1
|
de Moura VM, de Souza LYA, da Costa Guimarães N, Dos Santos IGC, de Almeida PDO, de Oliveira RB, Mourão RHV, Dos-Santos MC. The potential of aqueous extracts of Bellucia dichotoma Cogn. (Melastomataceae) to inhibit the biological activities of Bothrops atrox venom: A comparison of specimens collected in the states of Pará and Amazonas, Brazil. J Ethnopharmacol 2017; 196:168-177. [PMID: 27993635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE The effectiveness of aqueous extract of Bellucia dichotoma Cogn. (Melastomataceae) specimems collected in Santarém, PA, against some biological activities of Bothrops atrox venom (BaV) has been scientifically proven. Here, we analyzed the components and assessed the anti-snakebite potential of aqueous extracts of bark of B. dichotoma collected in Manaus, AM, (AEBd-MAO) and Santarém, PA, (AEBd-STM), both in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS The phytochemical profiles of the aqueous extracts were identified using thin layer chromatography (TLC), and the concentrations of phenolics were determined by colorimetric assay. The inhibitory potential of the extracts was tested against the phospholipase A2, coagulant and gelatinolytic activities of BaV in vitro and its defibrinating and edema-inducing activities in vivo. Interaction between BaV and the extracts was investigated using SDS-Page electrophoresis and Western blotting. Extract cytotoxicity and antioxidant potential were assessed using the human fibroblast cell line MRC-5 and the DPPH assay in cell culture, respectively. RESULTS While there was no difference between the phytochemical profiles of the extracts, AEBd-MAO had higher concentrations of total phenolics, total tannins and hydrolysable tannins. The extracts inhibited 100% of the phospholipase and coagulant activity of BaV when pre-incubated. Without pre-incubation, however, there was no reduction in phospholipase activity, although significant inhibition of coagulant activity was observed. In the doses used in folk medicine, without pre-incubation, both extracts inhibited 100% of the coagulant activity of BaV. In vivo, the extracts were unable to inhibit the defibrinating activity of the venom but were effective in inhibiting its edema-inducing activity. In the profiles of the extracts pre-incubated with BaV, not all the protein bands revealed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot were observed. Both extracts had a high antioxidant potential and neither had a cytotoxic effect. CONCLUSION Although the concentrations of phenolics in each extract were different, the anti-snakebite potential was similar for the concentrations of extract tested. Our findings are of importance for the quality control of this raw material, which, once tested in accordance with Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency recommendations, may be suitable for use as a phytomedicine to complement treatment of the local effects induced by Bothrops venoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Mourão de Moura
- Programa Multi-institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil.
| | - Luana Yamille Andrade de Souza
- Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Noranathan da Costa Guimarães
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Ilia Gilmara Carvalho Dos Santos
- Programa Multi-institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Bezerra de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rosa Helena Veras Mourão
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Dos-Santos
- Programa Multi-institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Moura VM, da Silva WCR, Raposo JDA, Freitas-de-Sousa LA, Dos-Santos MC, de Oliveira RB, Veras Mourão RH. The inhibitory potential of the condensed-tannin-rich fraction of Plathymenia reticulata Benth. (Fabaceae) against Bothrops atrox envenomation. J Ethnopharmacol 2016; 183:136-142. [PMID: 26940901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ethnobotanical studies have shown that Plathymenia reticulata Benth. (Fabaceae) has been widely used in cases of snake envenomation, particularly in Northern Brazil. In light of this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory potential of the condensed-tannin-rich fraction obtained from the bark of P. reticulata against the main biological activities induced by Bothrops atrox venom (BaV). MATERIALS AND METHODS The chemical composition of the aqueous extract of P. reticulata (AEPr) was first investigated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and the extract was then fractionated by column chromatography on Sephadex LH-20. This yielded five main fractions (Pr1, Pr2, Pr3, Pr4 and Pr5), which were analyzed by colorimetry to determine their concentrations of total phenolics, total tannins and condensed tannins and to assess their potential for blocking the phospholipase activity of BaV. The Pr5 fraction was defined as the fraction rich in condensed tannins (CTPr), and its inhibitory potential against the activities of the venom was evaluated. CTPr was evaluated in different in vivo and