Plants as Sources of Anti-Inflammatory Agents.

Plants represent the main source of molecules for the development of new drugs, which intensifies the interest of transnational industries in searching for substances obtained from plant sources, especially since the vast majority of species have not yet been studied chemically or biologically, particularly concerning anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere in the pathophysiological process of inflammation, to minimize tissue damage and provide greater comfort to the patient. Therefore, it is important to note that due to the existence of a large number of species available for research, the successful development of new naturally occurring anti-inflammatory drugs depends mainly on a multidisciplinary effort to find new molecules. Although many review articles have been published in this regard, the majority presented the subject from a limited regional perspective. Thus, the current article presents highlights from the published literature on plants as sources of anti-inflammatory agents.

Phenolic Compounds Present Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Influence the Lowering of Blood Pressure in Rats.

This study identified two phenolic compounds in Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi fruits: naringenin (first report in this species) and gallic acid. Their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data (¹H-, 13C-NMR) and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. A high content of phenolics (659.21 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample-Folin-Ciocalteau method) and total flavonoids (140.69 mg of rutin equivalents/g of sample-aluminum chloride method) were quantified in S. terebinthifolius, as well as high antioxidant activity (77.47%-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH method). The antihypertensive activity related to its phenolic content was investigated. After intravenous infusion in Wistar rats, these phenolics significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the systolic, median, and diastolic arterial pressures of individuals. The rotarod test was performed to determine the mechanism of action of the sample vasorelaxant effect. It was found that its action exceeded that of the positive control used (diazepam). This confirmed the vasodilatory activity exerted by S. terebinthifolius fruits is related to the phenolic compounds present in the plant, which are potent antioxidants and inhibit oxidative stress, mainly in the central nervous system.

[Not Available]. / Vaspin association with insulin resistance is related to physical activity and body fat in Brazilian adolescents - A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Vaspin is a newly-identifi ed adipocytokine associated with insulin resistance (IR). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between plasma vaspin concentrations and IR and determine whether this association is affected by body composition, physical activity and pubertal stage in adolescents. METHODS: Were studied 484 Brazilian adolescents aged 10-14 years whose anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and lifestyle measurements were analized. We evaluated the correlation between vaspin and risk factors for IR in adolescents with normal and high body fat percentage (%BF) and did a logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio for IR according to vaspin quartiles sex specifi c for the sample. RESULTS: Vaspin was positively correlated with IR in adolescents with high %BF (r = 0.23, p = 0.003). The logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, BMI, and pubertal stage showed that adolescents in the 2nd (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23-0.80, p = 0.008) and 3rd (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.25-0.85, p = 0.014) quartile of vaspin concentration had a lower risk for IR. When the model was adjusted for %BF and physical activity, the association remained statically signifi cant only for adolescents in the 2nd quartile. CONCLUSION: Vaspin was correlated positively with risk factors associated with insulin metabolism in adolescents with high %BF. Vaspin was associated with a reduced risk of IR independently of BMI and pubertal stage and the association was infl uenced by body fat and physical activity in these adolescents.

Vaspin association with insulin resistance is related to physical activity and body fat in Brazilian adolescents - A cross-sectional study / La asociación de la vaspina con la resistencia a la insulina está relacionada con la actividad física y la grasa corporal en adolescentes brasileños. Un estudio transversal

Background: Vaspin is a newly-identified adipocytokine associated with insulin resistance (IR). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between plasma vaspin concentrations and IR and determine whether this association is affected by body composition, physical activity and pubertal stage in adolescents. Methods: Were studied 484 Brazilian adolescents aged 10-14 years whose anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and lifestyle measurements were analized. We evaluated the correlation between vaspin and risk factors for IR in adolescents with normal and high body fat percentage (%BF) and did a logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio for IR according to vaspin quartiles sex specific for the sample. Results: Vaspin was positively correlated with IR in adolescents with high %BF (r = 0.23, p = 0.003). The logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, BMI, and pubertal stage showed that adolescents in the 2nd (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23-0.80, p = 0.008) and 3rd (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.25-0.85, p = 0.014) quartile of vaspin concentration had a lower risk for IR. When the model was adjusted for %BF and physical activity, the association remained statically significant only for adolescents in the 2nd quartile. Conclusion: Vaspin was correlated positively with risk factors associated with insulin metabolism in adolescents with high %BF. Vaspin was associated with a reduced risk of IR independently of BMI and pubertal stage and the association was influenced by body fat and physical activity in these adolescents (AU)

Introducción: la vaspina es una adipocitoquina recientemente identificada que confiere resistencia a la insulina (IR). Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la correlación entre las concentraciones plasmáticas de vaspina y la IR para determinar si esta asociación se ve afectada por la composición corporal, la actividad física y la etapa de la pubertad en los adolescentes. Métodos: fueron analizados las medidas antropométricas, clínicas, bioquímicas y el estilo de vida de 484 adolescentes brasileños de entre 10 y 14 años. Se evaluó la correlación entre los factores de riesgo para vaspina e IR en los adolescentes con porcentaje de grasa corporal normal y alto (%CG) e hicimos una regresión logística para calcular el cociente de probabilidad del IR de acuerdo con los cuartiles de vaspina para la muestra, con respecto al sexo. Resultados: la vaspina se correlacionó positivamente con IR en adolescentes con alto %CG (r = 0,23; p = 0,003). El análisis de regresión logística ajustada por sexo, edad, índice de masa corporal y etapa puberal mostró que los adolescentes en el segundo (OR = 0,43; IC del 95% = desde 0,23 hasta 0,80, p = 0,008) y tercer (OR = 0,46; IC del 95% = 0,25-0,85, p = 0,014) cuartil de concentración de vaspina tenían un menor riesgo de IR. Cuando el modelo se ajustó para %GC y actividad física, la asociación siguió siendo estadísticamente significativa solo para los adolescentes en el segundo cuartil. Conclusión: la vaspina se correlacionó positivamente con los factores de riesgo asociados con el metabolismo de la insulina en los adolescentes con alto %GC. Asimismo, se asoció con un menor riesgo de IR independientemente del índice de masa corporal y de etapa de la pubertad, y la asociación estuvo influenciada por la grasa corporal y la actividad física en estos adolescentes (AU)