Anti-inflammatory effect of α,β-amyrin, a triterpene from Protium heptaphyllum, on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of α,β-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid from Protium heptaphyllum, on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice.

METHODS:

Acute pancreatitis was induced in Swiss mice by five intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg), at 1 h intervals. Mice received α,β-amyrin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), thalidomide (200 mg/kg), or vehicle (3% Tween 80) orally 1 h before and 12 h after the cerulein challenge. The severity of pancreatitis was evaluated 24 h after cerulein by assessing serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and amylase activity, pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), as well as by histology.

RESULTS:

α,β-Amyrin and thalidomide significantly attenuated the cerulein-induced increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-6, lipase, amylase, MPO, and TBARS. Moreover, α,β-amyrin greatly suppressed the pancreatic edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, acinar cell necrosis, and expressions of TNFα and inducible nitric oxide synthase.

CONCLUSIONS:

α,β-Amyrin ameliorates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.

• Authors: Caroline M Melo, Talita C Morais, Adriana R Tomé, Gerly Anne C Brito, Mariana H Chaves, Vietla S Rao, Flávia A Santos
• Journal: Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] (Inflamm Res) Vol. 60 Issue 7 Pg. 673-81 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 1420-908X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 21400110 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Interleukin-6
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Thalidomide
• Oleanolic Acid
• Ceruletide
• Peroxidase
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
• Amylases
• beta-amyrin

Topics

• Amylases (blood)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Burseraceae (chemistry)
• Ceruletide (adverse effects)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Male
• Mice
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II (metabolism)
• Oleanolic Acid (analogs & derivatives, chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Pancreatitis (chemically induced, drug therapy, pathology)
• Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Random Allocation
• Thalidomide (therapeutic use)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)