title: Topical application of the hexane fraction of Lacistema pubescens reduces skin inflammation and cytokine production in animal model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the acute topical anti-inflammatory effect of the hexane fraction (HLP) of Lacistema pubescens in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ear oedema models induced by croton oil, arachidonic acid, phenol, histamine, ethyl phenyl propiolate and capsaicin. Histopathological analyses of ear tissue samples sensitized with croton oil were performed. Myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), the pro-inflammatory cytokine-inhibitory effect and dermatoxicity were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HLP (1, 0.5 and 0.1 mg/ear) resulted in a substantial reduction in skin thickness or tissue weight on all models tested, except for capsaicin-induced ear oedema, similar to dexamethasone (0.1 mg/ear) and/or indomethacin (0.5 mg/ear). Histopathological analyses and neutrophil-mediated MPO activity confirmed the topical anti-inflammatory effect of HLP. In addition, HLP reduced IL-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α cytokine levels. Sitosterol-rich fraction (SRF), obtained from HLP fractionation, reduced ear oedema on croton oil and phenol models at the same dose of dexamethasone (0.1 mg/ear). No dermotoxicity was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mechanism of action of HLP was associated with the inhibition of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, arachidonic acid metabolites and histamine, which suggested a glucocorticoid-like effect, reinforced by the presence of the steroid sitosterol. This is the first report on anti-inflammatory activity of L. pubescens leaves.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josiane Mello
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jéssica Leiras Mota
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Conegundes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata de Freitas
authors.initials: Rde F
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nícolas de Castro Campos
authors.initials: Nde C
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina Moura
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gualberto
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jacy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gameiro
authors.affiliation: Glycoconjugate Analysis Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jair Adriano Kopke
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Aguiar
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Christina Marques Nogueira
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Castañon
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scio
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Lacistema pubescens; cytokine; dermatoxicity; myeloperoxidase; skin inflammation