Piper umbellatum L. (Piperaceae): Phytochemical profiles of the hydroethanolic leaf extract and intestinal anti-inflammatory mechanisms on 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Piper umbellatum L. leaves, commonly found in the Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic rain forest regions of Brazil, are widely used as a traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation, among others diseases. Also, previous scientific studies demonstrated that P. umbellatum has gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity. AIM: To investigate the phytochemical profiles and the intestinal anti-inflammatory effect of the hydroethanolic extract of P. umbellatum (HEPu) leaf on ulcerative colitis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the chemical composition of HEPu was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Also, this work studied the effects of HEPu on ulcerative colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, 30 mg/mL in 20% ethanol) by intrarectal administration in rats. Simultaneously, animals were pre-treated orally with HEPu (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg), mesalazine (500 mg/kg), or vehicle. At the end of the experimental period, clinical signs of ulcerative colitis were evaluated by determination of weight loss, gross appearance, ulcer area and histological changes. Reduced glutathione (GSH), lipoperoxides (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined in colon tissues. Also, pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL- 1ß) were quantified by immunoassay on the surface of fluorescent-coded magnetic beads (Luminex MagPix System). RESULTS: GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 17 different phytochemical compounds in the HEPu. LC/MS analyses revealed the presence of compounds in HEPu as protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, rosmarinic acid, apigenin and ursolic acid. Treatment with HEPu significantly ameliorated weight loss, macroscopic damage, ulcerated area and histopathological changes such as sub-mucosal edema, cell infiltration, ulceration and necrosis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, HEPu (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o) inhibited the levels of oxidative parameters, such as MPO (49%, 53%, and 62%, p < 0.001), NO (20%, 19%, 22%, p < 0.01), and MDA (75%, 83%, 70%, p < 0.001), whereas increased the antioxidant activities such as SOD (208%, 192%, 64%, p < 0.001), GSH (94%, 75%, 49%, p < 0.01), and CAT (92%, 69%, 108%, p < 0.01). The extract also inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (81%, 85%, 85%, p < 0.001) and IL-1ß (95%, 79%, 89%, p < 0.001) levels. CONCLUSION: Together, these results revealed that P. umbellatum L. is a promising source of metabolites to be used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and geraniol, but not citral, promote gastric healing activity in mice.

Cymbopogon citratus, popularly known as lemongrass, is used for the treatment of gastric, nervous and hypertensive disorders, in addition to its use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This study evaluated the gastroprotective and gastric healing effect of essential oil of C. citratus (EOCC), citral and geraniol at doses of 1-100 mg/kg (p.o) on acute ethanol-induced ulcer and chronic acetic acid-induced ulcer. Histological and histochemical evaluation was also performed, as well as the in vitro evaluation of the effects of these phytochemicals on H+/K+-ATPase activity. In the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, the minimum effective oral dose of EOCC, citral and geraniol were 10, 100 and 3 mg/kg, reducing the ulcer area by 51.67%, 96.57% and 55.74%, respectively, compared to vehicle group (25.82 ±â€¯3.59 mm2). Moreover, EOCC (10 mg/kg, p.o) and geraniol (3 mg/kg), but not citral (100 mg/kg), accelerated the gastric healing process by 34.52 and 80.57%, compared to acetic-acid ulcerated group treated with vehicle (36.04 ±â€¯1.03 mm2). These healing effects were confirmed histologically by the contraction of the ulcer base and by the enhancement on mucin staining in slices of ulcer site from mice treated with EOCC or geraniol. Interestingly, EOCC and citral at 100 µg/ml inhibited the H+/ K+-ATPase activity by 28.26% and 44.36%, whereas geraniol did not change this parameter. Together, these findings confirm the gastroprotective and healing gastric ulcer effects of essential oil from aerial parts of C. citratus and added the information that geraniol, but not citral, promotes healing effects on installed ulcers.

Contribution of α,ß-Amyrenone to the Anti-Inflammatory and Antihypersensitivity Effects of Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd.

The aim of the study was to analyze the constituents of the dichloromethane fraction obtained from A. moluccana and also to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of α,ß-amyrenone isolated from A. moluccana in mice. The dichloromethane fraction was evaluated by gas chromatography and submitted to purification. The mixture of α,ß-amyrenone was isolated and then evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw-oedema or pleurisy and CFA-induced arthritis models in mice. Five triterpenes, α,ß-amyrenone, glutinol, and α,ß-amyrin were isolated from dichloromethane fraction of A. moluccana leaf extract. The mixture of α,ß-amyrenone, dosed orally, was able to reduce mechanical hypersensitivity and paw-oedema induced by carrageenan, interfering with neutrophil migration. Similar results were observed in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model. Repeated administration of the compounds was also effective in reducing the mechanical sensitization and oedema developed in the arthritis model induced by CFA. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that α,ß-amyrenone interferes in both acute and chronic inflammatory processes. We can infer that these effects involve, at least in part, a reduction in the neutrophil migration. Therefore, it seems reasonable to suggest that α,ß-amyrenone could represent a new therapeutic tool for the management of painful and inflammatory diseases, especially those presenting a chronic profile.

