Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41721924›Full record

ArticleLasers in medical science2026

Synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract from Desmodium heterophyllum and photobiomodulation in a carrageenan-induced paw edema model.

Tássio Malber Oliveira, Diego Mendes Xavier, Gracimério José Guarneire, Nerilson Marques Lima, Roberta Maria Abrão, Luiz Gustavo Vilela Filho, Brendha Sena Costa, Sandra Bertelli Ribeiro Castro, Caio César de Souza Alves, Alessandra de Paula Carli and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Lasers in medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Tássio Malber OliveiraUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Diego Mendes XavierUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil. diegomendesxav@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8278-3536
Gracimério José GuarneireUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8699-7491
Nerilson Marques LimaUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Roberta Maria AbrãoUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Luiz Gustavo Vilela FilhoUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Brendha Sena CostaUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Sandra Bertelli Ribeiro CastroUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5535-0919
Caio César de Souza AlvesUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9765-8527
Alessandra de Paula CarliUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7956-8947
Murilo Xavier OliveiraUniversidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6358-4910

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Inflammation is a complex biological response that, when uncontrolled, contributes to the development and worsening of several pathological conditions. Identifying safe and effective anti-inflammatory strategies remains an important therapeutic challenge. In this context, medicinal plants and photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) have emerged as promising approaches due to their immunomodulatory potential. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract from Desmodium heterophyllum (AEDh), alone and in combination with PBM, using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model. AEDh was obtained, chemically characterized through high-resolution mass spectrometry, and evaluated for cytotoxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production in J774A.1 and RAW 264.7 macrophages. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in BALB/c mice subjected to carrageenan-induced paw edema and treated with AEDh (50–250 mg/kg), PBM (780 nm, 70 mW, 35 J/cm²), or their combination. Paw thickness was measured for up to 4 h post-induction, and cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). AEDh showed no cytotoxicity at the concentrations tested and significantly reduced NO production in vitro. In vivo, both AEDh and PBM reduced paw edema, with the combined treatment—especially AEDh at 250 mg/kg—producing a more pronounced effect, comparable to dexamethasone. The combination also markedly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1β and IL-6, supporting a synergistic action. AEDh demonstrated relevant anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, which was further enhanced when combined with PBM. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of integrating herbal medicine and photobiomodulation as a safe and effective strategy for managing inflammatory conditions. Keywords: Desmodium heterophyllum; Photobiomodulation; Cytokines; Synergistic effect; Low-level laser therapy.

Indexed as

Anti-Inflammatory AgentsEdemaFabaceaeLow-Level Light TherapyPlant ExtractsAnimalsCarrageenanCombined Modality TherapyCytokinesDisease Models, AnimalMacrophagesMaleMiceMice, Inbred BALB CNitric OxidePhytotherapyAnti-Inflammatory AgentsCarrageenanCytokinesNitric OxidePlant ExtractsCytokinesDesmodium heterophyllumLow-level laser therapyPhotobiomodulationSynergistic effect

Identifiers

PMID41721924
PMCPMC12924869

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.