Anti-arthritic properties of crude extract from Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic crude extract (HCE) from Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves on the development of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and on pro-inflammatory cytokine balance. METHODS: Collagen-induced arthritis was induced in DBA1/J mice. On the 21st day, the mice were treated orally with HCE or methotrexate, daily. Six weeks after beginning the treatment, the following measures were determined: lymphoid organs cell numbers, percentage of blood cells, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 serum concentrations, activity of hepatic and kidney glutathione S-transferase, hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, bone density and histopathology. KEY FINDINGS: Treatment of CIA mice with HCE 5 mg/kg (HCE5) reduced the percentage of neutrophils and macrophages and the number of bone marrow cells and increased the lymphocyte numbers and the inguinal lymph node cellularity. This treatment inhibited the serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α, which may be related to the preservation of bone density and to the slight thickening of periarticular tissues, with minimal fibrosis and fibroblast proliferation in the joints. The CIA group presented advanced articular erosion and synovial hyperplasia. Phytochemical analysis showed mainly flavonols. CONCLUSIONS: HCE5 presented anti-arthritic potential and reduced IL-6 and TNF-α, which participate directly in the development and maintenance of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis.

Pterodon polygalaeflorus essential oil modulates acute inflammation and B and T lymphocyte activation.

The increased life expectancy of the population has led to increasing incidences of cancer, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Thus the continuous search for new drugs is necessary because ineffectiveness and adverse effects have been described for standard drugs. Essential oils are important sources of bioactive metabolites and several clinical trials have been developed using them. The Pterodon genus has been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatic disorders, thus this work investigated the properties of essential oil from Pterodon polygalaeflorus fruits (EsOPpg) on acute inflammation and lymphocyte activation. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and its components were identified by GC/MS. The anti-inflammatory response was assessed using the air pouch model. Antinociceptive potential was evaluated using the writhing model. Lymphocyte phenotyping, cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. EsOPpg promoted a reduction in leukocyte counts and protein concentration in the exudate, and reduced vasodilatation and inflammatory cell infiltrate in air pouch tissue. No antinociceptive effect was demonstrated for the doses tested. EsOPpg inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, arresting the cell cycle in G1 phase, and induced apoptosis in these cells. EsOPpg downregulated both the total number of CD8(+) T cells and the activated subpopulation (CD8(+)CD69(+)), while promoting upregulation of the total number of CD19(+) and CD19(+)CD69(+) B cells. In conclusion, Pterodon polygalaeflorus essential oil diminished the acute inflammatory response and inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, reducing neutrophil recruitment into the cavity and air pouch tissue and promoting distinct modulations of the activation level of each lymphocyte subpopulation.