alpha,beta-amyrin, a natural triterpenoid ameliorates L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

Abstract

AIM:

To study the beneficial effects of triterpene alpha,beta-amyrin and the underlying mechanisms in an experimental pancreatitis model.

METHODS:

Acute pancreatitis was induced in five groups of rats (n = 8) by L-arginine (2 x 2.5 g/kg, intraperitoneal, 1 h apart) and 1 h later, they received a single oral dose of alpha,beta-amyrin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) and vehicle (3% Tween 80). A saline (0.9% NaCl) treated group served as a normal control. Efficacy was assessed at 24 h by determination of serum levels of amylase, lipase and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6], pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, lipid peroxidation [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], nitrate/nitrite levels, and the wet weight/body weight ratio. Tissue histology and the immunoreactivity for TNF-alpha and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) were performed.

RESULTS:

alpha,beta-amyrin and methylprednisolone treatments significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated the L-arginine-induced increases in pancreatic wet weight/body weight ratio, and decreased the serum levels of amylase and lipase, and TNF-alpha and IL-6, as compared to the vehicle control. Also, pancreatic levels of MPO activity, TBARS, and nitrate/nitrite were significantly lower. Histological findings and TNF-alpha and iNOS immunostaining further confirmed the amelioration of pancreatic injury by alpha,beta-amyrin.

CONCLUSION:

alpha,beta-amyrin has the potential to combat acute pancreatitis by acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.

• Authors: Caroline-Mourão Melo, Karine-Maria-Martins-Bezerra Carvalho, Julliana-Catharina-de-Sousa Neves, Talita-Cavalcante Morais, Vietla-Satyanarayana Rao, Flávia-Almeida Santos, Gerly-Anne-de-Castro Brito, Mariana-Helena Chaves
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 16 Issue 34 Pg. 4272-80 (Sep 14 2010) ISSN: 2219-2840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20818810 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Oleanolic Acid
• Arginine
• Peroxidase
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
• beta-amyrin

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Animals
• Arginine (toxicity)
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Male
• Neutrophil Infiltration (drug effects)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II (analysis)
• Oleanolic Acid (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Pancreatitis (drug therapy, immunology)
• Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (analysis)