Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As leishmanioses estão entre as mais importantes endemias brasileiras e encontram-se entre as doenças mais negligenciadas no mundo. O arsenal terapêutico disponível é restrito, tóxico, caro e em algumas situações ineficazes, devido ao surgimento de cepas resistentes do parasito. No Brasil são registrados anualmente mais de 20 mil casos de leishmaniose tegumentar e a Leishmania braziliensis é a principal espécie causadora das formas clínicas cutânea e mucosa. Estudos prévios mostraram que o flavonóide quercetina tem ação terapêutica pela via oral em camundongos infectados com L. amazonensis. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade do flavonóide quercetina sobre Leishmania braziliensis in vitro e in vivo usando hamsters como modelo experimental. O efeito antiparasitário da quercetina foi avaliado sobre o crescimento in vitro das formas promastigotas e sobre amastigotas intracelulares em macrófagos peritoneais de camundongos e hamsters. O efeito da quercetina sobre macrófagos foi avaliado pela dosagem de óxido nítrico pelo método de Griess nos sobrenadantes das culturas e espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) intracelular através do H2DCFDA. In vivo a atividade terapêutica da quercetina foi estudada em grupos de hamsters infectados com L.braziliensis na pata, tratados com quercetina pela via oral (2mg/ 5X / semana) após 7 dias de infecção durante oito semanas.A ação terapêutica foi analisada através do tamanho da lesão. A resposta imune foi avaliada durante o tratamento, pela resposta de hipersensibilidade tardia (DTH) ao antígeno total de L. braziliensis. A quercetina não apresentou atividade sobre o crescimento de promastigotas em cultura em nenhuma das concentrações testadas. Em amastigotas intracelulares quercetina apresentou ação dose dependente em macrófagos de camundongos e hamsters inibindo 45% e 54% e 25% e 48 %, respectivamente nas concentrações de 50 e 100g/ml após 48h de tratamento. O pré - tratamento dos macrófagos de camundongos e hamsters com quercetina foi capaz de inibir o crescimento de amastigotas intracelulares em 57, 58 e 74% e 49, 50, e 58% respectivamente, nas concentrações de 25, 50 e 100 g/ml, apresentado ação inibitória significativa em todas as concentrações testadas. Não houve alteração na produção de NO pelos macrófagos, entretanto macrófagos pré tratados com a quercetina por 24 horas antes da infecção apresentaram um aumento significativo na produção de EROs, quando comparados aos controles. Macrófagos tratados antes e depois da infecção, apresentaram diminuição da produção de EROs. In vivo, a quercetina foi capaz de controlar o tamanho das lesões a partir da terceira semana de tratamento em relação ao controle não tratado ( P< 0,05). Os animais tratados com quercetina apresentaram maior resposta intradérmica aos antígenos de L. braziliensis. Esses dados mostram que a quercetina tem atividade sobre L. braziliensis, inibindo amastigotas intracelulares in vitro e sendo capaz de controlar o tamanho das lesões em hamsters infectados quando administrada pela via oral. / Leishmaniasis are among the most important endemic diseases in Brazil and are among the most neglected diseases in the world. The therapeutic tools available is restricted, toxic, expensive and ineffective in some situations, due to the emergence of resistant strains of the parasite are reported annually in Brazil more than 20.000 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. a Leishmania braziliensis is the main species causing clinical forms of skin and mucosa. Previous studies demonstrated therapeutic effect of quercetin flavonoid by oral route in mice infected with L. amazonensis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of quercetina in Leishmania braziliensis in vitro and in vivo using hamsters as experimental model. The antiparasitic effect was evaluated in vitro on the growth of promastigotes and on intracellular amastigotes in mouse and hamsters peritoneal macrophages. The effect on the modulation of murine macrophage activation was assessed by measuring levels of nitric oxide(Griess reagent) and ROS by H2DCFDA. In vivo therapeutic activity of quercetin was studied in groups of hamsters infected with L.braziliensis in the paw, treated with oral routes by quercetin (2mg/ 5X / week) after 7 days of infection for eight weeks. The therapeutic action was analyzed using the size of the lesion. The immune response was evaluated during treatment by the response of delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) to the total antigen of L. braziliensis. Quercetin showed no activity in promastigotes forms in none of the concentration tested. The antiamastigote action is a dose dependent manner, in mice and hamsters macrophages treated for 48 hours inhibiting 45% e 54% and 25% e 48 %, respectively, at concentrations of 50 and 100 g/ml. No inibihition was observed at concentration of 25 g/ml. The pre- treatment of mice and hamsters macrophages inibihited 57, 58 e 74% e 49, 50, e 58%, respectively at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 g/ml the growth of intracellular amastigotes, showing inhibitory effects on all concentrations tested. No production of nitric oxide was observed in macrophages. Pre treated macrophages before infection, shows an increase of ROS, when compared to controls, while macrophages treated before and after infection showed an decrease of ROS production. In vivo, quercetin was able to control de size of lesion since the third week of of treatment, when compared to untreated controls (P< 0,05). These dates show quercetin activity on L. braziliensis, inhibiting amastigote growth in vitro and being able to control lesion size in infected hamster when administred by oral route.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A solubilidade do fÃrmaco em Ãgua à um fator importante para sua eficÃcia. Entretanto, a maioria dos fÃrmacos apresenta baixa solubilidade em Ãgua. Para resolver este problema, copolÃmeros em bloco com propriedades surfactantes tÃm sido bastante investigados. O objetivo deste trabalho à investigar os copolÃmeros F87 (E62P39E62), E43B14E43 e suas misturas 50/50 a 90/10, com proporÃÃo crescente do copolÃmero mais hidrofÃbico (E43B14E43), a sÃrie de diblocos EmBn para carrear o fÃrmaco modelo griseofulvina atravÃs de diferentes mÃtodos de solubilizaÃÃo e estudar a sua liberaÃÃo, bem como o estudo da solubilizaÃÃo dos fÃrmacos quercetina e mangiferina nos copolÃmeros E65G5 e E65G7E65 visando suas aplicaÃÃes no carreamento e liberaÃÃo controlada de fÃrmacos. Utilizou-se a tÃcnica de inversÃo de tubo para o estudo das propriedades geleificantes dos copolÃmeros F87, E43B14E43 e suas misturas 50/50 a 90/10. Para a determinaÃÃo da concentraÃÃo micelar crÃtica (CMC) utilizou-se o mÃtodo de solubilizaÃÃo de corante medida por fluorescÃncia. A solubilidade dos fÃrmacos griseofulvina, quercetina e mangiferina nos sistemas micelares foi medida por espectrofotometria UV-Vis e para os sistemas dos copolÃmeros E65G5 e E65G7E65 utilizou-se a cromatografia lÃquida de alta eficiÃncia (HPLC). Os copolÃmeros puros e os sistemas contendo os fÃrmacos foram caracterizados por tÃcnicas de espectroscopia de absorÃÃo na regiÃo do infravermelho (FT-IR), espectroscopia RAMAN (FT-RAMAN), raios-X, tamanho de partÃcula por espalhamento de luz dinÃmico (Zetasizer), e experimentos de liberaÃÃo in vitro foram realizados para alguns dos sistemas. Os copolÃmeros F87, E43B14E43, suas misturas, os diblocos da sÃrie EmBn e os copolÃmeros E65G5 e E65G7E65 sÃo promissores para administraÃÃo de fÃrmacos hidrofÃbicos, pois apresentaram bons valores de capacidade de solubilizaÃÃo (Scp). Os copolÃmeros E65G5 e E65G7E65 foram os que mais se destacaram na solubilizaÃÃo da quercetina (HPLC): seu sistema micelar aumentou a solubilidade aquosa da quercetina em 264 vezes a 25 ÂC em ambos os copolÃmeros e 118 e 135 vezes a 37ÂC, no dibloco e tribloco, respectivamente, e suas partÃculas apresentaram total eficiÃncia de encapsulaÃÃo da quercetina. Portanto, o dibloco de glicidil (E65G5) à o melhor copolÃmero para encapsulamento de fÃrmaco. / Most drug candidates fail to progress in their formulations due to its low solubility in water. To resolve this issue, block copolymers with surfactant properties have been well investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the copolymers F87 (E62P39E62), and mixtures thereof E43B14E43 50/50 to 90/10, with increasing proportion of the more hydrophobic copolymer (E43B14E43), the series of diblock EmBn to carry the model drug through different griseofulvin solubilization methods and study their release, and the study of drug solubilization of quercetin and mangiferin E65G5 the copolymers and their applications in order E65G7E65 Entrainment and controlled release of drugs. We used the technique of inversion of the tube for the study of gelling properties of copolymers F87, and mixtures thereof E43B14E43 50/50 to 90/10. To determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) used the dye solubilization method measured by fluorescence. The solubility of drugs griseofulvin, quercetin and mangiferin in micellar systems was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and systems of copolymers E65G5 E65G7E65 and used the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The pure copolymers and the systems containing the drugs were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman), X-rays, particle size by dynamic light scattering (Zetasizer), and experiments in vitro release were carried out for some systems. The copolymers F87, E43B14E43, their mixtures, the number of diblock copolymers and EmBn E65G5 E65G7E65 and are promising for administration of hydrophobic drugs, because they showed good solubilising capacity values &#8203;&#8203;(Scp). The copolymers were E65G7E65 E65G5 and those who stood out in solubilization of quercetin (HPLC): its micellar system increased the aqueous solubility of quercetin in 253 times at 25  C for both copolymers and 124 and 142 times at 37  C for the diblock and triblock, respectively, and its particles showed complete encapsulation efficiency of quercetin

