Immunomodulatory and Antimicrobial Activity of Babassu Mesocarp Improves the Survival in Lethal Sepsis.

Elizabeth S B Barroqueiro,Dayanna S Prado,Rodrigo B Barroqueiro,Márcia C G Maciel,Wanderson S Pereira,Priscila S Barcellos,Azizedite G Gonçalves,Rosane N M Guerra,Tonicley A Silva,Flávia R F Nascimento,Lucilene A Silva

doi:10.1155/2016/2859652

Elizabeth S B Barroqueiro, Dayanna S Prado + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2859652

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Abstract

Attalea speciosa syn Orbignya phalerata Mart. (babassu) has been used in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Aim of the study. To investigate the antimicrobial and immunological activity of babassu mesocarp extract (EE). Material and Methods. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion assay and by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The flavonoids and phenolic acids content were determined by chromatography. The in vivo assays were performed in Swiss mice submitted to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The mice received EE subcutaneously (125 or 250 mg/Kg), 6 hours after the CLP. The number of lymphoid cells was quantified and the cytokines production was determined by ELISA after 12 h. Results. EE was effective as antimicrobial to E. faecalis, S. aureus, and MRSA. EE is rich in phenolic acids, a class of compounds with antimicrobial and immunological activity. An increased survival can be observed in those groups, possibly due to a significant inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6. Conclusions. The EE showed specific antimicrobial activity in vitro and an important antiseptic effect in vivo possibly due to the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity.

Highlights

Babassu (Attalea speciosa syn Orbignya phalerata Mart.) is the generic name of Brazilian native oleaginous palm trees from Arecaceae family
The Ethanol Extract (EE) at the two tested concentrations inhibited the growth of Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and the methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains
Phytochemical screening demonstrated a predominance of phenolic acids

Summary

Introduction

Babassu (Attalea speciosa syn Orbignya phalerata Mart.) is the generic name of Brazilian native oleaginous palm trees from Arecaceae family. The mesocarp is obtained from the fruits and dried and ground into a powder, called babassu mesocarp flour This product is widely commercialized either as a food supplement for adults and children or as medicine in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases [1, 2]. The release of anti-inflammatory cytokines seems to counterbalance the actions of proinflammatory mediators, either by reducing the synthesis and release of these mediators or Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine by antagonizing their effects [15]. The goal of these mechanisms is to increase microbicidal activity and to control infection and systemic inflammatory response [16,17,18]

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Conclusion