Chemical composition and antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities of Gallesia gorazema (Phytolaccaceae), a potential candidate for novel anti-herpetic phytomedicines.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In traditional medicine, teas made from leaves and bark of Gallesia gorazema are used as antispasmodic, anthelmintic, antihemorrhagic and febrifuge agents. Crude leaves of this plant are also employed as a remedy in the treatment of abscesses, orchitis, gonorrhea and for rheumatic pain relief. this study investigates the presumed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of leaves and roots Gallesia gorazema (Phytolaccaceae) extracts. The most active extract and its isolated compound, a new natural product, are also evaluated against viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo experiments with mice were used to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Gallesia gorazema extracts. Antiviral activity of extracts and the new natural product was investigated by in vitro experiments. RESULTS: Results show that dichloromethanic root (DRE) and ethanolic leaf (ELE) extracts displayed significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in in vivo experiments with mice. Both extracts were also assayed against the herpes simplex viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2, but only DRE was highly active, showing a selective antiviral effect against HSV-1. Phytochemical fractionation of DRE led to the isolation of 28-hydroxyoctacosyl ferulate, a novel natural product, which displayed strong antiviral activity against HSV-1 (EC50=21.6 µg/mL) with a selective index above 9, justifying, at least in part, the high selective antiviral activity observed for DRE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the plant Gallesia gorazema is a potential candidate for the development of novel anti-herpetic phytomedicines.

Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. Hydroalcoholic Extract Inhibits Neutrophil Functions Related to Innate Host Defense.

Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) D.C. is a herb native to South America, and its inflorescences are popularly employed to treat inflammatory diseases. Here, the effects of the in vivo actions of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from inflorescences of A. satureioides on neutrophil trafficking into inflamed tissue were investigated. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with A. satureioides extract, and inflammation was induced one hour later by lipopolysaccharide injection into the subcutaneous tissue. The number of leukocytes and the amount of chemotactic mediators were quantified in the inflammatory exudate, and adhesion molecule and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) expressions and phorbol-myristate-acetate- (PMA-) stimulated oxidative burst were quantified in circulating neutrophils. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions were quantified in the mesentery tissue. Enzymes and tissue morphology of the liver and kidney were evaluated. Treatment with A. satureioides extract reduced neutrophil influx and secretion of leukotriene B4 and CINC-1 in the exudates, the number of rolling and adhered leukocytes in the mesentery postcapillary venules, neutrophil L-selectin, ß 2-integrin and TLR-4 expression, and oxidative burst, but did not cause an alteration in the morphology and activities of liver and kidney. Together, the data show that A. satureioides extract inhibits neutrophil functions related to the innate response and does not cause systemic toxicity.

Role of gastric mucus secretion, oxinitrergic system and sulfhydryl groups on the gastroprotection elicited by Polygala cyparissias (Polygalaceae) in mice.

OBJECTIVES: This study has aimed to assess the mechanisms of action for the gastroprotective effect of the acetone extract (PCAE) and methanol fraction (PCMF) of Polygala cyparissias, as well as to evaluate the activity of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-2,7-dimethoxyxanthone (1), 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (2) and astragalin (3). METHODS: Gastric secretion and mucus content were determined by pylorus ligation in mice. Nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl group participation were observed by the pretreatment of mice with L-NAME or NEM. Acute ulcer was induced by ethanol/HCl and chronic ulcer by acetic acid. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was evaluated by the agar solid dilution assay. KEY FINDINGS: Neither PCAE nor PCMF had the ability to reduce H(+) concentration. However, both of them enhanced mucus secretion. PCAE demonstrated its gastroprotection in a NO-dependent manner, while PCMF exerted the activity depending on the sulfhydryl group. In chronic ulcer, the curative ratios for the PCAE and PCMF were 67.5 and 58.4%, respectively. No effect over H. pylori was detected. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were able to reduce lesions in the order of 79.6, 73.8 and 67.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggested that PCAE and PCMF displayed antiulcer activity due to different mechanisms and with the participation of phenolic compounds obtained from the plant.

Characterization and antineoplasic effect of extracts obtained from Pleurotus sajor-caju fruiting bodies.

Fungi of the Pleurotus genus present a great industrial interest due to their possibility of producing pharmacological compounds, pigments, aromas, organic acids, polysaccharides, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, etc. Among the therapeutic products, we can highlight those with antineoplasic activity, attributed to the fungi cell wall components. Based on this, the objective of this work was to study the antineoplasic capacity of the polysaccharidic fractions obtained from Pleurotus sajor-caju fruiting bodies. Female Swiss mice were inoculated with the Ehrlich ascitic tumor (5 x 10(6) cells/animal) in ascitic form. The polysaccharidic fractions were administered intraperitoneally, during a 6-day period. Fractions FI and FII presented a lower volume of ascitic liquid (3.1 and 1.8 mL, respectively) and a higher reduction in the number of neoplasic cells present in the ascitic liquid (86.2% and 85%, respectively), when compared to the positive control (group inoculated with the tumor but without treatment). These fractions were characterized in terms of monosaccharide composition. Glucose was the major component detected, followed by galactose and mannose. The anomeric carbon configuration of the beta-glucan was confirmed by the (13)C NMR (delta 103.7). Substituted and free C3 and C6 were also detected. Protein bands were confirmed through infrared analysis.

Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Studies of β-Cyclodextrin:Dexamethasone Acetate Complexes in Mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo activity of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a suspension of the complex composed of dexamethasone acetate (DMA) with β-cyclodextrin in comparison to a suspension of the pure DMA. Solid complexes prepared by different methods were evaluated in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies. The pharmacodynamic effect was investigated although the capacity of the inhibited the inflammation. Models of abdominal constriction, carrageenan-induced paw oedema and formalin induced licking were used. The study of the pharmacodynamic comparison of free DMA and products of β-CD:DMA demonstrated no significant difference in the majority of the tests performed. Plasma concentrations of DMA and DMA:β-CD were assayed by HPLC. A significant (p > 0.05) decrease in the relative bioavailability was obtained with the suspension containing the DMA:β-CD complex as measured by DMA plasma levels. The area under the curve (AUC) of the suspension of DMA was higher than that obtained with the suspension of the complexes. The pharmacokinetic evaluation of dexamethasone carried out on mice in the present study showed that complexed DMA with β-cyclodextrin modifieds some parameters related to the phases of absorption and elimination of this drug.