A exposição ao sol traz benefícios à saúde, no entanto, o excesso pode ocasionar danos cutâneos agudos e crônicos, dentre os quais se destacam as neoplasias. A fotoproteção é um método para a prevenção dos efeitos danosos da radiação ultravioleta (UV) e a biodiversidade Brasileira é campo fértil para as pesquisas nesta área. Dessa forma, os objetivos da presente pesquisa envolveram o desenvolvimento de formulações fotoprotetoras bioativas contendo rutina ou quercetina (compostos bioativos) e filtros solares físicos (dióxido de titânio e óxido de zinco); a caracterização das formulações por meio de ensaios físico (viscosidade aparente) e físico-químico (valor de pH); a determinação da eficácia fotoprotetora estimada por espectrofotometria de refletância difusa com esfera de integração; e a avaliação da estabilidade das preparações por meio do Teste de Estabilidade Normal (TEN). Na etapa do Desenvolvimento, a preparação composta por Dermabase® vegetal (10,0% p/p); sistema umectante (8,0% p/p); sistema emoliente (6,0% p/p); sistema quelante/antioxidante (0,6% p/p); sistema conservante (1,0% p/p); e água destilada recém destilada (74,4% p/p), foi selecionada como a formulação-base. As preparações contendo os compostos bioativos e ativos, isolados ou em associações, possuíram valores de pH biocompatíveis com o da pele, abrangendo o intervalo de 4,28 (5,0% p/p de rutina) a 7,58 (5,0% p/p de dióxido de titânio); aspecto de creme com intervalo de viscosidade aparente entre 12400 (5,0% p/p de óxido de zinco + 5,0% p/p de dióxido de titânio + 2,5% p/p de quercetina) e 31900 cP (5,0% p/p de óxido de zinco + 5,0% p/p de dióxido de titânio + 5,0% p/p de rutina); eficácia fotoprotetora estimada na faixa de fator de proteção solar (FPS) de 2,1 (2,5% p/p de quercetina) a 45,3 (5,0% p/p de óxido de zinco + 5,0% p/p de dióxido de titânio + 5,0% p/p de quercetina); e amplo espectro de proteção com valor mínimo de comprimento de onda crítico igual a 377 nm (5,0% p/p de óxido de zinco). Por meio do TEN, as preparações contendo os compostos bioativos e ativos isolados ou a associação dos filtros solares físicos se mantiveram estáveis para os parâmetros de aspecto, FPS estimado, comprimento de onda crítico, valor de pH e viscosidade aparente, nas condições de armazenamento de 22,0 ± 2,0 °C; 5,0 ± 2,0 °C - exceto para a viscosidade aparente - e 40,0 ± 2,0 °C (120 dias). As associações dos filtros físicos com os compostos bioativos se apresentaram instáveis. Apesar das respostas favoráveis que os flavonoides apreciaram, sugerirem-se que novas pesquisas poderiam ser conduzidas com a finalidade de contornar tais problemas, inclusive, realizando a comprovação da eficácia antissolar in vivo das preparações de melhor desempenho. / Exposition to sunlight promotes health benefits, however, its excess may cause acute and chronic cutaneous damages, including neoplasias. Photoprotection is a preventive approach against ultraviolet (UV) radiation deleterious effects and Brazilian biodiversity is an interesting field to the progress of researches in this science segment. The objectives of this research were the development of bioactive sunscreens containing rutin or quercetin (bioactive compounds) and inorganic UV filters (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide); the preparations\' physical (apparent viscosity) and physicochemical (pH value) characterization; the in vitro evaluation of the formulations\' photoprotective efficacy by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry equipped with integrated sphere; and the sunscreens\' stability analysis by Normal Stability Testing (NST). The vehicle was developed with the following components: Dermabase® vegetal (10.0% w/w); humectant system (8.0% w/w); emollient system (6.0% w/w); antioxidant/chelating system (0.6% w/w); preservatives (1.0% w/w); and distilled water/aqua (74.4% w/w). Formulations containing the bioactive and the UV filters, isolated or in association, were skin biocompatible with interval of pH values from 4.28 (rutin 5.0% w/w) to 7.58 (titanium dioxide 5.0% w/w); apparent viscosity values of 12400 (zinc oxide 5.0% w/w + titanium dioxide 5.0% w/w + quercetin 2.5% w/w) to 31900 cP (zinc oxide 5.0% w/w + titanium dioxide 5.0% w/w + rutin 5.0% w/w); in vitro photoprotection activity by sun protection factor (SPF) ranging from 2.1 (quercetin 2.5% w/w) to 45.3 (zinc oxide 5.0% w/w + titanium dioxide 5.0% w/w + quercetin 5.0% w/w); and broad spectrum property with minimum critical wavelength of 377 nm (zinc oxide 5.0% w/w). By NST, sunscreens with isolated bioactive and active compounds or the UV filters\' association were considered stable during 120 days for the following parameters: aspect, in vitro SPF, critical wavelength, pH value and apparent viscosity when samples were stored at 22.0 ± 2.0 °C; 5.0 ± 2.0 °C (excluding apparent viscosity) and 40.0 ± 2.0 °C. Associations of UV filters with bioactive compounds were instable. Although the favorable results that flavonoids have achieved, it is suggested further researches aiming at to overcome the identified inconvenient, performing the in vivo SPF determination on best performance formulations to prove the estimated in vitro data.

Submitted by PPG Engenharia e Tecnologia de Materiais (engenharia.pg.materiais@pucrs.br) on 2018-08-08T14:30:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta??o Luisa Alban.pdf: 1572475 bytes, checksum: 51e47c0f80b15d05eda24af2e3b8fde5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sheila Dias (sheila.dias@pucrs.br) on 2018-08-09T11:13:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta??o Luisa Alban.pdf: 1572475 bytes, checksum: 51e47c0f80b15d05eda24af2e3b8fde5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T11:23:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta??o Luisa Alban.pdf: 1572475 bytes, checksum: 51e47c0f80b15d05eda24af2e3b8fde5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-01 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / The interest in nanostructures such as titanate nanotubes (TNTs) has grown notably in recent years due to their biocompatibility and economic viability, which makes them promising for application in the biomedical field. Quercetin (Qc) has been reported to have great potential as a chemopreventive agent widely used in the study of the treatment of diseases such as bladder cancer. Therefore, this work aimed to study the incorporation of quercetin in sodium TNTs (NaTNT) and zinc (ZnTNT), as well as characterize the nanostructures formed. In addition, it was intended to conduct Qc release tests and biological and antitumor activities in T24 lineage cells. The nanostructures of TNTs were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, MEVFEG, EDS, MET DRX and TGA techniques. The results showed that the nanostructures have a tubular structure and the exchange of Na+ ions by Zn2+, as well as the incorporation of quercetin in the structure do not alter this morphology. In addition, the interaction established between Zn and Qc increases the thermal stability of nanostructures. The release test showed that the maximum delivery of Qc occurs after 24h and the presence of Zn controls the release of the flavonoid. Biological assays have shown that the NaTNTQc and ZnTNTQc nanostructures decrease the cellular viability of T24 after 48h in high concentrations. Furthermore, NaTNT, NaTNTQc and ZnTNT reduce the number of T24 lineage cells when combined with irradiation after 48h showing that the combination of nanostructures and ionizing energy is an attractive object of study in the treatment of bladder cancer. / O interesse por nanoestruturas como nanotubos de titanatos (TNTs) tem crescido notavelmente nos ?ltimos anos devido a sua biocompatibilidade e viabilidade econ?mica, o que os tornam promissores para a aplica??o na ?rea biom?dica. A quercetina (Qc) tem sido relatada como tendo grande potencial como agente quimiopreventivo amplamente utilizada no estudo do tratamento de doen?as como c?ncer de bexiga. Neste sentido, este trabalho pretendeu estudar a incorpora??o de quercetina em TNTs de s?dio (NaTNT) e de zinco (ZnTNT), bem como, realizar a caracteriza??o das nanoestruturas formadas. Al?m disso, pretendeu-se conduzir testes de libera??o de Qc e atividades biol?gicas e antitumorais em c?lulas da linhagem T24. As nanoestruturas de TNTs foram sintetizadas e caracterizadas por t?cnicas de FTIR, MEV-FEG, EDS, MET DRX e TGA. Os resultados mostraram que as nanoestruturas apresentam estrutura tubular, e a troca de ?ons Na+ por Zn2+, bem como a incorpora??o de quercetina na estrutura n?o alteram esta morfologia. Al?m disso, a intera??o estabelecida entre o Zn e Qc aumenta a estabilidade t?rmica das nanoestruturas. O ensaio de libera??o mostrou que a entrega m?xima de Qc ocorre ap?s 24h e apresen?a de Zn controla a libera??o do flavonoide para o meio. Os ensaios biol?gicos mostraram que as nanoestruturas NaTNTQc e ZnTNTQc diminuem a viabilidade celular de T24 ap?s 48h em altas concentra??es. Ainda, NaTNT, NaTNTQc e ZnTNT reduzem o n?mero de c?lulas da linhagem T24 quando combinadas com irradia??o ap?s 48h mostrando que a combina??o entre as nanoestruturas e energia ionizante se apresenta como um objeto de estudo atrativo no tratamento de c?ncer de bexiga.

Submitted by Ana Damasceno (ana.damasceno@unipampa.edu.br) on 2016-11-16T13:07:17Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Efeitos do Riluzole no Sistema Nervoso Central e Periférico de vertebrados..pdf: 3331266 bytes, checksum: 695a072e1aef84e61ff2e6ef010514a2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-16T13:07:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Efeitos do Riluzole no Sistema Nervoso Central e Periférico de vertebrados..pdf: 3331266 bytes, checksum: 695a072e1aef84e61ff2e6ef010514a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-05-15 / O Riluzole é quimicamente relacionado aos benzotiazóis e é conhecido como um agente neuroprotetor, possuindo propriedades anticonvulsivantes, analgésicas, anestésicas, e sedativas. A ação neuroprotetora mais conhecida desta droga ocorre através da inibição da transmissão glutamatérgica no sistema nervoso central (SNC). Nesse trabalho, o Riluzole foi ensaiado sobre a junção neuromuscular esquelética (JNM) de aves visando estudar sua interação com o sistema nervoso periférico (SNP). Também foi verificada a ação do Riluzole em fatias de hipocampo de camundongos, comparando os resultados com agentes antiinflamatórios como o extrato de Hypericum brasiliense (HBE) e seu principal composto, quercetina, frente ao veneno de serpente Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt). No SNP, o Riluzole foi ensaiado em preparação músculo biventer cervicis de pintainhos, em banho de órgão isolado, nas doses de 5, 10 e 20 µM. Foram obtidos registros da amplitude da força de contração muscular em presença ou ausência de Riluzole durante 120min, e as curvasresposta à adição exógena de acetilcolina (ACh – 110 µM) e ao cloreto de potássio (KCl – 20 mM), antes e após a incubação com o tratamento. O Riluzole induziu respostas tempo e dosedependentes. Na concentração de 5 µM houve uma diminuição gradativa e significativa da resposta contrátil (p<0.05). Na concentração de 10 µM, houve uma facilitação significativa (p<0.05) da resposta contrátil e das curvas evocadas pelo KCl e ACh. No entanto, na dose de 20 µM houve uma estabilização da contratilidade em relação ao controle. Em todas as doses de Riluzole ensaiadas na JNM houve um aumento significativo da atividade da enzima acetilcolinesterase (AChE). Na sequência da verificação do mecanismo de ação do Riluzole sobre a placa motora, registros eletromiograficos foram tomados na presença dos inibidores especificos, Neostigmina e d-Tubocurarina, onde foi observada uma reversão dos efeitos quando Riluzole foi adicionado ao meio. Como modelo celular de SNC, a ação do Riluzole foi ensaiada em fatias de hipocampo e a viabilidade destas frente ao veneno de Cdt foi observada por meio da atividade de desidrogenases mitocondriais. Tanto Riluzole, como o extrato da planta HBE e quercetina, aumentaram a viabilidade celular em 1h de incubação a 37˚C na presença do veneno. Quercetina foi mais efetiva do que Riluzole e HBE em neutralizar a lise celular induzida pelo veneno. Assim, estes resultados demonstram a influência do Riluzole no SNC como neuroprotetor de toxinas de veneno de serpente, possivelmente atuando como agente anti-inflamatório, e no SNP, aumentando a atividade da AChE e atuando de maneira dose-dependente sobre a placa motora. / Riluzole is chemically related to benzothiazoles and it is known as a neuroprotective agent with anticonvulsant, analgesic, anesthetic and sedative properties. The neuroprotective drug action is well established being through inhibition of glutamatergic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we have assayed the drug Riluzole at skeletal neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of avian, seeking its interaction with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). We also tested Riluzole in the CNS of mice by comparing its results with anti - inflammatory agents, such as extract of Hypericum brasiliense (HBE) and its main isolated compound, quercetin, against the poison of Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt). In the PNS, Riluzole was tested in nerve-muscle preparations in chick biventer cervicis at doses of 5, 10 and 20 μM. It was obtained recordings of the muscle twitch-tension amplitude and the contracture responses to exogenous applied acetylcholine (ACh 110 μM) and potassium chloride (KCl – 20 mM) in the presence or absence of Riluzole during 120 min. Riluzole induced time and dose-dependent responses. At concentration of 5μM there was a gradual and significant decrease in the contractile response (p<0.05). The concentration of 10μM showed a significant facilitation of the contractile response (p<0.05) and an increase in the curve responses evoked by KCl and ACh. However, at a dose of 20 μM there was a stabilization of contractility compared to control. All tested doses of Riluzole showed a significant increase in the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The action mechanism of Riluzole on the endplate was further analysed through the use of specific inhibitors, Neostigmine and dTubocurarine, a reversal of effects those was seen when Riluzole was added to the medium. As a cellular model of CNS, the action of Riluzole was tested