Production of arachidonic acid by Mortierella alpina using wastes from potato chips industry.

AIMS: This research aimed to determine the potential use of wastes from the potato chips industry as a carbon source to develop an economical culture medium for the production of biomass, lipids and arachidonic acid (ARA) by Mortierella alpina. METHODS AND RESULTS: A synthetic culture medium was optimized using a Plackett-Burman and central composite rotatable design, and used as a base to evaluate and characterize the potential use of wastes from the potato chips industry as carbon sources for the production of biomass, lipids and ARA by M. alpina. The waste was selected among other solid and liquid hydrolysed residues/by-products, and local low-cost alternatives for nitrogen sources were also evaluated. After 6 days of fermentation, the biomass concentration reached 20 g l-1 with 40% of total lipids, and a 35% ARA content in the lipids fraction. Savings in production were calculated using a sensitivity analysis for the alternative culture medium in different scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a 7% savings in culture media expenses in the production of ARA-enriched biomass of M. alpina, compared to the conventional synthetic culture medium, when waste from the potato chips industry was used as an alternative source of carbon and macro/microelements, supplemented with a low-cost yeast extract alternative. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The demonstration of the use of potato chips wastes as a low-cost carbon source for the biomass, lipids and ARA production, suggesting an eco-friendly alternative for the use of agri-food wastes for valuable metabolites production.

Effects of a nanoemulsion with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin against monogenean parasites of Colossoma macropomum: A Neotropical Serrasalmidae.

Monogeneans are ectoparasites that may cause losses in production and productivity in the aquaculture of Colossoma macropomum. Chemotherapeutics used in aquaculture usually have major adverse effects on fish; hence, the use of essential oils has been considered advantageous, but these are not soluble in water. Thus, the use of nanostructures to enhance water solubility of compounds and improve bioactivity may be very promising. This study investigated the antiparasitic activity of nanoemulsion prepared with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mg/L), against monogenean parasites from the gills of C. macropomum. The particle size distribution and zeta potential suggested that a potentially kinetic stable system was generated. The nanoemulsion from C. officinalis oleoresin achieved high efficacy (100%) at low concentrations (200 and 300 mg/L) after 15 min of exposure. This was the first time that a nanoemulsion was generated from C. officinalis oleoresin using a solvent-free, non-heating and low-energy method. Moreover, this was the first time that an antiparasitic against monogeneans on fish gills, based on nanoemulsion of C. officinalis oleoresin, was tested.

First cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic assessment of Euterpe oleracea fruit oil (açaí) in cultured human cells.

Euterpe oleracea Mart., popularly known as "açaí", is a tropical fruit from the Amazon region where it has considerable economic importance. Açaí has been used as food and for several medicinal purposes. Despite the widespread use of this fruit, there is a lack of data regarding the safety of using this fruit oil exclusively. Therefore, we evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic effects of E. oleracea fruit oil (EOO) in cultured human lymphocytes (non-metabolizing cells) and HepG2 cell line (human hepatoma) (metabolizing cells) by using MTT, comet, and micronucleus assays. A wide range of EOO concentrations was tested with a preliminary MTT assay, which allowed selecting five concentrations for comet and micronucleus assays: 2.5, 10, 100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL. The results showed that none of the EOO tested concentrations presented cytotoxic effects. The genotoxic assessment revealed an absence of significant DNA and chromosome damage in human lymphocytes and HepG2 cells but did not show chemoprotection against the DNA damage induced by methyl methanesulfonate and benzo[a]pyrene, used as DNA-damaging agents.

In vitro study of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of indomethacin-loaded Eudragit(®) L 100 nanocapsules.

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent included in one of the most commonly used drug classes worldwide. The use of this drug results in certain side effects, including gastrointestinal complications. Therefore, there exists a need to develop better methods for the delivery of such drugs into the body, such as those employing nanoparticles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of indomethacin-loaded Eudragit(®) L 100 nanocapsules (NI; based on methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate) on cells unable (lymphocytes) and able to metabolize drugs (HepG2 cells), using comet and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assays in vitro. Cells were exposed to NI at concentrations of 5, 10, 50, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL. The comet assay showed that NI induced no significant DNA damage in either cell type at any of the concentrations tested. The CBMN test confirmed these results; however, the highest concentration of 500 µg/mL resulted in a small but statistically significant clastogenic/aneugenic effect in HepG2 cells. These findings should encourage the development of new investigations of this nanomaterial as a delivery vehicle for anti-inflammatory drugs, such as indomethacin.

Calcium reduces vitamin D and glucocorticoid receptors in the visceral fat of obese male rats.

Rats overfed during lactation show higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and metabolic dysfunctions at adulthood. As both vitamin D and glucocorticoids change adipogenesis, parameters related to metabolism and action of these hormones in the adipocyte can be altered in rats raised in small litters (SL). We also studied the antiobesity effects of high calcium diet since it decreases visceral fat in obesity models. On postnatal day (PN) 3, litter size was adjusted to 3pups/dam (SL) to induce overfeeding. Control litters (NL) remained with 10pups/dam until weaning. From PN120 to PN180, half of the SL rats were fed standard chow (SL) and the other half was fed a calcium-supplemented chow (SL-Ca, 10g CaCO3/kg). Both SL groups were heavier and hyperphagic when compared with the NL group; however, SL-Ca rats ate less than SL. SL-Ca rats had decreased VAT mass and adipocyte size, associated with lower hypothalamic NPY content, VAT fat acid synthase content and leptinemia. At PN120, SL rats had increased plasma 25(OH)D3, Cyp27b1 mRNA and glucocorticoid receptor (GR-α) in the VAT, but lower vitamin D receptor (Vdr) mRNA. At PN180, Cyp27b1 and GR-α remained higher, while Vdr normalized in SL rats. SL-Ca rats had normal VAT Cyp27b1 and GR-α, but lower Vdr Thus, higher body mass and glucocorticoid receptors in the VAT of SL rats are normalized by calcium-enriched diet, and Vdr expression in this tissue is reduced, suggesting a possible role of glucocorticoids and vitamin D in calcium action in the adipocyte.

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Arecaceae) fruit oil (açaí), in mammalian cells in vivo.

E. oleracea is a tropical plant from the Amazon region, with its fruit used for food, and traditionally, as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, for atherosclerotic disease, and has anticancer properties. The oil of the fruit has antidiarrheic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, but without genotoxicity evaluation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of E. oleracea fruit oil (EOO), in rat cells. Male Wistar rats were treated with EOO by gavage at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, for 14 days, within a 24 h interval. The DNA damage in the leukocytes, liver, bone marrow and testicular cells, was assessed by the comet assay, and the clastogenic/aneugenic effects in the bone marrow cells, by the micronucleus test. Our phytochemicals characterization of the EOO showed the presence of vanillic, palmitic, γ-linolenic, linoleic, oleic, cinnamic, caffeic, protocatechuic, ferulic, syringic acids, and flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol rutinoside as the main constituents. Both cytogenetic tests performed showed that EOO presented no significant genotoxic effects in the analyzed cells, at the three tested doses. These results indicate that, under our experimental conditions, E. oleracea fruit oil did not reveal genetic toxicity in rat cells.

Effect of Early Overfeeding on Palatable Food Preference and Brain Dopaminergic Reward System at Adulthood: Role of Calcium Supplementation.

Rats raised in small litters (SL) are obese and hyperphagic. In the present study, we evaluated whether obesity is associated with changes in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic reward system in these animals at adulthood. We also assessed the anti-obesity effects of dietary calcium supplementation. To induce early overfeeding, litters were adjusted to three pups on postnatal day (PN)3 (SL group). Control litters were kept with 10 pups each until weaning (NL group). On PN120, SL animals were subdivided into two groups: SL (standard diet) and SL-Ca [SL with calcium supplementation (10 g calcium carbonate/kg rat chow) for 60 days]. On PN175, animals were subjected to a food challenge: animals could choose between a high-fat (HFD) or a high-sugar diet (HSD). Food intake was recorded after 30 min and 12 h. Euthanasia occurred on PN180. SL rats had higher food intake, body mass and central adiposity. Sixty days of dietary calcium supplementation (SL-Ca) prevented these changes. Only SL animals preferred the HFD at 12 h. Both SL groups had lower tyrosine hydroxylase content in the ventral tegmental area, lower dopaminergic transporter content in the nucleus accumbens, and higher type 2 dopamine receptor (D2R) content in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). They also had higher neuropeptide Y (NPY) and lower pro-opiomelanocortin contents in the ARC. Calcium treatment normalised only D2R and NPY contents. Precocious obesity induces long-term effects in the brain dopaminergic system, which can be associated with an increased preference for fat at adulthood. Calcium treatment prevents this last alteration, partially through its actions on ARC D2R and NPY proteins.

