黄绿卷毛菇对硝酸甘油诱导偏头痛大鼠的镇痛、抗炎作用

黄绿卷毛菇Floccularia luteovirens异名为黄绿蜜环菌Armillaria luteovirens,是我国珍稀的食药用菌。为探究其镇痛、抗炎和抗偏头痛的药理作用,本研究初步探究了黄绿卷毛菇水提物（water extract of F. luteovirens,FLW）对硝酸甘油诱导的偏头痛大鼠机体抗炎和镇痛的作用。SD大鼠灌胃给药不同剂量FLW,硝酸甘油诱导造模后,观察行为学变化,并测定偏头痛大鼠血液中一氧化氮NO、白细胞介素-6（interleukin-6,IL-6）、白细胞介素-1β（interleukin-1β,IL-1β）及下丘脑组织中5-羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT）、多巴胺（dopamine,DA）、去甲肾上腺素（norepinephrine,NE）的水平变化。结果表明,FLW给药组可以显著降低偏头痛大鼠血清中NO、IL-6和IL-1β的水平;同时,可显著提高下丘脑组织中5-HT、DA和NE的水平,对实验性偏头痛大鼠具有良好的抗炎、镇痛作用。     

中西医结合治疗消化性溃疡并H.yilori感染的效果分析

目的：研究消化性溃疡并幽门螺杆菌(H3pylori )感染初治失败患者血浆网膜素-1 (Omentin-1)水平的变化及中西医结合干预 治疗的效果。方法：选择2011 年9 月～2015 年9 月在我院进行诊治的消化性溃疡患者82 例观察组,采用阿莫西林,奥美拉唑、拉 霉素和清幽口服液等中西医结合治疗,并选择20 例健康体检者为对照组。采用ELISA 法检测血浆Omentin-1 水平,分析血浆 Omentin-1 水平与一氧化氮（NO）、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）、内皮素-1(ET-1)、肿瘤坏死因子alpha（TNF-alpha）的关系。观察中西医结合治疗 前后病例组血浆Omentin-1 水平的变化并评价根除的疗效及安全性。结果：进行中西医结合治疗后, H.pylori根除率达 88.6%;有34 例溃疡痊愈,22 例显效,33 例有效,3 例无效,愈合率为68.29% (56 /82),有效率为96.34% (79/82);观察组血浆 Omentin-1 水平为(18.15 ± 3.96) ng/mL,明显低于对照组的(23.12 ± 6.03) ng /mL(P<0.05);与对照组相比,观察组的NO、IL-2 水 平明显降低(P<0.05),ET-1,TNF-alpha和IL-6 水平明显升高(P<0.05);与治疗前相比,经中西医结合治疗后NO、IL-2 水平明显降低 (P<0.05),ET-1,TNF-琢和IL-6 水平明显升高(P<0.05);观察组血浆Omentin-1 与IL-2、NO 呈明显正相关( r = 0.412,P<0.05 和r = 0.382,P<0.05),与IL-6 和TNF-琢呈明显负相关( r =-0.246,P<0.05 和r = -0.258,P<0.05)。结论：中西医结合治疗能升高血浆 Omentin-1 水平,有效提高溃疡愈合率及H.pylori根除率,抑制炎性因子的分泌,增强内源性NO保护作用和机体免疫功能。     

The constituents of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) differentially suppress nitric oxide production in interleukin-1β-treated hepatocytes

Licorice (Glycyrrhizae radix) is the roots and stolons of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer or Glycyrrhiza glabra Linnaeus in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Glycyrrhizae radix has been widely used as a sweetener and a traditional medicine. A Glycyrrhizae radix extract contains many constituents and has antispasmodic, antitussive, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, reports comparing the anti-inflammatory effects of these constituents are very few. Here, we purified several constituents from the roots and stolons of G. uralensis and examined and compared their anti-inflammatory effects by monitoring the levels of the inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO), in interleukin (IL)-1β-treated rat hepatocytes. From the G. uralensis extract, we purified the main constituent glycyrrhizin and the constituents that are characteristic of G. uralensis (chalcones and flavanones). These constituents suppressed NO production in IL-1β-treated rat hepatocytes, and isoliquiritigenin showed the greatest suppression activity. Isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and liquiritigenin significantly decreased both protein and mRNA for the inducible nitric oxide synthase. These constituents reduced the levels of mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor α and IL-6. In contrast, although glycyrrhizin is abundant, it showed a 100-fold lower potency in NO suppression. Therefore, both glycyrrhizin and the minor constituents (isoliquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and liquiritigenin) may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of G. uralensis. It is also implied that these constituents may have a therapeutic potential for inflammatory hepatic disorders.     

白头翁汤治疗炎症性肠病的分子机制研究

目的：探讨白头翁汤治疗炎症性肠病的分子机制。方法：40只Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为5组（n=8）：正常对照组、模型组、模型＋阳性对照组（美沙拉嗪）、模型＋中药治疗组,中药治疗组又分为中、高剂量组。阳性对照组、中药治疗组分别灌胃给药。疗程结束后取大鼠结肠组织利用免疫组织化学、Western blot等方法检测Smad7及p-Smad3在各组中的表达变化。结果：模型与组相比较,阳性药物及中药组尤其是高剂量组可有效抑制Smad7的表达,同时增强p-Smad3的表达。结论：白头翁汤可能通过激活TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路从而发挥了对炎症性肠病中的抗炎作用。     

Mesenchymal stem cells combined with traditional Chinese medicine (qi-fang-bi-min-tang) alleviates rodent allergic rhinitis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proved to exert anti-inflammatory effects and regulate immune reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), qi-fang-bi-min-tang, is effective for some patients with allergic diseases. However, it remains unclear whether MSCs combined with TCM could benefit the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). In this study, we reported an additional effect of TCM (qi-fang-bi-min-tang) on the therapy of AR under MSCs treatment. Intriguingly, we observed that TCM-treated MSCs significantly inhibited the symptoms of AR and reduced the pathological changes of nasal mucosa in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced rats. The expression levels of interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and IL-4 were significantly decreased in the plasma of AR rats after injection of TCM-treated MSCs. TCM-treated MSCs reduced the levels of histamine secreted by mast cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE) secreted by plasma cells. In addition, we found that MSCs combined with TCM had a better therapeutic effect than TCM alone on AR in an OVA-induced mouse model. After OVA induction, MSCs combined with TCM significantly reduced the ratio of T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th17, but increased the proportion of Treg in the spleen of mice. Consistently, the expression levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 were significantly decreased, but transforming growth factor-β1 was significantly increased in the plasma of AR mice after treated with TCM and MSCs. Our results from both rats and mice indicated that the effects of TCM combined with MSCs on the AR might be through regulating the secretion of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. This study suggested that TCM (qi-fang-bi-min-tang)-treated MSCs could be used in the clinical therapy of AR.     

Morin,a Bioflavonoid Suppresses Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Inflammatory Immune Response in RAW 264.7 Macrophages through the Inhibition of Inflammatory Mediators,Intracellular ROS Levels and NF-κB Activation

Our previous studies had reported that morin, a bioflavanoid exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effect against adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. In this current study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of morin against monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, an in vitro model for acute gouty arthritis. For comparison purpose, colchicine was used as a reference drug. We have observed that morin (100–300 μM) treatment significantly suppressed the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and VEGF), inflammatory mediators (NO and PEG₂), and lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, β-galactosidase, N-acetyl glucosamindase and cathepsin D) in MSU-crystals stimulated macrophage cells. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1), inflammatory enzymes (iNOS and COX-2), and NF-κBp65 was found downregulated in MSU crystal stimulated macrophage cells by morin treatment, however, the mRNA expression of hypoxanthine phospho ribosyl transferse (HPRT) was found to be increased. The flow cytometry analysis revealed that morin treatment decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in MSU crystal stimulated macrophage cells. The western blot analysis clearly showed that morin mainly exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the MSU crystal-induced COX-2 and TNF-α protein expression through the inactivation of NF-κB signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells similar to that of BAY 11–7082 (IκB kinase inhibitor). Our results collectively suggest that morin can be a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory disorders like acute gouty arthritis.     

The Multifaceted Effects of Polysaccharides Isolated from Dendrobium huoshanense on Immune Functions with the Induction of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1ra) in Monocytes

Dendrobium huoshanense is a valuable and versatile Chinese herbal medicine with the anecdotal claims of cancer prevention and anti-inflammation. However, its immunological activities are limited to in vitro studies on a few cytokines and immune cell functions. First, we investigated the effects of polysaccharides isolated from DH (DH-PS) on inducing a panel of cytokines/chemokines in mice in vivo and human in vitro. We found that DH polysaccharides (DH-PS) induced TH1, TH2, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in mouse in vivo and human cells in vitro. Secondly, we demonstrated that DH-PS expanded mouse splenocytes in vivo including CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, B cells, NK cells, NKT cells, monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes and regulatory T cells. Notably, DH-PS induced an anti-inflammatory molecule, IL-1ra, in mouse and human immune cells, especially monocytes. The serum level of IL-1ra elicited by the injection of DH-PS was over 10 folds of IL-1β, suggesting that DH-PS-induced anti-inflammatory activities might over-ride the inflammatory ones mediated by IL-1β. The signaling pathways of DH-PS-induced IL-1ra production was shown to involve ERK/ELK, p38 MAPK, PI3K and NFκB. Finally, we observed that IL-1ra level induced by DH-PS was significantly higher than that by F3, a polysaccharide extract isolated from another popular Chinese herbal medicine, Ganoderma lucidum. These results indicated that DH-PS might have potential applications for ameliorating IL-1-induced pathogenic conditions.     

