Abstract

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CURCUMA LONGA L. ON PHAGOCYTOSIS OF ENTEROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI

Luciana do Carmo Paulino Silva, Isabella Cristhina de Souza Corrêa, André Henrique Furtado Torres, Thaysline Monique Linhares, Claudia Cristina de Souza, Adenilda Cristina Honorio- França* and Eduardo Luzía França

ABSTRACT

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is one of the main causative agents of childhood diarrhea. This microorganism causes changes in intestinal microvilli in addition to generating an inflammatory response with phagocyte activation. Curcuma longa L., known as saffron, has an anti-tumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial function; in addition to other possible uses, being an option to be studied to treat infections. However, it has low water solubility and consequently low bioavailability. Microemulsions have shown promising materials as molecule delivery systems. This study aimed to evaluate the biological effects of of Curcuma longa L. incorporated into the liquid microemulsion. It were prepared the plant extract, microemulsified systems and blood samples were collected from voluntary donors; thus allowing rheological characterization, phagocytosis analysis. As for rheological characterization, saffron did not alter blood properties, however the presence of liquid microemulsion changed both the flow curve and viscosity. For phagocytosis analysis, it was higher in the presence of saffron and liquid microemulsion alone, but when used together there was a decrease. Therefore, it is concluded that saffron is a promising option for treating diseases, such as Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection, when used in the formulation of crude extract.

Keywords: Saffron, Mononuclear cells, Blood, Microemulsion, Rheology.