Topical anti-inflammatory activity of body fat from the lizard Tupinambis merianae.
OBJECTIVE
Tupinambis merianae is one of the most frequently used animals in traditional medicine in Brazil as its body fat has many different therapeutic indications as a folk remedy. The present study evaluated the topical anti-inflammatory activity of Tupinambis merianae fat in treating ear edema in an animal model.


METHODS
Oil (OTM) was extracted from body fat located in the ventral region of Tupinambis merianae using hexane as a solvent. Ear edema provoked by the application of croton oil (single and multiple application), arachidonic acid, phenol and capsaicin to Swiss mice was used to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory value of the topical use of OTM. Topical applications of these irritants were made to the right ears of animals that were pre-treated with a acetone (control), dexamethasone, or OTM.


RESULTS
Our results indicate that Tupinambis merianae fat demonstrates significant topical antiinflammatory activity that reduces inflammation related to ear edema caused by croton oil (single and multiple application), arachidonic acid, phenol. While the inflammation caused by capsaicin, OTM did not significantly reduce the edema.


CONCLUSIONS
This represents the first evidence of anti-inflammatory activity of Tupinambis merianae fat in in vivo models, confirming its usefulness in traditional medicine as a remedy for skin diseases (dermatitis). The fatty acids present in OTM most likely inhibit the response pathway of arachidonic acid and its metabolites, thus reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators.
Ferreira
Felipe S
FS
Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. ferreira_fs@yahoo.com.br
Brito
Samuel V
SV
Saraiva
Rogério A
RA
Araruna
Mariana K A
MK
Menezes
Irwin R A
IR
Costa
José G M
JG
Coutinho
Henrique D M
HD
Almeida
Waltécio O
WO
Alves
Rômulo R N
RR
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008116:Lizards; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone