Expectorant and antioxidant activities of purified fumarprotocetraric acid from Cladonia verticillaris lichen in mice.

UNLABELLED: The lichen Cladonia verticillaris produces bioactive secondary metabolites, such as fumarprotocetraric (FUM) and protocetraric acids. Species of the genus Cladonia demonstrate anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities and have been used in folk medicine to treat respiratory diseases (throat irritation, cough, asthma and tuberculosis). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expectorant and mucolytic activities of fumarprotocetraric acid in albino Swiss mice. FUM was extracted and purified from an acetone extract of C. verticillaris. The phenol red quantification method was used on the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following the administration of FUM (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg orally or intraduodenally and 12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for the evaluation of expectorant activity. Control groups received either saline solution (7.5 mL/kg) or ambroxol (1 mg/kg) through the same administration routes. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay in mouse lung tissue treated with the FUM at 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg orally, followed by a lipopolysaccharide solution at 1 mg/kg intrapleurally. The same protocol was used for the control groups using either saline solution (7.5 mL/kg, orally) or N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg, orally). RESULTS: Orally administered FUM at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg promoted significantly greater dose-dependent phenol red activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage and expectorant activity in comparison to the controls (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde equivalent) was reduced by 50% in the lung tissue. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the expectorant and antioxidant properties of fumarprotocetraric acid produced by the lichen C. verticillaris.

Safety Evaluation of Goat Milk Added with the Prebiotic Inulin Fermented with the Potentially Probiotic Native Culture Limosilactobacillus mucosae CNPC007 in Co-culture with Streptococcus thermophilus QGE: Analysis of Acute and Repeated Dose Oral Toxicity.

Despite functional goat milk products having emerged due to their importance for human nutrition and health, few studies have assessed the safety of consumption of goat dairy products containing potentially probiotic autochthonous lactic acid bacteria supplemented with prebiotic carbohydrates. Aiming this field, this study evaluated the safety of goat's milk fermented with Streptococcus thermophilus QGE, the autochthonous Limosilactobacillus mucosae CNPC007 culture, and the prebiotic inulin, through single- and repeated-dose oral toxicity tests (SDT and RDT, respectively) in animals. Ten female Swiss Webster mice were used for SDT evaluation - 2 groups, SDTc (20 mL/kg of filtered water) and SDTt (20 mL/kg of fermented milk) - and 40 Wistar rats for RDT - RDT3, RDT6, and RDT12 (treated with fermented milk at doses of 3 mL/kg, 6 mL/kg, and 12 mL/kg, respectively) and also RDTc (12 mL/kg of filtered water). For SDT, no signs of mortality or toxicity were observed, and the animals maintained the expected weight gain and feed intake. The RDT trials did not show mortality or signs of toxicity, as well as no change in body weight and organs, in the hematological and biochemical parameters, and also in relation to morphology and histology. Since the fermented milk did not cause any toxic effect in the conditions evaluated, it can be said that its no-adverse effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be higher than 20 mL/kg/day. Thus, the fermented milk with L. mucosae CNPC007 and inulin was considered to be of low toxicity, safe for use in rodents, and allowed for use in further studies.

Effect of a Semisolid Formulation of Linum usitatissimum L. (Linseed) Oil on the Repair of Skin Wounds.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a semisolid formulation of linseed oil, SSFLO (1%, 5%, or 10%) or in natura linseed oil on skin wounds of rats. We used wound models, incisional and excisional, to evaluate, respectively, the contraction/reepithelialization of the wound and resistance to mechanical traction. The groups (n = 6) treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%) began the process of reepithelialization, to a significant extent (P < .05), on the sixth day, when compared to the petroleum jelly control group. On 14th day for the groups treated with SSFLO (1% or 5%), 100% reepithelialization was found, while in the petroleum jelly control group, this was only 33.33%. Our study showed that topical administration of SSFLO (1% or 5%) in excisional wounds allowed reepithelialization in 100% of treated animals. Therefore, a therapeutic potential of linseed oil, when used at low concentrations in the solid pharmaceutical formulations, is suggested for the process of dermal repair.

