Franciele Queiroz Ames

Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: Preventive effect of trans anethole.

The hepatotoxicity induced by APAP is caused by the excessive production of N-acetyl-para-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which, when reacting with hepatic proteins proved to cause irreversible lesions. Associated with this process, an intense inflammatory process is also evidenced, characterized by the increased cell influx and production/release of inflammatory mediators. Trans anethole, an aromatic compounds has been showed anti-inflammatory efficacy by inhibit the cellular recruitment and synthesis/releases of many proinflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin (PGE2), cytokines (TNF, IL-1) and nitrico oxide (NO). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of trans anethole on some inflammatory parameters that are involved in hepatotoxicity induced by high doses of acetaminophen. Our results demonstrate that treatment with AN at doses 125 and 250mg/kg once a day for seven days prevented the changes caused by the APAP overdose, showing less intensity in the histological changes (necrosis, size of hepatocyte area and inflammatory infiltration), and corroborating the findings of serum activities of transaminases and phosphatases and the activity of the enzyme myeloperoxidase. In addition, the treatment prevented the up-regulation of proinflammatory mediators such as NO, TNF, IL-1α, MIP-1α and MCP-1 and induced the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Thus, our results demonstrate a possible protective effect of trans anethole on the hepatotoxicity induced by APAP.

Effects of Anethole in Nociception Experimental Models

This study investigated the antinociceptive activity of anethole (anethole 1-methoxy-4-benzene (1-propenyl)), major compound of the essential oil of star anise (Illicium verum), in different experimental models of nociception. The animals were pretreated with anethole (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) one hour before the experiments. To eliminate a possible sedative effect of anethole, the open field test was conducted. Anethole (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect in the writhing model induced by acetic acid, in the second phase of the formalin test (125 and 250 mg/kg) in the test of glutamate (62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg), and expresses pain induced by ACF (250 mg/kg). In contrast, anethole was not able to increase the latency time on the hot plate and decrease the number of flinches during the initial phase of the formalin test in any of the doses tested. It was also demonstrated that anethole has no association with sedative effects. Therefore, these data showed that anethole, at all used doses, has no sedative effect and has an antinociceptive effect. This effect may be due to a decrease in the production/release of inflammatory mediators.

Evidence of anti-inflammatory effect and percutaneous penetration of a topically applied fish oil preparation: a photoacoustic spectroscopy study

Abstract. This paper investigates the topical anti-inflammatory effect of a fish oil preparation (FOP) in a croton oil (CO) model of skin inflammation. The photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) was applied to estimate the percutaneous penetration of the FOP and as a model to evaluate the topical inflammatory response. After applying CO, the groups of mice received a topical application of a FOP on the left ear. The right ear received the vehicle that was used to dilute the CO. After 6 h, ear tissue was collected to determine the percent inhibition of edema, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and cytokine levels and to perform PAS measurements. Treatment with FOP reduced edema and MPO activity, which was at least partially attributed to a decrease in the levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The topically applied FOP penetrated into the tissue and decreased the area of the bands that characterize inflamed tissue. The present results demonstrated the topical anti-inflammatory effect of the FOP. PAS suggests that FOP anti-inflammatory activity is linked with its ability to penetrate through the skin.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND FREE-RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF Guettarda viburnoides CHAM. & SCHLTDL. (RUBIACEAE)

Chemical investigation of Guettarda viburnoides (leaves) led to the isolation of ursolic acid, uncaric acid, secoxyloganin, and grandifloroside, along with a mixture of quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of their NMR data. The crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction, aqueous-methanol fraction, and grandifloroside showed significant DPPH free-radical scavenging activities with IC50 ranging from 18.92 to 26.47 µg mL-1. The topical administration of the crude extract and fractions markedly reduced the croton oil-induced mice ear edema in 67.0%-99.0%. Inhibition of tissue MPO activity was also observed, which demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect of the G. viburnoides species.

Primary Characterization and Evaluation of Anti Ulcerogenic Activity of an Aqueous Extract from Callus Culture of Cereus peruvianus Mill. (Cactaceae)

In the current study we reported cultivation, extraction procedure, analysis and preliminary characterization of the aqueous extract from Cereus peruvianus callus culture and evaluated its anti ulcerogenic activity in vivo models of experimental ulcers in Wistar rats. The obtained aqueous extract from callus (AC) was dialyzed and subjected to freeze-thaw process, providing a possible polysaccharide. The carbohydrate and protein contents of the aqueous extract were estimated at 53.4% and 0.66%, respectively, composed primarily of galactose, arabinose and galacturonic acid, with minor amounts of glucose. This appeared heterogeneous when analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography and a multiangle laser light scattering detector (HPSEC-MALLS). The AC was found to be significantly effective against ethanol-induced lesions but was ineffective against indomethacin-induced lesions. The callus culture of C. peruvianus is an alternative source for the synthesis of substances originally produced by plants. The calluses grown indefinitely in vitro under controlled conditions are stable tissues, and the aqueous extract from calluses may be used instead of fully developed plants using the protocols described in this study.