Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl (Menispermaceae) leaf extract induces interleukin-10-dependent inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi killing by macrophages

Increased Trypanosoma cruzi Growth during Infection of Macrophages Cultured on Collagen I Matrix

The interactions between cell and cellular matrix confers plasticity to each body tissue, influencing the cellular migratory capacity. Macrophages rely on motility to promote their physiological function. These phagocytes are determinant for the control of invasive infections, and their immunological role largely depends on their ability to migrate and adhere to tissue. Therefore, they interact with the components of the extracellular matrix through their adhesion receptors, conferring morphological modifications that change their shape during migration. Nevertheless, the need to use in vitro cell growth models with the conditioning of three-dimensional synthetic matrices to mimic the dynamics of cell-matrix interaction has been increasingly studied. This becomes more important to effectively understand the changes occurring in phagocyte morphology in the context of infection progression, such as in Chagas disease. This disease is caused by the intracellular pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi, capable of infecting macrophages, determinant cells in the anti-trypanosomatid immunity. In the present study, we sought to understand how an in vitro extracellular matrix model interferes with T. cruzi infection in macrophages. Using different time intervals and parasite ratios, we evaluated the cell morphology and parasite replication rate in the presence of 3D collagen I matrix. Nevertheless, microscopy techniques such as scanning electron microscopy were crucial to trace macrophage-matrix interactions. In the present work, we demonstrated for the first time that the macrophage-matrix interaction favors T. cruzi in vitro replication and the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines during macrophage infection, in addition to drastically altering the morphology of the macrophages and promoting the formation of migratory macrophages.

Cytoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanism related to antiulcer activity of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. in animal models

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The leaves and roots of Cissampelos sympodialis (Menispermaceae) are used by indian tribes and in folk medicine to treat genitourinary infections, inflammation, asthma and gastrointestinal disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The standardized ethanolic extract (Cs-EtOHE) and alkaloids total fraction (Cs-TAF) obtained from aerial parts of C. sympodialis were evaluated in several models of acute gastric ulcers. The antisecretory and/or neutralizing mechanisms of the gastric acid secretion, cytoprotective, antioxidant and immunoregulatory mechanisms were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Cs-EtOHE and Cs-TAF presented a reduction in gastric mucosa lesions against ethanol, NSAIDs, hypothermic restraint-stress and gastric juice containment induced ulcer models. This activity is related to alkaloids present in the extract, and involves the participation of sulfhydryl compounds, nitric oxide, K_ATP channels, prostaglandins, decreased levels of IL-1β and TNF-α and increased levels of GSH and IL-10.

CONCLUSION

The data indicate gastroprotective activity, due to the participation of the cytoprotective, antioxidant and immunoregulatory mechanisms.

Milonine, a Morphinandienone Alkaloid, Has Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects by Inhibiting TNF-α and IL-1β Production

Milonine is a morphinandienone alkaloid from Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl (Menispermaceae), a plant used in Brazil to treat inflammatory disorders. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of milonine (MIL) by using classical experimental models of inflammation and nociception. The results showed that MIL reduced the paw edema formation induced by lipopolysaccharide, prostaglandin E₂, and bradykinin, without interfering with the serotonin-induced edema. With respect to the nociception experiments, MIL decreased the exudate into the peritoneum induced by acetic acid, maintaining the tissue morphology. The alkaloid was able to inhibit the peritonitis induced by carrageenan, decreasing mainly the migration of polymorphonuclear cells, without altering the mononuclear cell number, and reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the peritoneum. In addition, MIL was able to decrease the frequency of abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid but did not increase the latency time of the animals in the hot plate test. MIL significantly reduced the nociceptive behavior of paw licking induced by formalin only at the second phase of the test. In conclusion, we demonstrate that milonine has anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities by inhibiting mediators essential for the inflammatory process.

From arrow poison to herbal medicine--the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological significance of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cissampelos species have a rich history of traditional use, being used for both therapeutic and toxic properties. It is traditionally applied therapeutically in a diverse range of conditions and diseases including asthma, cough, fever, arthritis, obesity, dysentery, snakebite, jaundice and heart, blood pressure and skin-related problems. Conversely, it was traditionally included in preparations of curare applied as arrow poison during hunting to cause death of animals by asphyxiation. This review unites the ethnobotanical knowledge on Cissampelos with the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity which has been explored thus far. In addition, it identifies knowledge gaps and suggests further research opportunities.

METHODS

The available electronic literature on the genus Cissampelos was collected using database searches including Scopus, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, etc. The searches were limited to peer-reviewed English journals with the exception of books and a few articles in foreign languages which were included.

RESULTS

The literature revealed that pharmacological activity including analgesic and antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, bronchodilator, immunomodulatory, memory-enhancing, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti-ulcer, anticancer, anti-oxidant, cardiovascular, muscle-relaxant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, antifertility, and antivenom activity have been confirmed in vitro and/or in vivo for various Cissampelos species. Cissampelos pareira L. and Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. are the most explored species of this genus and the smallest number of studies have been conducted on Cissampelos laxiflora Moldenke and Cissampelos tenuipes Engl. Many alkaloids isolated from Cissampelos such as warifteine, methylwarifteine, berberine, hayatin and hayatidin showed promising anti-allergic, immunosuppressive, antidepressant, anticancer, vasodilatory and muscle-relaxant activities.

