Gastroprotective Effect Research Articles

Gastroprotective effects of bromelain on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Gastroprotective effects of bromelain on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Gastroprotective effects of bromelain on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Gastric ulcer is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal system and some of its complications are the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Bromelain (BRM), a sulfhydryl proteolytic enzyme, has multiple activities in many areas of medicine as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-mediated therapeutic effect of BRM in a gastric ulcer model induced by indomethacin (IND) which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with gastric ulcer-forming effects. Gastric mucosal paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARE), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and total glutathione (GSH) levels were analyzed. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) levels were determined by immunohistochemically. Although IND-induced histopathological changes occurred, BRM pretreatment prevented these effects. As a result of the study, it was determined that BRM had an anti-ulcerative effect at a dose of 50 mg/kg. BRM given at this dose significantly decreased gastric tissue MPO activity, and increased CAT, PON, ARE, GPx activity and GSH level. The increased IL-33 and decreased Nrf-2 and HO-1 levels were obtained in IND group and these changes were reversed by BRM. As a result, it was concluded that BRM may have protective effects in IND-induced gastric model by reducing inflammation and regulating oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Protective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of myrianthus arboreus on indomethacin induced gastric ulcer in adult male wistar rats

Gastric ulcers are a common gastrointestinal disease with a complex etiology. It manifests with various signs and symptoms, which, in severe cases, could be life-threatening, especially in developing countries. Medicinal plants have been known to exhibit therapeutic potential with minimal adverse effects and thus have been employed in treating various diseases. This study evaluated the effect of ethanolic Myrianthus arboreus leaf extract on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in adult male Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five rats each: group A received distilled water; group B received distilled water for 14 days, and 30 mg/kg body weight of indomethacin after 24 hours of fasting. Group C received 20 mg/kg of omeprazole for 14 days and 30 mg/kg of indomethacin after 24 hours of fasting. Groups D and E received 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of M. arboreus, respectively, for 14 days and 30 mg/kg of indomethacin each after 24 hours of fasting. The ulcer index, antioxidant parameters, gastric pH, and histopathology of the stomach were evaluated after the laboratory experiment. The results showed a significant increase in ulcer index and malondialdehyde caused by the indomethacin, while there was a reduction in glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and hydrogen ion concentration (pH), as well as extensive damage to the gastric mucosa. In contrast, both the extract and the omeprazole significantly improved these damages. The results revealed that the leaf extract of M. arboreus has a significant gastro-protective effect comparable to that of omeprazole on the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer.

Effect of saffron, black seed, and their main constituents on inflammatory cytokine response (mainly TNF-α) and oxidative stress status: an aspect on pharmacological insights.

Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), an inflammatory cytokine, is produced by monocytes and macrophages. It is known as a 'double-edged sword' because it is responsible for advantageous and disadvantageous events in the body system. The unfavorable incident includes inflammation, which induces some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, cancer, and diabetes. Many medicinal plants have been found to prevent inflammation, such as saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and black seed (Nigella sativa). Therefore, the purpose of this review was to assess the pharmacological effects of saffron and black seed on TNF-α and diseases related to its imbalance. Different databases without time limitations were investigated up to 2022, including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science. All the original articles (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) were collected on the effects of black seed and saffron on TNF-α. Black seed and saffron have therapeutic effects against many disorders, such as hepatotoxicity, cancer, ischemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver, by decreasing TNF-α levels based on their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Saffron and black seed can treat a variety of diseases by suppressing TNF-α and exhibiting a variety of activities such as neuroprotective, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antitussive, bronchodilator, antidiabetic activity, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. To uncover the beneficial underlying mechanisms of black seed and saffron, more clinical trials and phytochemical research are required. Also, these two plants affect other inflammatory cytokines, hormones, and enzymes, implying that they could be used to treat a variety of diseases.

