Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Malva sylvestris, Sida cordifolia, and Pelargonium graveolens Is Related to Inhibition of Prostanoid Production.

The ability of plant extracts and preparations to reduce inflammation has been proven by different means in experimental models. Since inflammation enhances the release of specific mediators, inhibition of their production can be used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of plants widely used in folk medicine for this purpose. The study was performed for leaves and flowers of Malva sylvestris, and leaves of Sida cordifolia and Pelargonium graveolens. These are three plant species known in Brazil as Malva. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and residual) was evaluated by quantitation of prostaglandins (PG) PGE2, PGD2, PGF2α, and thromboxane B2 (the stable nonenzymatic product of TXA2) concentration in the supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced RAW 264.7 cells. Inhibition of anti-inflammatory mediator release was observed for plants mainly in the crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and residual fraction. The results suggest superior activity of S. cordifolia, leading to significantly lower values of all mediators after treatment with its residual fraction, even at the lower concentration tested (10 µg/mL). M. sylvestris and P. graveolens showed similar results, such as the reduction of all mediators after treatment, with leaf crude extracts (50 µg/mL). These results suggest that the three species known as Malva have anti-inflammatory properties, S. cordifolia being the most potent.

Qualidade físico-química e atividades biológicas de caseinofosfopeptídeos obtidos por hidrólise tríptica de caseinato de sódio sob diferentes condições / Physico-chemical quality and biological activities of Casein phosphopeptides obtained by sodium caseinate tryptic hydrolysis under different conditions

Muitos métodos têm sido empregados na produção de peptídeos bioativos para a promoção da saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi produzir caseinofosfopeptídeos por hidrólise tríptica do caseinato de sódio usando diferentes temperaturas (37 e 50 °C) e tempos de reação (2 e 4 h), caracterizá-los e analisar sua influência nas atividades citotóxica, antimicrobiana e antioxidante. Caseinofosfopeptídeos foram caracterizados através da composição centesimal, eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida, Espectrometria de Massas e Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência. Toxicidade para leucócitos humanos, atividade antimicrobiana utilizando o teste de microdiluição em caldo e determinação da capacidade antioxidante pelo método de espécies reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico foram os ensaios biológicos realizados. Os resultados mostraram que as quatro frações peptídicas obtidas apresentaram-se com baixo peso molecular e elevados teores proteico e mineral; quanto ao perfil aminoacídico, apresentaram elevadas e diferenciadas quantidades de ácido glutâmico e serina, que pouco variaram de acordo com o processo de obtenção; não se mostraram tóxicos para leucócitos humanos; demonstraram atividade antimicrobiana para Escherichia coli e Salmonella Enteritidis e elevada capacidade antioxidante. Os resultados físico-químicos das frações de caseinofosfopeptídeos demonstraram elevada composição nutricional em termos de proteína e, principalmente, cálcio. O conjunto de dados indicou que alterações no tempo e na temperatura de reação para a obtenção dos hidrolisados não interferem nas suas qualidades biológicas, mostrando serem seguros para a promoção da saúde e para a aplicação em situações especiais, que envolvem pacientes desnutridos, imunossuprimidos, com comprometimento ósseo ou gastrintestinal decorrentes de inflamações e infecções.

Several methods have been employed for the production of bioactive peptides for health promotion. The aim of this study was to produce and characterize Casein phosphopeptides obtained by sodium caseinate tryptic hydrolysis under different temperatures (37 and 50 °C) and reaction times (2 and 4 h), and evaluate their biological capabilities. They have been characterized by assessing their centesimal composition, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Mass Spectrometry, and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. The biological activities tested included toxicity for human leukocytes, antimicrobial assay using the microdilution test, and determination of the antioxidant capacity by the thiobarbituric acid reactive species method. The results showed that the four fractions obtained were of low molecular weight with high protein and mineral contents; their amino acid profile showed high and differentiated amounts of glutamic acid and serine independent of the methodological procedures. The results also showed no toxicity for human peripheral leukocytes, demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis as well as high antioxidant capacity. The results of the physicochemical Casein phosphopeptides' fractions showed high nutritional composition in terms of protein and, particularly, calcium. The biological assays indicated that time and temperature changes in the process for obtaining casein hydrolysates have not interfered with their biological qualities. In addition, they have proven safe in promoting health in special conditions involving malnourished and/or, immunocompromised patients or those with bone and/or gastrointestinal impairment due to inflammations and infections.

Simultaneous determination of levodopa, carbidopa, entacapone, tolcapone, 3-O-methyldopa and dopamine in human plasma by an HPLC-MS/MS method.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we developed and validated a HPLC-MS/MS method capable of simultaneously determining levodopa, carbidopa, entacapone, tolcapone, 3-O-methyldopa and dopamine in human plasma. RESULTS & METHODOLOGY: Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C8 column with a mobile phase consisting of a gradient of water and acetonitrile:methanol (90:10 v/v), both containing 0.1% formic acid. The developed method was selective, sensitive (LD<7.0 ng ml(-1)), linear (r>0.99), precise (RSD<11.3%), accurate (RE<11.8%) and free of residual and matrix effects. The developed method was successfully applied in plasma patients with Parkinson's disease using Stalevo®. CONCLUSION: The new method can be used for the clinical monitoring of these substances and applied to adjustments in drug dosages.

Malva sylvestris L. extract suppresses desferrioxamine-induced PGE2 and PGD2 release in differentiated U937 cells: the development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for prostaglandin quantification.

Malva sylvestris is a species used worldwide as an alternative to anti-inflammatory therapies; however, its mechanism of action remains unknown. In this paper, the anti-inflammatory effects of M. sylvestris alcoholic extracts were evaluated by measuring the pro-inflammatory mediators PGE2 and PGD2 in desferrioxamine-stimulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-differentiated U937 cells. An HPLC-DAD fingerprint of the M. sylvestris extract was performed and caffeic acid, ferulic acid and scopoletin were identified and quantified. An HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to separate and measure the prostaglandins. The lower limits of detection (~0.5 ng/mL for PGE2 and PGD2) and quantification (1.0 ng/mL for PGE2 and PGD2) indicated that the method is highly sensitive. The calibration curves showed excellent coefficients of correlation (r > 0.99) over the range of 1.0-500.0 ng/mL, and at different levels, the accuracy ranged from 96.4 to 106.4% with an RSD < 10.0% for the precision study. This method was successfully applied using U937-d cells. A significant dose-dependent reduction of PGE2 and PGD2 levels occurred using 10 µg/mL (10.74 ± 2.86 and 9.60 ± 6.89%) and 50 µg/mL of extract (48.37 ± 3.24 and 53.06 ± 6.15%), suggesting that the anti-inflammatory mechanisms evoked by M. sylvestris may be related to modulation of these mediators.

Desenvolvimento e validação de um método por CLAE-EM/EM para determinação de PGE2 e PGD2 em meio de cultivo celular e avaliação da recuperação das prostaglandinas utilizando diferentes condições na extração em fase sólida / Development and validation of HPLC-MS/MS method to determine PGE2 and PGD2 in cell culture medium and assessment of recovery of the prostaglandins by solid phase extraction under various conditions

Tradicionalmente, estas prostaglandinas são quantificadas por técnicas de imuno-ensaio, que apresentam diversas desvantagens. Estes metabólitos são isômeros estruturais, e dessa forma é necessário o uso de técnicas de detecção seletivas, como cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas sequencial (CLAE-EM/EM). Para a extração de prostaglandinas de matrizes complexas, destaca-se a extração em fase sólida (EFS), que otimizada, fornece excelentes taxas de recuperação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e validar um método rápido por CLAE-EM/EM, para análise simultânea de PGE2 e PGD2 de meio de cultivo celular e avaliar a eficiência de extração em diferentes condições de EFS, em relação ao método proposto pelo fabricante dos cartuchos. A separação ocorreu com coluna de fase reversa (C18, 150mm x 2.1mm, 5μm) eluída no modo gradiente com acetonitrila e água (0,1% AFO). Dez condições diferentes de EFS foram testadas. O método desenvolvido foi adequado para a análise simultânea de PGE2 e PGD2 , apresentando resolução de ~1,5 entre os picos e corrida de 11 minutos. LD da ordem de 0,5 ng/mL e LQ de 1,0 ng/mL foram obtidos para ambos os analitos. A linearidade de PGE2 e PGD2 apresentou r>0,99. Variações inferiores a 6,51% e 5,93% foram encontradas para repetibilidade e precisão intermediária, respectivamente. Foi possível diminuir perdas durante a EFS e aumentar a recuperação dos analitos. A condição que ofereceu melhor eficiência de extração aumentou o rendimento em 181% para PGE2 e 323% para PGD2 , em relação ao método proposto pelo fabricante.

PGE2 and PGD2 are very important pro-inflammatory mediators. Traditionally, these prostaglandins are estimated by immunoassay techniques, which have several disadvantages. Since these metabolites are structural isomers, it is necessary to use selective detection techniques, such as liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). For the extraction of prostaglandins from complex matrices, solid phase extraction (SPE) is an outstanding method that can be optimized to provide excellent recovery. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a rapid method for the simultaneous analysis of PGE2 and PGD2 in cell culture medium by HPLC-MS/MS and to assess the extraction efficiency of SPE under various conditions, compared to the generic method proposed by the manufacturer of the cartridges. The analytes were separated on a reversed-phase column (C18, 150mm x 2.1mm, 5μm), eluted in a gradient of acetonitrile and water (0.1% formic acid). Ten different conditions for SPE were tested. The method was suitable for the simultaneous analysis of PGE2 and PGD2 , showing a resolution of ~1.5 between the peaks and a run time of 11 minutes. LOD of 0.5 ng/mL and LOQ of 1.0 ng/mL were recorded for both analytes. The linearity of the analytical curves for both PGE2 and PGD2 showed r>0.99. Variations of less than 6.51% and 5.93% were found for repeatability and intermediate precision, respectively. It was possible to reduce the losses during SPE and enhance the recovery of the analytes. The condition affording the best extraction efficiency increased the yield by 181% for PGE2 and 323% for PGD2 , relative to the method proposed by the manufacturer.

Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L.: a millennial herbal medicine.

OBJECTIVES: Malva sylvestris L., known as common mallow, is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. In the Mediterranean region, this species has a long history of use as food, and due to its therapeutic relevance, some parts of this plant have been employed in traditional and ethnoveterinary medicines. The leaves in particular have been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-complementary, anticancer and skin tissue integrity activity. Additionally, an anti-ulcerogenic effect was recently proven, demonstrating that the aqueous extract was more effective than cimetidine, a potent medicine used to treat gastric ulcers. Due to its wide use and medicinal importance, many studies have been conducted; however, the information in the literature is very extensive and disseminated, making it difficult to use. KEY FINDINGS: A complete review involving the ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of M. sylvestris has been made. The research has provided evidence that M. sylvestris has potential use as a medicinal plant and has highlighted a need for more studies involving clinical and toxicological aspects of its use. SUMMARY: This review can contribute to the field with its historical context, and by describing the progress made, new ideas for researchers can arise.