in mice hippocampal slices. The cell viability against Cdt venom was observed through the activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenases. Riluzole as much as the plant extract HBE and its active ingredient, quercetin, increased cell viability in 1h incubation at 37˚C in the presence of the poison. However, quercetin showed to be more effective than Riluzole and HBE in neutralizing cell lysis induced by the venom. Thus, these results demonstrate the influence of Riluzole on the CNS, it showed a neuroprotective effect against snake venom toxins, possibly acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. As for the cholinergic system in the NMJ, Riluzole showed an interesting effect by increasing the activity of AChE and by acting in a dose-dependent manner over the endplate.

Dietary flavonoids are ubiquitous and are marketed as supplements. Characterized as antioxidants, they offer protection against a number of degenerative diseases. Flavonoid mechanics involve free radical scavenging, metal chelation, and substrate association. The skeletal structure of flavonoids is a fused ring system modified by hydroxyl, sugar, and carbohydrate additions. Flavone is a structurally simple flavonoid. Quercetin and its glycosidic analog rutin are complex structures. Using a DNA oxidation/cleavage assay, flavone reduces DNA nicking by 91%. Depending on the solvent system used, quercetin can either increase or decrease DNA oxidation. Rutin exhibits neither pro- nor antioxidant activity. The molecular interactions responsible for these results are defined for flavone. 1) Flavone intercalates into DNA and saturates DNA at a 1/3.5 flavone:DNA molar ratio. 3) Flavone reduces iron-dependent DNA oxidation. 4) Flavone interacts with quercetin to enhance DNA protection. These results characterize the primary activities of a simple flavonoid.

Loss of physiological function, uncomfortable symptoms and various disease processes are thought to be directly related to the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage. Between ten and thirty percent of patients requiring spinal surgery suffer from failed back surgery syndrome. The pain and instability resulting from failed back syndrome often requires medical treatment and may even require additional surgeries to alleviate its associated symptoms. Following surgery, scar tissue forms that often becomes adherent to the dura and entangled in the ganglia and nerve fibers of the spinal nerves. This scar tissue is considered to play a major role in the development of failed back syndrome. Following tissue injury, excessive oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to be the primary stimulators behind increased fibroblast proliferation and activation, resulting in abundant extracellular matrix deposition. The excessive laying down of extracellular matrix ultimately leads to abundant scar tissue formation. I hypothesized that reducing oxidative stress and inflammation will mitigate scar tissue formation and produce a better outcome after spinal surgeries. Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that has been shown to improve the outcome following injury to the spinal cord and reduce the proliferation of fibroblasts. L-2-Oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC) also minimizes inflammation and protects against oxidative stress by promoting the synthesis of the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent glutathione. OTC reduces airway inflammation in asthma models and is potentially capable of modulating extracellular matrix production. <p>Treatment with these two agents was hypothesized to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby causing an amelioration of scar tissue formation following spinal surgery and improve the outcome. Morphological changes observed initially indicated that improvements in wound healing were occurring in the experimentally treated tissues. In addition, the scar tissue area and the lateral widths of the peridural scar forming between the muscular tissue areas suggested a reduction in the scar size. Although inflammatory cell numbers increased slightly in the experimental treatment groups, particularly during the initial three day post laminectomy time point, this increase was not statistically significant. <p>While quercetin and OTC did not appear to inhibit the influx of inflammatory cells following laminectomy, they did appear to induce a more beneficial wound healing environment. It is possible that these agents are affecting parameters of wound healing not considered by these studies. For instance the myriad of processes mediated by growth factors and cytokines involved in wound healing process may play a much greater role than the inflammatory cells themselves. In conclusion, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by these agents to ameliorate scar tissue formation following spinal laminectomy was supported by the observed morphology, but not supported by the quantification of inflammatory cells. Additional studies investigating the efficacy of quercetin and OTC on the wound healing process are needed to further understand the role they play in repair and scar tissue formation.

Various genes have evolved to protect the cell against stressor-induced damage or death including the heat shock proteins (HSPs). Stressor-induced HSP gene expression involves the activation of heat shock factor (HSF), which binds to the heat shock element (HSE) found in the promoter region of <em>hsp</em> genes. Previously, our laboratory has examined the expression and function of <em>hsp</em> genes in the South African clawed frog, <em>Xenopus laevis</em>. Amphibians are particularly susceptible to adverse environmental conditions, including high temperatures and toxicants. In contrast to the many known inducers of HSF activation in poikilothermic vertebrates, few inhibitors have been either discovered or described in the literature. The present study has compared for the first time the effect of two heat shock response (HSR) inhibitors, quercetin and KNK437, on <em>hsp</em> gene expression in <em>Xenopus</em> A6 cells, demonstrating their efficacy in poikilotherms. Northern blot and densitometric analysis showed that cells treated with either quercetin or KNK437 decreased the heat shock-induced accumulation of <em>hsp70</em>, <em>hsp47</em>, and <em>hsp30</em> mRNAs. Additionally, constitutive levels of <em>hsp47</em> and <em>hsc70</em> mRNAs were reduced. In comparison, neither quercetin nor KNK437 affected the levels of constitutively expressed <em>ef1&alpha;</em> mRNAs under control or heat shock conditions. Western blot and densitometric analysis in this study showed that under heat shock conditions, exposure to quercetin or KNK437 significantly decreased the accumulation of HSP30, and that KNK437 was more effective in doing so than quercetin. In comparison, levels of actin were not significantly affected by either heat shock or exposure to DMSO, quercetin, or KNK437. These findings suggest that one mechanism by which quercetin and KNK437 inhibits the HSR in <em>Xenopus</em> is through the inhibition of HSF activity. <br /><br /> Results of this study also suggest that KNK437 inhibits the acquisition of thermotolerance in poikilotherms, similar to observations in mammalian systems. In the presence of KNK437, cells given a 2 h heat pretreatment at 33ºC followed by a thermal challenge for 1 h at 37ºC, showed numerous ruffled membrane edges and some aggregates of disrupted stress fibers. In comparison, cells directly challenged for 1 h at 37ºC, showed a marked decrease in HSP30, which was located predominantly at the cellular periphery in conjunction with actin aggregates. These cells showed virtually no intact stress fibers spanning cells and no coherent cell-cell connections. A 3-D analysis of cells given a 1 h thermal challenge at 37ºC (after a prior 2 h heat shock at 33ºC) in the absence of KNK437, showed numerous linear actin bundles transversing the entire cell, even extending into areas of cell-cell contact, and abundant HSP30 concentrated in the perinuclear region surrounding an intact nucleus. However, in the presence of KNK437, there was a significant emergence of membrane ruffles indicating global instability of cellular adhesion. This study has demonstrated that KNK437, which is the more specific and efficient HSR inhibitor, will be an important inhibitor to compare with the well-documented quercetin for future investigations.

