clove and Inflammation

The fruit and leaves of

Topics: Antioxidants; Eugenia; Humans; Hypertension; Inflammation; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves

Obesity is a major worldwide health threat. It is characterized by an abnormal adipose tissue overgrowth together with increased monocytes infiltration, causing inflammation and oxidative stress, events associated with several illnesses. Investigations have focused on the benefits of native fruit consumption, claiming these to be natural sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It has been widely stated that berries are a source of the most antioxidant compounds, and, thus, seem highly promising to endure research efforts on these vegetal matrices. The present article describes botanical, chemical and biomedical features of the Chilean native berries, Aristotelia chilensis, Ugni molinae, and Berberis microphylla. This work aims to potentiate incoming research focused on the search for novel treatments for first-order diseases with these particular plant sources.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Berberis; Chile; Elaeocarpaceae; Fruit; Humans; Inflammation; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals

In Brazil, the edible plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "guavirova," has been studied in hypercholesterolemic individuals. The present work investigated the effects of C. xanthocarpa on inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and lipid biomarkers in hypercholesterolemic individuals. A total of 156 individuals were selected in a double-blind fashion and randomly divided into two groups in accordance with the intervals used in the criteria for hypercholesterolemia: individuals with total cholesterol (TC) levels between 200 and 240 mg/dL (undesirable level individuals - UL) and individuals with TC levels >240 mg/dL (hypercholesterolemic individuals - HL). Both groups had a control group (CG), which received placebo treatment, an encapsulated excipient group (lactose) and an experimental group that received 500 mg (EG 500), 750 mg (EG 750) or 1000 mg (EG 1000) of encapsulated C. xanthocarpa. The inflammatory processes (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein - hs-CRP), oxidative stress (advanced oxidation protein products-AOPPs; ischemia-modified albumin-IMA), endothelial dysfunction (nitric oxide - NOx) and biochemical (TC, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein - HDL, low-density lipoproteins - LDL, and very low-density lipoprotein - VLDL) parameters were measured before and 90 days after the initiation of treatment. A significant decrease in TC and LDL levels was observed in HL individuals from the EG 500 group (reduction of 29 ± 3% and 41 ± 5% to levels before treatment) compared to the CG group individuals. A significant reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory process components (reduction of 52 ± 11% in AOPPs, 32 ± 10% in IMA and 57 ± 7% in hs-CRP) and a significant increase in NOx (increase of 84 ± 27%) was observed in HL individuals in the EG 1000 group when compared to the CG group individuals. Treatment with encapsulated C. xanthocarpa reduced blood TC and LDL levels in hypercholesterolemic individuals. In addition to its effect on cholesterol levels, this plant reduced oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic individuals and improved the levels of NOx.

Topics: Biomarkers; Cholesterol; Double-Blind Method; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Inflammation; Male; Middle Aged; Myrtaceae; Oxidative Stress; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Triglycerides

Eugenia gracillima is widely used by the population in the manufacture of pulps and jellies, with popular reports of its use in the treatment of infections in the urinary system, respiratory and dermatological problems. A previous study reports that EO from E. gracillima leaves proved to be a promising antioxidant agent in combating the promastigote forms of protozoa. Despite this, this species has been little studied due to its pharmacological properties.. In this study, an essential oil extracted (EO) from Eugenia gracillima leaves was evaluated for its acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and behavioral effects in mice.. The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the composition analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Acute toxicity assessment was performed with observation of hematological parameters and histopathological evaluation, as well as tests to investigate antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory activities and behavioral effects.. Chromatographic analysis showed D-germacrene (16.10%), γ-muurolene-g (15.60%) and bicyclogermacrene (8.53%) as the majority of compounds. In the toxicity evaluation, no death or physiological changes were observed in mice treated with a single oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg, and it did not lyse erythrocytes in vitro. The hematological parameters evaluated were not changed after treatment; however, 5,000 mg/kg promoted an increase in transaminase levels. In the histopathological evaluation, only the animals that received the dose of 5000 mg/kg showed discrete leukocyte infiltration around the centrilobular vein in the liver. Antinociceptive activity was detected through tests of acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, and tail flick, promoted in part by the opioid receptor pathway. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, a reduction in inflammation was observed in the paw edema test and a decrease in the migration of leukocytes and neutrophils in the peritonitis test. The open field and elevated plus maze tests showed that EO did not affect the animals' motor functions or exploratory activity.. It was concluded that the essential oil of E. gracillima has potential for the development of pharmaceutical formulations with analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions in non-toxic concentrations.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Edema; Eugenia; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Inflammation; Mice; Oils, Volatile; Pain; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves

