Two new 11alpha,12alpha-epoxy-ursan-28,13beta-olides and other triterpenes from Cecropia catharinensis.

Three new triterpenes, 2alpha-acetoxy-3beta,19alpha-dihydroxy-11alpha,12alpha-epoxy-ursan-28,13beta-olide, 3beta-acetoxy-2alpha,19alpha-dihydroxy-11alpha,12alpha-epoxy-ursan-28,13beta-olide and 2-O-acetyl-euscaphic acid together eight known triterpenes were isolated from the roots and stems of Cecropia catharinensis. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of NMR spectra and the relative configurations established by difference nOe experiments. In addition, four flavonoid glucosides (vitexin, isovitexin, orientin and isoorientin) were found in the leaves.

Liver transplantation in pigs with small-for-size grafts: effect of portocaval shunt.

Small-for-size livers are associated with graft dysfunction, probably due to portal hyperperfusion. Modulation of the recipient portal inflow is a new option in these cases. This article sought to analyze the effect of portocaval shunt in small-for-size liver grafts in pigs. Twelve liver transplants were performed in white pigs. The donors' mean weight was 10 kg and the recipient's mean weight was 34 kg. In all cases a standard technique was utilized. A portocaval shunt was added on the back-table in six cases. One hour after the procedure, the livers were sent for histologic examination. In all six cases without a portocaval shunt, the livers showed hemorrhagic necrosis, which was not observed in any of the six livers with a portocaval shunt. In small-for-size liver grafts in pigs, a portocaval shunt prevents hemorrhagic necrosis.

Evidence for the involvement of glutamatergic receptors in the antinociception caused in mice by the sesquiterpene drimanial.

Drimanial, a new sesquiterpene isolated from the barks of the plant Drimys winteri (Winteraceae), given systemically, intraplantarly, or by spinal or supraspinal routes, produced pronounced antinociception against both phases of formalin-induced licking. The systemic injection of drimanial also inhibited, in a graded manner, the pain-related behaviours induced by intraplantar or intrathecal (i.t.) administration of glutamate. Moreover, drimanial also caused marked inhibition of the nociception induced by i.t. administration of a metabotropic glutamate agonist (1S,3R)-ACPD, without affecting nociceptive responses induced by ionotropic agonists (NMDA, kainate, AMPA) or by substance P. The antinociception caused by drimanial was not influenced by naloxone, nor did it interfere with the motor coordination of animals in the rota-rod test. Furthermore, drimanial caused graded inhibition of [(3)H]glutamate binding in cerebral cortical membranes from mice, with an IC(50) value of 4.39 micro M. Together, these results provide strong evidence indicating that the sesquiterpene drimanial produces antinociception in mice at peripheral, spinal and supraspinal sites. An interaction with metabotropic glutamate receptors seems to contribute to the mechanisms underlying its antinociceptive action.

Evaluation of the antinociceptive action caused by ether fraction and a triterpene isolated from resin of Protium kleinii.

This study investigates the antinociception caused by i.p. and p.o. administration of ether fraction and the triterpene identified as urs-12-ene-3beta-16beta-diol, known as Brein, isolated from Protium kleinii in several models of nociception in mice. The systemic administration of ether fraction (0.3 to 10 mg/kg, i.p. or 3 to 60 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a dose-related antinociception when assessed against acetic acid-induced writhing, with mean ID50 values of 1.2 and 16.4 mg/kg, respectively. The ether fraction (5 to 60 mg/kg, i.p. or 30 to 300 mg/kg, p.o.) also produced dose-related inhibition of both phases of formalin induced licking. The mean ID50s values for the early phase were > 60.0 and 62.1 mg/kg, while for the late phase they were 15.4 and 60.0 mg/kg, respectively, given by i.p. and p.o. routes. The ether fraction (3 to 30 mg/kg, i.p. or 10 to 100 mg/kg, p.o.) produced significant inhibition of the neurogenic nociception caused by topical injection of capsaicin, with mean ID50 values of 6.2 and 16.0 mg/kg, respectively. Given orally (1 to 30 mg/kg) the ether fraction produced graded and pronounced inhibition of glutamate-induced hyperalgesia in mice with a mean ID50 value of 15.2 mg/kg. In contrast, the ether fraction failed to produce antinociception when assessed in the thermal model of pain, the tail flick and hot plate tests. The antinociception caused by the ether fraction, in contrast to that of morphine, was not reversed by naloxone when assessed in the formalin-induced licking. The ether fraction did not affect motor coordination or the core body temperature in mices. The triterpene Brein isolated from P. kleinii, given by i.p. route (10 to 100 mg/kg) produced dose-related inhibition of both phases of formalin induced-licking, with mean ID50s values of 15.3 and 20.6 for the early and the late phases, respectively. These data show that the active principle(s) present in the ether fraction from the resin of P. kleinii elicited pronounced antinociception when assessed by i.p. or p.o routes, against both inflammatory and neurogenic nociception. Such effects seem, at least in part, to be related to the presence of the triterpene Brein in the extract. The mechanisms responsible for the antinociceptive action are at this moment not completely understood, but the involvement of the opioid pathway seems unlikely.

