The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of shark cartilage are due to a peptide molecule and are nitric oxide (NO) system dependent.

The present work shows an antinociceptive and dose-dependent effect of shark cartilage hydrosoluble fraction (HF) on writhing and formalin tests in mice. The effect was not altered by thalidomide, a known inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-alfa) synthesis. Similarly, the antinociceptive effect did not change in the presence of naloxone, indicating that the opioid system is not involved. However, the effect observed was blocked by L-arginine, a NO synthesis substrate, and it was potentiated by L-NAME, suggesting a role of the NO system in the shark cartilage antinociceptive effect. Effects similar to those seen with the HF were detected with peak II from gel filtration chromatography. The increase in vascular permeability induced by serotonin in rats was significantly abolished by the HF at the dose of 2 mg/kg, p.o., and again it was not potentiated by thalidomide. The observed blockade in the vascular permeability increase induced by histamine was detected only with a higher dose (10 mg/kg, p.o.).

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a water-soluble fraction from shark cartilage.

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of a water-soluble fraction (WSF), extracted with 0.1 M ammonium bicarbonate, pH 8.0, from shark cartilage were studied in several experimental models. Orally administered WSF (10 mg/kg) caused 25.7 and 23.6% inhibition of the paw edema produced in female Wistar rats (200-250 g) by carrageenan and dextran, respectively, after 3 h, as compared to controls. WSF administered orally had no effect on acetic acid-induced writhings in male Swiss mice (25-30 g) at the dose of 0.01 mg/kg but caused 52.8 and 61.4% inhibition at the doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, compared to controls (No. of writhings/20 min, means +/- SEM: treated groups = 18.6 +/- 2.5, N = 12 and 15.2 +/- 1.4, N = 12, respectively; controls = 39.3 +/- 1.3, N = 77). In the formalin test (male Swiss mice, 25-30 g), orally administered WSF (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) caused 12.0 and 46.6% inhibition of licking time, respectively, only in the 2nd phase (inflammatory) of the test (licking time, means +/- SEM: treated group = 18.3 +/- 4.4 sec, N = 7 and 11.1 +/- 3.4 sec, N = 13; controls = 20.8 +/- 2.4 sec, N = 44). The results suggest that a molecule of a protein nature in shark cartilage is probably responsible for the effects observed.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a water-soluble fraction from shark cartilage

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of a water-soluble fraction (WSF), extracted with 0.1 M ammonium bicarbonate, pH 8.0, from shark cartilage were studied in several experimental mod-els. Orally administered WSF (1O mg/kg) caused 25.7 and 23.6 per cent inhibition of the paw edema produced in female Wistar rats (200-250 g) by carrageenan and dextran, respectively, after 3 h, as compared to controls. WSF administered orally had no effect on acetic acid-induced writhings in male Swiss mice (25-30 g) at the dose of 0.01 mg/kg, but caused 52.8 and 61.4 per cent inhibition at the doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, compared to controls (No. of writhings/20 min, means ñ SEM: treated groups = 18.6 ñ 2.5, N = 12 and 15.2 ñ 1.4, N = 12, respectively; controls = 39.3 ñ 1.3, N = 77). In the formalin test (male Swiss mice, 25-30 g), orally administered WSF (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) caused 12.0 and 46.6 per cent inhibition of licking time, respectively, only in the 2nd phase (infiammatory) of the test (licking time, means ñ SEM: treated group = 18.3 ñ 4.4 sec, N = 7 and 11.1 ñ 3.4 sec, N = 13; controls = 20.8 ñ 2.4 sec, N = 44). The results suggest that a molecule of a protein nature in shark cartilage is probably responsible for the effects observed.

Natural product chemistry in north-eastern Brazil.

The north-eastern region of Brazil comprises about one third of the country's territory. It is a semi-arid region with a flora rich in aromatic, toxic and medicinal plants. Screening of aromatic plants led to the investigation of about 2000 samples of essential oil from plants from the region and from abroad. Studies done by the Universidade Federal do Ceará and other research groups in the region discovered several new substances with distinct pharmacological activities. Recent examples are: schultezin, hydroxy-bisabolol, trans-annonene, (-)-hardwickic acid, trans-cascarillone, nor-cucurbitacins, oleanolic saponin and chalcone dimer. A social programme called the Living Pharmacy was created to teach poor people how to cultivate and use medicinal plants correctly. A project to develop interaction between the university and industry also arose from these studies.

Plants used in traditional medicine of China and Brazil.

Even though the rationale behind the use of medicinal plants in Brazil and China is different, twenty four species are used in both countries. Scientific name, vulgar name and uses in both countries along with their chemical constituents are listed.

Plants used in traditional medicine of China and Brazil

Eventhough the rationale behind the use of medicinal plantes in Brazil and Chine is different, twenty four species are used in both countries. Scientific name, vulgar name and uses in both countries along with their chemical constituents are listed.