Effects of <i>Baccharis dracunculifolia</i> DC on an Innovative Animal Model of Cardiometabolic Syndrome
Gustavo Ratti da Silva,
Arianne Jung Kluck,
Edilson Rodrigues Albuquerque,
Lucas Pires Guarnier,
Fernanda de Abreu Braga,
Ester Pelegrini Silva,
Karina Sposito Negrini,
Juliana Aparecida Mendonça,
Zilda Cristiani Gazim,
Arquimedes Gasparotto Junior,
João Tadeu Ribeiro-Paes,
Francislaine Aparecida dos Reis Lívero
Affiliations
Gustavo Ratti da Silva
Laboratory of Preclinical Research of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Program in Animal Science with Emphasis on Bioactive Products, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Arianne Jung Kluck
Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba 81531-990, Brazil
Edilson Rodrigues Albuquerque
Laboratory of Preclinical Research of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Program in Animal Science with Emphasis on Bioactive Products, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Lucas Pires Guarnier
Department of Genetic, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil
Fernanda de Abreu Braga
Laboratory of Preclinical Research of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Program in Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapeutics in Basic Attention, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Ester Pelegrini Silva
Laboratory of Preclinical Research of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Program in Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapeutics in Basic Attention, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Karina Sposito Negrini
Laboratory of Preclinical Research of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Program in Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapeutics in Basic Attention, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Juliana Aparecida Mendonça
Chemistry Laboratory of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Zilda Cristiani Gazim
Chemistry Laboratory of Natural Products, Post-Graduate Programs in Animal Science and Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, Paranaense University, Umuarama 81531-980, Brazil
Arquimedes Gasparotto Junior
Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados 79804-970, Brazil
João Tadeu Ribeiro-Paes
Laboratory of Genetics and Cell Therapy (GenTe Cel), Department of Biotechnology, São Paulo State University, Assis 19806-900, Brazil
Francislaine Aparecida dos Reis Lívero
Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba 81531-990, Brazil
Background/Objective: Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a complex clinical condition that encompasses metabolic dysregulation, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes risk factors. Worldwide, CMS is underdiagnosed, and its occurrence significantly increases cardiovascular morbimortality. Despite available pharmacological treatments, the approach is fragmented, and the associated clinical conditions are treated independently. This approach may be partially due to limited preclinical models to mimic the clinical conditions of CMS. Therefore, our study aims to present an innovative animal model of cardiometabolic syndrome and evaluate the effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia on the set of clinical alterations associated with the condition. Methods: Female Wistar rats were induced to develop diabetes, fed a cholesterol-enriched diet, and exposed to the smoke of 9 cigarettes/day for 6 weeks. During the last 2 weeks, the rats were treated with vehicle, B. dracunculifolia (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), or a combination of simvastatin and insulin. At the end of the treatment, plasma lipid levels were measured, and the liver was analyzed histologically for hepatic lipid quantification and oxidative stress assessment. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed seven phenolic acids and six flavonoids in the extract. B. dracunculifolia showed significant hepatoprotective effects, reducing AST and ALT levels and lowering both plasma and hepatic lipid levels. The extract also reversed hepatic steatosis and demonstrated antioxidant properties. Conclusions: These findings suggest that B. dracunculifolia may be a therapeutic option for the metabolic dysregulation present in CMS.
