Pyrostegia venusta attenuate the sickness behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice

Involvement of Anti-Inflammatory and Stress Oxidative Markers in the Antidepressant-like Activity of Aloysia citriodora and Verbascoside on Mice with Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) Induced Depression

Aloysia citriodora Palau is popularly used to treat nervous disorders. Experimental evidence has indicated that verbascoside (VBS) isolated from A. citriodora has pharmacological potential. In this study, we evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of A. citriodora (HEAc) and VBS against lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced depressive-like behavior in mice. In the pretreatment protocol (performed to evaluate the preventive potential), mice were pretreated with HEAc (3, 30, or 300 mg/kg) or VBS (30 mg/kg) before the administration of LPS. In the posttreatment protocol (performed to evaluate the therapeutic potential), mice were initially administered LPS and were subsequently given HEAc (3, 30, or 300 mg/kg) or VBS (30 mg/kg). In both treatments, the mice were submitted to an open-field test and tail suspension test (TST) at 6 and 24 h after LPS administration. The posttreatment evaluation revealed that HEAc (30 or 300 mg/kg) and VBS produced an antidepressant-like effect, as indicated by a reduction in the time spent with no movement in the TST. Moreover, HEAc (30 or 300 mg/kg) was found to reduce interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and N-acetyl-glycosaminidase activity in the hippocampus, increase glutathione (GSH) levels in the hippocampus and cortex, and enhance IL-10 in the cortex and, at a dose of 300 mg/kg, reduced myeloperoxidase activity in the cortex. Contrastingly, no comparable effects were detected in mice subjected to the pretreatment protocol. Administration of VBS similarly reduced the levels of IL-6 in the hippocampus and increased GSH levels in the cortex. Our observations indicate that both HEAc and VBS show promising antidepressant-like potential, which could be attributed to their beneficial effects in reducing neuroinflammatory processes and antioxidant effects in the central nervous system.

Toxic Potential of Cerrado Plants on Different Organisms

Cerrado has many compounds that have been used as biopesticides, herbicides, medicines, and others due to their highly toxic potential. Thus, this review aims to present information about the toxicity of Cerrado plants. For this purpose, a review was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Web Of Science databases. After applying exclusion criteria, 187 articles published in the last 20 years were selected and analyzed. Detailed information about the extract preparation, part of the plant used, dose/concentration tested, model system, and employed assay was provided for different toxic activities described in the literature, namely cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, antiparasitic, and molluscicidal activities. In addition, the steps to execute research on plant toxicity and the more common methods employed were discussed. This review synthesized and organized the available research on the toxic effects of Cerrado plants, which could contribute to the future design of new environmentally safe products.

Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) from the Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil: Taxonomic diversity and distribution

Abstract The tribe Bignonieae with approximately 393 species, represents the largest tribe of Bignoniaceae. Most members of Bignonieae are tendrillate lianas, although some shrubs are also found within this clade. The Pico do Jabre, located at 1,197 m of altitude, represents the highest mountain in the state of Paraíba (Brazil) and an area of extreme biological importance. We conducted an inventory of the Bignonieae from the Pico do Jabre. We documented eight genera and 13 species, only Tanaecium parviflorum is a shrub. The most diverse genera recorded are: Tanaecium (3 spp.), Amphilophium (2 spp.), Bignonia (2 spp.) and Xylophragma (2 spp.). Anemopaegma, Cuspidaria, Dolichandra and Pyrostegia are represented by a single species each. Six species are new records for the region (i.e., Bignonia ramentacea, B. sciuripabulum, Tanaecium cyrtanthum, T. dichotomum, Xylophragma harleyi and X. heterocalyx). Tanaecium cyrtanthum, X. harleyi and X. heterocalyx are new records for the state of Paraíba. Prior to this study, Xylophragma heterocalyx was only known from the type specimen, from Minas Gerais, representing a new record for the Caatinga. The high number of new records found in this study highlights the importance of regional floristic inventories for the documentation of new species occurrences.

Rosinidin Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats: Possible Mechanisms of Action Include Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The investigation aimed to evaluate the favourable effects of rosinidin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced learning and memory impairment in rats. Adult Wistar rats (150–200 g) were segregated equally into four different groups and treated as below: Group 1 (normal) and Group 2 (LPS control) were administered orally with 3 mL of 0.5% SCMC (vehicle); Group 3 and Group 4 were test groups and orally administered with rosinidin lower dose (10 mg/kg) and higher dose 20 mg/kg. Daily, 1 h post-offer mentioned treatments, Group 1 animals were injected with normal saline (i.p.) and groups 2–4 were treated with 1 mg/kg/day of LPS. This treatment schedule was followed daily for 7 days. During the treatment, schedule rats were evaluated for spontaneous locomotor activity, memory, and learning abilities. The biochemical assessment was carried out of acetylcholine esterase (AChE), endogenous antioxidants (GSH, SOD, GPx, and catalase), oxidative stress marker MDA, neuroinflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB), and BDNF. LPS-induced reduced spontaneous locomotor activity and memory impairment in the animals. Moreover, LPS reduced GSH, SOD, GPx, and catalase levels; altered activities of AChE; elevated levels of MDA, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB; and attenuated the levels of BDNF in brain tissue. Administration of rosinidin to LPS-treated animals significantly reduced LPS-induced neurobehavioral impairments, oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory markers, and reversed the Ach enzyme activities and BDNF levels towards normal. Results demonstrated that rosinidin attenuates the effects of LPS on learning memory in rats.

Using the plants of Brazilian Cerrado for wound healing: From traditional use to scientific approach

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Brazilian Cerrado is a biome with a remarkable diversity of plant species, many of which are used mainly by local communities as a source of treatment to several pathologic processes, especially for the treatment of wounds. However, no systematic review exists focusing on the plants used in this respect and on the appropriate pharmacological investigations that substantiate the actions that are reported. This study revisits the traditional use of medicinal plants from the Brazilian Cerrado in the treatment of wounds and the pharmacological characteristics of the reported plant species.

METHOD

ology: For the present article, previous studies on plants of the Brazilian Cerrado used for wound healing carried out between 1996 and 2018 were researched on various academic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Lilacs, Google Escolar, and Scielo).

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies were carried out on 29 plant species distributed into 18 families, mainly Fabaceae or Leguminosae (9), Bignoniaceae (2), Asteraceae (2), Euphorbiaceae (2). Considering the great diversity of Cerrado plants, only a small number of wound healing studies were carried out between 1996 and 2018. It was observed that there is a large gap between experimentation assay and traditional use. There are only few connections between the form of use by the population and the experiments conducted in the laboratory. We found that only about 12% of these studies considered to use the methodologies, or at least in parts, to obtain extracts such as those used in folk medicine. Approximately 37% of the experiments were performed using the bark as well as the same ratio for leaves, 6% using the fruits, and 9% using the seeds, roots or flowers. In several studies, there are reports of chemical constituents such as flavonoids and tannins, followed by steroid terpenes, saponins, and fatty acids, and alkaloids. However, approximately 35% of the studies did not supply information about compounds present in the preparation or the effect which could be attributed to these agents in respect to wound healing. Regarding treatment, most of the studies employed a topical treatment, though intraperitoneal and oral treatment were also described using either topical, oil-based formulations, but also gel- or saline-based formulations.

CONCLUSIONS

Although, there has been an increase in knowledge about the biological actions of plants from Cerrado biome, the scientific basis for the traditional use of these local medicinal plants in wound healing does not provide sufficient information on the efficacy of the treatment, the molecular mechanisms, or, in particular, the effective doses used and the drug interactions. Thus, focused research investigating these hypotheses from traditional knowledge is necessary to prove the evidence of the potential pharmacological action.

Antidepressant-like effects of solidagenone on mice with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression

BACKGROUND

Considering the pharmacological potential of solidagenone from Solidago chilensis, the present investigation was carried out to evaluate its antidepressant-like effect in mice with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive like behavior and its mode of action through the measurement of neuroinflammatory and oxidative markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the prophylactic test, the mice were pretreated with solidagenone (1, 10 or 100 mg/kg, p.o) and after one hour received LPS. In therapeutic test, the mice received LPS and after 5 h were treated with solidagenone (1, 10 or 100 mg/kg, p.o). In both experimental approaches, the animals were submitted to OFT and to the TST after 6 and 24 h of the LPS administration, respectively. One hour after the TST the animals were euthanized, the blood was collected, the cortex was removed and biochemical analyzes were performed for measurement of the inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.

