Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Brazilian pepper) leaves extract: in vitro and in vivo evidence of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

The aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ethyl acetate extract obtained from the leaves of Brazilian peppertree Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (EAELSt). Total phenols and flavonoids, chemical constituents, in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and lipoperoxidation assays), and cytotoxicity in L929 fibroblasts were determined. In vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were evaluated using TPA-induced ear inflammation model in mice. Phenol and flavonoid contents were 19.2 ± 0.4 and 93.8 ± 5.2 of gallic acid or quercetin equivalents/g, respectively. LC-MS analysis identified 43 compounds, of which myricetin-O-pentoside and quercetin-O-rhamnoside were major peaks of chromatogram. Incubation with EAELSt decreased the amount of DPPH radical (EC50 of 54.5 ± 2.4 µg/mL) and lipoperoxidation at 200-500 µg/mL. The incubation with EAELSt did not change fibroblast viability up to 100 µg/mL. Topical treatment with EAELSt significantly reduced edema and myeloperoxidase activity at 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/ear when compared to the vehicle-treated group. In addition, EAELSt decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels and increased IL-10 levels. Besides, it modulated markers of oxidative stress (reduced total hydroperoxides and increased sulfhydryl contents and ferrium reduction potential) and increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, without altering GPx activity.

Effects of resistance training and turmeric supplementation on reactive species marker stress in diabetic rats

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and excessive generation of reactive oxygen species caused by autoimmune destruction of beta-cells in the pancreas. Among the antioxidant compounds, Curcuma longa (CL) has potential antioxidant effects and may improve hyperglycemia in uncontrolled T1DM/TD1, as well as prevent its complications (higher costs for the maintenance of health per patient, functional disability, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic damage). In addition to the use of compounds to attenuate the effects triggered by diabetes, physical exercise is also essential for glycemic control and the maintenance of skeletal muscles. Our objective is to evaluate the effects of CL supplementation associated with moderate- to high-intensity resistance training on the parameters of body weight recovery, glycemic control, reactive species markers, and tissue damage in rats with T1DM/TD1.

Methods

Forty male 3-month-old Wistar rats (200–250 g) with alloxan-induced T1DM were divided into 4 groups (n = 7–10): sedentary diabetics (DC); diabetic rats that underwent a 4-week resistance training protocol (TD); CL-supplemented diabetic rats (200 mg/kg body weight, 3x a week) (SD); and supplemented diabetic rats under the same conditions as above and submitted to training (TSD). Body weight, blood glucose, and the following biochemical markers were analyzed: lipid profile, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS).

Results

Compared to the DC group, the TD group showed body weight gain (↑7.99%, p = 0.0153) and attenuated glycemia (↓23.14%, p = 0.0008) and total cholesterol (↓31.72%, p ≤ 0.0041) associated with diminished reactive species markers in pancreatic (↓45.53%, p < 0.0001) and cardiac tissues (↓51.85%, p < 0.0001). In addition, compared to DC, TSD promoted body weight recovery (↑15.44%, p ≤ 0.0001); attenuated glycemia (↓42.40%, p ≤ 0.0001), triglycerides (↓39.96%, p ≤ 0.001), and total cholesterol (↓28.61%, p ≤ 0.05); and attenuated the reactive species markers in the serum (↓26.92%, p ≤ 0.01), pancreas (↓46.22%, p ≤ 0.0001), cardiac (↓55.33%, p ≤ 0.001), and skeletal muscle (↓42.27%, p ≤ 0.001) tissues caused by T1DM.

Conclusion

Resistance training associated (and/or not) with the use of Curcuma longa attenuated weight loss, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, reactive species markers, and T1DM-induced tissue injury.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Poncianella pyramidalis (Leguminosae) is a Caatinga plant used in folk medicine because of its pharmacological properties, which include anti-inflammatory action. However, chemical compounds responsible for this effect have not yet been identified.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethyl acetate fraction from the inner bark of P. pyramidalis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Total phenol content (TP) was estimated using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, while in vitro antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Chemical identification was done using LC-PDA/MS and LC-ESI/MS/MS. In vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were investigated using formalin, mechanical hypernociception and carrageenan-induced pleurisy assays in mice.

