Dual role of eugenol on chronic gastric ulcer in rats: Low-dose healing efficacy and the worsening gastric lesion in high doses

Treatment of gastric ulcer, traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gastric ulcer (GU) is the injury of the gastric mucosa caused by the stimulation of various pathogenic factors penetrating the deep mucosal muscle layer. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in treating GU due to its multitarget, multilevel, and multi-pathway effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To review the latest research progress in the treatment of GU by TCM, including clinical and experimental studies, focusing on the target and mechanism of action of drugs and providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of GU by natural herbs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the keywords "gastric ulcer", "gastric mucosal lesion", "TCM" and or paired with "peptic ulcer" and "natural drugs" for studies published in the last fifteen years until 2023.

RESULTS

TCM, including single components of natural products, Chinese patent medicines (CPM), and TCM decoction, is expected to treat GU by regulating various mechanisms, such as redox balance, inflammatory factors, angiogenesis, gastric mucosal protective factors, intestinal flora, apoptosis, and autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

We discussed and summarized the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of GU, which provided a sufficient basis for TCM treatment of GU.

Pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, toxicity, and recent advances in Eugenol's potential benefits against natural and chemical noxious agents: A mechanistic review

The active biological phytochemicals, crucial compounds employed in creating hundreds of medications, are derived from valuable and medicinally significant plants. These phytochemicals offer excellent protection from various illnesses, including inflammatory disorders and chronic conditions caused by oxidative stress. A phenolic monoterpenoid known as eugenol (EUG), it is typically found in the essential oils of many plant species from the Myristicaceae, Myrtaceae, Lamiaceae, and Lauraceae families. One of the main ingredients of clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum (L.), Myrtaceae), it has several applications in industry, including flavoring food, pharmaceutics, dentistry, agriculture, and cosmeceuticals. Due to its excellent potential for avoiding many chronic illnesses, it has lately attracted attention. EUG has been classified as a nonmutant, generally acknowledged as a safe (GRAS) chemical by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the existing research, EUG possesses notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and apoptosis-promoting properties, which have lately gained attention for its ability to control chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial malfunction and dramatically impact human wellness. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence from the most significant research studies that have been published regarding the protective role and detoxifying effects of EUG against a wide range of toxins, including biological and chemical toxins, as well as different drugs and pesticides that produce a variety of toxicities, throughout view of the possible advantages of EUG.

Coconut oil based self-nano emulsifying delivery systems mitigate ulcerogenic NSAIDs side effect and enhance drug dissolution: Formula optimization, in-vitro, and in-vivo assessments

Gastric ulcer is a common gastrointestinal ailment that affects many people worldwide. NSAIDs induced ulcers are the second most common etiology of gastric ulcers. Coconut oil has well-known potential anti-ulcerogenic characteristics. This work aimed to develop and optimize diclofenac potassium (a highly used model drug of NSAIDs) as self-nanoemulsifying delivery system containing coconut oil (DFP-COSNEDS) to overcome its ulcerogenic effect. A mixture design was applied for formula optimization and investigation of the effect of different formulation factors on the droplet size (DS) and polydispersity index (PDI) of the prepared DFP-COSNEDS. The optimized formulae showed good self-emulsification characters and better drug dissolution compared with the drug suspension. The ulcer protection was assessed in-vivo using 7 groups of adult male Wistar rats. Oxidative stress parameters (MDA, GSH, and SOD), inflammatory mediators (PGE-2, TNF-α, and IL-6) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) gene expression were measured. The results revealed that pure coconut oil and DFP-COSNEDS containing 25 % of coconut oil showed close figures to normal group and better values than famotidine (FAM) group. In conclusion, coconut oil showed high potential for gastric-protection activity against DFP induced ulcer. DFP-COSNEDS offers dual benefits of improving DFP dissolution and alleviating its ulcerogenic effect.

Gastroprotective and gastric healing effects of the aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris in rodents: Ultrasound, histological and biochemical analyzes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae) is a native plant from the Americas, where it is also known as "guaçatonga" or "erva-de-bugre." Although its leaves have been commonly used to treat inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders in South America, the antiulcer effects of an aqueous extract from this medicinal plant, similar to popular use, have not to be investigated yet.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the hypothesis that the aqueous extract a of C. sylvestris (AEC) prevents the gastric ulcers and accelerates the healing of ulcers already installed, by assessing ultrasound imaging, histological and biochemical analyses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats (females) were treated with AEC (3, 30 or 300 mg/kg) prior to the ethanol or piroxicam-induced gastric ulcers. The healing effect of AEC (300 mg/kg) was examined in 80% acetic acid-induced ulcer in rats, whereas the quality of healing was evaluated in recurrent 10% acetic acid-induced ulcer in mice with recurrence induced by interleukin 1β. To assess the responses of the lesions, in addition to the classical methods used to analyze gastroprotection (ex vivo), we also measured the gastric wall thickness (in vivo) using ultrasonography. After euthanasia, the extent of ulcer was determined and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), nitrate, and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), N-acetyl-β-D-glycosaminidase (NAG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured. The antisecretory activity of AEC was also examined based on pylorus ligated rats. Furthermore, gastric tissue samples were analyzed histologically, and phytochemical analyses of the C. sylvestris extract were parallelly performed.

RESULTS

The AEC (30 or 300 mg/kg) prevented ulcers in the ethanol- and piroxicam-induced acute. Moreover, the AEC at a dose of 300 mg/kg also accelerated the gastric healing of acetic acid-induced ulcer in rats by 48% and the ultrasonography records shown a decrease in the wall thickness and the extent of edema of ulcerous lesions promoted by the extract. The gastric healing effect of AEC was also accompanied by reduced MPO and NAG activities at acetic acid-induced ulcer in rats; as well as was by the reduction in the nitrate and LOOH levels, the increase in mucin and SOD activity, and by a partial recovery of GSH levels. The AEC (300 mg/kg) minimized the ulcer recurrence in mice exposed to IL-1β, but the extract administration did not change pH or peptic activity of gastric juice in pylorus ligated rats.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provide convincing evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of C. sylvestris with respect to gastroprotection and indicate that ultrasound examination would be a potentially promising approach for evaluating gastroprotective effects in vivo. Collectively, our findings indicate that the gastric the gastroprotective and healing effects of aqueous extract C. sylvestris involve a reduction in acid secretion, promotion of the antioxidant system, reductions in the migration of neutrophils and mast cells, with a consequent lower inflammatory response, and the preservation of mucin.

Chuanzhitongluo regulates microglia polarization and inflammatory response in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chuanzhitongluo (CZTL), a traditional Chinese medicine mixture, is used in the recovery period of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and effectively improves the prognosis of AIS patients. This study aims to evaluate whether CZTL regulates microglia polarization and inflammatory response to reduce brain damage in the acute phase of AIS.

METHODS

A mouse model of AIS was prepared by the photochemical method. Cerebral infarct volume was detected by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to assess neuronal apoptosis. Gene expression profile change was explored by Gene chip. Inflammatory factors were analyzed by Protein microarray. The Immunofluorescence double-labeling assay was executed to elucidate the effects of CD16⁺ / Iba-1⁺ and CD206⁺ / Iba-1⁺ in the peripheral area of cerebral ischemia.

RESULTS

Results revealed that CZTL treatment alleviated the neurological impairment, reduced cerebral infarct volume, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis. CZTL altered gene expression profiles, which indicate that CZTL may be involved in regulating neuroinflammation. CZTL restrained inflammatory responses by down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokines level. Further experiments demonstrated that CZTL inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which decreasing the inflammatory response. In addition, CZTL promoted the transformation of microglia from M1 to M2 phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CZTL alleviates neuroinflammation and brain damage after AIS in mice, which may be mediated by modulating microglia polarization.

Eugenol reduces serum testosterone levels and sperm viability in adult Wistar rats

Eugenol is the main constituent of clove extract. It is a remarkably versatile molecule incorporated as a functional ingredient in several food products and widely applied in the pharmaceutical industry. Men consume natural products enriched with eugenol for treating sexual disorders and using as aphrodisiacs. Nevertheless, there is no information about the impact of eugenol intake on the reproductive parameters of healthy males. Therefore, we provided 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^-1 pure eugenol to adult Wistar rats for 60 days. Testis, epididymis, and spermatozoa were analyzed under microscopic, biochemical, and functional approaches. This phenolic compound did not alter testicular and epididymal biometry and microscopy. However, 20 and 40 mg kg^-1 eugenol reduced serum testosterone levels. The highest dose altered lactate and glucose concentrations in the epididymis. All the eugenol concentrations diminished CAT activity and MDA levels in the testis and increased FRAP and CAT activity in the epididymis. Epididymal sperm from rats receiving 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^-1 eugenol presented high Ca²⁺ ATPase activity and low motility. In conclusion, eugenol at low and high doses negatively impacted the competence of epididymal sperm and modified oxidative parameters in male organs, with no influence on their microscopy.

Extract of Tagetes erecta L., a medicinal plant rich in lutein, promotes gastric healing and reduces ulcer recurrence in rodents

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tagetes erecta L. (Asteraceae), popularly known as Aztec Marigold, is used in South America to treat several ailments. Despite reports that T. erecta flowers are used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases, there is no study regarding its gastric healing effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The effect of dry extract of T. erecta L. (DETe) in gastric healing and gastric ulcer recurrence was evaluated, contributing to the validation of the antiulcer potential of this medicinal plant.

METHODS

Rats were treated orally with vehicle (1 ml/kg), omeprazole (20 mg/kg), or DETe (3, 30 or 300 mg/kg) for 7 days, twice a day. The lesion area was evaluated, and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipoperoxides (LOOH) and the activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured. The ulcer recurrence was evaluated in mice and induced by interleukin (IL)-1β (1 μg/kg, i.p). The recurred area, gastric wall thickness, GSH and cytokines levels, MPO and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities were measured.

RESULTS

DETe accelerated the healing of gastric ulcers only at 300 mg/kg, reducing the ulcerated area by 66%. In parallel, DETe reduced LOOH levels, SOD, CAT and MPO activities, while increasing GST activity and mucin amount. In the recurrence model, DETe reduced the lesion area by 94%, and in parallel decreased the gastric wall thickness and TNF levels, while increasing IL-10 amount.

CONCLUSIONS

Corroborating the popular use of T. erecta, DETe favors the antioxidant system and reduce gastric inflammation, accelerating the gastric healing process and reducing the ulcer recurrence.

Gastroprotective effect of low dose Eugenol in experimental rats against ethanol induced toxicity: Involvement of antiinflammatory and antioxidant mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Syzygium aromaticum L. volatile oil (clove oil) has been traditionally used for various stomach disorders including inflammatory conditions. Eugenol is the major constituent present in the volatile oil, and it has been established as a gastroprotective agent through many published studies, but the exact and complete mechanism of ulcer protection is not delineated yet. Moreover, it plays precisely the opposite effect in higher dose in antiulcer properties with worsening the ulcer at a higher dose.

AIM

This study aims to carry out the prophylactic cytoprotective effect of eugenol with single low doses and explore the probable interrelated underlying transcriptional and translational level mechanism of cytoprotection such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, mucous generation in rats using ethanol-induced ulcer model.

METHODS

Rats were administered with different doses of eugenol before ethanol intragastrically. The effects of the eugenol on mucous production, Nitric oxide generation, PGE2 synthesis, lipid peroxidation were recorded together with cytokines measurement in the blood. TNF-α and IL-6, two key cytokines, were also studied in specific. In addition, studies on the immunohistochemical and gene expression of HSP70 and iNOS indicators have been conducted.

RESULTS

According to our findings, Eugenol substantially reduced the ulcer index and completely protected the mucosa from lesions. By restoring the lowered GSH and NP-SH levels, the protective effect of the eugenol was found to be augmented at both doses. This finding has corresponded to an increase in MDA, which was lowered by ethanol administration. Pre-treatment with eugenol on the ethanol-induced ulcer reduced the plasma NO levels and increased PGE2 along with a decreased TNF-α and IL-6 concentration. Additionally, significant transcriptional and translational upregulation of HSP70 and downregulation of iNOS were detected in the eugenol-treated rat stomach tissue.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that eugenol had a considerable gastroprotective impact at low doses, which could be attributed to its ability to regulate inflammatory reactions and antioxidant capacity.

Lupeol Stearate Accelerates Healing and Prevents Recurrence of Gastric Ulcer in Rodents

Objective

The focus of this study was to evaluate the gastric healing effect of lupeol stearate (LS) and its ability to minimize ulcer recurrence in rodents.

Methods

To evaluate the gastric healing properties of LS, rats were subjected to 80% acetic acid-induced ulcer model and treated with vehicle, LS (1 mg/kg, p.o.), or omeprazole (20 mg/kg, p.o.), twice daily by seven days. The gastric ulcers were evaluated macroscopically, histologically, and biochemically. To evaluate the effects of LS in gastric ulcer recurrence, mice were ulcerated with 10% acetic acid and treated with vehicle, LS (1 mg/kg, p.o.), or ranitidine (100 mg/kg, p.o.), twice a day for ten days. Then, ulcer recurrence in these animals was induced by IL-1β at five days after the treatment period.

Results

The oral treatment with LS accelerated gastric healing by 63% in rats compared to the vehicle group, evidenced by histological improvement and increased gastric mucin levels. Moreover, the gastric healing effects of LS in rats were accompanied by an elevation in glutathione S-transferase activity and a reduction in myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, the LS treatment reduced the recurred lesions in mice.

Conclusions

The oral treatment of LS accelerates gastric healing in rats by favoring mucus production and reducing neutrophil migration, and it also can reduce ulcer recurrence. These data highlighted this compound as promising for developing new pharmacological strategies for the management of gastric ulcer.

Therapeutic Promises of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh and Their Bioactive Compounds against Ulcers and Inflammatory Diseases

When functioning properly, the stomach is the center of both physical and mental satisfaction. Gastrointestinal disorders, or malfunctioning of the stomach, due to infections caused by various biological entities and physiochemical abnormalities, are now widespread, with most of the diseases being inflammatory, which, depending on the position and degree of inflammation, have different names such as peptic or gastric ulcers, irritable bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis, and so on. While many synthetic drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are now extensively used to treat these diseases, their harmful and long-term side effects cannot be ignored. To treat these diseases safely and successfully, different potent medicinal plants and their active components are considered game-changers. In consideration of this, the present review aimed to reveal a general and comprehensive updated overview of the anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal plants. To emphasize the efficacy of the medicinal plants, various bioactive compounds from the plant extract, their experimental animal models, and clinical trials are depicted.