Anti‐inflammatory activity of Eugenia punicifolia extract on muscular lesion of mdx dystrophic mice

Abstract

Eugenia punicifolia known as "pedra-ume caá" is a shrub largely distributed in the Amazon region popularly used in decoctions or infusions as a natural therapeutic agent, which can interfere on cholinergic nicotinic neurotransmission. This work aimed to investigate a putative anti-inflammatory effect of dichloromethane fraction of E. punicifolia extract (Ep-CM) in the muscular lesion of mdx dystrophic mice, considering that activation of cholinergic mechanisms mitigates inflammation. A polymer containing the Ep-CM was implanted in mdx gastrocnemius muscle before onset of myonecrosis for local slow and gradual release of bioactive compounds and mice sacrificed 7 days or 9 weeks after surgery. Comparing to control muscle, treatment did not alter choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activities, but decreased metaloproteases-9 and -2 activities and levels of tumor necrosis factor α and NFκB transcription factor. In addition, treatment also reduced levels of bioactive IL-1β form and cleaved caspase-3, related to early events of cellular death and inflammatory activation and further increased myogenin expression without affecting collagen production which is associated with fibrosis. In vivo treatment of mdx dystrophic mice with Ep-CM caused significant reduction of muscular inflammation and improved skeletal muscle regeneration without inducing fibrosis.

Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. as an Adjuvant Treatment for Type‐2 Diabetes Mellitus: A non‐Controlled, Pilot Study

“…From about 500 species of Eugenia , 400 are located in Brazil. Its leaves have been traditionally used in the treatment of diabetic patients (Brunetti et al ., ) and possess antiinflammatory and nicotinic antagonist activities (Grangeiro et al ., ; Leite et al ., ). The methanolic and aqueous extracts of E .…”

Eugenia aurata and Eugenia punicifolia HBK inhibit inflammatory response by reducing neutrophil adhesion, degranulation and NET release

“…Flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and essentials oils were isolated from this genus [ 4 , 5 ]. Different crude extracts of Eugenia show several medicinal effects, such as anti-inflammatory [ 6 ], antifungal [ 7 ], neurological [ 8 ], antimicrobial [ 9 ], among others. Leaves of Eugenia punicifolia are popularly used to treat inflammation [ 10 ], diabetes [ 6 , 10 ], fever and flu [ 11 , 12 ].…”

A Systematic Review on the Effects of Botanicals on Skeletal Muscle Health in Order to Prevent Sarcopenia

“…Also, Eugenia punicifolia showed anti-inflammatory properties in the gastrocnemius muscle of mdx dystrophic mice; in particular, the activity of dichloromethane fraction of Eugenia punicifolia (Ep-CM), in mice, decreases metalloprotease-9 and metalloprotease-2 activities (indicators of local inflammation and tissue remodeling, resp.) and levels of tumor necrosis factor- α and NF- κ B transcription factor [ 8 ]; isolated pentacyclic triterpene from Eugenia punicifolia reduces myoblast cells proliferation, has no effects on apoptosis, and increases matrix metalloproteases and muscular area (MMP-9 and MMP-2) [ 12 ]. As shown in the study by Yu et al [ 10 ], Dammarane steroids (DS) of Panax ginseng produce anti-inflammatory effects in rats, following muscle damage exercise, because they potentiate inflammation at baseline but exerted anti-inflammatory effects on skeletal muscle following muscle-damaging exercise.…”