RESULTS

TP was 525.08 ± 17.49 μg mg^-1 gallic acid equivalent. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) inhibited 87.76% of the DPPH radical with an EC₅₀ of 22.94 μg mL^-1 and Antioxidant Activity Index of 1.74. LC-PDA/MS and LC-ESI/MS/MS identified 15 compounds that are mostly derived from gallic and ellagic acids. Regarding in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, EAF (100 mg kg-1) significantly reduced the nociceptive response in the second phase of the formalin assay by 50% (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. In the hypernociception test, a significant (p < 0.001) anti-hyperalgesic effect of EAF (100 mg kg-1) was observed up to the third hour of evaluation (p < 0.001). In the carrageenan assay, EAF (100 mg kg-1) was shown to inhibit protein extravasation, increase total leukocytes and neutrophils, and inhibit mononuclear cells.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate EAF from the inner bark of P. pyramidalis has strong in vitro antioxidant effect as well as in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, which may be attributed to the bark being rich in phenolic compounds derived from gallic acid.

Does Croton Argyrophyllus Extract Has an Effect on Muscle Damage and Lipid Peroxidation in Rats Submitted to High Intensity Strength Exercise?

Many species of the genus Croton have been used for anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antidiabetic, and antitumor purposes. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a hydroethanolic extract (HEE) from the inner bark of Croton argyrophyllus (Euphorbiaceae) on muscle damage and oxidative stress in rats after high intensity exercise. The animals were divided into four groups: (i) the sedentary group (SV; n = 7), (ii) the exercise vehicle group (EV, n = 7), (iii) the sedentary group HEE (SHG; n = 7) composed of sedentary animals and treated with the hydroethanolic extract of C. argyrophyllus (200 mg/kg, v.o.), and (iv) the HEE exercise group (HEE; n = 7) composed of animals submitted to resistance exercise (RE) and treated with the hydroethanolic extract of C. argyrophyllus (200 mg/kg, v.o.). In the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, the HEE showed lower values of inhibition potential (IP%) at 39.79% compared to gallic acid, 87.61%, and lipoperoxidation inhibition at 27.4% (100 µg/mL) or 28.6% (200 µg/mL) (p < 0.001). There was inhibition in free radicals in vivo. The HEE of C. argyrophyllus partially reduced the biomarkers of oxidative stress in muscle tissue and muscular damage (creatine kinase (CK) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)) (p < 0.05) in rats, and in this sense it can be an aid to the recovery process after exhaustive efforts.

Ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Coutoubea spicata attenuate hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and muscle damage in alloxan-induced diabetic rats subjected to resistance exercise training program

Gentianaceae family (such as Coutoubea spicata) contains iridoids and flavonoids with antidiabetic properties. However, there is no information available about the antidiabetic effects of C. spicata when combined with resistance exercise training (RET). This study evaluated the effects of the ethanolic extract (EE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of C. spicata on biochemical markers, muscle damage, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats submitted to RET. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were distributed into 4 groups (each group, n = 8) treated with distilled water (TD), EE, EAF, or metformin and submitted to RET. Two groups without the disease (each group, n = 8) (sedentary control and trained control), as well as a sedentary diabetic group (n = 8) were included. Body weight and glycemia were evaluated weekly. After 30 days, lipid/lipoprotein profile, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, muscle damage ((creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)), and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), sulfhydryl groups (SH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were evaluated. MDA and SH for pancreas, liver, heart, and muscle were evaluated. C. spicata extract and fraction combined with RET recovered body weight and reduced glycemia, muscle damage (CK: 36.83% and 21.45%; LDH: 49.83% and 68.55%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (70.63%; 59.18%) and improved redox status (MDA: 50.33%, 39.74%; and SH: 53.97%; 76.41%), respectively, when compared with the TD group. C. spicata plus RET promoted anti-hyperglycemic, lipid-reducing, and antioxidant effects in diabetic rats. Novelty C. spicata presents anti-hyperglycemic and lipid-lowering effects potentiated by RET. C. spicata reduces muscle injury and increases antioxidant defense.

