Eugenia punicifolia known as "pedra-ume caa" is a shrub largely distributed in the Amazon region popularly used in decoctions or infusions as a natural therapeutic agent, which can interfere on cholinergic nicotinic neurotransmission. This work aimed to investigate a putative anti-inflammatory effect of dichloromethane fraction of E. punicifolia extract (Ep-CM) in the muscular lesion of mdx dystrophic mice, considering that activation of cholinergic mechanisms mitigates inflammation. A polymer containing the Ep-CM was implanted in mdx gastrocnemius muscle before onset of myonecrosis for local slow and gradual release of bioactive compounds and mice sacrificed 7 days or 9 weeks after surgery. Comparing to control muscle, treatment did not alter choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activities, but decreased metaloproteases-9 and -2 activities and levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and NFkappaB transcription factor. In addition, treatment also reduced levels of bioactive IL-1beta form and cleaved caspase-3, related to early events of cellular death and inflammatory activation and further increased myogenin expression without affecting collagen production which is associated with fibrosis. In vivo treatment of mdx dystrophic mice with Ep-CM caused significant reduction of muscular inflammation and improved skeletal muscle regeneration without inducing fibrosis.
        
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Leite PE, de Almeida KB, Lagrota-Candido J, Trindade P, da Silva RF, Ribeiro MG, Lima-Araujo KG, Santos WC, Quirico-Santos T (2010) Anti-inflammatory activity of Eugenia punicifolia extract on muscular lesion of mdx dystrophic mice Journal of Cellular Biochemistry111: 1652-60
Leite PE, de Almeida KB, Lagrota-Candido J, Trindade P, da Silva RF, Ribeiro MG, Lima-Araujo KG, Santos WC, Quirico-Santos T (2010) Journal of Cellular Biochemistry111: 1652-60