Immunobiologic and Antiinflammatory Properties of a Bark Extract fromAmpelozizyphus amazonicusDucke

Abstract

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus is used in the treatment and prevention of malaria. The effect of an aqueous extract from this plant (SART) on the immune response was investigated by measuring immunoglobulin production induced by immunization with the antigen TNP-Ficoll in Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice. SART treatment increased antigen-specific IgM and IgG levels in TNP-Ficoll-immunized mice. The B cell response during malarial infection was also modified by SART. There was an increase in total serum IgM and IgG and a decrease in the percentage of splenic plasma cells (CD138+ cells) in P. chabaudi-infected, SART-treated animals. SART (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) and the reference drug dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) were also tested in carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the subcutaneous air pouch (SAP). All SART doses significantly reduced leukocyte migration into the SAP. The protein concentration resulting from extravasation into the peritoneum was also significantly reduced. Our data indicate that SART possesses immunomodulatory properties, inducing an in vivo modification of the B lymphocyte response and anti-inflammatory properties, which are partly due to a reduction in cell migration and are most likely due to an inhibition of the production of inflammatory mediators. Preliminary HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of SART shows a complex saponin profile with deprotonated molecule [M-H]− ions in the range of m/z 800–1000.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants used against malaria by quilombola communities from Oriximiná, Brazil

“…According to Panossian et al (1999), "adaptogens constitute a new class of metabolic regulators (of a natural origin) that increase the ability of the organism to adapt to environmental factors and to avoid damage from such factors". In this sense, an important evidence of the immunomodulatory properties of A. amazonicus that suggests an adaptogen effect has been demonstrated by Peçanha et al (2013), which could be related to the dammarane saponins previously described in this species (Brandão et al, 1992b;Brandão et al, 1993).…”

Mass spectrometry as a tool for the dereplication of saponins from Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke bark and wood

“…They are the main substances found in the studied plant species. Among the existing classes of triterpene saponins, those of dammarane‐type (Figure 3) are found in significant amounts in the roots and barks of AA, 9–11 and these were the major constituents in our extracts (AB, AW, EB, EW).…”

“…An MS/MS library was created through a literature search of saponins already described for AA 3,8–10,12 and other species of the Rhamnaceae family such as Ziziphus joazeiro , 28–30 Z. jujuba , 28,31–34 Z. spina‐christi , 32 Hovenia trichocarpa 35 and H. acerba , 36 as well as for other species with dammarane saponins such as Panax ginseng 37,38 and Bacopa monnieri. 39 No phytochemical data are available for the other two Ampelozizyphus species.…”

“…In the Amazon region of Brazil, where it is popularly known as “saracura‐mirá”, barks and roots of AA are widely used to prevent and treat malaria, 3,4 among other uses such as depurative and diuretic, 5 stimulant, aphrodisiac, fortifying and tonic, 4,6 among others 7,8 . In previous works, our group reported the preparation of a bitter tasting, foam forming beverage from the stem barks of this plant, displaying immunomodulatory and adaptogenic properties 4,9,10 …”

COVID-19 Prophylaxis Efforts Based on Natural Antiviral Plant Extracts and Their Compounds

“…South America and Africa have a very long history of utilizing native plants in traditional medicine, which has played an important role in the health of the population. There may be some evidence for this assertion; an extract from the bark of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus Ducke was tested and found to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities [ 36 ]. In Brazil, this plant is widely used to prevent malaria and it is known to contain triterpenic saponins, averaging about 48% of the dry weight [ 156 ].…”