Abstract
Sweet potato (Ipomoea batata) is considered a superfood among vegetables and has been consumed for centuries. Traditionally, sweet potato is used to treat several illnesses, including diarrhea and stomach disorders. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of sweet potato on intestinal barrier function, and to identify the active compounds of sweet potato and their underlying mechanism of action. To this purpose, bioactivity-guided isolation, Western blotting, and immunostaining assays were applied. Interestingly, our bioactivity-guided approach enabled the first isolation and identification of trifostigmanoside I (TS I) from sweet potato. TS I induced mucin production and promoted the phosphorylation of PKCα/β in LS174T human colon cancer cells. In addition, it protected the function of tight junctions in the Caco-2 cell line. These findings suggest that TS I rescued the impaired abilities of MUC2, and protected the tight junctions through PKCα/β, to maintain intestinal barrier function.
Highlights
Disturbances of gastrointestinal functions, such as constipation, diarrhea, obesity, ulcerative colitis (UC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), affect millions of people worldwide, thereby inducing a decrease in their quality of life as well as a considerable financial burden [1]
It is well acknowledged that disturbed gastrointestinal functions pose a considerable burden on health care worldwide, leading to a reduction in quality of life for those suffering from such a disorder [12]
Several studies have identified various phytochemicals from sweet potatoes. Within this line of research, our study on the activity of sweet potato extracts (SPEs) in the intestinal barrier led to the identification of a potential active compound, trifostigmanoside I, using a bioactivity-guided isolation technique
Summary
Disturbances of gastrointestinal functions, such as constipation, diarrhea, obesity, ulcerative colitis (UC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), affect millions of people worldwide, thereby inducing a decrease in their quality of life as well as a considerable financial burden [1]. The enormous surface area of the gastrointestinal tract efficiently absorbs electrolytes, water, and nutrients from food, but it provides a consistent barrier against pathogens and harmful compounds from the external environment. This intestinal barrier is mainly composed of the mucosal layer, epithelial layer, and lamina propria [2]. The interplay between these layers in terms of regulation of structural components and molecular interactions contributes in maintaining the intestinal barrier function [3]. Complementary approaches based on traditional medicine have attracted the attention of researchers for the recovery of patients with intestinal disorders owing to the presence of various phytochemicals
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