Chrysobalanus icaco L. Leaves Normalizes Insulin Sensitivity and Blood Glucose and Inhibits Weight Gain in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Chrysobalanus icaco L. is a medicinal plant present in the Brazilian coastline and known for its hypoglicemic and antioxidant properties. Here, we assessed the beneficial metabolic effects of the aqueous extract of C. icaco (AECI) leaves in diet-induced obese mice. Swiss mice were fed standard chow (SC used as controls) or high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. After 10 weeks, mice on each diet were divided into two groups with one group used as control while the other group treated with AECI for 4 weeks resulting in four groups of mice: SC; SC treated with AECI (SC + AECI); HFD; and HFD treated with AECI (HFD + AECI). AECI was administered drinking water at about 200 mg/kg. AECI was able to normalize insulin (13,682 ± 1090 vs. 9828 ± 485 AU, P < .05) and fasting blood glucose (192.8 ± 14.2 vs. 132.3 ± 6.4 mg/dL, P < .05) and inhibit weight gain (39 ± 5.7%) and fat storage in liver (72.60 ± 3.83%, P < .0001), despite the high-fat intake. These findings reinforce the use of AECI in hyperglycemia and highlight the potential extract's effect in preventing weight gain and fat accumulation in liver of diet-induced obese mice.

Investigation of mechanisms involved in (-)-borneol-induced vasorelaxant response on rat thoracic aorta.

The monoterpene (-)-borneol is present in essential oils of several medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate (-)-borneol effects on rat thoracic aorta artery rings. The cumulative addition of (-)-borneol (10(-9) -3 × 10(-4) M) on a phenylephrine-induced pre-contraction (10(-6) M) promoted a vasorelaxant effect in a concentration-dependent manner and independent of vascular endothelium. A similar effect was obtained on KCl-induced pre-contractions (80 mM). (-)-Borneol (10(-5) -3 × 10(-4 ) M) inhibited contractions induced by cumulative addition of CaCl2 (10(-6) -3 × 10(-2) M) in depolarizing medium without Ca(2+) in a concentration-dependent manner. On S-(-) Bay K 8644-induced pre-contractions (10(-7) M), (-)-borneol did not induce significant changes compared with KCl-induced pre-contractions. In a Ca(2+) -free medium, (-)-borneol (10(-5) , 10(-4) or 10(-3) M) interfered in calcium mobilization from phenylephrine (10(-6) M)- or caffeine (20 mM)-sensitive intracellular stores. The involvement of K(+) channels was evaluated by tetraethylammonium (3 mM), 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) and glibenclamide (10(-5) M) pre-treatment, and (-)-borneol-induced vasorelaxation was markedly attenuated. Thus, this vasorelaxant effect can probably be attributed to calcium influx blockade through voltage-operated calcium channels (CaV L), calcium mobilization from intracellular stores and potassium channels activation.

Anti-inflammatory and redox-protective activities of citronellal.

The anti-inflammatory and redox protective effects of the citronellal (CT) were evaluated using in vivo and in vitro tests. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CT (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) inhibited (p < 0.05) the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. Additionally, the carrageenan- and arachidonic acid-induced rat hind paw edema was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) by i.p. administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg of the compound. When the redox activity was evaluated, CT (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced hepatic lipoperoxidation (p < 0.001), as well as oxidation of plasmatic (p < 0.05) and hepatic (p < 0.01) proteins. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that CT possesses anti-inflammatory and redox protective activities. It is suggested that its effects are associated with the inhibition of the enzymes in the arachidonic acid pathway, which prevent cell migration by inhibiting leukotriene production, edema formation and the increase of reactive oxygen species in tissues. Therefore, CT is of potential benefit to manage inflammatory disorders and correlated damages caused by oxidant agents.

Anti-inflammatory and redox-protective activities of citronellal

The anti-inflammatory and redox protective effects of the citronellal (CT) were evaluated using in vivo and in vitro tests. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CT (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) inhibited (p < 0.05) the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. Additionally, the carrageenan- and arachidonic acid-induced rat hind paw edema was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) by i.p. administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg of the compound. When the redox activity was evaluated, CT (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced hepatic lipoperoxidation (p < 0.001), as well as oxidation of plasmatic (p < 0.05) and hepatic (p < 0.01) proteins. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that CT possesses anti-inflammatory and redox protective activities. It is suggested that its effects are associated with the inhibition of the enzymes in the arachidonic acid pathway, which prevent cell migration by inhibiting leukotriene production, edema formation and the increase of reactive oxygen species in tissues. Therefore, CT is of potential benefit to manage inflammatory disorders and correlated damages caused by oxidant agents.