The search for new compounds for controlling pain and inflammation, with minimal side effects has focused on marine algae. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of the purified lectin from the green marine alga Caulerpa cupressoides (CcL) in classical models of nociception and inflammation. Male Swiss mice received i.v. CcL 30 min prior to receiving 0.8% acetic acid (10 ml/kg; i.p); 1% formalin (20 microl; s.c.) or were subjected to thermal stimuli. We observed that CcL (3, 9 or 27 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes induced by acetic acid by 37.2%; 53.5% and 86.0%, respectively. CcL (27 mg/kg) also reduced the second phase of the formalin test. However, CcL (27 mg/kg) did not present significant antinociceptive effects in the hot plate test, when compared to morphine, suggesting that its antinociceptive action occurs predominantly through a peripheral mechanism. The antinociceptive effects were abolished when CcL was pre-incubated with mucin (20mg/kg; i.v.). When CcL (9 mg/kg) was administered i.v. in Wistar rats 30 min before carrageenan administration, neutrophil counts were reduced by 65.9%. CcL also inhibited paw edema in all time intervals, especially at the third hour. Finally, CcL (9 mg/kg) administered i.v. in mice did not cause hepatic or renal alterations and did not affect body mass or macroscopy of the organs examined. In conclusion, CcL appears to have important antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities and could represent an important agent for future studies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-resorptive effect of atorvastatin (ATV) in an experimental alveolar bone loss (ABL) model. Wistar rats were subjected to ligature placement around the maxillary second molar for 11 days. The animals received 0.9% saline (2 mL/kg) or ATV (0.3, 3 or 27 mg/kg) daily by gavage. ABL was evaluated by resorption area and histopathological analysis. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity was also evaluated. Leukogram was performed at 0 h, 6th h, 2nd, 7th and 11th days. Kidney and liver conditions and the body mass variation were analyzed. ATV (3 and 27 mg/kg) inhibited ABL by 39% and 56%, respectively. Histopathological analysis showed that ATV 27 mg/kg prevented ABL and cemental resorption, and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by ligature. ATV (27 mg/kg) prevented serum BALP levels reduction. ATV (27 mg/kg) prevented leukocytosis and did not affect either kidney or liver function nor body mass weight. ATV showed a protecting effect in the ligature-induced periodontitis, without affecting system parameters, by inhibition of inflammatory process and by its anabolic activity on the alveolar bone.