In this study, the mitigative effect of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk fruit extract rich in phenolic compounds (RTE) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction of mice and the underlying mechanism were explored. The results revealed that RTE supplementation obviously improved gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by HFD, which was evidenced by elevated alpha diversity, suppressed Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, enriched short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (Odoribacter, Parabacteroides, Blautia and Akkermansia), and depleted harmful bacteria (Helicobacter, norank_f_ Desulfovibrionaceae and Mucispirillum). RTE intervention mitigated intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation by elevating tight junction proteins expression levels and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines levels. Furthermore, RTE administration inhibited the HFD-induced trigger of the lipopolysaccharide-toll-like receptor 4-nuclear factor kappa-B (LPS-TLR4-NF-κB) pathway in colonic tissue. Therefore, RTE supplementation may be an effective way to protect the intestinal tract in HFD-induced obese individuals.

Topics: Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Dysbiosis; Fruit; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myrtaceae; NF-kappa B; Phenols; Plant Extracts

Eugenia pohliana DC.(Myrtaceae) is used in folk medicine by communities in Brazil. However, there are no reports on its biological activity. This is the first study to identify the components of E. pohliana essential oil (EpEO) and evaluate their antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in an in vivo model at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. The essential oil (EO) was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by writhing tests, tail movement, and formalin (neurogenic and inflammatory pain); naloxone was used to determine the nociception mechanism. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by oedema and peritonitis tests. We found that (E)-β-caryophyllene (BCP) (15.56%), δ-cadinene (11.24%) and α-cadinol (10.89%) were the major components. In the writhing test, there was a decrease in writing by 42.95-70.70%, in the tail movement, an increase in latency time by 69.12-86.63%, and in the formalin test, there was a reduction in pain neurogenic by 29.54-61.74%, and inflammatory pain by 37.42-64.87%. The antinociceptive effect of EpEO occurs through the activation of opioid receptors. In addition, a reduction in inflammation by 74.93‒81.41% was observed in the paw edema test and inhibition of the influx of leukocytes by 51.86‒70.38% and neutrophils by 37.74‒54.72% in the peritonitis test. It was concluded that EpEO has antinociceptive effect by the opioid pathway, as shown by the inhibitory effect of naloxone, and anti-inflammatory actions, and that its use does not cause hemolytic damage or behavioral change.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Edema; Eugenia; Inflammation; Mice; Myrtaceae; Naloxone; Nociception; Oils, Volatile; Pain; Peritonitis; Plant Extracts

Topics: Aged; Aging; COVID-19; Eugenia; Humans; Inflammation; Male; SARS-CoV-2

Jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) is a Brazilian native fruit belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Previously it was demonstrated that phenolic-rich extracts from jaboticaba (PEJ) possess health-beneficial properties in diet-induced obesity; however, whether PEJ modulates the obesity-associated intestinal inflammatory status remains unclear. Thus, male C57BL/6J obese mice were fed a high-fat-sugar (HFS) diet and received PEJ at two doses, 50 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight (BW) (PEJ1 group), and 100 mg GAE/kg BW (PEJ2 group), or water (HFS group) by oral gavage for 14 weeks. PEJ groups presented a reduced body weight gain and adiposity and were protected against insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. In addition, PEJ prevented metabolic endotoxemia linked to an attenuation of the HFS diet-induced intestinal inflammation via down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), membrane transporter toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the colon. These anti-inflammatory effects appear to be involved, at least in part, with an inhibition of the colonic inflammasome pathway of obese mice.