Stem bark methanolic extract of Bauhinia thonningii (Schum) demonstrates gastroprotective properties against in vivo ethanol-induced injury

Background: Stomach ulcer is one of the diseases that many patients suffer from all over the world, and it causes damage to the intestinal wall. Some research has shown that Bauhinia thonningii extract, which has been traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments, including stomach ulcers, has powerful antioxidant and mucus-increasing properties. Objective:This research is aimed at studying the mechanism(s) through which methanolic (MBST) and chloroform (CBST) extracts of B. thonningii stem bark protects against ethanol-induced stomach damage in rats. Material and Methods: MBST and CBST were evaluated in vivo for their cytoprotective qualities employing stomach acidity, mucus content, macroscopic and microscopic methods, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, mass spectroscopy, 2D gel electrophoresis, and biochemical indicators. These extracts were tested in vitro on lipopolysaccharide/interferon-stimulated rat cells. Additionally, in-vivo, and in-vitro toxicity investigations were conducted. FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC tests were used to determine the antioxidant activity of MBST and CBST. Chemical and spectroscopic approaches were used to analyze the phytochemistry of MBST and CBST.Results: The gross and histological characteristics of B. thonningii proved its anti-ulcerogenic effects. MBST has gastroprotective effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and proteomics indicators [heat shock protein (Hsp60), disulfide isomerase (ERp60), protein disulfide-isomerase, creatine kinase B, cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, peroxiredoxin-6, and ATP synthase]. MBST and CBST have substantial impacts on nitric oxide both in-vitro and in-vivo. In comparison to CBST, methanolic extract (MBST) demonstrated greater gastroprotective properties, polyphenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The plant extracts did not show any toxicity in-vitro or in-vivo. MBST shows anti-ulcer action, which may be ascribed to its ability to reduce ethanol-triggered oxidative injury, to intervene in proteomic mechanisms, and to modulate nitric oxide.Conclusion:The present study found that stem bark extracts of Bauhinia thonningii Schum have cytoprotective activities against in vivo ethanol-induced damage due to its powerful antioxidant and mucus-increasing capabilities. Bauhinia thonningii warrants more attention since it may provide an exciting novel medication for the treatment of acute erosive gastropathy.Keywords: Bauhinia thonningii Schum;polar and non-polar extraction; peptic ulcer; nitric oxide; proteomics

Gastroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L.: A medicinal plant used in the treatment of digestive disorders

Ethnopharmacological relevanceWormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) is traditionally used for stomach pain and gastric relief. However, its possible gastroprotective effect has not yet been experimentally evaluated. Aim of the studyThis study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of aqueous extracts obtained through hot and room temperature maceration of A. absinthium aerial parts in rats. Materials and methodsThe gastroprotective effect of hot aqueous extract (HAE) and room temperature aqueous extract (RTAE) from A. absinthium aerial parts were evaluated in rats using a model of acute gastric ulcer induced by ethanol p.a. The stomachs were collected to measure the gastric lesion area and histological and biochemical analysis. UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis was used to determine the chemical profile of the extracts. ResultsEight main peaks in the UHPLC chromatogram were identified in both HAE and RTAE extracts: tuberonic acid glycoside (1), rupicolin (2), 2-hydroxyeupatolide (3), yangabin (4), sesartemin (5), artemetin (6), isoalantodiene (7), and dehydroartemorin (8). For RTAE, a higher diversity of sesquiterpene lactones was observed. The groups treated with RTAE at 3%, 10%, and 30% presented a gastroprotective effect, reducing the lesion area by 64.68%, 53.71%, and 90.04%, respectively, when compared with the vehicle (VEH)-treated group. On the other hand, the groups treated with HAE at 3%, 10%, and 30% presented values of lesion areas higher than those of the VEH group. Changes in the submucosa layer, inflammatory process with edema, cellular infiltration, and mucin depletion were detected in the gastric mucosa exposed to ethanol, which was fully prevented by RTAE treatment. Neither HAE nor RTAE could increase the reduced glutathione levels in the injured gastric tissue, but RTAE (30%) reduced the formation of lipid hydroperoxides. When the rats were pre-treated with NEM (a chelator of non-protein thiols) or L-NAME (non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), the RTAE lost the ability to protect the gastric mucosa. ConclusionsThis study corroborates the ethnopharmacological use of this specie to treat gastric disorders revealing the gastroprotective effect of the room-temperature aqueous extract of A. absinthium aerial parts. Its mode of action may involve the ability of the infusion to maintain the gastric mucosal barrier integrity.

Evaluation of gastroprotective effect of jujube honey in ethanol-induced stomach ulcer in mice

Honey has been widely documented to have therapeutic benefits, especially on the healing of wounds, digestive disorders, and as an antimicrobial agent. It’s known that stomach ulcers are one of the most prevalent diseases that affect humans with no effective treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effects of jujube honey against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice and to explore possible mechanism of its action on the gastric mucosa. Stomach’s tissues were examined for ulcerative lesions and white blood cell count (WBC), plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO) for clinical inflammation evaluation. The antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated using the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Treatment with jujube honey reduced the ulcer index and preserved gastric tissue. It also decreased the inflammatory response by reducing WBC and plasma levels of CRP and NO in ulcerative group. In addition, jujube honey-treated group showed increased antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase and SOD. Furthermore, diluted jujube honey is more effective in preserving mucosal gastric integrity. In conclusion, these findings suggest that jujube honey, especially with dilution, may exert a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, through the improvement of antioxidant system and suppression of the inflammatory response via its bioactive compounds.

Antioxidant potentialities and gastroprotective effect of Reichardia picroides extracts on Ethanol/HCl induced gastric ulcer rats

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to determine for the first time the polyphenol content, antioxidant, and gastroprotective properties of the roots and leaves of Reichardia picroides. TPC considerably varied as a function of organs and solvent nature and ranged from 50 to 284.80 mg GAE/g DW. Leaves exhibited the highest amount of phenolics by using acetone 70%, the same tendency was observed for antioxidant activity. Besides, in vivo gastro-protective effects following HCl/EtOH-induced ulcer models displayed that roots extract at a high dose (500 mg) seemed to be the best performing extract with a decrease of ulceration index (UI) and an increase in the percentage of protection (PP), SOD, CAT, and GPX activities. All these data have been proved with principal component analysis (PCA). Overall, the results indicated that R. picroides could be considered a valuable source of natural compounds, which are beneficial for human health.

Low dose administration of mature silkworm powder induces gastric mucosal defense factors in ethanol-induced gastric injury rat model.

Gastric mucosa is important to protect the gastric damage against external factors. We previously reported the gastro-protective effects of steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP) in ethanol-treated rats. However, the factors that promote mucosal formation still remain unclarified. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SMSP on the restoration and maintenance of gastric mucosal layer as well as anti-inflammatory response in ethanol-induced stomach injury in rats. A significant decrease of ulcer indexes, histopathological scores and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels was observed in SMSP-treated group. In addition, SMSP protected the mucosal layer from ethanol-induced gastric damage by increasing the expression of nitric oxide synthases and heat shock proteins, along with promoting genes related gastric mucosal protection and biosynthesis including mucin 5AC and trefoil factors. These results demonstrate that SMSP attenuates the pro-inflammatory responses and strengthens the gastric mucosal layer, thus exhibiting gastro-protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats.

Gastroprotective effect of the Lachnum polysaccharide and polysaccharide-dipeptide conjugates against gastric ulcer.

Polysaccharides from Lachnum have many important biological activities. The LEP2a-dipeptide derivative (LAG) was obtained by carboxymethyl modification and alanyl-glutamine modification of LEP2a, an extracellular polysaccharide component of Lachnum. Mice with acute gastric ulcers were treated with 50 (low doses) and 150 (high doses) mg/kg, and their therapeutic effects were evaluated from the aspects of pathological damage to gastric tissue, oxidative stress response and inflammatory signal cascade reaction. High doses of LAG and LEP2a significantly inhibited pathological damage to the gastric mucosa, increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and decreased the levels of MDA, and MPO. LEP-2A and LAG could also inhibit the production of proinflammatory factors and reduce the inflammatory response. They significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α, while upregulated the level of PGE2 at high doses. LAG and LEP2a inhibited the protein expression of p-JNK, p-ERK, p-P38, p-IKK, p-IKB α and p-NF-KBP65. LAG and LEP2a protect the gastric mucosa in mice with ulcers by improving oxidative stress, blocking the MAPK/NF-κB pathway and inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors, and the anti-ulcer activity of LAG is superior to that of LEP2a.

Edible Flowers: A New Source of Minerals

Abstract: Edible flowers have become very popular in recent years as a potent and natural source of various important minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, enzymes and aromatic compounds. Various anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal & anti-inflammatory substances have been found in various edible flowers e.g. Rose, Marigold, Lilac, Chrysanthemum, Chinese hibiscus, Roselle, Tulip, Magnolia, Water lily etc. These flowers are almost calorie-free, high in antioxidants, have inhibitory effects against cancer, obesity and inflammation, prevent neuronal degradation, help to diminish blood pressure, demonstrate gastro-protective and hepato-protective effects. Edible flowers show antioxidant activities, inhibitive activities on free radicals and ROSscavenging properties due to presence of various phenolic compounds e.g. Quercetin, Rutin, Gallic acid etc. Pollen, nectar and petals are rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. The colour of flowers is characterized by various carotenoids, anthocyanins etc. Harvesting of edible flowers should be done in cool climate during day time in fully bloomed condition to retain quality and shelf-life. Edible flowers are generally used in salads, soups, beverages, and herbal medicines across the world. People with conditions like hay fever, allergies or asthma must be careful in consuming these flowers. However, in upcoming years, there are immense possibilities of a rapid increase in the consumption of edible flowers when cultivated organically.

Repeated 28-Day Oral Toxicological Study and Gastroprotective Effects of Nigella sativa L. Oil (Shuhada) against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats.

Nigella sativa L. and black seeds are traditionally used for cooking and medicinal purposes in Arab and other countries. Although N. sativa seed extract has many known biological effects, the biological effects of cold-pressed N. sativa oil are poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the gastroprotective effects and subacute oral toxicity of black seed oil (BSO) in an animal model. The gastroprotective effects of oral BSO (50% and 100%; 1 mg/kg) were tested using acute experimental models of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Gross and histological gastric lesions, ulcerated gastric areas, ulcer index score, percentage of inhibition rate, gastric juice pH, and gastric wall mucus were all evaluated. The subacute toxicity of BSO and its thymoquinone (TQ) content were also examined. The results indicated that the administration of BSO exerted gastroprotective effects by increasing the gastric wall mucus and decreasing gastric juice acidity. In the subacute toxicity test, the animals behaved normally, and their weight and water and food intake did not show significant variations. High-performance liquid chromatography detected 7.3 mg/mL TQ in BSO. These findings suggest that BSO may be a safe therapeutic drug for preventing gastric ulcers.

Carnosic Acid Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Rats by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and indomethacin (IND) are the most commonly prescribed for inflammation or pain. However, widespread use causes several adverse effects, such as gastric ulcers, upper gastric system bleeding, and erosions. Carnosic acid (CA) is an important natural antioxidant found in rosemary (Rosmarinus essentials) and exhibits a protective effect by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of CA on IND-induced gastric ulceration. Wistar male rats received CA (100 mg/kg) or esomeprazole (ESP) (20 mg/kg, standard drug) by oral gavage for 14 days, after that gastric ulceration was induced by oral administration of 100 mg/kg IND. CA pretreatment attenuated both gross morphological lesions and histopathological alterations. CA strongly reduced IND-induced oxidative stress, verified by a decrease in MDA (p < 0.001) and TOS levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an IND-dependent increase in CAT (p < 0.001) and GPx (p < 0.01) activities, as well as a reduction in GSH levels (p < 0.01), were ameliorated by CA pretreatment. CA also attenuated inflammatory damage by suppressing IL-1β (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.01), and TNFα (p < 0.001) production and increasing Nrf2/HO-1 (p < 0.05) expressions. In conclusion, CA shows a gastroprotective effect by reducing oxidative stress and attenuating inflammation.

Potential effects of carbon monoxide donor and its nanoparticles on experimentally induced gastric ulcer in rats

The prevalence of gastric ulcers is increasing worldwide, especially those brought on by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), so prevention is extremely crucial. The protective potential of carbon monoxide (CO) in several inflammatory disorders has been clarified. The goal of the current study was to investigate the gastroprotective effect of CO produced by its pharmacological donor (CORM2) and its nanoparticles (NPs) against indomethacin (INDO)-induced ulcers. Investigations on CORM2's dose-dependent effects were also conducted. For induction of gastric ulcer, 100 mg kg−1 of INDO was given orally. Before ulcer induction, CORM2 (5, 10, and 15 mg kg−1), CORM2 nanoparticles (5 mg kg−1), or ranitidine (30 mg kg−1) were given intraperitoneally for 7 days. Ulcer score, gastric acidity, gastric contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) blood content were estimated. Additionally, gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and immunohistochemical staining of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed. Results demonstrated a substantial dose-dependent decrease in ulcer score, pro-inflammatory indicators, and oxidative stress markers with CORM2 and its NPs. Furthermore, CORM2 and its NPs markedly increased NRF2, COX-1, and HO-1, but CORM2 NPs outperformed CORM2 in this regard. In conclusion, the CO released by CORM2 can protect against INDO-induced gastric ulcers dose dependently, and the highest used dose had no effect on COHb concentration.

Gastro-protective Effect of Carica papaya Leaf Extracts on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Carica papaya leaves are commonly used traditionally to treat many diseases, including peptic ulcers; however, these pharmacological claims and safety issues of the leaves have not been adequately resolved. The present study aims to evaluate the possible gastro-protective potential of Carica papaya aqueous and methanol leaf extracts on ethanol-induced ulcers. Aqueous and Methanol extracts of C. papaya were prepared by percolation method and screened for phytochemicals using conventional method and Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometric methods. The gastro-protective effects of the extracts were determined using thirty (30) rats weighing 180 and 250 g were randomly divided into five groups. Group 1 served as the normal control (distilled water), groups 2 served as the (negative control), group 3 received 25mg/kg Omeprazole (standard drug) group 4 and 5 received 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of aqueous and methanol extracts of Carica papaya. Two weeks after the oral administration, gastric ulcer was induced in all rats with 95% ethanol (2 mL). The aqueous and methanol leaf extract of C. papaya showed a significant (p&lt;0.05) dose-dependent protection against peptic ulcer. The effects produced by the methanol leaf extract of C. papaya were comparable to those of the standard drugs (Omeprazole). Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous and methanol leaves extracts of C. papaya revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, reducing sugar and saponins, some of which have been reported to elicit cytoprotective effect. Gas chromatographic analysis showed the presence of cytoprotective agents. These findings show that aqueous and methanol extracts of the leaves of C. papaya possess potent antiulcer properties; hence justifies the traditional usage of this plant for ulcer treatment.

Nigella Sativa - an ordinary herb or a miraculous medicine?

Nowadays, herbal preparations are increasingly used in medicine. These preparations are cheaper, more available and they have fewer side effects than synthetic ones. Nigella Sativa, commonly known as Black Cumin, has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity. This herb is known to have many properties. The prophet Muhammad himself has already mentioned them, claiming that “Black Cumin is a cure for all diseases except death". Researches on N. Sativa confirmed that it has anti-diabetic, anti-asthmatic, pro-fertility, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-ischemic effects. Many of these properties are due to thymoquinone, which is the main component of black cumin essential oil. This present review is an attempt to provide a specific overview of researches and literatures of pharmacognostical profile and pharmacological activity of the seeds of this plant. It will be helpful for scientists, researchers and other healthcare professionals, who are working with this plant and who need to be up to date about it.

Antiulcer Activity of Anthraquinone-Flavonoid Complex of Rumex tianschanicus Losinsk.

The composition of an ethanol extract from the roots of Rumex tianschanicus Losinsk of the Trans-Ili Alatau wild flora was studied in order to determine its antiulcer activity. The phytochemical composition of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex from (AFC) R. tianschanicus revealed the presence of numerous polyphenolic compounds, the most abundant of which are anthraquinones (1.77%), flavonoids (6.95%), and tannins (13.39%). The use of column chromatography (CC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in conjunction with UV, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry data allowed the researchers to isolate and identify the major components of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex's polyphenol fraction: physcion, chrysophanol, emodin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and myricetin. The gastroprotective effect of the polyphenolic fraction of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex (AFC) of R. tianschanicus roots was examined in an experimental model of rat gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin. The preventive and therapeutic effect of the anthraquinone-flavonoid complex at a dose of 100 mg/kg was analyzed using intragastric administration per day for 1 to 10 days, followed by a histological examination of stomach tissues. It has been demonstrated that prophylactic and prolonged use of the AFC R. tianschanicus in laboratory animals resulted in significantly less pronounced hemodynamic and desquamative changes in the epithelium of gastric tissues. The acquired results thus offer fresh insight into the anthraquinone and flavonoid metabolite component composition of R. tianschanicus roots, and they imply that the examined extract can be used to develop herbal medicines with antiulcer activity.