in vitro experimental protocols. The in vivo protocols consisted of (1) pre-incubation (venom:CTPr, w/w), (2) pre-treatment (orally administered) and (3) post-treatment (orally administered) to evaluate the effect on the hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities of BaV; in the in vitro protocol the effect on phospholipase and coagulant activity using pre-incubation in both tests was evaluated. RESULTS There was statistically significant inhibition (p<0.05) of hemorrhagic activity by CTPr when the pre-incubation protocol was used [55% (1:5, w/w) and 74% (1:10, w/w)] and when pre-treatment with doses of 50 and 100mg/kg was used (19% and 13%, respectively). However, for the concentrations tested, there was no statistically significant inhibition in the group subjected to post-treatment administered orally. CTPr blocked 100% of phospholipase activity and 63.3% (1:10, w/w) of coagulant activity when it was pre-incubated with BaV. There was a statistically significant reduction (p<0.05) in edema induced by BaV in the oral protocols. Maximum inhibition was 95% (pre-treatment). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that CTPr could be a good source of natural inhibitors of the components of snake venom responsible for inducing local inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Mourão de Moura
- Programa Multi-institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas-UFAM, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 6.200, 69077-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil.
| | - Wania Cristina Rodrigues da Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, rua Vera Paz, s/n, Salé, Santarém, PA 68035-110, Brazil
| | - Juliana D A Raposo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Luciana A Freitas-de-Sousa
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Toxinologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Dos-Santos
- Programa Multi-institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas-UFAM, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 6.200, 69077-000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Bezerra de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, rua Vera Paz, s/n, Salé, Santarém, PA 68035-110, Brazil
| | - Rosa Helena Veras Mourão
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará-UFOPA, rua Vera Paz, s/n, Salé, Santarém, PA 68035-110, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Silva TPD, Moura VMD, Souza MCSD, Santos VNC, Silva KAMMD, Mendes MGG, Nunez CV, Almeida PDOD, Lima ES, Mourão RHV, Dos-Santos MC. Connarus favosus Planch.: An inhibitor of the hemorrhagic activity of Bothrops atrox venom and a potential antioxidant and antibacterial agent. J Ethnopharmacol 2016; 183:166-175. [PMID: 26940897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The plant species Connarus favosus is used in folk medicine in the west of Pará state, Brazil, to treat snakebites. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the potential of the aqueous extract of Connarus favosus (AECf) to inhibit hemorrhagic and phospholipase A2 activities induced by Bothrops atrox venom (BaV) and to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS AECf was analyzed phytochemically for phenolics (condensed tannins and hydrolyzable tannins) by colorimetry. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by quantitative assays using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Fe(3+)/phenanthroline. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimal inhibitory concentration test, and cytotoxicity was evaluated using human fibroblast cells (MRC-5). Inhibition of BaV-induced hemorrhagic activity was assessed after oral administration of the extract using pre-treatment, post-treatment and combined (BA plus AECf) treatment protocols. Inhibition of indirect hemolysis caused by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was investigated in vitro. Interaction between AECf and BaV was investigated by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, Western blot (Wb) and zymography. RESULTS The phytochemical profile of AECf revealed ten secondary metabolite classes, and colorimetry showed high total phenolic and total (condensed and hydrolyzable) tannin content. AECf exhibited high antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials. The IC50 for the cytotoxic effect was 51.91 (46.86-57.50)µg/mL. Inhibition of BaV-induced hemorrhagic activity was significant in all the protocols, and inhibition of PLA2 activity was significant with the two highest concentrations. The BaV/AECf mixture produced the same bands as BaV by itself in SDS-PAGE and Wb although the bands were much fainter. Zymography confirmed the proteolytic activity of BaV, but when the venom was pre-incubated with AECf this activity was blocked. CONCLUSION AECf was effective in reducing BaV-induced hemorrhagic activity when administered by the same route as that used in folk medicine and exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Pereira da Silva
- Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, AM, Brazil.
