ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and immunomodulating activities of ethanolic extract from the sapwood of Astronium fraxinifolium (EEAF) on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The constituents of the EEAF were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant activity of EEAF was evaluated by its capacity of inhibiting the production of free radical 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid. For the analysis of its immunomodulatory properties, Nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels were determined in supernatants from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells after treatment with the EEAF at different concentrations. Expression for mRNA of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and detection of COX-2 protein were also analyzed. Caffeic acid, quercetin, followed by orientin and ρ-coumaric acid, were identified in the extract by the HPLC technique. The EEAF showed poor antioxidant activity when compared to the reference standard. NO, expression of COX-2 mRNA and COX-2 protein were found in high levels when LPS-stimulated cells were treated with the EEAF. Moreover, increased levels of TNF-α and low secretion of TGF-β were demonstrated in supernatants from LPS-stimulated cells treated with EEAF at different concentrations. In opposition to many different types of medicinal plants, the EEAF demonstrated a powerful pro-inflammatory capacity
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the anti Candida activity of Hyptis martiusii decoction and its major compound, caffeic acid alone or in the presence of fluconazole, as well as their cytotoxic effect. Methods: The decoction was characterized using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector. For the antifungal activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the potential effect of the decoction with the fluconazole were evaluated by microdilution method using 96-well microtiter trays. The osmotic fragility test was performed using erythrocytes under saline stress. All tests were performed in triplicate. Results: The chemical characterization of the decoction was performed by high performance liquid chromatography and revealed the presence of seven compounds, including caffeic acid as major constituent. The antifungal tests demonstrated that both decoction (DHm) and caffeic acid obtained from Hyptis martiusii presented MIC and MFC ≥ 4096 μg/mL against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis strains. However, in the presence of fluconazole, DHm and caffeic acid presented IC