Leila Maria Leal Parente

Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil.

Calendula officinalis is an annual herb from Mediterranean origin which is popularly used in wound healing and as an anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, the ethanolic extract, the dichloromethane, and hexanic fractions of the flowers from plants growing in Brazil were produced. The angiogenic activity of the extract and fractions was evaluated through the chorioallantoic membrane and cutaneous wounds in rat models. The healing activity of the extract was evaluated by the same cutaneous wounds model through macroscopic, morphometric, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical analysis. The antibacterial activity of the extract and fractions was also evaluated. This experimental study revealed that C. officinalis presented anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities as well as angiogenic and fibroplastic properties acting in a positive way on the inflammatory and proliferative phases of the healing process.

Angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis flowers L. in rats

PURPOSE In this work, angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) ethanolic extract and dichloromethane and hexanic fractions were evaluated, considering medicinal properties, especially healing activity, are attributed to this plant. METHODS Models using 36 rats and 90 embryonated eggs were used to evaluate healing and angiogenic activities of extracts and fractions of the plant, through the induction of skin wounds and the chorioallantoic membrane, respectively. The effect of vascular proliferation was also tested from the study to verify the intensity of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cutaneous wounds in rats. RESULTS The angiogenic activity of the extract and the fractions was evidenced in both experimental models. It was verified that this effect is not directly related to the expression of VEGF and it could be associated to other pro-angiogenic factors. CONCLUSION The healing activity referred to C. officinalis is related, among other factors, to its positive effect on angiogenesis, characterized by the induction of neovascularization.

Healing effect and antibacterial activity of Calendula officinalis L. cultivated in Brazil

Since ancient history medicinal properties are attributed to flowers of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae), mainly concerning its healing activity. Studies about the general activity of medicinal plants in healing wounds have been conducted without specifying in which healing phase the plant acts. In this work, the anti-inflammatory and healing activity of the ethanolic extract of C. officinalis flowers cultured in Brazil was evaluated in cutaneous wounds of Wistar rats through macroscopic and histological evaluation. The antibacterial activity of the extract and dichloromethane and hexane fractions was also evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activity of calendula ethanolic extract led to a reduction in plasmatic exudation, hyperemia, fibrin deposition and epidermal hyperplasia, besides resulting in less edematous crusts. There was also an increase in collagen in the granulation tissue and an antibacterial effect. Therefore, calendula ethanolic extract positively acted on the healing process of cutaneous wounds of rats and presented in vitro antibacterial activity.

Healing activity of laser InGaAlP (660nm) in rats

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect the healing activity of diode laser Indium Gallium Aluminum Phosphorus (InGaAlP) ë660nm on healing of surgical wounds in rats. METHODS Fifty-four female Wistar rats were used, divided into three groups (n=18) and subdivided into three subgroups (n=6) to be studied in 5, 10 and 15(th) days after surgical procedures. The wound was induced in the dorsal-cervical using punch. The lesions were irradiated on alternate days with InGaAlP laser, the energy densities of 3J/cm(2) (L3) or 6J/cm(2) (L6). The control group received no irradiation. At 5, 10 and 15(th) days after surgery the animals were euthanized and the repair area was removed and histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrossírius. We evaluated macroscopic and histological lesions in the times cited, as well as morphometric analysis of angiogenesis and collagen content. RESULTS The wound healing activity InGaAlP laser was evidenced by increased angiogenesis group L3 and L6 in relation to control group (CG) at the 5(th) day (p=0.0001) and decreased polymorphonuclear infiltrate and hemorrhage (p=0.045 and p=0.07 respectively) in the groups L3 and L6 in relation to control group (GC). On the 10 and 15(th) days was also observed in groups treated with laser L3 and L6 stimulation was pronounced fibroplasia (p=0.0003 and p=0.034 respectively) when compared with the control group (CG). CONCLUSION The InGaAlP laser acted positively on the healing of skin wounds in rats.

Avaliação da toxicidade aguda e da atividade cicatrizante dos extratos etanólicos das folhas e raízes da Memora nodosa (Silva Manso) Miers (Bignoniaceae)

Memora nodosa (Silva Manso) Miers e uma especie da flora do Cerrado cujas folhas e caules sao utilizados popularmente no tratamento de feridas e ulceras externas, enquanto as raizes sao empregadas para dores abdominais e no tratamento da sarna. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade aguda dos extratos etanolicos das folhas e raizes nas doses de 2000 e 5000 mg kg-1 em ratos e camundongos e a atividade cicatrizante das solucoes aquosas contendo 2% desses extratos em feridas cutâneas em ratos. A contracao das bordas das feridas foi avaliada por analises histologicas e morfometricas apos 4, 7 e 14 dias de tratamento e por reacao imunohistoquimica apos 7 dias de tratamento. Os extratos etanolicos das folhas e raizes nao apresentaram toxicidade na dose de 2000 mg kg-1 para ratos e camundongos e na dose de 5000 mg kg-1 para ratos. Nos camundongos, a dose de 5000 mg kg-1 dos extratos das folhas e raizes provocou alteracoes histologicas no figado. Nao foram observadas diferencas significativas na contracao das feridas entre os grupos tratados com os extratos das folhas e das raizes e o controle apos 4 e 7 dias de tratamento. Apos 14 dias de tratamento, 50% dos animais tratados com o extrato das raizes apresentaram reepitelizacao total das feridas e reconstrucao parcial dos anexos. A alantoina, isolada do extrato etanolico da raiz, pode ser considerada como um dos metabolitos secundarios responsaveis pela aceleracao da reepitelizacao.

Cassia occidentalis: effect on healing skin wounds induced by Bothrops moojeni in mice

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the healing activity of an extract from the leaves of Cassia occidentalis on skin wounds induced by the venom of Bothrops moojeni in mice.