Neonatal Nicotine Exposure Leads to Hypothalamic Gliosis in Adult Overweight Rats.

Astrocytes and microglia, the immune competent cells of central nercous system, can be activated in response to metabolic signals such as obesity and hyperleptinaemia. In rats, maternal exposure to nicotine during lactation leads to central obesity, hyperleptinaemia, leptin resistance and alterations in hypothalamic neuropeptides in the offspring during adulthood. In the present study, we studied the activation of astrocytes and microglia, as well as the pattern of inflammatory mediators, in adult offspring of this experimental model. On postnatal day 2 (P2), osmotic minipumps releasing nicotine (NIC) (-6 mg/kg/day) or saline for 14 days were s.c. implanted in dams. Male offspring were killed on P180 and hypothalamic immunohistochemistry, retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (WAT) polymerase chain reaction analysis and multiplex analysis for plasma inflammatory mediators were carried out. At P180, NIC astrocyte cell number was higher in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) (medial: +82%; lateral: +110%), in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (+144%) and in the lateral hypothalamus (+121%). NIC glial fibrillary acidic protein fibre density was higher in the lateral ARC (+178%) and in the PVN (+183%). Interleukin-6 was not affected in the hypothalamus. NIC monocyte chemotactic protein 1 was only higher in the periventricular nucleus (+287%). NIC microglia (iba-1-positive) cell number was higher (+68%) only in the PVN, as was the chemokine (C-X3-C motif) receptor 1 density (+93%). NIC interleukin-10 was lower in the WAT (-58%) and plasma (-50%). Thus, offspring of mothers exposed to nicotine during lactation present hypothalamic astrogliosis at adulthood and microgliosis in the PVN.

Maternal prolactin inhibition causes changes in leptin at 22- and 30-day-old pups.

Breastfeeding is associated with obesity prevention. We showed previously that prolactin inhibition at the end of lactation causes hyperleptinemia at weaning (PN21) and programs for obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and leptin resistance (PN180). Here, we evaluate the source of neonatal hyperleptinemia and how it develops during the nutritional transition from milk through solid food. Lactating rats were treated with bromocriptine (BRO), a prolactin inhibitor, 0.5 mg twice a day, or saline (CON) for the last 3 days of lactation. All parameters were studied at PN22 and PN30. At PN22, BRO-treated rats showed lower food intake, body mass, and body length. At PN30, only body length and mesenteric fat mass were lower. Despite normal plasma leptin levels at PN22, the adipose tissue leptin mRNA expression was lower, while plasma leptin was higher in PN30, possibly due to a higher adipose mesenteric tissue production. At PN22, the hypothalamus seems to be more sensitive to leptin, since OBR and STAT3 are higher. Conversely, at PN30 leptin signaling pathway is suggestive of leptin resistance with lower STAT3 and higher SOCS3 in hypothalamus and consequently higher NPY. Glycemia was lower at PN22 and higher at PN30, without changes in plasma insulin levels. At PN30, BRO-treated rats had other metabolic changes such as higher plasma cholesterol, lower HDL-c, higher hepatic cholesterol and AST, suggesting a liver dysfunction. Our data show that milk supply can exert a crucial role in the imprinting of a second leptin peak, which is important for survival adaptation to adverse nutritional conditions.

Pre-clinical validation of a vaginal cream containing copaiba oil (reproductive toxicology study).

The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of oil-resin of Copaiba (Copaifera duckei Dwyer), aired in vaginal cream on the reproductive performance of female rats (Rattus norvegicus). To determine the components of the C. duckei oleoresin, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (CG-MS) was used, and considering the trans-caryophyllene sesquiterpene as a phytochemical marker in the oleoresin. Due to the extensive use of copaiba oleoresin in the suppository form for gynecological infections, an evaluation was carried out on the effects of copaiba oleoresin (Copaifera duckei Dwyer), delivered in a vaginal cream, on the reproductive performance of female Wistar rats. For this purpose, three groups (n=5-6/group) of female rats were treated as follows: 1--vaginal cream of copaiba oleoresin (28.6 mg/kg), 2--base vaginal cream and 3--control (physiological saline 0.9%), administered intravaginally, for 30 days before pregnancy, and from day zero to day 20 during pregnancy. Laparotomy was performed on the 21st day of pregnancy, followed by the determination of reproductive variables: number of live and dead fetuses, mass of the fetuses and placentas, number of implantations and resorptions, number of corpora lutea, pre- and post-implantation loss, and analyses of the fetuses with regard to external and internal anomalies and/or malformations (skeletal and visceral). The trans-caryophyllene present in the sample is suggested as a phytochemical marker and the results of this study demonstrate an absence of maternal toxicity and foetotoxicity embryofoetotoxicity at the dose administered, corresponding to ten times the recommended dose for use in humans. Accordingly, no significant statistical difference was observed between the treated and control groups, for the variables analyzed. Thus, it is concluded that the vaginal cream containing 2.5% copaiba oleoresin is safe during gestation, in female rats (Rattus norvegicus) of the Wistar strain.

Anti-inflammatory and cicatrizing activities of a carbohydrate fraction isolated from sugary kefir.

Kefir is an association of microrganisms generally grown in milk, with known probiotic activities identified from its soured suspensions. Aqueous media are also able to grow kefir, but little is known about the probiotic properties of its fermented products. This work aimed to evaluate some probiotic properties of a carbohydrate fraction isolated from sugary kefir (sugary kefir carbohydrate [SKC]). Anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated fraction of carbohydrate was tested both in vitro (cellular respirometry and macrophage culture) and in vivo (50% effective dose, rat paw edema, vascular permeability, and cicatrizing test). The results indicated no significant difference for oxygen uptake or macrophage culture between control and test groups. Rat paw edema, however, showed a significant inhibitory activity by 30 +/- 4% and 54 +/- 8% (P < .001) for carrageenan and dextran, respectively. In the cicatrizing test, animals treated with SKC cream also presented less trauma after treatments as compared to the negative control group (P < .05). The overall data suggested the SKC as a natural product that could be used as a constituent of an anti-inflammatory compound.

Amazonian plant crude extract screening for activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Antimicrobial resistance is a subject of great concern in public health and also in the designing of strategies for current therapeutic protocols all over the world. New drugs, including those necessary for a reserve armamentarium and exhibiting less side effects deserve special attention. In rural areas, particularly in Brazil, a huge number of natural products, in different artisanal preparations, mainly from plants, have been used by traditional populations to cure diseases. Despite some of these plants have been studied, many of them are awaiting to have their compounds chemically characterized and investigated their pharmacodynamics properties. Further, as well known, the environment plays a crucial role in the metabolism of these plants, yielding different and varied molecular complexes depending on the period of collection, climate conditions, kind of soil and also the plant speciation. In this report, ethanol crude extract of 10 different botanical specimens from the Amazon region of Brazil, in the Amapa State, were screened for antibacterial activity of 7 clinical resistant microorganisms utilizing as control ATCC bacterial species by the Kirby-Bauer method. Plant extracts of Geissospermum argenteum, Uncaria guianensis, Brosimum acutifolium, Copaifera reticulate, Licania macrophylla, Ptycopetalum olacoides and Dalbergia subcymosa yielded activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both multidrug resistant, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC strain.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of etoricoxib (an NSAID) combined with misoprostol.

