Acute lung injury is an inflammatory condition for which treatment is mainly supportive because effective therapies have not been developed. Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic cannabinoid component of marijuana (Cannabis sativa), has potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, we investigated the possible anti-inflammatory effect of cannabidiol in a murine model of acute lung injury. Analysis of total inflammatory cells and differential in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was used to characterize leukocyte migration into the lungs; myeloperoxidase activity of lung tissue and albumin concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analyzed by colorimetric assays; cytokine/chemokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was also analyzed by Cytometric Bead Arrays and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A single dose of cannabidiol (20mg/kg) administered prior to the induction of LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced acute lung injury decreases leukocyte (specifically neutrophil) migration into the lungs, albumin concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissue, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-6) and chemokines (MCP-1 and MIP-2) 1, 2, and 4days after the induction of LPS-induced acute lung injury. Additionally, adenosine A(2A) receptor is involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol on LPS-induced acute lung injury because ZM241385 (4-(2-[7-Amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5-ylamino]ethyl)phenol) (a highly selective antagonist of adenosine A(2A) receptor) abrogated all of the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol previously described. Thus, we show that cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory effects in a murine model of acute lung injury and that this effect is most likely associated with an increase in the extracellular adenosine offer and signaling through adenosine A(2A) receptor.

This study investigated possible immunotoxic effects of Senna occidentalis (So) seeds incorporated in broiler chicken rations at different concentrations (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%), for 28 or 42 days. We evaluated innate immune function (macrophage activities of spreading, phagocytosis, peroxide and nitric oxide production) and acquired immune function (humoral and cellular immune responses), as well as lymphoid organ weights and pathology. There was enhanced macrophage activity, as hydrogen peroxide production increased (P < 0.05) in cells of birds given 0.75%So, but there were no other pro-inflammatory effects. Birds receiving 0.75% of So in ration for 42 days gained less weight (P < 0.01), and showed a decrease in relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.05) and spleen (P < 0.01). In addition, morphological changes were also noted in these lymphoid organs, with depletion of lymphoid cells on the spleen and bursa of Fabricius, resulting in lower relative weight of both lymphoid organs. No impairment of humoral immune response against Newcastle disease and in cellular immune response after a phytohaemagglutinin challenge was found. It is probable that mitochondrial damage and related apoptosis may be responsible for the enhanced peroxide production and the reduced relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius and spleen.

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<p><em>Samanea tubulosa</em> é uma planta utilizada na fitoterapia e na alimentação animal. Entretanto, a ingestão de vagens de <em>S. tubulosa</em> tem sido associada à ocorrência de abortos em bovinos. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi investigar os efeitos da dieta contendo 5% de vagens de <em>S. tubulosa</em> em ratos machos e fêmeas Wistar. A dieta foi administrada para ratos machos (n = 10) por 60 dias antes do acasalamento. Ratos fêmeas (n = 10) receberam o tratamento por 30 dias, durante a coabitação e do dia gestacional (GD) 0 ao GD 20. As fêmeas tratadas foram acasaladas com ratos não tratados. Em machos, o consumo da planta causou diminuição no consumo de ração e redução de 20% no índice de fertilidade. A prole de machos tratados apresentou menor ganho de peso e comprimento cabeça cauda. Fêmeas tratadas com a planta apresentaram aumento do consumo de ração e água e do peso corporal. Ainda, foram observadas diminuição na fertilidade, fecundidade e no índice de gestação e aumento do peso da placenta e no número médio de corpos lúteos. Desse modo, em decorrência aos possíveis efeitos tóxicos sistêmicos e reprodutivos, o consumo prolongado de <em>S. tubulosa</em> não é recomendado para fins fitoterápicos ou alimentar.</p>