Africanized Bee Venom (Apis mellifera Linnaeus): Neuroprotective Effects in a Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model Induced by 6-hydroxydopamine.

This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the Africanized bee venom (BV) and its mechanisms of action after 6-hydroxydopamine-(6-OHDA)-induced lesion in a mice model. Prior to BV treatment, mice received intrastriatal microinjections of 6-OHDA (no induced dopaminergic neuronal death) or ascorbate saline (as a control). BV was administered subcutaneously at different dosages (0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 mg·Kg-1) once every two days over a period of 3 weeks. The open field test was carried out, together with the immunohistochemical and histopathological analysis. The chemical composition of BV was also assessed, identifying the highest concentrations of apamin, phospholipase A2 and melittin. In the behavioral evaluation, the BV (0.1 mg·Kg-1) counteracted the 6-OHDA-induced decrease in crossings and rearing. 6-OHDA caused loss of dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra pars compacta and fibers in striatum (STR). Mice that received 0.01 mg·Kg-1 showed significant increase in the mean survival of dopaminergic cell bodies. Increased astrocytic infiltration occurred in the STR of 6-OHDA injected mice, differently from those of the groups treated with BV. The results suggested that Africanized BV has neuroprotective activity in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.

Development of a New Formulation Based on In Situ Photopolymerized Polymer for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) promotes a cascade of inflammatory events that are responsible for neuronal death and glial scar formation at the site of the injury, hindering tissue neuroregeneration. Among the main approaches for the treatment of SCI, the use of biomaterials, especially gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), has been proposed because it is biocompatible, has excellent mechanical properties, favoring cell adhesion and proliferation. In addition, it can act as a carrier of anti-inflammatory drugs, preventing the formation of glial scars. The present work presents the development and in situ application of a light-curing formulation based on GelMA containing a natural extract rich in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective substances (hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis-HERP) in an experimental model of SCI in rats. The formulations were prepared and characterized by time of UV exposition, FTIR, swelling and degradation. The hydrogels containing 1 mg/mL of HERP were obtained by the exposure to UV radiation of 2 µL of the formulation for 60 s. The locomotor evaluation of the animals was performed by the scale (BBB) and demonstrated that after 3 and 7 days of the injury, the GelMA-HERP group (BBB = 5 and 7) presented greater recovery compared to the GelMA group (BBB = 4 and 5). Regarding the inflammatory process, using histomorphological techniques, there was an inflammation reduction in the groups treated with GelMA and GelMA-HERP, with decreases of cavitation in the injury site. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the use of GelMA and GelMA-HERP hydrogel formulations is a promising strategy for the treatment of SCI when applied in situ, as soon as possible after the injury, improving the clinical and inflammatory conditions of the treated animals.

Red Propolis and Its Dyslipidemic Regulator Formononetin: Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Gastroprotective Effects in Rat Model of Gastric Ulcer.

Propolis has various pharmacological properties of clinical interest, and is also considered a functional food. In particular, hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis (HERP), together with its isoflavonoid formononetin, have recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with known added value against dyslipidemia. In this study, we report the gastroprotective effects of HERP (50-500 mg/kg, p.o.) and formononetin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) in ethanol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced models of rat ulcer. The volume, pH, and total acidity were the evaluated gastric secretion parameters using the pylorus ligature model, together with the assessment of gastric mucus contents. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of HERP were evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. In our experiments, HERP (250 and 500 mg/kg) and formononetin (10 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.001) total lesion areas in the ethanol-induced rat ulcer model, and reduced (p < 0.05) ulcer indices in the indomethacin-induced rat ulcer model. Administration of HERP and formononetin to pylorus ligature models significantly decreased (p < 0.01) gastric secretion volumes and increased (p < 0.05) mucus production. We have also shown the antioxidant and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of HERP. The obtained results indicate that HERP and formononetin are gastroprotective in acute ulcer models, suggesting a prominent role of formononetin in the effects of HERP.

In situ photocrosslinkable formulation of nanocomposites based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and formononetin for potential application in spinal cord injury treatment.

Carbon nanotubes (CN) have been studied to treat spinal cord injuries because of its electrical properties and nanometric dimensions. This work aims to develop a photopolymerizable hydrogel containing CN functionalized with an anti-inflammatory molecule to be used in situ on spinal cord injuries. The CN functionalization step was done using the drug (formononetin). The nanocomposites were characterized by morphological analysis, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, thermal analysis and cytotoxicity assays (MTT and HET-CAM). The nanocomposites were incorporated into gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel and exposed to UV light for photopolymerization. The volume of the formulation and the UV exposition time were also analyzed. The CN characterization showed that formononetin acted as a functionalization agent. The functionalized CN showed safe characteristics and can be incorporated in photocrosslinkable formulation. The UV exposition time for the formulation photopolymerization was compatible with the cell viability and also occurred in the injury site.

Neuroprotective effect of Portulaca oleracea extracts against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesion of dopaminergic neurons.

The Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae) is a cosmopolitan species with a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant and neuroprotective actions. We investigated the effects of P. oleracea extracts in a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson's disease, a debilitating disorder without effective treatments. Chemical profiles of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of whole plant were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and the antioxidant activity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazila method. Male Wistar rats received intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine and were treated with vehicle or extracts (oral, 200 and 400 mg/kg) daily for two weeks. The behavioral open field test was conducted at days 1 and 15. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed 4 weeks after surgery to quantify tyrosine-hydroxylase cell counts in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Extracts presented antioxidant activity in concentrations above 300 µg/kg. The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of Levodopa, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids and polysaccharides. Both extracts improved motor recovery 15 days after lesion and protected from tyrosine-hydroxylase cell loss after 4 weeks, but these effects were more evident for the aqueous extract. Because the dopamine precursor is present, in addition to antioxidant compounds and neuroprotective effects, P. oleracea can be considered as potential strategy for treating Parkinson's disease.

Inhibition of DMBA-induced Oral Squamous Cells Carcinoma Growth by Brazilian Red Propolis in Rodent Model.

We investigated the effect of oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (HERP) on DMBA-induced oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) in rodents. The chemical components of the HERP were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Carcinogenesis was topically induced in the lower lip of 25 rats using 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA); the tumour was treated with saline (TUM1) and Tween 80 (TUM2) as well as HERP at 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg (HERP10, HERP50 and HERP100, respectively) for 20 weeks. Topical application of saline and oral administration of 100 mg/kg HERP was used in five rats as a control group (CTR). After 26 weeks, the histological malignancy grading and immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p16(INK4A) were assessed in the tumours/tissue samples. The compounds identified were propyl gallate, daidzein, catechin, epicatechin, formononetin and biochanin A. Formononetin, daidzein and biochanin A showed concentration of 23.29, 0.38 and 0.67 mg/g of HERP, respectively. HERP at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg inhibited 40% of OSCC growth and promoted a 3-week delay in development of clinically detectable tumours. Epithelial dysplasia was observed in all samples with no clinical tumour, except in CTR. No significant difference in the immunoexpression of Ki-67 and p16(INK4A) was observed between HERP-treated and saline/Tween 80-treated groups (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that HERP exerts chemopreventive activity on the progression of DMBA-induced epithelial dysplasia to OSCC in an experimental model of labial carcinogenesis; however, this effect is not associated with Ki-67 and p16(INK4A) immunoexpression.

Pharmacological evaluation of bee venom and melittin

The objective of this study was to identify the pharmacological effects of bee venom and its major component, melittin, on the nervous system of mice. For the pharmacological analysis, mice were treated once with saline, 0.1 or 1.2 mg/kg of bee venom and 0.1 mg/kg of melittin, subcutaneously, 30 min before being submitted to behavioral tests: locomotor activity and grooming (open-field), catalepsy, anxiety (elevated plus-maze), depression (forced swimming test) and apomorphine-induced stereotypy. Haloperidol, imipramine and diazepam were administered alone (positive control) or as a pre-treatment (haloperidol).The bee venom reduced motor activity and promoted cataleptic effect, in a similar manner to haloperidol.These effects were decreased by the pretreatment with haloperidol. Both melittin and bee venom decreased the apomorphine-induced stereotypies. The data indicated the antipsychotic activity of bee venom and melittin in a murine model.

Plasmacytoid myoepithelioma of minor salivary glands: report of case with emphasis in the immunohistochemical findings.

Myoepithelioma is a rare benign tumor of the salivary glands and is usually seen in the parotid gland and the minor salivary glands. It was once considered to be a type of pleomorphic adenoma (PA), but myoepitheliomas are today believed to be relatively aggressive tumors. Myoepitheliomas are most common in young adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and there are very few cases reported in individuals less than 18 years of age. We report a case of myoepithelioma located in the hard palate in a 15-year-old Brazilian male. The tumor was composed of plasmacytoid myoepithelial cells. An analysis of the immunohistochemical profile of the tumor cells showed positivity for vimentin, S-100 protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but not for smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cytokeratin 14 (CK14). We report this case because of the rarity of this tumor, especially in adolescents. We also discuss the histological parameters of the differential diagnosis of this tumor as well as its immunohistochemical profile.

Evidence for mediation of nociception by injection of the NK-3 receptor agonist, senktide, into the dorsal periaqueductal gray of rats.

RATIONALE: Ultrasound vocalizations (USVs) at approximately 22 kHz are usual components of the defensive response of rats. However, depending on the neural substrate that is activated, such as the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), USV emissions may be reduced. Activation of neurokinin-1 (NK-1)-mediated mechanisms of the dPAG causes analgesia, reduced 22 kHz USVs, and anxiogenic-like effects in rats exposed to the elevated plus maze (EPM). Involvement of other types of neurokinin receptors in this activation has not yet been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: The present study examined whether local injections of the selective NK-3 agonist senktide (1-100 pmol/0.2 microL) into the dPAG can (1) cause anxiogenic effects in the EPM, (2) influence novelty-induced 22 kHz USVs, or (3) change nociceptive reactivity in the tail-flick test. RESULTS: Senktide elicited a significant increase in exploratory behavior, an effect accompanied by hyperalgesia and an increase in the number of 22 kHz USVs. The nociceptive effects, increased locomotor activity, and USV emissions elicited by local injections of senktide (50 pmol/0.2 microL) were reduced by prior injections of the selective NK-3 receptor antagonist SB222200 (50 pmol/0.2 microL) into the dPAG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that NK-3 receptors in the dPAG mediate nociceptive responses in this area, contrasting with the known fear-related processes mediated by NK-1 receptors in the dPAG. Both hyperalgesia and fear-related processes are accompanied by emissions of 22 kHz USVs.