Efficacy and safety determination of active principle of natural origin and nanoparticles development for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

• Grant number: 15/15963-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: September 01, 2016 - May 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Issa Hori
• Grantee: Juliana Issa Hori
• Host Company: Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda
• City: Ribeirão Preto
• Associated researchers: Franciane Marquele de Oliveira ; Thiago Mattar Cunha

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving immune cells and inflammatory cytokines in the synovial membrane of joints, leading to a progressive destruction of cartilage and bone that induces functional disability and increased morbidity and mortality of patients. Around 1-3% of people worldwide are affected by this arthropathy causing high socio-economic impact. Currently, the RA still has no effective treatment. The initial treatment with drugs only occurs for the relief of pain, reduction of inflammation and a reduction of symptoms, but is not sufficient to prevent the disease progression. However, all these drugs have limited efficacy and low adherence to treatment due primarily to significant adverse effects in patients. Additionally, another problem relates to the very high cost involved in the treatment of this disease. Data from Ministry of Health (2007) claim that RA disease was the fourth largest budget impact for the SUS. In this scenario, the search for a less toxic and low-cost medicine becomes increasingly essential. Here, we propose to evaluate the efficacy and safety of green propolis extract EPP-AF® in a murine model of RA. The extract EPP-AF® has already had their chemical standardization characterized and its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in different biological models. Recently, we have also demonstrated its effectiveness in inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequently the IL-1² production for macrophages. Data from literature have demonstrated the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome and the exacerbated IL-1² production with the susceptibility to develop RA. Thus, the use of green propolis extract EPP-AF® is presented as a promising alternative for the treatment of this chronic disease. Additionally, we propose to study the loading of extract EPP-AF® or its biocompounds in nanoparticles in order to generate an even more effective drug in the treatment of RA. Economically, replacing costly, lengthy treatments with toxic adverse effects for an effective drug, with low cost and without adverse effects, will bring great savings to the SUS system, and especially a better therapeutic response of patients. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PINEROS, ANNIE R.; DE LIMA, MIKHAEL H. F.; RODRIGUES, TAMARA; GEMBRE, ANA FLAVIA; BERTOLINI, THAIS B.; FONSECA, MIRIAM D.; BERRETTA, ANDRESA A.; RAMALHO, LEANDRA N. Z.; CUNHA, FERNANDO Q.; HORI, JULIANA I.; et al. Green propolis increases myeloid suppressor cells and CD4(+) Foxp3(+) cells and reduces Th2 inflammation in the lungs after allergen exposure. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, v. 252, APR 24 2020. (13/08216-2, 11/09702-2, 15/15963-4)