title: Effect of estragole on leukocyte behavior and phagocytic activity of macrophages.
abstract: Estragole, a chemical constituent of the essential oils of many aromatic plants, is used as flavoring in beverage and food industries. In vivo and in vitro experimental assays have shown that EST has sedative, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anesthetic activity. In this work, we evaluate the effect of EST on leukocyte behavior and phagocytic activity of macrophages. In the peritonitis model, EST (500 and 750 mg/kg) decreased the infiltration of peritoneal exudate leukocytes. In vitro chemotaxis assay showed that EST (3, 10, 30, and 60 μg/mL) inhibited neutrophil migration toward fMLP. In the in vivo microcirculation assay, EST at doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes and at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg decreased number of leukocyte migrated to perivascular tissue. The results showed that EST (3, 10, and 30 μg/mL) was able to stimulate the macrophages phagocytosis but only at concentration of 10 μg/mL promoted an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. In conclusion, this study showed that EST had potential anti-inflammatory effects, likely by inhibiting leukocyte migration and by stimulating macrophages phagocytosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francielli Maria de Souza
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6840-9345
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Silva-Comar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Alexandre Marques
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Wiirzler
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Saulo Euclides
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Silva-Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kummer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses, State University of Maringá, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raissa Bocchi
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Pedroso
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Alexandre
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Spironello
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of Maringá, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Expedito Leite
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ciomar Aparecida
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bersani-Amado
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 870020-900 Maringá, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto Kenji Nakamura
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Cuman