A 20-hydroxyecdysone-enriched fraction from Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) pedersen roots alleviates stress, anxiety, and depression in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pfaffia glomerata roots are widely used in Brazil to treat various pathological conditions, particularly psychological disorders. 20-hydroxyecdysone, a phytosteroid present in the plant, can promote greater body resistance against exogenous and endogenous stressors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effect of a 20-hydroxyecdysone-enriched fraction (20E-EF), obtained from P. glomerata roots, in an acute murine stress model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 20E-EF was obtained by partitioning the methanol extract from P. glomerata roots with dichloromethane. Mice were treated by gavage with three doses of 20E-EF (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) and parameters of stress, anxiety, and depression were evaluated. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (enzymes, antioxidant profile, and oxidized molecules) were evaluated in the cortex, striatum (basal ganglia), and hippocampus of animals treated with 30 mg/kg of 20E-EF. RESULTS: Mass spectrometry revealed that 20E was the main compound in the dichloromethane fraction. At a dose of 30 mg/kg, 20E-EF reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, while stimulating antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), promoting antioxidant activity (antioxidant capacity, sulfhydryl groups, and reduced glutathione), and reducing oxidative markers (lipid peroxidation). In addition, 20E increased the concentration of NO in the striatum, possibly improving memory function and antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: A 30 mg/kg dose of 20E-EF was able to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, in addition to maintaining antioxidant defenses of the cortex and striatum. These findings open new perspectives for understanding the therapeutic properties of P. glomerata and the underlying mechanism(s).

Nanoencapsulation of rice bran oil increases its protective effects against UVB radiation-induced skin injury in mice.

Excessive UV-B radiation by sunlight produces inflammatory and oxidative damage of skin, which can lead to sunburn, photoaging, and cancer. This study evaluated whether nanoencapsulation improves the protective effects of rice bran oil against UVB radiation-induced skin damage in mice. Lipid-core nanocapsules containing rice bran oil were prepared, and had mean size around 200 nm, negative zeta potential (∼-9 mV), and low polydispersity index (<0.20). In order to allow application on the skin, a hydrogel containing the nanoencapsulated rice bran oil was prepared. This formulation was able to prevent ear edema induced by UVB irradiation by 60 ± 9%, when compared with a hydrogel containing LNC prepared with a mixture of medium chain triglycerides instead of rice bran oil. Protein carbonylation levels (biomarker of oxidative stress) and NF-κB nuclear translocation (biomarker of pro-inflammatory and carcinogenesis response) were reduced (81% and 87%, respectively) in animals treated with the hydrogel containing the nanoencapsulated rice bran oil. These in vivo results demonstrate the beneficial effects of nanoencapsulation to improve the protective properties of rice bran oil on skin damage caused by UVB exposure.

Anxiolytic-like effects of acute and chronic treatment with Achillea millefolium L. extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae), known as yarrow ("mil folhas"), has been used as folk medicine for gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia. AIM: To evaluate the potential anxiolytic-like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. in animal models. METHODS: The present study evaluated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from the aerial parts of Achillea millefolium L. in mice subjected to the elevated plus-maze, marble-burying, and open-field tests. Additionally, the GABA(A)/benzodiazepine (BDZ) mediation of the effects of Achillea millefolium was evaluated by pretreatment with the noncompetitive GABA(A) receptor antagonist picrotoxin and the BDZ antagonist flumazenil and by [(3)H]-flunitrazepam binding to the BDZ site on the GABA(A) receptor. RESULTS: Achillea millefolium exerted anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze and marble-burying test after acute and chronic (25 days) administration at doses that did not alter locomotor activity. This behavioral profile was similar to diazepam. The effects of Achillea millefolium in the elevated plus-maze were not altered by picrotoxin pretreatment but were partially blocked by flumazenil. Furthermore, Achillea millefolium did not induce any changes in [(3)H]-flunitrazepam binding. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the orally administered hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L. exerted anxiolytic-like effects that likely were not mediated by GABA(A)/BDZ neurotransmission and did not present tolerance after short-term, repeated administration.