Effects of repeated injections of interleukin 1beta or lipopolysaccharide on the HPA axis in the newborn rat

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is stimulated during immune and inflammatory processes. Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are known to be potent stimulators of this axis. During postnatal development, the rat seems to be hyporesponsive to many stimuli. The effects of repeated systemic injections of IL-1beta and LPS on the HPA axis were investigated in neonatal rats. IL-1beta (0.02 microg/pup, administered twice daily from postnatal day 1 to 4) induced marked elevation in plasma corticosterone (CORT) level as compared to controls and LPS groups (0.4 microg or 1.2 microg LPS/pup, injected once daily from postnatal day 1 to 4). Adrenal wet weight was significantly higher, thymus weight was significantly lower. In contrast to the organ weights, there were no differences in CORT concentrations between LPS-exposed groups and controls. However, the weights of the adrenals in rats treated with LPS were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner as compared to controls. The high LPS dose was associated with significantly lower thymus weights as compared to controls and 0.4 microg LPS rats. Thymus weights were significantly lower following IL-1beta- than LPS-administration. It is supposed that a developing endotoxin tolerance could account for the observed absence of CORT rise after the last LPS injection.     

Boswellia serrata extract attenuates inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in collagen induced arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease which leads to destruction of joints. Current treatment modalities for RA either produce symptomatic relief (NSAIDs) or modify the disease process (DMARDs). Though effective, their use is also limited by their side effects. As a result, the interest in alternative, well tolerated anti-inflammatory remedies has re-emerged. Our aim was to evaluate the antioxidant and antiarthritic activity of Boswellia serrata gum resin extract (BSE) in collagen induced arthritis. Arthritis was induced in male Wistar rats by collagen induced arthritis (CIA) method. BSE was administered at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight once daily for 21 days. The effects of treatment in the rats were assessed by biochemical (articular elastase, MPO, LPO, GSH, catalase, SOD and NO), inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ and PGE₂), and histological studies in joints. BSE was effective in bringing significant changes on all the parameters (articular elastase, MPO, LPO, GSH, catalase, SOD and NO) studied. Oral administration of BSE resulted in significantly reduced levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and PGE₂), and increased level of IL-10. The protective effects of BSE against RA were also evident from the decrease in arthritis scoring and bone histology. The abilities to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines and modulation of antioxidant status suggest that the protective effect of Boswellia serrata extract on arthritis in rats might be mediated via the modulation of immune system.     

The Orally Active Noncompetitive AMPAR Antagonist Perampanel Attenuates Focal Cerebral Ischemia Injury in Rats

Inhibition of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) is a potential target of therapy for ischemic stroke. Perampanel is a potent noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor (AMPAR) antagonist with good oral bioavailability and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Here, we investigated the potential protective effects of perampanel against focal cerebral ischemia in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats. Oral administration with perampanel significantly reduced MCAO-induced brain edema, brain infarct volume, and neuronal apoptosis. These protective effects were associated with improved functional outcomes, as measured by foot-fault test, adhesive removal test, and modified neurological severity score (mNSS) test. Importantly, perampanel was effective even when the administration was delayed to 1 h after reperfusion. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that perampanel significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, whereas it increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1 after MCAO. In addition, perampanel treatment markedly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and also inhibited nitric oxide (NO) generation in MCAO-injured rats at 24 and 72 h after reperfusion. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the orally active AMPAR antagonist perampanel protects against experimental ischemic stroke via regulating inflammatory cytokines and NOS pathways.     

