Hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis modulates inflammatory process in mice submitted to a low protein diet.

The occurrence of inflammation and protein malnutrition is an aggravating risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the clinical setting. The green propolis, a natural product made by Apis mellifera bees from Baccharis dracunculifolia resin, has therapeutic potential to modulate chronic inflammation. However, its effect on inflammation in an impaired nutritional status is not known. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of the administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of the green propolis in the chronic inflammatory process of mice submitted to a low-protein diet. For this, we used the subcutaneous implantation of sponge disks as an inflammatory model and the animals were distributed in the following groups: standard protein diet (12% protein content), control treatment; standard protein diet, propolis treatment; low-protein diet (3% protein content), control treatment; low-protein diet, propolis treatment. Propolis was given daily at a dose of 500 mg/kg (p.o.) during a period of 7 or 15 days. Our main findings show that animals fed with standard protein diet and treated with propolis had low levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, with the subsequent reestablishment of these levels, in addition to monocyte count elevation and higher TNF levels after one week of treatment. In the low-protein diet group, the propolis treatment provided a significant recovery in weight and maintenance of total serum protein levels at the end of two weeks of treatment. Histological analysis showed propolis reduced the inflammatory infiltrate in the sponges of both standard and low-protein diet groups. In addition, the propolis extract presented antiangiogenic effect in both groups. Therefore, our data suggests that the hydroalcoholic extract of the green propolis promotes weight recovery and avoid the reduction of protein levels, in addition to inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis in animals fed with a low-protein diet.

Effects of extracts of leaves from Sparattosperma leucanthum on hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The species Sparattosperma leucanthum (Vell.) K. Schum is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat rheumatism, throat ulcers, stomatitis, syphilis, bladder stones and as blood cleanser. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential, in vitro and in vivo, of the extracts of leaves from Sparattosperma leucanthum to treat hyperuricemia and inflammation in the gouty arthritis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethyl acetate extract (SLE), methanolic extract (SLM) and aqueous extract (SLW) were evaluated in vitro on XO inhibitory activity and in vivo in an experimental model with oxonate-induced hyperuricemia in mice which was used to evaluate anti-hyperuricemic activity and liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition. Anti-inflammatory activity was also investigated on MSU crystal-induced paw edema model. RESULTS: Sparattosperma leucanthum crude extracts showed expressive results on urate-lowering activity in blood. SLW at the dose of 125 mg/kg has proved to be active in reducing hyperuricemia and was capable to inhibit the hepatic xanthine oxidase enzyme (XOD). SLM showed anti-hyperuricemic activity on all doses tested; however, this extract showed activity on the XOD only at the dose of 500 mg/kg. SLE, at the three evaluated doses, has proved to be active in reducing hyperuricemia in vivo and was able to inhibit XO activity in vitro at the concentration of 100 µg/mL. This extract was also able to inhibit XOD activity in vivo at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. SLE (125 and 250 mg/kg) and SLW (500 mg/kg) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity on monosodium urate crystal-induced paw edema model. CONCLUSIONS: The ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts of Sparattosperma leucanthum showed significant results on evaluated models and therefore may be important agents for the treatment of gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia.

Pharmacological basis for use of Lychnophora trichocarpha in gouty arthritis: anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects of its extract, fraction and constituents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha Spreng. is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat bruise, pain and inflammatory diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed at investigating whether ethanolic extract of L. trichocarpha, its ethyl acetate fraction and its main bioactive compounds could be useful to treat gouty arthritis by countering hyperuricemia and inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: L. trichocarpha ethanolic extract (LTE), ethyl acetate fraction from ethanolic extract (LTA) and isolated compounds were evaluated for urate-lowering activity and liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. Anti-inflammatory activity in monosodium urate crystal-induced paw oedema, an experimental model of gouty arthritis, was also investigated. RESULTS: Crude ethanolic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction showed significant urate-lowering effects. LTE was also able to significantly inhibit liver xantine oxidase (XOD) activity in vivo at the dose of 250mg/kg. Luteolin, apigenin, lupeol, lychnopholide and eremantholide C showed the anti-hyperuricemic activities among tested compounds. Apigenin also showed XOD inhibitory activity in vivo. Luteolin, lychnopholide, lupeol and eremantholide C, in turn, did not shown significant inhibitory activity towards this enzyme, indicating that this mechanism is not likely to be involved in urate-lowering effects of those compounds. LTE, LTA, lupeol, ß-sitosterol, lychnopholide, eremantholide, luteolin and apigenin were also found to inhibit monosodium urate crystals-induced paw oedema in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanolic extract of Lychnophora trichocarpha and some of its bioactive compounds may be promising agents for the treatment of gouty arthritis since they possesses both anti-hiperuricemic and anti-inflammatory properties.