Márcia C.G. Maciel

Immune cells recruitment and activation by Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom

Despite several studies showed that the Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (Tsv) induces an inflammatory response, just a few have investigated the effect of the venom on the immune response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate alterations of venom application on lymphoid organs and on the recruitment and activation of cells and also on the cytokine production. Swiss male mice (2-3 months, 20-25 g) received a non-lethal dose of crude Tsv (200 μg/kg), diluted in sterile PBS by subcutaneous route. Control animals received only sterile PBS. The animals were sacrificed after 30, 120 and 360 min. The inflammatory parameters studied were skin histology at the site of venom application, leukocyte count, and blood cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α). Inguinal lymph node, spleen and bone marrow cellularity was determined for evaluation of the Tsv effect on immune system organs. The results showed that Tsv caused no local inflammation, but it induced an increase of blood neutrophils and serum IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. After 360 min of envenomation there was a reduction in the cells number from peritoneum and spleen, but there was an increase in the cell number from lymph nodes. In conclusion, the Tsv induces systemic alterations characterized by changes in the cell number in lymphoid organs, increase pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Plant species used in dental diseases: Ethnopharmacology aspects and antimicrobial activity evaluation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ethnopharmacological surveys show that several plant species are used empirically by the population, in oral diseases. However, it is necessary to check the properties of these plant species. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans from plant species selected in a previous ethnopharmacology study. MATERIALS AND METHODS An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted with users of a dental clinic school services, located in Sao Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, aiming to identify plant species used in oral diseases treatment. From the ethnopharmacological survey, species were selected for in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation against Streptococcus mutans, by agar diffusion method and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). RESULTS Two hundred and seventy one people participated in the research: 55.7% reported the use of plants for medicinal purposes, 29.5% of which have knowledge and/or use plants for some type of oral disease. Thirty four species belonging to 24 (twenty four) botanical families were reported, being Aloe vera L., Anacardium occidentale L., Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Punica granatum L. the most cited. The most commonly reported indications were healing after tooth extraction, followed by toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums., The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) demonstrated that Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed similar activity to 0.12% chlorhexidine, used as positive control. CONCLUSION That result is important to follow up the study of these species in the search for new anticariogenic agents originated by plants.

Sunflower Seed Oil-Enriched Product Can Inhibit Ehrlich Solid Tumor Growth in Mice

Background: Sunflower seed oil (SSO) effect on solid and ascitic forms of Ehrlich tumor was evaluated. Methods: Solid or ascitic Ehrlich tumor-bearing Swiss mice were treated daily, by subcutaneous route, with 200 µl of SSO. The solid tumor-bearing footpad was measured every 3 days and ascitic tumor-bearing mice had their ascites collected and quantified. At the end of the SSO treatment, the total cell number in lymphoid organs was quantified. Results: Subcutaneous treatment with SSO inhibits the solid tumor growth and increases lymph node cell number in animals with solid tumor, but has no effect on animals with ascitic tumor. Conclusions: SSO can delay the solid tumor growth, possibly due to better absorption of this treatment by draining lymph nodes.

Efeito do tratamento com própolis de Scaptotrigona aff. postica sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor de Ehrlich em camundongos

Neste trabalho foi investigado o efeito do extrato hidroalcoolico de propolis (EHP) de Scaptotrigona aff. postica sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor de Ehrlich na forma solida, sobre a celularidade dos orgaos linfoides dos animais portadores de tumor, bem como, sobre a producao de oxido nitrico (NO) pelos macrofagos destes animais. Camundongos Swiss foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, EHP 0,5; EHP 5 e EHP 50, os quais foram tratados por via intraperitoneal com dose unica de solucao salina (NaCl 0,9%); 0,5; 5 ou 50 mg de EHP/kg de animal, respectivamente. Depois de 48 h do tratamento, os animais foram inoculados com 105 celulas do tumor de Ehrlich nas patas. Os resultados mostraram que o tratamento com EHP nas doses de 5 e 50 mg/kg inibiu de forma significativa o desenvolvimento do tumor a partir do 6o dia pos-inoculo quando comparado ao controle e ao EHP 0,5. Alem disso, houve aumento significativo da celularidade do baco e da medula ossea nos grupos EHP 0,5 e EHP 5 em relacao ao controle. A producao de NO estimulada com concanavalina A (ConA) apresentou uma significante diminuicao nos grupos tratados com EHP em relacao ao controle. Pode-se concluir que o tratamento com EHP apresentou efeito antitumoral quando administrado nas doses de 5 e 50 mg/kg, o que pode estar relacionado com a sua composicao quimica e com a inibicao da producao de NO.

Immunomodulatory and Antimicrobial Activity of Babassu Mesocarp Improves the Survival in Lethal Sepsis

Attalea speciosa syn Orbignya phalerata Mart. (babassu) has been used in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Aim of the study. To investigate the antimicrobial and immunological activity of babassu mesocarp extract (EE). Material and Methods. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion assay and by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The flavonoids and phenolic acids content were determined by chromatography. The in vivo assays were performed in Swiss mice submitted to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The mice received EE subcutaneously (125 or 250 mg/Kg), 6 hours after the CLP. The number of lymphoid cells was quantified and the cytokines production was determined by ELISA after 12 h. Results. EE was effective as antimicrobial to E. faecalis, S. aureus, and MRSA. EE is rich in phenolic acids, a class of compounds with antimicrobial and immunological activity. An increased survival can be observed in those groups, possibly due to a significant inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6. Conclusions. The EE showed specific antimicrobial activity in vitro and an important antiseptic effect in vivo possibly due to the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity.

Evaluation of acute toxicity of babassu mesocarp in mice

The safety of babassu mesocarp (Orbignya phalerata Mart., Arecaceae), which exhibited anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic activities, was evaluated by determining the potential acute toxicity in mice. A lyophilized ethanol extract of babassu mesocarp (BME) was administered to C3H/HePas mice (10/group) in a single dose of 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg, by gavage. General behavior adverse effects and mortality were determined for up to fourteen days. Selected biochemical parameters including glucose, triacylglyceride, cholesterol, urea, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine were determined by colorimetric assay. The heart, liver, spleen, kidneys and brain were weighted and evaluated macro and microscopically. The median lethal dose (LD50) of BME was greater than 5000 mg/kg. No behavior or body weight alterations were detected after the treatment. The acute treatment with BME has no effect on macroscopic and microscopic aspect of examined organs. Instead, BME increased the alkaline phosphatase and reduced the urea concentration in all groups. A significant increase on triacylglyceride was detected in the group BME1000. In conclusion, the acute treatment with high doses of BME can affect some biochemical parameters with a long lasting effect, although any change was detected at tissue level or body and organ weight.

Plantas e constituintes químicos empregados em Odontologia: revisão de estudos etnofarmacológicos e de avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana in vitro em patógenos orais

Products derived from plants may represent a promising strategy in dentistry. Thus, the objective of this paper is to review studies of the popular use of plants in oral diseases, as well as studies evaluating the in vitro antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and isolated compounds in oral pathogens from 1996 to 2011. Forty-seven botanical families were mentioned, with the highest number of referencesfor Anacardiaceae, and Anacardium occidentale L. was the most mentioned specie. The review of antimicrobial activity studies relatedextracts from sixty-six plant species belonging to thirty-eight botanical families, especially Anacardiaceae, being predominant tests with leaves, investigated by the agar diffusion method. Fifty-eight compounds isolated from plants have been evaluated, showing that Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae) represents the plant species with more meaningful in vitro antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zone of 32.97 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, microorganism found in oral infections, while tetra iso-alpha acid isolated from Humulus lupulus L. (Canabinaceae) showed greater inhibition zone for Streptococcus mutans (26.0 mm). The presented results should encourage the development of validation studies, ensuring the safe and effective use of plant species in dentistry.

Effect of propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica on the development of the tumor of Ehrlich in mice

Neste trabalho foi investigado o efeito do extrato hidroalcoolico de propolis (EHP) de Scaptotrigona aff. postica sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor de Ehrlich na forma solida, sobre a celularidade dos orgaos linfoides dos animais portadores de tumor, bem como, sobre a producao de oxido nitrico (NO) pelos macrofagos destes animais. Camundongos Swiss foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, EHP 0,5; EHP 5 e EHP 50, os quais foram tratados por via intraperitoneal com dose unica de solucao salina (NaCl 0,9%); 0,5; 5 ou 50 mg de EHP/kg de animal, respectivamente. Depois de 48 h do tratamento, os animais foram inoculados com 105 celulas do tumor de Ehrlich nas patas. Os resultados mostraram que o tratamento com EHP nas doses de 5 e 50 mg/kg inibiu de forma significativa o desenvolvimento do tumor a partir do 6o dia pos-inoculo quando comparado ao controle e ao EHP 0,5. Alem disso, houve aumento significativo da celularidade do baco e da medula ossea nos grupos EHP 0,5 e EHP 5 em relacao ao controle. A producao de NO estimulada com concanavalina A (ConA) apresentou uma significante diminuicao nos grupos tratados com EHP em relacao ao controle. Pode-se concluir que o tratamento com EHP apresentou efeito antitumoral quando administrado nas doses de 5 e 50 mg/kg, o que pode estar relacionado com a sua composicao quimica e com a inibicao da producao de NO.

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Improves Phagocytic Activity and Decreases Bacterial Growth and the Systemic Inflammatory Response in Sepsis Induced by Cecal Ligation and Puncture

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Amaranthaceae) is often used in different kinds of vegetal preparations for medicinal purposes in many clinical situations. Some studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of prophylactic treatment with the hydroalcoholic crude extract (HCE) of C. ambrosioides and its hexanic fraction (HEX) on the control of bacterial growth, the activation of phagocytes and the control of the systemic inflammatory response in a sepsis experimental model. Animals were divided into three groups (n = 5/group): Control, which received only NaCl 0.9% solution; HCE, which received the crude extract; and HEX, which received the HEX of the extract. The animals received saline, HCE or HEX (5 mg/kg), subcutaneously (SC), 6 h before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Twelve hours after the CLP, the blood was collected to measure the serum cytokines and the animals were killed for the evaluation of colony-forming units (CFUs), cellular influx, and activation of phagocytes in the peritoneal cavity, measured by the secretion of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production. The results showed that only HEX treatment inhibited bacterial growth in the peritoneum and inflammatory cellular influx, especially influx of macrophages and neutrophils. However, HCE and HEX treatments increased ex vivo hydrogen peroxide secretion and nitric oxide production by phagocytes and decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, indicating a systemic anti-inflammatory effect of both. In conclusion, C. ambrosioides treatment decreases bacterial growth likely by activation of phagocytes and, in parallel, ameliorates the general state of mice by reducing the systemic inflammatory response usually observed in sepsis.

Salivary profile in diabetic patients: biochemical and immunological evaluation

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and immunological characteristics of saliva from diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic adults.MethodsEighty-eight diabetic adults and 39 non-diabetic adults (control) were included in the study. Glucose, urea, calcium, total protein and amylase were determined by a colorimetric method. The levels of secretory IgA and the IgA anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-insulin IgA antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Caries status was evaluated using the DMFT index.ResultsGlucose, urea, calcium, anti-S. mutans IgA, total IgA, and anti-insulin IgA were significantly higher in diabetic patients, whereas total protein and amylase levels were lower in these patients. There was no positive correlation between blood and salivary glucose levels in either group. Diabetic patients had a higher DMFT index.ConclusionsThe present study showed for the first time that IgA levels in diabetic patients’saliva, shows correlation with systemic biochemical parameters. Thus the saliva is an useful tool to follow the systemic health status in these patients.