Karine de Cássia Freitas

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Croton urucurana Baillon bark.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Croton urucurana (Euphorbiaceae) is popularly used in Brazil to treat inflammatory processes, pain, and gastric ulcers. AIM OF STUDY To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the methanol extract from the bark of C. urucurana (MECu) in mice and identify its chemical constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS The extract was characterized by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Extract doses of 25, 100, and 400mg/kg were employed in the biological assays. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was based on paw edema and leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity of mice, both induced by carrageenan. Abdominal writhing caused by acetic acid and duration of formalin-induced paw-licking were the models employed to evaluate antinociceptive activity. RESULTS Ten compounds were identified in the extract: (+)-gallocatechin (1), procyanidin B3 (2), (+)-catechin (3), (-)-epicatechin (4), tembetarine (5), magnoflorine (6), taspine (7), methyl-3-oxo-12-epi-barbascoate (8), methyl-12-epi-barbascoate (9), and hardwickiic acid (10). This is the first report of compounds 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10 in C. urucurana and compound 5 in the genus Croton. In addition to inhibiting paw edema and leukocyte recruitment (particularly of polymorphonuclear cells) into the peritoneal cavity of mice, MECu reduced the number of abdominal writhings induced by acetic acid and the duration of formalin-induced paw licking. CONCLUSIONS The methanol extract of C. urucurana bark exhibited anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties, corroborating its use in folk medicine. These effects may be related to the presence of diterpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids.

Antiulcerogenic effect of Croton urucurana Baillon bark.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Croton urucurana (Euphorbiaceae) bark is used to treat gastric ulcers. However, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted to confirm this therapeutic property. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the antiulcerogenic effect and any possible toxic effects of Croton urucurana bark in an induced gastric ulcer model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The preventive and healing properties of Croton urucurana bark methanol extract (CUE) were evaluated in experimental models of acute (ethanol and indomethacin) and chronic (acetic acid) gastric ulcers. The gastric juice and mucous were evaluated using the pylorus ligation model, while the gastroprotective action of sulphydryl compounds and nitric oxide were analysed using the ethanol model. The toxicity was evaluated with acute and subacute toxicity tests. RESULTS No signs of toxicity were observed in the parameters analysed. All of the CUE doses tested (50, 100 and 250mg/kg) significantly reduced the gastric lesions by 70.25, 95.40 and 98.71%, respectively. Treatment with 30mg/kg lansoprazole (positive control) inhibited 82.58% of the gastric lesions. In the indomethacin model, the 50, 100 and 250mg/kg doses of CUE significantly reduced gastric damage by 67.85, 82.50 and 71.01%, respectively, and the positive control, cimetidine (200mg/kg), reduced gastric damage by 91.02%. The CUE (100mg/kg) and cimetidine (200mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced the ulcerative pathology induced by acetic acid, promoting 81.55 and 72.62% healing, respectively. Nitric oxide did not change the cytoprotection generated by CUE. However, the antiulcerogenic activity of CUE appears to involve sulphydryl compounds because CUE activity was inhibited in animals receiving a sulphydryl compound blocker. In addition, CUE exhibited systemic effects, increasing mucous production and decreasing gastric acidity. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that Croton urucurana bark exerts gastroprotective activity in rats without causing toxicity. This effect appears to involve sulphydryl compounds, increasing mucus production and reducing gastric acidity.

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Increases Ferroportin Expression in the Colon of Anemic Growing Rats

Studies have reported a positive effect of prebiotics on the bioavailability of iron. This study evaluated the effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) on iron absorption mechanisms in anemic rats. Male Wistar rats were fed 75g American Institute of Nutrition Rodent Diets for growth, pregnancy and lactation (AIN93-G) without iron for three weeks in order to induce iron deficiency anemia. Then they were fed a control diet (n = 12; without fiber) or a diet with 7.5% of PHGG (n = 12), both without iron. Food intake, body growth and the feed efficiency coefficient (FEC) were measured. The animals were euthanized after two weeks of treatment. The weight of the organs, the pH of the cecal content, and the hepatic iron and ferroportin expression in the cecum, duodenum, and liver were assessed. The intake of PHGG reduced food intake without affecting body growth, and there was a difference between the groups regarding the FEC (p = 0.026), with the highest value found in the PHGG group. The weight of the cecal content increased (p ≤ 0.001) and the pH of the cecal content was significantly lower in the PHGG group. The intake of PHGG significantly increased ferroportin expression in the cecum;however, the difference was not significant in the duodenum and the liver. PHGG seems to have a positive influence on iron absorption through transporter expression, and structural and physiological changes in the colon of anemic growing animals.

Antiulcer activities of the hydroethanolic extract of Sedum dendroideum Moc et Sessé ex DC. (balsam)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The leaves of Sedum dendroideum, commonly known as balsam, have long been employed for the treatment of gastric ulcers. The aim of study was to evaluate the antiulcer activity and toxicological properties of Sedum dendroideum using induced gastric ulcer models in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The hydroethanolic extract of Sedum dendroideum (ESD) was analyzed using an acute ulcer model using ethanol and indomethacin and a chronic ulcer model using acetic acid. The toxicity was evaluated with acute and subacute toxicity tests. The gastric secretion was assessed by the performance of pyloric ligation and the gastric volume, pH, and hydrogen ion concentration. The mechanism of the gastroprotective activity of ESD through the involvement of nitric oxide and sulfhydryl compounds was assessed. Moreover, a phytochemical screening and antioxidant assays were performed. RESULTS No signs of toxicity were observed. In the ethanol-induced ulceration model, ESD doses of 25, 50, and 100mg/kg significantly reduced the gastric lesions by 66.03%, 71.11%, and 70.82%, respectively. In the indomethacin-induced ulceration model, ESD doses of 25, 50, and 100mg/kg significantly reduced the gastric lesions by 89.88%, 94.36%, and 90.64%, respectively. Treatment with ESD at 50mg/kg and cimetidine at 200mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced ulcerations and resulted in 92.99% and 77.16% cure, respectively. ESD doses of 25, 50, and 100mg/kg inhibited oxidation by 79.7%, 82.4%, and 82.3%, respectively. The antiulcer activity of ESD may involve sulfhydryl compounds, considering that this activity was inhibited in the animals treated with sulfhydryl compound blockers. Furthermore, ESD increased mucus secretion and reduced gastric acidity and volume. CONCLUSIONS The leaf extract of Sedum dendroideum exhibited gastroprotective activity, potentially due to sulfhydryl compounds and antioxidant activity. Therefore, other studies are warranted to elucidate the antiulcer properties of these compounds.

An Overview of Novel Dietary Supplements and Food Ingredients in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by interconnected factors related to metabolic disturbances, and is directly related to the occurrence of some diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. MetS is described as one or both of insulin resistance and visceral adiposity, considered the initial causes of abnormalities that include hyperglycemia, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and prothrombotic state, as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome in women. Other than in MetS, visceral adiposity and the pro-inflammatory state are also key in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in modern society. Both MetS and NAFLD are related to diet and lifestyle, and their treatment may be influenced by dietary pattern changes and the use of certain dietary supplements. This study aimed to review the role of food ingredients and supplements in the management of MetS and NAFLD specifically in human clinical trials. Moreover, bioactive compounds and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be used as strategies for preventing the onset of and treatment of metabolic disorders, such as MetS and NAFLD, improving the inflammatory state and other comorbidities, such as obesity, dyslipidemias, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Noni) and Its Potential in Obesity-Related Metabolic Dysfunction

Cultural and economic shifts in the early 19th century led to the rapid development of companies that made good profits from technologically-produced commodities. In this way, some habits changed in society, such as the overconsumption of processed and micronutrient-poor foods and devices that gave rise to a sedentary lifestyle. These factors influenced host-microbiome interactions which, in turn, mediated the etiopathogenesis of “new-era” disorders and diseases, which are closely related, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and inflammatory bowel disease, which are characterized by chronic dysregulation of metabolic and immune processes. These pathological conditions require novel and effective therapeutic approaches. Morinda citrifolia (noni) is well known as a traditional healing plant due to its medicinal properties. Thus, many studies have been conducted to understand its bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action. However, in obesity and obesity-related metabolic (dysfunction) syndrome, other studies are necessary to better elucidate noni’s mechanisms of action, mainly due to the complexity of the pathophysiology of obesity and its metabolic dysfunction. In this review, we summarize not only the clinical effects, but also important cell signaling pathways in in vivo and in vitro assays of potent bioactive compounds present in the noni plant which have been reported in studies of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction.

Effectiveness of a bioactive food compound in anthropometric measures of individuals with HIV/AIDS: A nonrandomized trial

Background Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy (HAART) promotes anthropometric changes in lipid metabolism and glucose in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Functional foods play an important role on metabolism. Bioactive Food Compound (BFC) has shown effective results in changes arising from decompensated lipid metabolism due to the effects of HAART on HIV patients. From this perspective, the objective of this study is to evaluate anthropometric indicators and the body composition of patients undergoing HAART before and after consumption of BFC. Methods This is a prospective intervention with 180 individuals with HIV undergoing HAART. They formed two groups and were monitored for 3 months: the first group consisted of individuals who consumed BFC (n = 121) at the recommended daily intake of 40 g. The second group consisted of individuals who did not consume BFC (n = 59). We determined body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), conicity index (CI) and antiretroviral regimen used by the patients. Results The BMI among adults (p<0.001), the WC (p<0.001 and p<0.014 for men and women, respectively) and the CI (p = 0.001 and p<0.001 for men and women, respectively) increased at the end of the study in the group of individuals who did not consume BFC and remained stable in the BFC group. There were no changes in WHR in any of the groups evaluated. Regarding the antiretroviral regimens used, we observed that there was no difference between regimens as for BMI, WC, WHR and CI. Conclusions The BFC consumed by HIV patients undergoing HAART allowed the maintenance of anthropometric measures without increasing the mean values of conicity index, suggesting that the consumption of this bioactive compound protects the individual against the development of metabolic syndrome (MeS) in patients infected with HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Therapeutic Potential of Brazilian Cerrado Campomanesia Species on Metabolic Dysfunctions

