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Rebouças-Silva J, Amorim NA, Jesus-Santos FH, de Lima JA, Lima JB, Berretta AA, Borges VM. Leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties of Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF ®) and a gel formulation in a pre-clinical model. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1013376. [PMID: 36843932 PMCID: PMC9949379 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1013376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread group of neglected vector-borne tropical diseases that possess serious therapeutic limitations. Propolis has been extensively used in traditional medical applications due to its range of biological effects, including activity against infectious agents. Here we evaluated the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties of Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) and a gel formulation incorporating EPP-AF®, in both in vitro and in vivo models of Leishmania amazonensis infection. Propolis extract, obtained from a standardized blend following hydroalcoholic extraction, showed the characteristic fingerprint of Brazilian green propolis as confirmed by HPLC/DAD. A carbopol 940 gel formulation was obtained containing propolis glycolic extract at 3.6% w/w. The release profile, assessed using the Franz diffusion cell protocol, demonstrated a gradual and prolonged release of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C from the carbomer gel matrix. Quantification of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C in the gel formulation over time revealed that p-coumaric acid followed the Higuchi model, dependent on the disintegration of the pharmaceutical preparation, while artepillin C followed a zero-order profile with sustained release. In vitro analysis revealed the ability of EPP-AF® to reduce the infection index of infected macrophages (p < 0.05), while also modulating the production of inflammatory biomarkers. Decreases in nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels were observed (p < 0.01), suggesting low iNOS and COX-2 activity. Furthermore, EPP-AF® treatment was found to induce heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant enzyme expression in both uninfected and L. amazonensis-infected cells, as well as inhibit IL-1β production in infected cells (p < 0.01). ERK-1/2 phosphorylation was positively correlated with TNF-α production (p < 0.05), yet no impact on parasite load was detected. In vivo analysis indicated the effectiveness of topical treatment with EPP-AF® gel alone (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), or in combination with pentavalent antimony (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), in the reduction of lesion size in the ears of L. amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice after seven or 3 weeks of treatment, respectively. Taken together, the present results reinforce the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory effects of Brazilian green propolis, and demonstrate promising potential for the EPP-AF® propolis gel formulation as a candidate for adjuvant therapy in the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Rebouças-Silva
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Nathaly Alcazar Amorim
- Laboratory of Research, Development and Innovation, Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique Jesus-Santos
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Aparecida de Lima
- Laboratory of Research, Development and Innovation, Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andresa A. Berretta
- Laboratory of Research, Development and Innovation, Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Andresa A. Berretta, ; Valéria M. Borges,
| | - Valéria M. Borges
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,Faculty of Medicine of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,*Correspondence: Andresa A. Berretta, ; Valéria M. Borges,
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Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, and Cytotoxic Activities of Chemical Characterized Essential Oil of Chrysopogon zizanioides Roots. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15080967. [PMID: 36015115 PMCID: PMC9415812 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition as well as the antibacterial, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic potentialities of the Brazilian Chrysopogon zizanioides root essential oil (CZ-EO) In addition, CZ-EO cytotoxicity to LLCMK2 adherent epithelial cells was assessed. The major compounds identified in CZ-EO were khusimol (30.0 ± 0.3%), β-eudesmol (10.8 ± 0.3%), α-muurolene (6.0 ± 0.1%), and patchouli alcohol (5.6 ± 0.2%). CZ-EO displayed optimal antibacterial activity against Prevotella nigrescens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella melaninogenica, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 22 and 62.5 µg/mL and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values between 22 and 400 µg/mL. CZ-EO was highly active against the L. amazonensis promastigote and amastigote forms (IC50 = 7.20 and 16.21 µg/mL, respectively) and the T. cruzi trypomastigote form (IC50 = 11.2 µg/mL). Moreover, CZ-EO showed moderate cytotoxicity to LLCMK2 cells, with CC50 = 565.4 µg/mL. These results revealed an interesting in vitro selectivity of CZ-EO toward the L. amazonensis promastigote and amastigote forms (Selectivity Index, SI = 78.5 and 34.8, respectively) and the T. cruzi trypomastigote form (SI = 50.5) compared to LLCMK2 cells. These results showed the promising potential of CZ-EO for developing new antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and antitrypanosomal drugs.
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