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Anti-inflammatory activity of betalain-rich dye of Beta vulgaris: effect on edema, leukocyte recruitment, superoxide anion and cytokine production

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Abstract

We have recently developed betalain-rich beetroot (Beta vulgaris) dye (betalain) to be used in food products. Betalain (30–300 mg/kg) intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment diminished carrageenan (100 µg/paw)-induced paw edema and neutrophil migration to the paw skin tissue. Betalain (100 mg/kg) treatment by subcutaneous or per oral routes also inhibited the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Importantly, the post-treatment with betalain (100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited carrageenan- and complete Freund’s adjuvant (10 µl/paw)-induced paw edema. Betalain (100 mg/kg) also reduced carrageenan (500 µg/cavity)-induced recruitment of total leukocytes, including mononuclear cells and neutrophils, as well as increasing vascular permeability in the peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, betalain significantly reduced carrageenan-induced superoxide anion, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β levels in the peritoneal fluid, as well as augmenting IL-10 levels. Therefore, this compound presents prominent anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis by reducing the production of superoxide anion and the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, in addition to increasing IL-10 levels. These results suggest that betalain shows therapeutic potential that could be utilized in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível superior (CAPES), Fundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e à Extensão (FAEPE) para o Apoio à Disseminação da Produção Científica em Periódicos (EDITAL FAEPE/UEL Nº 02/2011), MCTI/SETI/Fundação Araucária and Paraná State Government. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Talita Perdigão Domiciano that received a technician fellowship from MCTI/SETI/Fundação Araucária and Parana State Government, and Miriam S.N. Hohmann that received a technician fellowship from CNPq. Additionally, we would like to thank George Anderson at CRC Scotland & London for English editing services. RMM and LSF received CAPES PhD fellowships, DTLB and ACZ received CAPES/Fundação Araucária Post-Doc fellowships, MMB received a research senior fellowship from Fundação Araucária, and WAVJ and RC received senior research fellowships from CNPq. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Author notes

  1. Rubia Casagrande

    Present address: Departament of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Hospital (Health Science Centre), Londrina State University, Av. Robert Koch, 60, Londrina, Parana, 86038-350, Brazil

  2. Waldiceu A. Verri Jr.

    Present address: Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rod. Celso Garcia Cid Pr 445, KM 380, Cx. Postal 10.011, Londrina, Parana, 86057-970, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil

    Renata M. Martinez, Marcela M. Baracat, Sandra R. Georgetti & Rubia Casagrande

  2. Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Parana, Brazil

    Daniela T. Longhi-Balbinot, Ana C. Zarpelon, Larissa Staurengo-Ferrari & Waldiceu A. Verri Jr.

  3. Centro de Ciências Integradas, Federal University of Tocantins, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil

    Rogério C. Sassonia

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Correspondence to Waldiceu A. Verri Jr. or Rubia Casagrande.

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R. M. Martinez, D. T. Longhi-Balbinot and A. C. Zarpelon have contributed equally.

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Martinez, R.M., Longhi-Balbinot, D.T., Zarpelon, A.C. et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of betalain-rich dye of Beta vulgaris: effect on edema, leukocyte recruitment, superoxide anion and cytokine production. Arch. Pharm. Res. 38, 494–504 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-014-0473-7

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