Immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharides isolated from Caulerpa lentillifera on macrophage cells.
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Polysaccharides were extracted from Caulerpa lentillifera by treating with water and then purified by size-exclusion chromatography. The purified polysaccharides, termed SP1, were found to be sulfated xylogalactans with a molecular mass of more than 100 kDa. Adding SP1 to murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells increased the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner. NO was found by immunoblotting and RT-PCR analyses to be synthesized by an inducible NO synthase. SP1 caused the degradation of IkappaB-alpha and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB subunit p65 in macrophage cells. SP1 also increased the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). These results demonstrate that SP1 activated macrophage cells via both the NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, SP1 increased the expression of various genes encoding cytokines, and the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells. These combined results show that SP1 immunostimulated the activity of macrophage cells. (+info)
Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a sulfated polysaccharide isolated from the green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides.
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BACKGROUND: Red and brown algae sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) have been widely investigated as antinociceptive and/or anti-inflammatory agents; however, no description of these biological properties concerning green algae SPs have been reported. Caulerpa curpressoides (Chlorophyta) presents three SPs fractions (Cc-SP1, Cc-SP2, and Cc-SP3). Anticoagulant (in vitro) and anti- and pro-thrombotic (in vivo) effects of Cc-SP2 had been recently reported. We evaluated the effects of Cc-SP2 using models of nociception and acute inflammation in vivo. METHODS: Male Swiss mice received Cc-SP2 (iv) 30 min prior to receiving 0.6% acetic acid (10 ml/kg, ip), 1% formalin (20 mul, sc) or were subjected to thermal stimuli (51 +/- 1 degrees C). Cc-SP2 was injected sc to male Wistar rats in a peritonitis model or a paw edema model using carrageenan (ip or ipl, 500 mug). To analyze the systemic effects, Cc-SP2 (27 mg/kg, sc) was administrated to both genders mice before waiting for 14 days. RESULTS: Cc-SP2 (3, 9 or 27 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.05) the number of writhes induced by acetic acid by 57, 89.9 and 90.6%, respectively, the licking time in the first (9 or 27 mg/kg with 42.47 and 52.1%, respectively) and the second (3, 9 or 27 mg/kg with 68.95, 82.34 and 84.61%, respectively) phases. In the hot-plate test, the antinociceptive effect of Cc-SP2 (9 mg/kg) was primarily observed at 60 min (26.7 +/- 1.2 s), with its effect reversed by naloxone (8.6 +/- 1.3 s), suggesting the involvement of the opioid system. Cc-SP2 (3, 9 or 27 mg/kg, sc, p < 0.05) showed anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing neutrophils migration by 64, 69 and 73%, respectively, and potently reduced the paw edema, especially at the second (0.16 +/- 0.02, 0.16 +/- 0.03 and 0.12 +/- 0.05 ml) and third (0.16 +/- 0.03, 0.18 +/- 0.02 and 0.14 +/- 0.04 ml) hours, respectively. Cc-SP2 did not cause hepatic or renal alterations or affect body mass or the macroscopy of the organs examined (p > 0.05). Histopathological analyses of the liver and kidney showed that both organs were affected by Cc-SP2 treatment, but these effects were considered reversible. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Cc-SP2 could be of biomedical applicability as a new, natural tool in pain and acute inflammatory conditions. (+info)
Subtle effects of biological invasions: cellular and physiological responses of fish eating the exotic pest Caulerpa racemosa.
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