Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » Natural Products Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377516
Research Project: Biobased Pesticide Discovery and Product Optimization and Enhancement from Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

Location: Natural Products Utilization Research

Title: Effects of Euphorbia umbellata extracts on complement activation and chemotaxis of neutrophils

Author
item DE OLIVEIRA, THAIS - Federal University Of Paraná
item FONTANA, PÂMELA - Federal University Of Paraná
item BAVIA, LORENA - Federal University Of Paraná
item CRUZ, LUIZA - State University Of Ponta Grossa
item CRISMA, AMANDA - Federal University Of Paraná
item SASSAKI, GUILHERME - Federal University Of Paraná
item MENEZES, LEOCILEY - Federal University Of Paraná
item Wang, Mei
item BELTRAME, FLAVIO - State University Of Ponta Grossa
item MESSIAS-REASON, IARA - Federal University Of Paraná

Submitted to: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2020
Publication Date: 9/5/2020
Citation: De Oliveira, T.L., Fontana, P.D., Bavia, L., Cruz, L., Crisma, A.R., Sassaki, G.L., Menezes, L.R., Wang, M., Beltrame, F., Messias-Reason, I.J. 2020. Effects of Euphorbia umbellata extracts on complement activation and chemotaxis of neutrophils. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 265/113348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113348.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113348

Interpretive Summary: The latex of Euphorbia umbellata is traditionally used to treat cancer problems and inflammatory diseases. The article describes the effect of E. umbellata latex extracts on three complement activation pathways (classical, alternative and lectin), and the influence of these extracts on chemotaxis of neutrophils. The complement system and the migration of neutrophils (chemotaxis) play an important role in the development and progression of several inflammatory diseases. In addition, under the tumor microenvironment, these analyses provide an important insight into the biological activities of E. umbellata. This manuscript will provide better understanding and scientific knowledge for researchers working in this area.

Technical Abstract: In this study, the effects of E. umbellata latex extracts on the activation of the complement pathways and neutrophil chemotaxis were evaluated. The plant samples were extracted with different solvents, viz. hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The classical and alternative pathway activity was performed by hemolytic assays with sensitized sheep or rabbit erythrocytes. The lectin pathway activity was quantified by ELISA via the measurement of C4 molecules, and the chemotaxis of human neutrophils was performed using 1% casein as the chemotactic inducer. GC/Q-ToF and NMR techniques were applied for the chemical analysis, suggesting the presence of terpenes and phenolic compounds in the E.umbellta latex extracts. All E. umbellata latex extracts exhibited an inhibitory effect on the activation of the alternative pathway. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts inhibited the classical pathway while chloroform extract activated this pathway. Ethyl acetate and hexane extracts inhibited lectin activation. All E. umbellata extracts inhibited casein-induced neutrophil chemotaxis. It was concluded that the E. umbellata latex was able to modulate the functions of the immune system. It is possible that the terpenes and phenolic compounds present in E. umbellata latex were responsbile for the activity on the complement pathways.