Effect of the γ-radiation on phenol fractions obtained from the leaves of Echinodorus macrophyllus Mich

Hydroethanolic extract from Echinodorus scaber Rataj leaves inhibits inflammation in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Echinodorus scaber, Alismataceae, is popularly known in Brazil as "chapéu-de-couro". The plant leaves are used by the population as decoction, infusion, or maceration in bottled spirits, to treat inflammatory respiratory diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of the hydroethanolic extract of leaves of Echinodorus scaber (HEEs) in allergic asthma. A phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed as well.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The leaves of Echinodorus scaber were prepared by maceration in 75% ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out using basic classical methods, and the secondary metabolites detected in HEEs were analyzed and confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of HEEs was evaluated in Swiss male albino mice sensitized and challenged by OVA. The HEEs (1, 5 and 30mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to mice twice a day, 1h before the challenge, from days 19 through 24. The mechanism of action of HEEs was studied by evaluating the levels of T_H2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and IgE production in blood plasma. Histopathological changes triggered by OVA-sensitization/challenge in the lung tissue were also investigated.

RESULTS

HEEs reduced total leukocyte, eosinophil, neutrophil, and mononuclear cell counts at all doses tested, with maximum effect at 30mg/kg (73.9%, 75.9%, 75.5%, and 65.2% reduction, p<0.001, respectively). Increases in T_H2 cytokine secretion (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) and in IgE levels were also attenuated by HEEs. Preliminary phytochemical screening seems to indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids. HPLC analyses evidenced the presence of phenolic compounds, such as gallic acid, rutin and vitexin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provided pharmacological preclinical evidence for the popular use of the leaves of Echinodorus scaber in allergic inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory effect was dependent on the decrease in migratory inflammatory cells, and both T_H2 cytokines and IgE levels. It is suggested that vitexin, gallic acid and rutin, known anti-inflammatory compounds, may participate in the anti-asthamtic effect of the HEEs, by acting jointly along with other components present in the extract.

Total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and mineral elements in the fruit peel of Myrciaria cauliflora

The in vitro antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and mineral elements of the fruit peel of Myrciaria cauliflora were investigated. The antioxidant capacity was analyzed by the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and β-carotene methods. The assays based on the DPPH (EC50 = 3.18 g sample/g DPPH), ABTS•+ (1017 μmol Trolox/g sample), FRAP (1676 µM Fe2SO4/g sample) and β-carotene/linoleic acid (70% of oxidation inhibition) methods indicated a high antioxidant capacity of the fruit peel extract of the plant. The Folin-Denis method was more efficient in determining the total phenolic compound contents in the different solvents than the Folin-Ciocalteu one. Extractions made with 4:1 methanol-water, 4:1 ethanol-water, 3:2 ethanol-water and 3:2 acetone-water solutions using the Folin-Denis method exhibited high contents of phenolic compounds (18.95, 14.06, 12.93 and 11.99 mg GAE/g, respectively). Potassium was the major element found in the fruit peel, followed by phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron, in that order. As a result, the fruit peel of M. cauliflora can be considered as an important source of natural antioxidants and essential elements of easy access for the population and for application in the food industry.

Anti-inflammatory effects in muscle injury by transdermal application of gel with Lychnophora pinaster aerial parts using phonophoresis in rats

Background

Lycnophora pinaster is used by the traditional Brazilian medicine for the treatment of inflammations. Anti-inflammatory activity of Lycnophora pinaster was investigated for extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds of their aerial parts. The hexane extract (HE) provided α-amyrin, lupeol, mixture of α-amyrin and lupeol, mixture of 3-O-acetyl-lupeol and 3-O-acetyl-pseudotaraxasterol, and mixture of the steroids stigmasterol and sitosterol. The aqueous extract (WE) provided a fraction containing alkaloids (AF) and another one containing phenolic compounds (PF).

Methods

The crude hexane extract obtained from aerial parts of L. pinaster was submitted to chromatographic fractionation. The fractionation of PF was performed by preparative HPLC analysis, providing the flavonoid quercetin. The extracts, fractions, and compounds isolated from L. pinaster were tested to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity by experimental model of impact injury, followed by transdermal application of gels with these samples. The application of the gels was performed using phonophoresis in rat paws after induction of muscle injury. Histological analysis was based on scores assigned by the capacity of decreasing the lesion.

Results

HE and WE exhibited anti-inflammatory activity. Some fractions, triterpenes, and steroids also reduced the inflammatory infiltrates caused by muscle injury. Lupeol promoted a significant reduction of inflammation. Quercetin also provided significant results, promoting the greatest decreases in muscle injury.

Conclusion

The results of this work suggest that topical application of triterpenes, steroids and flavonoid significantly decreases the inflammatory process generated by muscle injury. The transdermal application using phonophoresis in rat paws of gel with lupeol and quercetin attenuates the inflammation.