Obesity, in conjunction with other metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, is a feature of metabolic syndrome which is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state and increased oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidant foods are proposed to prevent and treat these disorders. Medicinal plants are one of the main strategies in this regard. Guavira, a Brazilian Cerrado plant, contains different bioactive compounds with a high antioxidant capacity and without clinical or reproductive toxicity effects. Though there are different varieties of guavira, the principal Brazilian Cerrado guaviras demonstrated hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic actions. There is also a potential antiplatelet agent in C. xanthocarpa, while C. adamantium displayed hypocholesterolemic actions in animal models and human clinical trials. On the other hand, even with a lack of studies related to C. pubescens, it demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and an antioxidant capacity in in vitro studies. Despite the fact that most of the studies were not performed to evaluate pathological conditions specific to obese animal models or obese subjects, guavira demonstrated effects in metabolic disorders that are commonly related to the obesity context, such as cardiovascular disturbances and hyperglycemia status. This suggests that guavira is a potential therapeutic approach to obesity-induced metabolic syndrome.

Ganho de peso e alterações metabólicas em camundongos submetidos à dieta hiperlipídica

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of high fat diet in the induction of obesity and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in C57BL/6 mice. Materials and Methods: Animals were organized into two groups, totalizing 19 C57BL/6 mice: control group (commercial diet; n=9) and experimental group (high fat diet; n=10). Food intake and weight gain were measured during 12 weeks and Food Efficiency Coefficient (FEC) and Aterogenic Index were calculated. The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (TOTG) was performed, the glycemic curve was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was verified. Liver and adipose tissue (AT) sites were dissected and histological analysis of the liver and epididymal adipose tissue were performed. The Adiposity Index (AI%) was calculated and the concentration of total cholesterol, its fractions, glucose and serum triglycerides were measured. Results: The experimental group presented lower food intake (p<0.001) and higher total weight gain (p=0.001) and FEC (p<0.001). It was observed in the experimental group an increase in the epididymal (p<0.001), retroperitoneal (p<0.001), mesenteric (p=0.002), perirenal AT (p=0.012), total fat (p <0.001) and AI% (p<0.001). Total cholesterol was higher in the experimental group (p=0.025) and the HDL lower in the control group (p=0.005). The adipocyte area of the experimental group was also higher than the control group (p=0.049). In the other parameters there was no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: This model induced obesity in a short period of time and promoted increased visceral adiposity with a low-cost diet. Further studies are needed to improve its efficiency and to completely change blood lipids and glycemia in C57BL/6 mice.

Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Intake Increases Total Cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol Levels in an Experimental Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Fundamentos: O excesso de peso vem sendo considerado um importante problema de saude publica. Na tentativa de reverter esse quadro, sao propostos diversos tipos de tratamento. O oleo de cartamo (Carthamus tinctorius) vem sendo utilizado na prevencao/tratamento da obesidade. Objetivos: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos terapeuticos desse oleo em um modelo experimental de sindrome metabolica. Metodos: Inicialmente foram utilizados ratos Wistar alimentados com dieta altamente palatavel (AP) por dez semanas. Apos, os animais receberam a dieta AP com suplementacao de oleo de soja (APOS) ou oleo de cartamo (APOC), na dosagem 1,0 ml/1000 g de peso do animal. No final do experimento, a composicao corporal, o perfil lipidico e glicemia dos animais foram avaliados. Para a analise estatistica, utilizou-se o teste t de Student. Resultados: Na primeira fase (inducao da sindrome metabolica), os animais que receberam a dieta AP mostraram ganho de peso (p < 0,001), adiposidade visceral (p = 0,001), glicemia (p = 0,001) e triglicerideos sericos (p = 0,03) significativamente mais elevados do que aqueles do grupo controle. Alem disso, houve uma diferenca no peso do figado (p = 0,01). Esses resultados demonstram que a administracao de dieta AP e um modelo eficaz para o estudo experimental da sindrome metabolica. Na segunda etapa, os animais do grupo APOC mostraram aumento de colesterol total (p < 0,05) e de LDL-colesterol (p < 0,001). Conclusao: Sob as condicoes experimentais referidas, conclui-se que a utilizacao de oleo de cartamo pode causar efeitos deleterios sobre o perfil lipidico em um modelo experimental de sindrome metabolica.