Topics: Animals; Brazil; Endotoxemia; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myrtaceae; Obesity

Since dietary factors are thought to be responsible for high colon cancer risk, we investigated the chemopreventive effect of jabuticaba seed extract (LJE) by administering yogurt with or without LJE against 1,2 dimethyl hydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Results showed that LJE contained a total phenolic content of 57.16 g/100 g of seed extract in which 7.67 and 10.09 g/100 g represented total flavonoids and ellagitannins, respectively. LJE protected DNA and human LDL against induced in vitro oxidation, which was associated with the ellagitannin content and with the free-radical scavenging and reducing capacities. LJE alone had a non-clastogenicity/aneugenicity property, but in combination with cisplatin, it enhanced the chromosome aberrations in cancer cells. In colon cancer-induced rats, yogurt with or without LJE caused a reduction in pro-inflammatory parameters, decreased the RNA expression of antiapoptotic cytokines and increased the expression of proapoptotic cytokines. Moreover, LJE attenuated colon cancer initiation and progression by decreasing aberrant crypt foci and LJE recovered the gut microbiome. Together, this evidence suggests that LJE provides chemopreventive protection against colon cancer development by reducing inflammation and increasing proapoptotic pathways.

Topics: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; Animals; Carcinogens; Chromosome Aberrations; Colonic Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Hydrolyzable Tannins; Inflammation; Male; Mutagenicity Tests; Myrtaceae; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seeds

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Survival; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Fruit; Glucose; Humans; Inflammation; Keratinocytes; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Myrtaceae; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); NF-E2-Related Factor 2; NFATC Transcription Factors; Oxidative Stress; Picrates; Plant Extracts; Reactive Oxygen Species; Signal Transduction

Among all native Brazilian plant species, Plinia cauliflora (DC.) Kausel (Jaboticaba), is well known for producing "superfruits", due to their high phenolic content and antioxidant property. The fruit has astringent characteristics, and it is popularly known for the treatment of diarrhea, rash, and intestinal inflammation. However, there are only a few studies on the use of leaves and branches of this species in the literature, mainly to treat oxidative stress and inflammation.. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of leaves and branches extracts from P. cauliflora.. The phytochemical analysis of P. cauliflora extracts was performed by the total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin dosage method. Moreover, the compounds were identified by HPLC-MS-Q-TOF. Antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid system, MDA formation, and phosphomolybdenum assays. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of P. cauliflora were evaluated by the reduction of nitric oxide in the J774A.1 cell line and inhibition of ear edema in mice, respectively.. The ethanolic extract of the leaves exhibited greater flavonoid content whereas the ethanolic extract of the branches showed higher tannins content. Twenty-two and seventeen compounds were identified by HPLC-MS-Q-TOF in the leaves and branches, respectively, being tellimagrandin I, castalagin, and valoneic acid dilactone reported for the first time in P. cauliflora. The antioxidant potential of extracts was confirmed through different oxidation pathways from oxidizing radicals, which might be related to the presence of phenolic compounds. For the anti-inflammatory assay, the leaves and branches extracts showed promising results, with a reduction of nitric oxide ear edema inhibition around 95% and 80%, respectively.. Herein, the great biological potential of leaves and branches extracts from P. cauliflora was highlighted. These parts of the plant are underused and poorly reported in the literature, especially for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Brazil; Cell Line; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Disease Models, Animal; Edema; Inflammation; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Mice; Myrtaceae; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts

(+)- and (-)-Xanchryones F and G ((+)- and (-)-1 and 2) were isolated from the plant Xanthostemon chrysanthus by chiral separation. Compounds 1 and 2 featured a new carbon skeleton with cinnamoyltriketone-flavone adducts. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses and chemical calculations. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of (+)- and (-)-1 and 2 were evaluated.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cinnamates; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Conformation; Myrtaceae; Nitric Oxide; RAW 264.7 Cells; Stereoisomerism

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Supplements; Ethanol; Inflammation; Male; Metabolic Diseases; Mice; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathophysiology of several health disorders, among others inflammation. Polyphenols may modulate ROS related disorders. In this work, thirty-two phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in a leaf extract from Eugenia supra-axillaris Spring. ex Mart. using HPLC-MS/MS, five of which were also individually isolated and identified. The extract displayed a substantial in vitro antioxidant potential and was capable of decreasing ROS production and hsp-16.2 expression under oxidative stress conditions in vivo in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Also, the extract showed higher inhibitory selectivity towards COX-2 than COX-1 in vitro with higher selectivity towards COX-2 than that of diclofenac. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory properties: It attenuated the edema thickness in a dose dependent fashion in carrageenan-induced hind-paw odema in rats. In addition, the extract reduced the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity at the highest dose. Furthermore, the extract showed antipyretic and analgesic activities in a mouse model. Eugenia supra-axillaris appears to be a promising candidate in treating inflammation, pain and related oxidative stress diseases.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Antipyretics; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Edema; Eugenia; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Oxidative Stress; Pain; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Baeckea frutescens L. is commonly used as a folk medicinal material. There are nineteen components in its volatile oil, including Pcymol which has effects of eliminating phlegm, relieving asthma and antiviral. This study was aimed to investigate the anti-infectious inflammatory activities of Baeckea frutescens L. and its conponents and analyzing the mechanisms.. The anti-infectious inflammation of Baeckea frutescens L. were studied by using macrophage activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2)-stimulated RAW264.7 cell model in vitro. Secretion of nitric oxide (NO), expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cytokines were detected as classic inflammatory index. Expression of Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), degradation of inhibitory κBα (IκBα) and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 were further investigated.. The results suggested that Baeckea frutescens L. has effect on suppression of MALP-2-mediated inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. The secretion of NO and the expression of iNOS could be inhibited. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also declined. Baeckea frutescens L. significantly decreased the expression of MyD88, therefore, inhibited the degradation of IκBα, reduced the level of nuclear translocation of p65.. The results of this study indicated that Baeckea frutescens L. and its components could inhibit the anti-infectious inflammatory events and iNOS expression in MALP-2 stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, BF-2 might play a role through the inhibition of the MyD88 and NF-κB pathway. Our study might provide a new strategy to design and develop this kind of drug towards mycoplasma-infected inflammation.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Lipopeptides; Macrophages; Mice; Mycoplasma Infections; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; Myrtaceae; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Plant Extracts; RAW 264.7 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Myrciaria cauliflora is a functional food rich in anthocyanins, possessing antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Our previous results demonstrated M. cauliflora extract (MCE) had beneficial effects in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and via the inhibition of Ras/PI3K/Akt and kidney fibrosis-related proteins. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of MCE in diabetes associated with kidney inflammation and glycemic regulation in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ/NA)-induced diabetic mice. Compared with the untreated diabetic group, MCE significantly improved blood glucose and serum biochemical characteristic levels. Exposure to MCE increased antioxidative enzyme activity and diminished reactive oxygen synthesis. Mice receiving MCE supplementation had reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels compared to the untreated diabetic mice. Inflammatory and fibrotic related proteins such as collagen IV, fibronectin, Janus kinase (JAK), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase C beta (PKC-β), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were also inhibited by MCE treatment in STZ/NA mice. These results suggest that MCE may be used as a hypoglycemic agent and antioxidant in Type 2 diabetic mice.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetic Nephropathies; Inflammation; Mice; Myrtaceae; Niacinamide; Oxidative Stress; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Plant Extracts; Streptozocin

