Anti-Inflammatory Chilean Endemic Plants.

Medicinal plants have been used since prehistoric times and continue to treat several diseases as a fundamental part of the healing process. Inflammation is a condition characterized by redness, pain, and swelling. This process is a hard response by living tissue to any injury. Furthermore, inflammation is produced by various diseases such as rheumatic and immune-mediated conditions, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Hence, anti-inflammatory-based treatments could emerge as a novel and exciting approach to treating these diseases. Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and this review introduces various native Chilean plants whose anti-inflammatory effects have been evaluated in experimental studies. Fragaria chiloensis, Ugni molinae, Buddleja globosa, Aristotelia chilensis, Berberis microphylla, and Quillaja saponaria are some native species analyzed in this review. Since inflammation treatment is not a one-dimensional solution, this review seeks a multidimensional therapeutic approach to inflammation with plant extracts based on scientific and ancestral knowledge.

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of extracts of the peruvian peppertree Schinus areira L. from Chile.

The Andean tree Schinus areira L. has multiple traditional uses, from the treatment of bronchitis and rheumatic diseases to menstrual cycle regulation and wound healing. With reported hypotensive, analgesic, antitumoral and anti-inflammatory properties, it acts predominantly against diseases related to oxidative stress. This study focuses on the antioxidant activity and phytochemical profile of the extracts of Schinus areira L. Serial extraction of the fruits was performed both by maceration and by Soxhlet. Total phenols and flavonoids were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and AlCl3, respectively. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by FRAP and DPPH. Results were similar for both extraction methods. Primary metabolites detected included carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids; secondary metabolites included tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and triterpenes. Antioxidant activity was confirmed for ethyl acetate, methanolic and aqueous extracts. The methanolic extract had both the highest polyphenol content (>195 mg GAE/ g dry weight) and the highest antioxidant activity [EC50 > 476 µg/mL; >273 mg AA/g dry weight (DPPH); >301 mg AA/ g dry weight (FRAP)]. The extract does not produce macrophage cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7, which is indicated by an average cytotoxicity of 2% over 24 h. Our study serves as a starting point for future research on the pharmacological properties of Schinus areira L.

Improvement of endothelial function by Gunnera tinctoria extract with antioxidant properties.

BACKGROUND: Gunnera tinctoria has been collected by Mapuche-Pewenche people for food and medicinal purposes. The high polyphenol content of methanolic extract from G. tinctoria leaves with chemical constituents such as ellagic acid and quercetin derivatives suggests its application to prevent endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of the protective effect of this extract on endothelial function by reducing oxidative stress induced by high D-glucose and H2O2, as well as by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: A methanolic extract with a high content of polyphenols (520 ± 30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry extract) was obtained from G. tinctoria leaves. Its main constituent was ellagic acid. The results of Ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assays of the extract confirmed its antioxidant activity by inhibition pathway of radical species. The incubation of HUVECs with the extract decreased the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis induced by high extracellular concentration of D-glucose or hydrogen peroxide. The extract increased endothelial NO levels and reduced vasoconstriction in human placental vessels. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence about the antioxidant and endothelial protective properties of methanolic G. tinctoria leaf extract. The extract improves the availability of NO in HUVECs, inhibiting the production of ROS and vasoconstriction.

A Novel Hydrocolloid Film Based on Pectin, Starch and Gunnera tinctoria and Ugni molinae Plant Extracts for Wound Dressing Applications.

