The Influence of Stomach Back-Shu and Front-Mu Points on Insular Functional Connectivity in Functional Dyspepsia Rat Models

Functional Dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease, which can reduce the quality of life in patients. Prior research has indicated that insula is closely related to FD and that acupuncture can regulate the functional connectivity (FC) of FD. Therefore, we hypothesized that acupuncture on FD was effected through the insular pathway. To test our hypothesis, we performed electroacupuncture (EA) on FD rat models and then examined the FC between insula and other brain regions through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Seven-day-old male infant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, FD model group, and FD acupuncture group, with twelve rats per group (n = 36). Upon establishing successful models, the FD acupuncture group was subjected to EA intervention using Stomach back-shu (BL-21) and front-mu (RN-12) points for ten consecutive days for durations of 20 minutes each day. After intervention, each group was subject to rs-fMRI. The digital image data obtained were analyzed using FC analysis methods. Subsequently, gastric ligation was performed to measure gastric emptying rates. Before EA intervention, the FD model group exhibited decreased functional connections between the insula and a number of brain regions. After EA intervention, FD acupuncture group exhibited increasing FC between insula and regions when compared to the FD model group, such as the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), hippocampal CA3 (CA3), polymorphic layer of dentate gyrus (PoDG), caudate putamen (CPu), and oral pontine reticular nuclei (PnO) (P < 0.05); decreasing FC was also exhibited between insula and regions such as the bilateral primary and secondary motor cortexes (M1/2), paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVA), and limbic cortex (LC). These findings indicate that the effective treatment of FD using EA may be through regulating the abnormal FC between insula and several brain regions, in particular CA3, PoDG, and PVA.

Metabolites from Combretum dolichopetalum and its associated endophytic fungus Nigrospora oryzae--Evidence for a metabolic partnership

A new altersolanol derivative, 4-dehydroxyaltersolanol A (9), along with two known sesquiterpenoids, (S)-7'-hydroxyabscisic acid (7) and (S)-abscisic acid (8) were obtained from the endophytic fungus, Nigrospora oryzae, isolated from leaves of Combretum dolichopetalum. The host plant yielded six known compounds including ellagic acid (1), 3, 3', 4-tri-O-methylellagic acid (2), arjunolic acid (3), 4'-dihydrophaseic acid (4), echinulin (5) and arestrictin B (6). Close structural similarities with regard to compounds 4, 7 and 8 were observed between the metabolites from the host plant and those of the endophytic fungus. Furthermore compounds 5 and 6 are related to alkaloids isolated from N. oryzae previously thus stressing the notion that some of the isolated plant metabolites may actually be of fungal origin. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR, MS, and by comparison with the literature. 4-Dehydroxyaltersolanol A (9) and 3, 3', 4-tri-O-methylellagic acid (2) showed cytotoxicity against L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells with IC50 values of 9.4 and 29.0 μM, respectively.

Gastric antiulcerogenic and hypokinetic activities of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. & Zucc. (Combretaceae)

The acute toxicity, the antioxidant activity, and the pharmacological activity on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents of the ethanolic extract (TFEE) from the bark of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. & Zucc. (Combretaceae) and of its aqueous (TFAqF), hydroalcoholic (TFHAF), and hexanic (TFHEXF) partition fractions have been evaluated. TFEE presented low acute toxicity, antioxidant, and antiulcerogenic activity against ethanol-induced ulcers, which was partially blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME and indomethacin. It reduced the total acidity and raised the pH of gastric secretion. Additionally, TFEE delayed gastric emptying and slightly inhibited the small intestinal transit and also presented a weakly antidiarrheal activity. The antiulcerogenic and antioxidant activity were also detected in TFAqF and TFHAF but not in TFHEXF. The antisecretory and gastroprotective activity of TFEE partially involve the nitric oxide and prostaglandin participation. Nevertheless, TFEE, TFAqF, and TFHAF drastically reduced the mucus layer adhered to the gastric wall of rats treated with ethanol or indomethacin. Complementary studies are required in order to clarify the paradox of the presence of a gastroprotector activity in this plant that, at the same time, reduces the mucus layer adhered to the gastric wall.

Gastroprotective activity of the ethanolic extract and hexane phase of Combretum duarteanum Cambess. (Combretaceae)

Combretum duarteanum Cambess. is found in South America, particularly in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. In Paraiba state (Brazil), the species usually occurs in the Caatinga biome. It is popularly known as mofumbo, cipiúba, or cipaúba. This work aims to evaluate the gastroprotective activity and the cytoprotective mechanisms of the ethanolic extract (Cd-EtOHE) and hexane phase (Cd-HexP) obtained from the leaves of C. duarteanum. Doses at 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of Cd-EtOHE and Cd-HexP were tested in models of gastric ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol, absolute ethanol, stress, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and pylorus ligation in male rats or mice. Cd-EtOHE and Cd-HexP significantly reduced gastric injuries induced in all models. Cd-EtOHE and Cd-HexP did not alter gastric juice parameters such as pH, [H(+)], or volume after pylorus ligation. Cytoprotective mechanisms of Cd-EtOHE and Cd-HexP in relation to mucus, nitric oxide (NO), and sulfhydryl (SH) groups were evaluated. Neither product increased the mucus, and they both showed dependence on NO and SH groups to prevent gastric ulcer. Both Cd-EtOHE and Cd-HexP demonstrated gastroprotective activity.

Bioactivities of the genus Combretum (Combretaceae): a review

The Combretaceae is a large family of herbs, shrubs and trees, comprising about 20 genera and 600 species with tropical distribution around the globe and centers of diversity in Africa and Asia. Some Combretum species are extensively used in traditional medicine against inflammation, infections, diabetes, malaria, bleeding, diarrhea and digestive disorders and others as a diuretic. The present work is a literature survey of Combretum species that have been evaluated for their ability to exert biological activities. A total number of 36 Combretum species are discussed with regard to plant parts used, component tested and bioassay models. This review is of fundamental importance to promoting studies on Combretum species, thereby contributing to the development of new therapeutic alternatives that may improve the health of people suffering from various health problems.