Impact of early malnourishment on the chronic inflammatory response and its implications for the effect of indomethacin on Wistar rats.

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether early undernutrition changes the chronic inflammatory response, so as to study its influence on pharmacological response to indomethacin. Rat offspring of dams fed from the first day of gestation to term or throughout the lactation period received a balanced diet (NN) or a basic regional diet (BRD) from northeast Brazil. According to their dams, the offspring were divided into three groups: NN; basic regional diet during gestation (BRD-g, undernourished during gestation); basic regional diet during gestation and lactation (BRD-gl, undernourished during gestation and lactation). At 2 months of age, Freund's adjuvant (0·2 ml) was inoculated into the plantar surface of the hind paw (day 0) of animals. All animals orally received saline (0·9 %) for 28 d. Another group of adult offspring was subjected to the same procedure as described above, but orally received indomethacin (2 mg/kg) instead of saline, and divided into three subgroups: NN treated with indomethacin (NNI); BRD-g treated with indomethacin (BRDI-g); BRD-gl treated with indomethacin (BRDI-gl). The hind paw volume was calculated on days 0 (initial paw volume), 7, 14 and 28. Hind paw swelling, blood albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and leucocyte counts were evaluated as markers of inflammation. Reduced hind paw swelling and the blood levels of serum albumin and CRP were found in the BRD-g and BRD-gl offspring. However, no difference was found in the leucocyte count. Compared with their respective saline-treated groups (NN, BRD-g and BRD-gl), the anti-inflammatory effect of indomethacin was lower in the BRDI-g and BRDI-gl groups than in the NNI group. We conclude that early undernutrition attenuated the chronic inflammatory response and the anti-inflammatory effect of indomethacin.

Non-clinical repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity, reproductive toxicity and cytotoxicity studies of the polar fraction of Parkinsonia aculeata aerial parts extract.

This study was aimed to evaluate toxicity in repeated doses for 28 days, reproductive toxicity and cytotoxicity of a polar fraction obtained from the hydroethanolic extract of Parkinsonia aculeata (PfrHEPA) in experimental models. To perform the toxicity test in repeated doses for 28 days, male and female Wistar rats were treated via orogastric for 28 days with PfrHEPA (35, 70 or 140 mg/kg) according to the guidelines established by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) number 407 (1995). For assessment, the impact of PfrHEPA on the reproductive output various parameters were measured, including maternal weight, no. of pregnant females, female fertility index (%), gestation lengthtime, implantation sites, litter size and placental index of test animals. The cytotoxicity of PfrHEPA was performed on the tumor lines NCI-H292 (human lung carcinoma), HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) and HCT-116 (colorectal cancer). In the repeated dose toxicity test for 28 days, no mortality was observed in the male and female rats treated with PfrHEPA as well as morphological changes and biochemical and hematological parameters. In the reproductive toxicity test, no abnormalities were observed related to the toxicological parameters in both mothers and offspring. Regarding the cytotoxicity assay, the PfrHEPA fraction did not demonstrate significant cytotoxic effect on the cell lines analyzed. The present results suggest the use of PfrHEPA is safe and well tolerated in rats. Further studies are planned to identify and purify the active compounds for subsequent in vivo evaluation.

Evaluation of acute oral toxicity, embryotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the polar fraction of Parkinsonia aculeata aerial parts extract.