CONCLUSION

The plants of this genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. These plants are a rich source of bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline and aporphine alkaloids together with other minor constituents. Although these plants are reputable and revered in various traditional medicine systems, many have not yet been screened chemically or pharmacologically and so there is a vast amount of research still to be conducted to validate their traditional use.

Warifteine, an alkaloid purified from Cissampelos sympodialis, inhibits neutrophil migration in vitro and in vivo

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl is a plant from the Northeast and Southeast of Brazil. Its root infusion is popularly used for treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases. We investigated whether warifteine, its main alkaloid, would have anti-inflammatory effect due to a blockage of neutrophil function. In vivo warifteine treatment inhibited casein-induced neutrophil migration to the peritoneal cavity but did not inhibit neutrophil mobilization from the bone marrow. Analysis of the direct effect of warifteine upon neutrophil adherence and migration in vitro demonstrated that the alkaloid decreased cell adhesion to P and E-selectin-transfected cells. In addition, fLMP-induced neutrophil migration in a transwell system was blocked by warifteine; this effect was mimicked by cAMP mimetic/inducing substances, and warifteine increased intracellular cAMP levels in neutrophils. The production of DNA extracellular traps (NETs) was also blocked by warifteine but there was no alteration on PMA-induced oxidative burst or LPS-stimulated TNFα secretion. Taken together, our data indicate that the alkaloid warifteine is a potent anti-inflammatory substance and that it has an effect on neutrophil migration through a decrease in both cell adhesion and migration.

Managing murine food allergy with Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl (Menispermaceae) and its alkaloids

Food allergy is a severe human disease with imminent risk of life. Cissampelos sympodialis (Menispermaceae) is a native Brazilian plant used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory allergies. In this study the experimental model of food allergy induced by ovalbumin (OVA) was used to determine whether the alcoholic extract of the plant (AFL) and its alkaloids match a therapeutic approach for this disease. Animal weight, diarrhea, OVA-specific IgE levels, inflammatory cell and cytokine profiles, mucus production and proportion of T cells on the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) were evaluated. Warifteine (W) or methyl-warifteine (MW) alkaloids slightly improve diarrhea score independently of AFL and all treatments decreased the OVA-specific IgE levels. Stimulated mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells in the presence of the alkaloids diminished the IL-12p70 levels independently of IFN-γ or IL-13 secretion. The alkaloids increased the number of Treg cells on MLN and reduced the number of eosinophils and mast cells as well as mucus production in the gut. Therefore, the alkaloids modulate the immune response in food allergy by increasing regulatory T cells in MLN independently of Th1 or Th2 profiles.

Inhaled Cissampelos sympodialis down-regulates airway allergic reaction by reducing lung CD3+ T cells

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) root infusion is used in Northeast Brazil to treat allergic asthma. We have previously shown that oral use of the plant extract reduces eosinophil infiltration into the lung of ovalbumin (OVA)- sensitized mice. However, drugs taken by inhalation route to treat asthma achieve better outcomes. Thereby, in this study, we evaluated the inhaled C. sympodialis alcoholic extract as a therapeutic treatment in OVA-sensitized BALB/c mice. The parameters which were analyzed consisted of leukocyte recruitment to the airway cavity, tissue remodeling and cell profile. The inhaled extract inhibited mainly eosinophil recruitment to the pleural cavity, bronchoalveolar lavage and peripheral blood. This treatment reduced the OVA-specific IgE serum titer and leukocyte infiltration in the peribronchiolar and pulmonary perivascular areas as well as mucus production. In addition, we also tested isolated alkaloids from the plant extract. The flow cytometric analysis showed that methylwarifteine (MW) and, mainly, the inhaled extract reduced the number of CD3+T cells and eosinophil-like cells. Therefore, inhaled C. sympodialis extract and MW lead to down-regulation of inflammatory cell infiltration with remarkable decrease in the number of T cells in an experimental model of respiratory allergy, suggesting that the plant can be delivered via inhalation route to treat allergic asthma.

Leishmanicidal effect of Spiranthera odoratíssima (Rutaceae) and its isolated alkaloid skimmianine occurs by a nitric oxide dependent mechanism

Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected diseases. High cost, systemic toxicity, and diminished efficacy due to development of resistance by the parasites has a negative impact on the current treatment options. Thus, the search for a new, effective and safer anti-leishmanial drug becomes of paramount importance. Compounds derived from natural products may be a better and cheaper source in this regard. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity of Spiranthera odoratíssima (Rutaceae) fractions and isolated compounds, using promastigote and amastigote forms of different Leishmania species. J774 A.1 macrophage was used as the parasite host cell for the in vitro assays. Evaluations of cytoxicity, nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-10 and in silico analysis were carried out. In vitro experiments showed that the fruit hexanic fraction (Fhf) and its alkaloid skimmianine (Skm) have a significant (P<0·001) effect against L. braziliensis. This anti-L. braziliensis activity of Fhf and Skm was due to increased production of NO and attenuation of IL-10 production in the macrophages at concentrations ranging from 1·6 to 40·0 μg/ml. The in silico assay demonstrated significant interaction between Skm and amino acid residues of NOS2. Skm is thus a promising drug candidate for L. braziliensis due to its potent immunomodulatory activity.

Anti-allergic properties of Cissampelos sympodialis and its isolated alkaloid warifteine

Development of new agents capable of regulating eosinophilic inflammation can uncover novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of allergic diseases, such as asthma. Here, we evaluated the anti-allergic properties of an extract of the Brazilian Menispermaceae Cissampelos sympodialis, focusing on its effects on allergic eosinophilia. By studying two models of allergic inflammation, an asthma model and the allergic pleurisy in actively sensitized Balb/c mice, we observed that the oral pre-treatment with C. sympodialis reduced pleural eosinophil influx triggered by allergen challenge in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanism involved in C. sympodialis inhibitory effect appeared to be independent of a direct effect on eosinophil locomotory machinery, but depend on a blockage of eotaxin production, a key eosinophil chemoattractant with important roles in allergic reactions. C. sympodialis was also able to affect eosinophil activation, as attested by its ability of inhibiting formation of new cytoplasmic lipid bodies and the secretion of cysteinyl leukotrienes. The alkaloid warifteine isolated from the C. sympodialis extract represents an active component responsible for the anti-eosinophilic effects of the extract, since warifteine was able to reproduce C. sympodialis inhibitory effects on allergic eosinophilia and cysteinyl leukotrienes production. Of interest, C. sympodialis and warifteine post-treatments also effectively inhibited eosinophilic reaction observed after allergic challenge. Therefore, C. sympodialis/warifteine may be a promising anti-allergic therapy, inasmuch as it presents potent anti-eosinophil and anti-leukotrienes activities.

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae): oral treatment decreases IgE levels and induces a Th1-skewed cytokine production in ovalbumin-sensitized mice

The murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy was used to evaluate the effectiveness of oral treatment with the leaf extract of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) (CS) in the modulation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and T cell activation. CS treatment with doses ranging from 200 to 600 mg/Kg/day for 15 days before and during OVA-sensitization promoted reduction in total and OVA-specific serum IgE. CS at 400 or 600 mg/Kg/day also reduced paw edema induced by local OVA challenge. Daily intake of up to 600 mg/Kg of oral CS by BALB/c mice did not reduce weight gain, which is indicative of a lack of systemic toxicity. To assess the effect of CS treatment on T cell proliferative response to stimuli in vitro, the mitogenic response of spleen cells of treated and control animals were evaluated. Cells from CS-treated animals showed an elevated background proliferative response to concanavalin-A (Con-A) when compared to those from control animals. Oral intake of CS increased the in vitro production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 by Con-A stimulated cells. Mice treated with 200 mg/Kg/day CS showed increasing levels of IFN-gamma. These results show that oral treatment with Cissampelos sympodialis extract has an immunomodulatory effect, reducing allergy-associated responses possibly by a preferential activation of Th1-type cytokines.

Modulation of B lymphocyte function by an aqueous fraction of the ethanol extract of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl (Menispermaceae)

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl species are used in folk medicine for the treatment of asthma, arthritis and rheumatism. In the present study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of an aqueous fraction of a 70% (v/v) ethanol extract of C. sympodialis leaves on B lymphocyte function. The hydroalcoholic extract inhibited the in vitro proliferative response of resting B cells induced by LPS (IC50 = 17.2 g/ml), anti-delta-dextran (IC50 = 13.9 g/ml) and anti-IgM (IC50 = 24.3 g/ml) but did not affect the anti-MHC class II antibody-stimulated proliferative response of B cell blasts obtained by stimulation with IL-4 and anti-IgM. Incubation with the hydroalcoholic extract used at 50 g/ml induced a 700% increase in intracellular cAMP levels. IgM secretion by resting B cells (obtained from normal mice) and polyclonally activated B cells (obtained from Trypanosoma cruzi-infected animals) was inhibited by the hydroalcoholic extract. The latter were more sensitive to the hydroalcoholic extract since 6.5 g/ml induced a 20% inhibition in the response of cells from normal mice while it inhibited the response of B cells from infected animals by 75%. The present data indicate that the alcoholic extract of C. sympodialis inhibited B cell function through an increase in intracellular cAMP levels. The finding that the hydroalcoholic extract inhibited immunoglobulin secretion suggests a therapeutic use for the extract from C. sympodialis in conditions associated with unregulated B cell function and enhanced immunoglobulin secretion. Finally, the inhibitory effect of the hydroalcoholic extract on B cells may indicate an anti-inflammatory effect of this extract.