Amazonian Guarana- and Açai-Conjugated Extracts Improve Scratched Fibroblast Healing and Eisenia fetida Surgical Tail Amputation by Modulating Oxidative Metabolism.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that guarana (Paullinia cupana) and açai (Euterpe oleracea) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and proliferative properties, indicating their potential therapeutic action in wound healing. We produced a conjugated guarana-açai (GA) extract and tested its healing action on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) subjected to tail amputation by surgical incision. Methods: Extract from roasted guarana seeds and fresh açai seed berries was produced. The antioxidant and genoprotective capacity of GA extract was tested. The concentration with the most remarkable healing potential was used in subsequent tests. The last three posterior segments of the clitellate earthworm tail reared under standardized conditions were surgically amputated. Next, topical PBS or GA extract was applied to the surgical wound. The rate of cell migration and tissue regeneration at the local wound site was histologically evaluated after the procedure. Expression of the SOX4 gene that acts in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition was determined by RT-qPCR. Results: Sixteen bioactive molecules, including some previously described substances, were identified. All tested concentrations exhibited antioxidant and genoprotective effects. The GA extract accelerated the healing processes as observed through macroscopic and histological analyses and increased expression of SOX4. Conclusion: The GA extract has a potential role in the healing of surgically induced wounds.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) reduces the inflammatory response triggered in vitro by the antipsychotic drug olanzapine in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

BACKGROUND: Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart), a Brazilian fruit, is considered a "superfruit" due its energetic properties and bioactive compounds. The açai's anti-inflammatory effects could attenuate the undesirable metabolic and pro-inflammatory side effects triggered by some antipsychotic drugs, such as Olanzapine (OLZ). It is possible to infer that açai supplement could potentially minimize the adverse effects of OLZ. Aim. This study tested the potential in vitro effects of açai hydroalcoholic extract on the inflammatory activation of the RAW 264.7 macrophage line triggered by OLZ antipsychotic drugs. METHODS: An in vitro protocol was performed using commercial RAW 264.7 macrophages, cultured under sterile conditions at 37°C with 5% CO2 saturation. Initially, a pharmacological curve was defined to determine the concentration of Olanzapine to be used. After this, the cells were supplemented with different concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract of açaí, which had been previously chemically characterized. After 24 and 72 hours of treatment, oxidative and inflammatory tests were performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify whether the hydroalcoholic extract of açaí can modulate the oxy-inflammatory response of olanzapine in vitro. RESULTS: From a preliminary analysis, the açai extract at 5 mg/mL presented higher activity against inflammation triggered by OLZ (0.03 µg/mL). At this concentration, açai was able to reduce several oxidative and inflammatory markers triggered by OLZ (0.03 µg/mL) exposure, such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a, IFN-g) caused by OLZ (0.03 µg/mL). Moreover, açaí reverted the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 that had been dropped by OLZ exposure to their pre-exposure treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that açai extract could be useful in attenuating the peripheral inflammatory states triggered by OLZ. Additional pre-clinical and clinical investigations could be useful in testing therapeutic açai extract supplements.

Interaction between low-level laser therapy and Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract induces antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and promotes proliferation in dermal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has several clinical applications; however, its benefits are not universal. Therefore, combination therapy with LLLT and extracts from the guarana (Paullinia cupana) plant may improve its effectiveness as guarana extracts exhibit anti-aging properties. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and proliferative effects of combined LLLT and guarana extract therapy on human dermal fibroblasts. METHODS: Human dermal fibroblasts (HFF-1) were cultured and initially exposed to several concentrations (1, 3, 5, 10, 30 µg/mL) of guarana extract. The experimental concentration of guarana extract was selected by analyzing cytokine levels, DNA oxidation, and apoptotic markers in LLLT-exposed (4 J/cm2 ) and LLLT-unexposed fibroblast cultures. After 72 hours, the cells were analyzed using spectrophotometric, fluorimetric, immunological, and gene expression (qRT-PCR) assays. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effect of each treatment on cell cycle. RESULTS: Fibroblasts treated with guarana (5 µg/mL) exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties been used in complementary protocols. Combined guarana and LLLT treatment significantly decreased protein carbonylation, lipoperoxidation, and DNA oxidation, downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, and upregulated IL-10 gene and protein expression. Guarana plus LLLT also decreased the levels of caspases 1, 3, and 8, increased the percentage of S-phase cells, and decreased FGF-1 and KGF-1 levels. Some of these changes were also observed after treatment with guarana or LLLT alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that concomitant treatment with guarana and LLLT may promote fibroblast biostimulation and thus is clinically relevant.