O ENVOLVIMENTO DO SISTEMA COMPLEMENTO NOS PROCESSOS DE ATEROGÊNESE

Atherosclerosis has been considered a chronic inflammatory illness induced by macrophage activation, T lymphocyte and complement system. This system corresponds to a group of plasma and membrane proteins, which are activated by a cascade of interactions that result in the production of some pro-inflammatory molecules. Although it is one of the effector mechanisms of the innate immune system, in certain circumstances, the system complement can itself contribute for "triggering" cardiovascular diseases. This review contains a brief description of the complement cascade and the processes of atherogenesis as well as the involvement of immunological factors, mainly the complement system activation on patogenesis of atherosclerosis.A aterosclerose é considerada como uma doença inflamatória crônica desencadeada pela ativação de macrófagos, linfócitos T e sistema complemento (SC). O SC corresponde a um grupo de proteínas plasmáticas e de membrana, as quais são ativadas por uma cascata de interações que resultam na produção de várias moléculas pro-inflamatórias. Embora seja um dos mecanismos efetores do sistema imune inato, em certas circunstâncias, o SC pode por si contribuir para o desencadeamento de doenças cardiovasculares. Esta revisão contêm uma descrição sumarizada da cascata do SC e dos processos de aterogênese bem como o envolvimento de fatores imunológicos, em especial o SC, na patogênese da aterosclerose

Gene expression profiles in human HepG2 cells treated with extracts of the Tamarindus indica fruit pulp

Tamarindus indicaL. (T. indica) or locally known as asam jawa belongs to the family of Leguminosae. The fruit pulp had been reported to have antioxidant activities and possess hypolipidaemic effects. In this study, we attempted to investigate the gene expression patterns in human hepatoma HepG2 cell line in response to treatment with low concentration of the fruit pulp extracts. Microarray analysis using Affymetrix Human Genome 1.0 S.T arrays was used in the study. Microarray data were validated using semi-quantitative RT–PCR and real-time RT–PCR. Amongst the significantly up-regulated genes were those that code for the metallothioneins (MT1M, MT1F, MT1X) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTA1, GSTA2, GST02) that are involved in stress response. APOA4, APOA5, ABCG5 and MTTP genes were also significantly regulated that could be linked to hypolipidaemic activities of the T. indica fruit pulp

Evaluation of physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of different tinctures of barbatimão (Stryphnodendron barbatiman)

Como conseqüência da grande difusão e utilização de plantas medicinais, as indústrias vêm fabricando produtos a base de espécies vegetais, de diversas formas farmacêuticas, que têm sido comercializados em farmácias e casas de produtos naturais. No entanto, não há garantia para a grande maioria destes produtos, quanto à sua eficácia, segurança e qualidade, podendo trazer riscos à saúde do consumidor. Assim, torna-se importante o estabelecimento de protocolos padronizados de controle de qualidade para produtos fitoterápicos. Encontram-se disponíveis no mercado brasileiro tinturas de barbatimão provenientes de diversos fabricantes. Com a finalidade de avaliar a diferença entre a qualidade destas tinturas, foi realizado um estudo comparativo das características físico-químicas e fitoquímicas de tinturas de barbatimão provenientes de quatro fabricantes. Para a avaliação físico-química foram realizados ensaios de pH, densidade, resíduo seco e doseamento de taninos. A análise fitoquímica foi feita empregando cromatografia em camada delgada. As diferenças físico-químicas e fitoquímicas observadas evidenciaram a falta de padronização na produção destas tinturas.As a consequence of the large distribution and use of medicinal plants, the industries are producing products based on plant species in various pharmaceutical forms, which have been commercialized in pharmacies and natural products homes. However, there is no guarantee for the vast majority of these products, as to their effectiveness, safety and quality, which may cause risks to the health of consumers. Therefore it is important the establishment of standardized protocols of quality control for phytotherapeutic products. Tinctures of barbatimão are available in the Brazilian market proceeding from diverse manufacturers. With the purpose to evaluate the difference between the quality of tinctures of barbatimão proceeding from four manufacturers, a comparative study of physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics was carried out. For physico-chemical analysis, the pH, density, dry residue and tannins content were evaluated. The phytochemical analysis was made using thin layer chromatography. The differences observed in physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics had evidenced the lack of standardization in the production of these tinctures

Evaluation of physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of different tinctures of barbatimão (Stryphnodendron barbatiman)

