Olive oil phenolic extract regulates interleukin-8 expression by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms in Caco-2 cells

Evaluation of the Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Black Rice in the Framework of Celiac Disease

Inflammation and oxidative stress are two mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD). Since the direct effect of gliadin on the intestinal epithelia is less studied, the aims of this study were the development of a specific cellular model based on the use of gliadin as a pro-inflammatory stimulus and the evaluation of the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of extracts from different black rice in the framework of CD. The rice extracts were in vitro digested, characterized in terms of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, and tested on Caco-2 cells to investigate their inhibitory effect on Reactive Oxygen Species, the NF-κB transcription and the CXC chemokines (sICAM-1, IL-8, and CXCL-10). In addition, the role of the extracts in modulating the activation of epithelial cells in CD was confirmed by applying the K562(S) agglutination test. The black rice extracts showed inhibitory effects on the production of the oxidative and the inflammatory mediators considered, with particular reference to lymphocyte-attracting CXCL-10 both before and after digestion. The presence of anthocyanins and their digestion metabolites may account for the observed anti-inflammatory activity after in vitro digestion. This work provided preliminary data supporting the use of black rice as a healthy food or ingredient of food supplements for celiacs.

Effects of Olive Oil and Its Components on Intestinal Inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

With the rising global burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the rising costs of novel biological drugs, there is an increasing need for dietary approaches and functional foods that could modulate the course of IBD. The Mediterranean diet has proven to be efficacious in managing chronic inflammatory diseases, and recent studies have also shown its benefits in the setting of IBD. Since olive oil and its compounds have been shown to provide a considerable anti-inflammatory effect, in this review, we aim to discuss the latest evidence concerning the impact of olive oil and its bioactive compounds on IBD. Numerous preclinical studies have exhibited solid evidence on the mechanisms by which polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or specific polyphenols like hydroxytyrosol (HT) provide their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antitumour, and microbiota-modulation effects. Accordingly, several human studies that explored the effects of olive oil on patients with IBD further confirmed the evidence brought forward by preclinical studies. Nevertheless, there is a need for larger-scale, multicentric, randomized control trials that would finally elucidate olive oil’s level of efficacy in modulating the course of IBD.

Chromatography-Independent Fractionation and Newly Identified Molecular Features of the Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis Willd.) β-vignin Protein

Adzuki seed β-vignin, a vicilin-like globulin, has proven to exert various health-promoting biological activities, notably in cardiovascular health. A simple scalable enrichment procedure of this protein for further nutritional and functional studies is crucial. In this study, a simplified chromatography-independent protein fractionation procedure has been optimized and described. The electrophoretic analysis showed a high degree of homogeneity of β-vignin isolate. Furthermore, the molecular features of the purified protein were investigated. The adzuki bean β-vignin was found to have a native size of 146 kDa, and the molecular weight determined was consistent with a trimeric structure. These were identified in two main polypeptide chains (masses of 56-54 kDa) that are glycosylated polypeptides with metal binding capacity, and one minor polypeptide chain with a mass 37 kDa, wherein these features are absent. The in vitro analysis showed a high degree of digestibility of the protein (92%) and potential anti-inflammatory capacity. The results lay the basis not only for further investigation of the health-promoting properties of the adzuki bean β-vignin protein, but also for a possible application as nutraceutical molecule.

Extra virgin olive oil and related by-products (Olea europaea L.) as natural sources of phenolic compounds for abdominal pain relief in gastrointestinal disorders in rats

Management of abdominal pain, a common symptom of IBDs and IBS, is still a clinical problem. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a main component of the Mediterranean diet, shows positive effects on chronic inflammation in IBDs. In this study, the effect of the oral administration of EVOO (3 mL) and two olive milling by-products, DPA (300 mg kg^-1) and DRF (300 mg kg^-1), on preventing the development of abdominal pain in a DNBS-induced colitis model in rats was evaluated. The doses were chosen with the aim of simulating a plausible daily intake in humans. DPA and EVOO treatments significantly reduced the abdominal viscero-motor response to colon-rectal distension at 2 and 3 mL of balloon distension volume, both 7 and 14 days after the DNBS-injection. DRF showed efficacy in the reduction of visceral hypersensitivity only with 3 mL balloon inflation. In awake animals, DPA and DRF reduced pain perception (evaluated as abdominal withdrawal reflex) with all balloon distension volumes, while EVOO was effective only with higher distension volumes. Fourteen days after the DNBS-injection, all samples reduced the macroscopic intestinal damage (quantified as the macroscopic damage score) also showing, at the microscopic level, a reduction of the inflammatory infiltrate (quantified by hematoxylin and eosin analysis), fibrosis (highlighted by picrosirius red staining), the increase in mast cells and their degranulation (analyzed by triptase immunohistochemistry). This is the first report on the promotion of abdominal pain relief in a rat model obtained administering EVOO and two derived by-products. Our results suggest a protective role of phenol-rich EVOO and milling by-products, which may be proposed as food ingredients for novel functional foods.

Characterization of Chenopodin Isoforms from Quinoa Seeds and Assessment of Their Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Caco-2 Cells

Several food-derived molecules, including proteins and peptides, can show bioactivities toward the promotion of well-being and disease prevention in humans. There is still a lack of information about the potential effects on immune and inflammatory responses in mammalian cells following the ingestion of seed storage proteins. This study, for the first time, describes the potential immunomodulation capacity of chenopodin, the major protein component of quinoa seeds. After characterizing the molecular features of the purified protein, we were able to separate two different forms of chenopodin, indicated as LcC (Low charge Chenopodin, 30% of total chenopodin) and HcC (High charge Chenopodin, 70% of total chenopodin). The biological effects of LcC and HcC were investigated by measuring NF-κB activation and IL-8 expression studies in undifferentiated Caco-2 cells. Inflammation was elicited using IL-1β. The results indicate that LcC and HcC show potential anti-inflammatory activities in an intestinal cell model, and that the proteins can act differently, depending on their structural features. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms of action and the structural/functional relationships of the protein at the basis of the observed bioactivity were investigated using in silico analyses and structural predictions.

Impact of date palm pollen (Phoenix dactylifera) treatment on paracetamol-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Background

Consumption of plant-derived nutraceuticals and crude drugs in Arab traditional medicine is widely believed to confer beneficial effects in liver and kidney diseases. Fruits from the date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. are a rich source of nutrients and bioactive phytochemicals which possess a myriad of pharmacological effects. Herein, we examined the impact of Date Palm Pollen (DPP) aqueous suspension treatment on paracetamol (APAP) [Acetaminophen (APAP)] triggered hepatorenal damage in rats and further explored the underlying putative mechanism.

Methods

Thirty Wistar rats were assigned to five groups (n = 6/group). Group I was control group; animals in group II were administered APAP 1000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) intraperitonealy (i.p.); Group III and IV administered APAP plus date palm pollen with doses of 50, 100 mg/kg b.w and group V were administered APAP plus Silymarin (SIL) 10 mg/kg b.w. (i.p) respectively. Various biochemical parameters and histological assessment were evaluated in serum and tissue homogenate.

Results

Pretreatment with DPP aqueous suspensions (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) significantly (p < 0.05) thwarted APAP triggered alterations in serum biomarkers of liver damage [aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], serum albumin as well as bilirubin. DPP treatment further mitigated APAP triggered dyslipidemia associated with hepatic damage by influencing APAP elicited changes in serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL. DPP treatment significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated extrahepatic manifestations of APAP toxicity by influencing alterations in parameters of renal function (creatinine, urea and uric acid) as well serum electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium and Calcium). DPP treatment further influenced APAP-induced histological lesions by curtailing necrosis and inflammatory changes in the hepatic and renal architecture, respectively. Furthermore, DPP treatment modulated APAP-induced redox imbalance in the hepatic and renal tissue by blunting the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as decrease of nonprotein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with control. The protective effect of DPP was further confirmed histologically.

Conclusions

The present observations point to an hepatorenal protective effects of acute DPP treatment in APAP-intoxicated rats which is underpinned by its robust antioxidant properties.

Olive Tree Biophenols in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: When Bitter is Better

The current therapeutic scenario for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) involves aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators, but concerns regarding their safety profiles and high costs heavily impact their widespread use. In recent years, the beneficial effects thatbiophenols—from fruit and vegetables—have on human health have been investigated. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of phenolic fraction, from olive leaves and fruits, have been suggested, and a potential application in gut inflammation has been supported by in vitro and IBD-animal models studies. In the present review, we first introduced the potential therapeutic role of olive tree biophenolsin chronic inflammatory disease. Then, we aimed to describe their most interesting application for gut inflammation, as the results of basic science studies and animal experimental models. Finally, the potential role of olive tree biophenols in the setting of human IBD is discussed.

A Fixed Combination of Probiotics and Herbal Extracts Attenuates Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction from Inflammatory Stress in an In vitro Model Using Caco-2 Cells

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), are considered a growing global disease, with about ten million people being affected worldwide. Maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity is crucial for preventing IBD onset and exacerbations. Some recent patents regarding oily formulations containing probiotics (WO2010122107A1 and WO2010103374A9) and the use of probiotics for gastrointestinal complaints (US20110110905A1 and US9057112B2) exist, or are pending application.

OBJECTIVE

In this work, we studied the effect of a fixed combination of registered Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains and herbal extracts in an in vitro inflammation experimental model.

METHODS

Caco-2 cell monolayer was exposed to INF-γ+TNF-α or to LPS; Trans Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) and paracellular permeability were investigated. ZO-1 and occludin Tight Junctions (TJs) were also investigated by mean of immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment with the fixed combination of probiotics and herbal extracts prevented the inflammation-induced TEER decrease, paracellular permeability increase and TJs translocation.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the fixed combination of probiotics and herbal extracts investigated in this research was found to be an interesting candidate for targeting the re-establishment of intestinal barrier function in IBD conditions.

Dietary supplementation with olive mill wastewaters induces modifications on chicken jejunum epithelial cell transcriptome and modulates jejunum morphology

BACKGROUND

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthier food habits and olive oil is one of its key components. Olive oil polyphenols are known to induce beneficial effects in several pathological conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and to contrast the proliferation of cancer cells or hypercholesterolemia. Polyphenols are also present in waste products derived from the olive industry: olive mill wastewaters (OMWW) are rich in polyphenols and there is an increasing interest in using OMWW in animal nutrition. OMWW are attributed with positive effects in promoting chicken performance and the quality of food-derived products. However, a tissue-specific transcriptome target analysis of chickens fed with OMWW has never been attempted.

RESULTS

We explored the effect of dietary OMWW on the intestinal function in broilers. A morphological analysis of the jejunum revealed that OMWW reduced crypt depth, whereas no significant modifications were observed for villus height and the villus height/crypt depth ratio. An RNA Sequencing analysis was performed on isolated, intestinal, epithelial cells and 280 differentially expressed genes were found using a count-based approach. An enrichment analysis revealed that the majority of up regulated genes in the OMWW group were over-represented by the regulation of viral genome replication-related GO-Terms, whereas down regulated genes were mainly involved in cholesterol and lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed how an industrial waste product can be recycled as a feed additive with a positive relapse. OMWW dietary supplementation can be a nutritional strategy to improve chicken performance and health, prevent intestinal damage, enhance innate immunity and regulate cholesterol metabolism and fat deposition.

Molecular interactions between 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol and pectin and antioxidant capacity of this complex in vitro

This study explored the interaction of pectin with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), a potent phenolic antioxidant naturally found in olive fruit, via encapsulation into pectinate beads. MALDI TOF-TOF analysis supported the formation of complexes between DHPG and pectin. A combination of covalent bonds (ester bonds) and non-covalent interactions, mostly hydrogen bonding, were suggested as the cause of DHPG-pectin complex formation. Free radical scavenging assays confirmed that DHPG maintained its antioxidant activity after complexation and after a digestion simulated in vitro with gastric and intestinal fluids. Therefore, DHPG-pectin beads could reach the large intestine and contribute to a healthy antioxidant environment.

Arabinoxylan hydrolyzates as immunomodulators in Caco-2 and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines

The use of plant derived polysaccharides as health promoters has gained immense interest in the past few years. Arabinoxylan (AX) is the predominant non-starch polysaccharide in cereals and grasses including wheat. The current research aimed to investigate the structure-function relationship of arabinoxylan hydrolyzates (AXH), obtained by the enzymatic hydrolysis of AX using xylanase and arabinofuranosidase as immunomodulators in two colon cancer cell lines: Caco-2 and HT-29. Fine structural details had a strong correlation with the immunological properties of the wheat AXH. As a general trend, as the presence of arabinose substitution increased in the AXH, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-8 and TNF-α, decreased in both cell lines. Thus, AXH with a higher degree of arabinose substitution might be better adept in lowering inflammation in colon cancer cells.

Adiponectin administration alleviates DSS-induced colonic inflammation in Caco-2 cells and mice

BACKGROUND

Adiponectin, a protein hormone produced by adipose tissues, exhibits anti-inflammatory functions in various models. This study was investigated the effects of adiponectin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-colonic injury, inflammation, apoptosis, and intestinal barrier dysfunction in Caco-2 cell and mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results showed that DSS caused inflammatory response and intestinal barrier dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Adiponectin injection alleviated colonic injury and rectal bleeding in mice. Meanwhile, adiponectin downregulated colonic IL-1β and TNF-α expressions and regulated apoptosis relative genes to attenuate DSS-induced colonic inflammation and apoptosis. Adiponectin markedly reduced serum lipopolysaccharide concentration, a biomarker for intestinal integrity, and enhanced colonic expression of tight junctions (ZO-1 and occludin). The in vitro data further demonstrated that adiponectin alleviated DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines production and the increased permeability in Caco-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin plays a beneficial role in DSS-induced inflammation via alleviating apoptosis and improving intestinal barrier integrity.

Modulation of intestinal epithelium homeostasis by extra virgin olive oil phenolic compounds

Extra virgin olive oil polyphenols concentrate at the intestinal level and, by modulating the microbiota, oxidative status and inflammation, contribute to prevent the onset or delay the progression of inflammatory/degenerative diseases.

Botanicals as Modulators of Neuroplasticity: Focus on BDNF

The involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different central nervous system (CNS) diseases suggests that this neurotrophin may represent an interesting and reliable therapeutic target. Accordingly, the search for new compounds, also from natural sources, able to modulate BDNF has been increasingly explored. The present review considers the literature on the effects of botanicals on BDNF. Botanicals considered were Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, Coffea arabica L., Crocus sativus L., Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), Ginkgo biloba L., Hypericum perforatum L., Olea europaea L. (olive oil), Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Rhodiola rosea L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Vitis vinifera L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. The effect of the active principles responsible for the efficacy of the extracts is reviewed and discussed as well. The high number of articles published (more than one hundred manuscripts for 14 botanicals) supports the growing interest in the use of natural products as BDNF modulators. The studies reported strengthen the hypothesis that botanicals may be considered useful modulators of BDNF in CNS diseases, without high side effects. Further clinical studies are mandatory to confirm botanicals as preventive agents or as useful adjuvant to the pharmacological treatment.

Complexation of hydroxytyrosol and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol with pectin and their potential use for colon targeting

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) are two phenolic antioxidants naturally found in olive fruit with anti-inflammatory properties. This study explored the interaction of pectin with HT and DHPG via their encapsulation into pectinate beads. Purification by size exclusion chromatography, changes in the fluorescence spectrum of the HT and pectin, and MALDI TOF-TOF analysis suggested the existence of the phenol-pectin complexes. The entrapment efficiency, swelling properties, and in vitro release of HT and DHPG of the beads were studied. The results show that the beads can entrap the water soluble compounds HT and DHPG in sufficient amounts to reach the colon. The beads consisted of an important amount of pectin-bound HT or DHPG after two hours at gastric pH. This study highlights the potential use of HT-and DHPG-loaded pectinate gel beads for the colon-targeted delivery of these bioactive compounds to help prevent or relieve chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Synthesis and cardiovascular protective effects of quercetin 7-O-sialic acid

Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oxidative stress-induced desialylation is considered to be a primary step in atherogenic modification, and therefore, the attenuation of oxidative stress and/or inflammatory reactions may ameliorate CVD. In this study, quercetin 7-O-sialic acid (QA) was synthesized aiming to put together the cardiovascular protective effect of quercetin and the recently reported anti-oxidant and anti-atherosclerosis functions of N-acetylneuraminic acid. The biological efficacy of QA was evaluated in vitro in various cellular models. The results demonstrated that 50 μM QA could effectively protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC, EA.hy926) against hydrogen peroxide- or oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced oxidative damage by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species. QA attenuated hydrogen peroxide-induced desialylation of HUVEC and lipoproteins. QA decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and it significantly reduced the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, TNF-α and MCP-1. Furthermore, QA effectively promoted cholesterol efflux from Raw 264.7 macrophages to apolipoprotein A-1 and high-density lipoprotein by up-regulating ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and G1, respectively. Results indicated that the novel compound QA exhibited a better capacity than quercetin for anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, cholesterol efflux promotion and biomolecule protection against desialylation and therefore could be a candidate compound for the prevention or treatment of CVD.

The Health Benefiting Mechanisms of Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds

Virgin olive oil (VOO) is credited as being one of the many healthful components associated with the Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean populations experience reduced incidence of chronic inflammatory disease states and VOO is readily consumed as part of an everyday Mediterranean dietary pattern. VOO is rich in phenolic compounds and the health promoting benefits of these phenolics are now established. Recent studies have highlighted the biological properties of VOO phenolic compounds elucidating their anti-inflammatory activities. This paper will review current knowledge on the anti-inflammatory and nutrigenomic, chemoprotective and anti-atherosclerotic activities of VOO phenolics. In addition the concentration, metabolism and bioavailability of specific phenolic compounds will be discussed. The evidence presented in the review concludes that oleurepein, hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal have potent pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo; however, intervention studies with biologically relevant concentrations of these phenolic compounds are required.

The effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the anti-inflammatory activity of Vitis vinifera L. leaves

Botanicals are widely consumed all over the world for health purposes, with increased usage in the general population, in many different types of products, including foods and plant food supplements. Several reports support for the beneficial effects of botanicals against gastrointestinal inflammation. However, no studies regarding the anti-inflammatory activity in the gastrointestinal tract of red vine leaves have been reported so far. The present work investigates the biological activity of Vitis vinifera L. water extract (VVWE) from dried leaves in two in vitro models of gastric and intestinal inflammation. The extract was characterized by a validated HPLC-DAD method, and tested on human epithelial gastric (AGS) and intestinal (Caco-2) cells with the aim to investigate the inhibitory effect on IL-8 secretion and promoter activity, before and after in vitro gastric or gastrointestinal digestion. Our results show that the water extract from red vine leaves inhibits TNFα-induced IL-8 secretion and expression in human gastric epithelial cells; the effect should be maintained, although to a lesser extent, after gastric digestion. In contrast, the effect after intestinal digestion is dramatically decreased since degradation of the active components in the gut does not allow the extract to efficiently counteract TNFα or IL-1β induced IL-8 expression and the NF-κB pathway. The main molecular target of VVWE at the gastric level includes TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB and occurs at concentrations easily reachable after PFS consumption based on red vine leaf water extract as the ingredient. Our findings suggest that PFS containing water extracts from Vitis vinifera L. leaves could be useful to inhibit/attenuate gastric inflammation inhibiting IL-8 secretion and expression through impairment of the NF-κB pathway.