Remarkable rutin-rich Hypericum capitatum extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on turpentine oil-induced inflammation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Natural extracts with beneficial biological activities are nowadays of high interest, in various treatment or prophylaxis. Hypericum capitatum has been known for its curative effects for centuries and its extracts have become of interest due to their distinct activity among other Hypericaceae members. In this study, further light is aimed to be shed on the secondary-metabolites composition of H. capitatum extracts, using chromatographic techniques and Electron paramagnetic resonance profiles in alkaline medium. Considering that no previous works explored the anti-inflammatory activity of H. capitatum, here, an in vivo study is also designed in order to evaluate this property by assessing the impact of one of H. capitatum extracts in ameliorating turpentine oil-induced inflammation on rats and to quantify their blood antioxidants level. METHODS: Chromatographic techniques and Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy were used in order to describe the chemical profile in different parts of the plant. The in vivo study on turpentine-oil induced inflammation in rats included three doses of H. capitatum extract expressed in rutin concentration. Oxidative stress was measured using total oxidative status, total antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress index, 3-nitrotyrosine, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase and the inflammatory response was evaluated by performing a complete blood cells count and C reactive protein. RESULTS: The extract was remarkably rich in rutin; however, other polyphenolic-like minor components appeared important in explaining the observed biological properties. The tested extract prevents the increase of inflammation-induced white blood cell count, number of neutrophils, and serum nitric oxide, and did so in a dose-dependent manner, similarly to the positive control-diclofenac. In addition, the same extract appeared to be a good alternative to diclofenac to restore total oxidative status, thiobarbituric active reactive species, total proteins and C reactive proteins. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and total serum thiol concentration were significantly increased by the tested extract. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its powerful reservoir rich in rutin, H. capitatum extract depicted its in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects indicating it to be a good alternative to conventional drugs for oxidative stress protection.

Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy.

Nearly 80 essential oils (including 2 jasmine absolutes) have caused contact allergy. Fifty-five of these have been tested in consecutive patients suspected of contact dermatitis, and nine (laurel, turpentine, orange, tea tree, citronella, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, clove, and costus root) showed greater than 2% positive patch test reactions. Relevance data are generally missing or inadequate. Most reactions are caused by application of pure oils or high-concentration products. The clinical picture depends on the responsible product. Occupational contact dermatitis may occur in professionals performing massages. The (possible) allergens in essential oils are discussed. Several test allergens are available, but patients should preferably be tested with their own products. Co-reactivity with other essential oils and the fragrance mix is frequent, which may partly be explained by common ingredients. Patch test concentrations for essential oils are suggested.

Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub.

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) is a commonly used inhalant ointment that helps relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It contains several plant substances, including turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, and cedar leaf oil, which can potentially irritate or sensitize the skin, as well as camphor, menthol, nutmeg oil, and thymol. Although many reports describe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to the various constituents in VVR ointment, there are no cases of VVR directly causing ACD. We present a case of a patient who developed an ACD secondary to application of her VVR.

Effects of Salvia officinalis L. extract on experimental acute inflammation.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Salvia officinalis L. tincture on acute inflammation induced with oil of turpentine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oil of turpentine (i.m. 0.6 ml/100 g b.w.) was injected into male Wistar rats right hind paw. Salviae folium tincture and diclofenac as positive control (30 mg/100 g b.w.) were administrated i.p. The effects were evaluated by measuring total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count expressed as a percentage, a test of in vitro phagocytosis and evaluation of nitric oxide synthesis by measuring the metabolites: nitrites and nitrates. RESULTS: Salvia officinalis tincture significantly reduced the total leukocyte and monocytes percentages and the activation of circulating phagocytes. NO synthesis had a slight decrease. Salvia officinalis tincture had a smaller inhibitory effect than diclofenac. CONCLUSIONS: Salvia officinalis tincture had antiinflammatory effects by reducing marrow acute phase response and NO synthesis.

Effects of glutamine supplementation on gut barrier, glutathione content and acute phase response in malnourished rats during inflammatory shock.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of glutamine on intestinal mucosa integrity, glutathione stores and acute phase response in protein-depleted rats during an inflammatory shock. METHODS: Plasma acute phase proteins (APP), jejunal APP mRNA levels, liver and jejunal glutathione concentrations were measured before and one, three and seven days after turpentine injection in 4 groups of control, protein-restricted, protein-restricted rats supplemented with glutamine or protein powder. Bacterial translocation in mesenteric lymph nodes and intestinal morphology were also assessed. RESULTS: Protein deprivation and turpentine injection significantly reduced jejunal villus height, and crypt depths. Mucosal glutathione concentration significantly decreased in protein-restricted rats. Before turpentine oil, glutamine supplementation restored villus heights and glutathione concentration (3.24 +/- 1.05 vs 1.72 +/- 0.46 mumol/g tissue, P<0.05) in the jejunum, whereas in the liver glutathione remained low. Glutamine markedly increased jejunal alpha1-acid glycoprotein mRNA level after turpentine oil but did not affect its plasma concentration. Bacterial translocation in protein-restricted rats was not prevented by glutamine or protein powder supplementation. CONCLUSION: Glutamine restored gut glutathione stores and villus heights in malnourished rats but had no preventive effect on bacterial translocation in our model.

Effects of the anti-inflammatory agents indomethacin, metiamide and acetylsalicylic acid on the induction of hyperplasia in hamster cheek-pouch epithelium and ear epidermis.

Previous studies have shown that agents such as indomethacin and hydrocortisone act to reduce the level of epidermal hyperplasia produced by various chemical, but little information is available about the effects of such anti-inflammatory agents on the induction of hyperplasia in oral mucosa. Hamster cheek-pouch epithelium and ear epidermis were treated with indomethacin, metiamide and acetylsalicylic acid prior to treatment with turpentine, podophyllin or TPA. The levels of hyperplasia induced were monitored by rates of epithelial glycolysis, protein synthesis and mitosis. The response of the metabolic assays to epinephrine was also examined. Alone, turpentine, podophyllin and TPA each caused a 3-5 fold increase in the metabolic assays and loss of the normal tissue response to epinephrine. Tissues pretreated with indomethacin showed significant reductions in the levels of hyperplasia produced and they retained a normal response to epinephrine. No reduction in hyperplasia was observed following pretreatment with acetylsalicylic acid, an alternative inhibitor or prostaglandin synthesis or with metiamide, a histamine blocker. The results indicate that the production of epithelial hyperplasia by turpentine, podophyllin and TPA can be inhibited by indomethacin.

Turpentine-induced hypersensitivity to peppermint oil.

After a dental operation a former laboratory technician was referred to our clinic because of swelling of his tongue, lips, and gingival mucosa. Patch testing with the ICDRG standard test battery gave positive reactions to colophony, balsam of Peru, and turpentine peroxides. Further patch testing revealed hypersensitivity to peppermint oil (an ingredient of several dental preparations) due to the sensitizing properties of three ingredients: alpha-pinene, limonene, and phellandrene. These compounds also occur in turpentine oil, a substance used in the patient's laboratory.