Protective effect of proteins derived from Calotropis procera latex against acute inflammation in rat.

The non-dialysable proteins present in the latex of plant Calotropis procera possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of latex proteins (LP) on the level of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and tissue histology in the rat model of carrageenan-induced acute inflammation. This study also aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory efficacy of LP against different mediators and comparing it with their respective antagonists. Paw inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan, and the effect of LP was evaluated on oedema volume, level of TNF-α, PGE(2), myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and tissue histology at the time of peak inflammation. Paw inflammation was also induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and PGE(2), and the inhibitory effect of LP against these mediators was compared with their respective antagonists at the time of peak effect. Treatment with LP produced a dose-dependent inhibition of oedema formation, and its anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenan-induced paw inflammation was accompanied by reduction in the levels of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and normalization of tissue architecture. LP also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of oedema formation induced by different inflammatory mediators, and its efficacy was comparable to their respective antagonists and more pronounced than that of diclofenac. Thus, our study shows that LP has a potential to be used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions where the role of these mediators is well established.

Incidência de endometrite citológica e desempenho reprodutivo em vacas de corte Nelore / Incidence of cytological endometritis and its effects on reproductive performance in Nelore beef cows

Avaliaram-se a incidência de endometrite citológica dos 29 aos 90 dias pós-parto e seus efeitos sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de vacas de corte Nelore submetidas a uma estação de monta (EM) de 90 dias. Foram utilizadas 49 matrizes Nelores, sem histórico de retenção de placenta, sem a presença de uma infecção uterina clínica, e com escore de condição corporal acima de 2,5. Realizou-se exame ultrassonográfico para avaliar a parede uterina e a atividade ovariana. O diagnóstico de endometrite citológica foi feito pela técnica de lavagem uterina, considerando-se caso de endometrite ≥5% de neutrófilos em cada lâmina. A incidência de endometrite citológica do rebanho foi de 22%, não diferindo entre as categorias analisadas (primíparas versus multíparas) (P>0,05), a taxa de concepção à primeira inseminação também foi semelhante entre primíparas versus multíparas (P>0,05), porém a taxa de gestação ao final da EM foi maior nas vacas multíparas (83,8%) quando comparadas às primíparas (50,0%) (P<0,05). A presença ou ausência da endometrite citológica não influenciou a taxa de concepção (P>0,05), tampouco a taxa de gestação ao final da EM (P>0,05). Conclui-se que o uso da citologia endometrial não se justifica como ferramenta de diagnóstico em vacas de corte Nelore.

Were evaluated the incidence of cytological endometritis from 29 to 90 days postpartum and its effect on the reproductive performance of Nelore beef cows submitted to a breeding season (BS) for 90 days. A total of 49 cows, with no history of retained placenta, without the presence of a clinic uterine infection, and with a body condition score above 2.5 were used. Ultrasound examination was performed to evaluate the uterine wall and ovarian activity. The cytological diagnosis of endometritis was done by uterine lavage, and endometritis was considering cases of ≥5% neutrophils in each blade. The incidence of cytological endometritis in the herd was 22%, and did not differ between the categories analyzed (primiparous versus multiparous) (P>0.05), and the conception rate for first insemination was also similar between primiparous versus multiparous (P>0.05). However, the pregnancy rate at the end of BS was higher in multiparous cows (83.8%) when compared to primiparous (50.0%) cows (P<0.05). The presence or absence of cytological endometritis did not influence the conception rate (P>0.05) nor pregnancy rate at the end of the BS (P>0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of endometrial cytological cannot be justified as a diagnostic tool in Nelore beef cows.

An anti-inflammatory lectin from Luetzelburgia auriculata seeds inhibits adhesion and rolling of leukocytes and modulates histamine and PGE2 action in acute inflammation models.

OBJECTIVES: To study and characterize the in vivo effect of the lectin from Luetzelburgia auriculata seed on acute inflammation models. METHODS: The lectin was purified from the crude saline extract by affinity chromatography on a guar-gum matrix. Native, heat-treated, and digested lectin was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by using peritonitis and paw edema models. The anti-inflammatory activity was characterized by intravital microscopy, nitric oxide production, and myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS: The lectin exhibited anti-inflammatory activity (2 mg/kg) on both models, reducing local myeloperoxidase activity. Galactose or heat treatment (100 degrees C, 10 min) reduced anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammation involves the inhibition of adhesion and rolling of leukocytes along with augmentation of nitric oxide in serum. The lectin inhibited the edematogenic effect of histamine and prostaglandins (PGE2) but did not alter the chemoattractant effect of IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that this lectin is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule. Its effects engage diverse modulatory events.

Immunological and allergenic responses induced by latex fractions of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br.

Immunological and allergenic responses against the latex of Calotropis procera were investigated in mice by oral and subcutaneous routes. The latex was fractionated according to water solubility and molecular size of its components. The fractions were named as non-dialyzable latex (NDL) corresponding to the major latex proteins, dialyzable latex (DL) corresponding to low molecular size substances and rubber latex (RL) which was highly insoluble in water. Anti-sera against these fractions were assayed for total IgG and IgA titration by ELISA and IgE and IgG(1) were quantified by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and mice, respectively. None of the fractions induced antibodies level increases when mice received latex fractions by oral route and thus, did not develop allergy. Nonetheless, anti-sera of mice sensitized with NDL and RL by subcutaneous route displayed considerable immunological response while DL did not. IgG level augmented consistently against NDL and RL while IgA response was detected only to NDL. NDL and RL induced very strong PCA reactions suggesting that both fractions would contain latex substances involved in allergy. Furthermore, protein analysis of NDL and RL suggests that RL still retain residual proteins abundantly found in NDL that could explain its similar allergenic effect. No IgG(1) reaction was detected in any of the anti-sera tested. According to the results, the proteins of latex of Calotropis procera can provoke allergy by subcutaneous route. The NDL has previously shown to display anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities by intraperitoneal injection. It should be relevant to determine whether NDL could induce such activities when assayed by oral route since it was ineffective to induce allergy by this way.