The protection by heme oxygenase‐1 induction against thioacetamide‐induced liver toxicity is associated with changes in arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine

This study was designed to investigate the role of HO‐1 induction in prevention of thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced oxidative stress, inflammation and liver damage. The changes in hepatic dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity as well as plasma arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels were also measured to evaluate nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Rats were divided into four groups as control, hemin, TAA and hemin + TAA groups. Hemin (50 mg kg^?1, i.p.) was injected to rats 18 h before TAA treatment to induce HO‐1 enzyme expression. Rats were given TAA (300 mg kg^?1, i.p.) and killed 24 h after treatment. Although TAA treatment produced severe hepatic injury, upregulation of HO‐1 ameliorated TAA‐induced liver damage up to some extent as evidence by decreased serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and arginase activities and histopathological findings. Induction of HO‐1 stimulated antioxidant system and decreased lipid peroxidation in TAA‐treated rats. Myeloperoxidase activity and inducible NO synthase protein expression were decreased, whereas DDAH activity was increased by hemin injection in TAA‐treated rats. Induction of HO‐1 was associated with increased arginine levels and decreased ADMA levels, being the main determinants of NO production, in plasma of TAA‐treated rats. In conclusion, our results indicate that HO‐1 induction alleviated increased oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions together with deterioration in NO production in TAA‐induced liver damage in rats. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hepatic oxidative stress,up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines,apoptotic and oncogenic markers following 2-methoxyethanol administrations in rats

2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) is an organic solvent widely used in the manufacture of brake fluids, paints, resins, varnish, nail polish, acetate cellulose, wood coloring, and as a plasticizer in plastics manufacturing. We therefore, investigated its effect on the liver, in a time-course study in male Wistar rats. Animals were orally administered 50 mg/kg body weight of 2-ME for a period of 7, 14, and 21 days. Following 7 days of administration of 2-ME, there was a significant increase in the level of Bax, c-Myc, K-Ras, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and GPx activity, while the levels of Bcl-2, NO and GSH were significantly reduced compared with control. At the end of 14 days exposure, Bcl-2, and GSH levels, as well as GST activity, were significantly decreased, while levels of Bax, c-Myc, K-Ras, caspase-3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and NO were significantly increased compared with control. After 21 days of 2-ME administration, Bcl-2, IL-10, and GSH levels, as well as SOD and GST activities, were significantly decreased, while levels of Bax, c-Myc, K-Ras, caspase-3, p53, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and NO were significantly increased compared with control. Lastly, liver histopathology confirmed and corroborated the biochemical findings reported above. We therefore, advised that exposures to 2-ME should be strictly avoided as it could trigger hepatic damage through the disorganization of the antioxidant system, up-regulation of inflammatory, apoptotic, and oncogenic markers in rats.     

Escin exerts synergistic anti-inflammatory effects with low doses of glucocorticoids in vivo and in vitro

Escin, a natural mixture of triterpenoid saponins isolated from the seed of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), had been demonstrated to possess anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study was designed to investigate whether escin exhibits synergistic anti-inflammatory effects when combined with glucocorticoids. The carrageenan-induced paw edema and pleuritis in bilaterally adrenalectomized rats were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of escin and glucocorticoid alone or combined. The carrageenan-induced paw edema was inhibited only when escin and corticosterone (Cort) were administered together. Co-administration of escin with Cort significantly reduced the volume of exudates and the number of white blood cells of exudates in bilaterally adrenalectomized rats with pleuritis, but treatment with escin or Cort alone at a suboptimal concentration did not show any effect on the pleuritis rats. After the murine macrophagic RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), they were treated with escin, Cort or escin and Cort. Then nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) of cell culture supernatants were analyzed. Escin or Cort markedly reduced the content of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β secreted by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The combination of suboptimal concentrations of escin with Cort, which alone could not markedly inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, inhibited the secretion of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The findings suggest escin can synergize with glucocorticoids to enhance their anti-inflammatory effect.     

The counteracting effects of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on the immobilization stress-induced adverse reactions in rat pancreas

Many studies suggest that Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) has many protective effects. But little is known about its protective effects against chronic restraint stress-induced damage in rats. The aim was to demonstrate the potential protective effects of EGCG against harmful pancreatic damage to the immobilization stress in the rat model. Forty rats, 2 months old, were divided into four groups (n = 10): control group; EGCG group, rats received EGCG by gavage (100 mg/kg /day) for 30 days; stressed group, rats exposed to immobilization stress; and stressed with EGCG group, rats exposed to immobilization stress and received EGCG for 30 days. Glycemic status parameters, corticosterone, and inflammatory markers were investigated on the first day, 15th day, and the 30th day of the experiment. Pancreatic oxidative stress markers and cytokines were evaluated. Histological, immunohistological, and statistical studies were performed. On the 15th day, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fasting plasma corticosterone were significantly higher in the stressed group when compared with first and 30th day in the same group as well as when compared with control and stressed with EGCG groups. The stressed group revealed significantly higher pancreatic IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and NO, serum amylase and serum lipase, and significantly lower GSH, SOD, and CAT when compared to control and stressed with EGCG groups. EGCG treatment attenuated the pancreatic stress-induced cellular degeneration, leucocytic infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolations; significantly decreased area percentage of collagen fibers; and significantly increased mean area percentage of insulin immunopositive cell as compared with stressed group. EGCG is a protective agent against immobilization stress because of its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and and anti-oxidative stress properties, as confirmed by biochemical and histological alterations.     

