Benefits of electroacupuncture and a swimming association when compared with isolated protocols in an osteoarthritis model

Background and aim

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by pain and inflammation. Electroacupuncture (EA) and swimming (SW) are non-pharmacological interventions recommended for treating OA. The study evaluated the benefits of electroacupuncture (EA) and swimming (SW) association when compared with isolated protocols in an OA rodent model. Experimental.

Procedures

An ankle monoarthritis model was induced in rats by applying Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). After seven days of induced OA, the groups were submitted to EA (ST36 and the GB 30 Acupoint), SW, or the EA + SW protocol. The nociceptive behavior was measured by the Von Frey test, the Cold Stimulation test, and the Paw Flick Immersion test. Inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring TNF levels, myeloperoxidase, NAGase, immunological parameters and the histology from the subcutaneous tissue.

Results

Compared to CFA group, EA decreased the nociceptive scores in the cold stimulation test (p < 0.05), and it also increased the latency time in thermal cold (p < 0.01) and heat hyperalgesia (p < 0.001). Also, EA reduced NAGase (p < 0.01). SW reduced the edema (p < 0.05) and did not increase the inflammatory infiltrates or congestion, neither in the histological measurements nor by analyzing the levels of TNF. The association of EA + SW decreased the neutrophils and the monocytes, MPO (p < 0.05), and the glutamate levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

There were statistical differences between combination therapy and monotherapy as seen by the inflammatory parameters, which could be associate to the delay of the chronification osteoarthritis retardation. However, EA + SW did not show benefits when compared to isolated protocols in nociceptive behavior.

•

Electroacupuncture (EA) extended the latency time in the thermal hyperalgesia assay.

•

The swimming protocol did not increase the inflammatory infiltrates.

•

EA and swimming decreased the glutamate levels in the cerebral spinal fluid.

Toxicological evaluation of Pterocaulon polystachyum extract: a medicinal plant with antifungal activity

Pterocaulon polystachyum DC is a native species to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina. It is utilized to treat animal problems popularly diagnosed as "mycoses". The antifungal and amebicidal activity of its hexane extract has been previously reported, although there are no studies confirming the safety of this plant for therapeutic purposes to date. Hence, this study investigates the toxic effects of a hexane extract of Pterocaulon polystachyum administered as acute and subacute oral treatments. After acute treatment the extract caused alterations in biochemical parameters, morphological alterations in tissues and was genotoxic, according to the comet assay; neither mortality nor visible signs of lethality were seen in mice. Similarly subacute treatment caused important differences in biochemical parameters and tissues, between control and treated groups. The results also revealed genotoxicity in kidney tissue, though no mutagenicity was detected by the micronucleus test. No animal died during the treatment period.