Our findings suggest that Capsicum baccatum contains potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds which could be tested as drug candidates against oxidative and inflammation-related pathological processes in medicinal chemistry studies.

In studies of rats with cirrhosis, we found administration of LPS to promote development of ACLF, aggravating the complications of chronic liver disease and decreasing survival times. Simvastatin reduced LPS-induced inflammation and liver damage in rats with ACLF, supporting its use in treatment of patients with advanced chronic liver disease.

Several studies have investigated the antinociceptive, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds found in the lavender essential oil (LEO), however to date, there is still lack of substantial data. The objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of lavender essential oil. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical decolorization assay was used for antioxidant activity evaluation. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using two models of acute inflammation: carrageenan-induced pleurisy and croton oil-induced ear edema. The antinociceptive activity was tested using the pain model induced by formalin. LEO has antioxidant activity, which is dose-dependent response. The inflammatory response evoked by carrageenan and by croton oil was reduced through the pre-treatment of animals with LEO. In the pleurisy model, the drug used as positive control, dexamethasone, was more efficacious. However, in the ear swelling, the antiedematogenic effect of the oil was similar to that observed for dexamethasone. In the formalin test, LEO consistently inhibited spontaneous nociception and presented a similar effect to that of tramadol. The results of this study reveal (in vivo) the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of LEO and demonstrates its important therapeutic potential.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are syndromes of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure resulting from a variety of direct and indirect injuries to the gas exchange parenchyma of the lungs. During the ALI, we have an increase release of proinflammatory cytokines and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. These factors are responsible for the release and activation of neutrophil-derived proteases and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The excessive increase in the release of NETs cause damage to lung tissue. Recent studies have studies involving the administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of experimental ALI has shown promising results. In this way, the objective of our study is to evaluate the ability of MSCs, in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI model, to reduce inflammation, oxidative damage, and consequently decrease the release of NETs. Mice were submitted lung injury induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS and subsequently treated or not with MSCs. Treatment with MSCs was able to modulate pulmonary inflammation, decrease oxidative damage, and reduce the release of NETs. These benefits from treatment are evident when we observe a significant increase in the survival curve in the treated animals. Our results demonstrate that MSCs treatment is effective for the treatment of ALI. For the first time, it is described that MSCs can reduce the formation of NETs and an experimental model of ALI. This finding is directly related to these cells modulate the inflammatory response and oxidative damage in the course of the pathology.

Background and Objective: In the classic model of pleurisy there is little evidence about the anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as well the dosage characteristics, such as wavelength, total energy, number and pattern of treatment. In this study we investigated the potential effects of LLLT on modulating the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators of acute inflammation in a rat pleurisy model. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A sample of 48 female Wistar rats were divided into control and experiential groups. An inflammation was induced by carrageenan (0.2 ml) injected into the pleural cavity. At 1, 2, and 3 hours after induction a continuous wave (20 mW) diode laser of the InGaAlP (660 nm) type was used in the four laser groups with different doses and treatment patterns. One group received a single dose of 2.1 J and the other three groups received a total energy of 0.9, 2.1, and 4.2 J. Four hours later the exudate volume, total and differential leukocytes, protein concentration, NO, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, and MCP-1 were measured from the aspirated liquid. Results: All the treatment patterns and quantity of energy studied show significant reduction of the exudate volume (P<0.05). Using energy of 0.9 J only NO, IL-6, MCP-1 and IL-10 are significantly reduced (P<0.05). On the other hand, higher energies (2.1 and 4.2 J) significantly reduce all variables independently of the treatment pattern. The neutrophil migration has a straight correlation with the TNF-a (r ¼ 0.551) and NO (r ¼ 0.549) concentration. Conclusions: LLLT-660 nm induced an anti-inflammatory effect characterized by inhibition of either total or differential leukocyte influx, exudation, total protein, NO, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-10, and TNF-a, in a dose-dependent manner. Under these conditions, laser treatment with 2.1 J was more effective than 0.9 and 4.2 J. Lasers Surg.