COX-2 promotes mammary adipose tissue inflammation, local estrogen biosynthesis, and carcinogenesis in high-sugar/fat diet treated mice.

Obesity is a major risk factor for breast cancer, especially in post-menopausal women. In the breast tissue of obese women, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production has been correlated with inflammation and local estrogen biosynthesis via aromatase. Using a mouse model of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene/medroxyprogesterone-acetate (DMBA/MPA)-induced carcinogenesis, we demonstrated that an obesogenic diet promotes mammary tissue inflammation and local estrogen production, and accelerates mammary tumor formation in a COX-2-dependent manner.

B and B kinin receptor blockade improves psoriasis-like disease.

Background And Purpose: The entire kallikrein-kinin system is present in the skin, and it is thought to exert a relevant role in cutaneous diseases, including psoriasis. The present study was designed to evaluate the relevance of kinin receptors in the development and progression of a model of psoriasis in mice.

Experimental Approach: The effects of kinin B and B receptor knockout and of kinin receptor antagonists (SSR240612C or FR173657) were assessed in a model of psoriasis induced by imiquimod in C57BL/6 mice.

Corticoid-like anti-inflammatory effect of Vochysia bifalcata Warm.: Preclinical evidence of efficacy and safety.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Vochysia bifalcata is a Brazilian native tree commonly used for economic purpose in the reforestation and in the manufacture of products. However, the potential usage of other parts of the plant is usually wasted. Besides, other species of Vochysia are well known for its anti-inflammatory action.

Vaccination with RSV M peptide promotes a protective immune response associated with reduced pulmonary inflammation.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common etiologic agent in severe infections of the lower respiratory tract in children with a high mortality rate. However, there are still no licensed vaccines for RSV. In this study, we investigated a putative vaccine based on M peptide.

Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of 3β,6β,16β-Trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene on cutaneous inflammation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: 3β,6β,16β-Trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene (TTHL) is a triterpene isolated from the flowers of Combretum leprosum, a plant used in folk medicine in the north of Brazil for the treatment of skin disorders.

Aim Of The Study: In the present study, TTHL was evaluated as a potential topical anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agent through in vivo and in vitro models.

Material And Methods: Anti-inflammmatory and anti-proliferative effects of TTHL were assessed using Swiss mice in acute and chronic models of skin inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate (TPA) application.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Sapium glandulatum (Vell.) Pax displays potent anti-inflammatory activities through a glucocorticoid receptor-dependent pathway.

Background: Ethnobotanical studies of the Sapium genus reveal that many species are widely used in several countries as therapeutic drugs and they are widely used in folk medicine for treatment of different diseases, including skin inflammation. This raises interest in the study of the pharmacological properties and phytochemical composition of these plants. The biological properties of Sapium glandulatum, a native species of southern Brazil, has not been reported in the literature.

Rhamnogalacturonan from Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen: gastroprotective and ulcer healing properties in rats.

A rhamnogalacturonan (RGal) isolated from Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K.

Combretum leprosum Mart. (Combretaceae): potential as an antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory agent.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Combretum leprosum is a species that is popularly used in Brazil as a healing agent to treat skin problems and lesions. In this study we investigated the possible potential of this extract to treat inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin conditions.

Materials And Methods: Classical models of skin inflammation such as TPA- and croton oil-induced mouse ear oedema were applied in order to verify the potential topical anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract from flowers of Combretum leprosum.

In vivo participation of nitric oxide in hyperproliferative epidermal phenomena in mice.

A significant involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the process of keratinocyte proliferation is reported with many divergences. To determine the involvement of NO in the hyperproliferative process of epidermis in vivo, non-selective inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester.HCl: L-NAME) and selective inhibitors for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) (Aminoguanidine: AG and 7-Nitroindazole: 7-NI, respectively) and a NO-donor (Sodium nitroprusside: SNP) were topically applied twice a day in mice ear treated with multiple applications of croton oil.

Simvastatin ointment, a new treatment for skin inflammatory conditions.

Background: Statins represent a class of drugs that effectively lowers cholesterol, however they also possess pleiotropic effects, like promotion of angiogenesis, prevention of bone loss, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

Objectives: Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the activity of simvastatin topically applied in mice in acute and chronic skin inflammation models.

Methods: Skin inflammation was induced in mice ears by topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA).

B1 and B2 kinin receptor participation in hyperproliferative and inflammatory skin processes in mice.

Background: Kinins are released during dermal injury and inflammation and seem to contribute to the pathogenesis of cutaneous diseases.

Objective: Participation of kinins in skin inflammatory process was evaluated using knockout mice and non-peptide kinin receptor antagonists.

Methods: Chronic skin inflammation was induced by multiple applications of TPA in mice ear.

Analysis of the Potential Topical Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Averrhoa carambola L. in Mice.

Inflammatory skin disorders, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, are very common in the population; however, the treatments currently available are not well tolerated and are often ineffective. Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) is an Asian tree that has been used in traditional folk medicine in the treatment of several skin disorders.

Antiulcerogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L.: involvement of the antioxidant system.

Unlabelled: Achillea millefolium L. is a member of the Asteraceae family that is commonly referred to as "yarrow" and has been used in folk medicine against several disturbances including skin inflammations, spasmodic and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as hepato-biliary complaints.

Aim Of The Study: In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of a hydroalcoholic extract from the Achillea millefolium (HE) for gastroprotective properties and additional mechanism(s) involved in this activity.