Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an immunosuppressive factor secreted by the murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). This factor can help to insure the survival of a tumor by suppressing the functions of lymphocytes and macrophages in their defense against tumors.Four weekly assays of macrophage tumoristatic activity from tumor-bearing mice were performed during the course of tumor development. Macrophages from the peritoneal cavity were cultured with LLC cells and after 48 hours the LLC growth was measured.The results of this study showed that macrophages from tumorbearing mice were suppressed in their ability to halt LLC growth in vitro. This suppression could be prevented by the use of indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. Indomethacin administration to tumor-free mice also enhanced their macrophage tumoristatic activities suggesting that the tumor was not the exclusive source of prostaglandin which suppressed anti-tumor immunity. Finally, indomethacin-fed tumor-bearing mice had smaller tumors than did mice not fed indomethacin.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Chitosan has proven through the years as a versatile biomaterial to be used in pharmaceutical applications. Its mucoadhesive properties as well as its ability to manipulate the tight junctions in epithelium membranes have qualified it as an effective drug carrier in controlled drug delivery systems. Microparticles or beads as they are forward called in this study have advantages over conventional drug dosage forms because of a large surface to volume ratio and have the ability to target a specific site for drug release. Indomethacin is an anti-inflammatory drug that causes gastrointestinal side effects in conventional immediate-release dosage forms. The goal is to manipulate the drug delivery vehicle to target the intestines/colon as the site for drug delivery and to minimize this side effect. Thus chitosan beads have been chosen as a drug delivery system for indomethacin in this study. Chitosan beads have been prepared through the ionotropic gelation method using tripolyphophate (TPP) as a cross-linking agent. To prepare the most effective bead to encapsulate indomethacin different formulation and system variables (pH of the TPP solution, the concentration of the TPP solution as well as the indomethacin concentration) have been evaluated according to the following parameters: morphology, drug loading capacity and swelling capability. The ideal pH of the TPP solution was determined at 8.7 and the most effective TPP and indomethacin concentration were 5% w/v and 4% w/v respectively. The chitosan concentration was kept at 3% w/v throughout the study. These concentrations were used to examine the effect of pharmaceutical excipients on the indomethacin release from chitosan beads. The effect of the different excipients namely, ExplotabⒽ(0.25% w/v), Ac-Di-SolⓀ (0.5% w/v) and Vitamin C (0.25% w/v), on the morphology, drug loading capacity, swelling capability as well as the drug release of indomethacin chitosan beads (ICB's) were also studied. The excipients were used in the individually above mentioned concentrations and in combination with each other in the same concentrations. These formulations were used in dissolution studies over a period of 6 hours in PBS pH 7.4 solutions. The indomethacin release rate increased when an excipient was added to the formulation and it dramatically increased when the excipients were added in their various combinations, compared to the formulation that did not contain excipients. / Contents: Chitosan -- Controlled drug delivery -- Indomethacin -- Inotropic gelation -- Tripolyphosphate (TPP) -- Explotab® -- Ac-Di-Sol® -- Vitamin C / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Supersaturating Drug Delivery Systems (SDDS) could enhance oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs (PWSD). Precipitation inhibitors (PIs) in SDDS could maintain supersaturation by inhibiting nucleation, crystal growth, or both. The mechanisms by which these effects are realized are generally unknown. The goal of this dissertation was to explore the mechanisms underpinning the effects of model PIs including hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrins (HP-β-CD), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the crystal growth of indomethacin, a model PWSD. At high degrees of supersaturation (S), the crystal growth kinetics of indomethacin was bulk diffusion-controlled, which was attributed to a high energy form deposited on the seed crystals. At lower S, indomethacin growth kinetics was surface integration-controlled. The effect of HP-β-CD at high S was successfully modeled using the reactive diffusion layer theory. The superior effects of PVP and HPMC as compared to HP-β-CD at high S were attributed to a change in the rate limiting step from bulk diffusion to surface integration largely due to prevention of the high energy form formation. The effects of PIs at low S were attributed to significant retardation of the surface integration rate, a phenomenon that may reflect the adsorption of PIs onto the growing surface. PVP was selected to further understand the relationship between adsorption and crystal growth inhibition. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model fit the adsorption isotherms of PVP and N-vinylpyrrolidone well. The affinity and extent of adsorption of PVP were significantly higher than those of N-vinylpyrrolidone, which was attributed to cooperative interactions between PVP and indomethacin. The extent of PVP adsorption on a weight-basis was greater for higher molecular weight PVP but less on a molar-basis indicating an increased percentage of loops and tails for higher molecular weight PVPs. PVP significantly inhibited indomethacin crystal growth at high S as compared to N-vinylpyrrolidone, which was attributed to a change in the growth mechanism resulting in a change in the rate limiting step from bulk diffusion to surface integration. Higher molecular weight PVPs were better inhibitors than lower molecular weight PVPs, which was attributed to a greater crystal growth barrier provided by a thicker adsorption layer.

Chitosan has proven through the years as a versatile biomaterial to be used in pharmaceutical applications. Its mucoadhesive properties as well as its ability to manipulate the tight junctions in epithelium membranes have qualified it as an effective drug carrier in controlled drug delivery systems. Microparticles or beads as they are forward called in this study have advantages over conventional drug dosage forms because of a large surface to volume ratio and have the ability to target a specific site for drug release. Indomethacin is an anti-inflammatory drug that causes gastrointestinal side effects in conventional immediate-release dosage forms. The goal is to manipulate the drug delivery vehicle to target the intestines/colon as the site for drug delivery and to minimize this side effect. Thus chitosan beads have been chosen as a drug delivery system for indomethacin in this study. Chitosan beads have been prepared through the ionotropic gelation method using tripolyphophate (TPP) as a cross-linking agent. To prepare the most effective bead to encapsulate indomethacin different formulation and system variables (pH of the TPP solution, the concentration of the TPP solution as well as the indomethacin concentration) have been evaluated according to the following parameters: morphology, drug loading capacity and swelling capability. The ideal pH of the TPP solution was determined at 8.7 and the most effective TPP and indomethacin concentration were 5% w/v and 4% w/v respectively. The chitosan concentration was kept at 3% w/v throughout the study. These concentrations were used to examine the effect of pharmaceutical excipients on the indomethacin release from chitosan beads. The effect of the different excipients namely, ExplotabⒽ(0.25% w/v), Ac-Di-SolⓀ (0.5% w/v) and Vitamin C (0.25% w/v), on the morphology, drug loading capacity, swelling capability as well as the drug release of indomethacin chitosan beads (ICB's) were also studied. The excipients were used in the individually above mentioned concentrations and in combination with each other in the same concentrations. These formulations were used in dissolution studies over a period of 6 hours in PBS pH 7.4 solutions. The indomethacin release rate increased when an excipient was added to the formulation and it dramatically increased when the excipients were added in their various combinations, compared to the formulation that did not contain excipients. / Contents: Chitosan -- Controlled drug delivery -- Indomethacin -- Inotropic gelation -- Tripolyphosphate (TPP) -- Explotab® -- Ac-Di-Sol® -- Vitamin C / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi sintetizar e caracterizar um material reparador para uso endodôntico com propriedades anti-inflamatória, antimicrobiana e remineralizante. A pasta experimental tem como propósito ser um sistema carreador de fármacos para regiões de difícil acesso em Odontologia. A apresentação do material é em forma de pó:líquido. No pó se encontra α-fosfato tricálcico, tungstato de cálcio e microesferas de amoxicilina (AMX-MS), já no líquido estão contidas nanocápsulas de indometacina (IndOHNC). A pasta experimental foi testada em relação a suas características físicoquímicas e biológicas. As AMX-MS obtiveram tamanho de 1,604 μm ± 0,08, forma esférica confirmada por MEV e teor da droga foi 1,63 mg g-1. As IndOHNC obtiveram tamanho de 162 ± 7,5 nm e forma esférica confirmada por MET. O teor do fármaco foi de 1 mg mL-1 ± 0,02. O escoamento da pasta foi de 18.56 ± 0.29, a espessura de película obtida foi 33 μm e radiopacidade de 1,81 mmAl. A pasta experimental demonstrou atividade antibacteriana contra o Enterococcus faecalis. A maior concentração de pasta experimental apresentou o maior valor em relação à viabilidade celular, com 187,03% no teste SRB. A atividade da enzima fosfatase alcalina e a formação de nódulos mineralizados obtiveram um gradual aumento em função do tempo. A migração celular demonstrou fechamento da ferida, e a pasta experimental foi capaz de acelerar o processo (p<0.05). Em conclusão, a pasta experimental demonstrou propriedades físico químicas e biológicas confiáveis, podendo ser um material promissor para o reparo da região periapical. / The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize a new reparative material with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and remineralizing properties. The reparative material was developed to be a drug delivery system for regions with difficult access in Dentistry. The formulation is presented in powder/liquid. The powder is composed of α-tricalcium phosphate, calcium tungstate and amoxicillin microspheres (AMX-MS). The liquid is composed of nanocapsules containing indomethacin (IndOH-NC). The physicochemical and biological properties of the experimental endodontic paste were evaluated. The AMX-MS obtained a mean size of 1.604 μm ± 0.08, spherical shape and the encapsulation capacity was 1.63 mg g-1. IndOH-NCs obtained a mean size of 162 ± 7.5 nm and spherical shape confirm by MET. The content of the encapsulated drug was 1 mg mL-1 ± 0.02. The experimental paste flow was 18.56 ± 0.29 mm, mean film thickness was 33 μm and radiopacity equivalent to 1.81 mmAl. The experimental paste showed antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. The highest concentration of experimental paste presented the highest value in cell viability (187.03% in SRB test). The activity of the phosphatase alkaline enzyme and the formation of mineralized nodules showed a gradual increase as a function of time. Cell proliferation showed continuous wound closure, and the experimental paste was able to accelerate the process (p<0.05). In conclusion, the experimental paste demonstrated reliable physicochemical and biological properties, and it could be a promising material for periapical region repair.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T13:39:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-12-04. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-09-27T13:45:08Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000870615_20170104.pdf: 317584 bytes, checksum: 6a269491df3512a27244ef461e746baa (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2017-01-06T13:21:19Z: 000870615_20170104.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2017-01-06T13:22:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000870615.pdf: 515774 bytes, checksum: 03bc759e34cba0d37722957c82943ef6 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic disease that can be fatal to humans and dogs. The disease is caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania infantum and is transmitted by the bite of the sandfly (phlebotomines). In dogs, VL is observed as an intense chronic inflammatory reaction in the liver, spleen, skin, bone marrow and lymph nodes. Arginase activity is important in VL because an increase of this enzyme may contribute to the multiplication of the parasite and a reduction of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, predisposing a macrophage to infection. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can play a regulatory role in the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), however, there have been no studies in dogs with LV. This study aimed to evaluate the arginase activity in adherent macrophages cultivated from the lymph nodes of 18 healthy and 23 naturally infected dogs and to examine levels of NO and PGE2 in the supernatant of these cultures. The regulatory effect of PGE2 on the production of TNF-α and IL-10 was also evaluated in supernatants of total lymph node leukocytes cultures. These results help to clarify the mechanisms of the immune response in CVL. / FAPESP: 2013/066849

Resumo:A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma doença crônica que pode ser fatal para os humanos. A doença é causada por um parasita intracelular, Leishmania infantum e é transmitida pela picada do mosquito flebótomo. Em cães com LV observa-se uma intensa reação inflamatória crônica no fígado, baço, pele, medula óssea e gânglios linfáticos. A atividade arginase é importante na LV, pois o aumento dessa enzima pode contribuir para a multiplicação do parasita e para a redução da síntese de óxido nítrico (NO), predispondo o macrófago à infecção. A prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) pode regular a produção do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α) e da interleucina-10 (IL-10), porém nenhum estudo ainda foi realizado em cães com LV. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade arginase em macrófagos aderentes de cultura de linfonodos de 23 cães naturalmente infectados e 18 saudáveis, e os níveis de NO e PGE2 no sobrenadante dessas culturas. O efeito regulatório de PGE2 na produção de TNF-α e IL-10 também foi avaliado em cultura de leucócitos totais de linfonodo. Esse estudo ajuda a esclarecer o mecanismo da resposta imunológica na LVC. / Abstract:Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic disease that can be fatal to humans and dogs. The disease is caused by the intracellular parasite Leishmania infantum and is transmitted by the bite of the sandfly (phlebotomines). In dogs, VL is observed as an intense chronic inflammatory reaction in the liver, spleen, skin, bone marrow and lymph nodes. Arginase activity is important in VL because an increase of this enzyme may contribute to the multiplication of the parasite and a reduction of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, predisposing a macrophage to infection. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can play a regulatory role in the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), however, there have been no studies in dogs with LV. This study aimed to evaluate the arginase activity in adherent macrophages cultivated from the lymph nodes of 18 healthy and 23 naturally infected dogs and to examine levels of NO and PGE2 in the supernatant of these cultures. The regulatory effect of PGE2 on the production of TNF-α and IL-10 was also evaluated in supernatants of total lymph node leukocytes cultures. These results help to clarify the mechanisms of the immune response in CVL. / Orientador:Valéria Marçal Felix de Lima / Banca:Alexandra Ivo de Medeiros / Banca:Caris Maroni Nunes / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:00:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1937147 bytes, checksum: c7c7a7218440d8aec73885dba794fe24 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The anatomy and physiology of the eye, together with its protective barriers represent challenges to effective ocular drug delivery systems. The pharmacological treatment of eye diseases had been limited to conventional drug formulations, which are not satisfactory for diseases affecting the posterior segment of the eye. The delivery of therapeutic doses at tissues from the posterior segment in order to minimize adverse systemic and regional effects is the main goal in the treatment of ocular diseases. With this aim, several studies have been conducted to develop new ocular drug delivery systems, such as those involving ocular implants. These implants are prepared using a variety of different polymers that can be either biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Polymers derived from lactic and glycolic acid have revealed to be promising materials for the formulation of ocular implants, mainly due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, two different biodegradable indomethacin implants formulated based on a copolymer of lactic/glicolic acid (PLGA 50:50) and D,L-lactic acid (D,L-PLA) were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in vitro release using dissolution apparatus and scleral diffusion (from rabit´s eye) using Franz chambers. The study was done in collaboration with 3T Biopolymers (São Paulo, Brazil) that provided samples of the polymers and implants for analyses. The results of the validation of the HPLC method for indomethacin quantification were within the limits set forth by Brazilian legislation (RE 899, 2003, ANVISA). The results of DSC analysis revealed absence of any evidence of physico-chemical interactions between the drug and polymer. The suppression of the indomethacin melting peak is probably due to changes from the crystalline to the amorphous state of the drug following lyophilization or by dilution effects. Preliminary in vitro release data revealed a triphasic profile for indomethacin release from the PLGA-based implants and a biphasic one for the PLA implants. The implants formulated with PLGA promoted a faster release of indomethacin (103.64%) compared with implants formulated with PLA (49.9%) during the thirty days of the experiment. The release profile of indomethacin was determined by the rate of degradation of polymers, which also determined the scleral diffusion of indomethacin from PLGA and PLA (1.7 x 10-5 cm / s and 0.24 x 10-5 cm / s, respectively). The scleral diffusion experiments using Franz difusion chambers have shown that the rabit sclera is permeable to indomethacin and polarized light microscopy revealed that the structure of the scleral collagen fibers were not significantly altered during the diffusion experiments. The drug-release systems studied were able to release indomethacin in a sustained fashion, serving as a model for the formulation of indomethacin implants that could be used in the future for the treatment of ocular diseases such as the cystoid macular edema. / A anatomia e fisiologia do olho e suas barreiras protetoras representam um desafio para o desenvolvimento de sistemas de transporte de drogas oftálmicas efetivos. O tratamento farmacológico de doenças oculares tem se limitado às formas convencionais de administração que não são satisfatórias para o tratamento de doenças que acometem o segmento posterior do bulbo do olho. O transporte de doses terapêuticas para os tecidos do segmento posterior do olho, que minimize os efeitos colaterais sistêmicos e locais, é o principal objetivo no tratamento de doenças oculares. Visando atingir este objetivo, estudos têm sido feitos no sentido de desenvolver novos sistemas de liberação de fármacos para o olho, entre estes estão os implantes. Esses implantes são preparados a partir de diferentes polímeros, os quais podem ser biodegradáveis ou não biodegradáveis. Os polímeros derivados dos ácidos lático e glicólico têm se revelado bastante promissores devido, principalmente, às suas características de biocompatibilidade e biodegradabilidade. Neste trabalho, dois diferentes implantes de indometacina formulados a partir do copolímero ácido lático / ácido glicólico (PLGA 50:50) e do polímero derivado do ácido D,L-lático (PLA), através de liofilização da mistura polímero-fármaco, foram fornecidos pela empresa 3T Biopolímeros (São Paulo - SP) e avaliados através de DSC, estudos de liberação in vitro usando aparato de dissolução e estudos de difusão através de esclera de coelho utilizando câmaras de Franz. Os resultados da validação do método CLAE para quantificação da indometacina apresentaram-se dentro dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira (Resolução RE 899, 2003, ANVISA). As análises de DSC mostraram a ausência aparente de interações químicas e físicas entre o fármaco e os polímeros, sendo sugerido que o desaparecimento do pico de fusão da indometacina tenha ocorrido pela amorfização do fármaco durante o processo de liofilização ou pela diluição do fármaco no polímero. Os estudos preliminares de liberação in vitro demonstraram um perfil trifásico para os implantes formulados com PLGA e um perfil bifásico para àqueles formulados com PLA. Os implantes formulados com PLGA promoveram uma liberação mais rápida da indometacina (103,64%) quando comparado com os implantes formulados com PLA (49,9%) durante os trinta dias de experimento. O perfil de liberação da indometacina foi determinado pela velocidade de degradação dos polímeros, que também determinou a difusão escleral da indometacina a partir do PLGA e do PLA (1,7 x 10-5 cm/s e 0,24 x 10-5 cm/s, respectivamente). Os estudos de difusão escleral mostraram que a esclera de coelho é permeável à indometacina e a microscopia de luz polarizada mostrou que a estrutura das fibras colágenas da esclera não foram significativamente alteradas durante o estudo de difusão nas câmaras de Franz. Os sistemas de liberação de fármacos avaliados foram capazes de liberar a indometacina de forma prolongada, servindo como um modelo para formulação de implantes de indometacina que podem ser futuramente utilizados para tratamento de doenças como edema macular cistóide.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi sintetizar e caracterizar um material reparador para uso endodôntico com propriedades anti-inflamatória, antimicrobiana e remineralizante. A pasta experimental tem como propósito ser um sistema carreador de fármacos para regiões de difícil acesso em Odontologia. A apresentação do material é em forma de pó:líquido. No pó se encontra α-fosfato tricálcico, tungstato de cálcio e microesferas de amoxicilina (AMX-MS), já no líquido estão contidas nanocápsulas de indometacina (IndOHNC). A pasta experimental foi testada em relação a suas características físicoquímicas e biológicas. As AMX-MS obtiveram tamanho de 1,604 μm ± 0,08, forma esférica confirmada por MEV e teor da droga foi 1,63 mg g-1. As IndOHNC obtiveram tamanho de 162 ± 7,5 nm e forma esférica confirmada por MET. O teor do fármaco foi de 1 mg mL-1 ± 0,02. O escoamento da pasta foi de 18.56 ± 0.29, a espessura de película obtida foi 33 μm e radiopacidade de 1,81 mmAl. A pasta experimental demonstrou atividade antibacteriana contra o Enterococcus faecalis. A maior concentração de pasta experimental apresentou o maior valor em relação à viabilidade celular, com 187,03% no teste SRB. A atividade da enzima fosfatase alcalina e a formação de nódulos mineralizados obtiveram um gradual aumento em função do tempo. A migração celular demonstrou fechamento da ferida, e a pasta experimental foi capaz de acelerar o processo (p<0.05). Em conclusão, a pasta experimental demonstrou propriedades físico químicas e biológicas confiáveis, podendo ser um material promissor para o reparo da região periapical. / The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize a new reparative material with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and remineralizing properties. The reparative material was developed to be a drug delivery system for regions with difficult access in Dentistry. The formulation is presented in powder/liquid. The powder is composed of α-tricalcium phosphate, calcium tungstate and amoxicillin microspheres (AMX-MS). The liquid is composed of nanocapsules containing indomethacin (IndOH-NC). The physicochemical and biological properties of the experimental endodontic paste were evaluated. The AMX-MS obtained a mean size of 1.604 μm ± 0.08, spherical shape and the encapsulation capacity was 1.63 mg g-1. IndOH-NCs obtained a mean size of 162 ± 7.5 nm and spherical shape confirm by MET. The content of the encapsulated drug was 1 mg mL-1 ± 0.02. The experimental paste flow was 18.56 ± 0.29 mm, mean film thickness was 33 μm and radiopacity equivalent to 1.81 mmAl. The experimental paste showed antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. The highest concentration of experimental paste presented the highest value in cell viability (187.03% in SRB test). The activity of the phosphatase alkaline enzyme and the formation of mineralized nodules showed a gradual increase as a function of time. Cell proliferation showed continuous wound closure, and the experimental paste was able to accelerate the process (p<0.05). In conclusion, the experimental paste demonstrated reliable physicochemical and biological properties, and it could be a promising material for periapical region repair.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este estudo investiga os efeitos gastroprotetores da hecogenina, uma saponina esterÃide, isolada de Agave sisalana, em modelos experimentais de Ãlcera gÃstrica. Camundongos Swiss machos foram utilizados nos modelos de Ãlcera gÃstrica induzida pelo etanol e indometacina. Para identificarmos os mecanismos de aÃÃo da hecogenina, os papÃis de Ãxido nÃtrico (NO), do grupos sulfidrilicos nÃo protÃicos (GSH), dos canais de K+ ATP e das prostaglandinas foram tambÃm investigados assim como determinaÃÃes da peroxidaÃÃo lipÃdica (TBARS) e dos nÃveis de nitrito no estÃmago de animais tratados com hecogenina e de grupos controle foram realizadas. AlÃm disso, foi avaliado o efeito da hecogenina sobre a contagem de mastÃcitos, bem como sobre a liberaÃÃo da mieloperoxidase (MPO), um biomarcador de inflamaÃÃo foram estudados em neutrÃfilos humanos in vitro. Foram avaliados a atividade antimicrobina para o Helicobacter pylori e a expressÃo de COX-2, TNF-&#945;, IL-1&#946;, Ãxido nÃtrico sintase induzida (iNOS), NF-kB-p50 NLS (sequÃncia de localizaÃÃo nuclear) atravÃs da tÃcnica de imunohistoquÃmica em modelo de Ãlcera gÃstrica agudo e crÃnico. Os nossos resultados mostraram que a hecogenina (15, 30,60 e 90 mg/ kg, p.o.) administrada de forma aguda, antes do etanol ou indometacina, exibiu um potente efeito gastroprotetor, bem como reduziu o nÃmero de mastÃcitos. Embora os prÃ-tratamentos com L-NAME, um inibidor de iNOS, e capsazepina, um agonista do receptor TRPV1, nÃo foram capazes de reverter o efeio da hecogenina, este foi revertido por glibenclamida, um bloqueador de K+ATP e por indometacina no modelo de Ãlcera induzida por etanol. O prÃ-tratamento com hecogenina reduziu de modo significativo os nÃveis de GSH, peroxidaÃÃo lipÃdica e nitrito no modelo de lesÃo gÃstrica induzida por etanol. A droga por si sà aumentou a expressÃo de COX-2, e este efeito foi ainda melhor na presenÃa de etanol tendo diminuido tambÃm a liberaÃÃo de MPO. A hecogenina nÃo demonstrou efeitos significativos sobre o modelo de ligadura do piloro e trÃnsito intestinal em camundongos. No modelo crÃnico, o tratamento com a hecogenina foi capaz de melhorar a cicatrizaÃÃo de Ãlceras gÃstricas induzidas pelo Ãcido acÃtico promovendo significativa regeneraÃÃo da mucosa gÃstrica. Ademais, hecogenina 90 mg/Kg diminuiu a marcaÃÃo imunohistoquÃmica para TNF-&#945;, NOSi, IL-1&#946;, NF-kB-p50 NLS na mucosa gÃstrica tanto em experimento agudo como no crÃnico. Em conclusÃo, os resultados obtidos indicam que a hecogenina possui atividade gastroprotetora em modelos agudo e crÃnico e capacidade de promover cicatrizaÃÃo de Ãlcera da mucosa gÃstrica. AlÃm disso, demonstramos que a hecogenina apresenta um efeito gastroprotetor significativo que parece ser mediado pela abertura de canais de K+ATP pela via COX- 2/PG. AlÃm disso, as propriedades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatÃrias podem desempenhar um papel no efeito gastroprotetor da droga. Constata-se tambÃm que o efeito anti-Ãlcera pode ser devido Ãs suas propriedades de aumentar o mecanismo de defesa da mucosas e atravÃs da supressÃo da inflamaÃÃo mediada por TNF-&#945;, NOSi, IL-1&#946;, NF-kB. / This study investigates the gastroprotective effects of hecogenin, a steroid saponin isolated from Agave sisalana, on experimental models of gastric ulcer. Male Swiss mice were used in the models of ethanol- and indometacin-induced gastriculcer. To clarify the hecogenin mechanism of action, the roles of nitric oxide (NO), sulfhydryls (GSH), K+ATP channels and prostaglandins were also investigated, and measurements of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay) and nitrite levels in the stomach of hecogenin-treated and untreated animals were performed. Furthermore, the effects of hecogenin on myeloperoxidase (MPO) release from human neutrophils were assessed in vitro. Our results showed that hecogenin (3.1, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg, p.o.) acutely administered, before ethanol or indomethacin, exhibited a potent gastroprotective effect. Although the pretreatments with L-NAME, an iNOS inhibitor, and capsazepine, a TRPV1 receptor agonist, were not able to reverse the hecogenineffect, this was reversed by glibenclamide, a K+ATP blocker, and indomethacin in the model of ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The hecogenin pretreatment normalized GSH levels and significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels in the stomach, as evaluated by the ethanol-induced gastric lesion model. The drug alone increased COX-2 expression and this effect was further enhanced in the presence of ethanol. It also decreased MPO release and significantly protected the gastric mucosa. In conclusion, we showed that hecogenin presents a significant gastroprotective effect that seems to be mediated by K+ATP channels opening and the COX-2/PG pathway. In addition, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play a role in the gastroprotective drug effect.