Abstract The potential use of microalgae in health has been the aim of different studies in the last years. This study investigated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of three different extracts of green microalga Pediastrum boryanum in an acute inflammation model in rats. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with lyophilized biomass, the phenolic compounds and the extracellular extracts of P. boryanum before the induction of paw edema by the intraplantar injection of carrageenan. The edema and the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined in the hind paw. Oxidative stress markers were analyzed in the liver and hepatic toxicity and genetic damage was evaluated in the blood. The results demonstrated that the three extracts of P. boryanum exhibited pronounced anti-oedematous property and decreased the levels of cytokines. The best results were provided by the phenolic compounds extract, that contains gallic, chlorogenic, protocathecuic and vanillic acid. A reduction in lipid peroxidation was observed after the treatment with lyophilized biomass and the extracellular extract improved the total antioxidant capacity of the liver. Moreover, no DNA damage and hepatic toxicity were observed after administration of P. boryanum extracts. In conclusion, these results suggest that P. boryanum can be an important source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

ABSTRACT Marine sponges are a rich source of bioactive natural products with multiple pharmacological properties. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of extracts obtained from Aplysina caissara, Haliclona sp. and Dragmacidon reticulatum were evaluated by using the writhing test and formalin-induced mouse paw edema model in mice. All extracts were administered via oral pathway in the doses of 60 and 90 mg/kg. In the writhing test the pre-treatment with all sponges resulted in significant inhibition of the acetic acid-induced response, suggesting an antinociceptive effect. The formalin test showed that the extracts from A. caissara, Haliclona sp. and D. reticulatum, in the tested doses, did not affect the first formalin phase, however, they were effective in the late phase. To assess the potential anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the test of formalin-induced paw edema was used. The oral administration of A. caissara, Haliclona sp. and D. reticulatum extracts significantly reduced the formalin-induced paw edema in mice. In conclusion, our data show that marine sponges can be an important source of anti-inflammatory and antinocicpetive products that can be promising therapeutical leads. Furthermore, pharmacological and chemical studies have been developed not only to characterize the mechanism(s) that is/are responsible for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action but also to identify the active principles of sponges.

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Cecropia glaziovii Snethl, Urticaceae, extracts on the oral glucose tolerance curve, on glycemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and vasorelaxant effect after the extraction process, and to standardize the extractive solutions. The effects of the process variables and their interactions were calculated in relation to dry residue, pH, total phenolic results and chemical marker content. Furthermore, the effect of the extracts (400 mg/kg), chlorogenic (2 or 15 mg/kg) and caffeic acids (2 mg/kg) were investigated on the oral glucose tolerance curve and on glycemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of ethanol extracts 4d20 and 8d20 significantly improved glucose tolerance in the hyperglycemic rats. Chlorogenic and caffeic acids, as well as the association of the compounds were able to significantly reduce glycemia after oral gavage treatments. On the other hand, the aqueous extracts did not alter the glycemia. The aqueous extracts (8020 and 9030) and only the higher dose of chlorogenic acid presented a significant effect on serum glucose lowering in diabetic rats. Additionally, the IC50 reveals that the ethanol extracts presented more potent vasodilator effects than the aqueous extracts in aortic rings. This study shows that C. glazioviistandardized extracts exhibits antihyperglycemic action, is able to improve glucose tolerance and has a potent vascular relaxing effect. These results are probably linked to concentrations of the main phenolic compounds of the extracts.