Effects of eugenol and dehydrodieugenol on oxidative stress in an experimental model of pulmonary emphysema

• Grant number: 20/06217-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Carla Máximo Prado
• Grantee: Julia Barbara da Silva Machado
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, characterized by limited airflow due to abnormalities of the airways and alveoli, usually caused by exposure to harmful particles and gases, mainly due to smoking. COPD encompasses both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the latter being the subject of the present study. Pulmonary emphysema is an anatomopathological abnormality that results in the destruction of the lung parenchyma, closure of small airways, and loss of pulmonary elasticity. The lungs are exposed to various oxidants, both generated endogenously or exogenously, and the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants causes oxidative stress, one of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in emphysema. Therefore, studies with compounds with potential antioxidants are extremely relevant. Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenyl) is a phenolic compound present in the crude oils of several plants with therapeutic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Dehydrodieugenol or bis-eugenol is a dimeric structure synthesized from monomeric compounds, with beneficial effects already proven in other models of pulmonary inflammation. Aim: This study aims to analyze whether eugenol and its bis-eugenol dimer, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities, will have effects on oxidative stress induced by elastase caused by an experimental model of pulmonary emphysema. Methods: C57BL / 6 mice will receive the installation of elastase on day 0. Treatment with eugenol and its bis-eugenol dimer will be carried out by intraperitoneal installation on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. After 28 days, the animals will be euthanized, the lungs removed and submitted to histological techniques, to assess the mean alveolar diameter, the inflammatory cells in the lung parenchyma and around the airways, and the expression of oxidizing and antioxidant enzymes. Statistical analyzes will be performed using the Sigma Stat program. Parametric or non-parametric tests will be applied according to the distribution of the data obtained in the normality curve, and for this reason, they will be chosen later. Expected results: Considering the studies carried out so far by our research group in an emphysema model and also in vitro, it is expected that the administration of these compounds may have effects on oxidative stress caused in an experimental model of pulmonary emphysema.