This study has evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic responses of etoricoxib, a selective COX-2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug combined with misoprostol in pre-clinical assays. Groups of animals (mice and rats) were subjected to rat's paw edema induced by carrageenan, and writhing and formalin tests in mice. Treatment with etoricoxib, misoprostol, and etoricoxib combined with misoprostol inhibited the inflammation process by 35 %, 30 %, and 61 %, respectively in the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan with the greatest effects being obtained in the group treated with etoricoxib combined to misoprostol. In the writhing test, etoricoxib inhibited the number of writhes by 33 %, and by 27 % when combined with misoprostol. In the first phase of the formalin test (nociceptive), treatment with the combination of etoricoxib and misoprostol inhibited significantly this process by 45 %, while in the second phase (inflammatory), etoricoxib inhibited this by 97 %, the etoricoxib + misoprostol inhibited this by 78 %, respectively. The responses observed have demonstrated that the combination of etoricoxib and misoprostol increased the anti-inflammatory response, but it did not show effect in the peripheral analgesic response.

In vivo study of the anti-inflammatory effect of Rhus toxicodendron.

BACKGROUND: Homeopathic Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox) is used in various inflammatory conditions. We screened its effect compared to succussed ethanol controls and appropriate active controls. METHOD: We initially experimented with Rhus tox 6, 12, 30 and 200 cH, using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The 6 cH dilution appeared most effective and was used in subsequent assays. We used pre-treatment and single treatment regimes in Wistar rats, and mice. RESULTS: We found significant reductions compared to control in carrageenan-induced paw oedema, vascular permeability, writhing induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and stress induced gastric lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Rhus tox in homeopathic dilution appears to interfere with inflammatory processes involving histamine, prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of extract, fractions and populnoic acid from bark wood of Austroplenckia populnea.

Austroplenckia populnea (Reiss) Lund is a Brazilian plant from "cerrado", which belongs to Celastraceae family, popularity know as "marmelinho-do campo, mangabeira-brava, mangabarana, vime and maria-mole". This plant is used in folk medicine to treat dysenteries and inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatism. Austroplenckia populnea bark hydroalcoholic crude extract, and its hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions, obtained by partition, as well as the isolated populnoic acid were investigated for their anti-inflammatory (carrageenan, dextran and histamine-induced rat paw oedema, histamine-induced increase in vascular permeability, and granulomatous tissue induction) and analgesic activities (writhing and hot plate tests). The ED(50) (oral) of the crude extract for the inhibition of carragenan-induced rat paw oedema assay was determined to be 200 mg/kg, which was also used in the assays with the extract and its fractions in all other experiments. Populnoic acid was administered in the dose of 50 mg/kg. Crude extract, hexane and chloroform fractions (200 mg/kg), and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) inhibited significantly (p<0.05) the formation of the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, measured in third hour of experiment (peak of oedema formation) by 43.2%, 37.3%, 31.1% and 59.3%, respectively. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in dextran-induced rat paw oedema in all groups, while in the assay using histamine as the oedematogenic agent, only the groups treated with populnoic acid (50 mg/kg) and cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg) displayed significant reduction (p<0.05). The populnoic acid and cyproheptadine reduced the peak of oedema formation (1st hour) by 41.3% and 34.7%, respectively. Only for the groups treated with populnoic acid (50 mg/kg) and cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg) it was observed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in histamine-induced increase in vascular permeability (44.8% and 80.3%, respectively). Granulomatous tissue formation was significantly inhibited (p<0.05) by both hexane fraction (46.0%) and dexamethasone (66.2%). In the analgesic assays, the crude extract and its hexane and chloroform fractions, as well as indomethacin diminished significantly the number of writhings (p<0.05) by 69.6%, 47.2%, 44.8% and 62.8%, respectively. On the other hand, none assayed sample displayed significant result in the hot plate test. Based on the obtained results it is suggested that extracts of Austroplenckia populnea bark and populnoic acid display anti-inflammatory activity, supporting its folkloric use to treat inflammatory disorders.

Topical antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of Copaifera duckei dwyer.

The oleoresin of several Copaifera species is used widely in the Amazonian Region mainly as a topical antiinflammatory and healing agent. The topical analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of Copaifera duckei oleoresin, whose terpenoidal chemical composition has been characterized, are now examined. Antiinflammatory activity was evaluated in rats using the carrageenin-induced paw edema and the granuloma tests, and in mice by the croton oil-induced dermatitis test. Analgesic activity was determined in mice using the writhing test method. In the carrageenin-induced edema and granuloma tests the oleoresin in a dose of 1,802 mg/kg inhibited the edema by 18% and granuloma by 42% (p < 0.05), this last result similar to that observed with dexamethasone. Topical doses of 517 mg/kg, 1,035 mg/kg and 1,802 mg/kg produced 52%, 58% and 62% (p < 0.05) reduction of the edema induced by croton oil, respectively, and 48%, 56% and 65% inhibition of the writhing process (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the Copaifera duckei oleoresin has topical antiinflammatory and analgesic activities.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of a crude root extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen.