RESULTS

The LPS induced sickness- and depressive-like behaviors and increased the cortical activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), as well as the IL-6 and TNF amount. Interestingly, the pretreatment with solidagenone at 100 mg/kg avoided the behavioral alterations in OFT. In the mice post treated with solidagenone, all tested doses of resulted in an antidepressant-like effect evidenced by the decrease in immobility time in the TST. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in the MPO activity and in the IL-6 and TNF levels in the cortex in parallel to the increase in catalase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The solidagenone has a promissor antidepressant-like potential, which can result of its beneficial action in the neuroinflammation process and due its antioxidant capability at the central nervous system.

Aqueous Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers extract attenuates allergen-induced asthma in a mouse model via an antioxidant mechanism

Objective: Pyrostegia venusta (Ker-Gawl.) Miers (Bignoniaceae) is a perennial invasive vine, distributed worldwide. In folk medicine, its parts are used for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory diseases. Extracts of P. venusta have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antinociceptive properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two extracts (aqueous and hydroethanolic) of P. venusta in the treatment of asthma in an animal model.Methods: Balb/c mice were sensitized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneally (ip), one week apart, and after one week, challenged with OVA intranasally on four alternate days. Mice were treated ip with 300 mg/kg of aqueous or hydroethanolic extracts for seven consecutive days. Control groups received saline on the same days. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, lung and airway inflammation, and antioxidant activity in lung tissue were assessed.Results: Treatment with aqueous extract significantly decreased bronchial hyperresponsiveness, measured by total and tissue resistance and elastance. The administration of hydroethanolic extract did not reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. In addition, both extracts significantly reduced total cell and eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage. Both extracts did not change significantly IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TGF-beta levels. Of note, only the aqueous extract significantly increased the total antioxidant activity and reduced lung inflammation.Conclusion: Aqueous extract of P. venusta reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness, lung and airway inflammation, probably via an antioxidant mechanism. These results demonstrate that P. venusta may have potential for asthma treatment.

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers Crude Extract and Fractions: Prevention of Dental Biofilm Formation and Immunomodulatory Capacity

Background:

Caries and periodontal diseases remain as important diseases in the Brazilian population. One important pathogen associated with this situation is Streptococcus mutans and other important factor is this pathogen's ability to adhere firmly to the tooth surface leading to dental biofilm formation and caries development.

Objectives:

Determine the antibacterial and other biological activities of P. venusta related to its potential to be used in the treatment of caries and periodontal disease.

Methods:

The growth inhibition by P. venusta of Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. oralis and Candida albicans was determined using the broth microdilution method. In addition, the effect of the samples in adherence and reducing production of acids by S. mutans, and germ-tube formation of C. albicans was analysed. The Nitric Oxide (NO) production and cytotoxicity of P. venusta to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and RAW 264.7 Cell Line Murine Macrophage from Blood were assessed.

Results:

The crude extract (CE) and ethyl-acetate (AF) and n-butanol (BF) fractions showed antibacterial activity. The ethyl-acetate (AF) fraction showed the highest inhibition percentage against the adherence of S. mutans and C. albicans cells without budding, beyond NO production inhibition. There was not any cytotoxicity in the murine macrophages RAW 264.7 cells.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that P. venusta presents potential to be used as a preliminary source of compounds that can provide helpful activity when used in prophylaxis or treatment of caries or periodontal disease.

SUMMARY

Biological activities of Pyrostegia venusta and its potential for use in formulations for the prevention of oral diseases.

Abbreviations used: NO: Nitric oxide, PBMC: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, CE: Crude extract, AF: Ethyl-acetate fraction, BF: n-butanol fraction, HF: Hexane fraction, WF: Water fraction, MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration, MBC: Minimum bactericidal concentration, ATCC: American Type Culture Collection, CFU: Colony-forming units, BHI: Brain heart infusion, RPMI: Roswell Park Memorial Institute, MOPS: 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid, DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's médium, LPS: Lipopolysacharide, MTT: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide, OD: Optical density, AC: Acteoside,

Pre-clinical evidences of Pyrostegia venusta in the treatment of vitiligo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leaves of Pyrostegia venusta are popularly used to treat vitiligo; however, none in vivo study showed its ability.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The overall objective of the present study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory and hyperpigmentant activities of hydroethanolic (HE) extract of leaves from P. venusta in animal models of vitiligo induced by croton oil and monobenzone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antiinflamatory and antioxidative effects of topical and oral administration of HE extract of P. venusta were evaluated in Swiss mice on edema model induced by croton oil, and further the N-acetyl-b-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, cell infiltration, and cytokine and reactive species oxygen (ROS) levels. The involvement on mice pigmentation, cell infiltration and cytokine levels were evaluated on vitiligo model induced by monobenzone in C56BL/6 mice.

RESULTS

HE of P. venusta by gavage (300 mg/kg) reduced NAG activity in 32.5 ± 5% on mouse ear edema induced by croton oil. Similarly, cell infiltration was lower (42.3 ± 5.9%) when compared to control group, as well as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, in 44.1 ± 9.7%, 71.9 ± 22.2% and to basal levels, respectively. Topical treatment with HE of P. venusta (10%) diminished cell infiltration (67.7 ± 7.1%) and ROS levels (total reduction). P. venusta either by gavage (300 mg/Kg) or topically (10%) increased epidermal melanin level (116.5 ± 13% and 100 ± 16.9%, respectively), diminished dermal depigmentation (36.0 ± 6.7% and 38.2 ± 6.2%, respectively), as well as tissue TNF-α levels (68.2 ± 11.6% and 99.2 ± 12.1%, respectively) and cell infiltration (basal levels and 94.3 ± 9.17%, respectively). However, only topical treatment with HE of P. venusta altered melanin specific marker in hair follicles.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time these data show that topical and oral administrations of P. venusta have significant antiinflammatory and hyperpigmentant effects, demonstrating different topical and systemic effects through two animal models. Together these models are capable to mimic several features founded in vitiligo, and the results support the ethnopharmacological use of P. venusta.

Diene Valepotriates from Valeriana glechomifolia Prevent Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Sickness and Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice

Valeriana glechomifolia, a native species from southern Brazil, presents antidepressant-like activity and diene valepotriates (VAL) contribute to the pharmacological properties of the genus. It is known that depression can develop on an inflammation background in vulnerable patients and antidepressants present anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effects of VAL (10 mg/kg, p.o.) on sickness and depressive-like behaviors as well as proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and BDNF expression in the cortex of mice exposed to a 5 min swimming session (as a stressful stimulus) 30 min before the E. coli LPS injection (600 µg/kg, i.p.). The forced swim + LPS induced sickness and depressive-like behaviors, increased the cortical expression of IL-1β and TNF-α, and decreased BDNF expression. VAL was orally administered to mice 1 h before (pretreatment) or 5 h after (posttreatment) E. coli LPS injection. The pretreatment with VAL restored the behavioral alterations and the expression of cortical proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-injected animals but had no effects on BDNF expression, while the posttreatment rescued only behavioral alterations. Our results demonstrate for the first time the positive effects of VAL in an experimental model of depression associated with inflammation, providing new data on the range of action of these molecules.

Pyrostegia venusta heptane extract containing saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons induces apoptosis on B16F10-Nex2 melanoma cells and displays antitumor activity in vivo

Background:

Pyrostegia venusta (Ker. Gawl.) Miers (Bignoniacea) is a medicinal plant from the Brazilian Cerrado used to treat leucoderma and common diseases of the respiratory system.

Objective:

To investigate the antitumor activity of P.venusta extracts against melanoma.

Materials and Methods:

The cytotoxic activity and tumor induced cell death of heptane extract (HE) from P. venusta flowers was evaluated against murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2 cells in vitro and in a syngeneic model in vivo.

Results:

We found that HE induced apoptosis in melanoma cells by disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, induction of reactive oxygen species and late apoptosis evidenced by plasma membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, exposure of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface and activation of caspase-2,-3,-8,-9. HE was also protective against singeneyc subcutaneous melanoma HE compounds were also able to induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phases on tumor cells. On fractionation of HE in silica gel we isolated a cytotoxic fraction that contained a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons identified by ¹H NMR and GC-MS analyses. Predominant species were octacosane (C₂₈H₅₈-36%) and triacontane (C₃₀H₆₂-13%), which individually showed significant cytotoxic activity against murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2 cells in vitro and a very promising antitumor protection against subcutaneous melanoma in vivo.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that the components of the heptane extract, mainly octasane and triacontane, which showed antitumor properties in experimental melanoma upon regional administration, might also be therapeutic in human cancer, such as in the mostly epidermal and slowly invasive melanomas, such as acral lentiginous melanoma, as an adjuvant treatment to surgical excision.