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that affects the arterial wall leading to myocardial, cerebral, and peripheral ischemic syndromes. The use of low doses of aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and inflammation and prevents cardiovascular mortality. However, ASA may produce hemorrhagic events. Thus, several studies have sought new natural compounds to suppress platelet aggregation without causing serious adverse effects.. In this sense, this study aims to compare the effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa plant extract with those of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on inflammatory parameters observed in homozygous mice knockout for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr-KO) treated with a hypercholesterolemic diet.. In this study, 28 male LDLr-KO mice were divided into three groups and fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for 4 weeks. Thereafter, the animals that received the hypercholesterolemic diet were treated for 5 days with (1) distilled water, (2) C. xanthocarpa extract, or (3) acetylsalicylic acid. The levels of inflammatory markers were assessed in the blood samples. The gastric tolerability of the animals after oral administration of the treatments was assessed through quantification of the lesions in the gastric mucosa.. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ were reduced to 19.2 ± 3%, 20.4 + 1.3%, 24.7 ± 1.2%, and 20.8 ± 1.7%, respectively, in the group treated with C. xanthocarpa, when compared to control group. Furthermore, treatment with plant extract significantly increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by 27.3 ± 5.9%, but ASA showed no significant effect on the same cytokines when compared to the control group, with the exception of IL-10, which presented an increase of 8.6 ± 3.5%. Treatments with C. xanthocarpa and ASA also caused significant reductions of 26.4 ± 3% and 38.4± 6% in the serum levels of oxLDL, respectively. However, only treatment with C. xanthocarpa reduced the levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies when compared with the control (25.8 ± 6%). In addition, the analyzed extract did not induce ulcerogenic activity, while ASA induced the formation of lesions.. In conclusion, treatment with C. xanthocarpa causes anti-inflammatory activity in hypercholesterolemic animals, with results superior to those obtained with the use of ASA.

Topics: Animals; Aspirin; Atherosclerosis; Brazil; Hypercholesterolemia; Inflammation; Lipoproteins, LDL; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Myrtaceae; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal

Eugenia spp. are used in popular medicine in the treatment of pain, diabetes, intestinal disorders and cough. The aim of the work is to evaluate, ex vivo and in vivo, the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroethanolic extracts of the leaves of Eugenia aurata (EA) and Eugenia punicifolia HBK (EP) upon neutrophils.. Ex vivo, isolated human neutrophils were sensitized by Eugenia extracts (0.1-1000 μg/mL) and stimulated by PMA. In these conditions, different neutrophil activities related to inflammatory process were measured: adhesion, degranulation and NET release. Neutrophil viability and tumor line cells were monitored. In vivo, neutrophil influx was evaluated by peritonitis model performed in mice pretreated with different concentrations of Eugenia extracts. Phytochemical profile was assessed by mass spectrometry.. Ex vivo, EA and EP (1000 μg/mL) reduced cell adhesion and degranulation, respectively. NET release was inhibited by EA and EP. Anti-inflammatory activities occurred in the absence of cytotoxicity. In vivo, both EA as EP inhibited neutrophil migration. The phytochemical profile revealed that EA contains myricitrin, rutin, quinic acid and quercetin derivatives. EP presents gallic acid, quercetin derivatives, syringic acid, ellagic acid, monogalloyl-glucose, glycosyringic acid, mudanoside B, HHDP glucose isomer and digalloylglucose isomer. EA and EP inhibit neutrophil migration by different pathways.. Different chemical compositions may explain the anti-inflammatory effects described herein for EA and EP. Both extracts inhibit NET release but only EA reduces cell adhesion whereas EP decreases elastase secretion. This work contributes to the elucidation of cellular mechanisms related to the anti-inflammatory activity for leaves of E. aurata and E. punicifolia HBK.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cell Adhesion; Cell Degranulation; Cell Survival; Eugenia; Extracellular Traps; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Neutrophils; Plant Extracts

