Chemical characterization and antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg fruit peel

Natural products derived from medicinal plants represent an important source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications in the management of pain and inflammatory disorders. In this study, the chemical profile and pharmacological activities of the aqueous extract obtained from the fruit peel of Myrciaria floribunda (AeMf) were investigated. Chemical characterization was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ). The antinociceptive activity of AeMf was evaluated in mice using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin, and tail immersion tests, while the anti-inflammatory potential was assessed through carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis models. Chromatographic analysis revealed a chemical profile predominantly composed of organic acids and related metabolites, including quinic acid, citrate, maleate, and a fatty acid hexoside. In nociceptive models, AeMf produced a significant and dose-dependent reduction in acetic acid-induced writhing and markedly decreased paw-licking behavior in both phases of the formalin test. In addition, the extract increased tail withdrawal latency in the thermal nociception assay, indicating the involvement of both peripheral and central analgesic mechanisms. In inflammatory models, AeMf significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema, reduced leukocyte and neutrophil migration to the peritoneal cavity, and markedly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1β. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that AeMf exerts potent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, likely mediated through the modulation of inflammatory mediators and cellular recruitment. The results highlight the therapeutic potential of Myrciaria floribunda as a promising natural source of bioactive compounds for the development of novel strategies for pain and inflammation management.