Actividad antiinflamatoria e inmunoestimulante de dos especies del género Uncaria - revisión bibliográfica

Abstract

Introduction: Our organism triggers an inflammatory process as an initial and nonspecific response to physical, chemical or microbiological stimuli, in order to remedy and limit the injury or damage caused. The immune system acts as a defense mechanism against pathogens, generating a variety of cells and molecules specialized in recognizing and eliminating the harmful agent, so it is important to investigate the effects of Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis in antiinflammatory and immunostimulant treatments. Main Objective: To analyze current information, from 2015 to 2021, on compounds and metabolites with antiinflammatory and immunostimulant activity of two species of Uncaria genus. Methodology: Bibliographic review of documentary type; a total of 24 articles and publications were included; corresponding to the period between 2015 to 2021, the information search was carried out in databases such as ScienceDirect (ELSEVIER ®), PubMed, Scielo and through the Google Scholar search engine, information from previous years to those mentioned, non-original articles whose information and veracity is not clear were excluded. Results: Information was obtained about the extracts and compounds of U. tomentosa and U. guianensis, where metabolites such as alkaloids, anthocyanidins, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, etc., were reported, the anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant activity is attributed to the pentacyclic and tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids due to their action on the nervous and immune systems, with mitraphylline being the major alkaloid and the flavanol Kaempferitrin produced only in U. guianensis. The synergy of the metabolites in the two species has allowed obtaining a better therapeutic response, so it is recommended not to isolate them. In addition, extracts of U. tomentosa and U. guianensis with antiinflammatory and immunostimulant activity have been reported, mainly hydroalcoholic, ethanolic and alcoholic extracts. Conclusion: Due to the increase of inflammatory and immunological disorders worldwide, especially in underdeveloped countries, this research proposes U. tomentosa and U. guianensis species as an important source of anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant compounds, of which oxindole alkaloids are considered responsible for these therapeutic actions. Therefore, it is recommended to study the development of new medicinal formulas based on plants that achieve the desired therapeutic objective, in addition to having less cytotoxicity with respect to more complex drugs and that are supportive in the treatment of various conditions of interest