Como conseqüência da grande difusão e utilização de plantas medicinais, as indústrias vêm fabricando produtos a base de espécies vegetais, de diversas formas farmacêuticas, que têm sido comercializados em farmácias e casas de produtos naturais. No entanto, não há garantia para a grande maioria destes produtos, quanto à sua eficácia, segurança e qualidade, podendo trazer riscos à saúde do consumidor. Assim, torna-se importante o estabelecimento de protocolos padronizados de controle de qualidade para produtos fitoterápicos. Encontram-se disponíveis no mercado brasileiro tinturas de barbatimão provenientes de diversos fabricantes. Com a finalidade de avaliar a diferença entre a qualidade destas tinturas, foi realizado um estudo comparativo das características físico-químicas e fitoquímicas de tinturas de barbatimão provenientes de quatro fabricantes. Para a avaliação físico-química foram realizados ensaios de pH, densidade, resíduo seco e doseamento de taninos. A análise fitoquímica foi feita empregando cromatografia em camada delgada. As diferenças físico-químicas e fitoquímicas observadas evidenciaram a falta de padronização na produção destas tinturas.As a consequence of the large distribution and use of medicinal plants, the industries are producing products based on plant species in various pharmaceutical forms, which have been commercialized in pharmacies and natural products homes. However, there is no guarantee for the vast majority of these products, as to their effectiveness, safety and quality, which may cause risks to the health of consumers. Therefore it is important the establishment of standardized protocols of quality control for phytotherapeutic products. Tinctures of barbatimão are available in the Brazilian market proceeding from diverse manufacturers. With the purpose to evaluate the difference between the quality of tinctures of barbatimão proceeding from four manufacturers, a comparative study of physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics was carried out. For physico-chemical analysis, the pH, density, dry residue and tannins content were evaluated. The phytochemical analysis was made using thin layer chromatography. The differences observed in physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics had evidenced the lack of standardization in the production of these tinctures

Evaluation of physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of different tinctures of barbatimao (Stryphnodendron barbatiman)

As a consequence of the large distribution and use of medicinal plants, the industries are producing products based on plant species in various pharmaceutical forms, which have been commercialized in pharmacies and natural products homes. However, there is no guarantee for the vast majority of these products, as to their effctiveness, safety, and quality, which may cause risks to the health of consumers. There it is important the establishment of standardized protocols of quality control for phytotherapeutic products. Tinctures of barbatimao are available in the Brazilian market proceeding from diverse manufacturers. With the purpose to evaluate the difference between the quality of tinctures of barbatimao proceeding from four manufactures, a comparative study of ph ysico-chenfical andphylocheinical characteristics was carried out. For physico-chemical analysis, the pH, density, dry residue and tannins content were evaluated. The phytochemical analysis was made using thin layer chromatography. The differences observed in physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics had evidenced the lack of standardization in the production of these tinctures

Inhibitory activity of liposomal flavonoids during oxidative metabolism of human neutrophils upon stimulation with immune complexes and phorbol ester

Context and objective: The massive production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils during inflammation may cause damage to tissues. Flavonoids act as antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, liposomes loaded with these compounds were evaluated as potential antioxidant carriers, in attempt to overcome their poor solubility and stability. Materials and methods: Liposomes containing quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol or galangin were prepared by the ethanol injection method and analyzed as inhibitors of immune complex (IC) and phorbol ester-stimulated neutrophil oxidative metabolism by luminol (CLlum) and lucigenin-enhanced (CLluc) chemiluminescence (CL) assays. The mechanisms involved this activity of liposomal flavonoids, such as cytotoxicity and superoxide anion scavenging capacity, and their effect on phagocytosis of ICs were also investigated. Results and discussion: The results showed that the inhibitory effect of liposomal flavonoids on CLlum and CLluc is inversely related to the number of hydroxyl groups in the flavonoid B ring. Moreover, phagocytosis of liposomes by neutrophils does not seem to necessarily promote such activity, as the liposomal flavonoids are also able to reduce CL when the cells are pretreated with cytochalasin B. Under assessed conditions, the antioxidant liposomes are not toxic to the human neutrophils and do not interfere with IC-induced phagocytosis. Conclusion: The studied liposomes can be suitable carriers of flavonoids and be an alternative for the treatment of diseases in which a massive oxidative metabolism of neutrophils is involved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP, Brazil) [2006/04398-5, 2007/00161-3]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), BrazilConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) [306130/2009-2

Study of quercetin-loaded liposomes as potential drug carriers: in vitro evaluation of human complement activation

Liposomes have been employed as potential drug carriers. However, after their in vivo administration, they can be destabilized by proteins of complement system, contributing to the clearance of vesicles from blood circulation. Antioxidant flavonoids such as quercetin have been reported to be beneficial to human health, but their low water solubility and bioavailability limit their enteric administration. Therefore, the development of appropriate flavonoid-carriers could be of great importance to drug therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the activation of human complement system proteins by liposomes composed of soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and cholesterol (CHOL) or cholesteryl ethyl ether (CHOL-OET) loaded with quercetin or not. The consumption of complement, via classical (CP) and alternative (AP) pathways, by different vesicles was evaluated using a hemolytic assay and quantitative determination of iC3b and natural antibodies deposited on empty liposomal surfaces by ELISA. The main results showed that empty liposomes composed of large amounts of CHOL consumed more complement components than the others for both CP and AP. Furthermore, replacement of CHOL with CHOL-OET reduced complement consumption via both CP and AP. Incorporation of quercetin did not change CP and AP consumption. Deposition of iC3b, IgG and IgM in vesicles composed of SPC: CHOL-OET at a molar ratio of 1.5:1 was lower compared to the others. Taken together, these observations suggest that liposomes composed of SPC: CHOL-OET at a molar ratio of 1.5:1 are the most appropriate among the vesicles studied herein to be used as a drug carrier system in further investigations.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP, Brazil) [2006/04398-5, 2007/00161-3