The nephroprotective action of Passiflora edulis in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel aqueous (AFA) extract as an adjuvant to insulin to confer nephroprotection against streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups based on treatment received for 60 days: diabetic (DB), control (CTL), insulin (INS), and insulin + AFA extract (INS + AFA). mRNA and protein expression levels of podocyte (nephrin, podocin, and WT1) and tubular (megalin) proteins were measured in kidney tissue specimens and urine. Biochemical parameters and kidney histopathology were also examined. Herein, the INS + AFA group showed superior glycemic control, which resulted in the reduction of urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, maintenance of baseline levels of Nphs1, Nphs2, Wt1, and Lrp2 mRNA expression, prevention of protein loss from the kidney tissue into the urinary space, along with the maintenance of glomerular basement membrane thickness, hyalinization, glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis at values approximating those of the CTL group and significantly lower than those in the DB group. Therefore, these results suggest that, as an anti-diabetic agent, the AFA extract adjuvant to insulin could reduce and potentially prevent diabetic kidney disease.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaf in an oral mucositis experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Spondias mombin has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation in the oral cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of S. mombin extract in an oral mucositis experimental model. METHODS: Male hamsters were orally pre-treated with hydroethanolic extract of S. mombin leaves (HESM) (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for ten days. Cheek pouch samples were subjected to macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis (Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2). IL-1ß and TNF-α levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay, and Superoxide dismutase estimative (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were submitted to spectroscopy analysis. RESULTS: The group treated with HESM at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed the best healing effect, showing no evidence of ulceration in the macroscopic analysis (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed re-epithelialization, discrete mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and absence of hemorrhage and edema score of 1 (1-1) (p < 0.05), as well as a large amount of collagen fibers and a lower immunoexpression of Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2. Decrease in SOD (p < 0.05), MDA (p<0.001), IL-1ß (p < 0.05), and TNF-α levels (p < 0.001), with an increase in GSH (p < 0.01) levels. CONCLUSION: HESM (200 mg/kg) reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters.