Analgesic triterpenes from Sebastiania schottiana roots

The present study was conducted in order to isolate and identify the phytoc hemical constituents responsible for analgesic effects shown by a methanoli c extract obtained from Sebastiania schottiana roots. Conventional chromato graphic procedures led to the isolation of moretenone, glutinol, p-sitoster ol and stigmasterol. The structural elucidation of these compounds was done on the basis of spectral data (IR, H-1- and C-13-NMR) and comparison with authentic samples. Either glutinol or moretenone exhibited marked analgesic action against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions in mice by intr aperitoneal route, indicating 16 to 26-fold higher efficacy than aspirin an d paracetamol. When analyzed in a formalin rest, both compounds and standar d drugs inhibited only the second phase (inflammatory pain). Our results su ggest that the roots of S. schottiana contain analgesic compounds which jus tify, at least partially, the popular use of this plant for the treatment o f urinary problems.