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the crude hydroalcoholic extract (PE) of Pfaffia glomerata roots was assessed in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema at the doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, using different animal models. An anti-inflammatory dose effect response correlation of r=0.997 and Y=11.67x+0.02 was found. At the same doses, the extract-inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, but no dose response correlation was found. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg of PE and 0.5 mg/kg of dexamethazone inhibited by 29 and 61%, the granulomatous tissue formation (p>0.05), respectively. These results indicate the potential of this plant extract to treat chronic inflammation. At the assayed doses no significant activity was found in the hot plate test, as well as in the cell migration-induced by carrageenan.

Effect of Atropa belladonna and Echinacea angustifolia in homeopathic dilution on experimental peritonitis.

Atropa belladonna and Echinacea angustifolia have been used in homeopathy as modulators of inflammatory processes, in simple potency or 'accord of potencies', as recommended by homotoxicology. We evaluated their effects on leukocyte migration and macrophage activity induced by experimental peritonitis in vivo. Mice were injected (i.p.) with LPS (1.0mg/kg) and treated (0.3ml/10g/day, s.c.) with different commercial forms of these medicines. Echinacea angustifolia D4--a simple potency preparation--and Belladonna Homaccord, Belladonna Injeel, Belladonna Injeel Forte, Echinacea Injeel and Echinacea Injeel Forte--all in 'accord of potencies'--were tested. The association of A. belladonna and E. angustifolia in 'accord of potencies' produced an increase of polymorphonuclear cell migration (Kruskal-Wallis, P = 0.03) and a decrease of mononuclear cell percentages (Kruskal-Wallis, P < or = 0.04), when compared with control, mainly in preparations containing low potencies. The proportion of degenerate leukocytes was lower in the treated groups, compared to a control group (P < or = 0.05). The treated groups showed increased phagocytosis (P < or = 0.05), mainly in preparations containing high potencies. Our results suggest that A. belladonna and E. angustifolia, when prepared in 'accord of potencies', modulate peritoneal inflammatory reaction and have a cytoprotective action on leukocytes.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Arnica montana 6cH: preclinical study in animals.

The anti-inflammatory effect of Arnica montana 6cH was evaluated using acute and chronic inflammation models. In the acute, model, carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema, the group treated with Arnica montana 6cH showed 30% inhibition compared to control (P < 0.05). Treatment with Arnica 6cH, 30 min prior to carrageenin, did not produce any inhibition of the inflammatory process. In the chronic model, Nystatin-induced oedema, the group treated 3 days previously with Arnica montana 6cH had reduced inflammation 6 h after the inflammatory agent was applied (P < 0.05). When treatment was given 6 h after Nystatin treatment, there was no significant inhibitory effect. In a model based on histamine-induced increase of vascular permeability, pretreatment with Arnica montana 6cH blocked the action of histamine in increasing vascular permeability.

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of the Casearia sylvestris extract on HTC and V79 cells by the comet assay.

Casearia sylvestris is common in tropical America growing wild in Brazil in the states of Amazonas and São Paulo. Its leaves are used in Brazilian folk medicine for several diseases. The present investigation was carried out to examine the genotoxic effects of a C. sylvestris crude ethanolic extract on Hepatoma Tissue Culture (HTC cells) of Rattus norvegicus and Chinese hamster V79 cells in culture, using the comet assay. For the genotoxic evaluation the cells were treated with three different concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml) of extract prepared from a 25 mg/ml aqueous solution. The positive control was cyclophosphamide for HTC cells and methyl methanesulfonate for V79 cells. The duration of the treatment was 2 h. The results showed that the extract of C. sylvestris presented no genotoxic effects and not modified effect inducing DNA damage by alkylating agents cyclophosphamide and methyl methanesulfonate in HTC and V 79 cells respectively.