Immunobiologic and Antiinflammatory Properties of a Bark Extract fromAmpelozizyphus amazonicusDucke

Ligia Maria Torres Peçanha,Priscilla Vanessa Finotelli,Anna Lisa Piccinelli,Tatiana Jotha-Mattos Simen,Stephanie Carvalhal,Danilo Ribeiro De Oliveira,Marina Vieira Agostinho Pereira,Thays Da Silva Almeida,Fernanda Ferreira Barboza,Patricia Dias Fernandes,Gilda Guimarães Leitão,Anna Paola Trindade Rocha Pierucci,Luca Rastrelli,Suzana Guimarães Leitão

doi:10.1155/2013/451679

Ligia Maria Torres Peçanha, Priscilla Vanessa Finotelli + Show 12 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/451679

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Abstract

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus is used in the treatment and prevention of malaria. The effect of an aqueous extract from this plant (SART) on the immune response was investigated by measuring immunoglobulin production induced by immunization with the antigen TNP-Ficoll in Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice. SART treatment increased antigen-specific IgM and IgG levels in TNP-Ficoll-immunized mice. The B cell response during malarial infection was also modified by SART. There was an increase in total serum IgM and IgG and a decrease in the percentage of splenic plasma cells (CD138+ cells) in P. chabaudi-infected, SART-treated animals. SART (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) and the reference drug dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) were also tested in carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the subcutaneous air pouch (SAP). All SART doses significantly reduced leukocyte migration into the SAP. The protein concentration resulting from extravasation into the peritoneum was also significantly reduced. Our data indicate that SART possesses immunomodulatory properties, inducing an in vivo modification of the B lymphocyte response and anti-inflammatory properties, which are partly due to a reduction in cell migration and are most likely due to an inhibition of the production of inflammatory mediators. Preliminary HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of SART shows a complex saponin profile with deprotonated molecule [M-H]− ions in the range of m/z 800–1000.

Highlights

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke (Rhamnaceae) is an Amazonian medicinal plant popularly known as “saracuramira” that is found in the Amazon forest territories of Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador
Because we have suggested that some of the use indications of this plant, for instance, as a tonic and for treating malaria, might be related to its properties as an adaptogen and to the immunostimulatory properties of the saponins and betulinic acid in the drink, we investigated the presence of betulinic acid in SART
The HPLC profile of SART was obtained in a Zic-Hilic column in which two different zones can be found: the first refers to triterpenic and nonpolar compounds, while the second refers to saponins and polar compounds (Figure 1(a)), showing the efficiency of this zwitterionic column in the separation of different compounds and polarities

Summary

Introduction

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke (Rhamnaceae) is an Amazonian medicinal plant popularly known as “saracuramira” that is found in the Amazon forest territories of Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. An aqueous drink can be prepared from the bark and roots of A. amazonicus This drink has a very bitter taste and forms abundant foam when shaken, similar to beer, which gives rise to its other popular names: “cervejinha,” “cervejeira,” “cerveja-do-mato,” “cervejade- ́ındio,” and “cerveja-de-preto” [2,3,4,5]. These properties can BioMed Research International be explained by the high saponin content in the species. Only three saponins with a dammarane-type aglycone have been described in the literature [7, 8], as well as the presence of free triterpenes such as melaleucic acid, 3β,27α-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28β-oic acid, betulinic acid, betulin, lupeol, and phytosteroids [7,8,9]

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