Casearia decandra leaves present anti-inflammatory efficacy in a skin inflammation model in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Casearia decandra (guaçatonga) is popularly used as an anti-inflammatory. We investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of C.decandra leaves (CdE) ethanolic extract and of the rutin standard (present in the CdE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male adult Swiss mice were used (25-30 g; 5-6 animals by a group). CdE phytochemical analysis was performed by HPLC method. The antioxidant potential of CdE and rutin was assessed by different methods. Topical anti-inflammatory effect of CdE (0.001-1mg/ear) and rutin (0.003-0.03mg/ear) was evaluated by ear edema formation and inflammatory cells infiltration (MPO activity and histology) on a skin inflammation model induced by topical application of croton oil (1mg/ear). RESULTS: Rutin (27.81 ± 1.11 mg/g) was identified in CdE by HPLC analysis. The required amounts of CdE, rutin and ascorbic acid to reduce the initial concentration of radical DPPH by 50% (IC50) were 7.77 (6.31-9.57) µg/mL, 3.62 (3.26-4.01) µg/mL and 3.74 (3.37-4.14) µg/mL with a radical DPPH reduction of 91 ± 1.2%, 91 ± 0.5%, and 96 ± 0.44% (at 30 µg/mL), respectively. Moreover, CdE and rutin presented H2O2 scavenging activity with H2O2 levels reduction of 41 ± 7% and 46 ± 6%, respectively and SOD-like activity of 60 ± 4% and 51 ± 14%, respectively. On the other hand, just rutin presented nitric oxide scavenging activity of 54 ± 6%. CdE and rutin topically applied inhibited the ear edema with a maximum inhibition of 70 ± 5% (1 mg/ear) and 78 ± 10% (0.03 mg/ear), respectively. Treatments reduced the MPO activity (42 ± 4% to CdE; 1mg/ear and 30 ± 8% to rutin; 0.03 mg/ear). Histologically, the topical treatments also reduced the dermis thickness and the inflammatory cells infiltration. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of C.decandra leaves and rutin. Its antioxidant potential may contribute to inflammatory process attenuation, supporting the C.decandra leaves used as a promising alternative in the therapy of the inflammatory diseases.

Safety assessment of ethanolic extract of Olea europaea L. leaves after acute and subacute administration to Wistar rats.

Olea europaea L., popularly known as olive, is a plant widely used worldwide. Its leaves, fruit and oil are extensively consumed and present important pharmacological properties. However, studies regarding the toxicity of olive leaves are still limited in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate acute and subacute oral toxicities of the ethanolic extract of olive leaves (EEO) in Wistar rats through histopathology and biochemical and hematological parameters. Acute toxicity was assessed using a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of EEO administered by oral gavage to male and female rats. To assess subacute toxicity, EEO was administered during 28 days at different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) to male and female rats. At the end of the experiments, the liver and kidney were removed and examined microscopically, and blood was collected for hematological and biochemical parameters. A single dose of 2000 mg/kg did not induce mortality or any signs of toxicity among the animals treated. Animals exposed to EEO during 28 days did not present sign of abnormalities. Results demonstrated that EEO did not induce toxicity after exposure to single and repeated doses. However, more studies are needed to fully understand implications for human safety.

Antimicrobial, antitrypanosomal and antibiofilm activity of Equisetum hyemale.

This study evaluates, for the first time, the antibiofilm, antimicrobial and antiparasitic potential of crude extract and fractions of stems of Equisetum hyemale against several infectious agents (bacteria, fungi, Mycobacterium and Trypanosomes) by broth microdilution technique and investigates the phenolic composition of the plant by high performance liquid chromatography. The crude extract and fractions showed antimicrobial activity, as they were capable of inhibiting the growth of bacteria in minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 52.4 mg/mL to 3.27 mg/mL. For Candida species, the MICs ranged from 52.4 mg/mL to 6.5 mg/mL, and for Mycobacterium species from 2.5 mg/mL to 0.625 mg/mL. The dichloromethane fraction was able to reduce 83% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and 51% of Candida albicans biofilms. The n-butanol fraction presents an important protozoal effect, reducing 100% of Trypanosoma evansi trypomastigotes after 9 h of exposure. The HPLC analysis revealed that the major substances are rosmarinic acid in dichloromethane fraction (7.38 ± 0.08 mg/g FS) and chlorogenic acid in ethyl acetate fraction (8.4 ± 0.26 mg/g FS). The crude extract and fractions of E. hyemale can be both useful and effective agents as a sustainable alternative for the treatment and prevention of several infectious agents.

Development and Validation of an HPLC-DAD Analysis for Flavonoids in the gel of Scutia buxifolia.

Recent interest in flavonoids has increased greatly due to their biological and pharmacological activities. Flavonoids consist of a large group of low molecular weight polyphenolic substances, naturally occurring in fruits, vegetables and tea, and are an integral part of the human diet. Quercetin and rutin are bioactive markers of Scutia buxifolia and no analytical methods reported so far, associated with quality control of polyherbal formulations containing this species. Therefore, there is a need to develop a sensitive, simple, rapid and reliable method that can simultaneously determine these markers in their combinations. A high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed and validated as per ICH guidelines. The chromatographic analysis was performed using a C18 column, the mobile phase system consisted of acetonitrile-water (70 : 30, v/v) containing 0.5% (v/v) phosphoric acid and quercetin and rutin were quantificadoa to 356 nm. The proposed method for the quantification of quercetin and rutin in the S. buxifolia fraction (EaSb) and gel was linear, sensitive, precise, specific, accurate and robust. This validated method can be used to control the quality of the EaSb and the gel.

Antiinflammatory effects of Viola tricolor gel in a model of sunburn in rats and the gel stability study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Viola tricolor, popularly known as heartsease has been empirically used in several skin disorders, including burns. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study was investigate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect of a gel containing extract of Viola tricolor flowers on thermal burn induced by UVB irradiation and to perform gel stability study. METHODS: The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect were evaluated by static and dynamic mechanical allodynia model, paw edema, and neutrophilic cell infiltration. Metabolites compounds were quantified by HPLC. The gel stability study was performed analyzing organoleptical aspects, besides pH, viscosity, and quantification of rutin by HPLC. RESULTS: In the results were evidenced changes in threshold in statical and dynamic mechanical allodynia (I(max)=100 ± 10% and 49 ± 10%, respectively), paw edema (I(max)=61 ± 6%), and myeloperoxidase activity (I(max)=89 ± 5%). Such effects may be attributed, in part, to rutin, salicylic and chlorogenic acids, and others compounds found in this species. No important changes were detected in the stability study, in all aspects analyzed in temperature below 25 °C. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Viola tricolor gel has an antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect in the ultraviolet-B-induced burn, since maintain the temperature below 25 °C.