Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Facilitating Drug Discovery: An Automated High-content Inflammation Assay in Zebrafish
Published on: July 16, 2012
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bullfrog Oil Polymeric Nanocapsules: From the Design to Preclinical Trials
Lucas Amaral-Machado1, Wógenes N Oliveira1, Manoela Torres-Rêgo2
1Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
Background:
Although bullfrog oil (BFO) exerts anti-inflammatory effects, it has undesirable properties limiting its use.
Methodology:
BFO nanocapsules (BFONc) were produced through nanoprecipitation, and their physicochemical and morphological properties were characterized. To evaluate the biocompatibility of the formulation, a mitochondrial activity evaluation assay was conducted, and cell uptake was assessed. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), type-6 interleukin (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by quantifying myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model.
Results:
BFONc showed a particle size of 233 ± 22 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.17 ± 0.03, and a zeta potential of -34 ± 2.6mV. BFONc revealed remarkable biocompatibility and did not induce changes in cell morphology. Furthermore, BFONc decreased ROS levels by 81 ± 4%; however, NO level increased by 72 ± 18%. TNF and IL-6 levels were reduced by approximately 10% and 90%, respectively. Significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was observed compared to dexamethasone. MPO levels were reduced up to 2 MPOs/mg.
Conclusion:
Taken together, the results pointed out the remarkable biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory effects of BFONc.
