Effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. on healing and tissue repair after partial Achilles tenotomy in rats

Purpose: To investigate the cellular response to injury, analyzing histopathologic changes associated with increased cellularity, degeneration and disorganization of collagen fibers. Methods: Thirty wistar rats were divided in two groups after partial Achilles tenotomy: the right hind paw were treated with the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAz), diluted to 33% (0.3 mL kg-1), and the left hind paw received sunflower oil for 3, 14, 30 and 90 days. Statistical significance was determined using a Chi-square and Pearson Correlation qualitative variables test. Moreover, Mann-Whitney U-test test for comparison between different groups of the same cell, one-way ANOVA, and Tukeys test of quantitative measurement. Results: A decrease hyperemia (p 0.001) was observed in the acute phase of inflammatory cell number (p 0.001), whereas sub-acute phase was marked by significant correlation with macrophages in fibroblasts (r = 0.17, p = 0.03), with probable induction a dense and modeled tissue. At chronic phase, it was found an increase in the number of fibroblasts and a higher percentage of type I collagen fibers (78%) compared with control collagen fibers (55%). Conclusion: Oil of Alpinia zerumbet stimulated the process of maturation, organization and tissue repair which gave it greater resistance.(AU)

Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera on the proliferation of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy in rats

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera leaves on the proliferative capacity of the liver after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats weighing between 300 and 450g were divided into two groups: control (HP) and test (HP100-rats that received the aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera for four days at a dose of 100 mg / kg / day). On the fifth day, animals from both groups underwent resection of 70% of the liver. Twenty-four hours later, they were sacrificed and the remnant liver was removed and prepared for studied through PCNA immunohistochemistry. Data analysis for comparison between the two groups was made through the non-parametric statistical test Mann-Whitney test. Results: In all the animals studied was found most abundant nuclear immunostaining positive hepatocytes interlobular located in regions of the liver. Quantitative analysis of PCNA-positive cells revealed positivity rate significantly higher mean (p = 0.02) in HP100 group (77.1 ± 13.6) compared to the HP group (45.8 ± 12.9). Conclusion: DAdministration of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera 100 mg/kg of animal has a significant positive effect on liver regeneration in rats, 24 hours after hepatectomy (70%).(AU)

The effect of the aqueous extract Peumus boldus on the proliferation of hepatocytes and liver function in rats submitted to expanded hepatectomy

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus (AEPB) on the liver proliferative response after parcial hepatectomy of 70% (PH) in rodents. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided in two groups: AEPB100 (whose rats received 100mg/Kg of AEPB, once a day, orally, in 4 days prior to the first surgical procedure) and Vehicle (whose rats were treated similarly with distilled water). Both groups underwent PH. After 24 hours the remaining livers were removed for studying the proliferation of hepatocytes by Ki-67 and 2mL of blood were collected for serological assessment: cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total, direct and indirect bilirubin. All data were analyzed by Gaussian distribution. Statistically significant differences between mean values were analyzed using T Student's test. Non-Gaussian data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney's test. RESULTS: The liver of all these rats presented positive staining of Ki-67, indicating liver proliferation. Laboratory results showed no significant difference in serum values between the analyzed groups. The analysis of Ki-67 was significantly more positive in AEPB100 group than in Vehicle group. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus acute administration exerts significant positive effect on liver regeneration after 24h in rats that underwent parcial hepatectomy, while maintaining unchanged hepatic function.(AU)

Improvement of bone repair in diabetic rats subjected to 780 nm low-level laser therapy

To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on bone healing in diabetic rats. METHODS: Bone cavities (19 mm diameter) were performed in the femur of 72 alloxan-induced diabetic rats, which were assigned into four groups: CTR (non-diabetic control), DBT (diabetic) CTRL (non-diabetic irradiated) and DBTL (diabetic irradiated). Low-level laser therapy was performed every 48h for seven days. Animals were euthanized at seven, 18 and 30 days. Alkaline phosphatase serum levels and bone repair were analyzed. RESULTS: Low-level laser therapy significantly increased alkaline phosphatase in at seven and 18 days (p 0.001), and improved bone healing at seven (p 0.01), 18 (p 0.05) and 30 (p 0.01) in diabetic animals. In addition, bone healing in irradiated diabetic group was statistically similar to control group at 30 days (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-level laser therapy increased the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and improved bone healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.(AU)

Immunohistochemical profile of stromal constituents and lymphoid cells over the course of wound healing in murine model

PURPOSE:To assess the evolution profile of the immunohistochemical expression of stromal constituents over the time-course of wound healing in a murine model.METHODS:Surgical wounds were performed in the back of 24 Wistar rats. After three, seven, 14 and 21 days, six rats were euthanized and the wounded histologically processed to assess the immunohistochemical expression of CD3, CD20, CD31, α-SMA and type-I collagen. Non-injured skin samples (NSS) were used as control. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey test.RESULTS:The mean of CD3 and CD20 positive cells in the wounds was significantly higher than in NSS at seven and 14 days (p<0.001). The blood vessels content was significantly lower than in NSS (p<0.05) at three days, but increased at seven and 14 days (p<0.01). The mean of α-SMA positive cells at seven, 14 and 21 days was higher than in NSS (p<0.05). The relative content of type I collagen increased from three to 21 days, but remained lower than in NSS (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Lymphoid cells, myofibroblasts and microvessels contents varied over the time-course of wound healing, with peak at seven days and progressive reduction until 21 days. The type I collagen content increased over time.(AU)

Modulatory activity of brazilian red propolis on chemically induced dermal carcinogenesis

To evaluate modulatory effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) on dermal carcinogenesis using a murine model. METHODS: The HERP was used at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg (PROP10, PROP50 and PROP100, respectively) to modulate dermal carcinogenesis induced by the application of 9,10-dimetil-1,2-benzatraceno (DMBA) on the backs of animals. RESULTS: The chemical compounds identified in HERP included propyl gallate, catechin, epicatechin and formononetin. PROP100 treatment resulted in significantly decreased tumor multiplicity throughout the five weeks of tumor promotion (p<0.05), and this concentration also resulted in the highest frequency of verrucous tumors (p<0.05). All of the tumors that developed in DMBA-treated animals were regarded as squamous cell carcinomas and were either diagnosed as non-invasive verrucous carcinomas or invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The average score for malignancy was significantly lower in the PROP100-treated group than the non-treated group (p<0.05), but there was no difference between the other groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis at a dose of 100 mg/kg had a significant modulatory effect on the formation, differentiation and progression of chemically induced squamous cell carcinoma in a murine experimental model.(AU)

Bioassay-guided evaluation of wound healing effect of fatty acids-incorporated collagen-based films

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of fatty acids-incorporated collagen-based dressing films on wound healing in rodents. METHODS: Therefore, surgical wounds were performed in the back of 80 Wistar rats, and dressed with collgane-based films (COL), and collagen-based films containing fatty acids (AGEF50 and AGEF100). Undressed wounds were regarded as controls (CTR). The animals were euthanized after three, seven, 14 and 21 days, and the macroscopic wound contraction rates (WRC) were assessed. The wounded area was also analyzed by conventional and polarized light microscope. RESULTS: No sign of abscess or hypertrophic scar formation was observed in none of the groups. At seven days, the WRR of AGEF50 was significantly higher than CTR (p<0.01), whereas at 14 days, both AGE 50 and AGE100 showed a significant increase of the WRR compared to CTR (p<0.001) and COL (p<0.01). Both films promoted increased influx of neutrophils at three days (p<0.01), but reduced significantly the mononuclear infiltrate at 14 days (p<0.05). It was also observed earlier maturation of the granulation tissue, full epithelization and cutaneous appendages development, as well as better collagenization, in AGEF50 and AGEF100. CONCLUSION: The application of AGEF50/100 as wound dressing improved wound healing in rodents.(AU)