RESUMO
High doses of paracetamol (APAP) can cause irreversible liver damage. Piperine (P) inhibits cytochrome P450, which is involved in the metabolism of various xenobiotics, including paracetamol. We evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of piperine with or without N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The mice were treated with two doses of piperine (P20 or P40) and/or NAC at 2 h after administration of APAP. The NAC+P20 and NAC+P40 groups showed a reduced area of necrosis, MMP-9 activity, and Casp-1 expression. Furthermore, the NAC+P20 group was the only treatment that reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and increased the levels of sulfhydryl groups (-SH). In the NAC+P40 group, NLRP-3 expression was reduced. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and IL-1ß expression decreased in the NAC, NAC+P20, and NAC+P40 groups compared to the APAP group. The liver necrosis area, TNF levels, carbonylated protein, and IL-18 expression decreased in the P40, NAC, NAC+P20, and NAC+P40 groups compared to the APAP group. The cytokine IL-6 was reduced in all treatments. Piperine can be used in combination with NAC to treat APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.
RESUMO
Intestinal mucositis (IM) caused by antineoplastic chemotherapy is characterized by an important inflammatory process, which may compromise ongoing treatment. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Martius) on the antioxidant response in BALB/c mice pretreated with Açaí pulp (200 g/kg) for 14 day. A group of animals receiving a single intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (200 mg/kg) were euthanized on day three (D3) or seven (D7) after administration, the distal jejunum was isolated for the analyses of histology, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, and concentration of total sulfhydryl groups (GSH). Seven days after induction, the intake of Açaí by the IM group almost completely regenerated tissue histology. Notably, SOD activity decreased in the MUC + Açaí group (D3). CAT activity reduced on D3 and D7 in the IM groups and Açaí treatment groups, respectively. No change was observed in the total GSH concentration at the tissue level. Our results demonstrated the protective effect of Açaí pulp components on intestinal damage induced by 5-FU, as well as the ability to control the response to oxidative stress, in order to mobilize defense pathways and promote tissue repair.
Assuntos
Euterpe , Mucosite , Animais , Antioxidantes , Fluoruracila , Jejuno , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Mucosite/induzido quimicamente , Mucosite/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologiaRESUMO
Açaí (Euterpe oleraceae Martius) is a typically Brazilian fruit and itis economically important. Popular reports indicate the medicinal use of its juice and articles which describe its chemical composition have demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds, fibers, unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols, suggesting its potential as a functional food. The present article aims at presenting a review about the fruit, stressing its chemical compounds and their bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. The focus on açaí is based on the fruit large consumption both in the internal market and abroad, and also on the investigations which have assessedits functional properties. The results of these investigations have shown that the fruit exhibits a high antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory properties and a hypocholesterolemic effect. Given these properties and health claims assigned to açaí, the study and consumption of this fruit should be encouraged.
Açaí (Euterpe oleraceae Martius) es una fruta típica de Brasil y económicamente importante. Informes populares indican el uso medicinal de su jugo y los trabajos que describen su composición química muestran la presenciade compuestos fenólicos, fibra, ácidos grasos insaturados y fitoesteroles, lo que sugiere su potencial como alimento funcional. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar una revisión sobre açaí, haciendo hincapié en sus componentes químicos y sus bioactividadin vitro e in vivo. El interés en el açaí se basa en el consumo generalizado de este producto tanto a nivel nacional como fuera del país y también en las investigaciones que evalúan sus propiedades funcionales. Los resultados de las investigaciones muestran que el fruto presenta elevada capacidad antioxidante, propiedad antiinflamatoria y efecto hipocolesterolémico. Considerando estas propiedades y las alegaciones saludables del consumo de açaí, el estudio y el consumo de esta fruta debe ser estimulado.
O açaí (Euterpe oleraceae Martius) é um fruto tipicamente brasileiro e economicamente importante. Relatos populares indicam o uso medicinal do seu suco e trabalhos que descrevem sua composição química, demonstram a presença de compostos fenólicos, fibras, ácidos graxos insaturados e fitosteróis, sugerindo seu potencial como alimentofuncional. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão sobre o açaí, enfatizando os seus componentes químicos e suas bioatividades in vitro e in vivo. O enfoque no açaí fundamenta-se no amplo consumo deste fruto tanto no mercado interno quanto fora do país e também nas investigações que avaliam suas propriedades funcionais. Os resultados dessas investigações mostram que este fruto exibe alta capacidade antioxidante, propriedades anti-inflamatórias e efeito hipocolesterolêmico. Diante dessas propriedades e as alegações de saúde designadas ao açaí, o estudo e o consumo deste fruto devem ser estimulados.