Evaluación de la actividad citotóxica de nanoformulaciones de triterpenos extraídos de las hojas de Eucalyptus tereticornis en neutrófilos.

Abstract

Since ancient times, humanity has used medicinal plants for their therapeutic properties and positive impact on health. Among these, the Eucalyptus genus stands out, which has traditionally been used to treat various conditions, including diabetes and obesity, due to its ability to modulate inflammation, significantly reduce fat levels in tissues, and regulate blood glucose concentrations. Recent research has shown that Eucalyptus tereticornis contains a group of triterpenes with potential in the treatment of these diseases. Research groups in Molecular Genetics (GENMOL) and Organic Chemistry of Natural Products (QOPN) at the University of Antioquia have managed to extract from the plant material of Eucalyptus tereticornis a group of triterpenes they have named OBE100, composed mainly of ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid lactone. Since these compounds are not as effective when administered orally as they are when administered intraperitoneally, it was decided to encapsulate them in a polymeric vehicle that would enhance their bioavailability and allow them to better reach the target cells. Given the growing interest in this group of triterpenes, there is a need to analyze the cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of OBE100 nanoformulations on peripheral blood neutrophils as a preliminary step for their therapeutic application. To this end, the MTT colorimetric assay was used to evaluate cell viability. The results showed a beneficial effect by significantly increasing the metabolic activity of neutrophils, suggesting a possible immunomodulatory effect.