title: Effects of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. on ischemia-reperfusion of randomized skin flaps in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Copaíba oil is an oleoresin obtained from the Copaiffera langsdorffii genus (Leguminoseae). It is widely used in folk medicine as an antiinflammatory, healing, and antiseptic agent. Comparative pharmacologic studies between different species of copaíba oils are scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  The protective effect of Copaiffera langsdorffii was evaluated on an experimental model of random skin flaps on rat dorsums.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two Wistar rats (average weight = 216.8 g) were divided randomly into four equal groups (saline control, vehicle control, GT200-Test 1, and GT400-Test 2). A caudally based rectangular flap, 2.5-8.0 cm in size, was elevated on the back of the rat using McFarlane's method. The flap was sutured back into its original place. Copaifera and control drugs (saline and Tween 80) were administered by gavage 24, 12, and 2 h prior to the beginning of the experiment followed by daily doses for the next 7 days. To observe the effects of Copaifera, laboratory analyses included plasma and tissue levels of tiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and tissue levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oil-resin of copaíba presents discrete antilipoperoxidation action, intense antioxidant action, and antiinflammatory activity during the ischemia and reperfusion of randomized cutaneous flaps. The effects of ischemia-reperfusion are complex and substances capable of increasing the tolerance of tissue to those effects by reducing the production or neutralizing the action of free radicals are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Alexandre Baraúna Street 949, Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Brazil. cirurgiaoplastico@joaquimjose.med.br
authors.forename: Joaquim José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: de Lima Silva
authors.forename: Sérgio Botelho
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Edilberto Rocha
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: da Silveira
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Leitao
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Gabrielle Gurgel
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Sílvio Melo
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Raquel Cavalcante
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: de Vasconcelos
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007887:Fabaceae; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011336:Probability; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts