Author(s): De Cassia Ribeiro Goncalves, Rita ; Kitagawa, Rodrigo Rezende ; Raddi, Maria Stella Gonçalves [UNESP] ; Carlos, Iracilda Zeppone [UNESP] ; Pombeiro-Sponchiado, Sandra Regina [UNESP]
Date: 2022
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/11449/227474
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): Aspergillus nidulans; Fungus; Melanin; Nitric oxide; Tumour necrosis factor-α
Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T07:13:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-12-01
The naturally occurring pigment, melanin is found in organisms of all phylogenetic kingdoms, including fungi, and exhibits a wide range of biological activities. Our objective was to investigate the effects of melanin extracted from the fungus Aspergillus nidulans on the production of the pro-inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in peritoneal macrophages and on the viability of McCoy mouse fibroblasts. The results showed that A. nidulans melanin did not stimulate NO production in macrophages, but it inhibited the NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages by approximately 82%. Similarly, A. nidulans melanin inhibited LPS-stimulated TNF-α production by 52% and showed a slight stimulatory effect on TNF-α production in macrophages. In addition, the toxicity of A. nidulans melanin to McCoy cells was much lesser (IC50373.5 -2.4 μg/mL) than that of known agents such as cisplatin (IC5041.2 μg/mL). The viability of peritoneal macrophages was greater than 90% at the highest melanin concentration tested (100 μg/mL). Thus, the combination of low cytotoxicity and marked inhibition of TNF-α and NO production suggests that A. nidulans melanin has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent and may be used in the future for development of new drugs with therapeutic utility. © 2013 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.
Departament of Pharmaceutical Sciences Espirito Santo Federal University-UFES, Av. Marechal Campos 1488, Vitoria, ES CEP 29040-090
Department of Clinical Analysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences São Paulo State University-UNESP, R. Expedicionários do Brasil 1601, CEP 14801-902, Araraquara, São Paulo
Department of Biochemistry and Technology Chemistry Institute of Chemistry São Paulo State University-UNESP, R. Prof. Francisco Degni, 55, CP 355, Araraquara, SP CEP 14801-970
Department of Clinical Analysis Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences São Paulo State University-UNESP, R. Expedicionários do Brasil 1601, CEP 14801-902, Araraquara, São Paulo
Department of Biochemistry and Technology Chemistry Institute of Chemistry São Paulo State University-UNESP, R. Prof. Francisco Degni, 55, CP 355, Araraquara, SP CEP 14801-970
