Potentiation of effects induced by photobiomodulation and herbal medicines: an in vivo and in vitro study

• Grant number: 23/07595-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Cardiorenal Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Gerson Jhonatan Rodrigues
• Grantee: Jean Lucas Fernandes da Costa
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/05815-0 - THE EFFECTS OF GINSENOSIDE RG3 ASSOCIATED WITH PHOTOBIOMODULATION ON THE MODULATION OF THE ENDOTHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION (EndMT), BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by an increase in the accumulation of adipose tissue that can lead to several metabolic changes, such as systemic arterial hypertension. It is well demonstrated in the literature that the red LASER (660 nm) is capable of inducing vasodilation by NO-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, it is known that ATP promotes vasodilation via purinergic system receptors and that LASER stimulates its production via Cytochrome C oxidase. Therefore, increasing mitochondrial biogenesis from the synergistic action of Angelica keiskei and Panax ginseng extracts becomes an interesting strategy to enhance the effect of LASER. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate the use of herbal medicines as a strategy to enhance the biological effects induced by the red LASER, including its hypotensive effect and improvement in endothelial function. The proposal is to test this strategy in two experimental models. The in vivo study will be carried out in Wistar rats with obesity, hypertension and endothelial dysfunction induced by the consumption of a palatable high fat diet that will be subdivided into experimental groups that will receive different treatments (LASER, Phytotherapy and the association of LASER + Phytotherapy) for 6 weeks. Pressure levels, serum inflammatory markers and adiposity parameters will be evaluated. In addition, there will be the analysis of isolated aortic rings to study the endothelial function and the mechanisms of action of the potentiating effect caused by the use of treatments. The in vitro study will be carried out in cell culture medium with HUVEC cells for analysis of cytotoxicity and cell proliferation of endothelial cells (via MTT) through the association of herbal medicines with photobiomodulation, through the analysis of transcription factors related to mitochondrial biogenesis and inflammation.