Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential of geopropolis of Melipona scutellaris

Author(s)

Marcelo Franchin

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba
• Defense date: 2012-02-17

Examining board members

Pedro Luiz Rosalen; Patricia Correa Dias; Gilson Cesar Nobre Franco

• Advisor: Pedro Luiz Rosalen

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive geopropolis of ethanolic extract (EEGP) of Melipona scutellaris and fractions, as well as a possible mechanism of actions. In addition, to characterize chemically EEGP and bioactive fractions. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity we used the recruitment of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity, intravital microscopy and paw edema induced by carrageenan. The pathway of nitric oxide (NO) was demonstrated by administration of antagonists of this pathway, but also evaluated by the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) and quantification of nitrites. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used the phytochemical analyses. The tests used to evaluate the antinociceptive activity were abdominal contortions induced by acetic acid, formalin test, carrageenan-induced mechanical inflammatory hypernociception and quantification of IL-1 ? and TNF-?. The quantification of total phenols and flavonoids was also determined in the EEGP and the bioactive fractions. In the anti-inflammatory tests the EEGP and the aqueous fraction decreased the neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavity induced by carrageenan and also decreased the interaction of leukocytes (rolling and adhesion) with endothelial cells. The route of administration of inhibitors of NO abolished the inhibitory activity of the aqueous fraction and EEGP on neutrophil migration. The expression of ICAM-1 was reduced and nitrite levels increased after treatment with EEGP and aqueous fraction. In the paw edema induced by carrageenan, both EEGP and aqueous fraction showed anti-edema activity. No standards of flavonoid or phenolic acid commonly found in a sample of propolis of Apis mellifera could be detected in any samples of aqueous fraction or EEGP by GC/MS and RP-HPLC techniques. In tests to evaluate the antinociceptive activity was determined that EEGP, hexane and aqueous fractions decreased the number of abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid. In the formalin test, the aqueous fraction and EEGP inhibited both phases (neurogenic and inflammatory), and the hexane fraction only neurogenic phase. The EEGP and the aqueous fraction showed activity in the carrageenan-induced mechanical inflammatory hypernociception model, as also observed decreased levels of IL-1? and TNF-?. The EEGP, hexane and aqueous fractions was verified the presence of phenolic compounds and absence of flavonoids. These results indicate that the bioactive fractions in the present study showed substances that could be promising new therapeutic agents to control inflammation and pain (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/12352-3 - Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of meliponinea (Melipona scutellaris) propolis
• Grantee: Marcelo Franchin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master