Effect of the Aloe vera and Arrabidae chica extracts during calcaneal tendon healing of rats after partial transection

Author(s)

Andrea Aparecida de Aro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2012-08-22

Examining board members

Edson Rosa Pimentel; Tatiana Carla Tomiosso; Stela Márcia Mattiello; Sebastião Roberto Taboga; Paulo Pinto Joazeiro

• Advisor: Edson Rosa Pimentel

Abstract

The use of plant extracts bearing pharmacological activities may be promising in the treatment of tendon injuries, considering the presence of active principles that stimulate the synthesis of extracellular matrix components (ECM). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate after 7, 14 and 21 days of injury, the effects of topical application of extracts of A. vera and A. chica on the healing of partially transected tendons of rats. The groups treated with the extract of A. chica were called A7, A14 and A21 (controls S7, S14 and S21), and after treatment with A. vera were called Av7, Av14 and Av21 (controls B7, B14 and B21). Biochemical analysis were performed such as Western blotting, zymography and quantification of hydroxyproline, non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs); as well as structural, ultrastructural and functional analysis. After application of the extract of A. chica, the concentration of non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) was lower in A7 and hydroxyproline was higher in A7 and A21, compared to controls. Considering the MMP-9, lower amount was found in A14 compared to S14. The latent, intermediate and active isoforms of MMP-2 were observed in all groups, but larger quantities of latent and intermediate isoforms were found in A21. The results of Western blotting showed a lower amount of collagen types I and III compared to the control A7. Higher amount of dermatan sulphate (DS) was detected in A14 and lower amounts of DS and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were observed in A21 compared to S21. The birefringence measurements showed a higher organization of collagen fibers in the A21 group compared to control, and ultrastructural analysis showed many fragments of collagen in the transected region of groups S7 and A7. Analysis of the Catwalk showed that animals treated with A. chica exhibited a higher contact pressure of the legs during walking on the 7th day. Considering the application of A. vera, less intense band related to collagen was observed on SDS-PAGE in Av14, confirmed by Western blotting. The group Av21had a higher concentration of NCPs compared to the control. In the dosage of hydroxyproline, Av7 and Av14 groups had higher concentrations in relation to their controls, while Av21 showed lower value than control group. The group Av14 had a higher concentration of glycosaminoglycans and lower amount of DS compared to control. Lower amount of MMP-9 was found in Av14, and lower amounts of intermediate and latent isoforms of MMP-2 were observed in Av7 and Av14 compared to controls. A higher amount of the active isoform of MMP-2 was observed in Av21 compared to B21. The birefringence measurements showed a higher organization of collagen fibers in Av14 compared to control. While linear dichroism measurements performed on sections stained with toluidine blue, showed lower organization of glycosaminoglycans in Av14 compared to control. Our conclusion is that the topical application of extracts of A. chica and A. vera is effective in the synthesis and organization of ECM components during the repair process (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/05912-0 - Effect of the Aloe vera and Arrabidaea chica extracts on the healing of rat calcaneal tendon after partial transection
• Grantee: Andréa Aparecida de Aro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate