Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features

SummaryLuffa operculata is the botanical name of buchinha-do-norte or cabacinha, which is a medicinal plant widely used for the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. In Europe and USA, it is available in homeopathic medicines. In Brazil, Luffa operculata dry fruit infusion is inhaled or instilled into the nose releasing profuse mucous secretion, thus relieving nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, this often may cause irritation, epistaxis or anosmia.Study designExperimental.Material and MethodThe effects of Luffa operculata were evaluated in different concentration infusions, in isolated frog palate preparation, testing 46 palates after immersion. Four groups (n = 10) were tested with the infusion prepared with frog Ringer (isotonic): control; 60 mg/L; 600 mg/L; and 1200 mg/L. An additional group was tested using the infusion with water (600 mg/L H2O, n = 6). Epithelial samples were harvested to be studied under light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy.ResultsIn treated palates, light microscopy findings were dose-dependent standard toxic changes. Electron transmission microscopy showed enlargement of intercellular spaces and tight junctions disruption, pointing to ion-fluid transport abnormalities. Conclusions: Luffa operculata infusion in currently used doses can promote significant structural and ultrastructural changes in the epithelium of this ex vivo model of respiratory mucosa

Effects of Luffa operculata infusion on the epithelium and the mucociliary activity of the isolated frog palate

Luffa operculata é uma planta medicinal popularmente usada para tratamento de rinites e rinossinusites. A infusão de seu fruto seco é usada no nariz, liberando secreção mucosa profusa, mas pode causar irritação, epistaxe ou anosmia. Avaliamos os efeitos de diferentes concentrações da infusão do fruto seco da Luffa operculata na velocidade de transporte mucociliar (VTM), freqüência de batimento ciliar (FBC), diferença de potencial transepitelial (DPT) e morfologia do epitélio (microscopia de luz e eletrônica de transmissão), no modelo do palato isolado de rã. Os resultados apontam para dano epitelial dose-dependente no epitélio mucociliar, sugerindo que ela seja potencialmente nociva à mucosa nasal humanaLuffa operculata is a medicinal plant popularly used for treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. Its dry fruit infusion is used into the nose, delivering profuse mucous secretion, but may cause nasal mucosa irritation, epistaxis or anosmia. We evaluated the effects of different concentrations of Luffa operculata dry fruit infusion on mucociliary transport velocity (MTV), ciliary beat frequency (CBF), transepithelial potential difference (TPD) and epithelial morphology (light and electron transmission microscopy) of the isolated frog palate preparation. Results pointed to dose-dependent epithelial damage on mucociliary epithelium, suggesting that it is potentially noxious to the human nasal mucos