Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects of a hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. in rodents

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Alternanthera maritima extract and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin in mice

Alternanthera maritima are used in Brazilian popular medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Species of Alternanthera have demonstrated biological activities in previous scientific studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of A. maritima (EEAM) and the isolated compound 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-vitexin inhibit mechanical hyperalgesia and parameters of inflammation in mice. The oral administration of EEAM significantly inhibited carrageenan (Cg)-induced paw edema and reduced leukocyte migration into the pleural cavity. 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly inhibited paw edema and reduced both leukocyte migration and the leakage of protein into the pleural cavity. Both EEAM and 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly prevented the Cg-induced hyperalgesia. Local administration of 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin significantly prevented the Cg- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced hyperalgesia. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that EEAM is an anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic agent, and the results suggested that 2″-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosylvitexin is responsible for the effects of EEAM and the mechanism involves the TNF pathway.

Avaliação das atividades cicatrizante e antiinflamatória de Casearia sylvestris Swartz em animais e identificação dos marcadores químicos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pharmacological evaluation and preparation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs containing an N-Acyl hydrazone subunit

A series of anti-inflammatory derivatives containing an N-acyl hydrazone subunit (4a–e) were synthesized and characterized. Docking studies were performed that suggest that compounds 4a–e bind to cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 isoforms, but with higher affinity for COX-2. The compounds display similar anti-inflammatory activities in vivo, although compound 4c is the most effective compound for inhibiting rat paw edema, with a reduction in the extent of inflammation of 35.9% and 52.8% at 2 and 4 h, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity of N-acyl hydrazone derivatives was inferior to their respective parent drugs, except for compound 4c after 5 h. Ulcerogenic studies revealed that compounds 4a–e are less gastrotoxic than the respective parent drug. Compounds 4b–e demonstrated mucosal damage comparable to celecoxib. The in vivo analgesic activities of the compounds are higher than the respective parent drug for compounds 4a–b and 4d–e. Compound 4a was more active than dipyrone in reducing acetic-acid-induced abdominal constrictions. Our results indicate that compounds 4a–e are anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds with reduced gastrotoxicity compared to their respective parent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Caracterização por espectrometria de massas e investigação das atividades anti-inflamatória e gastroprotetora do extrato etanólico e diterpenos clerodânicos de folhas de Casearia sylvestris Swartz

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of the synthetic coumarin, ethyl 2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate, on activity of Crotalus durissus ruruima sPLA2 as well as on edema and platelet aggregation induced by this factor

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Intravitreal injection versus sub-Tenon's infusion of triamcinolone acetonide for refractory diabetic macular edema: A randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE. To compare the effectiveness of posterior sub-Tenon's infusion (STi) and intravitreal injection (IVI) of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for treatment of refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema.METHODS. Thirty-six phakic diabetic patients with refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema were prospectively enrolled. Patients randomly received either 40 mg STi or 4 mg IVI of TA. Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation was performed at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 8 +/- 1, 12 +/- 2 and 24 +/- 2 weeks after treatment. Macular morphologic changes detected by optical coherence tomography and visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and lens status were evaluated.RESULTS. Twenty-eight patients (28 eyes) completed the 24-week study. Central macular thickness was significantly reduced in the IVI group when compared with the STi group at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment (P < 0.01). Mean visual acuities (in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) at week-4, -8, and -12 follow-up examinations were significantly higher in the IVI group (0.74, 0.75, and 0.82, respectively) when compared with the STi group (0.88, 0.88, and 0.90, respectively; P < 0.01). A significant change from baseline in mean intraocular pressure (mm Hg) was seen at weeks 4 (+/- 3.21) and 8 (+/- 3.35) in STi the group (P < 0.01), and at week 8 (+/- 2.78) in the IVI group (P < 0.05). No patient had cataract progression during the study.CONCLUSIONS. Although the number of patients and length of follow-up in this preliminary study were limited, the changes in central macular thickness and visual acuity observed after treatment suggest that IVI TA may be more effective than STi for the management of refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Platelet aggregation and antibacterial effects of an L-amino acid oxidase purified from Bothrops alternatus snake venom

The isolation and biochemical/enzymatic characterization of an L-amino acid oxidase, Balt-LAAO-I, from Bothrops alternates snake venom, is described. Balt-LAAO-I is an acidic glycoprotein, pI similar to 5.37, homodimeric, M-r similar to 123, 000, whose Nterminal sequence is ADVRNPLE EFRETDYEVL. It displays a high specificity toward hydrophobic and basic amino acids, while deglycosylation does not alter its enzymatic activity. Bait-LAAO-I induces platelet aggregation and shows bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, this enzyme is slightly hemorrhagic and induces edema in the mouse paw. Bait-LAAO-I is a multifunctional enzyme with promising relevant biotechnological and medical applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Edema cerebral crônico na neurocisticercose

Neste estudo retrospectivo, relatam-se as características clínicas do edema cerebral crônico (ECCr) em 34 pacientes com neurocisticercose (NCC), que apresentavam edema cerebral difuso, à tomografia computadorizada (TC), como característica comum. Todos foram tratados com dextroclorofeniramina e, 32 deles, com albendazol. O ECCr predominou no sexo feminino (73,5%) na faixa etária dos 11 - 40 anos (92,3%). A cefaléia ocorreu em 94,1% dos pacientes, náuseas/vômitos em 47,1%, crises epilépticas em 41,1% e distúrbios psíquicos em 38,2%. A hiperreflexia ocorreu em 82,3% e o papiledema em 58,8% e o exame neurológico normal em 11,8%. Na TC, o edema esteve associado a calcificações em 61,8% dos casos. As pressões liquóricas foram mais elevadas (p< 0,05) antes do tratamento. Atualmente, estão assintomáticos, ou com melhora clínica, 79,4% dos pacientes (57,1% deles sem medicação). Discute-se a possibilidade do ECCr, na NCC, ser uma manifestação antigênica, sem a presença concomitante de cistos parasitários, e poder representar mais uma condição clínica associada à hipertensão intracraniana benigna.