Hydroethanolic extract of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers flowers improves inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction induced by high-refined carbohydrate diet

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pyrostegia venusta is used in traditional Brazilian medicine as a general tonic to treat any inflammatory disease. Several studies have demonstrated that medicinal plants constitute a therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic and inflammatory disarrangement. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of hydroethanolic extract of Pyrostegia venusta flowers (PvHE) supplementation for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction induced by high-refined-carbohydrate (HC) diet.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The BALB/c mice were fed chow or HC diet for 8 weeks. Part of these animals was fed with HC diet supplemented with PvHE on the 9th week until the 12th week. At the end of the dietary intervention, animals were sacrificed.

RESULTS

We observed that PvHE decreased adiposity and adipocyte area; improved glucose intolerance; reduced serum triacylglycerol levels and systemic inflammatory cells; and also reduced some inflammatory mediators levels in adipose tissue and liver.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that PvHE has beneficial effects and may treat inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction induced by HC diet, that are associated to a negative modulation of the inflammatory process at systemic and local levels.

Hyperpigmentant activity of leaves and flowers extracts of Pyrostegia venusta on murine B16F10 melanoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pyrostegia venusta is a native Brazilian plant which has a variety of uses in traditional folk medicine including the treatment of vitiligo. However, its effectiveness on melanogenesis is not yet elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the melanogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from the leaves and flowers of P. venusta on murine B16F10 melanoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extracts of flowers and leaves of P. venusta were evaluated in trials of spontaneous melanin content (4 days), and cell viability by the MTT assay in murine B16F10 cells, and in the mushroom tyrosinase activity in vitro.

RESULTS

Both extracts, leaves (0.1; 0.3; 1 and 3 μg/mL) and flowers (0.03 and 0.1 μg/mL) increased the melanin content in a concentration dependent manner after 4 days of incubation on melanoma cells. Leaves extract promoted enhancement of melanogenesis with maximum effect of 33.3±3% (3 μg/mL), and the flower extract increased in 23.4±3% (0.1 μg/mL). The cell viability test using MTT showed that in the same tested concentrations of both extracts no cell death was detected. Actually, either extract was not able to cause any change in the tyrosinase activity. HPLC analysis of P. venusta extracts found 0.09% and 1.08% of allantoin on leaves and flowers extracts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The leaves and flowers extracts of P. venusta stimulates B16F10 melanogenesis at very low concentrations. These findings support the folk medicinal use of P. venusta on the treatment of hypopigmentation diseases, such as vitiligo.

Preliminary study of the antioxidant properties of flowers and roots of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl) Miers

Background

Free radical stress leads to tissue injury and can eventually to arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases and carcinogenesis. Several studies are ongoing worldwide to find natural antioxidants of plant origin. We assessed the in-vitro antioxidant activities and screened the phytochemical constituents of methanolic extracts of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl) Miers.

Methods

We evaluated the antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents of P. venusta using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) studies were also undertaken to assess the phytochemical composition of the flower extracts.

Results

Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, and saponins. The reducing ability of both extracts was in the range (in μm Fe(II)/g) of 112.49-3046.98 compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 63.56 ± 2.62), catechin (972.02 ± 0.72 μm) and quercetin 3208.27 ± 31.29. A significant inhibitory effect of extracts of flowers (IC₅₀ = 0.018 ± 0.69 mg/ml) and roots (IC₅₀ = 0.026 ± 0.94 mg/ml) on ABTS free radicals was detected. The antioxidant activity of the extracts of flowers (95%) and roots (94%) on DPPH radicals was comparable with that of ascorbic acid (98.9%) and BHT (97.6%). GC-MS study revealed the presence of myoinositol, hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid in the flower extracts.

Conclusion

These data suggest that P. venusta is a natural source of antioxidants. The extracts of flowers and roots of P. venusta contain significant amounts of phytochemicals with antioxidative properties and could serve as inhibitors or scavengers of free radicals. P. venusta could be exploited as a potential source for plant-based pharmaceutical products. These results could form a sound basis for further investigation in the potential discovery of new natural bioactive compounds.