A 25-year-old female who had returned from a trip to Madagascar that was not reported, underwent an endoscopic bladder polyp resection. Histopathology examination revealed an intense pseudolymphomatous inflammatory polyp caused by a Schistosoma infection. Bladder polyps due to schistosomiasis represent a rare condition in developed countries and have to be ruled out in the case of any intense unexplained inflammation.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Madagascar; Polyps; Pseudolymphoma; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis haematobia; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder Diseases

An ethnopharmacological survey indicated that leaves from Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. (Myrtaceae) are popularly used as a natural therapeutic agent to treat pain and inflammation.. The overall objective of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of a hydroalcoholic extract of leaves from Eugenia punicifolia (HEEP) in rodents.. The antinociceptive effects of HEEP were evaluated in mice after oral administration in chemical (formalin and glutamate) and thermal (hot-plate) tests. We evaluated the involvement of the glutamatergic, opioidergic and nitrergic pathways in the antinociception of HEEP and the effect of HEEP on the inhibition of p38α MAPK. The anti-inflammatory effect of HEEP was evaluated in mice and rats using xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema, respectively. Furthermore, the gastroprotective effect of HEEP was evaluated in rats with acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol or indomethacin. Finally, we performed a phytochemical analysis of HEEP.. The oral administration of HEEP (125, 250 and 500mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced licking, and HEEP (250mg/kg, p.o.) also significantly inhibited the nociception caused by glutamate. The antinociceptive effects of HEEP were significantly reversed by l-arginine (500mg/kg, i.p.) but not by naloxone (1mg/kg, i.p.) in the formalin test. HEEP did not affect animal motor performance in the rotarod model. In addition, HEEP also increased the paw withdraw latency in the hot-plate test. HEEP significantly inhibited ear edema induced by xylene (64%) and paw edema induced by carrageenan (50%) compared to the control group. Furthermore, HEEP (3-30mg/mL) also inhibited the phosphorylation of p38α MAPK by approximately 90%. In addition, HEEP (125, 250 and 500mg/kg, p.o.) protected the rats against ethanol (88.4-99.8%) and indomethacin (53-72.3%) and increased the mucus levels of the gastric mucosa without producing an antisecretory effect. The phytochemical profile of HEEP obtained using HPLC-PDA showed secondary metabolites already reported for the genus, mostly flavonoids, gallotannins and proanthocyanidins.. These data show for the first time that HEEP has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, which appear to be related to the inhibition of the glutamatergic system, the synthesis of nitric oxide and the inhibition of the phosphorylation of p38α MAPK. HEEP also has interesting gastroprotective effects related to the maintenance of protective factors, such as mucus production. These results support the use of Eugenia punicifolia in popular medicine and demonstrate that this plant has therapeutic potential for the development of phytomedicines with antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Edema; Eugenia; Female; Glutamic Acid; Inflammation; Male; Medicine, Traditional; Mice; Pain; Pain Measurement; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Rats; Rats, Wistar

The peel of the native Brazilian fruit jaboticaba is rich in anthocyanins, which are known for their anti-obesity effects in animal models. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of freeze-dried jaboticaba peel powder (FDJPP) on a number of metabolic parameters in a model of diet-induced obesity. Mice (n 8 per group) were initially fed on a high-fat diet (HFD, 35% w/w) for 4 weeks and then switched to a HFD supplemented with FDJPP (1, 2 or 4% w/w) for an additional 6 weeks. Energy intake, weight loss, glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and lipid profile were determined, and the results were evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. The FDJPP exerted no protective effect on HFD-induced weight gain, hyperleptinaemia and glucose intolerance. However, the supplementation was effective to reduce insulin resistance, as evidenced in the insulin tolerance test, and subsequently confirmed by improved signal transduction through the insulin receptor/insulin receptor substrate-1/Akt/forkhead box protein pathway and by the attenuation of HFD-induced inflammation in the liver, verified by lower expressions of IL-1b and IL-6 and decreased phosphorylated IkB-a protein levels in all jaboticaba-treated mice. These results suggest that FDJPP may exert a protective role against obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anthocyanins; Anti-Obesity Agents; Diet, High-Fat; Dietary Supplements; Fruit; Glucose Intolerance; Inflammation; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Leptin; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Myrtaceae; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Powders; Receptor, Insulin; Signal Transduction; Weight Gain

