title: Canova, a Brazilian medical formulation, alters oxidative metabolism of mice macrophages.
abstract: Macrophages play a significant role in the host defence mechanism. When activated they can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as related reactive nitrogen species (RNS). ROS are produced via NAD(P)H oxidase which catalyzes superoxide (O2-) formation. It is subsequently converted to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by either spontaneous or enzyme-mediated dismutation. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalyzes nitric oxide (NO) formation. Canova (CA) is a Brazilian medication produced with homeopathic techniques, composed of Aconitum, Thuya, Bryonia, Arsenicum, Lachesis in distilled water containing less than 1% ethanol. Previous studies demonstrated that CA is neither toxic nor mutagenic and activates macrophages decreasing the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) production. In this assay we showed that macrophages triggered with Canova increased NAD(P)H oxidase activity as well as that of iNOS, consequently producing ROS and NO respectively. Cytochrome oxidase and peroxisomes activities were inhibited by NO. As NO and O2- are being produced at the same time, formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) may be occurring. A potential explanation is provided on how treatment with Canova may enhance immune functions which could be particularly important in the cytotoxic actions of macrophages. CA can be considered as a new adjuvant therapeutic approach to known therapies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Estudos de Células Inflamatórias e Neoplásicas, Departamento de Biologia Celular, SCB, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. labbiocel@ufpr.br
authors.forename: Carolina C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Simone M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Lyris M F
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: Juarez
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gabardo
authors.forename: Dorly de F
authors.initials: Dde F
authors.lastname: Buchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005571:Formularies, Homeopathic as Topic / Q000592:standards; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology; D017819:Viperidae / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C513575:Canova medication; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D005609:Free Radicals; D008419:Materia Medica; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010088:Oxidoreductases