Search

The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic activity and mechanisms of the aqueous (AqF 100 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate (AcF 50 mg/kg) fractions from Indigofera truxillensis leaves. This dose was selected to assess its activity on ulcer healing and its action on gastric acid and mucus secretion, prostaglandin production and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd)). Gastric ulcer was induced by absolute ethanol. Antisecretory action, mucus and prostaglandin production, healing and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated for both fractions. AqF and AcF significantly inhibited the gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant at 100 and 50 mg/kg compared with the vehicle. Neither fraction interfered with gastric secretion. AcF increased the PGE(2) production, and both fractions increased mucus production. l-NAME did not alter the gastroprotection exerted by the fractions, but N-ethylmaleimide attenuated only AcF. In the ischemia/reperfusion model both fractions inhibited the mucosal damage. AcF increased SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activity, but AqF increased only SOD and GSH-Px. In the acetic acid-induced ulcer model AcF only accelerated ulcer healing. These results showed that Indigofera truxillensis acted as a gastroprotective agent, stimulating protective factors and antioxidants enzymes.

One of the major disadvantages of the current cancer therapy is the suppression of the immune system. Brazilian flora is considered one of the most diverse in the world and many plants were found to contain active constituents that can be valuable sources of new drugs. The plant Indigofera suffruticosa was studied to determine its potential to stimulate the immune system and also to be effective against tumour cells. We investigated the effects of the alkaloidal fraction and the pure alkaloid indigo obtained from I. suffruticosa on macrophage activation by measuring nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production. Cytotoxic activity was also evaluated against the two tumour murine cells lines, LM2 (breast adenocarcinoma) and LP07 (lung adenocarcinoma). The alkaloidal fraction induced a high NO production and a moderated TNF-α release. The pure indigo demonstrated an elevated NO and TNF-α production. The fraction and the pure compound also exhibited cytotoxic activity against both adenocarcinoma cell lines and indigo showed the strongest cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.89 µg mL⁻¹ against LM2 and 1.44 µg mL⁻¹ against LP07. Our results presented the immunostimulatory and cytotoxic activity of I. suffruticosa, enhancing macrophage function and therefore contributing to the host defence against tumours.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Indigofera suffruticosa is specie typical of the "Cerrado" or Brazilian savannah; it is a member of the Fabaceae family - in folkmedicine is used for gastric disorders, infection and inflammation., Aim of the Study: Ethyl acetate fraction (AcF) and aqueous fraction (AqF) of the methanolic extract of I. suffruticosa leaves were evaluated against acute gastric ulcer. The AcF fraction was selected to assess its activity in ulcer healing and its gastroprotective effects via mucus and gastric secretion., Materials and Methods: The gastroprotective action of AcF and AqF fractions were evaluated in a rodent experimental model. The action mechanisms, involvements of the antisecretory action, mucus and prostaglandin production, toxicological and healing activity of the AcF (100mg/kg, p.o.) were evaluated. We also used histological analysis (HE and PAS) and immunohistochemical (PCNA and HSP-70) assays to evaluate the effects of I. suffruticosa., Results: AcF significantly inhibited the gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant in 100mg/kg group compared vehicle. AcF did not interfered with gastric secretion, significantly increased the PGE(2) and mucus production (validated in PAS technique). The gastroprotection was attenuated by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide, but not L-NAME. In acid-acetic-induced ulcer model AcF accelerated ulcer healing. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed induction of proliferating cell (PCNA) and heat shock protein (HSP 70)., Conclusions: These results showed that AcF acted as gastroprotective agent stimulating prostaglandin, mucus and HSP70., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for over 8 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) annually. Natural products may play important roles in the chemotherapy of TB. The antimycobacterial activity and the innate immune response of methanol (METH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of Indigofera suffruticosa Miller (Fabaceae) were evaluated. We observed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for METH and DCM extracts were 125 and 1000 microg/mL, respectively. However, they were able to induce the innate immune response through the production of high levels of NO and TNF-alpha (p < 0.001) by peritoneal exudate cells (PECs). These results suggest that I. suffruticosa extracts may have an important immunological role in the control of TB once macrophage activity is induced by them.