Anti-inflammatory effects of Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata) on TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation: experimental evidence

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing, idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical studies suggest that the initiation of IBD is multifactorial, involving genetics, the immune system and environmental factors, such as diet, drugs and stress. Pfaffia paniculata is an adaptogenic medicinal plant used in Brazilian folk medicine as an anti-stress agent. Thus, we hypothesised that the P. paniculata enhances the response of animals subjected to colonic inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of P. paniculata in rats before or after induction of intestinal inflammation using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The animals were divided into groups that received the vehicle, prednisolone or P. paniculata extract daily starting 14days before or 7days after TNBS induction. At the end of the procedure, the animals were killed and their colons were assessed for the macroscopic damage score (MDS), extent of the lesion (EL) and weight/length ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and glutathione (GSH), cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Histological evaluation and ultrastructural analysis of the colonic samples were performed. Treatment with the 200mg/kg dose on the curative schedule was able to reduce the MDS and the EL. In addition, MPO activity was reduced, GSH levels were maintained, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP were decreased. In conclusion, the protective effect of P. paniculata was related to reduced oxidative stress and CRP colonic levels, and due to immunomodulatory activity as evidenced by reduced levels of IL-1β, INF-γ, TNF-α and IL-6.

An ethnobotanical study of anti-malarial plants among indigenous people on the upper Negro River in the Brazilian Amazon

In this article we present the plants used for the treatment of malaria and associated symptoms in Santa Isabel do Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon. The region has important biological and cultural diversities including more than twenty indigenous ethnic groups and a strong history in traditional medicine. The aims of this study are to survey information in the Baniwa, Baré, Desana, Piratapuia, Tariana, Tukano, Tuyuca, Yanomami ethnic communities and among caboclos (mixed-ethnicity) on: a) plant species used for the treatment of malaria and associated symptoms; b) dosage forms and c) distribution of these anti-malarial plants in the Amazon. Information was obtained through classical ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological methods from interviews with 146 informants in Santa Isabel municipality on the upper Negro River, Brazil. Fifty-five mainly native neotropical plant species from 34 families were in use. The detailed uses of these plants were documented. The result was 187 records (64.4%) of plants for the specific treatment of malaria, 51 records (17.5%) of plants used in the treatment of liver problems and 28 records (9.6%) of plants used in the control of fevers associated with malaria. Other uses described were blood fortification ('dar sangue'), headache and prophylaxis. Most of the therapeutic preparations were decoctions and infusions based on stem bark, root bark and leaves. These were administered by mouth. In some cases, remedies were prepared with up to three different plant species. Also, plants were used together with other ingredients such as insects, mammals, gunpowder and milk. This is the first study on the anti-malarial plants from this region of the Amazon. Aspidosperma spp. and Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke were the most cited species in the communities surveyed. These species have experimental proof supporting their anti-malarial efficacy. The dosage of the therapeutic preparations depends on the kind of plant, quantity of plant material available, the patient's age (children and adults) and the local expert. The treatment time varies from a single dose to up to several weeks. Most anti-malarial plants are domesticated or grow spontaneously. They are grown in home gardens, open areas near the communities, clearings and secondary forests, and wild species grow in areas of seasonally flooded wetlands and terra firme (solid ground) forest, in some cases in locations that are hard to access. Traditional knowledge of plants was found to be falling into disuse presumably as a consequence of the local official health services that treat malaria in the communities using commercial drugs. Despite this, some species are used in the prevention of this disease and also in the recovery after using conventional anti-malarial drugs.

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.

Atividade anti-inflamatória e citotoxicidade dos extratos glicólicos de Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (L.) Fiori (alcachofra), Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão (aroeira-do-sertão) e Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (chá verde)

Pós-graduação em Biopatologia Bucal - ICT

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana e anti-inflamatória do extrato glicólico de Hamamelis virginiana Linnaeus

Pós-graduação em Biopatologia Bucal - ICT

Antiulcerogenic activity of the aqueous fraction of Anacardium humile St. Hil (Anacardiaceae)

Anacardium humile St. Hil. is being used in traditional medicine to treat ulcer. The present work evaluated the mechanisms of action involved in the anti-ulcer properties of the aqueous fraction from leaves of A. humile (AHQ). Gastroprotection of A. humile was evaluated in ethanol and piroxicam models. Mechanisms of action such as mucus production, nitric oxide (NO), sulfhydryl compounds (SH) and the anti-secretory action were evaluated. The acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer model was used to evaluate the A. humile healing properties. Results obtained in the ethanol model showed that AHQ provided significant gastroprotection at all the tested doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Thereby, the following protocols were performed using the dose capable of producing the most effective gastroprotection, which was the AHQ 200 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Moreover, AHQ (200 mg/kg) protected the mucosa from piroxicam-induced damage. Mucus, NO, and SH did not participate on this gastroprotection. AHQ interfere in H+ secretion in gastric mucosa, thus exerting an anti-secretory activity. Our results suggest that the gastroprotection and cicatrisation process executed by AHQ occurred due to its anti-secretory activity. This study reinforces its traditional medicinal use. Considering that the current therapies are based on the use of anti-secretory agents, the A. humile arises as a promising alternative antiulcer therapy.

Síntese e atividade anti-HCV, anti-candida e antibacteriana de nitrochalconas

Pós-graduação em Química - IBILCE

Atividade antimicrobiana, anti-inflamatória, citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade do extrato glicólico de Betula pendula Roth (Bétula)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da atividade anti-hRSV da quercetina e seus derivados acetilados

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

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)

Nanoencapsulação de compostos de rutênio, análise de sua atividade anti - Mycobacterium tuberculosis e biodisponibilidade oral

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

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)

Nanoencapsulação de compostos de rutênio, análise de sua atividade anti - Mycobacterium tuberculosis e biodisponibilidade oral

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

Age-dependent changes in rat lacrimal gland anti-oxidant and vesicular related protein expression profiles

Purpose: Anti-oxidation and exocytosis are important for maintaining exocrine tissue homeostasis. During aging, functional and structural alterations occur in the lacrimal gland (LG), including oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA. The aims of the present study were to determine in the aging LG: a) the effects of aging on LG structure and secretory activity and b) changes in the expression of oxidative stress markers. Methods: To address these goals, tear secretion composition and corneal impression cytology were compared between male Wistar rats of 2 (control) and 24 (aged) months. LG morphology and the expression levels of vitamin E and malonaldehyde (MDA) were evaluated to determine the anti-oxidant activity and lipid peroxidation, respectively. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used for the analysis of Ras related in brain GTPase protein (Rab) and soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins of the secretory machinery (i.e.; Rab 3d, Rab 27, vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 (Vamp-2), and syntaxin). Results: Histological analysis of aged rats revealed a higher frequency of corneal epithelia metaplasia. In the acinar cells, organelles underwent degeneration, and lipofucsin-like material accumulated in the cytoplasm along with declines in the anti-oxidant marker vitamin E. Rab3d and Rab27b mRNA levels fell along with Rab3d protein expression, whereas syntaxin levels increased. Conclusions: These findings indicate that exocytotic and anti-oxidant mechanisms become impaired with age in the rat LG. In parallel with these structural alterations, functional declines may contribute to the pathophysiology caused by tear film modification in dry eye disease.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil. leaves involves reduction of TNF-alpha

Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil., 'manaca', is a medicinal species used in Brazil, especially in central region, for the treatment of several diseases such as pain and inflammation. In this study, the methanol/aqueous phase of the ethanol extract of the leaves of 'manaca' (MAP), at the doses of 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and/or antinociceptive effects and the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of MAP were assessed using formalin test, carrageenan-induced paw oedema. The myeloperoxidase activity, capillary permeability, leukocyte migration and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were evaluated in pleural exudate. The MAP reduced the licking time only in the later phase of formalin test, and showed anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the paw oedema, migration cell, myeloperoxidase activity, capillary permeability and TNF-alpha levels. In conclusion, we confirmed the inflammatory activity of MAP and affirm that this effect involves the reduction of TNF-alpha level.