Evaluation of the antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) bark extract in experimental models of inflammation.

Edema is one of the obvious indicators of inflammation and a crucial factor to take into account when assessing a substance's capacity to reduce inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory profile of the hydroethanolic barks extract of Ximenia americana (HEXA). The possible antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of EHXA (50, 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg v.o) was evaluated using the paw edema induced by carrageenan, zymosan, dextran, CFA and by different agents inflammatory (serotonin, histamine, arachidonic acid and PGE2), and pleurisy model induced by carrageenan and its action on IL-1ß and TNF-α levels was also evaluated. HEXA demonstrated a significant antiedematogenic effect at concentrations of 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg on paw edema induced by carrageenan, zymosan and dextran. However, the concentration of 50 mg/kg as standard, demonstrating the effect in the subchronic model, induced CFA with inhibition of 59.06 %. In models of histamine-induced paw edema, HEXA showed inhibition of - 30 min: 40.49 %, 60 min: 44.70 % and 90 min: 48.98 %; serotonin inhibition - 30 min: 57.09 %, 60 min: 66.04 % and 90 min: 61.79 %; arachidonic acid inhibition - 15 min: 36.54 %, 30 min: 51.10 %, 45 min: 50.32 % and 60 min: 76.17 %; and PGE2 inhibition - 15 min: 67.78 %, 30 min: 62.30 %, 45 min: 54.25 % and 60 min: 47.92 %. HEXA significantly reduced (p < 0.01) leukocyte migration in the pleurisy model and reduced TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in pleural lavage (p < 0.0001). The results showed that HEXA has the potential to have an antiedematogenic impact in both acute and chronic inflammation processes, with a putative mode of action including the suppression or regulation of inflammatory mediators.

GC-MS Chemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Toxic Effects Using Drosophila melanogaster Model of the Essential Oil of Lantana montevidensis (Spreng) Briq.

Background and objectives: Natural products such as essential oils with antioxidant potential can reduce the level of oxidative stress and prevent the oxidation of biomolecules. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant potential of Lantana montevidensis leaf essential oil (EOLM) in chemical and biological models using Drosophila melanogaster. Materials and methods: in addition, the chemical components of the oil were identified and quantified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the percentage compositions were obtained from electronic integration measurements using flame ionization detection (FID). Results: our results demonstrated that EOLM is rich in terpenes with Germacrene-D (31.27%) and ß-caryophyllene (28.15%) as the major components. EOLM (0.12-0.48 g/mL) was ineffective in scavenging DPPH radical, and chelating Fe(II), but showed reducing activity at 0.24 g/mL and 0.48 g/mL. In in vivo studies, exposure of D. melanogaster to EOLM (0.12-0.48 g/mL) for 5 h resulted in 10% mortality; no change in oxidative stress parameters such as total thiol, non-protein thiol, and malondialdehyde contents, in comparison to control (p > 0.05). Conclusions: taken together, our results indicate EOLM may not be toxic at the concentrations tested, and thus may not be suitable for the development of new botanical insecticides, such as fumigants or spray-type control agents against Drosophila melanogaster.

HPLC profile and antiedematogenic activity of Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) in mice models of skin inflammation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-edematogenic activity of X. americana L. (HEXA) hydroethanolic extract in ear edema models (acute and chronic) induced by croton oil and by different phlogistic agents (arachidonic acid, capsaicin, phenol and histamine), identifying the possible anti-edematogenic mechanism. HEXA demonstrated a significant anti-edematogenic effect at concentrations of 100-500 µg/ear in ear edema induced by croton oil with higher inhibition of edema of 39.37. However, the concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/ear were taken as a standard, demonstrating the effect in the chronic model induced by croton oil with inhibition of 61.62% and 48.74%. In the AA-induced ear edema model, HEXA showed inhibition of: 24.45% and 32.31%; capsaicin inhibition of 72.72% and 47.57%; phenol inhibition of 34% and 20.1%; and histamine inhibition of 31.8% and 21.62%. Then, the results were showed that HEXA demonstrated an anti-edematogenic effect in acute and chronic inflammation models, demonstrating a probable mechanism of action by the inhibition or modulation of key mediators of the inflammatory process. The chemical profile and presence of flavonoids guaranteeing a profile of activity similar to natural drugs that act or modulate the production of mediators of inflammations.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-edematogenic action of the Croton campestris A. St.-Hil (Euphorbiaceae) essential oil and the compound ß-caryophyllene in in vivo models.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation makes up a set of vascularized tissue reactions acting in the defense of the body against harmful stimuli. Natural products are a lower cost alternative with better benefit, often used in popular medicine in the treatment of inflammatory processes. Several species from the genus Croton have scientifically proven anti-inflammatory action. PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the chemical composition of the Croton campestris A. St.-Hil essential oil (EOCC), derived from fresh leaves, as well as to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential and the possible mechanisms of action of the EOCC and its constituent ß-caryophyllene. METHODS: The assays were performed in in vivo models of acute and chronic inflammation. Initially, the chemical composition of the EOCC was determined and its oral toxicity was evaluated, followed by the evaluation of its topical antiedematogenic effect through acute and chronic ear edema induced by Croton oil. For the systemic verification of an anti-inflammatory action, the abdominal contortions, formalin test, paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine and arachidonic acid models, as well as a peritonitis test, vascular permeability and granuloma assays were performed. RESULTS: The evaluation of the essential oil chemical composition revealed the presence of ß-caryophyllene (15.91%), 1,8-cineol (16.98%) and germacrene-D (14.51%) as its main constituents. The EOCC had no relevant clinical toxicity on oral administration, with an LD50 of more than 5000 mg/kg. The tested substances showed anti-inflammatory action in the abdominal contortions, paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine and arachidonic acid models, the formalin test, peritonitis test and vascular permeability; however, ß-caryophyllene had no significant effect on the granuloma assay. This suggests as a hypothesis that both substances tested showed significant influence on the arachidonic acid and histamine pathway reducing edema in these models. CONCLUSION: The tested substances have a clinically safe profile, additionally the EOCC and ß-caryophyllene presented relevant anti-inflammatory activity. This study supports the hypothesis that ß-caryophyllene, in association with other constituents present in the EOCC such as 1,8-cineole, contributed to the anti-inflammatory effect observed, in addition to suggesting that one of the mechanisms of action probably involves the inhibition of cytokines with the involvement of the arachidonic acid and histamine pathways.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil obtained from Ocimum basilicum complexed with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) in mice.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides can enhance the bioavailability of drugs. Ocimum basilicum is an aromatic plant found in Brazil used in culinary. The essential oil of this plant presents anti-edematogenic and anti-inflammatory activities in acute and chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil obtained from O. basilicum complexed with ß - cyclodextrin (OBEO/ß-CD) in mice. The complexation with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) was performed by different methods and analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using mice models of paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine and arachidonic acid (AA); vascular permeability and peritonitis induced by carrageenan and granuloma induced by cotton block introduction. The DSC, TG and SEM analysis indicated that the OBEO was successfully complexed with ß-CD. The oral administration of OEOB/ß-CD prevented paw edema formation by decreasing vascular permeability in vivo, inhibited leukocyte recruitment to the peritoneal cavity, and inhibited granuloma formation in mice. Our results indicate that conjugation with ß-CD improves the anti-inflammatory effects of OBEO in mice models of acute and chronic inflammation, indicating that this complex can be used in anti-inflammatory drug development.