phytosterols and Lung-Diseases

Awara (Astrocaryum vulgare M.) is a palm fruit mainly used in nutrition. We analysed the pulp oil for fatty acid, tocopherol, carotenoid, and phytosterol and we evaluated whether this oil may attenuate inflammation in vivo. In an endotoxic shock model, awara pulp oil treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines. In a pulmonary inflammation model, awara pulp oil treatment reduced eosinophil and lymphocyte numbers recovered into the broncho-alveolar lavages. These results suggest that awara pulp oil administration can efficiently counteract an acute and chronic inflammatory response in vivo that is probably mediated by fatty acids and minor compounds.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Arecaceae; Carotenoids; Fatty Acids; Lipopolysaccharides; Lung Diseases; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Phytosterols; Plant Oils; Random Allocation; Rats; Shock, Septic; Tocopherols