PinhãO-Manso: A Native Jatropha Curcas from Brazil Protects Muscle Cells from Ethanol Toxicity and Improves Muscle Function

Abstract

Jatropha curcas is a perennial plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) typical of semi-arid regions in the world spanning from Brazil to China. Recently, it has received much attention as a potential source of vegetable oil as a replacement for petroleum, and, in particular, the production of biodiesel. An understudy aspect of this plant relates to its potential utilization as a pharmacological agent. Interestingly, the native plant (Pinhao-Manso, PM) of the semi-arid region of Brazil has been used as an ant-fatigue agent and also for healing of abrasions, cuts, and wounds.We used C2C12 muscle cells in the myoblast stage to begin our investigation of the functional, cellular, and molecular effects of PM. Overnight exposure of C2C12 myoblasts to 3% ethanol (vehicle) induced 100% cell death. We document here a fascinating result: when C2C12 were exposed to the same concentration of ethanol but in the presence of PM, cell death was prevented. Furthermore, in ex-vivo, intact isolated muscles from mice (extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles); PM increased contractile force production and also prevented the toxic effects of alcohol on muscle function. We are now focusing on purification of active principle(s) of PM that might underlie its potent and beneficial effects on muscle function. We are also studying the molecular machinery that is modulated by PM. Our studies indicate that native Jatropha curcas from Salvador, Brazil could have potential applications for improvement of skeletal muscle function. (Support: Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa-CNPq, Brazil and National Institutes of Health, USA).