Copaifera malmei Harms leaves infusion attenuates TNBS-ulcerative colitis through modulation of cytokines, oxidative stress and mucus in experimental rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ethnobotanical studies show that the infusion of the leaves from Copaifera malmei Harms (Fabaceae) has been utilized in the Brazilian traditional medicine to treat provocative and gastrointestinal diseases, among others. Recently, our research team has shown that an infusion extract of the leaves of C. malmei has a strong antiulcer activity and its oral use gives no indications of toxicity. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory intestinal effect of an infusion extract from the leaves of Copaifera malmei (IECm) in an animal model of ulcerative colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute intestinal inflammation was induced in male Wistar rats by TNBS in 20% EtOH (0.25 mL). IECm was administered by oral gavage (for 72, 48, 24 and 2 h) preceding the induction of ulcerative colitis. The colon damage and degree of inflammation were evaluated by morphological observation scores and colon weight. The improved colonic mucosal injury, oxidative stress and inflammatory response were assessed by histopathological investigation and by estimating myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1ß (IL1-ß), IL-17 and IL-10 colon tissue concentrations. The histopathological changes were done on the colon tissues by hematoxylin and eosin and Periodic Acid-Schiff staining were utilized to measure the mucus. RESULTS: Pre-treatment (25, 100 and 400 mg/kg) with IECm altogether diminished the intestinal inflammation prompted by TNBS in rats by diminishing colonic score by 69.12% (p < 0.01), 19.87% (p < 0.05) and 67.60% (p < 0.01), individually. Improvement of colonic mucosal injury by treatment with IECm was shown by a decline in MPO activity at dosages 25 and 400 mg/kg by 67.98% and 59.68% (p < 0.001), MDA levels 64.80% and 80.00% (p < 0.01) and an expansion in GSH content at all portions (62.53%, 53.38% and 81.20% p < 0.05) compared with vehicle control group. IECm additionally prevention of intestinal inflammation as confirm by decreased cytokine levels, for example, TNF (31.26%, p < 0.05, 50.68% and 45.95%, p < 0.01), IL1-ß (56.41%, 58.83% and 56.65%, p < 0.001), IL-17 (51.66%, p < 0.001, 22.23%, p < 0.05 and 49.67%, p < 0.001) and increased the IL-10 levels at 25 and 400 mg/kg (57.13%, p < 0.01 and 35.83%, p < 0.05) respectively. Histopathological examination of the colon tissue displayed recovery of ulcerative colitis of IECm treated animals by reducing leukocyte infiltrate, epithelial, submucosal and muscular layer damages and maintaining mucus production. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that IECm was effective and possess anti-colitic activities in a rodent model of UC and can be useful in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The pre-treatment with IECm decreased intestinal inflammation by reducing macroscopical and microscopical colon injury. In addition, the present study demonstrated that IECm ameliorates TNBS-colitis by promoting antioxidant effect, modulation of cytokines release and restauration of mucus production. The study reinforces the traditional use of the Copaifera malmei leaves infusion to inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and makes IECm a potential herbal medicine for the treatment of IBD.

