Topical antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of Scutia buxifolia Reissek gel and stability study.

Scutia buxifolia Reissek (Rhamnaceae), popularly known in Brazil as "coronilha", is a plant species used in folk medicine for several disorders, including inflammation. However, no studies have been done with this species to confirm its topical anti-inflammatory action. In this study we evaluate the topical antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of the gel containing crude extract (CE) and the gel containing ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of S. buxifolia on croton oil or UVB radiation-induced ear edema in mice, and perform gel stability study. Antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated through ear edema induced by irritant agent croton oil, UVB irradiation-induced skin injury model and neutrophil infiltration. The gel stability study was performed by analyzing organoleptical aspects, pH, viscosity, and quantification of quercetin and rutin by HPLC. The topical treatment with S. buxifolia gel reduced the ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity. Antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of S. buxifolia were obtained with concentrations of 0.3, 1 and 3%, with maximal inhibition in the concentration of 1% for gel containing CE (inhibitions of 100, 73±0.05 and 97±0.08% for croton oil- or UVB irradiation-induced ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity, respectively) and EtOAc fraction (inhibitions of 79±0.05, 73±0.05 and 89±0.04% for croton oil- or UVB irradiation-induced ear edema and myeloperoxidase activity, respectively). Such effects may be attributed, at least in part, to rutin and quercetin, as well as other compounds found in this species. No important changes were detected in the stability study, in all aspects analyzed in temperature below 25°C. Our results demonstrate that topically applied S. buxifolia gel presented anti-inflammatory effects, provided that it was maintained at a temperature below 25°C.

Tabernaemontana catharinensis ethyl acetate fraction presents antinociceptive activity without causing toxicological effects in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of painful and inflammatory disorders. Here, we investigated the antinociceptive potential of the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from T. catharinensis leaves and assessed its toxic effects in mice to validate its popular use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Swiss mice (30-35g) were used. The Eta antinociceptive effect (200-800mg/kg, oral route (p.o.)) was evaluated in the acetic acid, formalin, capsaicin and tail-immersion tests. Adverse effects were analyzed using rotarod and open-field tests, body temperature, biochemical analysis and gastric lesions assessment. To evaluate the acute (OECD 423) or sub-acute (OECD 407) toxicity of the Eta, it was administered orally at a single (2000mg/kg) or repeated doses (100-400mg/kg/day for 28 days), respectively. Mortality, behavioral changes, biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated. The Eta effect on cellular viability also was evaluated. RESULTS: Eta (200-800mg/kg) inhibited the nociception caused by acetic acid (93.9±1.5%), formalin (86.2±10.8%) or capsaicin (75.4±3.3%) without inducing gastric lesions. Moreover, Eta neither altered the body temperature, biochemical parameters, nor forced or spontaneous locomotor activity of mice. The acute administration of the Eta (2000mg/kg) promoted a decrease in blood glucose levels and alanine aminotransferase activity. In the sub-acute toxicity study, Eta increased the aspartate aminotransferase activity (400mg/kg) and platelet distribution width (200mg/kg). Furthermore, Eta did not alter the cellular viability in cortical slices. CONCLUSIONS: Eta presents antinociceptive effects and mild toxicity in mice. These results support its traditional use as a potential analgesic.

Effects of butane-2,3-dione thiosemicarbazone oxime on testicular damage induced by cadmium in mice.

Our group of studies investigated the action of butane-2,3-dione thiosemicarbazone oxime against the testicular damage caused by cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) in mice. Mice received a single injection of CdCl(2 )(5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and, after thirty minutes, the oxime (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation and the testes and serum were removed for analysis. The parameters determined were δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. The levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), nonprotein thiols (NPSH), ascorbic acid, cadmium and testosterone were also determined. In addition, histological analysis and cytokines quantification (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were performed. Our results demonstrated that the oxime was effective in restoring the inhibition in δ-ALA-D activity induced by CdCl(2). The activation of MPO and increase in IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels induced by CdCl(2) were also reduced by oxime. IL-10, which was reduced by cadmium, was restored by oxime administration. In addition, the oxime was effective in restoring the increase in TBARS levels and the reduction on NPSH levels induced by CdCl(2). Our results demonstrated that oxime was effective in containing the histological alterations induced by CdCl(2). In addition, oxime was able to increase the testosterone levels, reduced by cadmium exposure. In conclusion, the oxime tested was effective in reducing the testicular damage induced by CdCl(2) in mice. The beneficial effects of this oxime are related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.