A sesquiterpene drimane with antinociceptive activity from Drimys winteri bark.

Along with three known drimanes, polygodial. 1-beta-(p-methoxycinnamoyl) polygodial and mukaadial, the sesquiterpene drimane named drimanial was isolated from the bark of Drimys winteri (Winteraceae). Its structure was elucidated based on spectroscopic evidence. Drimanial exhibited antinociceptive action against acetic acid induced pain, being about 3-fold less active than polygodial.

Additional evidence for the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of the sesquiterpene polygodial.

This study evaluates further the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of polygodial, a sesquiterpene extracted from the barks plant Drymis winteri (Winteraceae). Polygodial (12.8-128.1 micromol/kg, i.p.) 30 min prior, inhibited significantly the mouse paw oedema induced by prostaglandin E2, bradykinin (BK) substance P (SP), dextran, platelet activating factor (PAF) or carrageenan. Polygodial also inhibited arachidonic acid-, capsaicin- and croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. Polygodial (42.7 micromol/kg, i.p.), significantly inhibited both exudation and cell influx when assessed in the pleurisy induced by SP and histamine, and to a less extent the inflammatory response caused by carrageenan, PAF, BK and des-Arg9-BK. Finally, polygodial (4.2-42.7 micromol/kg, i.p.) produced dose-related inhibition of paw oedema induced by ovalbumin, protecting in a time-dependent manner the anaphylactic shock induced by endovenous administration of ovalbumin in animals which had been actively sensitised by this antigen. These and our previous results indicate that the major component present in the bark of the plant D. winteri, the sesquiterpene polygodial exerts an interesting anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties when assessed in rats and mice.

Action of polygodial on agonist-induced contractions of the rat portal vein in vitro.

This study investigated the vasorelaxant action of the sesquiterpene polygodial, isolated from the bark of Drymis winteri, on rat portal vein in vitro, contracted by various agonists. Polygodial (21-342 microM) preincubated 20 min before, produced graded antagonism of the contractile responses caused by bradykinin, endothelin-1, noradrenaline, the stable analogue of thromboxane A2 U46619, substance P, neurokinin B, and senktide (an NK3-selective agonist). Polygodial, at the same concentration, also produced graded inhibition of the contractile response induced by potassium chloride and by phorbol ester. At the median inhibitory concentration (IC50) level, polygodial was approximately 114- to 177-fold more active in inhibiting mediated contractions to senktide and phorbol ester. When assessed in the tonic contraction induced by endothelin-1 (0.5 nM) or by phorbol (3 microM), polygodial (0.1-100 microM) produced concentration-dependent relaxation, with maximal inhibition (E(max)) of 62 +/- 2% and 100%, respectively. Finally, polygodial (0.1-100 microM) inhibited the rhythmic spontaneous contractions of the rat portal vein (E(max) of 75 +/- 2%). Taken together, these results suggest that the vasorelaxant actions caused by polygodial in rat portal vein are, at least in part, associated with inhibition of calcium influx through voltage-sensitive channels and interaction with protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms. In addition, these data confirm and extend our previous suggestion that polygodial preferentially antagonizes tachykinin-mediated contraction, especially the NK3-mediated responses.

Assessment of mechanisms involved in antinociception caused by sesquiterpene polygodial.

Polygodial, a sesquiterpene isolated from the bark of Drymis winteri given systemically, intraplantarly, or by spinal or supraspinal sites, produced antinociception when assessed in both phases of the formalin test and against capsaicin-induced pain. Polygodial, even at high doses, had no antinociceptive or antihyperalgesic effect when assessed in hot-plate assay or in glutamate-induced hyperalgesia, nor did it significantly interfere with the motor coordination of animals when tested in the rota-rod test. The polygodial antinociception assessed in the formalin test was not affected by i.p. treatment of animals with cyprodime, yohimbine, phaclofen, bicuculine, or nitric oxide precursor or by intrathecal administration of potassium channel blockers such as apamin, charybdotoxin, glibenclamide, or tetraethylammonium. In contrast, polygodial antinociception was significantly attenuated by i.p. treatment of animals with naloxone, naltrindole, 2-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-n-methyl-n-[(1S)-1-(3-isothiocynatophenyl)-2-(1- pry rolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide, p-chlorophenylalanine, prazosin, or by i. c.v. treatment with pertussis toxin. In addition, polygodial antinociception was not cross-tolerant to morphine, nor was its effect affected by the adrenalectomy of animals. Together, these results show that polygodial produces pronounced systemic, spinal, and supraspinal antinociception in mice, mainly preventing the neurogenic pain produced by formalin and capsaicin. The mechanism by which polygodial produces antinociception seems likely to involve an interaction with the opioid system, mainly kappa and delta subtypes, depend on the activation of G(i/o) protein sensitive to pertussis toxin, alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, and the serotoninergic system. Collectively, these results suggest that polygodial itself or its derivatives may have potential therapeutic value for the development of new analgesic drugs.

Mechanisms underlying the relaxation caused by the sesquiterpene polygodial in vessels from rabbit and guinea-pig.

The sesquiterpene polygodial produces graded relaxation in rings of rabbit pulmonary artery or thoracic aorta and guinea-pig pulmonary artery with endothelium. In rings with rubbed endothelium its vasorelaxant action was largely reduced. The N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG), N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY 83583) and 1H-[1,2, 4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), inhibited the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant action of polygodial. In contrast, N(omega)-nitro-D-arginine (D-NOARG), indomethacin, N(2)-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-1-(1methyl-1H-indol-3yl)carbonyl-L-prol yl]-N-met hyl-N-phenylmethyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-L-alaninamide (FK 888), (S)-N-methyl-N[4-(4-acetylamino-4-phenylpiperidino)-2-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)butyl]benzamide (SR 48968), (8R,9S, 11S)-(-)-9-hydroxy-9-n-hexyloxy-carbonyl-8-methyl-2,3,9, 20-tetrahydro-8,11-epoxy-1H,8H,11H-2,7b,11a-triaqzadibenzo[a, g]cycloocta[c,d,e]-trinden-1-one (KT 5720), calcitocin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist (CGRP-(8-37), apamin, charybdotoxin and 4-aminopyridine had no effect on polygodial action. However, glibenclamide inhibited partially, but significantly, its relaxant responses. These results demonstrate that the vasorelaxation of polygodial is partly dependent on the release of nitric oxide (NO )or an NO-derived substance from the vascular endothelium through an activation of a guanylyl cyclase-dependent mechanism. Finally, results demonstrate that the polygodial vasorelaxant action is not related with the opening of potassium (K(+)) channels, release of prostacyclin, substance P, or with the activation of adenylyl cyclase-dependent mechanisms.

Cytokines in the modulation of eosinophilia.

In this review we discuss our recently results showing interleukin 5 (IL-5) involvement in eosinophil migration and in the maintenance of eosinophilia in blood, bone marrow, lung and peritoneal cavity, in a visceral larva migrans syndrome model using guinea-pigs infected with Toxocara canis. We also describe the sequential release of TNF-alpha and IL-8 during the course of infection. Finally we propose a biological role for IL-5, at least in our model, as a modulator of IL-8 release and secretion.