Spirituality, religiosity and the mental health consequences of social isolation during Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that religiosity and spirituality (R/S) are highly used in critical moments of life and that these beliefs are associated with clinical outcomes. However, further studies are needed to assess these beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS: To evaluate the use of R/S during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and to investigate the association between R/S and the mental health consequences of social isolation. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in May 2020. Online surveys were carried out assessing sociodemographics, R/S measures, and social isolation characteristics and mental health consequences (hopefulness, fear, worrying and sadness). Adjusted regression models were used. RESULTS: A total of 485 participants were included from all regions of Brazil. There was a high use of religious and spiritual beliefs during the pandemic and this use was associated with better mental health outcomes. Lower levels of worrying were associated with greater private religious activities (OR = 0.466, CI 95%: 0.307-0.706), religious attendance (OR = 0.587, CI 95%: 0.395-0.871), spiritual growth (OR = 0.667, CI 95%: 0.448-0.993) and with an increase in religious activities (OR = 0.660, CI 95%: 0.442-0.986); lower levels of fear were associated with greater private religious activities (OR = 0.632, CI 95%: 0.422-0.949) and spiritual growth (OR = 0.588, CI 95%: 0.392-0.882) and, lower levels of sadness (OR = 0.646, CI 95%: 0.418-0.997) were associated with spiritual growth. Finally, hope was associated with all R/S variables in different degrees (ranging from OR = 1.706 to 3.615). CONCLUSIONS: R/S seem to have an important role on the relief of suffering, having an influence on health outcomes and minimizing the consequences of social isolation. These results highlight the importance of public health measures that ensure the continuity of R/S activities during the pandemic and the training of healthcare professionals to address these issues.

Sorocea guilleminiana Gaudich.: Wound healing activity, action mechanisms, and chemical characterization of the leaf infusion.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sorocea guilleminina Gaudich. is a tree or shrub endemic to Brazil. Its leaves are used in Brazilian folk medicine for the healing of wounds, stomach problems, inflammation and as diuretic. The present study evaluates the activity and action mechanisms of the healing properties of the aqueous extract of S. guilleminiana leaves (AESg), in experimental models in vivo and in vitro, as well as performs a phytochemical analysis of the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AESg was prepared by infusion: Ten g of dry leaves powder in 1 L hot water, soaked for 15 min, filtered, lyophilized, and stored at -30 °C. Phytochemical analyses were realized by colorimetry and HPLC/ESI/MS. Its' in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated on fibroblastic N3T3 cells. The potential of the wound healing activity in vivo was evaluated using excision and incision wound rat models, by histopathology of the injured skin along with the determination of nitric oxide, cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-10, and TNF-α), and antioxidant parameters (GSH, MPO and CAT). In vitro wound healing activity was also demonstrated in scratched N3T3 cells, by measuring the proliferation/migration rate. RESULTS: The phytochemical analysis of the AESg revealed a strong presence of polar compounds, especially flavonoids (4 majoritarian), as well as terpenes and/or sterols (2 majoritarian). The AESg showed no toxicity in the N3T3 cell line (IC50 > 800 µg/mL). Topical treatment with the AESg showed an increase (p < 0.05) in wound contraction with 2 mg/g cream on days 5 and 9 (43.56% and 6.70% increase, respectively), and with 50 mg/g on days 7 and 9 (10.88% and 7.91%, respectively), compared to the vehicle (non-ionic neutral cream). Topical application of AESg (2 or 50 mg/g non-ionic cream) in incised wounds caused an increase in the force necessary for the rupture of the wound when compared to the vehicle group. No changes in cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-10, or TNF-α) or NO accumulation was found with up to 50 mg/g AESg treatment. For antioxidant activity on the incision wound, an increase in GSH levels was denoted with the AESg use, at the lowest and highest dose (2 and 50 mg/g) by 75.86% and 61.20% respectively, when compared to the vehicle. Also, the CAT activity was accentuated by AESg at the highest dose (50 mg/g) by 85.87%. Finally, the AESg at all doses attenuated MPO activity significantly in the incision wound by 71.35%, 73.21%, 78.08%, respectively. In the scratch test on N3T3 cells, the treatment with AESg resulted also in an increase in fibroblast proliferation/migration rate, compared to the vehicle. CONCLUSION: AESg is not cytotoxic. The results confirm the popular use of the leaf infusion of S. guilleminiana for the treatment of cutaneous wounds, possibly by stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts with a consequent deposition of collagen, fastening rearrangement of collagen fibers, and greater transformation into myofibroblasts, essential in the healing process. Preliminary chemical analyzes of AESg revealed the presence mainly of phenolic compounds, being salicylic acid, gallic acid, pinocembrin and isoquercitrin the majoritarian ones.