Abstract
In Cameroon, local plants are traditionally used as remedies for a variety of ailments. In this regard, several papers report health benefits of Cameroonian spices, which include antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, whereas gastric anti-inflammatory activities have never been previously considered. The present study investigates the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydro-alcoholic extracts of eleven Cameroonian spices in gastric epithelial cells (AGS and GES-1 cells). The extracts showed antioxidant properties in a cell-free system and reduced H2O2-induced ROS generation in gastric epithelial cells. After preliminary screening on TNFα-induced NF-κB driven transcription, six extracts from Xylopia parviflora, Xylopia aethiopica, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Dichrostachys glomerata, Aframomum melegueta, and Aframomum citratum were selected for further studies focusing on the anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts reduced the expression of some NF-κB-dependent pro-inflammatory mediators strictly involved in the gastric inflammatory process, such as IL-8, IL-6, and enzymes such as PTGS2 (COX-2), without affecting PTGS1 (COX-1). In conclusion, the selected extracts decreased pro-inflammatory markers by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling in gastric cells, justifying, in part, the traditional use of these spices. Other molecular mechanisms cannot be excluded, and further studies are needed to better clarify their biological activities at the gastric level.
Highlights
Gastritis is an inflammatory-based pathology which can be classified as acute or chronic.Acute gastritis is provoked by several risk factors which include stress, alcohol abuse, the use Nutrients 2020, 12, 3787; doi:10.3390/nu12123787 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrientsNutrients 2020, 12, 3787 of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and bile reflux; chronic conditions are mainly due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
Several transcription factors are involved in gastric inflammatory conditions, including NF-κB [3]; according to the literature, in vitro studies demonstrate that H. pylori and some pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNFα) are able to induce the activity of this transcription factor in gastric epithelial cells [4,5]
The cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed in the concentration range 0.1–20 μg/mL in both human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1 and AGS cells) by means of the MTT assay
Summary
Gastritis is an inflammatory-based pathology which can be classified as acute or chronic.Acute gastritis is provoked by several risk factors which include stress, alcohol abuse, the use Nutrients 2020, 12, 3787; doi:10.3390/nu12123787 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrientsNutrients 2020, 12, 3787 of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and bile reflux; chronic conditions are mainly due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Several transcription factors are involved in gastric inflammatory conditions, including NF-κB [3]; according to the literature, in vitro studies demonstrate that H. pylori and some pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNFα) are able to induce the activity of this transcription factor in gastric epithelial cells [4,5]. IL-8 is considered a key element involved in the development of gastritis At this regard, Crabtree et al demonstrated the increased expression of this chemokine in the epithelium of the infected gastric mucosa [8,9]. Crabtree et al demonstrated the increased expression of this chemokine in the epithelium of the infected gastric mucosa [8,9] In this context, an over-production of oxygen reactive species (ROS) leads to increased oxidative stress contributing to exacerbate the inflammatory process [10]. It has been demonstrated that several ROS can enhance IL-8 expression in gastric epithelial cells through the NF-κB activation [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