The yams edible starchy tubers, are of cultural, economic and nutritional importance in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study concerns the analysis at different levels of Dioscorea antaly toxicity to medaka embryo-larval development. The incubation of medaka fish embryos in a medium containing Dioscorea antaly extract resulted in a dose dependent reduction in survival rate. Survival rates were reduced up to 100% with extract concentrations of 4mg mL(-1). The LD(50) was estimated to be 0.86mg mL(-1)Dioscorea antaly. Anatomopathological studies did not show any caustic effects, irritation to mouth, throat or intestinal tract in surviving embryos but rather an inflammatory reaction in the liver. The data presented in this paper thus extends the use of medaka embryos as a valuable model to analyze the effects of food toxins.

Topics: Animals; Dioscorea; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Embryonic Development; Inflammation; Larva; Lethal Dose 50; Liver; Madagascar; Models, Animal; Organ Specificity; Oryzias; Plant Extracts; Plant Tubers; Plants, Toxic

The study analyzes the chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of Ugni myricoides (Kunth) O. Berg (U. myricoides EO). The composition of the essential oil was characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS analysis, showing at least six major constituents: α-pinene (52.1%), 1,8-cineole (11.9%), α-humulene (4.6%), caryophyllene oxide + globulol (4.5%), humulene epoxide II (4.2%) and β-caryophyllene (2.9%). It demonstrates for the first time the systemic anti-hypernociceptive properties of this orally administered oil in inflammatory and neuropathic models of hypernociception in mice. The effects of U. myricoides EO and its major constituent, α-pinene, were compared with those of indomethacin or gabapentin, drugs used clinically to treat inflammatory and neuropathic processes. Like indomethacin (5 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.), U. myricoides EO (5-50 mg/kg, p.o.) was able to significantly prevent mechanical hypernociception induced by carrageenan or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in mice. These effects were observed for up to 48 h after i.pl. injection of flogistic agents. Repeated treatment with U. myricoides EO (5-25 mg/kg, p.o.), α-pinene (5-50 mg/kg, p.o.), or gabapentin (70 mg/kg, p.o.) also abolished the mechanical sensitization induced by CFA, or following the partial ligation of the sciatic nerve (PLSN). The present results indicate that U. myricoides EO produces marked anti-hypernociceptive effects in carrageenan and CFA mechanical sensitization models, and also inhibited neuropathic pain-like behavior after PLSN with efficacy similar to that observed for indomethacin or gabapentin. The relevant effects shown by U. myricoides EO are related, at least in part, to the presence of α-pinene and may be of potential interest for the management of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

Topics: Amines; Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Behavior, Animal; Bicyclic Monoterpenes; Carrageenan; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Freund's Adjuvant; Gabapentin; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Hyperalgesia; Indomethacin; Inflammation; Mice; Monoterpenes; Myrtaceae; Neuralgia; Oils, Volatile; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Sciatic Neuropathy

In addition to the unique physiological and immunological features of the eye, previously presented, some parasitic factors of recent knowledge are induced during ocular cysticercosis. A modulation of the immune response of the host, mediated by larval products (a soluble RNA-peptide, some metacestode surface sphingoglycolipids) seems to occur in vivo. These recent findings lead us to make a critical review of the antigenic profiles obtained by Enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay (EITB) on samples collected from malagasy patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Child; Child, Preschool; Cysticercosis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Eye Infections, Parasitic; Female; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunoblotting; Inflammation; Madagascar; Male; Sensitivity and Specificity

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Black People; Female; Hair Preparations; Humans; Inflammation; Madagascar; Male; West Indies