| | - Valéria Mourão de Moura
- Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, AM, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Scheffer de Souza
- Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia - LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, AM, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Neves Carvalho Santos
- Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia - LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Kissinara A M Moreira da Silva
- Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia - LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Mara Giselle Guimarães Mendes
- Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia - LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Cecília Verônica Nunez
- Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biotecnologia - LABB, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia-INPA, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Emerson Silva Lima
- Laboratório de Atividade Biológica - Biophar, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, AM, Brazil
| | - Rosa Helena Veras Mourão
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Dos-Santos
- Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, AM, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Moura VM, Freitas de Sousa LA, Cristina Dos-Santos M, Almeida Raposo JD, Evangelista Lima A, de Oliveira RB, da Silva MN, Veras Mourão RH. Plants used to treat snakebites in Santarém, western Pará, Brazil: an assessment of their effectiveness in inhibiting hemorrhagic activity induced by Bothrops jararaca venom. J Ethnopharmacol 2015; 161:224-32. [PMID: 25536288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The poor distribution and limited availability of antivenoms in Brazil have led to greater use of plants to treat snakebites. Very often such plants are the only alternative available to riverside communities. MATERIALS AND METHODS Direct questionnaire-based interviews were conducted with members of the Cucurunã, São Pedro and Alter do Chão communities in Santarém, Pará, Brazil. For each of the 12 most frequently mentioned species aqueous extracts were prepared and the phytochemical profiles determined by thin layer chromatography. The concentrations of phenolic compounds (tannins and flavonoids) in the aqueous extracts were determined by colorimetric assays. To assess inhibition of the hemorrhagic activity of Bothrops jararaca venom, solutions containing the venom mixed with aqueous extracts in the ratios 1:12 and 1:48 were tested (w/w). SDS-PAGE and Western blot were used to assess the action of the extracts on Bothrops jararaca venom. RESULTS In all, 24 plants belonging to 19 families were mentioned in the survey as being used to treat snakebites. Leaves (84%), seeds (60.9%) and inner bark (53%) were cited as the most frequently used parts in folk remedies, which were usually prepared in the form of a decoction (62.5%), tincture (45%) or maceration (22.5%). Hemorrhage induced by Bothrops jararaca venom was completely inhibited by aqueous extracts of Bellucia dichotoma, Connarus favosus, Plathymenia reticulata and Philodendron megalophyllum, which had a high phenolic content and contained condensed and hydrolyzable tannins. The results of SDS-PAGE showed that some venom protein bands were not visible when the venom was preincubated with the extracts that had completely inhibited hemorrhagic activity of the venom. Western blot showed that the extracts did not have any enzymatic action on the proteins in the venom as it failed to detect low-molecular-weight bands, which are indicative of possible enzymatic cleavage. CONCLUSIONS Traditional use of plants to treat snakebites is a common practice in the western region of Pará, Brazil. Our findings show that some plant extracts were able to inhibit snake venom-induced hemorrhage in vitro. In vivo studies are being carried out to validate the traditional use of these species to treat snakebites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Mourão de Moura
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil; Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Ramos, 3000 Manaus, AM, Brazil.
| | - Luciana A Freitas de Sousa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Dos-Santos
- Programa Multi-Institucional de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Imunologia, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Av. Rodrigo Octávio Ramos, 3000 Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Juliana Divina Almeida Raposo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Aline Evangelista Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Bezerra de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Milton Nascimento da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Universidade Federal do Pará - UFPA, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 66075-110 Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rosa Helena Veras Mourão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais da Amazônia, Laboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará - UFOPA, Rua Vera Paz, s/n, 68035-110 Santarém, PA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|