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant properties of Schinopsis brasiliensis bark

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schinopsis brasiliensis is a native plant from Brazil, popularly used in folk medicine to relieve pain and treat inflammation. This study evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities and antioxidant properties of the hydroethanol extract (HEE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) obtained from S. brasiliensis bark.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The HEE and EAF of S. brasiliensis bark (10, 30 and 100mg/kg, p.o.) were evaluated using models of analgaesia (formalin-induced licking and hot-plate models) or inflammation (licking response by formalin-induced and carrageenan-induced cell migration into the subcutaneous air pouch). The antioxidant activities of HEE and EAF (50, 100 and 200µg/ml) were evaluated using the lipoperoxidation method induced in egg yolk by 2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and FeSO₄.

RESULTS

HEE and EAF presented a central antinociceptive effect (at 100mg/kg dose), increasing the baseline and area under the curve in the hot plate model. EAF (100mg/kg) significantly reduced (p< 0.005) the pain response in the first (45%) and second (35%) phases of the formalin-induced licking model, while HEE (100mg/kg) reduced (38%) only the pain response in the second phase. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, EAF (100mg/kg) also inhibited the inflammatory process induced by subcutaneous carrageenan injection in the SAP model, reducing the amount of the cytokine TNF-α produced.

CONCLUSION

HEE and EAF from S. brasiliensis bark show pharmacological interest because they were able to inhibit the peripheral and central transmission of pain. Our data also suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity caused by EAF exposure occurs through the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, also reducing the spreading of the inflammatory processes by neutralizing reactive oxygen species, which are by-products in the biosynthesis of pain mediators.

Isolation of antioxidant phenolics from Schinopsis brasiliensis based on a preliminary LC-MS profiling

The phenolic content of the ethanol extract of the stem bark of the Brazilian plant Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. (Anacardiaceae) has been evaluated together with the antioxidant activity. The good antioxidant activity exhibited in the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assay (TEAC value = 3.04 mg/mL) encouraged us to investigate its constituents. An analytical approach based on LC-ESIMSⁿ was applied to rapidly obtain a metabolite profile of the ethanol extract of the stem bark of S. brasiliensis. Sixteen phenolic compounds, among which five galloyl derivatives, never reported before, have been isolated and their structures have been unambiguously elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D (¹H, ¹³C, TOCSY) and 2D (DQF-COSY, HMBC, and HSQC) NMR experiments. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of all the isolated compounds was evaluated, along with the cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines A549 (human alveolar basal carcinoma) and Hela (human epitheloid cervix carcinoma). The previously undescribed compounds exhibited a high free-radical-scavenging activity, in the range of 1.10-1.86 mM. None of the tested compounds, in a range of concentrations between 12.5 and 100 μM, caused a significant reduction of the cell number.

Protective effect of a hydroethanolic extract from Bowdichia virgilioides on muscular damage and oxidative stress caused by strenuous resistance training in rats

Background

Natural antioxidants can reduce oxidative damage caused by high-intensity resistance training (RT). We investigated the in vitro antioxidant potential of hydroethanolic extract (HEE) from Bowdichia virgilioides on muscular damage and oxidative stress in rats subjected to high-intensity RT.

