ABSTRACT
AIM: To analyze the effect of the use of carvacrol in the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Methods: Twenty animals were allocated in four groups, one group control Wistar receiving only sorbitol, used as vehicle of administration of the carvacrol (Wistar-Vehicle), one control group SHR, also receive only sorbitol (SHR-Vehicle), a third, treated with losartan (SHR-Losartan/50 mg/kg), and the fourth, treated with carvacrol (SHR - Carvacrol/20 mg/kg). Sorbitol, losartan and carvacrol were administered by oral gavage daily for 30-day. Hemodynamic variables, vascular reactivity, biochemical parameters, and expression of Mas and AT1 receptors in kidney tissues were analyzed. RESULTS: SHR- Carvacrol group showed a maximal effect of inhibition of 56% in the curve of norepinephrine. The Emax of the curves with Ca2+ were smaller in the groups SHR-losartan (40.17%) and SHR-carvacrol (35.71%) when compared to the SHR-Vehicle. The carvacrol increased the expression of the MAS receptors in kidney tissue. CONCLUSION: Thirty days of treatment with carvacrol showed an antihypertensive effect associated with less peripheral vascular resistance. Also, treatment with carvacrol increased the expression of MAS receptors in kidney tissue.
Subject(s)
CymenesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pluchea quitoc DC. (Asteraceae), a medicinal plant known as "quitoco," "caculucage," "tabacarana" and "madre-cravo," is indicated for inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, arthritis, and inflammation in the uterus and digestive system. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the triterpenes compounds obtained from P. quitoc aerial parts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The triterpenes compounds ß-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol in a mixture (T); ß-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture (Ta); ß-amyrin, taraxasterol, pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture with ß-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol myristates (Tafe) were analyzed in the models of nociception and inflammation. The evaluation of antinociceptive activity was carried out by the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick tests while leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity was used for anti-inflammatory profile. RESULTS: The oral administration of T or Tafe (40 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg) and Ta (70 mg/kg) to mice reduced acetic acid-induced writhing. The tail-flick response of mice was not affected by T or Tafe (40 mg/kg). T or Tafe (40 mg/kg) and Ta (70 mg/kg) also inhibited peritoneal leukocyte infiltration following the injection of carrageenan. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity of the triterpenes ß-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo-taraxasterol that were decreased when these were acetylated; while the acetylated triterpenes in mixture with myristyloxy triterpenes improved this activity. These compounds seem, at least in part, to be related to the plant's reported activity. SUMMARY: The mixtures of hydroxylated, acetylated, and myristate triterpenes isolated from hexanic extracts of Pluchea quitoc DC. were analyzed in the models of nociception and inflammation in mice. The results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity of the triterpenes ß-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo-taraxasterol. This study showed too that the activity of triterpenes may be decreased by their being acetylated, while the acetylated triterpenes in mixture with myristate triterpenes improved this activity.Abbreviations Used: T: Triterpenes compounds ß-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo-taraxasterol in a mixture, Ta: Triterpenes compounds ß-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture, Tafe: Triterpenes compounds ß-amyrin, taraxasterol, pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture with ß-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol myristates, Ctrl: Control, Indo: Indomethacin, Dexa: Dexamethasone, EtOAc: Ethyl acetate, MeOH: Methanol.