Edema de Reinke: estudo da imunoexpressão da fibronectina, da laminina e do colágeno IV em 60 casos por meio de técnicas imunoistoquímicas

Edema de Reinke é doença crônica da laringe na qual a camada superficial da lâmina própria é expandida por muco espesso conferindo-lhe aspecto gelatinoso. Relaciona-se ao tabagismo e acomete, preferencialmente mulheres, as quais apresentam a voz mais grave. Suas características histológicas nem sempre conseguem diferenciá-lo das demais lesões benignas da laringe, havendo necessidade de técnicas histológicas adicionais. OBJETIVOS: Estudar a imunoexpressão da fibronectina, do colágeno IV e da laminina no edema de Reinke por meio de técnicas imunoistoquímicas. Estudo prospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Blocos histológicos de 60 casos cirúrgicos de edema de Reinke foram resgatados, submetidos a novos cortes e às reações imunoistoquímicas para fibronectina, laminina e colágeno IV pelo método da Avidina Biotina Peroxidase. Todos os pacientes eram fumantes e adultos, sendo 50 mulheres e 10 homens. RESULTADOS: As análises da imunoexpressão da fibronectina, do colágeno IV e da laminina foram mais expressivas no endotélio dos vasos (68,33%, 76,66%, 73,33%, respectivamente), e menos relevantes na membrana basal (25,0%, 5,0% e 3,3%, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: No edema de Reinke, a imunoexpressão da fibronectina, da laminina e do colágeno IV na membrana basal não apresentam relevância, havendo predomínio desses anticorpos no endotélio do vasos.

Is Reinke's Edema a Precancerous Lesion? Histological and Electron Microscopic Aspects

The objectives of this study were to evaluate morphologic alterations and precancerous lesions in Reinke's edema. Patients included were 54 smokers with bilateral Reinke's edema submitted to surgery in the Otolaryngology Department, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Brazil, between 2002 and 2006. All specimens were evaluated by light microscopy and five contralateral lesions were also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The main histological alterations were edema (100%), inflammation (81.48%), basal membrane (bm) thickening (77.77%), and vessel proliferation (75.92%). Epithelium alterations were classified as grade 0 (11.11%), grade 1 (70.37%), grade 2 (14.81%), and grade 3 (3.70%). In the case included in grade 3 classification, microinvasive carcinoma was detected. SEM showed epithelial surface with some cellular desquamation, few microridges, and a polished and impermeable surface aspect. TEM showed epithelial hyperplasia, basal cells with different sizes, widening of the intercellular spaces, abnormal desmosome architecture, thickening of the bm, some electron-dense vesicles, and points of interruption. The morphological alterations presented in this study are not specific to Reinke's edema but this lesion can be the site of different grades of dysplasia and carcinoma, justifying the importance of periodic laryngeal endoscopic exams and meticulous histological analysis.

Hyperalgesic and edematogenic effects of peptides isolated from the venoms of honeybee (Apis mellifera) and neotropical social wasps (Polybia paulista and Protonectarina sylveirae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mouse ear edema modulation by different propolis ethanol extracts

The anti-inflammatory activity of 14 commercial ethanol extracts of propolis were evaluated, using a mouse ear inflammation model induced by arachidonic acid. Indometacin was also assayed as standard anti-inflammatory agent. Different activities were observed and discussed. This model could be used to assess the anti-inflammatory quality of propolis extracts and facilitate their posological usage on skin edema resulting from wounds.

Toxin jararhagin in low doses induces interstitial edema and increases the metabolic rate and red blood cells in mice

Jararhagin is a metalloproteinase from Bothrops jararaca responsible for hemorrhage, inflammation, necrosis and edema. Effects of low doses of the toxin were analyzed on the energy metabolism of mice as well as its physiological implications. Measures of O-2 consumption (VO2) were quantified after 4 and 24 h of the jarathagin administration during four weeks. Hematocrit and histology of the lungs were also analyzed after the end of the treatment. Results showed that animals that received subcutaneous doses of jararhagin had significant increase in VO2 from second (120 ng) and third weeks (60 ng) after 4 and 24 h, comparing to control, as well as in the number of erythrocytes after four weeks. Histology of the lungs showed interstitial edema within the alveolar septum. Results suggest that the jararhagin toxin caused an increase in VO2 and edema of intra-alveolar septum. The increase of the erythrocytes could be a physiological response to adjust the higher necessity of oxygen, due to diffusional abnormalities caused by the edema. Thus, low doses of jararhagin promote endothelial edema which lead to changes in several physiological conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.