BACKGROUND: The biodegradable and biocompatible nature of pectin-based films is of particular interest in wound dressing applications, due to its non-toxicity, pH-sensitivity and gelling activity. An approach to improve the mechanical properties, the release profile of bioactive compounds as well as the performance in wet environments of pectin-based films is mixing with other biopolymers. OBJECTIVE: To prepare hydrocolloid films based on crosslinked pectin / starch blend loaded with bioactive extracts from leaves of G. tinctoria and U. molinae with controlled release of bioactive compounds and healing property. METHODS: The hydrocolloid films were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and TGA-FTIR techniques and their tensile properties, water uptake, and polyphenolic release profile in aqueous media were evaluated. The dermal anti inflammatory activity of the hydrocolloid films was assessed by the mouse ear inflammation test. The wound healing property of the loaded hydrocolloid films was explored in a rat model and in a clinical trial (sacrum pressure ulcer). RESULTS: The films showed an adequate water-uptake capacity between 100-160%. The release of active compounds from the hydrocolloid films followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation. The mechanical properties of hydrocolloid films were not affected by the plant extracts within the concentration range used. The incorporation of the bioactive extracts in the polysaccharide films inhibited the topical edematous response by about 50%. The topical application of the loaded hydrocolloid film on the pressure ulcer is completely closed after 17 days without showing any adverse reaction. CONCLUSION: A novel hydrocolloid matrix was produced from crosslinked starch-pectin, which exhibited suitable chemical-physical properties to be used as a carrier of plant extracts with wound healing properties.

Improvement of endothelial function by Gunnera tinctoria extract with antioxidant properties

BACKGROUND: Gunnera tinctoria has been collected by Mapuche-Pewenche people for food and medicinal purposes. The high polyphenol content of methanolic extract from G. tinctoria leaves with chemical constituents such as ellagic acid and quercetin derivatives suggests its application to prevent endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of the protective effect of this extract on endothelial function by reducing oxidative stress induced by high D-glucose and H2O2, as well as by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: A methanolic extract with a high content of polyphenols (520 ± 30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry extract) was obtained from G. tinctoria leaves. Its main constituent was ellagic acid. The results of Ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assays of the extract confirmed its antioxidant activity by inhibition pathway of radical species. The incubation of HUVECs with the extract decreased the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis induced by high extracellular concentration of D-glucose or hydrogen peroxide. The extract increased endothelial NO levels and reduced vasoconstriction in human placental vessels. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence about the antioxidant and endothelial protective properties of methanolic G. tinctoria leaf extract. The extract improves the availability of NO in HUVECs, inhibiting the production of ROS and vasoconstriction.

Intracellular trafficking and cellular uptake mechanism of PHBV nanoparticles for targeted delivery in epithelial cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology is a science that involves imaging, measurement, modeling and a manipulation of matter at the nanometric scale. One application of this technology is drug delivery systems based on nanoparticles obtained from natural or synthetic sources. An example of these systems is synthetized from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), which is a biodegradable, biocompatible and a low production cost polymer. The aim of this work was to investigate the uptake mechanism of PHBV nanoparticles in two different epithelial cell lines (HeLa and SKOV-3). RESULTS: As a first step, we characterized size, shape and surface charge of nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Intracellular incorporation was evaluated through flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy using intracellular markers. We concluded that cellular uptake mechanism is carried out in a time, concentration and energy dependent way. Our results showed that nanoparticle uptake displays a cell-specific pattern, since we have observed different colocalization in two different cell lines. In HeLa (Cervical cancer cells) this process may occur via classical endocytosis pathway and some internalization via caveolin-dependent was also observed, whereas in SKOV-3 (Ovarian cancer cells) these patterns were not observed. Rearrangement of actin filaments showed differential nanoparticle internalization patterns for HeLa and SKOV-3. Additionally, final fate of nanoparticles was also determined, showing that in both cell lines, nanoparticles ended up in lysosomes but at different times, where they are finally degraded, thereby releasing their contents. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, provide novel insight about PHBV nanoparticles internalization suggesting that for develop a proper drug delivery system is critical understand the uptake mechanism.

Obtención de derivados de ácido quillaico a partir de Quillaja saponaria: evaluación de la actividad antiinflamatoria tópica y oral / Obtaining quillaic acid derivatives from Quillaja saponaria: evaluation of topical and oral anti-inflammatory activity

Quillaja saponaria Mol. es una especie nativa de Chile, empleada desde tiempos ancestrales para el tratamiento de artritis y dolores dentales. Desde el punto de vista químico las saponinas del quillay han sido ampliamente estudiadas y actualmente se comercializan extractos de la biomasa de quillay, para elaborar saponinas de diversas calidades empleadas en la industria farmacéutica y alimentaria. Sin embargo, se conoce poco acerca de la química de la sapogenina principal (ácido quillaico), así como de la farmacología de esta sapogenina aislada. Estos argumentos brindaron la oportunidad de llevar a cabo una investigación orientada hacia la modificación hemisintética de este producto natural y el estudio de su actividad antiinflamatoria tópica y oral in vivo. El objetivo general de este trabajo fue obtener el ácido quillaico a partir de un extracto acuoso de Quillaja sapoaniaria Mol. y derivados a partir de la modificación estructural del ácido quillaico; así como evaluar la actividad antiinflamatoria tópica de los compuestos obtenidos. Para ello se emplearon reacciones que implicaron reducciones, oxidaciones y sustituciones de grupos, fundamentalmente en los anillos A, C y D de la molécula de ácido quillaico. Cada uno de los compuestos aislados fue caracterizado estructuralmente mediante técnicas espectroscópicas y espectrofotométricas. Para evaluar la actividad antiinflamatoria in vivo se empleó el ensayo del edema inducido en la oreja de ratón, tras la administración de AA y/o TPA. En ambos ensayos el grupo de animales tratados con las muestras a evaluar estuvo constituido por 8 animales, los que recibieron una dosis única de cada una de las muestras. Se emplearon dosis de los compuestos aislados equimolares a las dosis de los fármacos de referencia, indometacina y nimesulida. Además se desarrollaron dos formulaciones en base a ácido quillaico al 8%, las cuales fueron evaluadas mediante el ensayo antiinflamatorio descrito anteriormente. Conjuntamente con el ácido quillaico se aisló y caracterizó otra genina de este extracto: el ácido fitolacagénico. Se obtuvieron derivados de ácido quillaico modificando principalmente el grupo hidroxilo adicional en el C-16 y en el grupo aldehído presente en el C-4 en lugar de un metilo. Se demostró la actividad anti inflamatoria tópica del ácido quillaico frente a inflamación inducida por TPA y/o AA. La actividad antiinflamatoria fue dosis dependiente frente a AA con un efecto máximo de 92,1 %, comparado con el fármaco de referencia nimesulida. El ácido quillaico también presentó actividad dosis dependiente frente a TPA (62,2%). Ambos efectos son estadísticamente significativos. El extracto de saponinas totales (100 Q) no presentó actividad tópica en la inflamación inducida por TPA. Por el contrario, se puede concluir que hubo un efecto pro-inflamatorio. Frente a AA, el 100Q mostró un efecto de sólo 19,8%. El extracto hidrolizado ( H-100 Q) presentó leve actividad antiinflamatoria frente a AA, así como frente a TPA. El efecto antiinflamatorio fue de 25,0% y 35,7 % para AA y TPA, respectivamente. Sin embargo estos resultados no son estadísticamente significativos. Si bien la crema y el gel al 8% de ácido quillaico presentaron efecto antiinflamatorio éstos son menores que las del compuesto puro en ambos ensayos. En la evaluación de la actividad antiinflamatoria por vía oral, el ácido quillaico no presentó efecto antiinflamatorio. Las modificaciones estructurales realizadas al ácido quillaico disminuyeron el efecto antiinflamatorio. Partiendo de la esterificación del ácido quillaico, los resultados del efecto antiinflamatorio para el éster metil quillaico fueron de 27,3% y 38,4% para AA y TPA, respectivamente. Lo que demuestra que para ejercer el efecto es necesario el ácido carboxílico libre. Para la mayoría de los derivados, la actividad antiinflamatoria frente a TPA fue mayor que frente a AA. Nuestros estudios sugieren que la presencia del grupo aldehído podría ser importante para modular la actividad antiinflamatoria frente a AA, mientras que el grupo carboxilo puede modular la actividad antiinflamatoria frente a TPA. El extracto 100Q obtenido desde la corteza de Quillaja saponaria Mol. es una buena fuente de ácido quillaico, tritepenoide con excelente actividad antiinflamatoria tópica.