disorders. Likewise, these disorders are usually accompanied by inflammatory processes and, therefore, pain. In this sense, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to promote the nociceptive process, but effective treatment of pain and inflammation still represents a challenge. Over time, it has been learned that there is no single way to relieve pain, and as long as there are no other alternatives, the trend will continue to apply multidisciplinary management, such as promote the traditional use of the <i>Erythrina</i> genus to manage pain and inflammation. In this sense, the <i>Erythrina</i> genus produces a wide range of secondary metabolites, including flavanones, isoflavones, isoflavones, and pterocarpans; these compounds are characterized by their antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds have demonstrated their ability to suppress pro-oxidants and inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways such as MAPK, AP1, and NFκB. Although there is preclinical evidence supporting its use, the pharmacological effect mechanisms are not entirely clear. Nowadays, there is a fast advancement in knowledge of the disciplines related to drug discovery, but most of nature’s medicinal potential has not yet been harnessed. This review analyzes the decisive role that the <i>Erythrina</i> genus could play in managing inflammatory pain mediated by its compounds and its uses as an antioxidant.