Solidagenone from Solidago chilensis Meyen Protects against Acute Peritonitis and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Shock by Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Anti-inflammatory agents are widely used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Nevertheless, the associated side effects of the available drugs make it necessary to search for new anti-inflammatory drugs. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of solidagenone. Initially, we observed that a single dose of 30, 60, or 90 mg/kg of solidagenone did not result in mortality or elicit any discernible signs of toxicity in mice. At the same doses, solidagenone promoted a significant reduction in the migration of neutrophils in an acute peritonitis model and decreased mortality in a lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock model. Interestingly, treatment with solidagenone conferred a protective effect against leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, hematological disorders commonly observed in sepsis conditions. In addition, treatment with all the doses of solidagenone promoted a significant reduction in nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-1ß levels relative to the LPS-stimulated vehicle-treated cultures. Furthermore, gene expression and in silico analyses also supported the modulation of the NF-κB pathway by solidagenone. Finally, in silico pharmacokinetics predictions indicated a favorable drugability profile for solidagenone. Taken together, the findings of the present investigation show that solidagenone exhibits significant anti-inflammatory properties in acute experimental models, potentially through the modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Betulinic Acid: A Review.

Inflammatory diseases have a high prevalence and has become of great interest due to the increase in life expectancy and the costs to the health care system worldwide. Chronic diseases require long-term treatment frequently using corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are associated with diverse side effects and risk of toxicity. Betulinic acid, a lupane-type pentacyclic triterpene, is a potential lead compound for the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments, and a large number of derivatives have been produced and tested. The potential of betulinic acid and its derivatives has been shown in a number of pre-clinical studies using different experimental models. Moreover, several molecular mechanisms of action have also been described. Here we reviewed the potential use of betulinic acid as a promissory lead compound with anti-inflammatory activity and the perspectives for its use in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Toxicological and pharmacological effects of pentacyclic triterpenes rich fraction obtained from the leaves of Mansoa hirsuta.

Mansoa hirsuta is a medicinal plant native to the Brazilian semi-arid region. This approach aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo toxicity and anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of the M. hirsuta fraction (MHF). In vitro cell viability was assessed in 3T3 cells. In vivo, the acute toxicity test, a single dose of the MHF was administered. For the subchronic toxicity test, three doses of were administered for 30 days. Locomotion and motor coordination were assessed using open field and rota-rod. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw edema and zymosan-induced air-pouch models. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and total proteins were also measured. The antinociceptive activity MHF was determined using acid acetic-induced abdominal writhing and formalin models. In the cytotoxicity assay, MHF showed no significative impairment of cell viability and in the acute toxicity study, did not cause mortality or signs of toxicity. Repeated exposure to MHF did not cause relevant toxicological changes. The evaluation in the open field test showed that the MHF did not alter the locomotor activity and there was no change in motor coordination and balance of animals. MHF significantly reduced edema, MPO production, the migration of leukocytes and protein leakage. In addition, MHF reduced abdominal writhing and significantly inhibited the first and second stage of the formalin test. The results of this study indicated that MHF has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential without causing acute or subchronic toxic effects and it can be a promising natural source to be explored.

The flavonoid rutin but not the alkaloid arborinine induces apoptosis in a B-cell hybridoma cell line.

The effects of arborinine, an alkaloid extracted from Erthela bahiensis and of rutin, a flavonoid obtained from Dimorphandra mollis (Benth.), Brazilian medicinal plants, on the viability and function of a murine B-cell hybridoma as a tumor model were investigated. The flavonoid rutin at 50 microM induced an increase in the number of apoptotic cells of one- to fivefold and reductions in cellular proliferation and monoclonal antibody production. Less but still significant necrosis was also induced by rutin under the same experimental conditions. On the other hand, the alkaloid arborinine exerted no significant effects on the studied parameters.

Early toxicity screening and selection of lead compounds for parasitic diseases.

Despite many advances made in disease mechanisms knowledge and drug discovery and development processes, the election of promising lead compounds continues to be a challenge. Efficient techniques are required for lead selection of hit compounds selected through in vitro pharmacological studies, in order to generate precise low cost throughput data with minimal amount of compound to support the right decision making. In this context, the selection of lead compounds with physicochemical parameters that will benefit orally bioavailable drugs are crucial for patients compliance and cost effectiveness, as well as for successful pharmacology. A concept based in Lipinski's rules point out the importance of analyzing these informations in early stages. A hepatocyte screening system may provide data on many processes such as drug-drug interaction, metabolite formation, drug toxicity and ADME profile of a hit. Drug-induced liver injury is the most frequent reason for the withdrawal of an approved drug from the market and hepatocytes have a central role in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Cytotoxicity screening assays can also give some information about toxicity early drug discovery process. A set of goals in lead compound selection must be shared between all areas involved so the chances of success can be improved in translational research.