Various genes have evolved to protect the cell against stressor-induced damage or death including the heat shock proteins (HSPs). Stressor-induced HSP gene expression involves the activation of heat shock factor (HSF), which binds to the heat shock element (HSE) found in the promoter region of <em>hsp</em> genes. Previously, our laboratory has examined the expression and function of <em>hsp</em> genes in the South African clawed frog, <em>Xenopus laevis</em>. Amphibians are particularly susceptible to adverse environmental conditions, including high temperatures and toxicants. In contrast to the many known inducers of HSF activation in poikilothermic vertebrates, few inhibitors have been either discovered or described in the literature. The present study has compared for the first time the effect of two heat shock response (HSR) inhibitors, quercetin and KNK437, on <em>hsp</em> gene expression in <em>Xenopus</em> A6 cells, demonstrating their efficacy in poikilotherms. Northern blot and densitometric analysis showed that cells treated with either quercetin or KNK437 decreased the heat shock-induced accumulation of <em>hsp70</em>, <em>hsp47</em>, and <em>hsp30</em> mRNAs. Additionally, constitutive levels of <em>hsp47</em> and <em>hsc70</em> mRNAs were reduced. In comparison, neither quercetin nor KNK437 affected the levels of constitutively expressed <em>ef1&alpha;</em> mRNAs under control or heat shock conditions. Western blot and densitometric analysis in this study showed that under heat shock conditions, exposure to quercetin or KNK437 significantly decreased the accumulation of HSP30, and that KNK437 was more effective in doing so than quercetin. In comparison, levels of actin were not significantly affected by either heat shock or exposure to DMSO, quercetin, or KNK437. These findings suggest that one mechanism by which quercetin and KNK437 inhibits the HSR in <em>Xenopus</em> is through the inhibition of HSF activity. <br /><br /> Results of this study also suggest that KNK437 inhibits the acquisition of thermotolerance in poikilotherms, similar to observations in mammalian systems. In the presence of KNK437, cells given a 2 h heat pretreatment at 33ºC followed by a thermal challenge for 1 h at 37ºC, showed numerous ruffled membrane edges and some aggregates of disrupted stress fibers. In comparison, cells directly challenged for 1 h at 37ºC, showed a marked decrease in HSP30, which was located predominantly at the cellular periphery in conjunction with actin aggregates. These cells showed virtually no intact stress fibers spanning cells and no coherent cell-cell connections. A 3-D analysis of cells given a 1 h thermal challenge at 37ºC (after a prior 2 h heat shock at 33ºC) in the absence of KNK437, showed numerous linear actin bundles transversing the entire cell, even extending into areas of cell-cell contact, and abundant HSP30 concentrated in the perinuclear region surrounding an intact nucleus. However, in the presence of KNK437, there was a significant emergence of membrane ruffles indicating global instability of cellular adhesion. This study has demonstrated that KNK437, which is the more specific and efficient HSR inhibitor, will be an important inhibitor to compare with the well-documented quercetin for future investigations.

Loss of physiological function, uncomfortable symptoms and various disease processes are thought to be directly related to the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage. Between ten and thirty percent of patients requiring spinal surgery suffer from failed back surgery syndrome. The pain and instability resulting from failed back syndrome often requires medical treatment and may even require additional surgeries to alleviate its associated symptoms. Following surgery, scar tissue forms that often becomes adherent to the dura and entangled in the ganglia and nerve fibers of the spinal nerves. This scar tissue is considered to play a major role in the development of failed back syndrome. Following tissue injury, excessive oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to be the primary stimulators behind increased fibroblast proliferation and activation, resulting in abundant extracellular matrix deposition. The excessive laying down of extracellular matrix ultimately leads to abundant scar tissue formation. I hypothesized that reducing oxidative stress and inflammation will mitigate scar tissue formation and produce a better outcome after spinal surgeries. Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that has been shown to improve the outcome following injury to the spinal cord and reduce the proliferation of fibroblasts. L-2-Oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC) also minimizes inflammation and protects against oxidative stress by promoting the synthesis of the potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent glutathione. OTC reduces airway inflammation in asthma models and is potentially capable of modulating extracellular matrix production. <p>Treatment with these two agents was hypothesized to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby causing an amelioration of scar tissue formation following spinal surgery and improve the outcome. Morphological changes observed initially indicated that improvements in wound healing were occurring in the experimentally treated tissues. In addition, the scar tissue area and the lateral widths of the peridural scar forming between the muscular tissue areas suggested a reduction in the scar size. Although inflammatory cell numbers increased slightly in the experimental treatment groups, particularly during the initial three day post laminectomy time point, this increase was not statistically significant. <p>While quercetin and OTC did not appear to inhibit the influx of inflammatory cells following laminectomy, they did appear to induce a more beneficial wound healing environment. It is possible that these agents are affecting parameters of wound healing not considered by these studies. For instance the myriad of processes mediated by growth factors and cytokines involved in wound healing process may play a much greater role than the inflammatory cells themselves. In conclusion, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by these agents to ameliorate scar tissue formation following spinal laminectomy was supported by the observed morphology, but not supported by the quantification of inflammatory cells. Additional studies investigating the efficacy of quercetin and OTC on the wound healing process are needed to further understand the role they play in repair and scar tissue formation.