Systematic Analysis of Absorbed Anti-Inflammatory Constituents and Metabolites of Sarcandra glabra in Rat Plasma Using Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Linear Trap Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was coupled with linear ion trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (LTQ-Orbitrap) and was used for the first time to systematically analyze the absorbed components and metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of the water extract of Sarcandra glabra. This extract is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammation and immunity related diseases. The anti-inflammatory activities of the absorbed components were evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production and proinflammatory genes expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. As a result, 54 components in Sarcandra glabra were detected in dosed rat plasma, and 36 of them were positively identified. Moreover, 23 metabolites were characterized and their originations were traced. Furthermore, 20 of the 24 studied components showed anti-inflammatory activities. These results provide evidence that this method efficiency detected constituents in plasma based on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of multiple components and would be a useful technique for screening multiple targets for natural medicine research.     

Saccharated colloidal iron enhances lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in vivo

We investigated the effects of iron on the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and plasma cytokines induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo. Male Wistar rats were preloaded with a single intravenous injection of saccharated colloidal iron (Fesin, 70 mg iron/kg body weight) or normal saline as a control, and then given an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (5.0 mg/kg body weight). Rats, preloaded with iron, had evidence of both iron deposition and strong iNOS induction in liver Kupffer cells upon injection of LPS; phagocytic cells in the spleen and lung had similar findings. LPS-induced NO production in iron-preloaded rats was significantly higher than control rats as accessed by NO-hemoglobin levels measured by ESR (electron spin resonance) and NOx (nitrate plus nitrite) levels. Western blot analysis showed that iron preloading significantly enhanced LPS-induced iNOS induction in the liver, but not in the spleen or lung. LPS-induced plasma levels of IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha were also significantly higher in iron-preloaded rats as shown by ELISA, but IFN-gamma levels were unchanged. We conclude that colloidal-iron phagocytosed by liver Kupffer cells enhanced LPS-induced NO production in vivo, iNOS induction in the liver, and release of IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha.     

Acute and chronic responses associated with adrenomedullin administration in experimental colitis

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a 52 amino acid peptide and member of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) super family. Given that AM has emerged as a potential immuno-regulatory and anti-inflammatory agent in various experimental models, this study has deepened into its possible therapeutic effect in intestinal inflammation analyzing the responses in both acute and chronic (14 and 21 days) phases of TNBS-induced colitis in rats. In the acute model, AM treatment reduced the incidence of diarrhea and the severity of colonic damage, and improved the survival rate at the three doses assayed (50, 100, and 200ng/kg animal). AM administration was able to reduce the early production of TNF-alpha and collaborated to maintaining basal levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10. In the chronic studies the peptide attenuated the extent of the damage with lesser incidence of weight loss and diarrhea (50 and 100ng/kg animal). Cellular neutrophil infiltration, with the subsequent increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels caused by TNBS, was reduced after chronic AM administration. The peptide played a role in the evolution of Th1/Th2 cytokines balance and chronic disease recuperation: levels of proinflammatory TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma decreased and anti-inflammatory IL-10 increased significantly. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression were not modified by AM administration, although a reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production could be detected in the chronic model. These results support a role of AM as an anti-inflammatory factor with beneficial effects in intestinal inflammatory colitis.     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of products from Croton celtidifolius Bailon on carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats

Croton celtidifolius Bailon, commonly known as Sangue-de-Adáve or Pau-Andrade, is a tree found in the Atlantic forest of southern Brazil. It has been popularly used for the treatment of inflammatory and ulcerative disorders. Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from C. celtidifolius Bailon. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of EAF and its sub-fractions (35 and 63, catechin) on inflammatory (cell migration and plasma extravasation) and oxidative (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and superoxide anion production) parameters in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. NO production was also measured by nitrite/nitrate levels. EAF and sub-fraction 63 (63SF) showed anti-inflammatory activity, as indicated by a reduction in plasma extravasation and cell migration (mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes) to the pleural cavity. Furthermore, EAF treatment decreased the production of superoxide radical anion by cells isolated from the pleural cavity, while it did not affect the nitrite/nitrate levels in exudates. The results show that C. celtidifolius contains substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that, at least in part, act by a modulation of oxidative stress by phenolic compounds.