Maria Isabel Morgan Martins

Effect of Boswellia serrata on Antioxidant Status in an Experimental Model of Colitis Rats Induced by Acetic Acid

Aim of the StudyTo evaluate the antioxidant effect of an extract of the plant Boswellia serrata in an experimental model of acute ulcerative colitis induced by administration of acetic acid (AA) in rats.Materials and MethodsThe extract of B. serrata (34.2xa0mg/kg/day) was administered orally by gavage for 2xa0days before and after induction of colitis with AA diluted to 4xa0% and in a volume of 4xa0ml.ResultsThe anal sphincter pressure in the groups treated with B. serrata showed a significant increase compared to the colitis group (Pxa0<xa00.001). Histological analysis of treated animals showed less edema with preservation of mucosal crypts. Lipid peroxidation showed a significant decrease in the treated groups compared to the colitis group (Pxa0<xa00.001). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity showed a significant reduction in the treated groups compared to the colitis group (Pxa0<xa00.001), the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) significantly increased in the treated groups compared to colitis group (Pxa0<xa00.05), and the same was the result for enzyme activity glutathione (GSH; Pxa0<xa00.05).ConclusionsThe extract of B. serrata has active antioxidant substances that exert protective effects in acute experimental colitis.

Boswellia serrata has Beneficial Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties in a Model of Experimental Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease that involves only the colon and rectum, being characterized by leukocyte infiltrate and superficial ulcers in the intestinal mucosa. To evaluate the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of extract from the Boswellia serrata plant in an experimental rat model of acute ulcerative colitis induced by the administration of acetic acid (AA). An extract of B. serrata (34.2u2009mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage for 2u2009days before and after the induction of colitis with 4u2009mL of 4% AA. The anal sphincter pressure in the colitis group showed a significant decrease compared to that of the control groups (pu2009<u20090.001). The analysis of the values of lipid peroxidation (LPO) obtained by substances that react with thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) showed a significantly increased LPO in the colitis group compared to the control groups (pu2009<u20090.001). The nitric oxide levels and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) showed a significant increase in the colitis group compared to control groups (pu2009<u20090.01). Both pretreatment and treatment with B. serrata exhibited significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and iNOS and showed improvements in tissue injury and anal sphincter pressure in animals with ulcerative colitis. The B. serrata extract has protective anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects that inhibit inflammatory mediators in acute experimental colitis. Copyright

In Vitro Efficacy of Four Insecticides Against Eggs of Tunga penetrans(Siphonaptera)

Systematic assessments of control measures against the jigger flea Tunga penetrans are scarce, and there are no published data available on the efficacy of environmental insecticides against immature stages. We tested four environmental contact insecticides used by Brazilian authorities for disease control (deltamethrin, bifenthrin, dichlorvos and etofenprox) against T. penetrans eggs. Eggs were reared in vitro. Hatch rates were observed under standardized conditions and compared to a control group (40 eggs in each group). No larvae hatched after treatment with the organophosphate dichlorvos (100% efficacy). The efficacies of the other products tested varied between 17% and 57%. The data show that the organophosphate dichlorvos had a good in vitro efficacy. The use of dichlorvos can be directed to typical spots where early stages of T. penetrans are expected, considering its toxicity. Disease control should also consist of prevention measures concerning housing and environmental conditions, veterinary and human health measures.