phytosterols and Shock--Septic

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

Awara (Astrocaryum vulgare M.) pulp oil has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in vivo, and contains an unsaponifiable matter rich in bioactive compounds. This study focused on the ethanolic unsaponifiable fraction (EUF) of awara pulp oil. Its chemical composition has been characterized: carotenoid, phytosterol, and tocopherol contents represent 125.7, 152.6, and 6.8 μg/mg of EUF, respectively. We further evaluated this fraction for anti-inflammatory properties in J774 macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon (IFN) γ to understand the biological effects of awara pulp oil. EUF strongly decreased nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α, and interleukin (IL) -6 and -10 production in activated J774 cells. Moreover, it inhibited expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenases-2 in vitro. The anti-inflammatory properties of EUF were also confirmed in vivo by modulation of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10 serum concentration in an endotoxic shock model. Pre-treatment with awara oil fraction offers promise as a protective means to lower the production of excessive amounts of pro-inflammatory molecules.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Arecaceae; Carotenoids; Cell Line; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cytokines; Dinoprostone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fruit; Interferon-gamma; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Male; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nitrites; Phytosterols; Plant Oils; Random Allocation; Shock, Septic; Tocopherols