Hyptis obtusiflora C. Presl ex Benth Methanolic Extract Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Gastritis Activities via Suppressing AKT/NF-κB Pathway

Inflammation is an indispensable part of the human body's self-defense mechanism against external stimuli. The interactions between Toll-like receptors and microbial components trigger the innate immune system via NF-κB signaling, which regulates the overall cell signaling including inflammatory responses and immune modulations. The anti-inflammatory effects of Hyptis obtusiflora C. Presl ex Benth, which has been used as a home remedy for gastrointestinal disorders and skin disease in rural areas of Latin America, have not yet been studied. Here, we investigate the medicinal properties of Hyptis obtusiflora C. Presl ex Benth methanol extract (Ho-ME) for inflammatory response suppression. Nitric oxide secretion in RAW264.7 cells triggered by TLR2, 3, or 4 agonists was reduced by Ho-ME. Reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and interleukin (IL)-1b mRNA expression was observed. Decreased transcriptional activity in TRIF- and MyD88-overexpressing HEK293T cells was detected with a luciferase assay. Additionally, serially downregulated phosphorylation of kinase in the NF-κB pathway by Ho-ME was discovered in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 cells. Together with the overexpression of its constructs, AKT was identified as a target protein of Ho-ME, and its binding domains were reaffirmed. Moreover, Ho-ME exerted gastroprotective effects in an acute gastritis mouse model generated by the administration of HCl and EtOH. In conclusion, Ho-ME downregulates inflammation via AKT targeting in the NF-κB pathway, and the combined results support Hyptis obtusiflora as a new candidate anti-inflammatory drug.

Production of Two Isomers of Sphaeralcic Acid in Hairy Roots from Sphaeralcea angustifolia.

The Sphaeralcea angustifolia plant is used as an anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal protector in Mexican traditional medicine. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects have been attributed to scopoletin (1), tomentin (2), and sphaeralcic acid (3) isolated from cells in suspension cultures and identified in the aerial tissues of the wild plant. The hairy roots from S. angustifolia established by infecting internodes with Agrobacterium rhizogenes were explored to produce active compounds based on biosynthetic stability and their capacity to produce new compounds. Chemical analysis was resumed after 3 years in these transformed roots, SaTRN12.2 (line 1) produced scopoletin (0.0022 mg g-1) and sphaeralcic acid (0.22 mg g-1); instead, the SaTRN7.1 (line 2) only produced sphaeralcic acid (3.07 mg g-1). The sphaeralcic acid content was 85-fold higher than that reported for the cells in the suspension cultivated into flakes, and it was similar when the cells in suspension were cultivated in a stirring tank under nitrate restriction. Moreover, both hairy root lines produced stigmasterol (4) and β-sitosterol (5), as well as two new naphthoic derivates: iso-sphaeralcic acid (6) and 8-methyl-iso-sphaeralcic acid (7), which turned out to be isomers of sphaeralcic acid (3) and have not been reported. The dichloromethane-methanol extract from SaTRN7.1 hairy root line had a gastroprotective effect on an ulcer model in mice induced with ethanol.

Camellia oil (Camellia oleifera Abel.) alleviates gastric injury induced by ethanol associated with modulation of gut microbiota in mice

Oil from Camellia oleifera Abel. seed is a popular edible oil in Asia, which has gained much attention for its medicinal applications on relieving various inflammation, however, the mechanism is still unknown. The present study was to investigate the gastroprotective effect of camellia oil against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in mice. The results showed that camellia oil pretreatment significantly reduced gastric ulcer injury. A remarkable inhibited oxidative stress by reducing the concentration of malondialdehyde and a significant decrease of the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in gastric tissue were observed in camellia oil pretreated group. In addition, camellia oil improved the diversity of gut microbiota and changed the community structure and composition by increasing Bacteriodes and Dorea. And the feces metabolomics found that metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and lipid, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were modulated by admiration of camellia oil. Taken together, the findings of this study suggested that camellia oil could ease the ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury via the improvement of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory status, as well as the regulation of gut microbiota and its metabolites.