Biochemical and Physiological Events Involved in Responses to the Ultrasound Used in Physiotherapy: A Review.

Therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) is the ultrasound modality widely used in physical therapy for the treatment of acute and chronic injuries of various biological tissues. Its thermal and mechanical effects modify the permeability of the plasma membrane, the flow of ions and molecules and cell signaling and, in this way, promote the cascade of physiological events that culminate in the repair of injuries. This article is a review of the biochemical and physiological effects of TUS with parameters commonly used by physical therapists. Integrins can translate the mechanical signal of the TUS into a cellular biochemical signal for protein synthesis and modification of the active site of enzymes, so cell function and metabolism are modified. TUS also alters the permeability of the plasma membrane, allowing the influx of ions and molecules that modulate the cellular electrochemical signaling pathways. With biochemical and electrochemical signals tampered with, the cellular response to damage is then modified or enhanced. Greater release of pro-inflammatory factors, cytokines and growth factors, increased blood flow and activation of protein kinases also seem to be involved in the therapeutic response of TUS. Although a vast number of publications describe the mechanisms by which TUS can interact with the biological system, little is known about the metabolic possibilities of TUS because of the lack of standardization in its application.

The Role of IL-6 Released During Exercise to Insulin Sensitivity and Muscle Hypertrophy.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) influences both inflammatory response and anti-inflammatory processes. This cytokine can be released by exercising skeletal muscle, which characterizes it as a myokine. Unlike what is observed in inflammation, IL-6 produced by skeletal muscle is not preceded by the release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, but it seems to be dependent on the lactate produced during exercise, thus causing different effects from those seen in inflammatory state. After binding to its receptor, myokine IL-6 activates the PI3K-Akt pathway. One consequence of this upregulation is the potentiation of insulin signaling, which enhances insulin sensitivity. IL-6 increases GLUT-4 vesicle mobilization to the muscle cell periphery, increasing the glucose transport into the cell, and also glycogen synthesis. Muscle glycogen provides energy for ATP resynthesis, and regulates Ca2+ release by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, influencing muscle contraction, and, hence, muscle function by multiple pathways. Another implication for the upregulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway is the activation of mTORC1, which regulates mRNA translational efficiency by regulating translation machinery, and translational capacity by inducing ribosomal biogenesis. Thus, IL-6 may contribute to skeletal muscle hypertrophy and function by increasing contractile protein synthesis.

Chemical and biological activities of faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl) seed oil for potential health applications.

Faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius) is an emerging Brazilian plant, with seeds rich in edible oil. This study investigates physicochemical properties, chemical composition, thermal and oxidative stability, in vitro and in vivo toxicity, antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of faveleira seed oil. It was observed that the oil has low acidity, value of peroxide, chlorophyll, carotenoids, ß-carotene and high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids. In addition to presenting thermal and oxidative stability and high total phenolic content, with vanillin, eugenol and quercetin were predominating. The oil showed no toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and presented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. These findings provide relevant and appropriate conditions for processing of faveleira seed oil as functional food.

The essential oil of the leaves of Verbesina macrophylla (Cass.) S.F.Blake has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities and is toxicologically safe.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Verbesina macrophylla (Cass.) S.F.Blake is a medicinal plant from South America, popularly known as "asa de peixe", "asa de peixe branco", "cambará branco" or "cambará guaçu", being used by traditional communities for its healing powers in the form of teas, infusions, liqueurs and extracts, for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections of the urinary and respiratory tracts, such as kidney problems, bronchitis, inflammation and fever. However, none of the ethnopharmacological properties has been scientifically evaluated. AIM OF THE STUDY: Based on the ethnopharmacological use of the species, this study investigated the chemical composition, and for the first time acute toxicity, hemolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the essential oil from leaves of V. macrophylla. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oil was obtained from the leaves by hydrodistillation (HD), being characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution technique in bacteria and fungi that cause infections of the respiratory and urinary tract, and toxicological safety regarding hemolytic activity on human red blood cells (hRBCs), and acute toxicity in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the model carrageenan-induced peritonitis with quantification of the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß in the intraperitoneal fluid, and ear edema induced by croton oil. The antipyretic activity evaluated in mice with pyrexia induced by yeast. RESULTS: The extraction of essential oil by hydrodistillation (HD) showed a yield of 0.33 ±â€¯0.04%, with its composition constituted mainly by sesquiterpenes of hydrocarbons (94.00%). The essential oil demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activity, with a low rate of hemolysis in human red blood cells (hRBCs) and no clinical signs of toxicity were observed in animals after acute treatment, which suggested that the LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg; p.o. The essential oil demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (38.83%, 72.42% and 73.52%) and IL-1ß (37.70%, 75.92% and 87.71%), and ear edema by 49.53%, 85.04% and 94.39% at concentrations of 4, 40 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The antipyretic activity presented by the essential oil is statistically similar to dipyrone. CONCLUSION: The set of results obtained, validates the main activities attributed to the traditional use of Verbesina macrophylla (Cass.) S.F.Blake. These data add industrial value to the species, considering that the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities present results similar to the drugs already used also presenting safety. The results suggest that essential oil from V. macrophylla may be used by industry for the development of drugs with natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.

Antioxidant Action and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Myrciaria floribunda Fruit Peels: Possible Involvement of Opioidergic System.

This work evaluated the antioxidant properties and in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts obtained from fruit peels of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg (Myrtaceae). This plant is popularly known in Brazil as Cambuí or camboim. Different extracts were submitted to comparative analysis to determine the content of selected phytochemical classes (levels of total phenols, flavonoids, and monomeric anthocyanins) and the in vitro antioxidant potentials. The extract with higher potential was selected for in vivo evaluation of its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action. Finally, the chemical characterization of this extract was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). MfAE (extract obtained using acetone as solvent) showed the higher levels of phenols (296 mg GAE/g) and anthocyanins contents (35.65 mg Cy-3-glcE/g) that were associated with higher antioxidant activity. MfAE also exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic propertiers. This fraction inhibited the inflammatory and neurogenic phases of pain, and this effect was reversed by naloxone (suggesting the involvement of opioidergic system). MfAE reduced the abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid (and its derivatives) and ellagic acid. Taken together, these data support the use of M. floribunda fruit peels for development of functional foods and nutraceutics.

Algrizea Minor Sobral, Faria & Proença (Myrteae, Myrtaceae): chemical composition, antinociceptive, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of essential oil.

This work aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, acute toxicity and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Algrizea minor (EOAm). The essential oil presented as the major constituents ß-Pinene (56.99%), α-Pinene (16.57%), Germacrene D (4.67%), Bicyclogermacrene (4.66%), (E)-Caryophyllene (3.76%) and Limonene (1.71%). It was verified that the essential oil did not show acute toxicity in the maximum dose of 5,000 mg/kg. In the evaluation of the antinociceptive activity it was verified that the essential oil reduced in 65.84% the number of writhing in the mice, reducing the pain in 59.17%, and the mechanism of action in pain reduction was opioid, similar to morphine. The essential oil also presented significant antimicrobial against Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, and the antioxidant activity was relevant. Therefore, these results demonstrate the great potential for the future development of pharmaceutical products with the essential oil of Algrizea minor (EOAm).