Methods

Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: 1) control group (CG), oral administration (P.O.) of vehicle; 2) trained group (TG), vehicle-treated with RT; 3) B. virgilioides untrained group (BVG), treated with B. virgilioides HEE (200 mg/kg P.O.); and 4) trained B. virgilioides group (TBVG), treated with B. virgiliodes HEE (200 mg/kg P.O.). All animals were habituated to the training apparatus for 1 week. CT and TBVG animals were subjected to the training protocol, which consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions with 75% of the load established using the one-repetition maximum, for four weeks. CG and BVG animals were manipulated and fixed to the apparatus three times a week with no load. Treatment with B. virgilioides HEE or vehicle treatment was initiated after 25 days of RT (5 days; one dose per day). At the end of the experiments, plasmatic and gastrocnemius samples from all groups were obtained for the assessment of lipid peroxidation and creatine kinase activity.

Results

Compared to TG rats, TBVG rats showed decreases in plasma and gastrocnemius tissue lipid peroxidation by 55.68% (p <0.0001) and 66.61% (p <0.0012), respectively. Further, compared to TG rats TBVG rats showed decreases in plasma and gastrocnemius tissue oxidative stress by 62.83% (p <0.0005) and 54.97% (p <0.0197), respectively.

Conclusions

B. virgilioides HEE treatment reduced markers of oxidative stress caused by high-intensity RT. Further, HEE treatment during training significantly reduced the markers of tissue damage.

Aqueous fraction from Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe leaf reduces contractility by impairing the calcium inward current in the mammalian myocardium

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Brazilian folk medicine uses infusion of Costus spiralis leaf to help people to treat arterial hypertension and syndromes of cardiac hyperexcitability.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluate the aqueous fraction (AqF) effect on atrial contractility and investigate its mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AqF effect on the cardiac contractility was studied on isolated electrically driven guinea pig left atria. Atropine and tetraethylammonium (TEA) were employed to investigate whether potassium contributes for the inotropic mechanism of the AqF. The role of calcium in this effect was also studied. This was done by analysing the AqF effect on the Bowditch's phenomenon, as well as by studying whether it could interfere with the concentration-effect curve for CaCl(2), isoproterenol, and BAY K8644. Mice isolated cardiomyocytes were submitted to a whole-cell patch-clamp technique in order to evaluate whether the L-type calcium current participates on the AqF effect. Furthermore, the intracellular calcium transient was studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

AqF depressed the atrial contractile force. It was the most potent fraction from C. spiralis leaf (EC(50)=305 ± 41 mg/l) (crude extract: EC(50)=712 ± 41; ethyl acetate: EC(50)=788 ± 121; chloroform: EC(50)=8,948 ± 1,346 mg/l). Sodium and potassium content in the AqF was 0.15 mM and 1.91 mM, respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed phenols, tannins, flavones, xanthones, flavonoids, flavonols, flavononols, flavonones, and saponins. Experiments with atropine and TEA showed that potassium does not participate of the inotropic mechanism of AqF. However, this fraction decreased the force overshoot characteristic of the Bowditch's phenomenon, and shifted the concentration-response curve for CaCl(2) (EC(50) from 1.12 ± 0.07 to 7.23 ± 0.47 mM) indicating that calcium currents participate on its mechanism of action. Results obtained with isoproterenol (1-1,000 pM) and BAY K8644 (5-2000nM) showed that AqF abolished the inotropic effect of these substances. On cardiomyocytes, 48mg/l AqF reduced (∼23%) the L-type calcium current density from -6.3 ± 0.3 to -4.9 ± 0.2 A/F (n=5 cells, p<0.05) and reduced the intracellular calcium transient (∼20%, 4.7 ± 1.2 a.u., n=42 cells to 3.7 ± 1.00 a.u., n=35 cells, p<0.05). However, the decay time of the fluorescence was not changed (control: 860 ± 32 ms, n=42 cells; AqF: 876 ± 26 ms, n=35 cells, p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The AqF of C. spiralis leaf depresses myocardial contractility by reducing the L-type calcium current and by decreasing the intracellular calcium transient. Despite the lack of data on the therapeutic dose of AqF used in folk medicine, our results support, at least in part, the traditional use of this plant to treat cardiac disorders.