Ethnopharmacobotanical information reports that Parkinsonia aculeata infusion is used to control diabetes-related complications and dyslipidemia. However, few studies are reported on the safe use of this species. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute toxicity, embryotoxicity and cytotoxicity of a polar fraction obtained from hydroethanolic extract of P. aculeata (PfrHEPA). For the acute toxicity test, we considered the Up and Down method which the guidelines are described by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD N°425). The animals were treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg) or with distilled water (10 ml/kg) by gavage and observed from Day 1 to14. For embryotoxicity assay, zebrafish embryos were exposed to PfrHEPA (100 mg/L) and toxicity parameters were observed during four consecutive days. The cytotoxicity of PfrHEPA (5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µg/ml, respectively) was performed on normal cell lines (mesenchymal stem cells, African green monkey renal cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3 T3-L1 using the MTT salt reduction assay. In the acute toxicity test, no mortality was observed in mice treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg), as well as behavioral changes, histopathological abnormalities and hematological and biochemical variables. In the embryotoxicity test, no abnormal changes related to the toxicological parameters were observed in the period of 96 h. Regarding the cytotoxicity assay, PfrHEPA showed no cytotoxic effect on the normal cell lines tested, with an IC50 value > 100 µg/ml. These results suggest the safe use of P. aculeata, however, more trials are needed for PfrHEPA to be presented as new safe therapeutic proposal for the control of metabolic disorders.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity and molecular docking study of new aza-bicyclic isoxazoline acylhydrazone derivatives.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of two new isoxazoline-acylhydrazone derivatives: N'-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-6-(4-nitro-benzoyl)-3a,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]isoxazole-3-carbohydrazide (R-123) and N'-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-6-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-3a,5,6,6a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]isoxazole-3-carbohydrazide (R-99). An air pouch induced by carrageenan was used for screening the best dose of R-99 and R-123. Using this mouse model, leukocyte migration and cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-1ß) were determined. Paw edema induced by several phlogistic agents and vascular permeability induced by acetic acid were employed to investigate the mechanism of action of the isoxazoline-acylhydrazone derivatives. A docking study was performed with the human histamine H1 receptor to investigate potential antihistaminic activity. Treatment with the compounds reduced leukocyte migration in the air pouch at all doses tested. TNF-α and IL-1ß levels were similarly reduced by the two compounds. Vasoactive amines were inhibited in models of paw edema induced by several agents and vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. The docking study suggests that R-99 and R-123 may be inhibitors of the histamine H1 receptor. In conclusion, the results indicate that R-99 and R-123 exhibit promising anti-inflammatory activity related to their ability to inhibit TNF-α, IL-1ß, and vasoactive amine production, as well as reduce leukocyte migration and inhibit mast cell degranulation.

Protective effect of Chresta martii extract on ethanol-induced gastropathy depends on alpha-2 adrenoceptors pathways but not on nitric oxide, prostaglandins or opioids.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Species of Chresta genus- are recognized by the population of northeastern Brazil as traditional herbs used to treat gastric diseases and other disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: This work aimed to find out the action mechanism of Chresta martii hydro alcoholic extract gastro protective effect in the model of ethanol-induced gastropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gastropathy was assessed by percentual damaged area determination in photographs of mice opened stomachs. Fasted mice treated with ethanol 99.9% (0.2 ml/animal, p.o.) were pre-treated with Chresta martii hydro alcoholic extract (HAE) (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o.), ranitidine (80 mg/kg, p.o.) or saline (5 ml/kg; p.o.) in different experimental sets, in which pharmacological tools (naloxone, indomethacin, N(ω)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) or yohimbine) were added in order to clarify a possible action mechanism. Animals were sacrificed 30 min after ethanol challenge to stomach analysis. Determination of non-protein sulfhydryl groups and tissue hemoglobin, besides histological assessment (H&E) were taken to fully characterize the HAE gastro protective effect. RESULTS: HAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) was able to protect mucosa against ethanol gastropathy in presence of three (naloxone, indomethacin and L-NAME) of four antagonist/inhibitor tools. The HAE effect was reversed only by yohimbine, showing the alpha-2 adrenoceptors participation on gastro protective effect of this extract. HAE histological characteristics, NP-SH and Hb were compatible with the protective effects. CONCLUSIONS: HAE possesses gastroprotective effects in an ethanol-induced gastropathy model in mice, corroborating the traditional use of this family of plants to treat gastric disorders. This activity is mediated by alpha-2 adrenoceptors activation, but not by nitric oxide release, opioid receptor activation or prostaglandin synthesis. HAE also has antioxidant activity that is thought to either play a role in this biological activity or to be a byproduct of alpha-2 adrenergic complex activation.