Avaliação dos efeitos do ácido caurenoico sobre a encefalomielite autoimune experimental (EAE) em camundongos C57BL/6

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most exploited model for studying multiple sclerosis (MS). Kaurenoic acid (KA) is a natural diterpene that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vivo KA effects on C57BL/6 mice induced with EAE. Methods: EAE was induced in female C57BL/6 mice with MOG35-55 and animals orally treated with KA (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) from day 20th until the peak of the clinical simptoms of EAE. The clinical course was evaluated in mice and the evaluation of the levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and NO was performed in culture of splenocytes. In addition, CNS sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin, the Weigert-Pal-Russel staining, as well as IL-17 immunohistochemical methods, followed by histomorphometry of CNS sections. Results: It was observed that KA (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) caused improvement of the clinical symptoms and significant reduction in the levels of cytokines and NO in the animals. In addition, KA (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) reduced demyelination, as well as the number of the inflammatory cells and the expression of IL-17. Conclusion: The oral treatment with KA attenuates neurological damages and reduces both inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination into the CNS of C57BL/6 EAE-mice.