Wound Healing Effect of Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva Nanogel.

Wound healing is a natural regenerative response to tissue injury and the conventional treatments consists of the use wound dressings with local administration of medicines, but, in some cases, are only partially effective and limited by toxicity or ineffective anti-microbial protection. Medicinal plants such as Lippia sidoides and Myracrodruon urundeuva have shown interesting pharmacological activities, allied to this, the association of these medicinal plants and nanotechnology, could mean an advantage in relation to classical approach. This study investigated the effect of a nanogel loaded with Lippia sidoides essential oil and Myracrodruon urundeuva extract (NAA) in an excisional wound healing model in rats. Animals were anesthetized and skin wounds were made using a metal punch. The groups were treated with vehicle, NAA or collagenase gel, for 7, 14 or 21 days and then sacrificed for tissue analysis. NAA did not show acute dermal irritation, further significantly reduced (p<0.05) the final wound area, accelerated the wound contraction and organization of collagen in the group treated for 14 days. The data presented here demonstrate the therapeutic potential for the use of nanotechnology associated with medicinal plants and provides evidence that corroborate with the use of L. sidoides and M. urundeuva as healing medicinal plants.

Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological properties of Argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) (Sapotaceae) - A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The argan [Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels] is one of the most important floristic resource in Morocco, it is the only representative of the Sapotaceae family and Argania genus found in Morocco. This tree is fully exploited by the native populations for nutrition, medication and cosmetics. The argan oil extracted from seed is the main tree product for his large use. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review describes the traditional uses, chemical composition and biological activities of different the argan tree parts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review covers the literature available from 1972 to 2021. The informations were collected from electronic databases Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, SciFinder and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Argan oil have been used for nutrition, and to treat several diseases, namely rheumatisms, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, lung infections, newborn gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, skin and hair hydration. The other parts of Argan tree have been used to treat intestinal disorders, dermatosis, and hair caring, with additional uses such as livestock nutrition, carpentry and heating. The argan oil is primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids mainly oleic and linoleic acids furthermore the chemical composition, of the others part, are very diversified (flavonoids, terpenoids, triacylglycerols, saponins. …). Diverse biological activities have been reported for argan oil, such as antioxidant, skin water retention, hair protection, cholesterol stabilization, antidiabetic, anticancer and antibacterial. Antimicrobial activities have been reported for argan leaves essential oils, when the fruit pulp organic extract presented very interesting antioxidant activity due to the presence of polyphenols. The argan cake is the seed waste produced during the extraction process, it is traditionally used for skin care and for livestock nutrition. Different biological activities of argan cake have been cited essentially antioxidant, haemoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.

Limonene, a food additive, and its active metabolite perillyl alcohol improve regeneration and attenuate neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury: Evidence for IL-1ß, TNF-α, GAP, NGF and ERK involvement.

BACKGROUND: Limonene (LIM) and its main metabolite perillyl alcohol (POH) are ingredients found in food with promising chemical entities due to their pharmacological profile. In this study, we hypothesized that LIM and POH are two molecules capable of accelerating the regenerative process and alleviating neuropathic pain. METHODS: Animals were treated daily (LIM, POH and saline) for 28 days and during this period evaluated for mechanical hyperalgesia, astrocyte participation by immunofluorescence for GFAP, and ELISA was used to quantify IL-1ß and TNF-α in the spinal cord. Western blot analysis of the following proteins was also performed: GFAP, GAP-43, NGF and ERK. For motor deficit analysis, tests were performed to assess hind paw muscle strength and footprints through gait (SFI). RESULTS: Both POH and LIM accelerated the regenerative process and improved motor deficits comparing to positive control; however, POH was more effective, particularly between the 2nd and 3rd week after the nerve injury, increasing GAP-43, NGF and the phosphorylated ERK immunocontent. Moreover, POH and LIM were able to reduce hyperalgesia and astrocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both substances, LIM and POH, improved the regeneration process and sensory and motor function recovery in the PNI model in mice by mitigating the inflammatory reactions and up-regulating the neurotrophic process.

The genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae): A review on secondary chemical metabolites and biological aspects.

The genus Jatropha belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and has about 175 species. Originally from tropical America, the Jatropha genus can be found all over the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Africa. Jatropha species are recognized to be important sources of secondary metabolites with a broad spectrum of biological functions. Extracts and isolated compounds from species of this genus have been known to have properties of cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, insecticidal, larvicidal, inhibition AChE, and toxicity activities. Investigations on the chemical aspects of the genus Jatropha have led to the identification of cyclic peptides, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, eudesmenoic acids, and mainly terpenes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive picture of the phytochemical and biological characteristics of Jatropha species. The information gathered and approached in this paper might support the planning and discussion of future studies on the topic.

Chemical composition and evaluation of the antinociceptive, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of essential oil from Hymenaea cangaceira (Pinto, Mansano & Azevedo) native to Brazil: A natural medicine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hymenaea cangaceira Pinto, Mansano & Azevedo (Fabaceae) is a Brazilian medicinal plant widely known as "Jatobá". In folk medicine, it is used to treat infections, respiratory problems, rheumatism, antitumoral, inflammation and pain, however, no activity has been scientifically validated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated chemical composition of essential oil from Hymenaea cangaceira (EOHc), antimicrobial, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities besides protection against DNA damage and hemolysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, and characterized by GC-MS and GC-FID. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity was performed by microdilution method. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed using the radicals DPPH, ABTS, O2- and OH-, and the protection of DNA damage using plasmid pBR322. Different experimental models were used to evaluate the antinociceptive effect (acetic acid and formalin), and evaluate the mechanisms of action involved with pharmacological antagonists (naloxone, atropine and gibenclamide) in mice. The essential oil was evaluated for hemolysis on human erythrocytes. RESULTS: The extraction of EOHc showed a yield of 0.18% on a dry basis, presenting high content of hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (79.04%), high antioxidant activity and protect DNA from damage, besides presenting antifungal and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. It was found that the essential oil had no acute toxicity in mice up to 5000 mg/kg oral administration (o.a.), in addition to no hemolysis on human erythrocytes. The reduction of antinociceptive activity was 75%, with the opioid system as the mechanism of action. CONCLUSION: Our results validate the main activities by the traditional use attributed to H. cangaceira for antimicrobial and analgesic activity. In addition, the oil has a potent antioxidant activity, protecting the body against oxidative stress damage, adding new value to an endemic species not known to the industry.

Spondias tuberosa inner bark extract exert antidiabetic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most important medical emergencies of the 21st century. However, commercially available oral drugs with antidiabetic properties have been limited because of potential side effects, such as: hypoglycemia, weight gain, hepatic dysfunction and abdominal discomfort. As well as antidiabetic drugs, many types of medicinal herbal supplements are utilized as alternative treatments for DM and related comorbidities. Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as "umbu", has been used in traditional medicine to treat a vast range of diseases, including DM, infections, digestive disorders, diarrhea and menstrual abnormalities. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study evaluated the effect of the hydroethanolic extract of the inner stem bark of Spondias tuberosa (EEStb) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by a single injection of STZ (40 mg/kg i.p.). Diabetic rats were treated with 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg of the EEStb for 21 days. Water intake, urinary volume, body weight, as well as biochemical parameters, such as cholesterol total (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), hepatic and muscle glycogen urea, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, and glucose blood levels, were analyzed. We also determined the hepatic antioxidant state, as well as both of insulin and glucose tolerance. RESULTS: The extract was evaluated by HPLC, and the major components of EESTb were identified (i.e. gallic acid and quercetin). The 500 mg/kg dosage of EEStb significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and post-prandial glucose. The EEStb also reduced urinary volume, food and water intake, as well as decreased body weight gain. Diabetic rats that received EEStb had a lower loss of muscle mass and white adipose tissue. Additionally, EEStb improved the urinary excretion of urea and glucose. The extract significantly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol and VLDL in diabetic rats. However, no significant effect was observed on the levels of total and HDL cholesterol. EEStb treatment prevented hepatotoxic diabetic-induced, improved GSH:GSSG ratio, SOD and CAT activity as well as reduced nitrite and TBARs levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that EEStb has antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects as well as improves insulin sensibility in diabetic rats. This indicates that S. tuberosa could be a potential resource for alternative therapies in the treatment of hyperglycemic conditions. These results also support the use of EEStb in ethnomedicine for the management of diabetes.

Evaluation of the antioxidant and gastroprotective activity and HPLC analysis of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tocoyena formosa leaves (Cham. & Schlecht) K. Schum.

The peptic ulcer is a gastric disorder that affects millions of people and yet they cause many side effects. In this sense, natural products represent an important alternative to the discovery of compounds with gastroprotective activity. The present work has as its objective to evaluate the antioxidant and gastroprotective activity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves from Tocoyena formosa (Cham. & Schlecht.) K. Schum (HELTF), this being much emphasized in traditional medicine for inflammatory morbidities and gastric symptoms. For the evaluation of the antioxidant activity, FRAP and DPPH tests were carried out, and for the evaluation of the gastroprotective activity, gastric lesion induction by ethanol, acidified ethanol, indomethacin and physical barrier tests were used. Antioxidant assay of HELTF revealed an EC50 of 558.66 µM FeSO4/g and IC50 of 189.78 µg/ml for FRAP and DPPH respectively. In gastroprotective, in ethanol model, all the doses presented significant activity in comparison to controls, however, in the gastric lesion induction test by acidified ethanol and indomethacin, only the dose of 200 mg/kg presented with significance. In the physical barrier test presented evidence that protection by the formation of a protective layer associated with mucus. Concluded, therefore, that HELTF possesses antioxidant and significate gastroprotective activity.

Non-Polar Natural Products from Bromelia laciniosa, Neoglaziovia variegata and Encholirium spectabile (Bromeliaceae).

Extensive regional droughts are already a major problem on all inhabited continents and severe regional droughts are expected to become an increasing and extended problem in the future. Consequently, extended use of available drought resistant food plants should be encouraged. Bromelia laciniosa , Neoglaziovia variegata and Encholirium spectabile are excellent candidates in that respect because they are established drought resistant edible plants from the semi-arid Caatinga region. From a food safety perspective, increased utilization of these plants would necessitate detailed knowledge about their chemical constituents. However, their chemical compositions have previously not been determined. For the first time, the non-polar constituents of B. laciniosa , N. variegata and E. spectabile have been identified. This is the first thorough report on natural products from N. variegata , E. spectabile , and B. laciniosa . Altogether, 20 non-polar natural products were characterized. The identifications were based on hyphenated gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and supported by 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) plant metabolomics.