A novel antimicrobial lectin from Eugenia malaccensis that stimulates cutaneous healing in mice model.

OBJECTIVE: The present work reports the purification and partial characterization of an antibacterial lectin (EmaL) obtained from Eugenia malaccensis seeds as well as the evaluation of its effect in the daily topical treatment of repairing process of cutaneous wounds in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cutaneous wound was produced by the incision of the skin and use of lectin in the treatment of mice cutaneous wounds was evaluated. Surgical wounds were treated daily with a topical administration of EmaL and parameters such as edema, hyperemia, scab, granulation and scar tissues as well as contraction of wounds were analyzed. RESULTS: A novel lectin, with a molecular mass of 14 kDa, was isolated from E. malaccensis using affinity chromatography. The lectin (EmaL) agglutinated glutaraldehyde-treated rabbit and human erythrocytes; the lectin-induced rabbit erythrocyte agglutination was inhibited by glucose, casein, ovalbumin and fetuin. Also, Emal was very effective in the inhibition of bacterial growth, with the best inhibition results obtained for Staphylococcus aureus. Inflammatory signals such as edema and hyperemia were statistically less intense when EmaL was applied compared to the control. The histopathological analysis showed that the treated injured tissue presented reepithelialization (complete or partial) and areas of transition more evidenced than those of the control group, especially due to well organized pattern of collagen fibers presented in the granulation fibrous tissue. CONCLUSION: Presented results are a preliminary indication of the pharmacological interest in using EmaL as antimicrobial agent and in the repairing process of cutaneous wounds.

Evaluation of the antischistosomal activity of sulfated α-D-glucan from the lichen Ramalina celastri free and encapsulated into liposomes

The antischistosomal activity of the sulfated polysaccharide α-D-glucan (Glu.SO4) extracted from Ramalina celastri was evaluated after encapsulation into liposomes (Glu.SO4-LIPO) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The effect of treatment with Glu.SO4 and Glu.SO4-LIPO (10 mg/kg) on egg elimination, worm burden and hepatic granuloma formation was assessed using female albino Swiss mice, 35-40 days of age, weighing 25 ± 2 g, infected with 150 cercariae/animal (Biomphalaria glabrata, BH strain). Four groups (N = 10) were studied, two controls (empty liposomes and NaCl) and two treated groups (Glu.SO4-LIPO and Glu.SO4) using a single dose. Parasitological analysis revealed that Glu.SO4-LIPO was as efficient as Glu.SO4 in reducing egg elimination and worm burden. Treatment with free Glu.SO4 and Glu.SO4-LIPO induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of granulomas (62 and 63 percent, respectively). Lectin histochemistry showed that wheat germ agglutinin intensely stained the egg-granuloma system in all treated groups. On the other hand, peanut agglutinin stained cells in the control groups, but not in the treated groups. The present results suggest a correlation between the decreasing number of hepatic egg-granulomas and the glycosylation profile of the egg-granuloma system in animals treated with free Glu.SO4 or Glu.SO4-LIPO.

Evaluation of the antischistosomal activity of sulfated α-D-glucan from the lichen Ramalina celastri free and encapsulated into liposomes.

The antischistosomal activity of the sulfated polysaccharide α-D-glucan (Glu.SO(4)) extracted from Ramalina celastri was evaluated after encapsulation into liposomes (Glu.SO(4)-LIPO) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The effect of treatment with Glu.SO(4) and Glu.SO(4)-LIPO (10 mg/kg) on egg elimination, worm burden and hepatic granuloma formation was assessed using female albino Swiss mice, 35-40 days of age, weighing 25 ± 2 g, infected with 150 cercariae/animal (Biomphalaria glabrata, BH strain). Four groups (N = 10) were studied, two controls (empty liposomes and NaCl) and two treated groups (Glu.SO(4)-LIPO and Glu.SO(4)) using a single dose. Parasitological analysis revealed that Glu.SO(4)-LIPO was as efficient as Glu.SO(4) in reducing egg elimination and worm burden. Treatment with free Glu.SO(4) and Glu.SO(4)-LIPO induced a statistically significant reduction in the number of granulomas (62 and 63%, respectively). Lectin histochemistry showed that wheat germ agglutinin intensely stained the egg-granuloma system in all treated groups. On the other hand, peanut agglutinin stained cells in the control groups, but not in the treated groups. The present results suggest a correlation between the decreasing number of hepatic egg-granulomas and the glycosylation profile of the egg-granuloma system in animals treated with free Glu.SO(4) or Glu.SO(4)-LIPO.