Publications by authors named "Andrea S G Figueiredo-Rinhel"

Objective: To examine whether free (3-PD-5) and/or liposomal (3-PD-5) 6,7-dihydroxy-3-[3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl]-coumarin (3-PD-5) (1) modulate the effector functions of neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis under remission (i-RA) and with active disease (a-RA), in vitro; and (2) exert anti-inflammatory effect in a rat model of zymosan-induced acute joint inflammation.

Methods And Results: Incorporation of 3-PD-5 into unilamellar liposomes of soya phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol was efficient (57.5 ± 7.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The aerial parts of (BdE) is used in the Brazilian folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions. Here we examined the ability of free and liposomal BdE to modulate reactive oxygen species generation in human neutrophils and zymosan-induced acute joint inflammation in Wistar rats. We prepared biocompatible liposomes of soya phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol with low diameter, homogeneous size distribution, and neutral surface charge.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In this study, we report the ability of a set of eight 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives bearing 6,7- or 5,7-dihydroxyl groups, free or acetylated, bound to the benzopyrone moiety, to modulate the effector functions of human neutrophils. In general, (i) 6,7-disubstituted compounds (5, 6, 19, 20) downmodulated the Fcγ receptor-mediated neutrophil oxidative metabolism more strongly than 5,7-disubstituted compounds (21, 22, 23, 24), and (ii) hydroxylated compounds (5, 19, 21, 23) downmodulated this neutrophil function more effectively than their acetylated counterparts (6, 20, 22, 24, respectively). Compounds 5 (6,7-dihydroxy-3-[3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl]-coumarin) and 19 (6,7-dihydroxy-3-[3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl]-coumarin) effectively downmodulated the neutrophil oxidative metabolism elicited via Fcγ and/or complement receptors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To examine whether the hydroalcoholic extract from Baccharis dracunculifolia leaves (BdE) modulates the human neutrophil oxidative metabolism, degranulation, phagocytosis and microbial killing capacity.

Methods: In-vitro assays based on chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry, flow cytometry and polarimetry were used, as well as docking calculations.

Key Findings: At concentrations that effectively suppressed the neutrophil oxidative metabolism elicited by soluble and particulate stimuli (<10 μg/ml), without clear signs of cytotoxicity, BdE (1) inhibited NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase activity; (2) scavenged H O and HOCl; (3) weakly inhibited phagocytosis; and (4) did not affect neutrophil degranulation and microbial killing capacity, the expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, FcγRIIa, FcγRIIIb and CR3 and the activity of elastase and lysozyme.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Stimulated human neutrophils exhibit increased net oxygen consumption (NOC) due to the conversion of O2 into the superoxide anion by the NADPH oxidase enzymatic complex during the respiratory burst. In several inflammatory diseases, overproduction of these oxidants causes tissue damage. The present study aims to: (a) optimize the experimental conditions used to measure the NOC in serum-opsonized zymosan (OZ)- and insoluble immune complex (i-IC)-stimulated human and rabbit neutrophils; and (b) compare the effect of four flavonols (quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, and galangin) on this activity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients usually exhibit immune complex (IC) deposition and increased neutrophil activation in the joint. In this study, we assessed how four flavonols (galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin) modulate the effector functions of healthy individuals' and active RA patients' IC-stimulated neutrophils. We measured superoxide anion and total reactive oxygen species production using lucigenin (CL-luc)- and luminol (CL-lum)-enhanced chemiluminescence assays, respectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The great potential of phytotherapic drugs for treating and preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by increased neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation has guided the search for new natural products with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Baccharis dracunculifolia D.C.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In the present study, we assessed whether 7-hydroxycoumarin (umbelliferone), 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, and their acetylated analogs modulate some of the effector functions of human neutrophils and display antioxidant activity. These compounds decreased the ability of neutrophils to generate superoxide anion, release primary granule enzymes, and kill Candida albicans. Cytotoxicity did not mediate their inhibitory effect, at least under the assessed conditions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Immune complex (IC) deposition in tissues triggers the release of harmful oxidant and lytic compounds by neutrophils. We examined how ten 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives affect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by IC-stimulated human neutrophils. Most of the 3-phenylcoumarins inhibited the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL-lum) more strongly than they inhibited the lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL-luc), without clear signs of toxicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF